Sunrise Credit Union congratulates Jordan McGregor of Waskada and Raegan Ricard of Baldur on being named Valeyo Learning Grant recipients.   McGregor is graduating from Waskada School next month and has maintained Honour Roll marks during his time in high school. Jordan was active in extracurricular activities, including being captain of the high school hockey team and participating in badminton, track & field, and downhill skiing. In addition, he serves on the student advisory committee, volunteers at community events, helps maintain the yards of older people, and assists with the Lions Club Community Field. McGregor also coached at Waskada’s Breakfast Club for minor hockey players and is known for having a backyard dirt biking track that enthusiasts have enjoyed throughout the area. McGregor plans to enroll in pre-employment heavy equipment technician and attend Olds College this fall. Ricard will graduate from Prairie Mountain High School next month. Raegan is the Student Council President, is head of the Grad Committee, and has played many sports in high school. She even started a track & field club during the pandemic and volunteered at the Mariapolis rink and fitness center. Ricard has gained valuable experience working various jobs recently, including a dietary, laundry, and health care aid at the Rock Lake Personal Care Home and Prairie View Lodge. She has also held down positions as a server at a local restaurant, housekeeping in private homes, and working at a seasonal greenhouse. Ricard intends to attend Brandon University this fall and take classes in the pre-professional dentistry program.   Valeyo provides a variety of integrated business solutions to the Credit Union community and sponsors the Learning Grant on annual basis. The Valeyo Learning Grant are $1,200 scholarships for students who are members of a participating credit union in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario. Applicants submit an essay of 500 words or less OR a video of two minutes or less describing their academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. (Article Submitted)

Laughing Crow Tattoo, owned and operated by TJ VanStone, is targeting a June 14, 2022 opening. VanStone has been tattooing for a little over 7 years. Adam’s Body Art took him on as an apprentice and he worked there for the following 2 years. After that, he moved to Blood and Iron Tattoo and that’s where he has been for the past 5.5 years. "That’s a tough one, but I’d have to say illustrative black and grey", VanStone told bdnmb.ca when asked if he specialized in anything specific. Laughing Crow Tattoo will be located at D-435 Rosser Ave..  They can be reached at laughingcrowtattoo@gmail.com or (204) 441-2873.  Anyone wanting to see VanStone's work can look him up on Instagram @tjv204. Facebook link.

Westman Communications Group (WCG) is steadfast in its commitment to leave a positive impact in the communities it serves. On Wednesday, May 25, WCG further demonstrated its commitment by donating $1,500 to the Expanding Community Cancer Care (ECCC) to support the development of the chemotherapy unit at the Russell Health Centre (RHC). The expansion project requires the construction of an additional 2,300 square feet of building space for the chemotherapy treatment area of the RHC to move into, making it four times larger than the current unit. This new chemotherapy unit will improve access and enhance the quality of care for patients and their families. This initiative will benefit 14 communities in the Russell area, including 7 of which WCG serves - Binscarth, Birtle, Inglis, Roblin, Rossburn, Russell, and St. Lazare. “Supporting the communities we serve is an important part of who we are,” said WCG Marketing Manager Courtney Baxter. “We are honoured to be able to donate to such a great expansion project that will make a major difference in the region.” The ECCC began their campaign to have the new chemotherapy building attached to the RHC in 2014. The ECCC has patiently sought approval from the Provincial Government and Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) over the past seven years. In January 2022, they received approval to construct the Cancer Care Building. The ECCC agreed to raise all the necessary funds for the expansion and has held multiple fundraising initiatives to support the project during this period to raise the $2.5 million required to take care of all construction and equipment costs. ECCC has raised $1.8 million to date, “We’ll continue to push forward to raise more money so that we can finally see this project through,” said ECCC President Gloria Tibbatts. “Our group started out on adream to expand the existing unit to provide better care and a more positive environment for clients and staff. We started with $50 from the hospital’s drink fund in 2014, and it is great to see how far we have come, although we have a little more work to do yet and a lot more pies to make!” The Honourable Premier Heather Stefanson, Premier of Manitoba, through an announcement made by the Honourable Cliff Cullen, Deputy Minister of Manitoba, has committed to funding the rest of the $2.5 million investment. This will allow the project to take the next steps in turning this vision into reality.

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce announced the winners of its 2022 Business Achievement Awards (139th annual) at their Annual Awards Gala Wednesday evening. Business Person of the Year: Bernie Whetter (The Green Spot) Business Excellence (Large):  Kim’s Asian Restaurant Business Excellence (Small): GEM Services Outstanding New Business: Resurrection Auto Detailing Community Impact: Westman Communications Group Lifetime Business Builder: Paul Crane (Crane Steel Structures) Young Entrepreneur Award: Matt Berg (Livingstone Landscaping & Outdoor Garden Centre Young Entrepreneur Award: Marcel Kringe (Bushel Plus) Westman’s Top 4 Under 40: Ty Worthington of Pinnacle Event Rentals, Cassandra Jamieson of McPhail Travel Brandon, Amber White of Anytime Fitness, Nirmal Thakar of Shreem Systems & Solutions. The “awards recognize, celebrate and profile the accomplishments of member businesses and individuals” each year.

The Westman Cricket Association (WCA) is thrilled to receive $9000.00 from the Westoba Credit Union Inspire Program to create a much needed practice cage this summer at the J&G Homes Cricket Field. Construction of the J&G Homes Cricket Field in 2021 at Simplot Millennial Park gave the WCA a permanent home in Brandon. Association President, Kushang Patel said the Westoba Practice Cage will be a first for Brandon and will have a significant impact on attracting more cricket enthusiasts, high-level competitions as well as building the skills of existing and new players. “Cricket is a growing sport in Brandon, for adults and kids.” Said Patel.” The Westoba Practice Cage is the piece we needed to create a proper facility and limit expensive travel to Winnipeg for skill training.” The WCA includes a men's recreation league, as well as a youth program that is growing in interest partly due to affordable registration rates and the addition of cricket to the Brandon School Division athletic program. Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School is targeting 30 kids on their team this year with an additional 25 kids from Vincent Massey High School building a team and taking part in cricket training. “Ages from five to 19 are welcome to join for the summer 2022 season, “said Patel. “No prior knowledge or equipment is required to participate. The cost for the entire season is $50, which includes weekly training, competitive matches, full access to all the equipment and coaches, and a personalized jersey.” The WCA plans to increase the number of games this season to 70 from the 30 they played in 2021. The WCA also plans to host a tri-series between Winnipeg, Regina, and Brandon this year and is working with the Manitoba Cricket Association (MCA) to arrange for teams like the Brandon Bisons and Brandon Renegades to play six of their games in Brandon and six in Winnipeg. The WCA remains in talks with the MCA to finalize details on the Cricket Canada 2022 national tournament scheduled to take place in Manitoba this year. Work on the Westoba Practice Cage is expected to start soon with a completion date aimed at early summer.