The Board of Directors for Westman Communications Group recognize Dave Baxter’s outstanding career achievements as they announce his retirement as President & Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective March 2022. Baxter has been the President & CEO of Westman since 1998, and his retirement will bring to a close a remarkable 26-year tenure with the organization. “During Dave’s time at Westman, he has expanded the availability of our High-Speed Internet, Digital HD TV, and Phone services to 54 communities,” said Chairperson of Westman’s Board of Directors, Jason Roblin. “Westman has grown to be an employer of choice for many people in Manitoba, accomplished through Dave’s leadership and vision for what Westman is as a cooperative and service provider in the area.” Westman won the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Outstanding Medium Business award in 2010 and was a finalist for the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Outstanding Large Business award in 2018. Additionally, Westman was named one of Canada’s top 100 employers in 2016. In recognition of his business achievements and community contributions, Baxter received the Brandon Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award in 2010. Westman’s community involvement is echoed by Baxter’s dedication to causes such as the United Way, YWCA, and CNIB. Baxter is an active Board Member with Manitoba Blue Cross, Canadian Communications Systems Alliance, and the Manitoba Cooperative Association and is a member of the Business Council of Manitoba, where those organizations value his contributions. Baxter has also served as a Board Member with the Brandon Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters CEO Radio Council, and the Canadian Cable Television Association. “The Board of Directors would like to thank Dave for his dedication and commitment to growing the Cooperative over the last 26 years and wish him our very best on his well-deserved transition into retirement,” adds Roblin. The CEO succession committee comprised of elected members of the Westman Communications Group Board of Directors has already started the search for the next leader of Westman. The committee is confident that the Cooperative will continue to grow sustainably for years to come.

From September 13 to September 19, the full $1 from every Smile Cookie sold in Brandon will support the Brandon Area Community Foundation. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Smile Cookie campaign has raised more than $60 million for charities, hospitals, and community programs across the country - with a record-breaking $11 million in 2020. Back again for its 25th year, Tim Hortons Smile Cookie week will support charities in communities across the country, including the Brandon Area Community Foundation – one of hundreds of Canadian charities, hospitals and community programs supported through the annual campaign. For one week, from September 13 – 19, restaurant owners will donate the full $1 from every freshly baked chocolate chunk Smile Cookie purchased to support charities in their community. Guests can complete a form to place pre-orders for Smile Cookies through their restaurant in Brandon. In addition to the funds received from the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign, the Cardinal Foundation will be generously matching all funds received on Tuesday, September 14, 2021. To get a copy of the Pre-Order Form you can visit the Brandon Area Community Foundation website at bacf.ca LINK TO ORDER FORM: https://files.constantcontact.com/dd7b1b6d701/3d19632c-e16e-4d51-a252-d83b89a1f693.docx Rhonda Pardy, Tim Hortons Westman & Area ‘Our entire Tim Hortons team are so excited to be supporting the BACF this year through our Smile Cookie campaign.  The amount of lives touched and organizations supported through the BACF has us very motivated to join in making a difference…one smile at a time.  We are hoping our community has a huge craving for a warm cookie to help make the coming week a huge success!’ Dan Robertson, Chair of Brandon Area Community Foundation ‘I would like to thank Tim Horton’s Westman & Area, Rhonda Pardy, Greg Crisanti and team for the opportunity to be the recipient of this year’s Smile Cookie Campaign. All the proceeds will go to BACF’s Community Fund. This fund helps to support community projects throughout Brandon and the Westman area.  Thank you, in advance, Brandon and Westman for your generous support.’ Smile Cookie Campaign Facts  In 2020, the Smile Cookie campaign raised a record $11 million across Canada  For over 25 years, Tim Hortons restaurant owners and guests have been spreading smiles. The Smile Cookie campaign began in 1996 to help raise funds for the Hamilton Children’s Hospital in Ontario  Nationally, Tim Hortons restaurant owners support over 550 local charities, hospitals and community programs through the Smile Cookie campaign Tag or follow them on Instagram @TimHortons & @TimHortonsWestman @BrandonAreaCommunityFoundation

Food Truck Warz 4 will be taking place at the Keystone Centre grounds in Brandon later this week, and Sunrise Credit Union is partnering with BDNMB.CA to allow families the opportunity to gain entrance to the event for free. Family Fun Night will occur on Thursday, September 16, 2021, the first evening of Food Truck Warz 4. The first 400 vehicles to the event on that day will be admitted free courtesy of Sunrise Credit Union. At the same time, Sunrise staff will be onsite to hand out promotional items to those attending. Food Truck Warz 4 will take place from September 16-19, 2021, at the Keystone Centre grounds in Brandon. 26 Food Trucks from Manitoba will be taking part and serving a wide range of foods, including BBQ, dessert, El Salvadoran, Mexican, Japanese fusion, Caribbean, Jamaican, and pizza. In addition, Select Shows is returning to Food Truck Warz with a midway that promises more rides than its last appearance in 2019. Daily admission to Food Truck Warz 4 will be $2 per person or $5 per vehicle, with cash only accepted at the gate. A portion of the proceeds from Food Truck Warz 4 will be donated to the Westman Dreams for Kids. About Sunrise Credit Union Formed in 2008, Sunrise Credit Union offers personalized service to approximately 33,000 members across 20 branches. Sunrise Credit Union serves Baldur, Boissevain, Brandon, Cypress River, Deloraine, Grandview, Hartney, Holland, Laurier, Melita, Minnedosa, Oakburn, Reston, Sandy Lake, Shoal Lake, Ste. Rose du lac, Strathclair, Treherne, Virden, and Waskada.

American clothing franchise Plato’s Closest will be coming to Brandon this winter at 1505 – 1st street (Tim Hortons mini mall location). What is Plato’s Closest, the best way to sum it up is this description: Plato's Closet buys and sells gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories, so you can recycle the items you no longer wear and get paid cash on the spot. Brianne Roblin (local franchise owner, pictured above with her family) knew that opening a clothing store like Plato’s Closest would be a great idea for Brandon but felt opening Once Upon A Child first was the smart move. She went back and forth in deciding what was correct for her family and this community.  "We have been fortunate with how Once Upon A Child has done so far, so we know Plato’s Closest will do fine" said Roblin. "The day we opened Once Upon A Child the Province shut us down due to Covid. Until a month ago we never had the chance to have 100 percent occupancy." added Roblin. Roblin told bdnmb.ca has shopped at Plato’s Closest for over 3 years in Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Red Deer and Edmonton.  She said she never left disappointed and purchased a pair of brand new Manitoba Mukluks in Edmonton for 14 dollars.. “made my trip". "As I had mentioned in my first interview a year back for Once Upon A Child, I love thrifting!! Always have and always will, so going to work everyday is an absolute blast. Like they say, find your passion and you'll never work a day in your life." Plato’s Closest and Once Upon A Child are part of a company called Winmark. ”They are so helpful and are the experts in the resale business, not only do they have Once Upon A Child and Plato's Closet they are also home to Play it again Sports, Music Go Around and Style Encore.” commented Roblin. The store will be employing approximately 20-25 full and part time employees and anyone who is interested in working at the store can send their resume to platosclosetbrandon@gmail.com Attn: Hiring Manager.

Fusion Credit Union is proud to present “Community Infusion”, the business idea competition  that infuses economic growth and prosperity into our local communities. The event will take  place on December 6, 2021 at Countryfest Cinema, Dauphin Manitoba. “At Fusion, we are Here for Good, and to us, that means we are committed to our communities today and for the long term,” says Fusion CEO Darwin Johns. “We are thrilled to offer Community Infusion as a tangible means of sparking ongoing economic development in our communities across the province.” Entrepreneurs will submit an application for a new business idea, existing business looking to grow, or to purchase or improve an existing business, for a chance to win up to $30,000 in grant money. Selected applicants will move to the next phase of the competition which will require a business plan submission. Up to five finalists will be selected to pitch their idea to a panel on Monday, December 6, 2021. Mike Csversko, Business Development Manager for Fusion notes that, “Community Impact is a foundational pillar for our organization. As a locally based financial institution in the Parkland and  southwestern Manitoba, we consider community impact and contribution to be at the core of our DNA. The Community Infusion initiative is one more way in which Fusion will play a role in  supporting job creation, entrepreneurial support, community engagement, and business development in our trading area.” (submitted)