Loke many companies in Brandon, Direct Traffic Ltd., understood how coronavirus put a damper on birthday celebrations and wanted to do something about it. The company came up with an idea to help recognize your child's or loved one's special day by creating a safe and memorable birthday experience. Direct Traffic Ltd can drive by/park one of their electronic message boards that has a birthday greeting and name on it, play a happy birthday song on the speakers and turn on all of the flashing lights and beacons! "We saw lots of people on Facebook organizing birthday parades, and it just popped into our head that we had something unique and special that we could offer to the parades." Operations Supervisor Breanne Turner told bdnmb.ca. "We are doing it for absolutely no cost at all as this pandemic has been hard enough on everyone, we just wanted to bring something positive to the community." According to Turner, the response to the initiative has been very positive as they are offering something different than the usual. "It's really special to see your name go by all lit up on a big flashing board, especially for the little ones." The company started offering the service in November of 2020 and continues to do today. "We are a little more limited now than we were over the winter as we are using more of our Message Boards for road construction projects, but as long as we have the boards available we will join in on the parade. To book a birthday drive-by from Direct Traffic Ltd. you can contact our office at 204-573-9167, email us at direct@mymts.net, or message us on our Facebook page said Breanne.  

Mealshare, a national social enterprise on a mission to help end youth hunger,partnered with A&W Canada in February2021.All 1000+ A&W locations across Canada are participating in Mealshare with the goal of sharing 1,250,000 mealsper year.A&W Canadaand their guests have already sharedover400,000meals with youth in needthroughMealshare’s network of450+localcharitypartnersandSave the Children Canada.The partnershipis on track to surpass half a million meals shared this month. Over 200,000 of the meals have been provided through voluntary guest donations. Starting June 14th, A&W Canada will refresh the Mealshare Monday campaign with a new feature item-the Beyond Meat Burger. On ‘Mealshare Mondays’, customers can order a Beyond Meat Burger and one meal will be provided to a youth in need through Mealshare. Customers also have the opportunity to help fight youth hunger any day of the weekt hrough the “Make it a Mealshare” program. When customers “Make it a Mealshare”, $1.00 is added to their bill and then a meal is provided to a youth in need through Mealshare on their behalf. Customers can participate in-restaurant, through drive-thru, or by using the mobile app. “A&W is an amazing organization and a leader in the industry through itsmany environmental and social initiatives,” says Jeremy Bryant, Co-Founder of Mealshare.“We have been blown away these past months by the impact A&W has had for our program and for all the youth we support across the entire country. We are excited to see the impact the Beyond Meat Burger will have in our goal of reaching 1,250,000 meals shared this year. “Our national partnership with Mealsharehas been very rewarding. Our restaurants and their teams from coast to coast are proud to be able to give back locally through Mealshare because they’ve seen first-hand the needs in their communities,” says Susan Senecal, President and CEO at A&W Canada. “We love that Mealshare allows A&W Canada and our guests to help make a difference in the lives of so many youth in need”. (submitted)

Heritage Co-op and Gambler First Nation are pleased to announce the signing of a management agreement with respect to Gambler’s new gas bar facility located in Brandon, MB. Gambler has plans to develop their urban reserve property on 18th Street North to include additional retail space, offices, and a hotel. This partnership will allow Gambler to maintain ownership of the facility while Heritage Co-op will supply and support the day-to-day operations, resulting in an agreement that is beneficial to both organizations. “While we had a lot of interest from all of the national brands to work with us on the development, we knew very early on that we felt most comfortable working with Heritage (Co-op) and FCL based on the relationships and trust we were able to build,” Chief LeDoux said. “We’re building this business and this development for the benefit of our Nation’s youth, so it was extremely important for us to have the day-to-day management in good hands until such time as we have the internal management capacity to take this on ourselves. Heritage Co-op is an expert in this industry and in understanding the local market so we’re very excited to have them working alongside us to ensure that this business is a success right out of the gates and that our customers receive the same level of customer service as Co-op is known for.” Heritage Co-op is pleased to be partnering with a First Nation, on an urban reserve site in our trading area providing an opportunity to support our communities. This agreement will be part of the Western Nations brand that has been developed by Federated Co-operatives Ltd. in consultation with Indigenous leaders and communities across Western Canada. Indigenous communities own and operate their own locations while accessing the supply chain and support of the Co-op and their experience in building and operating gas bar facilities. The Western Nations brand has a unique focus on re-investing in Indigenous communities and provides an opportunity for local Co-ops to further support the people and communities in which they serve. It is anticipated that this site will be operational by the end of 2021. (submitted)

Jason Roblin is the Chief Executive Officer for Vionell Holdings Partnership (VHP). He has his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Brandon University. An avid hockey fan, Jason spent time in the Finance Department of the Calgary Flames.  For his full bio, please click here. 1.  You are at the grocery store, what is the one item you will never buy generic but always purchase name brand? Mustard, it has to be French’s doesn’t it?   2. What was your favourite TV show growing up? Other than Hockey Night in Canada, it was likely Law and Order, I grew up in Pierson we had 3 Channels. (CBC, CTV and NBC from Minot)   3. If you could go back in time and attend one NHL game live, which game would you choose? 1988 Stanley Cup Final Edmonton Vs Boston the last cup with the 80’s oilers together, I liked Bourque and Neely on the B’s would have loved to been there (in the Garden). 4. A meal that you think tastes better the next day? Pizza   5. A business from the past that you would like to see make a return to Brandon? I am not sure about this one, maybe Joe’s Sports Cards   6. First time on a plane, where did you go? Bismark ND to Dallas Tx, I was fortunate enough to visit my grandparents on spring break in kindergarten, accompanied by my aunt   7. You're been handed $10,000 and a ticket to anywhere but you have to leave tonight, where would you go? Right now Vegas to watch some playoff hockey, but normally Phoenix or Palm Springs.   8. What is your greatest strength as an entrepreneur? Asking questions, listening and finding solutions.   9. First job? Cutting grass for seniors in Pierson.  I also sold corn cobs out of a wagon 3 for a dollar, that sticks with me when the inflation discussion comes up.   10. You can choose one item to be calorie free, what will it be? Beer or pizza   11. The car you passed your drivers test in was a? Ford Explorer (my moms vehicle)   12. An object you still own from your childhood? Wayne Gretzky lunch box from kindergarten with thermos.   13. Three movies everyone should have in their movie library? 1. Big Short 2. Any Given Sunday 3. Wolf on Wall Street   14. A piece of advice you would give to this year's graduating class? A. Anything you start, start with the end in mind. (If you are taking business, focus on the job you want and take the classes you need to get that job.) B. Nothing worthwhile comes easy.   15. You have been challenged to a fight--the object closest to you is your weapon. What are you fighting with? My fists, they got me this far.   16. Optimal golf foursome? Jared Jacobson, Jack Jacobson and Trent Roblin, I have golfed with each of them separately and had an amazing time each occasion. 17. Would you ever consider running for politics? No. I respect those that do serve in public office. I get really frustrated with excuses and why things can’t happen. I am better suited for private enterprise where we can find ways to make things happen.   18. You come home on a Friday night after work and everyone you hung out with in high school is on your front step, respond with three words. Let’s catch up!   19. What is the most interesting place you have ever been to? New York, it is different than any other place I have been.  It is a bit overwhelming when you get there, you enjoy the city and when you leave you can’t wait to go back   20. Outside of hockey, what sport have you spent the most hours playing? I am trying to get back into golf, I played a lot as a kid, didn’t play during university and the start of my career.  I like the sport and am slowly improving. 

Rhonda Pardy is the Owner-Operator at Tim Hortons Westman & Area. She is a former winner of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year award. Tim Hortons Westman & Area will open their 10th location on Tuesday, June 1 on the corner of Richmond and First street. The first Timmies location opened in Brandon (18th Street) in November of 2001. 1. What do you consider the ultimate comfort food: Spaghetti and the sauce has to be my Mom’s recipe 2. What is your favourite movie soundtrack of all time: Saturday Night Live. It’s impossible to stay sitting when those tunes start playing. 3. For your next vacation you can only visit a place that starts with the first letter of your first name. Where are you going: ROME!!  Yes PLEASE!4. Least favourite household chore: It would be a tie between shovelling snow and hauling out the garbage bins in the winter.  5. What's the tallest building you have ever been to the top of: Empire State Building. I LOVE New York City! 6. What songs take you back to your teen years: I was a teen in the 80’s so all the best music takes me back!  Bryan Adams, Journey, Whitney Houston, Foreigner, Michael Jackson.  The list is endless and I still listen to 80’s music a lot. 7. An object/item you still own from your childhood:  I have my childhood bible gifted to me by my grandparents. 8. First job: I became a cashier at Canadian Tire at 13 years old.  My ‘Mom and Dad’ bosses were the best role models and life teachers I could ever ask for but the pay was terrible. 9. Three most commonly used apps on your phone: Spotify, Facebook and the weather network10. What piece of advice would you give to young entrepreneurs: Work hard, take risks, save money, go the extra mile and make sure to have some fun!  11. Early riser or night owl: Very early riser 12. Heels, flats or sneakers: cannot wait for a reason to be in heels again but I’m usually wearing flats. 13. What are three words you would use to describe living in Brandon: Community Support, Safe, Home14. Dolphins or koalas: Dolphins - preferably watching from a sandy beach15. What does your work station/desk look like right now:  My home office desk has several piles of papers, an adding machine, a candle, a calendar with friends pictures on it, a protein shake and a pen.  Underneath that mess though is my Mom’s previous desk from Canadian Tire, refinished by my son so I have a full heart every time I sit down. 16. What food were you forced to eat as a child and still refuse to eat today: Pork and Beans.  Yuck!  I’m sure I had to sit at the table until dark trying to get them down.  For the record, my brother loved them and would ask if we could have them often.  I’m still planning my revenge on him.  17. What is the best activity when home on a rainy day: Ummm....I’ll take the fifth on that one.  Lol. (My Mom will probably read this!) 18.  If you could raid one celebrity's closet who would it be: One of the actress’s from the tv series Suits. 19. Favourite actor or actress: Julia Roberts, Ryan Gosling, 20. What's your favorite condiment: Ranch Dressing