With the fair almost packed up and leaving the city again for a year, I thought to myself let’s see what a week in the life of carnie worker is like. Last week while driving home from Austin Texas and seeing the hundreds of semi-trucks I was thinking 'wow would that be a terrible job.'  I can’t drive for more than 8 hours without sucking back a 5 hour energy bottle. Then it dawned on me 'hey the fair is in town I wonder what that life would be like?' So I corner three carnie workers today on the Keystone grounds, as they tore down and awaited rides, and asked them to give me their story.  Very little interest was shown until I offered the group free Big Macs and then they were good.  Some of this information is somewhat confidential, so I will not use their photo’s or real names. DW – can you guys actually make a living doing this? Carnie 1 – well we make about 700 bucks a week but we also work 16 hours a day. DW – so about 5 or 6 bucks an hour. Carnie 1 – really??? DW – yeah if you are working 7 days a week that is about 110 hours. Carnie 2 – but sometimes we get free food DW – I assume having a relationship of any form is impossible Carnie 3 – we all hit on girls but really what normal girl is interested in a guy working at a fair. DW – In the rock n roll business of roadies you hear of stories of huge drugs and parties and drinking would it be safe to say this industry is the same Carnie 1 – sure whatever it takes to get through a day sometimes and if it is hot outside most of us are too tired to party after Carnie 2 – we honestly might have a few beers that is about it DW – so you are all young guys why not try the oil patch where you could have a bit more stable life Carnie 2 – where???? North Dakota is dried up Carnie 3 – we have all looked this seemed to be the best option other than say WalMart DW – so can you move up the ladder so to speak? Carnie 1 – no chance DW – I have read that people are rude and treat you guys like clowns (no pun intended) or is this an urban legend Carnie 2 – people can be dicks for sure DW – and how are Brandon people overall? Carnie 2 – usual it is the same types of people coming each night you don’t see too many white collar dudes DW – any advice for any younger people reading this story Carnie 1 – go to school Carnie 2 – it is a tough business you sweat lots...don’t sleep or eat Carnie 3 – I agree this is tough and takes years off your life DW – well guys enjoy the burgers and I hope the next stop on the carnie tour is ok for you guys

Congrats to Twyla Adamchuk, as she and two of her friends will have dinner Sunday night at Browns Socialhouse with TV Star Jeff Schwarz from the Liquidator. Joining Jeff will be Jason, whom is also featured on the show, plus the local owners of Direct Liquidation Darcy and Doug Willey. Thanks to Blake and the staff from Brown's for providing supper for Twyla and everyone else.  

1) The Brandon Wheat Kings made several announcements today.  The home opener has been set for Friday, September the 24th.  They also revealed their 50th anniversary season logo. For more information www.wheatkings.com 2) Curling Canada today announced the participants in the 2016 Home Hardware Canada Cup to be held in Brandon from November the 30th to December the 4th inside Westman Communications Group Place.   Included in the confirmed list of teams are reigning Canadian Champions Kevin Koe and Chelsea Carey.  Other notable names on the men's side include Brad Gushue, Mike McEwen, and Brad Jacobs. Rachel Homan, Jennifer Jones and Val Sweeting are among the bigger names to watch on the ladies side.   More info. 3) Fans of street/ball hockey may want to check out Houstons on Friday/Saturday for the 8th annual road hockey rumble. This is an 18+ event and there will be a social SudSpud fund-raising dinner on the 11th from 5-9 pm in support of the Westman Wildcats ball hockey team. 4) Smittys announced today that they are bidding farewell to their popular Lucky 7 Breakfast promotion where fans could win a FREE breakfast if the Wheat Kings scored 7 or more goals in any regular season home game.  Some impressive numbers from this year’s promotion regarding the food consumed. 11310 Lucky 7's served 1885 Dozen Eggs 707 lbs BACON 780 lbs Sausage 11310 Pancakes 44 Gallons Maple Syrup 198 Loaves of Rye Bread 343 Loaves of White Bread 343 Loaves of Brown Bread 22620 Jam packets 5) Customers of the new Sobeys, set to open in the Brandon Shoppers Mall, will be able to choose from sushi, and noodle dishes from a noodle and rice bar. 6) Expect an announcement in the next day or two regarding former Wheat King Andrew Clark signing with a team in Austria. 7)  Canadian TV icon Jeff Schwartz will be in Brandon next Sunday for a meet and greet as well as a supper with one lucky contest winner, and two of their guests, at Browns Social House courtesy of bdnmb.ca. 8)  Appears as though Brandon Minor baseball may soon have a new neighbor.  A sign has recently gone up indicating that Westman Youth football plans to undergo a new project to pay tribute to Kevin Boyd a long-time supporter and coach in the football circles in Brandon.  More.

Brandon MB – Brandon has a rich history in the automotive Industry.  To reflect this, the BGMA is pleased to announce the official grand opening of its newest exhibit, “Carstruck: Brandon’s Automotive History”.  The BGMA along with our sponsor, Murray Auto Centre is proud to present a complete history of the automotive sector in Brandon.  The display is made possible by the support of the Murray Auto Centre, which has been a part of Brandon and Westman automotive sector since 1926.  BGMA Board member Tyson Tame commented that “The BGMA as a board felt it was important to highlight the vast history within the automotive sector in Brandon.  There have been many Economic Spinoffs from automotive retailing in Brandon.  Jobs have been created, and it has affected so many lives in Westman”.  The grand opening will be held on Saturday, June 11th, at 1pm at the Museum, 19 – 9th Street.  The display will run from June 11th, 2016 until September. The BGMA officially opened its doors in July of 2011.  Recent popular exhibits at the museum were the History of the Flats, and Brandon: Built on Agriculture. BRANDON GENERAL MUSEUM & ARCHIVES: NEW EXHIBIT OPENING: BGMA Presents: CARSTRUCK: Brandon’s Automotive History Saturday, June 11th, 2016, 1pm Brandon General Museum & Archives 19 – 9th Street, Brandon  MB For more information contact Hillary Campbell at 204-717-1514, or email at bgmainfo@wcgwave.ca.

With the most recent announcement of both Goodlife Fitness the Sobey's south end location moving into the Brandon Shoppers Mall the guessing game can now end as to what will become of those spaces.  Those are just two of the many questions that people in Brandon and the Westman area have been discussing if coffee shops, work spaces and social media the past several months. While these items can be crossed off the list there still remains many unanswered questions regarding various topics of conversation in the Wheat City.  As a result we would like to present the “Top 10 Questions Left to be Answered in Brandon This Summer”. “Top 10 Questions Left to be Answered in Brandon This Summer” In no particular order. 10.  What will become of the development on the property located at 3409 Victoria Ave in regards to potential tenants and future site development?  Plenty of space to work with. 9.  When will the Sportsplex pool reopen? 8.  Will the rumors of a struggling Sandhills Casino reignite the City to look into relocation closer to Brandon City limits? 7.  Kelly McCrimmon, will he return in his role as coach and GM of the Brandon Wheat Kings for 16/17? 6.  Can the Town Centre attract a new restaurant to occupy the space vacated by the newly departed Remington's? 5.  Will Brandonites utilize the Westjet flights to Toronto so they remain as part of the regular flight schedule after the busy summer travelling season? 4.  What, if anything, will become of the prime real estate space which once housed the Western Motel? 3.  Will the Keystone Centre ever allow commercial development on the Keystone grounds along Richmond Ave? 2.  East Side Mario's web site (http://www.eastsidemarios.com/locations/) indicates they are coming to Brandon?  Potential locations? 1. What new questions/rumors will arise in the coming months allowing us to publish a second edition of “ Top 10 Questions Left to be Answered in Brandon this Summer."