Westman this Week

Young piano star loves big crowds

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

When he first started piano lessons at age six, Darwin Chen didn’t imagine that four years later he’d be taking the stage at one of Canada’s premier music festivals, but that’s exactly what he did this week at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto.

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Rural Roundup — March 23, 2023

8 minute read Preview

Rural Roundup — March 23, 2023

8 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

MINNEDOSA

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2:00 AM CDT

Virden’s spring instrumental festival, taking place in March and April, is bringing people from many towns to support the young competitors in venues around town. Danielle Auld from Niverville will adjudicate the dancing competition. (Virden Empire-Advance)

Birds of a feather smell together

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Birds of a feather smell together

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

A Brandon-raised bird researcher will virtually return to the Wheat City next month with a presentation on a surprising aspect of avian behaviour — their scent, and how they use it to gain insight into their fellow feathered friends.

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2:00 AM CDT

NHL trades: For better or worse

Bruce Penton 5 minute read Preview

NHL trades: For better or worse

Bruce Penton 5 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

The National Hockey League’s trade deadline has come and gone, and most teams got what they wanted — the good teams improved; the poorer teams with their eyes focused on Connor Bedard got worse.

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2:00 AM CDT

The National Hockey League’s trade deadline has come and gone, and most teams got what they wanted — the good teams improved; the poorer teams with their eyes focused on Connor Bedard got worse.

Manitoba Beef Producers names new president

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Manitoba Beef Producers names new president

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

Manitoba Beef Producers has a new president.

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2:00 AM CDT

Matthew Atkinson, who owns a cow-calf farm near Neepawa and pastures some cattle near Ste. Rose, is the new president of Manitoba Beef Producers, a non-profit organization that represents 6,300 beef producers across the province. (File)

Assiniboine grad spreads the word about bats

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Assiniboine grad spreads the word about bats

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

When Ally McCutcheon chose to do a major college project on bats, she didn’t know much about them or their impact on Manitoba’s ecosystem.

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2:00 AM CDT

LEFT: A little brown bat with fungus on its nose. RIGHT: A little brown bat in flight. (File photos)

CentrePort rail park on track

By Gabrielle Piché 4 minute read Preview

CentrePort rail park on track

By Gabrielle Piché 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

ROSSER — The feds are laying tracks in Rosser, allocating up to $18 million for CentrePort Canada’s new rail park.

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2:00 AM CDT

An $18-million federal funding commitment to CentrePort’s rail park will cover a second mainline switch off the CP Carberry subdivision, 2.1 kilometres of tracks, a lift station and connections to access roads. (Sputnik Architecture Inc.)

SPUTNIK ARCHITECTURE INC. - rendering of CentrePort Canada rail park

An $18-million federal funding commitment to CentrePort’s rail park will cover a second mainline switch off the CP Carberry subdivision, 2.1 kilometres of tracks, a lift station and connections to access roads. (Sputnik Architecture Inc.)

Transformation needed to reach carbon net-zero

By Laura Rance 4 minute read Preview

Transformation needed to reach carbon net-zero

By Laura Rance 4 minute read 2:00 AM CDT

As keynote presentations go, the kickoff speaker’s at a virtual conference on the sustainability of Canadian agriculture earlier this month was a bit of a downer — at least initially.

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2:00 AM CDT

As keynote presentations go, the kickoff speaker’s at a virtual conference on the sustainability of Canadian agriculture earlier this month was a bit of a downer — at least initially.

Author sheds light on mental health journey

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 7 minute read Preview

Author sheds light on mental health journey

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 7 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

The joys and trials of living in a small farming community, and how both can play a role in one’s mental health, is the idea behind Westman author Lewellyn Melnyk’s new book.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

Lewellyn Melnyk, a former journalist who now farms with her husband near Angusville, Man., recently released a book called “Rooted” that discusses her struggles with anxiety and depression and offers friendly advice to others that can relate. (Submitted)

Rural Roundup — March 10, 2023

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Rural Roundup — March 10, 2023

8 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

MINNEDOSA

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

The Glorious Sons, a Canadian rock band, will play Rockin’ the Fields of Minnedosa this summer from Aug. 4-6. (File)

Trio of comics coming to Minnedosa

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 6 minute read Preview

Trio of comics coming to Minnedosa

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 6 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

Three Canadian comics are coming to Westman in May as part of a tour that’s seeking to inject some post-pandemic laughter into small towns across the country.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

The DIY Comedy Tour, featuring Scott Porteous, Mike Payne and Frank Russo, is coming to Minnedosa on May 8. (Submitted)

Ready, set, pitch … and hurry up!

Bruce Penton 5 minute read Preview

Ready, set, pitch … and hurry up!

Bruce Penton 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

Get ready for a wild and wacky Major League Baseball season in 2023.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

Kansas City Royals pitcher Nick Wittgren throws while a pitch clock ticks down during the fifth inning of a spring training game against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Ariz., last month. (The Associated Press)

Climbing costs, market price uncertainty adds risk

By Laura Rance 4 minute read Preview

Climbing costs, market price uncertainty adds risk

By Laura Rance 4 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

It’s standing room only at the market outlook sessions during the winter farm meeting season, as analysts throw a confusing array of graphs and charts onto the screen and peer into their crystal balls.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

During the drought of 2021, market prices soared and yields plummeted. That meant farmers who had forward-sold their crop, which then withered in the drought, had to buy grain at an inflated market price to fill contracts signed when prices were much lower. (File)

Program educates on food loss and waste

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Preview

Program educates on food loss and waste

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 4 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

For the first time in two years, Canadian Agriculture and Literacy Month is returning to classrooms across the country, including in Westman, to teach children about the importance of agriculture.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

For the first time in two years, Canadian Agriculture and Literacy Month is returning to classrooms across the country, including in Westman, to teach children about the importance of agriculture. (Submitted)

Event celebrates Scottish culture

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Preview

Event celebrates Scottish culture

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 3 minute read Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

Anyone who has a hankering for haggis or feels like tapping their toes to some Scottish tunes will get the chance to experience authentic Scottish at a cèilidh – a dance party with live music – next month.

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Thursday, Mar. 16, 2023

Haggis, a traditional Scottish food. (File/The Brandon Sun)

Rural Roundup — March 9, 2023

9 minute read Preview

Rural Roundup — March 9, 2023

9 minute read Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

GLENBORO

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Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

At a recent meeting of Carberry town officials and local health-care service providers, ideas were heard for creating a strategy to secure staff and maintain services. So far, the plan includes going directly to recruitment firms to find potential doctor and nurse candidates as well as providing possible incentives to bring those people to the area. (File)

Neepawa theatre diversifies showings

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Neepawa theatre diversifies showings

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

It’s no surprise that Neepawa — a town of approximately 5,000 people that has the highest per capita Filipino population in Canada — is seeing a demand for more diverse entertainment.

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Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

The Roxy Theatre, located on Hamilton Street in Neepawa, is bringing a Philippine action-adventure comedy film, titled “Partners in Crime,” to town next weekend. The recently released film starring Vice Granda and Ivana Alawi, which will be shown at the Roxy Theatre on March 17 and 18, was one of the official entries for the 2022 Metro Manila Film festival and became one of the festival’s top-grossing films. (Photos by Miranda Leybourne/The Brandon Sun)

Time to ditch the NHL’s loser point

Bruce Penton 5 minute read Preview

Time to ditch the NHL’s loser point

Bruce Penton 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

It’s time for the National Hockey League to get rid of the loser point.

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Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Alex Pietrangelo scores against Calgary Flames goaltender Dan Vladar during overtime of an NHL game in Las Vegas on Feb. 23. The Flames have lost more games than they’ve won this season, but they’re over .500 thanks to the NHL’s system that awards a point for overtime and shootout losses. (File)

Trappers catch problem predators

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Inititative 7 minute read Preview

Trappers catch problem predators

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Inititative 7 minute read Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

For many Manitobans, catching a glimpse of a grey wolf — with its long, bushy tail, thick coat that can range in colour from grey to solid white to brown or black, and its piercing yellow eyes — can be an exhilarating experience, albeit one best enjoyed from a distance.

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Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023

Currently, the province states that Manitoba’s wolf population sits at around 4,000, and appears to be stable, with an exception being in Riding Mountain National Park, located 99 kilometres north of Brandon. There, the wolf population has been decreasing since the 90s. As a result, wolf hunting has been curtailed around the national park. (File)

Funding woes jeopardize arts centre’s future

By Ian Hitchen 9 minute read Preview

Funding woes jeopardize arts centre’s future

By Ian Hitchen 9 minute read Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

KILLARNEY — The colourful posters stuck to the front door of the Heritage Home for the Arts suggests the arts centre is a busy place.

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Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council arts administrator Jane Ireland stands outside the Heritage Home for the Arts. The arts centre is in financial trouble, placing it at risk of closing. See story on Page 2. (Ian Hitchen/Brandon Sun)

Hockey players embrace new ‘teammate’

By Ian Hitchen 3 minute read Preview

Hockey players embrace new ‘teammate’

By Ian Hitchen 3 minute read Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

The Waywayseecappo Wolverines have a new four-legged teammate after a local dog worked her way into their hearts and their locker room.

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Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

Kiki checks out what Waywayseecappo Wolverines players Kurt Rookes (green jersey) and Nolan Grier (blue jersey) are eating as she hangs out with players in the locker room. (Submitted)

Westman Special O teams capture medals

2 minute read Preview

Westman Special O teams capture medals

2 minute read Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

The Special Olympics Westman team captured some hardware and shared a lot of fun at the Special Olympics Manitoba Winter Games in Winnipeg late last month.

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Thursday, Mar. 9, 2023

Art Haggstrom (left) and Trent Gussie guide a rock into the rings during the final at the Special Olympics Manitoba Winter Games. (Submitted)

Red-headed woodpeckers and Eastern whip-poor-wills facing habitat loss

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Preview

Red-headed woodpeckers and Eastern whip-poor-wills facing habitat loss

By Miranda Leybourne, Local Journalism Initiative 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023

Two Manitoba birds known for their striking plumage and distinctive calls are now considered at-risk species. The Manitoba Important Bird Areas Program and the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative have joined forces to protect the animals with the help of Marissa Berard, who will be giving a talk on both birds at an upcoming Westman Naturalists event.

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Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023

Marissa Berard, the program coordinator for the Manitoba Important Bird Areas pogram and the Manitoba Chimney Swift Initiative, a volunteer-led initiative that looks to protect chimney swifts in Manitoba, will be giving a talk on red-headed woodpeckers and Eastern whip-poor-wills at the Brodie Building at Brandon University and online via Zoom on March 23 at 7 p.m. (Submitted)

Exhibit to celebrate vibrant, colourful women

By Ian Hitchen 5 minute read Preview

Exhibit to celebrate vibrant, colourful women

By Ian Hitchen 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023

A Westman artist’s colourful portraits that celebrate women will be the focus of a new exhibition at a Killarney gallery this month.

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Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023

Richelle Treloar’s exhibition, “She’s too Much: Celebrating Women” will be featured at the Heritage Home for the Arts in Killarney throughout March as the Killarney Turtle Mountain Arts Council celebrates “International Women’s Month.” (Submitted)

The path to finer farming

Martin Cash 5 minute read Preview

The path to finer farming

Martin Cash 5 minute read Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023

When Mark Lepp launched FarmLink Marketing Solutions 17 years ago he was pioneering the business of providing personalized marketing recommendations for Western Canadian farmers.

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Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023

Farmlink founder and CEO Mark Lepp. (Supplied)

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