Riding Mountain National Park is  reopening the Boreal Trail. Located within a half-hour drive from Dauphin, this easy and accessible 1.2 km loop has long been a favourite among families, nature lovers, and the local community. The Boreal Trail winds through the boreal forest, crosses fenland, and offers tranquil views of Jackfish Creek. New bridges, boardwalks, benches, and trail tread support a refreshed visitor experience in this sanctuary of towering trees and glistening water. Designed to be accessible for all ages, including families with strollers and people who use mobility aids, time on the Boreal Trail offers opportunities for locals and visitors from afar to discover and connect with the incredible nature and history of Riding Mountain National Park. Parks Canada administered places are committed to providing visitors with high-quality and meaningful experiences. One feature along the trail is a new exhibit, developed in collaboration with Anishinaabe Elders, that highlights how wetlands connect land and people through water and describes the importance of the boreal forest to life and creation. The trail is open year-round. In summer, it is maintained for hiking. In winter, it remains open as a multi-use trail. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead by checking current trail conditions, seasonal changes, and temporary closures on the Riding Mountain Trail Conditions webpage.

In the heart of Brandon, residents have a new place to get their hair trimmed, styled, and shaved: Jaysh Barbershop opened its doors recently at 211 12th Street. Owner Jayesh is no stranger to the local grooming scene, having previously worked at Tommy Guns in Brandon’s Shoppers Mall. Now, he’s branching out, applying his experience and personal touch to his own venture. Offering a full range of barber services — from classic haircuts and straight-razor neck shaves to beard trims and styling — the shop aims to serve clients of all ages. Pricing is competitive, with promotions such as a 10% discount on classic haircuts for a limited time and a client loyalty card. The online appointment system is already operational, with many booking slots filling quickly.

Next Trimester Nursing Co. Opens First Feeding Studio in Westman Brandon families now have a new resource for expert prenatal and infant feeding support, thanks to the expansion of Next Trimester Nursing Co. Founded by local Registered Nurses Adrienne McNish and Jaiclyn Parsonage, Next Trimester Nursing Co. (formerly Baby Bump Prenatal) has been a leading source of education and support for expectant and new parents across Manitoba for the past decade. Next Trimester Nursing Co. has opened the region’s first Feeding Studio inside Dynamic Physiotherapy Clinic at 1100 Richmond Avenue, in Brandon. The studio offers a private, welcoming space where families can receive personalized lactation support from a nursing team of Certified Breastfeeding Specialists and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs). The Feeding Studio is now officially open and welcoming bookings from families across Westman. “We know how many families in our community have been needing this kind of support, and we’re so excited to finally be able to offer it,” says McNish. “Feeding can be one of the more stressful parts of early parenting, and our goal is to ensure families feel supported, cared for, and confident every step of the way.” In addition to the Feeding Studio, Next Trimester Nursing Co. continues to offer a wide range of prenatal and postpartum services. These include prenatal classes offered in both small-group and private settings, for both the first-time and experienced parents. Offerings also include workshops focused on newborn safety and emergency care, as well as feeding education through group workshops and one-on-one sessions. Parsonage emphasizes that accessibility and community connection are at the heart of their work. “Having support that is flexible and accessible can make all the difference in those early days. Our passion has always been supporting families through the big transitions of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Our Feeding Studio is an extension of that — a space built entirely around supporting parents and their babies.” For more information about Westman’s first Feeding Studio, please visit: https://www.nexttrimester.com/feedingstudio or by following Next Trimester Nursing Co. on social media.

The Manitoba government has lowered the speed limit on Highway 10 through the village of Forrest to 50 km/h, a move that local officials and residents say has been a long time coming. The reduction, which took effect earlier this week, replaces the previous 70 km/h zone and is aimed at improving safety for pedestrians, particularly students crossing the highway between Elton Collegiate and Forrest Elementary School. The new traffic pattern now flows from 100 km/h outside the community, to 70 km/h on the outskirts, and down to 50 km/h through Forrest.  

Known across North America for chasing some of the continent’s most powerful storms, Greg Johnson – the Tornado Hunter – is heading to Brandon this fall. But instead of tracking severe weather, Johnson will be sharing his passion for photography in an upcoming two-day workshop. The event takes place November 8–9, 2025, at the Seniors for Seniors Centre. Over the course of 14 hours of hands-on learning, participants will be guided through Johnson’s Camera Easy method, a teaching style that breaks down the technical side of DSLR and mirrorless cameras into clear, practical steps. “Photography doesn’t need to be overwhelming,” Johnson has said in past workshops. “Once you understand the basics, your creativity can take over.” The workshop will cover topics such as manual mode, aperture priority, exposure, focusing, composition, white balance, and how to handle motion blur. With class sizes capped at just 14 people, attendees can expect plenty of personal instruction. Johnson, recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Explorers, has spent years capturing some of the world’s most extreme weather events, including the devastating Joplin, Missouri tornado and the record-breaking El Reno storm. His photography and storm-chasing adventures have been featured on television, in publications, and across social media. This time, though, it’s not the storms he’s chasing—it’s helping others unlock the full potential of their cameras. Registration for the Brandon workshop is open now, with seats expected to fill quickly.