The Keystone Centre is thrilled to announce that it will host the Global Champions Arabians Tour (GCAT) on August 8 and 9, 2025. This event marks the first time GCAT will be held in North & South America, with Brandon, the tour’s lone stop in Canada, joining an elite list of host cities including Miami, Scottsdale, and Las Vegas in the USA, and São Paulo in Brazil. The two-day event will coincide with Canada’s National Arabian Championship show at the Keystone Centre, offering attendees an unparalleled experience of Arabian horse excellence in the Wheat City for the first time since 2019. “We are honored to host the Global Champions Arabians Tour at the Keystone Centre,” said Connie Lawrence, Keystone Centre CEO & general manager. “This event provides a unique opportunity to showcase the capability of our team and facility, and positions Brandon as a premier destination for international events. We look forward to welcoming participants and spectators from around the world to experience the rich culture and hospitality our community offers.” Adopting the same judging system used across the Middle East and Europe, each class and championship will feature horses evaluated by a randomly selected panel of judges, using five key criteria: type, head and neck, body, legs, and movement. At the final stage in Las Vegas, the Best Female, Best Male, Best Handler and Horse of the Tour will be crowned. “The Arabian horse has a deep-rooted legacy here in the Americas,” said Cindy McGown, CEO of GCAT Americas, “and GCAT’s presence will only amplify the admiration and respect these remarkable animals deserve. This Tour is a unique opportunity to unite communities through the shared passion for these extraordinary horses and their incredible stories.” The GCAT Americas circuit will commence in Scottsdale, Arizona, in February 2025, followed by events in Miami Beach, Florida; São Paulo, Brazil; Brandon, Manitoba; and concluding with the final in Las Vegas, Nevada, in September 2025. “The launch of the Americas circuit represents a bold step forward for GCAT,” said Faleh Al Nasr, Chairman of the Global Champions Arabians Tour at the tour launch event in Miami Beach. “It’s a testament to the growing global appreciation for Arabian horses and their unique qualities. We are thrilled to bring this celebration of excellence to the Americas and build lasting connections across continents.” The addition of the Global Champions Arabians Tour to the 2025 calendar highlights the Keystone Centre’s commitment to hosting world-class events. As the sole Canadian stop on the GCAT Americas circuit, the two-day competition will offer attendees an unmatched opportunity to experience Arabian horse excellence, solidifying the Keystone Centre’s reputation as a premier venue for international equestrian events.

Carol and Blaine Sangster won $1 million on the November 22 LOTTO MAX draw! The Brandon couple said the win had them both completely overwhelmed. “I checked the winning numbers on the website,” Carol explained. “I sat there stunned, and I then I think I just cried!” “My husband was on his way to work at the time, and I called him and said, ‘You need to come home!’” she continued. “He came right home to celebrate!” As for their plans—the couple intends to buy a home together and share some of the windfall with family. “I just retired in June,” Carol said, choking up in her interview. “It’s amazing to have this now.” “I’m supposed to be retiring soon,” chuckled Blaine. “So hopefully this will give us more flexibility.” “We’re excited to spoil our grandkids a little extra this Christmas!” Carol and Blaine Sangster purchased their winning LOTTO MAX ticket from Gambler Gas & Convenience Store at 1725 18 Street N in Brandon. They won their prize by matching one of the MAXMILLIONS prize selections in the November 22 LOTTO MAX draw: 2, 4, 7, 11, 26, 30, 47.

This winter, Canada's #1 music brand for kids, Mini Pop Kids, will kick off a national tour in celebration of its 20th anniversary. Beginning in Windsor, Ontario and visiting 29 cities across the country, the Mini Pop Kids Celebration Tour will deliver an ultimate family-friendly concert, featuring electrifying performances of chart-topping songs by Idrees, Bella, Kaitlyn, Ari and Maxton. A show that is by kids, for kids (and adults, too!), Mini Pop Kids Celebration Tour will feature songs from fan favourites like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan in addition to some nostalgic classics that nod to the company's history. “20 years ago we had the opportunity to reinvigorate one of Canada's most nostalgic brands, the Mini Pops, into what has become Canada's #1 music brand for kids, Mini Pop Kids. We're so proud of the show we've put together to celebrate the brand's growth over the past two decades,” said Samantha Kives, Vice President, K-tel. “It's a great feeling to give those who grew up listening to Mini Pops the opportunity to share something from their childhood with their families. Seeing everyone up and dancing for the whole show, singing and laughing together is something we'll never take for granted. We can't wait to celebrate our anniversary with all of Canada at our shows this year!” Highlighting the company's desire to support rising talent, the Mini Pop Kids Celebration Tour will see local dance groups and choirs join the Mini Pop Kids on stage in each market. “We were blown away by the incredible talent we found across Canada last year!,” said Mike Ross, General Manager/Director, Mini Pop Kids. “Our goal as a company is to encourage Canada's youth to get involved in their communities. By featuring local dance groups and choirs in our tour, we hope to  inspire Canada's next generation of performers!” This year, fans will also be able to relive the magic year-round by purchasing a copy of Mini Pop Kids 20, a collection of family-friendly renditions of today's most popular hits. Available on January 10, the album features hit songs from some of today's biggest artists including Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Morgan Wallen. Bringing songs like “A Bar Song” by Shaboozey, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter and “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone and Morgan Wallen to life, Mini Pop Kids 20 delivers a fun, family-friendly spin on the chart-topping songs everyone knows and loves. MINI POP KIDS CELEBRATION TOUR DATES January 18, 2025 — Chrysler Theatre — Windsor, ON February 1, 2025 — Meridian Theatres Centrepointe — Ottawa, ON February 2, 2025 — Empire Theatre — Belleville, ON February 7, 2025 — Vic Juba Community Theatre — Lloydminster, AB February 8, 2025 — TCU Place — Saskatoon, SK February 9, 2025 — Conexus Arts Centre — Regina, SK February 15, 2025 — Fraser Auditorium — Sudbury, ON February 17, 2025 — Sault Community Theatre — Sault  Ste. Marie, ON February 22, 2025 — Festival Place Theatre — Sherwood Park, AB February 23, 2025 — Grey Eagle Resort & Casino — Calgary, AB March 2, 2025 — Casino New Brunswick — Moncton, NB March 4, 2025 — Imperial Theatre — Saint John, NB March 6, 2025 — Fredericton Playhouse — Fredericton, NB March 8, 2025 — Rebecca Cohn Auditorium — Halifax, NS March 9, 2025 — deCoste Performing Arts Centre — Pictou, NS March 10, 2025 — Savoy Theatre — Glace Bay, NS March 13, 2025 — The Rose Theatre — Brampton, ON March 14, 2025 — Centre In The Square — Kitchener, ON March 15, 2025 — Niagara Falls Convention Centre — Niagara Falls, ON March 22, 2025 — Imperial Theatre — Sarnia, ON April 3, 2025 — Thunder Bay Community Auditorium — Thunder Bay, ON April 5, 2025 — Burton Cummings Theatre — Winnipeg, MB April 6, 2025 — Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium — Brandon, MB April 24, 2025 — ACT Arts Centre — Maple Ridge, BC April 26, 2025 — Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre — Vernon, BC April 27, 2025 — SageBrush Theatre — Kamloops, BC May 3, 2025 — Queen Elizabeth Theatre — Toronto, ON May 4, 2025 — FirstOntario Concert Hall — Hamilton, ON May 10, 2025 — Georgian Theatre — Barrie, ON Tickets for all of these can't-miss events are available now and selling quickly. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit minipopkids.com. KEEP UP WITH MINI POP KIDS LIVE WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK 

Westman Communications Group (WCG) has appointed its 2025 Board of Directors. Announced at the WCG Annual General Meeting on November 30, 2024, the Board of Directors will consist of 10 members, including two new appointees. The Board of Directors is democratically elected by WCG members and consists of representatives from across the Westman region. This year’s new appointees include Terry McLenehan (Minnedosa) and Savaughn Peddle-Hastings (Souris) as Board Directors. Returning members include Mike Csversko as Board Chair, Dan Robertson as 1st Chair, Susan Brechmann as 2nd Chair, Lorne Zacharias as Treasurer, and Gail Janz as Secretary. Mike Brolund, Dave Mahoney, and Chris Sobchuk all return as Board Directors. “Our Board of Directors is imperative to our mission of serving the needs of our communities,” said WCG CEO Bud Keys. “These 10 individuals will help guide our cooperative forward.” Four of the 10 members of this year’s Board are made up of representatives from outside of Brandon – Mike Csversko (Dauphin), Lorne Zacharias (Elm Creek), Terry McLenehan (Minnedosa), Savaughn Peddle-Hastings (Souris). “As WCG continues growth into new areas of the province, I am pleased to see our Board of Directors reflect that,” said Keys. “Congratulations to our Board of Directors for 2025.” For more information on WCG’s Board of Directors, visit https://westmancom.com/about-us/company-profile/board-of-directors.

The Dakota Nation Winterfest will take n a new look this year as organizers have announced a number of changes to the annual event slated to take place at the Keystone Centre from Jan 30-Feb 2, 2025. Citing financial setbacks in previous years, the event will not be hosting the very popular pow wow, talent show and jamboree. Instead, they will look to focus on the sports and recreational part of the event including hockey, basketball, volleyball, moccasin games and potentially a few new events added to the mix. The Texas Hold'Em tournament, pool tournament, and monster bingo all survived the cuts and will take place in 2025. This year's event will also play host to the Keystone Junior Hockey Leagues All-Star game on Saturday, February 1. With the removal of the above mentioned events, SVDN will look to host another major event in the spring focusing on the pow wow, talent show, and jamboree.