Manitoba Natural Resources and Northern Development is encouraging Manitoba Parks customers to plan ahead for the launch of the new Parks Reservation Service on March 27. Manitoba Parks is reminding campers the existing service at www.manitobaparks.com will be available until March 24 at 4 p.m. to access and take note of any favourite sites from previous reservations. Account information will not be transferred from the old reservation service to the new site. All users will need to create a new account starting on March 27 and are encouraged to browse the site to become familiar with the new service in advance of reservation opening days. Reservations for the 2023 season will occur over six days in April. Reservations will open at 7 a.m. each day for the following campsites and facilities: April 3 - All cabins, yurts and group use areas (including Hecla and Camp Morton recreation halls); April 5 - Campsite reservations for all western and northern region parks including Asessippi, Bakers Narrows, Clearwater (Campers Cove and Pioneer Bay), Duck Mountain (Blue Lakes, Childs Lake, Wellman Lake), Manipogo, Paint Lake, Rainbow Beach, Rivers, Spruce Woods (Kiche Manitou), Turtle Mountain (Adam Lake), William Lake and Wekusko Falls; April 11 - Campsite reservations for Birds Hill and Winnipeg Beach; April 12 - Campsite reservations for south Whiteshell including Caddy Lake, Falcon Beach, Falcon Lakeshore and West Hawk Lake; April 13 - Campsite reservations for Nopiming (Tulabi Falls main campground, Bird Lake, Black Lake, Shoe Lake, Beresford Lake) and north Whiteshell (Big Whiteshell, Brereton Lake, Nutimik Lake, Opapiskaw, Betula Lake and White Lake); and April 14 - All remaining locations including Camp Morton, Grand Beach, Hecla, Hnausa Beach, Lundar Beach, Moose Lake, St. Malo, Stephenfield and Watchorn. Otter Falls Campground in Whiteshell Provincial Park, Tulabi Falls walk-in backcountry sites in Nopiming Provincial Park, and Birch Point Provincial Park Campground will not open for reservations, as the campgrounds are under construction for flood-related repairs this spring. Opening dates for these campgrounds are undetermined at this time. Campers should continue to check www.manitobaparks.com for additional information and updates prior to the opening of the reservation service. - 30 -

The Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba is pleased to announce a spring Community Gallery exhibition, The Long and Short of It featuring the Brandon Embroiders. The exhibition runs from March 30th until June 3rd, 2023. For 25 years, the Brandon Embroiders group have gathered regularly to share their skills and experience practicing an art form with a 20,000-year history. One of the original founding groups of the AGSM, they have gathered there bimonthly for the past decade to share traditional and innovative contemporary embroidery techniques, and to present their recent projects to one another. The Long and Short of It features nearly 80 new embroidered works from 17 current members, showcasing an array of techniques, perspectives, legacies, and modernisms. The work is unified in its material and the incremental speed of progress necessitated by the medium of needle and thread. That slowness links the practice to a rich history, recalling the commitment to creation required of all domestic arts,” which have traditionally been executed simultaneously to other tasks such as housework and childcare in the service of the family unit or home. The Brandon Embroiderers describe their ongoing project as “a group of needlework artists who focus on teaching and improving our skills while learning with like-minded people. It can be enjoyed alone or in community. Long term friendships develop - as our signature sampler says ‘Birds of a Feather stitch together’!” When asked about their upcoming exhibition, the group replied, “It is exciting for us to exhibit our work as there is a resurgence of interest in embroidery as an art form. With easier access to materials and different techniques, embroidery has become more diverse and creative.” The Opening Reception for the exhibition will be in conjunction with Drawn Together in the Main Gallery, on Thursday, April 13th at 7 PM, and the group will be hosting two “stitch-ins,” where the public can experiment with embroidery techniques free of charge, at the AGSM on Saturday April 15 and Saturday, May 6, from 1:30 - 3 PM. The AGSM would like to thank the Kayes Family Fund, City of Bandon, Manitoba Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts for their continued support of their programming and exhibitions.

During Spring Break 2023, from March 27th to the 31st, the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba (AGSM) will be offering art classes for Children and Teens daily. Parents Looking for fun, creative, and affordable activities to keep their children or teens busy over the holiday can register now for Members and March 3rd for everyone. Classes run either in the mornings or the afternoons in two or three hour slots. They include painting, drawing, clay sculpting and more. If you have a busy child who needs a creative outlet, sign up for “Pokemon Paint Pour”, or “Say Yes to the less” - a class filled with sensory exploration and abstract masterpieces. Check out "Fun with Clay" for those who can't wait to get into the pottery studio and play with clay for the day. Learn more about Indigenous arts and culture through art in “Exploring the woodland School of Art”. If you know an imaginative teen who loves to create art, sign them up for “Surreal Inspiration: Teens Art Studio” or “Supersized bellies" where teens can express themselves and experiment with painting, portraiture, drawing, collage, and develop advanced techniques. There’s plenty of activities for children and youth such as “Swirling Sky Paintings” inspired by Van Gogh and “Abstract Watercolour Designs”. The AGSM childrens' and teens' classes assitL students with the development of fine motor skills, promote relaxation and concentration, and provide a safe place to have a   blast over the Spring Break holiday! Sign up now so you don't miss out on the fun this spring. The AGSM would like to thank Christie’s and Prairie's Office Plus for their contribution of select materials for the children's' and teens' art program. For more information: Check out the Art Gallery's website www.agsm.ca To register, please email receptionC+agsm.ca or phone ZD4-727-1036.

Jason been assisting the Brandon Wheat Kings with equipment and game day duties since 2006. He will be heading to Berlin, Germany this June for the World Special Olympics where he'll compete in golf. Prior to participating in golf, Jason has also found success in both softball and swimming. His athletic prowess has allowed him to travel to many countries including Italy, Portugal, China, and Taiwan. Club in your bag that you feel most comfortable swinging? Driver/7-iron Favorite fast food burger? Baconater from Wendy's Who is your favorite athlete? Michael Jordan If you could pick any one singer/band to put on your show at your next birthday party, who would you choose? Nickleback What’s your favorite movie? Pirates of the Caribbean You get a free ticket to travel around the world. Will you go by boat, plane, train, or car? Plane If you could have one current member of the Wheat Kings be your caddy in Germany, who do you choose? Nolan Ritchie Do you have a favorite holiday? Christmas, spending time with family If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? Toasted Sandwiches What is the best gift you have ever received? eBike What is your favorite zoo animal? Monkey/Tiger What breakfast cereal do you prefer? Rice Krispies Which celebrity would you most like to play a round of golf with and why? Rory McIlroy, he would give me good tips on what to work on in golf. What is your favorite thing about working with the Wheat Kings? Getting the boys pumped up doing the fist bumps before warmup and the game. Do you have any hobbies outside of work? Sony Playstation Where is the most interesting place you have travelled so far? Italy, got to see the Coliseum Would you prefer to go camping or chill at a beach? Chill at the beach. What is your favorite TV show of all time?  Gordon Ramsay's HELL'S KITCHEN or WWE Wrestling What’s the last video game you played? NHL 2023, PS4

The Manitoba government will once again offer free park entry for the entire month of February so Manitobans and visitors can take advantage of the many winter activities available in provincial parks, Environment, Climate and Parks Minister Jeff Wharton announced today. “In Manitoba’s provincial parks, winter is a season worth celebrating,” said Wharton. “Our government is pleased to make it easier for Manitobans to participate in invigorating, enjoyable winter experiences surrounded by our province’s natural beauty.” Vehicle permits are not required in any provincial park in February, but Snopasses are still required for snowmobiles using trails. Entrance fees still apply in national parks. Provincial parks have groomed trails for a variety of activities including cross-country skiing, fat biking, snowshoeing and hiking. Paint Lake, Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain provincial parks also offer outdoor skating areas, hockey rinks and toboggan hills. Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park has ice-fishing shelters on Lake Winnipeg that are free to use. Manitobans are encouraged to check trail conditions before visiting parks. Trail maps and updated reports can be found at: https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/recreation-and-activities/trail_conditions/index.html. Trail users are reminded to only use trails for designated activities, keep dogs on leash and practise the principles of “Leave No Trace.” Park interpreters in Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks offer numerous guided programs to enrich visitor experiences. Highlights for the month of February include wolf howl hikes, snowshoe treks, ski clinics, quinzhee building and ice fishing. Event details and registration information can be found at www.manitobaparks.com. Teachers can also book free guided field trips to Birds Hill, Spruce Woods and Whiteshell provincial parks, along with virtual programs to bring park interpreters into classrooms. Annual park vehicle permits will be available for purchase beginning on March 1. To purchase a permit, visit: www.manitobaelicensing.ca. For more information on winter activities and interpretive programs in provincial parks, email ParkInterpretation@gov.mb.ca or visit www.manitobaparks.com.