Shelby Proznick

After a two-year pause, Manitoba Ag Days are back in the City of Brandon.

Portager Darryl Faurschou is excited to be in attendance. 

"Us farmers cannot miss out on good deals," he continues. "We are excited to go and be in the atmosphere again. That's one of the best things, to get back in touch with everybody again and seeing all the up-and-coming new things in the industry." 

Faurschou says he has been going to the Manitoba Ag Days for over 20 years. He makes sure to mention that this one is extra special. 

A group of local organizations are coming together to make our Ukrainian newcomers feel more welcome. 

The Portage Community Revitalization Corporation partnered with the Family Resource Centre, Portage la Prairie Local Immigration Partnership, Communities Building Youth Futures, Portage Learning and Literacy Centre, and the Portage Urban Indigenous People's Coalition. They are putting on the Ukrainian Holiday Event as Ukrainian Christmas and New Year have just passed. 

A Portager who volunteers 4 out of the 5 days a week was recognized for his volunteerism with a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medallion and pin.

John Knott, who recently retired in January 2020 and 'just got tired of doing nothing,' is very thankful to receive the medallion. 

"It was quite the honour. I don't really like being up front. Even when I got the letter in the mail, I thought, 'oh, that's not for me. It couldn't be'."  

A Portage local who has since moved away received a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medallion for her research and dedication. 

Jenna-Lee Catherine Luptak is a mother who, 22 months ago, lost her second son Beau due to a liver disorder called Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy (ICP) that she developed in the third trimester of her pregnancy.

A Portage volunteer has received some recognition for working with over six non-profit organizations. Kris Bowman was one of the recipients of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee medallion in Carman last week.

Two different non-profit organizations were recognized last week at the 2022 Portage and District Chamber Business Awards Gala. The Portage & District Terriers and the Junk Yard Dogs Cycling Club received the Most Outstanding Not-For-Profit Award. 

Rhonda Kitchen of The Junk Yard Dogs says she is so thankful for this award and the City of Portage la Prairie for putting their name forward. 

Clocks changing and days getting shorter are not the only things that happen this time of the year. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is one of the most common disorders during the Winter. 

According to Cheryl Dyck with Southern Health-Santé Sud, SAD impacts around 15 per cent of people and is more common in women than men. 

She says that SAD is a type of depression related to changes in seasons where it begins and ends about the same time each year. 

Make-a-Wish Foundation Portage la Prairie subchapter is once again making a difference here in the city. 

Co-chairperson Marion Campbell says tonight's fundraiser is their first real opportunity to raise money since the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"It has been hard to raise money, and all we do is raise money to grant wishes to children with life-threatening diseases." 

They are hosting a lasagna supper and auction at the Army and Navy, who she says, has been very helpful over the years. 

Local performers got the chance to take the stage after a two-year hiatus this week. Prairie Players, one of the drama clubs here in Portage la Prairie, is performing their show directed by Pam Stinson, Steel Magnolias. 

PortageOnline got the opportunity to catch up with Stinson and a couple of her cast members earlier this week, and they are so excited to be back on the big stage. 
The director notes that much teamwork goes into preparing for a show of this size. 

Due to icy road conditions, a semi is in the ditch just 18 km east of Portage. The incident happened early this morning and as they remove it from the ditch expect traffic delays in the area. 

Reports have also come in that the Tupper Street overpass is closed as a vehicle is blocking traffic there.
Please be extra cautious on the roads today. You can check on the road conditions here.