– Westman Communications Group (WCG) has concluded its 2023 Connecting Westman Tour. After visiting five communities this summer, the Tour raised $23,917.30 for local initiatives and charities through charity barbecue events. This total surpasses the previous amount set during the Tour’s inaugural year in 2019 of $13,700. The Connecting Westman Tour was created as a way for WCG to connect with the communities it serves and raise funds for an initiative chosen by residents in those communities. The Tour was started in 2019 with three stops, followed by four locations in 2022. The 2023 Connecting Westman Tour increased the number of communities visited, expanding to five locations, including Swan River, Onanole, Melita, Carberry, and St. Claude. Initiatives and charities supported this year were the Swan Valley Animal Protection League, the Onanole Elementary School Parent Group, the Melita Central Park Project, the Carberry and Area Community Foundation, and St. Claude’s Mile 60 Park. After matched donations from WCG, the total raised reached $23,917.30. On this year’s Tour, the highest amount was raised in one community, with St. Claude’s event amassing a total donation of $11,230.70. With three years of Connecting Westman Tours in the books, over $50,000 has been donated to initiatives throughout Manitoba. “2023 has been a record year for the Connecting Westman Tour, and we couldn’t be more excited about its continued success,” said WCG Marketing Manager Brandi Crowe. “The tremendous levels of attendance that we experienced this year were a wonderful reminder of the importance of supporting the communities we serve. We’re excited to continue further initiatives to foster growth within the communities we serve.” To keep up with future fundraising initiatives, please follow WCG on social media or head to westmancom.com/personal/community-engagement/connectingwestman.

Sunrise Credit Union announced today a naming rights partnership. The newly constructed arena in Minnedosa will be named the Sunrise Credit Union Centre. Previously to the merge with Sunrise Credit Union, Minnedosa Credit Union formally agreed to donate $250,000 to the new facility in January 2013. This facility will become the central hub of the Minnedosa recreational grounds and provide various opportunities to the community. The Sunrise Credit Union Centre will act as a long-term facility for Minnedosa minor hockey games, practices and tournaments, including regional and provincial championships. It will see many youths through their minor and recreational hockey careers and into senior hockey. The Minnedosa Bombers senior hockey team and the Minnedosa Skating Club will also call the arena home. The ice surfaces can be retrofitted to host curling events like the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, which will surely put Minnedosa on the map. The Sunrise Credit Union Centre will provide a space for indoor practices for baseball, rugby and soccer teams during the summer months when the ice is out. It will offer wheel-chair accessible bathrooms and air-conditioned canteen services for events held on the grounds. The arena will also support and encourage an active lifestyle among community members of all ages and abilities with a walking track and pickleball courts in the summer months. The brand-new facility will see many community events hosted within its walls, including concerts, fundraising initiatives, and social events and will even offer the use of its meeting rooms. “Sunrise Credit Union is thrilled to support this project, which reinforces our commitment to work for the betterment of our communities in Manitoba. We look forward to the community members being able to enjoy the upcoming season in this amazing facility.” Tim Klassen, President and CEO of Sunrise Credit Union. “It is extremely satisfying to see the years of hard work community and board members put in come to fruition with the opening of Sunrise Credit Union Centre. We are confident this new facility will be enjoyed by the residents of Minnedosa and surrounding communities for generations.” Brad Ross, VP of Member Services and former General Manager at the Minnedosa Credit Union. The new facility is sure to attract various events to the community for years to come and Sunrise Credit Union is proud to support community development and building a brighter future together.

NorthStar Insurance & Real Estate is pleased to announce the opening of a new insurance office in Brandon, Manitoba. The new location is now open for business, offering personal, leisure, business/commercial and agriculture insurance to Brandon and surrounding communities. We re excited to expand our operations to this vibrant, growing city, states Marlene Heise, Director of Wealth and Insurance Services at Fusion Credit Union. The welcoming culture, combined with the opportunities for growth and expansion is what attracted us to the community. We knew this progressive city would be the perfect fit for our growing organization. Operating by the tag line Steady and True, NorthStar currently offers insurance services in the communities of Roblin, Rossburn, Birtle and Erickson. Building on the reputation gained in these communities, the insurance company is well positioned to deliver exceptional service and advice in the Brandon market. The opening of our Brandon office will support our goal of helping our communities thrive and grow, says Brian Currie, Manager of Insurance Services at NorthStar. Even though NorthStar has been operating in several communities throughout Westman and Parkland, Brandon will now have local staff dedicated to local needs. Our clients now have the convenience of making payments and having their questions answered, right at our Brandon office. The office is conveniently located beside their partner agency, Fusion Credit Union, at Unit E-1212 18th Street in Brandon. The office is open and Insurance Broker, Marley Enns, is available to offer assistance with insurance needs for personal, business and farm purposes. The public is invited to stop by and take a tour of the new office.

Canada’s largest specialty coffee retailer, Second Cup Coffee Co.TM will be opening a location (2106 Currie Blvd) in Brandon in the not to distant feature. The company started in 1975 and now has more than 300 cafe's across the country, including four in Winnipeg. They carry a full line of hot and cold beverages as well as a variety of baked goods and breakfast options. In conversation with bdnmb.ca earlier today, ownership said the construction is ongoing and they were hoping for a mid-late October opening. In addition to the Second Cup Coffee Co.TM location, we also learned that a second business (Chocolato) would be opening a franchise at the same address. Chocolato is best identified as "a chocolate factory paired with an ice cream parlor". The menu includes a selection of soft ice cream, gelato, Royal Sundaes, dessert pizza's, waffles, fondues and hot drinks. They have been in operation in Canada since 2015. Chocolato is set to open at the same time Second Cup Coffee opens and the two businesses are expected to employ 16-20 full and part time employees.

Torrid, which specializes in apparel and intimates for women sizes 10 to 30, will be opening a location in the Shoppers Mall this fall. The announcement was made recently on the Shoppers Mall Facebook page. Tops, bottoms, dresses, intimates, activewear, footwear, jackets, and accessories are among the many items carried by the retailer. Torrid opened their first Canadian store in Toronto in September of 2015.