BDNMB.CA is always in search of that hidden gem type restaurant, not too far off the beaten path, that we feel our readers would also enjoy. Recently we were made aware of a restaurant located approximately an hour from Brandon and we had to check it out for for ourselves. Let me tell you, this place is must stop if you're looking at taking an afternoon drive or you're seeking an alternative joint to hit on your way to or from Winnipeg. The Gladstone Golf & Country Club Restaurant is the perfect place to start or end a round of golf. The restaurant offers casual and comfortable dining and is open for the duration of the golf season (mid April to end of October) and closed for the winter months. The restaurant is under the management on Spike Foster, who many people will recognize from his days in Brandon at Parthenon Pizza, Rally Caps, and O'Kellys. In conversation with bdnmb.ca, Spike said that the menu concept and recipes come from his years of working in the industry and his time as a food sales representative. This is the 4th season Foster has been running the restaurant and he said their most popular dishes include anything with their signature sweet heat sauce. To view the menu, checkout their Facebook page here. The clubhouse is open for meals starting from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. (depending upon sunset) during weekdays, and 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on weekends.  

The Oakland-Wawanesa Fire Department is thrilled to receive $2500.00 from the Westoba Credit Union Inspire Program to support a Medical First Response Unit at the Oakland- Wawanesa Fire Hall. This Medical First Response Unit project was started as a critical need to address the loss of medical services in the area. "We have taken on this role as with cut back we have lost the local ambulance that has served our community and surrounding area,” said Oakland-Wawanesa Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Dennis Gullett. “The community and area are 30 + minutes away from an EMS station which has severe impacts on patient outcomes; the first response station allows us to provide needed medical assistance to sick residence and visitors to our community and surrounding area.” said Gullet. The funding from Westoba Inspire is part of Westoba’s 60th anniversary celebration. Westoba Branch Manager for Killarney and Cartwright, Heather Heinrichs said she is proud to contribute to such a beneficial need. “Having a Medical First Response Unit is crucial in an area that no longer has a local ambulance, said Heinrichs. “Helping to fund this project means so much to all of us at Westoba as residents of this area.” The Fire Department is currently in the process of licensing and hopes to have the project fully equipped and operational by fall 2023.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) introduced the WCG Technology Scholarship earlier this year to help students pursue post-secondary education. It awards $5,000 each to five promising students entering their first year of post-secondary education in a technology-based field who contribute to their school and community. This year’s winners are Jonah Friesen, Luka Solomon, Rooney Gopaul, Simon Krahn, and Talia Iwanchysko. The WCG Technology Scholarship was established to replace the bursary program that has been in place in previous years. By awarding a total of $25,000 to deserving individuals, WCG is helping students who plan to study and work with technology to be well-prepared for the intimidating cost of post-secondary education. The five successful applicants come from several communities within the service area of Westman Communications Group. Jonah Friesen currently attends Souris School and will pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of British Columbia. Luka Solomon attends Shoal Lake High School and will pursue a Bachelor of Science at the University of Manitoba. Rooney Gopaul attends Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School and will be working towards a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science degree at Brandon University. Simon Krahn attends Rivers Collegiate Institute and will attend Brandon University as well for a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree. Talia Iwanchysko attends Dauphin Regional Comprehensive Secondary School and will be attending the University of Saskatchewan where she will work towards a degree in Engineering. “WCG is committed to helping develop our communities, especially when it comes to our youth, education, diversity, and technology,” says Brandi Crowe, Westman Communications Group Marketing Manager. “The WCG Technology Scholarship plants the seeds for our communities to flourish today and in the future. We are pleased to have inspired students to do well in school to qualify for the WCG Technology Scholarship and to empower these five young individuals who were selected for this award to gain access to higher education, their dreams, and their desires to contribute to society.” For more information about the WCG Technology Scholarship, please visit our website: https://westmancom.com/local-impact/education-initiatives.

Sunrise Credit Union's 2023 Our Manitoba Photo Contest winner is Jodi Baker of Neepawa. A panel of Sunrise staff selected Baker's photo & "Sunflower Sunset" as one of the 30 finalists from approximately 250 entries for this year's contest. Sunrise held a week-long public vote on the 30 finalists in April through the ourmanitoba.org website, with Baker's photo earning the most nods to be declared the winner. Baker captured the winning photo south of Neepawa in mid-August, but it was only partially planned. "I had planned to go out and get some sunflower photos, but the stunning sunset took me by surprise" said Baker. "Winning this contest is a great honour – there were so many amazing photos!" Baker entered the Our Manitoba Photo Contest for the first time in 2023 after hearing about the contest on social media and being encouraged to join by family and friends. "Ensure you have inte2023 marked the 11th edition of the Our Manitoba Photo Contest. The unveiling of the grand prize winner on Friday (May 12) coincided with Manitoba Day.resting subject matter" said Baker, "Use landscape mode and have the highest resolution possible." All 13 finalists will receive a canvas print of the winning photograph, be featured in the 2024 Sunrise Credit Union calendar, and have appeared on Sunrise Credit Union's branch TVs and social media channels. In addition, Baker earned the Grand Prize of a $500 One-Year Term Deposit from Sunrise Credit Union.

The Global Market space at the corner of 12 th Street and Rosser Avenue, in the heart of downtown Brandon, is undergoing a transformation! The Global Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 13, 2023, and is relocating inside the Building Re-Fit Store at 23-12 th street. The Market will run every Saturday until the end of September from 10-3 at the Building Re-Fit Store. Vendors will be located throughout the main floor of the Building Re-Fit Store, and feature homemade preserves, baking, home décor, kitchen and bath products, wreaths, wooden signs, and many more items! Opening day of the Market will feature The Wheat City Jug Band performing live during Market hours, bringing a folksy feeling to the space. Come down and wander this 108-year-old character building, look at our new murals, and check out your favourite returning Global Market vendor!