Traffic to our web site continues to increase by as much as 25%, or more, a month resulting in us having to already upgrade servers. Our top story on Crows General Store surpassed 22,000 unique views, in a matter of days, and was quickly picked up by other media outlets in Brandon and throughout the province of Manitoba. Business stories have proven extremely popular on the site as our coverage on the opening of Ace Kitchen Supply and Direct Liquidation remain two of our most read stories to date. It's no secret that Brandon and the Westman region enjoy sports stories as evidenced by the large numbers of viewers on our stories about the 11 year old who tossed a perfect game and the story we posted from Bruce Luebeke on The Case for Ivan Provorov as WHL Player of the Year. Other popular stories which struck a nerve with people include Day Drinking in Brandon, 100 Men Who Give a Damn Donate $7,300 and Resilient Ross Ready to Rock . Special thanks to all of our writers and contributors who have submitted articles for us to publish and ideas for us to pursue. We have several new writers and guest contributors scheduled to start publishing articles in the coming weeks. Last week we introduced a new feature to the site, Submit a Story. Submit a Story is designed to provide residents of Brandon and area the opportunity to submit stories, photos and videos. Maybe you’ve just witnessed a vehicle crash through a restaurant, your neighbor cutting grass in a speedo, or your daughter’s soccer team has just finished first in a big tournament. We accept submissions from readers, and will publish anything that interests us and matches our focus for the site. In the past several months we have hosted many promotions including giving away a $2,600 bed, oil changes, and everyone's favorite perogies. We also awarded one lucky fan the opportunity to have supper with Canadian TV icon Jeff Schwarz at Browns Social House. We have many new and exciting promotions scheduled for the coming months including giving away a house cleaning courtesy Amber's Reliable House Cleaning and a Dyson vacuum cleaner courtesy of Direct Liquidation. This is just one of three promotions we have planned for the next few months. Please keep checking our web site, our Twitter page, and our Facebook page. Speaking of Facebook we have amassed 3,020 likes in just over 5 months. Not bad. Thanks to our sponsors for supporting us through the launch of this web site. We had many advertisers/sponsors step-up and commit to advertising options long before we even launched live to the public. These sponsorship's and relationships have allowed us to focus and concentrate on the the development and growth of the site and we expect to launch a few new areas of interest to the site shortly.

Some pictures of today's storm in Brandon, MB and area.  If you have photos that you would like to share with us from todays storm please email us at jody@bdnmb.ca.   South of Hartney.  Photo:  Jolene Jasper . Wheat City Golf Course just as the storm hit.  Photo:  Brooke Clayton @ Lil Creek Photography   Dark skies overhead in Brandon South.  Photo:  Curlin   Hail in the east end.  Photo:  Michelle Koss-Lekopoy. Clouds over Killarney.

The Perogy Lady (Sandra Fraser) has been making and selling perogies in Brandon and area for the past two years.  Prior to conducting business in Brandon, Sandra had been selling perogies in Saskatchewan for five years.  Her recipes come from her mother and she initially got started in the perogy making business as a way to be able to be with her children.   By working for herself, and starting a family owned business, she was now able to take her children to their activities and school. At the time she started the business her youngest was only two, she didn't have time to place him into a daycare, and it provided her the perfect opportunity to watch him grow up. Currently, the Perogy Lady, makes her perogies using the kitchen at the ANAF and she plans on setting up a retail location in Brandon in the not too distant future.  The top selling menu item is her cheese & bacon perogies.  She also has a limited time offering which is called the Canadian Perogy (Potato, Maple Syrup & Bacon).  These perogies are already cooked so you just need to reheat them, whether you boil, fry, bbq, or bake them.  In addition to the popular Ukrainian dish she has many other items available for sale including cabbage rolls, lasagna, cheesecake and another items soon to be announced. Today orders can be placed with The Perogy Lady by calling/texting her at 204-901-0846, through her website www.perogylady.com, or emailing her at perogylady@mail.com. If you place an order online it will take a couple days for turn around as they make the perogies fresh for every order. Pick up can be arranged at the ANAF on Mondays and Tuesdays by letting Sandra know in advance. At The Perogy Lady & More, creating and cooking is her passion.  She uses only the freshest and finest ingredients to create her FOOD that will fill your belly and warm your heart. Your taste buds will be happy you did. Check her out as she delivers to various locations in Manitoba and her products are sold in some stores near you.  She will be at Sportsmen Park starting Saturday June 18 until September Long.

May 25, 2018 Update:  BDNMB.CA caught up with Don Ditchfield today and Don let us know that he plans on opening an 18-hole mini golf course at Crow's General Store in the summer of 2019.  For the next several months, as time permits, Don said that he will work on the layout of the course.  He plans to incorporate many different items (old tractors, signs, antiques) so that the course is both fun and educational.  Once fall rolls around he hopes to have much of the work completed so that he can plant the trees, shrubs, etc.  The last step prior to opening in the summer of 2019 would involve covering the course with green carpet. Every now and again a person stumbles into a location, or some local attraction, that makes them ask themselves “how is it that I did not know that this place existed before?”.  Crow’s General Store in Brandon, MB is just one of those places.  Located at 33-17th St. East (just up the street around the corner from the Greenspot) you will find this hidden gem that is a must see for locals and out of towners alike.  The main floor of the building has been converted into a throwback ice cream shop complete with an old soda fountain, classic milkshake mixers, sundae glasses, coke machines and signage that takes a person back down memory lane.  Inside the ice cream shop you can find the old cream sign which was once located in the store next to Danceland at Clear Lake.  The tin roof is from the old Oddfellows dance hall in Neepawa and the chairs are all over 100 years old.  Initially the concept was to have the building resemble an old general store and one quick look at the outside you can clearly see the vision. The project is the workings of Don Ditchfield, who prefers to go by his lifelong nickname of Crow.  He purchased the property approximately 26 years ago and has spent the last 20+ years turning it into what it is today.  By trade, Don was a landscaper, and over the years he accumulated most of his merchandise from garage sales, auction sales and flea markets all over Brandon and Manitoba. Currently hard ice cream and novelty ice cream are available for sale to those who visit the attraction.  The plan is remain open all year round.  In the winter months people who are out snowshoeing or cross country skiing will be able to stop in for a hot chocolate or coffee.  If you have a few minutes to spare it’s the perfect spot to head out for a nature walk, grab an ice cream, and enjoy both the craftsmanship and detail that has gone into this unique attraction. This summer alone he has had visitors from Vancouver to Toronto and he said what he enjoys most is seeing the smiles on people’s faces.  Originally Don built the attraction thinking it would appeal to the older generation who were looking to relive a little of their youth and reminisce about the old days. Much to his surprise Don said that he finds it extremely gratifying that teenagers have enjoyed visiting his establishment as much as they have.  He said that it can serve as a history lesson for many who have never before experienced such a place.  The word has quickly spread and now teachers have started to inquire about day trips for their students to tour the site and to also serve as a quick history lesson for their students. Crows General Store is the perfect place to host your event, go for a nature walk or enjoy an ice cream on a hot summer’s day.  Wedding parties looking for that special, unique place to take their wedding photos will love the  spectacular backdrop that Crow’s has to offer.  Interested wedding parties are encouraged to call Don for a booking at 571-6875. Don wanted everyone to know that “Time spent here, is time well spent!”

June 16, 2016 NEWS RELEASE One of Brandon’s oldest businesses set to close its doors For Immediate Release – Patmore Garden Center and Nursery has announced that they will be closing the business permanently this summer . Marci Bomford, current owner and horticulturalist, said that there were many factors that came into play when the decision was made to shut down the business.  “The costs involved in operating a greenhouse business are exceptionally challenging. Rising costs of things such as inputs, heat, labour and property taxes are all big components. Plus, the buildings and greenhouses are over 40 years old and in need of major repair and renovation,” said Bomford. n addition, Bomford said that things have changed significantly in the business world since Patmore’s originally opened over 133 years ago and that it’s much more challenging in today’s consumer market for small, local businesses to survive. “The increase in garden center presence in large, box stores has been a significant factor. Plants and other products that you used to be able to only find at specialized garden centres are now available everywhere and at loss leader pricing,” said Bomford. Patmore Nursery Sales has been in business in Brandon since 1883. Henry Patmore assisted in greening this part of the world by contributing to the planting of street trees, shelter belts and to the development of the Patmore Green Ash species. Bomford purchased the business in 2012 and has worked hard to ensure that quality products and outstanding service were part of the shopping experience for local gardeners. “I am a professional horticulturist and my dream and passion has always been to run my own garden center and nursery. We all poured our hearts into Patmore’s, but it was also about quality of life and family balance. It is certainly the end of a dream for many of us,” said Bomford. “I am so thankful to all the customers who have supported Patmore's for all these years. They are the reason we’ve stayed in business so long and it has truly been an honour to assist them in all of their gardening needs.” Patmore Garden Center and Nursery is scheduled to close for good on July 9. Customers are encouraged to use outstanding gift certificates prior to that, as they are only are valid while the business remains open. A final Closing Out Sale will start on June 18th. All inventory will be 50-75% off and everything must go. All sales will be final; cash or debit is preferred as there will be a 3% charge for credit card use. The new land owners will take possession of the property at the beginning of September, but they have no intentions of operating a garden center. For more information or to contact regarding an interview: Marci Bomford marci@patmorenursery.com 204.728.1321