January 26, 2021– For years, Co-op has been creating places for Western Canadians. This year as we’ve been staying safe by staying apart, Co-ops continue to invest in spaces for when we can safely come back together. Co-op Community Spaces was launched in 2015 to help protect, beautify and improve spaces across Western Canada. Since then, it has provided $9.5 million to 132 projects that improve the social, economic and environmental well being of local communities. Entering its seventh year, the program is dedicating $1 million in funding and is accepting applications for capital projects that will improve spaces across Western Canada. “Locally, Heritage Co-op is proud to support organizations and projects that make a difference to our members and our community” said Lorne Zacharias, General Manager of Heritage Co-op. “Finding ways to support our community is even more important as we’ve been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re looking forward to a time when we’ll all be able to gather as a community again and we encourage all of our community organizations who could benefit from capital funding to apply.” Capital funding between $25,000 and $150,000 per project is available. Co-op invites registered nonprofit organizations, registered charities or community service co-operatives to apply online between February 1 and March 1, 2021. Program funding categories include recreation, environmental conservation and urban agriculture. Federated Co-operatives Limited administers the giving program on behalf of more than 160 independent local co-ops across Western Canada that form the Co-operative Retailing System. To learn more about Co-op Community Spaces or apply for funding, visit communityspaces.ca.

A new women’s fashion destination has opened in Rapid City, MB. All Things Hanna is situated in a beautiful mid-century former church at 300-3rd Ave in the small community, located just 30 minutes from Brandon. It houses Hanna's portrait art studio and a women's wear boutique, art and gifts. Owner Hanna Bordewijk tells bdnmb.ca the store first opened their doors on September 18, 2020. Hanna previously owned and operated All Things Beautiful in Brandon several years ago. The store hosts private shopping evenings in Henry's Loft with complimentary coffee and refreshments. As for future plans, Hanna said she had purchased an 8-person stretch limo to transport you and your friends to her beautiful store for shopping parties, birthday parties, and day trip shopping experiences. All Things Hanna is an ideal destination to browse a selection of art available, or to view their collection of women's fashion and antiques. Online shopping is also available. Monday: CLOSEDTuesday:10:00 AM - 6:00 PMWednesday:10:00 AM - 6:00 PMThursday:10:00 AM - 6:00 PMFriday:10:00 AM - 8:00 PMSaturday:10:00 AM - 5:00 PMSunday:CLOSED Photo: All Things Hanna Photo: All Things Hanna Photo: All Things Hanna Photo: All Things Hanna Photo: All Things Hanna

Brandon, MB – Brandon Riverbank Inc. is excited to announce that Fusion Credit Union has signed on to become the official sponsor of the Festival Park stage for the next six years. Festival Park Stage will now be known as Fusion Credit Union Stage. “We’re so appreciative of this sponsorship from Fusion Credit Union,” said James Montgomery, GM of Brandon Riverbank Inc. “With the support of the community and from Fusion Credit Union, we’ve seen incredible growth and momentum at the Riverbank, and this sponsorship of our new stage keeps that momentum going strong into the new year.” “This sponsorship will assist Brandon Riverbank Inc. with its ongoing transformation and rejuvenation,” said Bernie Chrisp, board president of Brandon Riverbank Inc. “This sponsorship from Fusion Credit Union is very much appreciated. We look forward to when our community can gather together again at Fusion Credit Union Stage.” “Fusion is thrilled to partner with Brandon Riverbank Inc. as such a like-minded, community oriented organization,” said Darwin Johns, CEO of Fusion Credit Union. “We value their efforts in enhancing Brandon tourism, and we look forward to what this partnership will bring to our community.”

Brandon’s Koren Hamilton has created a new locally owned business called Sandhill Natural Feel.  The key word being "natural" as she is selling everything from a tattoo sun protection cream, scented soap bars, homemade anti-aging skin creams and more which are made from all natural ingredients.  Koren’s business is just one month old and she got the idea from when she attended a local market in Brandon this summer where vendors were selling homemade soap, including a vendor from Niverville.  Hamilton states that she is a creative person when it comes to making things from natural ingredients. BDNMB.CA asked Hamilton where people could find and purchase her products. I opened a small business on Etsy.com where I currently advertise my homemade products, as this was probably the easiest of routes to get a shop started as well they sell customer’s products from all over the world. Having a small business owner as a neighbor certainly helped me with getting my shop set up and answering questions, as I had so many! The response so far has been better than expected, as I really didn’t expect some sales to come as fast as they did.   People can visit my shop at Etsy.com/shop/sandhillnaturalfeel.  I also post items on my business Instagram page  @sandhillnaturalfeel.  For purchasing, people can either order through Etsy (I do offer a free shipping code where I deliver to them) or message me with an order and I’m more than happy to deliver to Brandon. My products listed in my shop are made from all natural ingredients; Organic Shea, Cocoa, Mango, Kokum Butters and Coconut Oil as well as a number of other oils and ingredients in which I take these ingredients to create a final product, package them and post for sale.  Items I have made include; Body Scrub, Deodorant, Sunscreen, Heel butter, Body Butters, Tattoo Sun Protectant Cream and Homemade variety of Soaps. I just recently added a favorite, Anti-Aging Night Cream to my list of products and at this time, I believe these will be the main items I will concentrate on producing until I get a better idea of what customers are wanting. Koren feels right now her goal is to provide small business stores with her products to get the word out, in sddition to going to local markets held in Brandon and area.  Hamilton says she is having fun with this new venture and that is what is important. Tea Tree with hint of Mint Gift Box and Grapefruit & Orange Gift Sets Homemade Sugar Shea Butter Body Scrub, Exfoliating and Moisturizing Scrub

About a year ago at this time, we were fortunate enough to visit a little restaurant in Elgin, MB called The Burning Bale. The article we published following our visit ended up as the 2nd most viewed posting of the year (over 16,000 views to date) on our web site. In speaking with Chef Germain recently he said that his business, like all other restaurants, has been affected by Covid-19. While the traffic flow has remained steady at supper time, as his clients are tied directly to the agricultural community, he is missing out on the daily lunch travelers who typically would stop in on their way to a neighboring community. They have also cancelled breakfast for the time being, due to no seating being available in the restaurant. Even though the supper crowd remains strong, he said it is all relative to what it was before.One asset the restaurant does carry forward is the ever-evolving menu. Several items (additional wraps & Poutines) that used to be daily specials found their way onto the main menu at the start of summer. The restaurant first opened at the end of May 2019 and Germain now has a greater sense of what keeps people coming back. Over the last several months he has introduced new daily specials like a Mozza Steak Melt, Bourbon Pepper Steak Poutine, Tracksuit Burger, and a Chicken Parm Kaiser. Pizza sales remain especially strong. The restaurant also hosted a very successful New Year’s Eve menu and is planning similar for Valentine’s day. To see their hours of operation, full menu, or to see the daily specials, please follow their Facebook page. Sweet & Sour Crispy Chicken & Fried Rice w/ Slaw Mozza Steak Sandwich Melt Bourbon Pepper Steak Poutine Black dry brined pulled Pork...braised with a little bourbon and Dr.Pepper! Stream & Pasture .. Shore lunch style Pickeral with sliced Roast Beef Tenderloin..served with fries and dilly Coleslaw!! Burning Bale Pizza Chicken & Mushroom Neptune Soup ... it has chicken breast , mushroom, cream cheese and crab, lobster style pieces and sweet peas