Westman Communications Group (WCG) is excited to announce the next step in its efforts to connect Westman: The Connecting Westman Tour Loge Box. In partnership with the Keystone Centre, WCG will provide access to the newest way of experiencing events, such as the upcoming Brandon Wheat Kings season. The Connecting Westman Tour is an annual community-driven initiative that serves WCG-connected communities and the projects that matter most to local residents. During the summer, the Tour provides fundraising events through charity barbecues. The winter continuation of the Tour will be used to provide Westman residents with opportunities to attend events such as Wheat Kings hockey games in one of the newly installed loge boxes. The Connecting Westman Tour Loge Box is a specially designed space to enhance connection as attendees share in experiences. The loge boxes are semi-enclosed seating areas located around the upper concourse of the Westoba Place, installed in the summer of 2024. In partnership with the Keystone Centre, the Connecting Westman Tour Loge Box will help support local events held in the arena. “WCG is proud to continue its longstanding commitment to the Keystone Centre,” said WCG Senior Director Derek Radics. “The Connecting Westman Loge Box is a great addition to the Tour and will be a new way for people to view the Brandon Wheat Kings hockey games.” WCG will distribute tickets through social media giveaways or donate tickets to deserving causes. To stay updated, visit WCG’s Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages.

The 2024 Food Truck Warz, held at the Keystone Centre in Brandon, Manitoba, was a major hit with food enthusiasts from across the province. This year's event, which took place from September 13-15, featured an exciting lineup of food vendors offering a wide variety of culinary delights, including BBQ, grilled meats, and sweet treats. The standout truck, Smoked & Sauced BBQ, won top honors in the fan vote, thanks to its perfectly smoked meats and signature BBQ sauces. Another big winner was Firebird Grilled Chicken & Smokies, which took home the "Best Bang for Your Buck" award for offering large portions of flavorful grilled dishes at reasonable prices.  

Since forming in 2008, Sunrise Credit Union has prioritized supporting community groups, organizations, sports teams, and events. This commitment is a collective effort, with each of Sunrise Credit Union's 19 branches hosting at least one fundraising event annually. The money raised from these events is a testament to the unity and involvement of our community. It is donated to a worthwhile group, organization, or cause in their community. In the spring and summer of 2024, Sunrise Credit Union branches held 26 events. With the generous support of our community, $27,893.89 was raised. These funds were donated to community groups and organizations, a testament to the value we place on our community's support. "We are incredibly fortunate to be able to support local organizations that do so much for our communities," said Sunrise Credit Union president and CEO Tim Klassen, "We applaud the time and effort by our staff in our communities to hold these fundraising events and to the members of their various communities for supporting these initiatives." Sunrise Credit Union contributes more than $325,000 annually toward community donations, sponsorships and scholarships and looks forward to helping more community organizations through additional branch fundraising throughout the year. This collection of efforts shows what being part of our communities is all about. Below is a breakdown of funds raised and the organizations that benefited from our commitment to our communities. Organization Benefitting Branch Amount Minnedosa Museum & Heritage Village Minnedosa $252.00 Ste. Rose Fitness Center Ste. Rose $1,100.00 Parkland Humane Society Grandview $1,390.00 Canada Day Committee Minnedosa $300.00 Holland Elementary School Breakfast Program Holland $1,850.35 Baldur Care Home (BBQ & Raffle) Baldur $3,290.24 Cypress River Memorial Hall Renovations Cypress River $1,832.50 Deloraine Minor Ball Association Deloraine $1,800.00 Waskada Community Foods (BBQ) Waskada $1,200.00 Waskada Lions Club (Raffle) Waskada $1,730.00 Hartney Fair Grounds Hartney $2,000.00 Erickson & Area Food Bank Sandy Lake $393.80 Sandy Lake Swim Program Sandy Lake $465.00 Fun Fest Committee Minnedosa $283.00 Boissevain School Playground Project Boissevain* $914.00 Virden Costume Closet Virden $2,000.00 Treherne Aquatic Centre (Swim Day) Treherne $684.00 Strathclair Fire Department Strathclair $1,004.00 Melita Fire Department Melita $2,000.00 Oakburn Community Hall Shoal Lake $1,005.00 Minnedosa Youth Drop-In Centre Minnedosa $512.00 Pipestone Memorial Park (Meat Draw) Reston $377.60 Pipestone Fun Days (Meat Draw) Reston $377.60 Seniors Helping Hands (Meat Draw) Reston $377.60 Reston Willowview Palliative Care (Meat Draw) Reston $377.60 2025 Pipestone Homecoming (Meat Draw) Reston $377.60

The Trans Canada Brewing Company has announced plans to open a new location in Brandon, Manitoba, in the spring of 2026.  The announcement was made via their official Facebook page, where they shared excitement about bringing their wide range of craft beers to a new audience. The new Brandon location will feature a taproom where customers can enjoy freshly brewed beers, along with their famous pizza and a welcoming atmosphere that mirrors the vibe of their flagship location in Winnipeg. The company aims to create a community space where beer lovers can gather, explore new flavors, and enjoy special events. The Brandon location (105 Middleton Ave, old Barneys Motel) will further solidifying Trans Canada Brewing Company’s status as a leader in the regional craft brewing industry.   View this post on Instagram A post shared by Trans Canada Brewing Company (@transcanadabeer)

At this year’s Food Truck Warz in Brandon, Manitoba, the popular Smoked & Sauced  food truck emerged as the fan favorite, clinching the top spot in the fan vote. Known for its mouth-watering smoked meats and perfectly crafted BBQ sauces, Smoked & Sauced BBQ tantalized attendees with its unique, flavor-packed offerings. Food Truck Warz has become a much-anticipated event in Brandon, with thousands of food lovers gathering to experience the best street food. Smoked & Sauced win is a testament to their culinary prowess and dedication to delivering high-quality BBQ fare that stands out even in a competitive field. The fan vote is a coveted honor, as it reflects the voice of the people who eagerly awaited their chance to enjoy the truck’s famous dishes. For Smoked & Sauced BBQ, this victory is more than just an award; it solidifies their reputation as one of the top food trucks in the region, ensuring that they will be a must-visit for BBQ lovers at future events. Also at this year’s Food Truck Warz, Firebird Grilled Chicken & Smokies won the coveted title of "Gord Paziuk Memoria Best Bang For your Buck award", solidifying their reputation for delivering exceptional value alongside great taste. Known for their hearty, flavorful grilled chicken and smokies, Firebird managed to impress both the organizers and food enthusiasts alike with generous portions at affordable prices.