The Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner may look a bit different this year, but that didn’t stop Brandon’s four credit unions from teaming up for their annual Christmas Dinner donation. “For many years, we have come together as a credit union group to donate $2000.00 to the Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner,“ said Jim Rediger, Westoba Credit Union President & CEO. “Gladden and his team turn this donation into a beautiful turkey dinner for those most in need; we are proud to support them, and this year is no different.” Gladden Smith from the Westman Traditional Dinner says that Brandon businesses and residents are still eager to donate food and their time. “Even in these unprecedented times with COVID-19 having such a devastating impact on so many, we are still coming together to make sure no one goes without a nice hot meal on Christmas Day; it makes me so happy and proud to live in such a wonderful caring community.” In past years the Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner would serve over 3150 meals. Everyone Eats Brandon intends to service the same capacity this year through meal pick up or delivery. CEO at Compass Credit Union, Buck Bright, said his team is proud to come together with the Brandon credit unions in the spirit of Christmas. “In this year of uncertainty and worry, nobody should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, "said Bright. Fusion Credit Union recognized the determination of the organizers. “We are so happy that the organizers have found a way to adapt to COVID-19 restrictions to continue to support families in need in Westman, “said Fusion Credit Union CEO, Darwin Johns. “A wonderful organization in the Westman area we are honoured to support.” This year’s dinner will rely on the help of several different community groups and volunteers. “We hope that with this donation of turkeys, more people in our area can enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner,” said Tim Klassen, President & CEO of Sunrise Credit Union. “We’d like to commend the John Howard Society, Brandon University, Food Matters Manitoba, the Board of the Westman & Area Traditional Christmas Dinner and the countless volunteers who have made Everyone Eats Brandon a reality this year.” Registration for the meal will start on December 1st. Those wanting to book a meal are to call 204-571-8524.

It's no secret that many local businesses across the Country have been struggling during the pandemic. In support of the local business community, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce recently assembled and released a local online catalog for the holidays. The Shop Local Holiday Guide is a place for local businesses "to advertise their products and services, as well as make it easy and convenient for Manitobans to shop and support local this holiday season". Businesses are separated into many different categories including gifts for her, gifts for him, gifts for kids, stocking stuffers, food & beverage, and more. Using a legend, visitors can than determine which businesses offer curbside pickup, local delivery, online ordering, gift cards, and shipping. This holiday season, please remember to shop local and support your neighbours.

A new destination for Indian and Asian food (Bombay Spices, 1126 Rosser Ave) is coming soon to downtown Brandon. While the exact opening day has not yet been set, the shelves are full of Indian food staples and additional items are arriving daily. The store will carry a wide array of imported items including fresh vegetables, spices, snacks, drinks, dairy, many different types of rice/lentils, boxed masalas, flour, canned goods, desserts and frozen food items. Management told bdnmb.ca they will have access to over 8500 different items from the most popular food brands (about 200) in Indian supermarkets. Bombay Spices has several other locations in Canada including Regina, Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, and Edmonton.

Weiming Zhao & Webber Printing are so very excited to announce a creative partnership. Seventeen years in the making, they introduce Weiming’s Premier 2021 Calendar - Brandon - My Collection Of Pride And Inspiration. For $20.00 (+tax) you receive thirteen, high-quality reprints of his most picturesque landscapes, art quotes to live by and each month has enough room for notes and all those important dates you need to remember. To order Call Webber Printing at 204-728-1302. Weiming Zhao's stunning work has been featured before on bdnmb.ca. $1.00 from the sale of each calendar to be allocated to the United Way. Mailing or curbside pickup available. Calendar Measures 17” Inches X 11” High Horizontal Format • Quality Paper Individually Shrink Wrapped Weiming Zhao's ok has been featured before on bdnmb.ca

BDNMB.CA loves to find people who we consider contribute to this city on a day to day basis. This can be said for Precision Toyota owner Scott Ball. After a recent rebuild of Precision Toyota (over the past 12 months) we wanted to check in with Scott to how he would do with some questions that the public are wanting to know. I have read that Toyota vehicles sell themselves and the salesperson is just really directing traffic in the showroom, would you agree with that statement: I do agree Toyota’s do sell themselves but my belief is our staff need to sell our guests on the experience they will have while purchasing a vehicle and I believe that’s why were successful. When you father Ron handed over the keys to the business that must have been one of the most exciting and yet scary days of your life: Well there really wasn’t any key handing ceremony at all. I’ve ran the dealership for many years prior to the transition so it was honestly just another day at the office for us. You started at Precision in 1998, what was your job: I started out in the wash bay for the first while, then moved to a service advisor role shortly after. COVID 19 has had for some businesses both short and long term financial strains, how has COVID effected Precision Toyota: Well I think in some capacity it has affected our business in the spring but other than that we have had a great year in our new facility. Did you and your family ever consider buying the Wheat Kings: No we didn’t, but I’m happy for Jared and his family, Kelly picked the right guy to keep the Wheaties in Brandon long-term On a scale of 1 – 100, what percentage of clients are good to deal with: 99% I would say. We rarely have any bad experiences Should the Winnipeg Jets trade Laine, and why: No that would be crazy! He’s what 22 years old and an elite scorer! He would be hard to replace You have been married for almost a decade, what is something you miss about being single: I honestly don’t miss anything about being single! Naydia and I have been together 18 years and married 15 with 3 great kids. She’s the reason I am where I am today Your wife Naydia and your sister Angie and others are the new driving force (bad cliché I know) behind Westman Dreams For Kids.  What kind of pride do you and your family feel from that project: Obviously we take a lot of pride on what WMDK has become over the years. It’s helped a lot of families in need. Would you say Scott Glennie is the best Wheat King of all time and Jordan Hale the worst: Scott would be top 10 for sure in my books but Provy to me was the best Wheatie of our era. One business Brandon needs: I’d really like to see a Drive Inn theatre make its way back. We did one in the summer as a fundraiser and it was very successful. Would you consider yourself a techy nerd: No, I wouldn’t at all Favorite family vacation spot: Hawaii, Naydia and I try to take the kids there every couple of years Why do you have a cabin in Sandy Lake and not Clear Lake: Well my parents have a cabin there and that’s where I spent my summers as a kid. We’ve had no desire to move to a different lake we really enjoy it up there. How big of a role model has your father been in your life: I could write a book on what he’s taught me over the years and I’m grateful for that. He’s the smartest man I know that’s for sure. Would you ever run for City Council: I do appreciate what they do for our city but I don’t think I could ever run. Favorite bag of chips: BBQ Pepsi or Coke: Either I’m not picky Worst business memory to date: Honestly don’t have one Rumor has it you golf with Scott Major (local real estate agent) a bit in the summer, is he really that bad at golf: Well I do poke fun at him often on Facebook and yeah he awful. Golfed with the guy 15 years and he just isn’t getting any better hopefully he reads this and get lessons this winter