The Brandon Farmers Market’s Friday markets will be open again starting this Friday, June 5th and will be open from 9 am to 4 pm inside the Town Centre. The tables will be set up by the walls of the vacant store fronts and walls. The vendors will have new plastic bags for your purchases and there will be hand sanitizer for you to use. Shoppers are to let the vendors handle the products for them. The vendors do have debit available, but you can use cash. The Market has many local products including seasonal produce, crafts, honey and honey products, perennials, flowers, baking, jams and jellies and canning. Check their Facebook page throughout the week for an updated list of vendors and products available at this Friday’s market.

One of Brandon's most popular patio destinations, The Dock on Princess is slated to open today (half capacity) at 3pm. Owner Darren Burdeniuk tells bdnmb.ca that the patio will be serving a simplified Dock on Princess menu with some Dock favorites like their Cap n' Crunch Chicken Fingers. house made Coconut Onion Rings, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, wings & more. They have also recently added an online ordering feature to their website so you can now place orders for take out or delivery with out picking up the phone! Just visit their website www.thedockonprincess.com. They are open for pickup Monday- Saturday from noon to 8pm and delivery Thursday- Saturday from 4-8pm!

Fusion Credit Union is giving $600,000 in patronage allocations to its members, plus $1.3 million in cash payouts to members under 19 and 65 and over, along with other dividends that bring the total return this year to $2,266,874. “We are thrilled to be paying out over $2 million to our members at this time,” says Darwin Johns, CEO. “With so many people facing uncertain times right now, we hope that the cash payouts are a timely support to our members, who have made Fusion Credit Union flourish. The annual payouts have been accelerated this year to put cash in members’ hands when they need it the most.” A patronage allocation is value returned to a member of Fusion Credit Union based on their relationship. The amount for each member is different, as it represents a portion of their interest paid and earned during the past year. “Patronage allocations are one more way Fusion adds value for members,” adds Johns. “This is not shortterm support or a one-time thing; we have been completing patronage allocations and cash payouts for years now. In the past two years alone, we have paid out $3.7 million in total returns to our members. We made a promise to keep our members and our communities first and we continue to find new ways to do this, year over year.” Members will see their allocation on their statements. Business account holders will see the change around the end of June and Personal account holders will see it on their July statement. Members’ patronage allocations are retained in a Surplus Share account. Fusion’s Board of Directors set a policy to additionally pay members aged 65 and over, and members under 19 based on their history with the Credit Union. This year, they are paying out $1.3 million in cash across these two member groups. The balance of the $2,266,874 is allocated to our members through allocations, cash redemptions of Surplus Shares and Preferred Share Dividends. “Fusion belongs to its members and we all take great pride in helping our members live their best lives,” adds Johns. “We are committed to ensuring our members and communities remain at the centre of every policy, decision and action we undertake.”

Fourteen worthwhile organizations in Western Manitoba will be receiving grants valued at more than $42,000 through the Helping People of Sunrise grant program. The temporary initiative was launched late last month, with Sunrise partnering with non-profit organizations and businesses to fill a variety of needs in our communities. “Community groups are providing important services and programs during this unprecedented time, and Sunrise Credit Union is thrilled to help support their activities,” said Sunrise President and CEO Tim Klassen. “Being able to support these organizations that are supporting the communities we serve reinforces the Sunrise Way and our commitment of giving back to our communities.” “The services these organizations are providing during the health and economic crisis are integral for the health and happiness of our communities,” said Sunrise V.P. Wealth & Marketing Tayona Johnas. “Sunrise Credit Union’s priorities have always included contributing to the communities we are part of, and we’re proud to work with and support these amazing organizations.” Among the organizations receiving support through a grant is the Samaritan House Ministries Food Hamper Program. The grant of almost $19,000 will allow for the purchase of products from the Souris River Hutterite Colony - JK Meats, East 40 Packers Ltd. and Heritage Co-op to stock food hampers for individuals and families in need. “This generous donation will assist our food bank in providing much-needed protein in our hamper program. Community relationships such as with Sunrise Credit Union offer unique opportunities to support local producers and processors; this food would not otherwise be available to our families in need.” said Barbara McNish, Executive Director of Samaritan House Ministries in Brandon, “As we experience first-hand the fragility of our food system amid a health crisis, we rely even more heavily on our community. We are thankful for the strength of our partnerships, and we look forward to facing new challenges together!” Many other food banks in the Western Manitoba area also received grants in the form of products from businesses as part of the program including the Minnedosa & Area Food Bank, the Shoal Lake & Area Food Bank, Boissevain Food Pantry, Deloraine & Area Food Cupboard and the Melita & Area Community Link Food Pantry. The Southquill Health Area Foodbank Inc., based in Erickson, is receiving products valued at $5,000 to help feed families in need, with the product purchased from Heritage Co-op, Folk Dance Farms and Tamarack Farms. “Directly supporting local farmers changes our rural communities and economy by bringing more families back to farming and our communities. It creates more diverse farms and more diverse food produced on those farms, rather than focusing on large-scale, export-oriented farming and very few kinds of crops.” said Heather Parrott-Howdle, President of Southquill Health Area Foodbank Inc., “Directly supporting our farms keeps 100% of the money in our community and supports more whole, healthy foods. By supporting local farms, it means we are localizing the food chain, increasing our community’s food security, and re-populating the empty rural landscape.” In addition to food banks, several other organizations that are supporting individuals and families in need during the health and economic crisis are receiving Helping People of Sunrise grants. The Helping Hands Centre of Brandon will receive over $1,000 worth of product, including supplies from Ace Kitchen Supplies to help the organization continue with their takeout program implemented because of the health crisis. M.I.L.E.S. for Seniors in Holland’s grant will purchase supplies and products for takeout service while the Y.W.C.A. in Brandon is receiving $4,000 worth of groceries for residents of Meredith Place. (Sunrise Credit Union Media Release)

La Rocque Dining in Wawanesa is a small town restaurant serving up some big time eats. They specialize in serving Canadian comfort food classics like mouth watering burgers, crispy deep fried chicken, and a selection of poutines piled high with toppings. The menu also features a variety of wraps, sandwiches, appetizers, and pizza. Diners will enjoy the extremely reasonable prices and generous portions. La Rocque Dining is located at 123 4th Street in Wawanesa. The restaurant first opened in January of 2017. Current hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday from 10am to 8pm, Sunday 10am to 7pm, and closed Mondays. The restaurant is open for both dine-in takeout orders and the best method to place an order is via phone at 204-724-8655 or 204-573-1267. To view their menu, or for more information on La Rocque Dining, please visit their Facebook page here.