Heritage Co-op is pleased to announce the purchase of one Husky retail fuel site. This site, located in Brandon at 102 Rosser Ave, allows us to expand our reach in Brandon. “We are so proud to share this announcement today. As a Co-op, we are focused on investing in our communities and bringing value to our Members,” said Dennis Laing, General Manager, Heritage Co-op, “Adding this site to our fuel network signals our commitment to growing and serving our community for the long term.” This site was purchased from Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) as part of its agreement to acquire 171 Husky retail fuel sites from Cenovus Energy Inc., which was announced in November 2021. Heritage Co-op will officially take ownership of this site when the deal is expected to close on March 31. This fuel site will continue to operate under the Husky brand until it is re-branded as Co-op. Fast facts: My Husky Rewards members can still earn and redeem points on all applicable transactions at Husky-branded sites Husky Gift Cards can still be redeemed at any Husky-branded site as a form of payment, but can no longer be purchased Co-op Members will not be able to use their Co-op numbers at this new location until it is branded as Co-op. The first step in this process is to transfer ownership of this Husky site to our Co-op. The Husky retail site will continue to operate as Husky in the short term and Guests can expect the same products and services when they visit this site. Over time, this site will be converted to Co-op. We will update our Members and Guests in advance of that change taking place. Co-op Members also benefit from this acquisition. All local Co-op associations are owned by their Members. Over the last five years our Co-op returned more than $31.7 Million in patronage allocations to Members who shop at our locations. This is money that goes back into our communities. That is, and will continue to be, a strength of the Co-operative Retailing System. The acquisition will further support our Members and our communities. (Heritage Co-Op News Release)

Give back to your community and be one of the 100 Women Who Care! This year 100 Women Who Care is excited to be hosting The Golden Girls Wine & Cheese Mixer. Join us on Thursday, March 23rd from 5:00-7:00pm, at the Backyard on Aberdeen for a feel-good evening of giving! The goal for this event is to raise $10,000. All the money raised will be donated to the Women’s Resource Centre! The Women’s Resource Centre is a non-profit organization that provides a range of programs and services for women and their families in Southwestern Manitoba. While the organization is located in Brandon, Manitoba, they serve the entire Westman region. “This is an event created in partnership with the Brandon Area Community Foundation that not only brings the women of the community together for an evening of fellowship, but it also supports a great cause that is in dire need of assistance.  The Women’s Resource Centre has many programs that assist women affected by all manner of hardships and in recent years their resources have been stretched to the limit.  As such, we chose WRC as a worthy recipient of this reintroduction to the 100 Women Who Care initiative.  We anticipate that this event will be the first of many events to take place whether annually or more frequently and will be seeking feedback from the attendees regarding their preferences in that regard,” says Andrea Epp, Board Member of the Brandon Area Community Foundation. We ask that each woman who attends the event bring a donation of $50 - $100 (cash) to support the Women’s Resource Centre. We recognize that times have been challenging for some so please consider donating what is comfortable for you. Tickets are $10.00 (cash) and include entry to the event, a glass of wine, and a ballot for an amazing door prize. Tickets can be purchased (with cash) at; Brandon Area Community Foundation, Anytime Fitness, Epp Law Office, Aida’s Catering, and Natural Elements.

Westoba is celebrating 60 years of success in business. To show appreciation to their members and their communities, they are giving away $60,000.00 through Westoba Inspire in 2023. Westoba Inspire, Westoba Credit Unions' community investment program will open its first round of application submissions March 1 - 31, 2023 for projects up to $30,000.00. "Thanks to our staff, members and communities, Westoba Credit Union is celebrating 60 successfulyears of business.” Said Jim Rediger, Westoba’s President, and CEO. “Giving back $60,000.00 through the Inspire program is a great opportunity to say thank you and for our communities to complete projects that will make a lasting impact in their areas; This support helps build strong and independent communities, which is at the heart of the credit union difference. Applicants must be a non-profit, charitable, or community organization or have a charitable fiscal agent to act on their behalf. Applications are reviewed by Westoba’s Community Investment Committee which includes staff, member, and Board representation. Successful applications are chosen based on their ability to align with Westoba’s goal to support community infrastructure. HOW TO APPLY to Westoba Inspire Applications will be accepted through an online application form available March 1st – 31st at www.westoba.com

Blush Silks will soon have its pillowcases under the heads of Hollywood’s most talented actors, actresses and directors, leading up to the 95th annual Academy Awards on March 12th. Blush Silks’ pure silk pillowcases will be featured in the celebrity Everyone Wins nominee gift bags, which will be presented to this year’s top Oscar nominees. A small city girl with a big entrepreneurial dream, Christine Steele, who along with friend Leanne Wrobel, founded Blush Silks, a silk pillowcase and scrunchie business, which began in February of 2021. The Everyone Wins nominee gift bag is presented to 27 Oscar nominees in the five major categories: best actor and actress, best supporting actor and actress and best director. Some of the nominees on this year’s gift list include Angela Bassett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Austin Butler, Colin Farrell, Brendan Fraser, Cate Blanchett and Steven Spielberg and the host of the Oscars  himself Jimmy Kimmel, will also receive a gift bag. She designed a personalized gift box for each recipient and after the Hollywood stars unwrap the custom tissue paper inside sits an exquisite king-size, pure silk, pearl pillowcase and a handwritten note congratulating them on their success. “I’m so passionate about Blush Silks and believe in the benefits of our products,” Steele added. “The benefits of sleeping on a silk pillowcase are endless. They are as soft as butter and a dream to sleep on.” says Steele “Celebrity placement is nearly impossible for small companies like ours to obtain, so this is a dream come true having our brand associated with such a highly recognizable event.” Steele concluded. Blush Silks can be found at https://blushsilks.ca/ on Instagram and on Facebook. The “Everyone Wins” Nominee Gift Bags are NOT affiliated in any way with the OSCARS® or the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences. A.M.P.A.S. does not award, sponsor, endorse or provide these Gift Bags. Neither the Academy nor Distinctive Assets wants there to be any association in the media between the “Everyone Wins” Gift Bags and the OSCARS® or the Academy.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) is pleased to announce the Board of Directors has appointed E.J. (Bud) Keys as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective February 16, 2023. Keys brings 35 years of industry experience, including the roles of Senior Director, Commercial Market Development with WCG, and senior sales and technology leadership positions with Allstream/AT&T Canada along with Bell (Northwestel). “We look forward to our future with E.J. (Bud) Keys as our President & CEO,” said Jason Roblin, Board of Directors Chair at WCG. “Bud’s experience within the telecommunications industry provides him with a well-rounded foundation to lead the strategic direction of our team.” Keys has a Bachelor of Arts (Commerce) from Simon Fraser University and is currently the Vice-President of the Coalition of Manitoba Internet Service Providers (C-MISP), a member of the Business Council of Manitoba, and on the Board of the Manitoba Cooperative Association Inc. WCG’s Board CEO Succession Committee retained MNP, a leading national executive search firm, to assist in its search process.