Betty Sawatzky

Tatiana and Curt Fraser joined the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair this week with their unique home-based 'pet store', Fraser Reptiles, wowing their audience with geckos, frogs and other creepy-crawlies ... the critters that make mothers wrinkle their noses, and kids LOVE!  Fair warning, moms, your children will be able to do more than just gaze longingly at the creatures from the other side of the glass, they'll be able to hold them!

Tatiana Fraser says their exhibit is definitely a hands-on experience.

Anglers had a beautiful sunny day out on the ice at the Pelican Lake Ice Fishing Derby on Saturday, with over 1200 people in attendance, each trying to find the perfect combination of lucky lures to favorite rods, to the tastiest, most appetizing bait - all to land the largest fish to win the new quad!

Healthy Lake Committee Chair, Trevor Maguire, says the day-long fundraiser was fantastic with incredible community support, with folks coming from near and far to support the efforts to maintain the aeration field systems... and to get in on some fun fishing!

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation continues to advocate for Conservation Enforcement, through discussions with the Province. 

Conservation Officer recruitment and retention is just one issue the MWF is working on with the Provincial government.

Managing Director for the MWF, Carly Deacon, says the Province has allocated $300,000 towards curbing illegal hunting, specifically night hunting.  Steps taken include more helicopter surveillance and additional trucks and adding more 'boots on the ground' by hiring more enforcement officers. 

Manitoba Ag Days is returning to the Keystone Centre this week and the organizing committee is thrilled to bring this annual Ag Expo back to Brandon, after a 3-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions. 

"We are so excited to have everybody back. Back in one building, back to business," shares Ag Days General Manager, Kristen Phillips. "Agriculture is a business of handshakes and we just can't wait to see everybody back at the Keystone Centre." 

Manitoba Ag Days is returning to the Keystone Centre next week and the organizing committee is thrilled to bring this annual Ag Expo back to Brandon, after a 3-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions. 

"We are so excited to have everybody back! Back in one building, back to business," shares Ag Days General Manager, Kristen Phillips. "Agriculture is a business of handshakes and we just can’t wait to see everybody back at the Keystone Centre!" 

The second annual HyLife Holiday Helpers company food drive was a huge success for the La Broquerie-based business!

Across operations, HyLife employees donated more than 2,400 non-perishable items to local food banks/programs, and thanks to additional funds from HyLife Fun Days this past fall, the company was able to share a total of $50,000 in cash donations with these organizations that work 'tirelessly to make the holidays bright for their neighbors struggling with food insecurity,' stated HyLife's most recent media release.

Manitoba AG EX will be livening up the Keystone Centre this week with a host of activities and events for the whole family.

Once again, the Twerdun Scholarship will be available to all participants who qualify to enter the All-Breeds Showmanship. The winner of all age groups of the All-Breeds Showmanship will compete for the overall winner. This year, the overall winner will receive the Twerdun Scholarship valued at $2000.

Construction on the expansion project at the International Peace Garden continues!

"The Conservatory is continuing to come along," shares Peace Garden, CEO, Tim Chapman. "We're waiting on the connection between the solarium, the original room with the big, tall cacti, to the new expanded structure. So that will happen in the coming weeks." 

"Once the building is completely enclosed, we'll be able to start with the landscaping," he adds.

"It's exciting to see it coming along week by week!"

The Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF) is looking forward to welcoming back their members and community stakeholders to their annual fundraising banquet, Wild at Heart, at the end of October. 

With the start to the fall hunting season, the Manitoba Wildlife Federation (MWF), is inviting both experienced and novice hunters to visit their website for upcoming programs and events, to learn more about outdoor and hunting safety. 

"Hunting season is just starting to get rolling," says Chris Benson, Program & Events Coordinator for the MWF. "It doesn't feel like fall in days like these at plus 30's but it is fall and hunting season is just starting, and some of our programming is just starting as well."