Chef Germain, the culinary maestro behind The Burning Bale Restaurant in Elgin, has always been a passionate creator of bold and flavorful dishes. Known for his decades of experience in the kitchen, Chef Germain has been crafting hot sauces for years. However, his latest creation takes his love for heat to a new level—one that is both challenging and versatile. "I've been making hot sauces for decades, really," Chef Germain shares. "But I decided I wanted to make something that was a little more challenging, something that would be good for you and also something you would want to splash on everything." The inspiration for this new sauce came from one of his favorite breakfast dishes—steak and eggs. "Originally, it was meant for my steak and eggs breakfast. I love a splash of heat, and I wanted something that could complement that dish perfectly." Chef Germain decided to embark on the journey of creating a fermented hot sauce, which adds a layer of complexity to the flavor while offering a range of health benefits. "I wanted something thinner than my usual sauces and something milder so it would go with everything." Simplicity was key in developing the flavor profile. Chef Germain opted for a combination of garlic, black pepper, apple, lime, and the fiery bird's eye Thai chili pepper. The result is a sauce that strikes the perfect balance between heat and flavor. "The final brewing has a fabulous garlicky brine taste with a quick heat bite that ghosts off your palate quickly." The sauce needed a name as memorable as its flavor. Inspiration struck during one of Chef Germain's Sunday breakfast specials, where he served an 8-ounce cap sirloin topped with a single sunny-side egg and a splash of his new hot sauce. The dish was dubbed "The One-Eyed Gopher," and thus, "Gopher Spit" was born. "I couldn't resist developing such a character into a brand," Chef Germain laughs. "The sauce is addicting, which is what you want in a hot sauce. A splash of flavor and heat in each bite that doesn't mask your food but enhances it!" Gopher Spit will quickly become a favorite at The Burning Bale, with diners eager to add a dash of this unique hot sauce to everything from breakfast to dinner. Presently Chef Germain said he has approximately 50 bottles available for sale ($10 each) and the the only way to get one is to come for lunch or supper and order one when you order your food. With the demand already there, he plans on picking up more peppers to start making an even larger batch (around 200). Chef Germain's creation is a testament to his culinary creativity and his commitment to making every meal an unforgettable experience.

In a move set to excite local collectors and enthusiasts, I Want That Stuff, recently announced it will be relocating to a larger space to better serve its growing customer base. The new location, situated at 138-10th Street in downtown Brandon, opened it's doors today. According to owner's Corey Trumbley Facebook message, there was a number of of reasons for the move including expansion and a dedicated gaming area. The new space is nearly twice in size allowing for a larger showroom and several dedicated gaming areas. I Want That Stuff is a beloved hub for board games, retro video games, sports cards, Magic the Gathering, Warhammer, Age of Sigmar, Pokémon and more. They have been in operation in Brandon since. This move marks an exciting chapter for I Want That and the local collectibles community. With more space and new features, the store is poised to continue its tradition of providing exceptional service and unique finds for collectors of all kinds.

Fusion Credit Union’s Full Circle Fund was established in 2019 to help their members and communities do great things. “The Full Circle Fund is our way to fairly, and transparently support worthy projects across our communities,” explains Mike Csversko, Brand & Business Development Manager at Fusion. With two application intakes each year, organizations can apply for funding to help improve or get their project off the ground. A committee of Fusion executives, employees and board members are involved in the review process, “There are so many people doing great things in our communities, it really is impressive” continues Csversko. Since its debut in 2019, the Full Circle Fund has committed over $920,000 to 172 community projects in the Parkland and Southwestern Manitoba. Standing true to their tagline, Fusion Credit Union and the Full Circle Fund are Here for good. This year’s spring intake awarded a total of $89,900 to 15 recipients, including: • $25,000 towards Winnipegosis Curling Rink upgrades • $15,000 to the Watson Auditorium cooling project • $15,000 to the Oak Lake CARE Centre • $10,000 towards Inglis Skating Rink improvements “The Full Circle Fund program is something we are very proud of,” says Csversko “We are changing lives and building stronger communities because of the support of our members. What goes around, truly comes back Full Circle.” If you or someone you know has a community project that could benefit from Full Circle Fund’s support, apply now by clicking here

Westman Communications Group (WCG) hosted a charity barbecue event in Gladstone on July 18, 2024. All proceeds went to Gladstone Minor Ball, a cause chosen by the residents of Gladstone. After a matched donation from WCG, the event raised $4,090.20. The Connecting Westman Tour is a community-driven initiative that allows WCG to serve its members and support the projects that matter most to community members. At the Gladstone Co-op, WCG served hotdogs and smokies with donation-based pricing. Attendees donated $2,045.10, which was matched by WCG, bringing the total amount raised to $4,090.20. On behalf of the Gladstone Minor Ball Association, Con Gardiner stated, “We would like to thank everybody that came and supported us in this endeavor. We also want to thank Westman Communications Group for providing everything and the great help in making this possible for our community. Seeing the kids' smiles when they come out onto the field is what it’s all about. Thank you very much.” The 2024 Connecting Westman Tour has donated over $22,000 to initiatives across Notre Dame, Dauphin, and Gladstone. WCG’s last stop for the summer is planned for Boissevain on August 15th. For more information on the Connecting Westman Tour, or to submit a community initiative for funding from the Tour, please visit the WCG website.

Westoba Credit Union (Westoba) is excited to announce $5,000.00 in funding from the Westoba Inspire program to help improve accessibility at Ninette Community Place and the Ninette & District Activity Centre. Located across the street from Westoba’s Ninette branch, Ninette Community Place is home to the Ninette and District Activity Centre, as well as a community hall and kitchen. The Ninette & District Activity Centre is open regularly for people to gather and play cards or pool, get a book, work on a puzzle, or just connect with others. Senior Independent Services Coordinator and Activity Centre Volunteer Board President, Myra Jonsson says the Community Place and Activity Centre are the only public facility of their kind in Ninette. “Ninette Community Place is the ONLY public gathering space in Ninette and services people of all ages, said Jonsson, “the hall and the Activity Centre are used for a wide number of regular activities." Jonsson says that the Activity Centre has allowed seniors to remain in the community longer. “The Ninette & District Activity Centre's mission is to promote healthy aging, independence, and the well-being of older adults through health, wellness, educational, cultural, and recreational programs, and services. This facility reduces social isolation and empowers residents of this area and older adults to lead meaningful and connected lives in which they are engaged and participating in the community.” Funding from Westoba will support the creation of accessible parking space and the installation of a vertical lift into the building. “Right now, we only have 1 accessible parking space at the front of the building,” said Jonsson. “Access into the building is by walking or wheeling up a long metal ramp that is not always manageable for people with mobility issues. With these funds, we will create more accessible parking space at the back of the building near a vertical lift creating accessible entrance into the Activity Centre which will flow into the Community Place Hall.” Westoba President and CEO, Jim Rediger says the investment in this facility reflects Westoba’s values. “This space is an important resource to this region and directly impacts the success of this thriving community and the residents. It’s facilities like this that bring people together and help build a strong community. This reflects our value of innovative thinking and meeting the needs of our communities. “ Construction on the new vertical lift at Ninette Community Place is expected to begin soon with completion aimed at this fall.