City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is pleased to announce the official opening dates for outdoor summer amenities. This includes the return of FREE Spray Parks across the city as well as the outdoor Kinsmen Pool, located at 411 Park Street. Spray Parks will open on June 6, 2025. All spray parks are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis. The spray parks operate daily throughout the summer months. There are three unsupervised and two supervised spray parks. Unsupervised spray parks:  Stanley Park – 1500 block of Princess Ave. Kin Park – Aberdeen Ave & 1st St. Valleyview Community Centre – 77 Whillier Dr. Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through the summer months.  Supervised locations:   Rideau Park – 305 Park St. Westridge Spray Park and Paddle Pool – 61 Silverbirch Dr. Hours:  June: 4 - 8 p.m. Monday - Friday; 12 Noon – 8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday July: 12 Noon - 8 p.m. daily August: 12 Noon. - 7 p.m. daily The outdoor Kinsmen Pool will open on June 15, 2025 and will offer a variety of scheduled activities including: • Public Swim • Family Swim • Lap Swim • Adult Swim Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian aged 13 years or older. The admission rates are as follows: • Infants (Under 2 years): Free • Children (2–12 years): $5 • Youth/Seniors (13–17 years & 55+): $6 • Adults (18–54 years): $7 • Families (2 adults & up to 5 children): $18 Payments can be made on-site at the Kinsmen Pool using cash or debit card. This year, 10 swim punch cards are also available for purchase at the Kinsmen Pool. Please bring your own towel and any necessary amenities. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted, but glass bottles or containers are prohibited on the premises. “We are pleased to invite everyone to enjoy these outdoor spaces during our Manitoba summers,” said Perry Roque, Director of Parks and Recreation Services. “Our dedicated teams are diligently working to ensure that these areas are safe and enjoyable for everyone.” The City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services provides a variety of recreational programs throughout the year. For more information, including the Summer Recreation Guide, please visit brandon.ca.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) kicked off the Connecting Westman Tour in Rivers on May 29, 2025. A total of $4,095 was raised, with all proceeds going to the Riverdale Early Learning Centre. This total includes a matched donation from WCG, significantly boosting the centre's efforts to enhance existing programs and support the development of the Riverdale Early Learning Centre, and a planned second facility designed to provide expanded, high-quality childcare and early learning opportunities for young local families. The Connecting Westman Tour is a unique, community-focused initiative where WCG hosts charity barbecue lunches throughout the summer. Hot dogs, smokies, chips, and drinks are offered with donation-based pricing, and 100 percent of the proceeds go directly to a nominated local charity. WCG then matches the total amount raised, amplifying the community’s support for its own causes. “Our first stop on the 2025 Connecting Westman Tour was very successful,” said WCG Marketing Manager Brandi Crowe. “Rivers residents showed up in droves to support such an important initiative in the community, and we’re glad to provide an avenue for fundraising. We are excited to keep the Connecting Westman Tour going throughout the summer.” The Connecting Westman Tour is just one of the many ways WCG actively engages with the communities it serves, demonstrating its commitment not just as a service provider but as a dedicated community partner. Remaining stops on the 2025 Connecting Westman Tour include Deloraine (June 19, 2025), Shoal Lake (July 24, 2025), and Virden (August 28, 2025). For more information about Westman Communications Group and the Connecting Westman Tour, or to submit a community initiative for funding consideration, please visit WCG Connecting Westman Tour.

Today, legendary alt-country rockers Blue Rodeo announced they’ll be hitting the road for a brand-new Canadian tour, celebrating an incredible 40 years of music. Spanning cities from coast to coast, including Brandon, Manitoba on October 18th, this milestone tour honours one of Canada’s most beloved and enduring bands. From their roots in the Toronto club scene to becoming national icons, Blue Rodeo has spent four decades creating the soundtrack to countless Canadian lives — and they’re not done yet. Tickets are available June 6 at 10 am at www.ticketmaster.ca or by calling 204-726-3555. Joining them on all dates is acclaimed singer/songwriter Adam Baldwin, bringing his powerful live energy and East Coast spirit to the stage. Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of four decades of songs, stories, and the road in between. Blue Rodeo Fan Club members can enjoy exclusive pre-sale access at BlueRodeo.com starting today. Additional pre-sales will be available throughout the week, with general ticket sales launching on Friday, June 6 at 10 AM via www.ticketmaster.ca. Reflecting on four decades of success, the members are able to fully appreciate where Blue Rodeo sits in the pantheon of music. “Success seemed real when we were entertaining people in The Horseshoe in our hometown of Toronto. That was the top of the heap for us,” Cuddy says. “When you look back, you realize it’s just been this beautiful dream.” The band has created a body of work that stands as a benchmark in Canadian music, weaving deeply resonant, distinctly Canadian stories that have influenced countless songwriters. Their songs have not only defined Blue Rodeo’s legacy but have also influenced the evolution of rock and country music, inspiring countless artists and becoming woven into the fabric of the nation’s cultural identity.

Planning Your Retirement, Why Not Killarney Manitoba? For senior citizens looking for a vibrant, supportive, and health-conscious place to live, Killarney, Manitoba offers an exceptional quality of life. One of the most critical factors in choosing a new community is the availability and accessibility of healthcare services, and Killarney stands out in this regard. The Killarney Health Centre is a fully equipped facility that includes a hospital, 24-hour emergency services, and access to both general and specialized medical care. The presence of dedicated healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, and allied health staff, ensures that seniors receive timely and personalized attention. In addition to the hospital, the town is home to a fully staffed medical clinic that offers routine checkups, chronic disease management, and preventative care. For those requiring ongoing support, services such as home care and lab work are also available locally, reducing the need for travel and helping seniors maintain independence and well-being. Complementing the hospital and clinic are several additional health services that contribute to the town's well-rounded care network. Killarney has a fully stocked community pharmacy where residents can easily fill prescriptions, consult with pharmacists, and access over-the-counter medications and wellness products. This is especially valuable for seniors managing multiple prescriptions or looking for trusted advice on medication use. The town also features optometry services, with a local eye doctor offering routine exams, prescription glasses, and eye health monitoring — a vital service for aging residents. A local chiropractic clinic provides support for mobility, pain management, and spinal health, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors dealing with joint issues or back discomfort. Together, these services offer a seamless and comprehensive healthcare experience, allowing residents to access nearly all their medical needs right in town. Beyond its healthcare offerings, Killarney is a community that promotes joyful, active living with an abundance of entertainment and leisure options perfectly suited for seniors. The Shamrock Centre is more than just a recreation hub — it’s the heart of the community and a gathering place for all ages. Seniors can take advantage of indoor walking tracks during cold winter months, join gentle fitness classes tailored to their pace, or participate in hobby groups that range from quilting to pickleball. The Centre regularly hosts community dinners, concerts, and seasonal festivals, providing not only entertainment but meaningful opportunities to connect with others. The friendly atmosphere and variety of activities ensure that seniors have every opportunity to stay socially active and emotionally fulfilled. Volunteering is also common at the Shamrock Centre, and many seniors enjoy sharing their time and talents with others, helping build a strong sense of purpose and community pride. Outdoor recreation in Killarney offers even more ways to enjoy a rich and active lifestyle. The Killarney Lakeside Golf Club provides a scenic 18-hole course ideal for golfers of all skill levels, with a relaxed atmosphere that encourages regular play and social interaction. The lake itself is a focal point for the community — during the summer, residents can enjoy boating, lakeside strolls, and some of the best freshwater fishing in the region. In winter, the lake becomes a hub for ice fishing and skating. The curling rink and hockey arena offer opportunities to participate or spectate — curling is a favorite among seniors for its accessibility and camaraderie. Whether you're watching the local team or joining a senior league, these rinks are social spaces where community spirit comes alive. Combined with walking trails, community parks, and quiet scenic areas for birdwatching or reading, Killarney provides a well-rounded lifestyle where seniors can stay active, entertained, and engaged throughout the year. Killarney Lakeside Golf Course: https://www.killarneylakeside.com/ Killarney Samrock Centre: https://www.killarneyrecreation.ca/ Killarney Medical Clinic: https://www.killarneymedical.ca/ Killarney Health Services: https://www.killarney.ca/p/health-services Rhythm Cycle Club: https://www.mindbodyonline.com/explore/locations/rhythm-cycle-club Killarney Arts Council: https://www.killarneyarts.com/ Mountainview Apartments: https://www.vhproperties.ca/apartment/301-mountain-avenue/

Brandon, MB – May 20, 2025 — Brandon chef Casey Naherniak has secured first place at the Grill Masters finals in Toronto, a North American culinary competition hosted by The Keg Steakhouse + Bar. The competition unfolded over three rounds, beginning with in-store events at individual Keg locations, advancing to regional competitions, and culminating in the finals, which took place in Toronto on May 13. Twelve chefs from across Canada and the United States went head-to-head in the final showdown. Naherniak, who works at The Keg in Brandon, emerged as the top chef, finishing ahead of Leonie from Toronto, who placed third, and Erwin from St. John’s, Newfoundland, who took second. Her winning dish, Forest & Field, was a deeply personal creation that combined local Manitoba flavors with her own culinary passions. It featured a coffee-crusted elk filet, cooked sous-vide and seared to perfection, paired with birch syrup chocolate whipped butter, tart lingonberry compote, and drunken red wine cherries. On the side were crisp potato pavé, crunchy golden beet chips, and sautéed wild morel mushrooms and spring peas. A touch of crème fraîche, smoked sea salt, pea shoots, and homegrown flowers completed the dish — all served on hand-made wooden plates to tie back to her roots. “I am very excited to share the dish I created. It is quite personal to me — it’s called Forest and the Field, inspired by where I came from,” Naherniak shared during the presentation. “Growing up on a farm in the prairies, surrounded by open fields and dense forest. As a kid I foraged morel mushrooms, ate peas straight out of the garden, and developed a love for the land that still guides me today. This dish reflects that connection, right down to the hand-made wooden plates.” After the competition, she also took to social media to express how much the experience meant to her. “This dish wasn’t just a representation of Manitoba — it was a reflection of me,” she posted. “It featured the local flavors I grew up with, my love for wild meats, foraging, and gardening. It was inspired by my childhood, my passion, and everything that’s shaped me as a chef.” Casey’s journey began in Russell, Manitoba, where she grew up surrounded by open fields and forests, sparking her early interest in local ingredients. A 2020 graduate of Brandon Culinary School, she’s been working in professional kitchens ever since, bringing that same sense of place and curiosity to every dish she creates. This year’s Grill Masters finals were judged by a panel of four, with The Keg’s senior leadership — including the Vice President of Product, directors of food and beverage, and product managers — in attendance to witness the chefs’ creativity and precision firsthand. From growing up in the Prairies to winning top honours on a North American culinary stage, Casey’s achievement is a testament to hard work, passion, and staying connected to your roots. Brandon and Manitoba couldn’t be prouder of her accomplishment — and we can’t wait to see where her culinary adventures take her next.