At the very least, we all have read about how a critical illness can impact an individual but it is more likely that we have experienced that impact ourselves either personally or with a close friend or family experiencing an illness. Being proactive, before an illness strikes, in applying for critical illness coverage can make a huge difference in every way should you ever need to make a claim. And, with some critical illness policies, if you never need to make a claim you can get all the money you paid in premiums returned to you. Critical Uncovered is a one-stop resource to help you learn about critical illnesses and how critical illness insurance can help your physical, mental and financial well being. Visit this link: Criticaluncovered.ca to take the quiz “Are you prepared?” and to see a series of 3 short videos about Sandra’s story. Sandra was diagnosed with lymphoma and she explains her experience with critical illness insurance. Speak to a financial professional who has their Accident & Sickness License to find out more detail about how you can be protected with a critical illness policy.

Looking for an overnight getaway to scare the living daylights out of you? Then it's time to check into the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg. Well known for its spirits and special guests, you can try to book room 202 and perhaps see for yourself. Numerous guests have reported seeing a cloaked woman standing at the end of the bed in this room as well as having seen blood running down the walls. The haunted Fort Garry Hotel and its ghost stories have been widely shared and documented. Ask former hotel staffers and about shadows in the lounge, crying in the halls or clanging in the boiler room... if you dare. Local business owner Heather Aeichele (HD Therapies) fondly remembers the grand old hotel and the time she spent working there in the 1990s. "We used to hear ghost stories all the time, a lot from the 10th floor, and some from the kitchens in the basement." While she didn't have any personal experiences with the ghosts that haunt the hotel, she recalls a movie crew filming on the 10th floor. "They had so many problems and things that went (inexplicably) wrong that they just canceled the production and moved elsewhere." Tales of the haunted Fort Garry Hotel have made it to several Halloween lists, including Huffington Post's "Canada's Most Haunted Places." I, myself, will swear to having had a ghost spirit visit me in the Fort Garry Hotel. We were in a 4th floor corner suite, and facing the Garry Street Keg restaurant several years ago, when i was pulled out of bed by a spirit and pushed to the window in the middle of the night. I felt hands on my back and had to overcome a force to get back into bed. Yes, it was extremely unnerving and no, you can't convince me that it didn't happen or that I was dreaming. Ready for your next spooky stop in the city? Head over to the Burton Cummings Theatre in Winnipeg on Smith Street. They say that two actors from 1914 died a week after performing and have haunted the venue since. University of Manitoba should also be on your list. Students and staff have been documenting ghost sightings there for decades. If you'd like to head further afield on your getaway, I'll suggest the Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan or the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff Alberta. Each has their own spooky tales of ghost children, and at Banff Springs a ghost bride as well. This year, you can even book into the Banff Springs Hotel and participate in their Haunted Halloween Gala event. On October 29th, this adults-only event encourages you to dress in costume, participate in a haunted halls tour, and be ready for surprises. Happy haunting! All photos by Trish Fjeldsted  

The East End Community Centre will be transforming the interior of their facility into a creepy Haunted House in celebration of Halloween. Inside the East End Community Centre's Haunted House, you will experience an in your face fear filled environment with true terror around every corner. Featuring spooktacular rooms, creepy creatures and terrifying live actors that will put you in the midst of terror unlike anything you’ve felt before. The Haunted House is a fund-raising event in support of the East End Community Centre. The event takes place for three days in October (28th, 29th, 30th). Sunday, October the 30th will feature a more kid friendly, less scary version of the haunted house. 2016 will mark the 2nd year for the event. Come face your fears and phobias this Halloween…If you dare!!!

Samaritan House Ministries is pleased to announce the First Annual Hungry Hearts Benefit Gala. As one of their signature fund-raising events to be held every year, Samaritan House Ministries has partnered with Sunrise Credit Union, the Victoria Inn, and the Assiniboine Theatre Company to host an evening to focus on “Hungry Hearts” in our community. Samaritan House Ministries is Manitoba’s second largest food bank and resource centre, providing an emergency shelter, women’s shelter, food hampers, education and training, and employment services at no cost to as many as possible. Thursday, November 3, 2016 Grand Salon, Victoria Inn Brandon Cocktails at 6:00 Featuring: Dinner Theatre starring Rick & Karen Chrest in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters" 3-Course Meal Silent Art Auction Dylan McDonald and the Secret Handshake Trio Door Prizes Tickets: $85 each or a table for $680 (until October 14) $100 each or a table for $700 (from October 15 until October 31) For more information, to sponsor, or for tickets: Call 204-726-0758 ext 3 Email hungryhearts@samaritanhouse.net Visit www.hungryheartsgala.net

Concert goers and music lovers in Brandon best start saving their pennies, and cashing in their empties, as The Trews have indicated on their web site that they will be playing the North 40 on Friday, November the 4th in support of their time Capsule Tour. The Trews' concert liting is the 4th concert announcement for the month of November in Brandon joining the previously announced Bryan Adams, Mariana's Trench, and Charlie Major shows. The Trews are a Canadian rock band from Nova Scotia who have released five studio albums, one compilation album and three live albums. Singles include Paranoid Freak, Hold Me In Your Arms, Coming Home and Highway of Heroes. In 2004 they were nominated for a Juno award for Best New Group and in 2009 they were nominated for Best Album of the Year at the Junos for No time for Fear,