October, 2020 — Co-op members and customers recently pumped up the community. Thanks to your support, Co-op has donated $12,300.00 to local food banks as part of Fuel Good Day on Sept. 15th. During the day, Co-op committed to donating 10 cents from every litre of fuel sold and $1 from every Co-operative Coffee or Big Cool purchased at all Heritage Co-op Gas Bars. This year’s donation was split between the following food banks, Minnedosa Food Bank, Samaritan House, Helping Hands Food Kitchen, Wawanesa Food Bank, Shoal Lake Food Bank, Riverdale Harvest Food Bank and the Southquill Health Area Food Bank. “As a locally owned and operated business, we’re proud to give back and get behind local initiatives that are working to address the needs of our community,” said Lorne Zacharias, General Manager of Heritage Co-op. “Thank you to our members and customers for the support you’ve shown during Fuel Good Day. In these unprecedented times, it’s amazing to see what we can accomplish when we all work together.” Fuel Good Day was celebrated at more than 400 Co-op Gas Bars throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northwestern Ontario, with each local co-op supporting a community organization or initiative. This year, Co-op locations across Western Canada donated over $565,000 from Fuel Good Day, with nearly $2.5 million donated to more than 400 local charities and non-profit organizations since 2017. For more information please visit www.fuel.crs (submitted news release)

Ukrainian Cuisine (800 Rosser Avenue, inside the Town Centre) changed hands in January of 2019. One of the fist things the new owners did was to expand the menu selection by adding some tasty Latin inspired dishes. It was during this time the restaurant transitioned to the Ukrainian and Latin Cuisine name. Th menu is full of the most popular Ukrainian items like perogies, Banderiki, cabbage rolls, Teftelya, and more. Chicken Flautas, Tacos Fritos, Carne Molida con Tajadas, & Carne Asada are among the most popular Latin inspired dishes. They also offer a number of vegetarian options, sides, desserts, and imported drinks. The full menu can be viewed here. Ownership shared with bdnmb.ca earlier today that renovations are currently underway to offer more traditional restaurant seating. In addition to having your meal at the Town Centre, you can also place a order by contacting them at (204) 727-1783, or online with Skip the Dishes. Look for them on Door Dash very soon. Catering is also available. Facebook link. Hours Mon - Sat: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM    

Carved wooden vases, elegantly handcrafted jewelry and local paintings have found a home on the highway in Miniota. In an era when small businesses have been shuttered in favour of big box retailers and on-line shopping, Jennifer Copet took a risk and bet on her own creativity and extensive retail background to open Studio 83 Gallery and Gifts.  This hidden gem is located in a converted church building, right on the highway, at the north east side of the road, as it passes through the town of Miniota. (Manitoba Highway #83, north of Virden.) You will be awestruck by the quality of merchandise and the big-city look the moment you walk through the door.  Studio 83 offers a curated collection of trendy styles and unique hand-made items. Jennifer says that she was inspired to open the store because she truly believes in supporting her local community. “When stores close and rural people have to go further and further to buy the products they need and want, the local economy suffers. Keeping stores and services alive and vibrant, keeps the towns alive and vibrant.” Studio 83 Gallery and Gifts is celebrating one year in business this weekend.  Jennifer says that she turned to Facebook and Instagram to keep sales strong during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She started showcasing products online and offering contactless pick up and delivery. She’s shipped products as far as British Columbia and loves helping people find that perfect gift. Textile artists like Hayleigh Maximchuk (Smalltown Stitches by Hayleigh) have found success at Studio 83 with products like crochet apple bags, newborn toques and hanging planters. Copet says that there is a consistent demand for Hayleigh’s gorgeous work and new stock arrives regularly. Copet knows that the secret to success in the retail business is building relationships and really looking after people. That’s why she goes the extra mile to work with artists and to special order in products for her regular clients.  She also is happy to work with businesses and homeowners looking for the perfect painting for their office, or something to give their space an updated look. She often suggests paintings by Kayla Monique (Scatter Mind Design of Minnedosa).  Paintings like “Owl Tribe” can change the look of a room and give new depth to the interior design. When asked about the hot trends of this fall and holiday season, Jennifer talked about the texture of woven baskets, and hand-beaded bracelets along with gorgeous fall scented candles. “Candles and oversized pottery coffee mugs are always in high demand when the weather cools off” says Copet. “And we have a really great selection of both, made locally.” Studio 83 Gallery and Gifts is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, but you can always shop online at their Facebook page “Studio 83.”

The quest for Westman’s best pastries and interesting, scenic drives continues. This time we’ve gone north east through Neepawa to Gladstone. To start the day trip, head north out of Brandon on Highway #10, then east when you reach junction of #10 and #16. Neepawa is an engaging and picturesque town worth so much more time than a day trip. When you approach the town from the west side, on Highway #16, you will first see a bustling mix of modern stores and conveniences. You’ll see a Co-Op gas bar, a Chicken Corral Restaurant and a Boston Pizza franchise. You’ll also see a home-grown industry and their well-known Farmery Brewery. Farmery has set up an outlet store for their beer sales and their logo merchandise in a high traffic, high profile spot right on the highway. Even if you don’t see the storefront, their antique truck should catch your eye. Don’t just stay on the highway and pass by the historic downtown. It’s definitely worth a detour. So turn north onto Mountain Ave, slow down and enjoy the view.  Vintage signs, and historic buildings line both sides of the avenue. Push on until the end of Mountain Avenue and you’ll arrive at the Yellowhead Centre, home of Neepawa’s MJHL team. (MJHL is Manitoba Junior Hockey League) First game of the MJHL season goes Friday, October 9th at 7:30 when Neepawa will host the Winkler Flyers. Once out of Neepawa and back on Highway #16, heading east, you won’t have far to go before you see the signs to Gladstone. Gladstone’s must-visit stops are the bakery, and the “Happy Rock” statue. The bakery, is at the corner of Morris Street and Dennis Street. Open Monday to Saturday, they serve both breakfast and lunch meals plus offer a wide array of fresh baked goodies.  They have two sizes for sticky cinnamon buns, filled donuts, decorated donuts and even “Happy Rock” smiley face donuts. The kids will love them! It’s hard to beat a honey-glazed, but their blueberry-filled donuts were positively worth raving about. When heading out to the small towns of Westman, be respectful of their Covid-19 guidelines. Many businesses may be operating under modified hours and will ask for guests to wear masks indoors.

Poutine King, a Brandon food truck owned/operated by Jayson McCallum, recently presented a cheque to Westman Dreams for Kids in the amount of $6,300. Starting in the middle of June, the Poutine King has been setup in the Precision Toyota parking lot serving up a variety of their most popular poutine dishes. "This is a very substantial amount of money for Dreams for Kids during a time when we can’t operate our normal fundraising events".-- Angie Ball, Westman Dreams For Kids A percentage of proceeds from the sale of the Poutines was then donated to the Westman Dreams for Kids organization.