The man known as Shotgun McGwire hasn’t been behind a microphone since 1997 but is returning to Westman on Q Country 91.5 as an Announcer in the afternoons on Q Country. With over 25 years’ experience in the radio industry Shotgun is excited to return to Brandon and Western Manitoba airwaves.  The former Marketing Director at Sand Hills Casino felt it was time to come back to what he loves.  “You gotta do what you know and love...I am excited about doing classic country music” said Shotgun. Listeners that know you from the past at KX96 etc. can they expect something new from you?  “the old saying everything old is new again” Ray Walker, as thousands of local people know from his days, on KX96 is very excited to return to the airwaves.  “I want to help the station bring it back to the glory it once was...It was a leader in broadcast landscape in Brandon”  Walker will be an Announcer on Q Country (evenings/weekends). Station GM Brian “BK” Wortley told BDNMB.CA told that our on air staff quality has improved dramatically with bringing Shotgun and Ray back on the air.   We know our listeners will be excited to hear this news.

This week only, the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce are offering rebates on hotel stays and attraction tickets for Manitoba residents. The project is called TRIP, which stands for Tourism Rebate Incentive Program. It is a tourism initiative designed to give a boost to the local economy and also a morale boost to Manitobans themselves. Who doesn’t love a night away from dishes and laundry at home, right? There has been a website created (Tripmb.ca) for this special event. It’s a simple booking and redemption process. Everything is done on-line. Limit of one redemption per adult Manitoba resident. Up to $100 per hotel stay, plus 50% of the cost of your attraction tickets will be rebated. To a maximum total of $150. To participate, book a minimum one night stay at an eligible hotel, and then buy tickets to an area attraction during your stay. There is a list at tripmb.ca which specifies which hotels and attractions are participating. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at the wide range of hotels and towns included. Everything from the Arborg Hotel (Arborg) to the Boulevard Hotel (Dauphin) all the Canad Inns, Super 8, and Best Western hotels. Plus so many more! There are at least a dozen Winnipeg hotels with vacancies. For example, you could book the Hyatt House on Sterling Lyon Parkway and go to the Assiniboine Park Zoo which is just a short 10 minute drive away. After you’ve enjoyed your mini-trip, the last step would be to promptly upload photos of your receipts to the Tripmb.ca form. They hope to issue rebates within 2-3 business days. The promotion runs from July 31 to August 16th only. So, you still have this week to act! See Tripmb.ca for more details or email help@tripmb.ca with your questions.

Westman Communications Group (Westman) was a successful candidate for  the Government of Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) and will receive over $2 million to connect additional rural communities to fibre-optic highspeed Internet. As part of the UBF (Rapid Response Stream) program, Westman will contribute over $3 million, on top of the funding, for more than $5 million invested in Sandy Lake and Onanole. Westman will enhance residential and commercial access  to high-speed Internet in these communities by the end of 2021. Additionally, Westman Communications Group was a successful candidate for the Government of Canada’s Universal Broadband Fund (UBF) and will receive $3 million to connect additional rural communities to fibre-optic high-speed Internet. As part of the UBF (Rapid Response Stream) program, Westman will contribute over $3 million, on top of the funding, for more than $6 million invested in Benito, Bowsman, Birch River, and Wuskwi Sipihk. Westman will enhance residential and commercial access to high-speed Internet in these communities by the end of 2021. “The ability to bring leading-edge fibre-optic technology to these communities creates opportunities for families to stay connected and entertained as well as benefit from remote learning. It enables businesses to grow and participate in the global economy,” said Dave Baxter, President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Westman. “High- speed Internet is essential to community growth and sustainability. As a local Manitoba Cooperative, we are dedicated to this initiative, and we would like to thank the Federal Government for their commitment as well.” Access to advanced communications services is important for all residents and businesses in Manitoba, and this program will assist in filling the connectivity gap in these rural areas. To assist in the transition to a digital economy, Westman will offer high-speed Internet, enhanced TV and Voice services to nearly 800 businesses and households in these communities. “High-speed Internet service is essential to the success of everyone living and working in rural communities across Manitoba... This will help create jobs, improve access to health care and online learning services, and keep people connected to their family, friends and loved ones,” said The Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs on behalf of the Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development. “Our government has committed $223 million to 22 broadband projects in Manitoba, which will connect over 91,000 more households to better, faster Internet. We will continue to make investments like these to help connect every Canadian to the high-speed Internet they need.” Westman has connected over 30 under-served communities across Manitoba to high-speed Internet since starting their expansion initiative in 2015. These communities previously did not have access to high-speed Internet and can now enjoy download speeds up to 300 Mbps, and in select areas, up to 1 Gigabit, with Westman’s services. This is just the beginning for Westman on their journey to connect even more rural communities. To learn more about Westman and the services they have to offer, visit www.westmancom.com. (submitted press release)

“Come drink my beer” says brewmaster Umber Awasthi of Black Wheat Brewing Company Brandon’s only brewery is set to officially open its tap room to the public at 11 AM on Friday, August 6th. They are located at 402-10th Street. The tap room is designed to showcase the 6 varieties of beer brewed now on site. Tap room manager, Dan Evans, says that the wildly popular Blue Hills Brew is “phenomenal” and should be on everyone’s list to try. He also notes that they have something special in store for beer aficionados. “We have a special beer to introduce for the grand opening. Something we haven’t canned or sold before. People are going to love it!” In addition to new beer introductions, Black Wheat Brewing Company has invited the Poutine King food truck to join them on site for the grand opening weekend. The brewery’s tasting room will be open 7 days a week, with early openings (11am) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Black Wheat Brewing Company will hold a “Unique Hospitality” license, as issued by the Manitoba LGCA (Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority). The license permits them to serve what is brewed on the premises. They are not operating as a lounge or dining room. There are no kitchen, or food preparation facilities on site. Black Wheat Brewing Company has been operating since late 2020 and selling canned beer through vendors, golf courses and restaurants. Future plans include the sale of draft beer kegs from the brewery on 10th. Home delivery is still available through their website www.blackwheatbrewing.ca. Follow them on Instagram @blackwheatbrewing.

Nate Andrews is a Partner/Sales Manager at Guild/HMS Insurance Group Inc. Following high school graduation, he spent several seasons studying and playing baseball at Mayville State University. An active member in our community, Nate spent a year as the President of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce (June 2012-2013). In 2019 he served as the host committee vice chair for the The Brier. What’s the first concert you attended? Guns N’ Roses 1993 Winnipeg Arena 2. MLB decides to host an exhibition game at Andrews field, what two teams would you like to see take part? Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays. 3. You spent many seasons playing baseball in the MSBL, name the three most dominant pitchers you faced during that time? Shane Moffatt, Matt Mutcheson and Vinnie Eastman 4. A place you’ve never been but would love to visit?  Italy.  I love wood fired Napoletana style pizza, so want to take in the whole cultural experience someday. 5. What's the worst thing you've stepped on barefoot?  A barbed fishing hook.  Yep, trying to erase that memory still.  6. What was your favorite class in college?  I was studying Exercise Science when I was at Mayville and interned in Grand Forks at the Frappier Acceleration Sports Training Clinic.   I trained a lot of University Athletes at that centre from UND and the surrounding area, from hockey players, to footballs  players and track athletes.  It was a pretty cool experience to see these athletes push themselves so hard and make improvements. 7. The movie that traumatized you most as a child was? Had to be Friday the 13th.  We lived on a farm and had a large treed area in behind us so any weird noises at night I just assumed Jason was coming for me.  8. Your fast food guilty pleasure? McDoubles 9. What do you remember most about your first job? I was 16 working at Jack’s Maytag.  I worked Saturdays and had no idea where half the parts were when someone came in.  I got good at saying we were out but would get one ordered right away.  It often was there so when they got a call Monday saying their part was in when the boss came back they were quite please with the quick turnaround. 10. What do you miss most about being a kid? No stress.  Life was simple as a kid. 11. If you could get 1 more season of a TV show no-longer airing, what show would it be? Oh tough one.  Lot’s of good one from the 80’s, but will have to say Cheers. 12. Three most commonly used apps on your phone? Instagram, The Weather Network and What’s App 13. What would your occupation be if you had followed your childhood dreams? Well in my Dreams a Major League Baseball player, but I would have also loved looking after the Grounds at a Major League stadium.  I guess that’s why we still run Andrews Field after 21 years.  There is something about fresh cut green grass and a perfectly dragged infield.  14. An object you still own from your childhood?  I still have my first catcher mitt.  It was a Rawlings I had when we won Western Canadian’s in 1989. 15. No matter how many _____ I own, I always have the urge to buy more? Hats.  I have always loved buying hats.   I have a large head so finding a sweet hat that actually fits is a huge win. 16. What was the first larger scale purchase (over $500) you bought with your own money?  I believe it was a stereo system with the big Pioneer Tower speakers.  Dual cassette player and all! 17. Your dream curling foursome includes yourself and these three individuals? I would love to go back in time and curl with my Dad and his two brothers.  That would have been a blast. 18. The car you passed your drivers test in was a? Volkswagen Passat 19. A meal that you think tastes better the next day? When my Grandma was still alive she used to order Chicken Delight and get it cooked extra well done.  Of course in those days being a bachelor she would send a bunch home with me and I don’t know why but that stuff was better the next day right out of the fridge. 20. What's the best Halloween costume you've ever had?  When I was at Mayville myself and 2 of my friends from the football team dressed up as the Three Amigos( Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short movie )  We had all the moves down and won best costume at some bar.  Just one of those nights that was more fun than ever for no good reason.