Four of the region’s most respected and longest serving insurance brokers are coming together as one, effective June 1, 2020. Parkway Insurance (Erickson), Vanguard Financial (Rossburn), Asselstine Agencies (Birtle) and NorthStar Insurance (Roblin) will together be known as North Star Insurance and Real Estate Inc. “All four brokers are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Fusion Credit Union, and have been for a number of years now,” explained Darwin Johns, Fusion’s Chief Executive Officer. “Bringing them all together under a single umbrella will make their affiliation with each other much clearer in our market and, in the longer term, will provide some opportunities for growth as well.” Ryan Keown, who will continue to manage the NorthStar offices in Roblin and Birtle, is enthusiastic about the new entity. “Operating under the same name, we’ll be able to consolidate and enhance our online presence,” he said. “We’ll also be able to raise our profile in the real estate market over a much broader area — in fact, we’ll be opening an office in Brandon, possibly as soon as this summer.” Brian Currie, manager of NorthStar’s Rossburn and Erickson locations, shares Keown’s excitement. “We have a terrific staff, who really know the business and are laser-focused on making sure every client is taken care of,” he said. “Being part of a larger network gives us even more capacity, and a real opportunity to build on our reputation as the first choice for professional expertise and personal service in the communities we serve.” Management and staff will remain the same at all four locations, with no changes to office hours, telephone numbers or other details related to day-to-day operations. (submitted)

Pita Pit opened their second location in Brandon earlier today. The new restaurant is located at 1890-18th Street North. Pita Pit offers a wide range of healthy pita options (rolled or bowled) including gluten-free pitas, all-day breakfast and smoothies. The first Pita Pit in Brandon opened in May of 2013.

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.”