Halloween chills are set to return with a charitable twist as the annual Cedar Hollow Scare Away Hunger event once again opens its haunted doors in Brandon. The family-run attraction, known for its eerie decorations and community spirit, is back to thrill visitors while collecting much-needed donations for the local food bank. Hosted by Carla and Mike Mitchell at their home on Cedar Bay, the event transforms their yard, driveway, and garage into a spine-chilling haunted walk-through each Halloween season. Admission by food bank donation. The setup includes detailed scenes, animatronics, and costumed volunteers ready to deliver scares for a good cause. For younger visitors—or those who prefer a milder experience—the Mitchells also host “no-scare” hours, allowing families to enjoy the decorations without the frights. NO Scare “Trick or Eat” Hours: Oct 26: 12-4pm MID-LEVEL Scare Hours: Oct 18 & 19: 1-5pm FULL Scare Hours: Oct 24, 25, 26: 6-9pm Full Scare Trick or Treating: Oct 31: 5-9:30pm Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather, bring a donation, and check the event’s Facebook page for this year’s operating hours and full-scare versus no-scare schedules. The Cedar Hollow Scare Away Hunger is more than just a haunted attraction—it’s proof that even a frightful night can bring hope and comfort to local families in need. For more details and updates, visit the Cedar Hollow Scare Away Hunger Facebook page.

he Miss Vickie's brand's new Ristoranti Series is a love letter to some of the best Italian restaurants in Canada. Now available in grocery and retail stores nationwide, this new line of kettle cooked potato chips is inspired by signature dishes from locally beloved restaurants, bringing a taste of authentic Italian cuisine to Miss Vickie's fans across the country. Instantly recognizable, known in culture for elevating the everyday, and backed by consistent quality over time – Miss Vickie's has collaborated with like-minded Italian restaurants in Canadian cities, including Pizzeria Badiali in Toronto, Nora Gray in Montreal and Ask For Luigi in Vancouver, to create three new limited-time flavours. The series line-up includes: Miss Vickie's® Vodka Sauce Pizza flavoured kettle cooked potato chipsOne bite, and you're in line for one of the best slices at Pizzeria Badiali in Queen West, Toronto, to enjoy creamy tomato sauce, cheese, and oregano, on a potato chip that captures the essence of a woodfire pizza. Miss Vickie's® Cacio e Pepe flavoured kettle cooked potato chipsTransport to Ask for Luigi – a Railtown, Vancouver favourite – through a perfect balance of sharp, creamy cheese and black pepper, resembling the flavours of the classic pasta dish. Miss Vickie's® Spicy Pepperoncini & Focaccia flavoured kettle cooked potato chipsThe potato chip adaptation of Nora Gray's signature Focaccia Maison brings you to a cozy table in Griffintown, Montreal, delivering flavours of spicy pepperoncini, tangy sweet onion, and notes of sourdough focaccia. To ensure authenticity, the brand's Research & Development and Culinary teams collaborated with these renowned restaurants, conducting in-depth tastings and carefully analyzing each dish's signature flavour and seasoning notes. PepsiCo chefs developed and refined the seasoning blends, testing various iterations to deliver a true-to-dish taste experience in every Miss Vickie's potato chip. From the sharp, creamy cheese and black pepper notes of a classic Cacio e Pepe to the tangy sweetness of pepperoncini with sourdough focaccia, to the rich, woodfire essence of vodka sauce pizza - the new flavours reflect the depth and balance that define Italian cooking. "It's a culinary dream to bring together beloved Italian dishes with the unmistakable crunch of Miss Vickie's," says Lisa Allie, Senior Director, Marketing, PepsiCo Foods Canada. "This new series is a celebration of Canadian culinary culture, and we're so proud to bring Canadians something special to enjoy across the country." "Being able to partner with a homegrown Canadian brand like Miss Vickie's to bring the flavour of our bestselling pizza across the country has been an incredible opportunity," says Ryan Baddeley, Owner of Pizzeria Badiali. "The iconic vodka sauce & Sicilian spices come through perfectly, and we can't wait for Canada to try it." Miss Vickie's kettle cooked potato chips are proudly crafted in Canada, and the three new flavours from the Miss Vickie's Ristoranti Series will be available at most retailers near you. About Miss Vickie's®Since 1987, Miss Vickie's has been making kettle cooked potato chips for Canadians to enjoy using quality ingredients to create their signature flavours and crunch. Under the PepsiCo Foods Canada portfolio, the Miss Vickie's brand is constantly innovating, and carefully mastering new flavours that Canadians love. Miss Vickie's kettle cooked potato chips are proudly crafted in Canada. To learn more about the brand, visit www.missvickies.ca. SOURCE PepsiCo Canada  

Departing Montreal on November 19, the CPKC Holiday Train embarks on it’s annual trip across Canada. Now in its 27th season, The Holiday Train has raised more than $26 million and collected 5.4 million pounds of food in the process. While Brandon is not listed as a stop in 2025, the train is scheduled to make  stops in the following neighboring communities. Portage la Prairie – Friday, Dec 5, 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM 309 1st Street NW Neepawa – Friday, Dec 5, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Railway Street between Mountain Ave & Currie Ave Minnedosa – Friday, Dec 5, 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM 30 2nd Avenue NW Shoal Lake – Friday, Dec 5, around 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM North Railway Avenue In addition to an amazing display of lights the CP Holiday Train will also have live on board performers from Jade Eagleson and Teigen Gayse. CPKC does ask those coming to visit the train to consider bring a donation of a non-perishable food item or cash to help area food banks. All the donated items and funds stay in the community.

Brandon’s Matt Cory was able to secure some hardware as they won best Rock Band of the Year at the 2025 Manitoba Loud Music Awards recently jeld in Winnipeg Cory was quoted on Facebook “ Huge love and gratitude to everyone who’s come to the shows, voted, streamed the songs and supported us along the way. This means more than words can say……Thank you for believing in us.”

United Way West Central Manitoba is inviting the community to help keep local children and seniors warm this winter through its annual Coats for Kids program and the newly launched Coats for Seniors initiative in Brandon. Coats for Kids: Donations are being accepted now through October 31st. Coats can be dropped off at: Brandon Shoppers Mall (until October 31st) Brandon Cleaners - 349 9th St United Way West Central Manitoba Office - 201-1011 Rosser Avenue, Scotia Towers All collected coats will be distributed to children through local schools after November 13. Coats for Seniors: New to Brandon this year, following a successful launch in Portage, this program collects coats for seniors in need. Donations will be accepted until November 14th and distributed in partnership with Seniors for Seniors at the end of November. For more information: https://www.brandonuw.ca/coatsforkids