Brandon residents are in for a tasty treat as McCain Foods will be hosting their drive-thru event, Free Fry Day in Brandon on Thursday, July 16. This is a drive-thru event, so swing by, grab your fries, and consider making a donation to RMHC Manitoba to make a real difference in a family’s life. Help support families with sick or injured children staying at Ronald McDonald House Charities Manitoba. Brandon — Keystone Centre (1175 18th St. Unit 1), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Portage la Prairie — Portage Collegiate Institute parking lot (65 3 St. SW), 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Carman — 87 Main St. A, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Glenboro — Glenboro Fire Hall (408 S Railway Ave.), 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Carberry — CP Park 4th Avenue, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Whether you like them plain, smothered in gravy, or topped with cheese curds, Free Fry Day in Brandon promises to be a satisfying way to kick off the weekend.

Sunrise Credit Union is investing in the future of southwestern Manitoba by awarding 14 scholarships  totaling $24,000 to students throughout the region, recognizing their achievements and supporting their  educational goals.  This year, close to 60 Manitoba students applied for the scholarships. The application process included  writing an essay or making a two-to-three-minute video from a list of given topics. A five-member  selection committee undertook a rigorous evaluation process, assessing applicants on academic  achievement, leadership, extracurricular involvement, volunteerism, community engagement, and essay  quality.  The largest scholarship, valued at $5,000, recognizes an outstanding high school graduate pursuing post secondary education. This year’s recipient is Ivy Perkin of Elgin. A graduate of Souris School, Perkin  holds the highest academic average in her graduating class while maintaining an impressive record of  athletic achievement. Throughout high school, she participated in hockey, basketball, volleyball, track and  field, badminton, and rugby, both within the school system and through community programs.  Perkin has played with the Westman Wildcats in the Manitoba Female U18 AAA Hockey League (MFHL)  for the last three years. During her senior year, she set a franchise record for most regular season points  by a Wildcats’ player. With her outstanding performance, she was named First Team All-Star, and earned  MFHL awards for Most Valuable Player, Top Forward, and Top Scorer. In November 2025, she  represented Manitoba at the U18 Women’s National Championship in Newfoundland and Labrador.  Beyond academics and athletics, Perkin has demonstrated a strong commitment to her community. She  has been an active member of 4-H for more than a decade and regularly spends time coaching youth  sports, instructing at youth sport camps, refereeing games, and scorekeeping at local events.  Perkin will attend the University of Regina this fall, entering pre-pharmacy, where she will begin a  Bachelor of Science degree while also playing for the Cougars’ women’s hockey team. She plans to finish  her education and then return to a small town in western Manitoba to work as a pharmacist.  Every year, Sunrise Credit Union employs summer students in various positions throughout the  organization and offers a scholarship to one. This year, Charlee Fox of Ste. Rose has been chosen to  receive the $3,000 scholarship. Sunrise also awarded two scholarships to students continuing their  education at Assiniboine College and Brandon University. Prestyn Phinney was awarded $3,000 for  continuing their education at Brandon University, while Justin Myers received the $3,000 scholarship for  continuing at Assiniboine College. Ten $1,000 scholarships were awarded to high school students from various communities in  southwestern Manitoba. Each showed dedication to their community, unique aspirations, and will be  attending post-secondary education this fall. The recipients include Aubrey Skelton (Hartney), Brooklyn  Verniest (Holland), Gary Nowazek (Minto), Graeme Boulanger (Hartney), Kadence Mann (Medora), Layne  Minshull (Grandview), Leanne Van De Spiegle (Holland), Reese Chwaluk (Oakburn), Rixon Suski (Brandon), and Seth Sulik (Erickson).  Sunrise Credit Union extends its sincere thanks to all scholarship applicants and congratulates this year’s  recipients. To the entire graduating Class of 2026 - we celebrate your hard work and dedication! We wish  you all great success as you pursue your dreams and shape the future of our communities.

A new food truck is hitting the streets of Brandon and surrounding communities this summer, bringing oversized sandwiches and plenty of flavour along for the ride. Sullivan's Food Truck has officially joined the local food scene, specializing in hearty, handcrafted sandwiches served on locally loved Kuipers Rye bread. The mobile eatery is already attracting attention from sandwich enthusiasts looking for something a little different. Food trucks continue to grow in popularity across Brandon, offering residents a variety of unique dining experiences throughout the spring and summer months. Among the signature offerings is The Prairie Cubano, featuring ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles layered together for a savoury take on the classic Cuban sandwich. Another standout on the menu is The Gary, a nostalgic comfort-food creation made with fried bologna, cheddar cheese, BBQ chips and mayo, delivering a satisfying crunch with every bite. All sandwiches are served on Kuipers Rye, adding a distinctly local touch to each meal. Sullivan's Food Truck will be making appearances at various locations and events throughout Brandon and the Westman region. For the latest schedule, including dates, times and locations, customers are encouraged to visit the truck's Facebook page for updates and announcements. With its unique menu and generous portions, Sullivan's Food Truck is poised to become a must-visit stop for food lovers across the region this summer. For the latest locations and operating schedule, visit their Facebook page.

For Brandon food lovers, Canada Day will bring more than fireworks this year. Joe Beeverz Canadian Pub is set to launch an extensive new menu on July 1, introducing more than 20 new items as the popular Brandon restaurant continues to evolve its offerings for customers. The restaurant has been a fixture in the community since first opening its doors in May 2011. In 2020, Joe Beeverz completed a major expansion, adding approximately 1,200 square feet and increasing seating capacity while creating additional space for private functions and events. Among the new additions is The Cluck N' Oink, a hearty sandwich that combines beer can chicken and slow-roasted pulled pork with sautéed onions and Dr Pepper BBQ sauce. Served on a soft hoagie bun and topped with melted Canadian cheese, the sandwich aims to bring together two barbecue favourites in one substantial meal. Another newcomer expected to attract plenty of attention is The Cowboy. The dish starts with Joe Beeverz's classic Beever Dam poutine before being loaded with smoked brisket, jumbo onion rings and the restaurant's "soon to be famous" cowboy sauce. The menu overhaul represents one of the largest updates in the restaurant's history, giving customers a wide range of new options while maintaining many of the pub favourites that have helped build Joe Beeverz' reputation over the past 15 years. Known for its Canadian-themed atmosphere, gourmet poutines, wings and burgers, Joe Beeverz has become one of Brandon's most recognizable dining destinations. The July 1 menu launch is expected to offer both longtime patrons and first-time visitors plenty of new reasons to stop in and sample the latest creations from the kitchen.

For two decades, Credit Union Place has been a cornerstone of recreation, activity and community connection in the Parkland region. Fusion Credit Union, a sponsor since inception in 2006, is proud to continue their commitment with a new 10-year sponsorship agreement as the exclusive naming partner of Credit Union Place. “Facilities like Credit Union Place play an important role in the vitality of our communities,” says Darwin Johns, CEO at Fusion Credit Union. “We’re incredibly proud to have supported this facility since day one and are excited to continue that partnership for the next decade.” Since its inception, Credit Union Place, located in Dauphin, MB and managed by Dauphin Recreation Services, has become a gathering place for sports, major events and activities that contribute to healthy, vibrant communities. “Partnering with local organizations such as Dauphin Recreation Services aligns closely with Fusion’s cooperative values and commitment to helping communities remain active, connected and economically strong.” says Johns. “Credit Union Place brings people together, supports active lifestyles and creates opportunities for connection and community pride.” Beyond recreation, Credit Union Place supports the regional economy by hosting major events and attractions that bring visitors to the area. “When communities have spaces that bring people together, the impact reaches far beyond the four walls of the building,” states Johns. “These facilities create economic activity, support local businesses and help foster the kind of vibrant, connected communities we’re proud to serve and live in.” The long-standing partnership between Dauphin Recreation Services and Fusion Credit Union symbolizes the power of collaboration to create lasting impact in our communities. “Investing in Credit Union place is an investment in the future of our communities,” says Johns. “When organizations come together with purpose, they create opportunities that shape brighter futures for everyone.” “We are incredibly grateful to have Fusion Credit Union returning as our naming sponsor for the next 10 years,” says Dauphin Recreation Services Assistant General Manager Lindsey Kyle. “As a true community-focused institution, they understand and reflect the values that matter most to the people we serve. There is no better symbol of community than Credit Union Place, a central hub that brings together residents from across our region for recreation, connection, and events. Fusion Credit Union is a natural partner, and we deeply appreciate their continued commitment and recognition of the value this partnership brings. Support from partners like Fusion is what allows us to continue offering a wide range of recreation opportunities and community events. We are proud to move forward together and look forward to building on this strong partnership for years to come.” For more information on Credit Union Place, visit Dauphin Recreation Services webpage at www.dauphinrec.com.