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.

Super Thrifty Drugs recently opened a new store (Super Thrifty Clinic Pharmacy) in Brandon at 42 McTavish Avenue East.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) announced the four lucky winners of the WCG Local Loot Loyalty Giveaway. This all-new and exciting loyalty program gives back and shows appreciation to WCG’s loyal members with a cooperative flair, as all the prizes are local and directly sourced from their communities in Manitoba. The Grand Prize winner is Jeff Gervin from Boissevain, a WCG member of thirteen years. He and his family will enjoy a luxury staycation package at Bears Den in Wasagaming, Manitoba, for seven days valued at $3,500. The second prize goes to Richard Dejardins Jr., a loyal WCG member of 18 years from Carberry. He won $2,000 cash and an opportunity to donate another $2,000 to a charity of their choice. The third prize winner, who will enjoy a private in-home dining experience cooked by local chefs, is Melody Judson from Brandon. She has been a WCG member for more than 18 years. Jennifer Seib from Russell, a WCG member for two years, wins the fourth and final prize of a $1,000 Co-op gift card. “We are thrilled for all the winners of this year’s WCG Local Loot Giveaway,” said Brandi Crowe, Westman Communications Group Marketing Manager. “It means a lot that our members continue to choose us as their communication service provider. It is important to us that we show our appreciation to them and our communities.”