The cold took care of the crowds, so all the kids had to worry about was staying warm and having fun. Bottineau Winter Park is just 150 kms south of Brandon, and only about 7 miles over the US/Canadian Border. My kids jumped at the chance to try a new destination even though they are regular customers and big fans of both Minnedosa and Assessippi ski areas. We were lured to Bottineau by their school break deal for Canadians. They are offering ski and snowboard passes and rentals, from January 2nd to 6th, for Canadian cash (no debit cards/credit cards.) In total, we paid $100 Canadian for 1 adult, 1 youth and 1 child's pass, plus one set of rentals. (Food and drinks are not available for Canadian at par) for the full day. The facilities themselves are fantastic. Lots of parking, a modern lodge, great equipment and well groomed runs. In addition to skiing and snowboarding they also offer tubing. Tube rentals are hourly. There is a magic carpet type lift that will pull you back up to the lodge area and it also serves the bunny hill. There are typical chair lifts and tow bars in the other areas. Plus, there is a designated terrain area for snowboarders. It has two rails, beginner to advanced jumps and was lots of fun. The ski hill itself is suitable for beginners, children and nervous skiers. In other words, perfect for prairie people. Kids raised in the Alberta mountains would not be challenged or satisfied with the short runs and limited elevation. My teen son, Riley, particularly liked the tree lined run that was in between the two main runs by the chair lift. The grader doesn't go down that stretch which left him with great powder and loose snow to blow through on a snowboard. He reports that the runs to the right of the chairlift are more advanced and offer a steeper decline and more of a challenge. The staff were really good and were especially helpful to our youngest son. Staff were interested and engaged, offering tips and asking about him and the equipment throughout the day. Riley was disappointed that his GoPro failed in the frigid temperatures. Otherwise we'd have video to share. Overall, he gives Bottineau Winter Park 4.5 out of 5 stars and would definitely recommend it and go back at that price. You can visit their website for more photos and details. http://skibwp.com          

List of some of the Top Local Stories that we at bdnmb.ca would like to cover in 2017. In no particular order. WestJet Re-Introduces Flights East to Toronto Casino Announced for Downtown Brandon: The Town Centre Micro Brewery Tapped to Occupy Vacant McKenzie Seeds Building Nolan Patrick Selected 1st Overall in NHL Entry Draft You Gotta Eat Here Coming to Joe Beeverz Low Income Residents Find Safe Affordable Housing Food Trucks Re-Energize Local Food Scene ACC/BU Students Graduate in Record Numbers Brandon Drivers Look-up “Merge” in the Dictionary Construction Begins on the Swiss Chalet, Harvey's, East Side Mario's & Fionn MaCool's Restaurants

You'll find another hidden gem, just west of Precision Toyota. An adorable Christmas village display sits just in front of Westbran Training Centre and guides the way to Brandon's outdoor skating oval. So which is the hidden gem? Truly, all three. The village is crafted and set up on-site at Westbran Training Centre. It's located at 2005 McGregor Avenue. (Turn at Precision Toyota and drive to the end of the road.) The village consists of a model train, a general store, a church and a log cabin. It's really well done and definitely photo worthy. Secondly, Westbran Training Centre is a government funded site that offers employment counseling, training and one-on-one skill development services. There are drop in hours Tuesday to Thursday evenings. All services are free of charge. It's a division of WEM (Workplace Education Manitoba). http://www.wem.mb.ca/west_centre_brandon.aspx Thirdly, the skating oval. It's a city-operated, free site where families can ice skate outdoors. There is a warming hut where you can put your skates on and even a port-a-potty on site. The skating oval is lined with Christmas lights and displays are sponsored by Manitoba Hydro. All three are worth your time and contribute added value in our community.  

The Westman Wedding Expo is taking place at the Keystone Centre, inside the Manitoba Room, on February 5th,. Brandon's biggest wedding show will be home for one day to many different wedding specialists, a custom fashion show, and the opportunity for one lucky bride to win a Grand Prize Ultimate Wedding Give-Away estimated to be over $18,000 in value. The Westman Wedding Expo, hosted by Party Professionals & Wedding Expressions, has everything you will need to plan an extravagant wedding or a quiet destination wedding. Brides and their guests will have the opportunity to visit a wide variety of exhibitors for help in planning their special day. The event runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and admission price is only $10 in advance, or $15 at the door.

You’ve probably got at least one cause you’re passionate about. And, your hard work and success have placed you and your family in a position to give back to your community. To make sure your donation makes the biggest impact possible, you need a plan. Step 1 – decide what matters most With so many ways to make a difference, deciding which charities to support can be overwhelming. When you’re choosing where to direct your money, consider: Do your core values align with a specific cause or organization? Are you or someone you care about personally affected by an issue? Is there a cause you think needs more attention? Are there organizations you already support that you’d like to do more for? How does the charity distribute their funds? Luckily, there are a lot of independent sites, including Charity Intelligence Canada, that offer comprehensive ratings based on transparency, need and operating efficiency. Step 2 – direct your donation dollars Once you find a cause you’re passionate about, decide how you want to make your mark. Will all your donation dollars go to one organization or to several? Will it be a one-time gift or ongoing? Is this a personal project or will your family and friends join the cause? Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Want to inspire innovation? Create your own charity, grant or scholarship fund. Or maybe there’s an organization you could partner with to match your gift. The sky’s the limit when it comes to your charitable legacy. Step 3 – build a team to help you realize your dream Seek the advice of professionals who can help you make the most of your gift. A financial security advisor can help you: Align your philanthropic plans with the core values and issues that matter most to you and your family Identify a plan to involve your family – today and tomorrow Take advantage of tax efficiencies and benefits Your team might also include: Lawyers Accountants Philanthropy consultants Ready, set, give! Contact me today to see how you can maximize your gift today to help create a better tomorrow.