One of my favorite things to do during the summer is hop in the vehicle and go on a road trip to different hidden gems in rural Manitoba. If you are like me and also enjoy doing that, I have the place for you. Located just less than 2 hours away from Brandon on Highway 23, 10 km west of Miami you will find what could the pinnacle of rural Manitoba hidden gems at Two Old Crows BBQ & Smokehouse. As soon as you pull into the lane and get out of your vehicle you will be met with the smell of delicious BBQ wafting through the yard. There you will find a trailer with two smokers and a menu full of some of the best BBQ meats you will find in Manitoba. You will also find amazing customer service by two people ready to take you on unreal food journey. Whether it’s the pulled pork, brisket, the Texas cheese steak, the smoked wings or the pork belly that melts in your mouth you will not be disappointed by what you order off the menu. In addition to the meat you will also get a hefty portion of sides whether it’s fries or onion rings. If my words don’t sway you just check out the pictures. You can check their Facebook page here for any daily specials, their menu and hours of operation. Now what are you waiting for? Jump in the car and experience it for yourself. Monday CLOSED Tuesday CLOSED Wednesday CLOSED Thursday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Friday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Saturday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sunday 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Sara’s Pantry, is asking gardeners and fresh produce producers to add an extra row of vegetables this year for donation to Glenboro’s food security program. “Fresh produce is one of the staples of our monthly food hampers,” said Kyrsten Godard, Sara’s Pantry Secretary. “Buying fresh produce can be expensive on an already tight budget; we are hoping to enlist the support of master gardeners, home gardeners, garden clubs, youth groups, seniors, schools, churches, local growers, community gardens and larger scale producers to share the surplus of their harvest with Sara’s Pantry this year.” The Grow-A-Row program started in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1986, initiated by Ron and Eunice O’Donovan. The O’Donovan’s had produced more potatoes in their backyard garden than their family could consume. They donate the excess to Winnipeg Harvest, their local food bank. Since then, the Grow-A-Row program has been adopted by many other canadian cities. Established in the fall of 2020, Sara’s Pantry currently provides an average of 20 hampers a month to families in need of supplemental food. The volunteer organization accepts pre-registration and distributes the hampers bi-monlthy from Sara’s Pantry location at 504 Railway Avenue in Glenboro. Vegetable producers wishing to make a sizable donation can request pickup or arrange a suitable drop time by contacting Charlene Claeys-Godard, Sara’s Pantry Operating Manager at saraspantry2020@gmail.com. Glenboro Home hardware has made a generous donation of all their leftover garlic, potato, and onion seed. Vegetable seed is available for anyone to use and can be accessed by contacting Tracy Rimmer at tracy.rimmer@gmail.com or Kyrsten Godard at 204-526-0688. Sara’s Pantry accepts monetary donations as well as non-perishable food donations. Monetary donations can be sent to Sara’s Pantry at Box 495, Glenboro, MB R0K 0H0 or dropped off to Rimmer Technology Partners at 504 Broadway Avenue or Westoba Credit Union Glenboro Branch. Non-perishable food donations can be made in Glenboro at the Glenboro CO-OP, D + A Foods, Westoba Credit Union, Glenboro Pharmacy, Glenboro United Church, as well as in Cypress River at the Cypress River United Church and Spring Creek Farms. Those looking to access food from Sara’s Pantry are encouraged to email saraspantry2020@gmail.com or visit Sara’s Pantry on Facebook at @saraspantryglenboro. Food hampers are available bi-monthly with pre-registration. (submitted)

A sector of the economy that was hurt the most during Covid 19 is the restaurant industry. Having the toughest health regulations in North America Manitoban restaurants have had to get creative. As is stands now indoor dining is at 25 percent and outdoor patios is at 50 percent.  In order to generate some funds during the current restrictions many restaurant owners have either created an outdoor patio space or increased the size of their current patio to enable more dining guests. Darren Burdeniuk, owner of The Dock on Princess, told BDNMB.CA that it has created some difficulties adapting and adjusting to meet the often changing provincial government's guidelines during the shutdown. Whether you have to set up the kitchen for 45 people or 150 guests your fixed costs remain the same either way.  Also Burdeniuk added he feels that people are craving human interaction.

Meltwich, a restaurant serving gourmet grilled cheese, burgers, poutines, soups, salads, milkshakes & so much more, is targeting an early September opening in Brandon. Following numerous delays starting from the building permits & health department they finally have all the approvals & permits and construction on the location (Unit C & D 1260 18th St, between Browns Social House & Santa Lucia) will commence later this week. The franchise has opened 28 locations in Canada thus far and they've signed 70 more locations across coast to coast. Everything is made to order with fresh quality ingredients and both vegan and gluten free options are available. To visit their Facebook page, please click this link.

As provinces across Western Canada take steps to re-open, Co-op Community Spaces is funding projects that will help bring our communities back together. This year, Co-op is providing $70,000 to fund the Co-op Community Pavilion which will offer accessible options for all children as well as a community garden. ”This singular grant allows us to proceed with the development of the playground, including two shelters that will be part of our park re-development. The project is designed to be an accessible park which means it can be used by everyone, including all children regardless of physical or mental capability. It even includes a senior’s corner. The 2 shelters will permit guardians to watch their children while enjoying the park atmosphere, and meeting with other members of the community. Quite simply, we could NOT have done this without the support of the Co-op Community Spaces Program”, said Frank Thomas, Kiwanis Club of Brandon Member.. Co-op Community Spaces has been developed to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. As our community begins to re-open after the COVID-19 pandemic, we are reminded of the value these projects bring in connecting and improving our communities. “We are so excited to partner with the Kiwanis Club of Brandon through the Co-op Community Spaces program. The last 15 months have been very challenging, and it’s such an honor for our Co-op to contribute to creating a space for residents to safely come back together” explained Dennis Laing, General Manager of Heritage Co-op. “Investing in our community is central to our values as a Co-op. Partnering with community groups on important projects like this is a natural fit. We are creating beautiful spaces for our community to enjoy now and for years to come.” In 2021, the program is providing $1 million to 15 communities projects across Western Canada. Since 2015, Co-op has supported 147 projects with $10.5 million in capital funding. The giving program is administered by Federated Co-operatives Limited on behalf of more than 160 independent retail co-operatives across Western Canada that form the Co-operative Retailing System. For more information about Co-op Community Spaces or to view the complete list of 2021 funding recipients, visit www.communityspaces.ca. (submitted)