The man-made lake in Reston, MB officially opened on June 15. The lake was Phase 2 of the Recreation Development Area for the  RM of Pipestone. Funding from the RM of Pipestone Council ($250,000) and from the Province of Manitoba Community Places Program ($50,000) was used to finance the project. It is located adjacent to the Reston campground, golf course and spray park. Many features have been built into the lake including a sand bottom, decorative fountain, and a large sand beach.

Riley spent 4 seasons in the WHL, including his 20-year old season with his home town Wheat Kings. Along with his brother Spencer they are the owners of Progressive Sanitation. The company is Brandon's leading supplier of sanitation supplies and equipment. Nickname: Dawg Day First job: Professional Stock Boy- Safeway Childhood celebrity crush: Britney Spears Most memorable WHL fight: Getting whipped by Tootoo What is your must have beauty product: Obviously Hair Gel Biggest regret: Everything happens for a reason and we all end up where we are supposed to be.. no REGRATS... not even one letter. One person in Brandon that you not have yet had lunch with but would like to: Rick Chrest What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of to date: Progressive Westman Your fast-food guilty pleasure: Sub Shop Who would make you totally star struck: Mario Lemieux You dream golfing foursome includes yourself and these three people: Elvis Presley, Mario Lemieux, John Daly – TIGER CAN CARRY MY CLUBS…. Best sports movie of all-time: Slapshot... not even a close second. What movie title best describes your life: The good, the bad and the ugly (1966) The last adventure you went on: Road Trip to BC with the Kids You've got friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where are you taking them: To the lake. If an actor could play you in a movie about the story of your life, who would it be: James Dean Favorite Disney character: Peter Pan Bonus Question: Who is the weirdest person you know: We will leave that one for a mystery..

Over the past several years we have been very fortunate to introduce our readers to some hidden gems (Crows' General Store, D-Vos Sports Lounge, Eternal Springs, Nature's Hideaway) in Brandon and the surrounding communities. Thanks to a tip from a follower, we can now add the Kelwood Store to the list. The store, located at 10 Mountain Ave in Kelwood, is only open Saturdays from 10AM TO 4PM. Kelwood is halfway between Neepawa and Ste Rose du Lac. The recently opened store is full of antiques and collectibles. There is a great little cafe next door too, called “Cafe 37”, which is open Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays.

The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is offering a jam-packed month of drawing, painting, animation, cartooning, video game making, puppets, clay classes and much more this July! Children and Teens can delve into the fantastic world of art making this summer and work with talented artists and instructors. Sign up now for activities and art projects in an inspiring, creative, and supportive setting for learners of all ages and abilities. Please remember - classes fill up quickly, so sign up now to avoid missing out! The Children’s and Teens Summer Art Program begins July 2nd and runs until July 26th. Full days or half days are available. The programs accommodate ages 6-9, 9-12, or 13-17yrs. Are your children fascinated by Minecraft or into creating cartoons and anime? Join Ronalyn Ewert and Carly Morrisseau during the afternoons in Week 3 to develop game ideas and create drawings, pixelated selfies, and interactive art. Are your teen artists interested in animation or learning the first steps to game design and making video games? Check out the teens classes with Marcel Laurin during Week 3. Do your little ones love to get creative with paint, clay, rainbow unicorns, and sparkles? Leave the mess to us, and bring your kids to the gallery so they can have fun and set their imagination free in Week 1 with Mud to Mug and Colour Your World or Imagination Station in Week 2 with Hannah Seitter. Children can become Art Stars as they create mini-murals and Star Blanket paintings in Week 3 in a unique opportunity to work with amazing downtown mural artists from Brandon and Winnipeg! There is something for everyone in a wide range of workshops this summer featuring T-shirt design, Harry Potter themes, superhero puppets, watercolour painting and more. These workshops, plus many more, are all listed on the Art Gallery’s website: agsm.ca or contact the Art Gallery for a printed brochure. To register: please contact us in-person, over the phone, online, through the mail or fax.

Carmen has been a part of the Brandon fitness community for the past 15 years. A certified Personal Fitness Trainer (from Mount Royal College in Calgary), she is the owner of The Zen Zone in Brandon. The Zen Zone offers a variety of yoga classes at their studio located at 346-10th Street. Years lived in Brandon: 27 years What’s the one thing you haven’t done yet that you would love to do:  Go to Sturgis A movie you’d watch again tonight: The Hangover Your fast-food guilty pleasure:  Filet o fish and fries - don't judge me What advice would you give to young entrepreneurs:  Keep stepping out of your comfort zone and you'll be amazed where it takes you Backyard BBQ or Formal Dinner:  Backyard BBQ with friends for sure. Describe yourself in three words:  Independent, spontaneous, fun. What’s the last adventure you went on: Does Vegas count as an adventure?   You can only dance to one song for the rest of your life, what is it:  That's just an awful thought... What TV show would you like to a cameo in:  Cheers, barstool beside Norm please. You've got friends visiting Brandon for the first time, where are you taking them:  Well the last group that came in from out of town started with tubing down the Little Sask and ended up at the Rock.   What's one fashion trend that you tried that you hope never comes back:  High waisted jeans...oh wait they are back aren't they.  What word or phrase do you most overuse:  You betcha Tell us 4 things you can’t live without:  Coffee, mascara, a blue rav4 and as much as I hate to admit it...my phone. Describe Brandon in one word: home What is your greatest fear:  losing my loved ones If you had a clock that would countdown to any one event of your choosing, what event would you want it to countdown to:  retirement day What’s the best thing that happened to you last week:Got asked to do this questionnaire! If you joined the Spice Girls what would your name be:  Yogi spice Dream dinner party guests:(4):  Alive: Joe Rogan, Bill Murray, Betty White, Cher Dead:  All 4 of my Grandparents...I wish I had have asked them more questions when they were around. Bonus question: Do you think your segment will receive more views than Cam Toews did:  Well I hope so for bragging rights, but Mr. Toews is a pretty popular guy.  I don't know if I stand a chance.