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 -

Local promoters are very happy with their first venture by selling out the Keystone Centre Amphitheatre tonight with over 500 people attending.   Comedian Jordan Welwood opened the evening and then of course the main attraction, 50 year old, Debra DiGiovanni from Ontario.   If you don't know much about DiGiovanni you can click her bio below. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debra_DiGiovanni Promoter Tammy Ballingall told BDNMB.CA that she expects to bring more shows like this to Brandon in the near future.  

On Thursday, March 9th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, the Western Manitoba Regional Library (WMRL) will be hosting “A Night at the Strand” at the downtown branch of the Brandon Public Library. The event will feature a screening of a short film made locally by Grand Illusion Film Company called The Button Lady, followed by the classic film House on Haunted Hill. The event will take place in the Program Room, which has been set up to accommodate 30 to 40 people in a theatre-style setting. The Rosser Avenue and parkade doors will be left open by Town Center security from 6:30 to 9:30 PM to allow event attendees to park for free. The Brandon General Museum & Archives will be bringing materials from the actual Strand Theatre to the event. The Western Manitoba Regional Library will provide refreshments including popcorn and drinks. Manager of Programming & Community Services, Alex Rogowsky says “This is an exciting program in multiple ways. It's a collaboration between the Brandon Public Library and the Brandon General Museum and Archives. It'll bring together cinema and local history. We're hoping to continue this kind of unique programming for our community!”

Brandon's Matt Cory is defying the odds.   He isn't a country music artist or someone that sounds like Drake.   Rather a straight ahead rock artist that has influence's from Default - Nickelback - Disturbed and Drowning Pool. In a media release today Matt explained what he is trying to do and without a local rock radio station he has to attempt to get his sound out any possible way. Independent Artist, Matt Cory has returned with his first new single in over a year! Heavier than anything he's ever done before, Lit Up And Out Of Line packs a punch with its heavy driving guitar riff and anthemic chorus reminiscent of a modern day Shout At The Devil. If you're looking for that track to give you that extra pump while you're at the gym, out on a run or that boost your team needs before the championship game, this is sure to do the trick! Lit Up And Out Of Line is the first single from his upcoming EP: Ghost Rising, slated for release later this year. To hear more of Matt Cory’s music check him out on the streaming platform of your choice! Learn more about Matt Cory at www.mattcorymusic.com and stay up to date by following him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Credits: Written by Matt Cory, Wes Lipischak Vocals: Matt Cory Guitars: Matt Cory Bass: Matt Cory Keys: Matt Cory Drum programming: Wes Lipischak, Matt Cory Produced by Matt Cory Streaming Platform links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3xQKYZCmeWKKD3ZMrmInzy Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/matt-cory/1455420845 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.co.uk/artists/B001I7IQLE/matt-cory Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/13502150 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIMwDsDvbC8

Earlier today organizers announced the first Round of artists slated to perform at this years “Rockin’ the Fields of Minnedosa” (August 4-6 2023). Tickets go on sale February 22 at 10am. The Glorious Sons / Lou Gramm / Sebastian Bach / The Sheepdogs / Aldo Nova / Jack Russell's Great White / Toronto Band / Default (Band) / Kick Axe / Snake Oil