Brandon, MB – Piloted in 2017, the Incredible Edible Route is coming back to Brandon! Our inaugural year consisted of twelve navy self-watering planters overflowing with fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and positioned at various locations in the downtown. In 2018, we grew from 12 to 17 locations and will be adding more workshops and a local food publication in 2019. The projects message is that gardens are more than having an isolated space to garden – it is the chance to connect and work together with the community around the unifying theme of food. “This is more than just growing vegetables in a public space,” says Hope Switzer, Community Development Coordinator of the Brandon Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (BNRC) and Incredible Edible Team Lead “It’s about connecting and community building - as well as deciding what our neighbourhoods look like.  We want to transform our community into a healthier, more enjoyable, and productive place for us to live." Incredible Edible Brandon was inspired by the success of Incredible Edible Todmorden, UK, a small town in the North of England, by a group of like-minded individuals intent on enriching communities with access to local food. The movement focuses on three “spinning plates”: • The Community Plate - growing produce and working together • The Learning Plate - providing training from field to classroom to kitchen • The Business Plate - supporting local commerce There are a number of ways to get involved including: sponsoring a garden bed, volunteering to maintain a planter, or picking the produce to take home and eat! Be sure to look for our Incredible Edible Brandon logo and the “Food to Share – it’s all free” signage for these special gardens. Remember not to disturb any of our wonderful community gardens. Unlike Incredible Edible Gardens, Community Gardens are assigned to individuals and are not open to the public to pick from. To date, sponsors include: The Cooperators, Healthy Brandon, Brandon University, City of Brandon, Assiniboine Adult Collegiate, BDO, The Dock on Princess, CMHA’s Global Market, Zeke’s Jewellers, Lindenberg Seeds, New System Store, Evolution Bookkeeping, Meghan Hamill Lashes, The Green Spot, Western Manitoba Regional Library,  Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba. The Kick-off to this year’s Incredible Edible Brandon project is set to take place May 25th, 2019 at “Eco Day in May” held at the Global Market. Planting of the planters will take place on May 23rd at 4pm (Global Market).

Mark Derlago is the guest on this edition of Community Connection. Mark spent three seasons playing hockey for his hometown Brandon Wheat Kings before heading out on a very successful professional career which has seen him play in many countries including Denmark, Germany, and Japan. Nickname: Billy First job: Paper boy in Brandon What’s the last adventure you went on: Malaga Spain in February If you were trying out for Canadian Idol what would be your go to song: Bobcaygeon-Tragically Hip Best sports movie of all time: Major League Your dream golfing foursome includes yourself and these three people: Bill Murray, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods Which former teammate would make a great coach: Dustin Friesen Your fast food guilty pleasure: Spicy Chicken at Wendy's What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of to date: Named in ECHL top 30 greatest players of all time. Backyard BBQ or Formal Dinner: BBQ What movie title best describes your life: Lost in Translation Of all the cities I have played hockey in, this is my favourite city to live: Nottingham England Who was your childhood celebrity crush: Kelly Kapowski-saved by the bell Apart from loved ones, what’s your most treasured possession: Roberto Alomar autographed baseball. Best piece of advice you have been given: First year in junior, our coach Mike Kelly told me not to be impressed by anyone. What’s your go-to meal when cooking: Tacos What’s something you don’t know, but want to learn: play guitar What's your go-to song to get pumped up for practice or a game: Just some good country is all I need. Who would make you totally star struck: Darryl Wolski They say that everyone has a book in them. What would your book be about: Coming back from a broken neck and travelling the world with my family.

Splish Splash Water Park in Minnedosa will open on June the 24th at 10am. Manitoba's first floating inflatable water park was announced on the 26th of March. Built to accommodate up to 100 people the structure (see below) will be equipped with a jumping pillow, big slide, trampoline, balance beam and jungle bar. An all day pass is $25, while an evening pass (5pm-8pm) will set you back $15. Five day punch cards will also be available. Taxes are not included in the listed pricing. For additional information on the water park please visit their Facebook page.

The Our Manitoba Photo Contest has entered the voting stage, and Sunrise Credit Union and its partners are seeking the public’s assistance in selecting this year’s winning entries. Sunrise was been partnering with Keywest Photo and the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (AGSM) for the annual Our Manitoba Photo Contest since 2013. The contest helps showcase the beauty of our province, and the winning entries are displayed in the Sunrise Credit Union calendar and in the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba. The public was invited to submit photos for consideration over the past four weeks through the www.ourmanitoba.org website, and the entries have now been shortlisted to the Top 30. The shortlisted photos are chosen based on originality, creativity, overall composition, technical standards and will capture the family values and/or cultural characteristics unique to Our Manitoba. The shortlisted photos are available to view and vote on at https://ourmanitoba.org/vote-2019/, with the 14 photos receiving the most votes being declared this year’s winners. The voting opened earlier today, and will continue until May 3rd. The winning photos will be unveiled at a special event at the AGSM on Thursday, May 16th at 7:30 p.m., with the event being open to the public. The winning photos will also be featured in the 2020 Sunrise Calendar, on Sunrise’s branch TVs and social media channels, and will be on display at the AGSM from May 16th to June 1st. In addition, each of the 14 winning photographers will receive a canvas print of their winning photograph from KeyWest Photo, while the photo receiving the most votes will be the Grand Prize winner of a $500 Term Deposit from Sunrise Credit Union. (article submitted)

Come join us for Brandon’s first urban Market as Apple and Pine hosts this Spring’s go to event on Saturday May 11th from 11am-4pm at the Dome Building and shop from over 50 local artisans. We are thrilled to be one of the first urban markets in the Brandon Community and want to provide avenues for local Manitoba makers to showcase their work and to help them grow their business any way we can. We feel it is so important to support independent makers that are bringing back the quality and charm of local, handmade items in every piece they create. You will see Silly Goat Apparel, Mouse River Pottery, Bchic Design, Wheat City Juice, Farmer’s Son Co, Lux & Dae, Sarah Sue Design, Simpleries, Rose and Doll, Tiny inspirations, Prairie Kids Co., Brooke Piche Illustrations and many more! You can be sure to find something for mom, a friend or just come to enjoy the market experience to sip and shop at the Apple & Pine signature lounge area and enjoy the presence of each other’s company. We will also have a live DJ from Trident Music to entertain you for the day and sweet treats, snacks and beverages to purchase. VIP tickets are new this year and have been very popular, so be sure to grab yours soon! A VIP ticket gets you in the door an hour earlier to have the first look at all the new spring lines, a complimentary signature Apple & Pine beverage and a sweet treat homemade from Heart of a Sweet Current! Come to meet and greet the talent behind the hard work and character of each and every local maker. Come support, the writers, the artists, the craftsmen, the designers, the Manitoba makers! Follow along on our journey as Apple & Pine hosts this Spring’s go to market and let us bring the maker’s from across the province to your front door! You can find our event information on Facebook or follow along on Instagram @appleandpinemarket for updates. Cass & Michelle Apple and Pine Spring Market Saturday, May 11th The Dome Building Purchase your tickets online.