BRANDON, MB – Children love trucks. Big ones, small ones, loud ones, strong ones; Brandon’s first Touch-A-Truck fundraising event is coming to the Keystone Centre grounds on May 27, 2017. The event concept is simple. A wide array of trucks, cars and equipment will be on display for children to interact with in a safe, monitored area. “We are so excited to be able to bring this event to Brandon & Westman! Kids love to explore their surroundings and many of these vehicles are too dangerous to approach on a job site to do so. This fundraising event gives kids the opportunity to see an excavator, a tractor or fire truck up close without the risk of danger to themselves. They can see how massive these pieces of equipment are and learn what they do! We are so fortunate to have the support from the community who to help make this event a success,” said Event Chair, Kerri Malazdrewicz. The event is being hosted as a fundraiser for the two Kokum’s Early Education Enrichment (KEEP) daycares in Brandon. Tickets will be available on-site during the event that runs from 10AM to 3PM, cost is $5. There are door prize draws free to attendees, with a chance to win tickets to the Monsters & Mayhem show at the Keystone Centre in July. Also available will be a 50/50 draw, silent auction, BBQ, food trucks, face painting, and more! For more information visit the Touch-A-Truck Brandon Facebook page.

Shoal Lake will be holding a 25th Anniversary Air Show on July 11th and 12th to celebrate the opening of the Shoal Lake Airport in 1992. The 2-day event event includes a Meet the Performers evening on July 11, inside the Shoal Lake Communiplex, and an evening Airshow on July 12 at the Shoal Lake Regional Airport. The “Meet the Performers” event will allow guests to meet, chat and acquire autographs from the Airshow performers, including the Snowbirds, Bill Carter, & Pete Mcleod. Food for purchase, music, and lots of activities on the grounds are also scheduled for the Tuesday evening. The air show, featuring the Snowbirds, will get underway at 7:00 pm on Wednesday evening. Other acts to follow include: Bill Carter Aerobatics and Pete McLeod, a Canadian professional aerobatic pilot. The airshow grounds will open at 3:00 pm and there will be a bus service provided to transport guests from the designated parking areas. Other scheduled attractions include aircraft displays, merchandise, show cars, food, children's activities and more. Visitors are asked to arrive as early as possible. While you are in Shoal Lake be sure to check out Benny's Astoria Pizza for some of the best pizza and chicken in Manitoba.

Doc Walker, a country music group from Manitoba, will be playing a free concert at the Brandon Riverbank Discovery Centre on July 1st, as part of their Canada day celebrations. As one of the most recognized country acts in the Country, they have over twenty Top 10 singles and have received multiple Canadian Country Music Awards.  Show time is set for 9:00 PM. The festivities are also expected to contain food, fireworks, fun and their signature Duck Race.

Submitted: Brandon School Division On Friday, April 28, 2017, Grade Five students and their music teachers from the Westman and Parkland regions and into Saskatchewan will come together for a day of creative music making at Orff Children’s Day 2017. This fun-filled and musically enriching event will take place at the School of Music, Brandon University from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Children’s Day, sponsored by the Manitoba Orff Chapter, will feature five excellent clinicians including Brandon’s own Kelsey Simpson. Under the leadership of these experts, students will take part in various workshops integrating choral singing, recorder, movement, and ensemble playing on drums and Orff instruments. The chosen theme is "Blast From the Past” – focusing on the works of Carl Orff and Gunild Keetman. The day's activities will culminate in a sharing session presented by all participating students from 3:00-3:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Students were selected to represent their individual schools at this fantastic professional development opportunity and event. Together with their music teachers, they look forward to taking part in exciting new musical experiences to bring back to their peers.

Suds, Student Union Drinking Spot, located inside Brandon University will be closing their doors for good on Friday, April the 7th. A letter released by the Brandon University Students Union reported a steady decline in business over the past several years resulting in a deficit of over $40,000. The last time the location was profitable was 5-years ago, back in 2012/13. The plan going forward includes using the space with the students in mind by approaching local businesses to service the needs of current, and future students. Located in the Mingling Area of the Knowles-Douglas Building, Suds was a place to relax and socialize on campus. Over the years they played host to a variety of events including karaoke, pool, jazz nights, club socials, and live entertainment.