Westland Insurance, one of Canada’s largest independently-owned brokerages, announced today that it acquired Andrew Agencies Ltd. With this addition, Westland continues its growth across Canada and significantly extends its reach in Central Canada. Established in 1913, Andrew Agencies is one of the largest and most respected full-service insurance and financial services firms in the Prairies. They operate 22 locations throughout Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta. Andrew Agencies is well-known for its breadth of innovative insurance solutions and professionalized service across agriculture / farm, small to medium-sized commercial, homeowners, and auto business. “We’re thrilled to welcome Andrew Agencies Ltd. to Westland,” says Jamie Lyons, Westland’s President & CEO. “Their culture, reputation, leadership and impressive track record of growth and innovation is highly complementary to our national expansion strategy. We’re excited to add their deep capabilities in P&C insurance, as well as life insurance and financial services, to our growing platform in Central Canada.” “Andrew Agencies is very excited join the Westland team. We’ve followed Westland’s progress over the years, and they have a similar management philosophy to ours. They also have solid insurance industry family roots – just like the Andrew family,” says Scott Andrew, President and CEO of Andrew Agencies Ltd. “Andrew Agencies has served a growing client base since 1913 and we’re optimistic for the opportunities this acquisition presents to our clients, including expanded products and services, and the opportunities it brings for our employees. Westland’s recent capital partnership with Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan also makes it a ‘made in Canada solution’ which we fully support.” Dowling Hales acted as financial advisor to Andrew Agencies in the transaction. Westland continues to invest in and grow its business in Canada, both organically and through strategic acquisitions.

The Sweet Spot Bakery opened in Virden (445 7th Avenue) in February of 2021. Owner Sara Hope told bdnmb.ca that her dream as a kid was always to own her own bakery one day. She started working in a bakery in high school and had the pleasure of working in a couple others in adulthood.  In 2018 Sara took an interest in cake decorating as a hobby and started making cakes for friends and family and loved it. She started experimenting with different materials and edible mediums and watched A LOT of YouTube videos. And when 2020 rolled around, and we were all stuck in the house for covid, she found the bakery in Virden was for sale and decided to take a chance! Are items baked fresh daily, is it a rotating menu. The bakery is always baking something new and their display case is always changing. Sara loves coming up with new flavors and combinations. Presently they make everything from donuts, cakes, cupcakes, cookie sandwiches, and pies to pizza buns, soup, iced coffee, bubble tea and fresh squeezed lemonade. Their custom ordered cakes and decorated sugar cookies are what keep them the most busy but the donut section and cookie section are very popular areas as well. Pre-orders on any product are available and appreciated.

A one day only pop up Bridal Sale (Opportunity Bridal) selling only new wedding dresses and accessories (veils, belts, sashes, tiaras, etc) for the bride is scheduled to take place at the Victoria Inn on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Hundreds of wedding dresses, from some of the best international designers, will be on sale with prices ranging from $399-$1199. Dresses are stocked in a wide array of sizes (from 2-28) and will be available on a first come, first served basis. The sale travels with change rooms and lots of mirrors. The Brandon sale runs from 9am – 4pm with last admittance at 3:00pm. A link to the Facebook event page can be found here.

The Dreams for Kids Golf Tournament was held earlier today at the Wheat City Golf Course. Each year, Westman Dreams for Kids holds the golf fundraiser and all funds raised are used to benefit children affected by a serious illness who are living in the Westman area. The golf tournament is the organization's biggest fundraising event of the year. This year 216 golfers participated in the activities which also included a very successful live auction.

Back in June of 2016 bdnmb.ca discovered and introduced our followers to Crow's General Store, a hidden gem that is a must see for locals and out of towners alike. The following morning cars, and people, lined up to see what has now become one of Brandon's top tourist attractions. Based on the popularity of that one article other media outlets, both local and from across the Province, descended on the property to provide Crow's with the coverage it so richly deserved. To view bdnmb.ca's original article, click here. Fast forward years later and there have been numerous changes/additions/alterations to the property and the building. The biggest of those changes taking place this week-the opening of a mini golf course. Owner Don Ditchfield told bdnmb.ca that the idea for a mini golf course has been in the plans for several years now. Presently there is 9-holes available to play and the cost is only $5. Ditchfield went on to say that he is looking to expand to 18-holes over the summer as time permits. He already has the space and materials, he just needs to free up the time. Just like the ice cream shop, the mini golf course features a number of challenging obstacles Don has collected over the years. To hear it from Don himself, each item is a story onto itself. Crow's is located at 33-17th St. East (just up the street around the corner from the Greenspot) in Brandon.