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She finished in a very respectable second place last year. In fact, it was more than that.
Competing in the 2024 edition of the North American Finals of Grill Masters, Casey Naherniak's brilliant cooking skills were put to the test against 11 of the best chefs from across the country. She put together a fantastic dish and finished in second.
This year, Naherniak wanted more. She had qualified once again for the Finals earlier this month in Toronto.
"I just wanted to bring a more refined dish and show more of my story behind it," said Naherniak. "I wanted to elevate it more, and it worked."
Now living in Brandon and working at The Keg, Casey grew up in Russell and fell in love with cooking at a young age. She remembers spending countless hours in the garden and then creating masterpieces in the kitchen with her family.
On May 13 in Toronto, she created the ultimate dish.
"I had the Elk on my plate as a note to my hunting roots. I used wild black morel mushrooms. As a child, we would go out in the bush picking those all the time," commented Naherniak. "I had my potatoes and peas as special to my time I spent in the garden growing up. We always were picking peas out of the garden."
There were four different judges. The scoring was based on the uniqueness of the dish, look, taste, and presentation.
When the dust settled and the final scores were in, Casey couldn't hold back the biggest smile ever. The Russell chef is a North American champion. Her masterpiece took home the top prize this year.
Back in Brandon, serving up great steaks and more at The Keg, Casey says it hasn't set in yet, and she's grateful for everyone in her life.
"I was one of the youngest chefs in the competition and one of three women," offered Naherniak. "It meant a lot to bring that back home. I showed that women can do it."
Casey is looking forward to what winning this title could bring to her future. She's committed to serving outstanding meals, ones that have people wanting more.
"Definitely boosted my confidence. I feel that I've made some great connections, I had the chance to meet so many other chefs," ended Naherniak. "I don't have any future plans. I want to keep learning and extending my career."
Casey Naherniak—a Russell-born powerhouse dishing out five-star flavor with every plate.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Jordan Pernarowski is all about Dauphin. His most recent venture all started with a dream and years of thought.
On Saturday, the doors will open to the public, and the buzz throughout the community is as lively as ever. Caddie's Golf Simulators & Lounge will open. Located on 15 Memorial Boulevard in Dauphin, their grand opening is on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. You can get swings in ahead of time as the simulators open at 9 a.m.
Jordan and co-founder Dan Keeping were tired of winter trips to Brandon just to practice. Now, Dauphin’s golfers can sharpen their game just minutes from home, 12 months a year.
"Really excited about this. We put a lot of hard work into it," said Pernarowski. "To get to this point, we're really excited to get people in the building checking it out and swinging."
Jordan and Dan are using the Foresight technology. It's the most accurate simulator on the market, and many PGA Tour players use it. Including Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, and Tony Finau, to name a few.
"Many people have never played indoor golf before," said Pernarowski. "I hit a golf shot in front of a technician who was working, and he said Wow, I didn't realize how awesome this is. People are going to be surprised when they see it, it's awesome."
The famous BeaverTails food truck will be on hand for a sweet treat. The lounge will be serving ice-cold beverages, and the simulators will be rocking all day into the early morning hours.
"Dauphinites are going to be amazed because they'll be thinking about Dauphin Tire," ended Pernarowski. "Now we have four simulators, a lounge, the floor is all done. It looks awesome in there."
Simulator golf is hitting Dauphin, and you can be a part of the magic at Caddie's Golf Simulators & Lounge.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Wasagaming Community Arts is celebrating a special anniversary this year.
It's the 55th anniversary of their formation, which will be celebrated with a special event on July 12th.
Board chair Ken Romaniuk says they will also have a special exhibit this summer that honours the work of the founders.
"We are very lucky that their family members still have a lot of their art. So we have been able to borrow it for the summer. And it will be a special tribute to the founders."
Romaniuk adds besides these special events, they have also added some boutique spaces for this summer.
"We feature the works of over 50 Manitoba, local, or Canadian artists or makers. And there is lots to see. If you are interested in purchasing souvenir items, or it is just beautiful to look at as well. So we have two large boutique spaces and there is lots for people to see when they are up at the lake."
The gallery in Wasagaming is open seven days a week from 11 am to 5 pm
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Sports is not the only activity taking place at the Sportsplex.
The city has announced it is investing in a long-term project to plant trees, improve the soil, and make the whole area healthier and more enjoyable.
They add the trees will eventually provide more shade on hot summer days, as well as a natural windbreak for breezy games, better soil and grass for sports, and more beauty for everyone to enjoy
They add tree planting at the Sportsplex is expected to take place between June 7th and 20th.
Right now, the city is reshaping parts of the grounds to help capture rainwater instead of letting it run off into the river, which will mean better growing conditions in the future.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Two youth males face several charges following an alleged assault and theft in the RM of Alonsa.
Ste Rose RCMP were notified around 9 pm on May 17th, being told that a home had been broken into, a vehicle has been stolen, and weapons were left behind at the scene.
A spike belt was used to bring the stolen vehicle to a stop in Ebb & Flow, and pepper spray was used to take the suspects into custody, after they had used pepper spraay on a number of victims at the scene, including an Ebb & Flow Safety Officer.
The youth each face charges of Assaulting a Peace Officer, two counts each of assault with a weapon, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and several possession offences.
27-year-old Marissa Mousseau of Ebb and Flow was also arrested and charged with possession of property obtained by crime in relation to the initial break in.
And police are still looking for 29-year-old Cotey Moar of Crane River, who is also wanted in relation to the break and enter.
He is believed to be in either Crane River or Ebb & Flow.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Suzanne Cottyn has officially transitioned from her interim role and is now serving as the permanent Superintendent and CEO of Mountain View School Division (MVSD). MVSD announced on Tuesday.
"I really appreciate the opportunity to continue in this role and serve Mountain View School Division," said Cottyn.
Suzanne has over 29 years of experience in education and holds a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration.
After beginning her teaching career in the St. James-Assiniboia School Division in Winnipeg, Suzanne returned to Dauphin in 2003, joining MVSD. She held the positions of teacher, resource teacher, reading recovery teacher, K-6 principal, coordinator of curriculum, assessment, and assistant superintendent.
"I have a heart to serve the community. I feel being in this role is one of the ways I can serve the Parkland and MVSD community," commented Cottyn. "We have an excellent team to work with that puts in their best effort every day. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with them."
The Board of Trustees looks forward to working with Suzanne in fulfilling Mountain View's motto of "keeping learners at the centre".
"It's each one of us every day, showing up and doing our best," ended Cottyn. "We strive to support our students, help them grow as learners, and as people. That way, they can go out and be excellent citizens and accomplish many incredible things as they move forward in their lives."
The Board of Trustees says they're looking forward to working with Suzanne.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Some high recognition for a Dauphin-based podcast.
Reefer MEDness, which is hosted by locals Trevor Shewfelt and Kirk Nyquist, and produced in our CKDM studios, was recently recognized as one of the top Cannabis podcasts in Canada by Feed Spot.
Shewfelt says they were pleasantly surprised to receive the award.
"We did not apply for this award, like some online awards that you apply for. This came out of the blue from Feed Spot. Not to sound immodest, but I think that we do have a very good podcast, but it was nice to hear being recognized."
Shewfelt hopes the award will help broaden their exposure.
"I think the public deserves us to be in their ear, and more of the public to be hearing our podcast. We think we are bringing interesting and important information about Cannabis out there, and things like this award spread the word farther so that more people can hear about it."
You can check out the podcast by going to their website reefermed.ca, or by typing Reefer MEDness into your favourite Podcast search.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Fresh off their Endless Paws-Abilities market on Saturday, the Parkland Humane Society is now preparing for their next fundraiser.
Office Manager Jenn Langlois says they are now accepting donations for their annual yard sale.
"We have a full secan to fill up with donations, and they can come in anytime between 1 and 4 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, to drop them off. We are looking at anything except for books and clothing. Those items can go to other events. But we are looking for anything outside of that."
The sale will take place on June 13th and 14th.
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The Dauphin RCMP are looking for two suspects after responding to an armed robbery on Saturday.
At 5 a.m., officers, along with a Police Dog, responded to the incident at a business on Main Street. By the time officers arrived, the suspects had fled down 1st Avenue SW. The suspects entered the store with a long firearm, stole cigarettes, and then left.
They were both wearing black and white bandanas covering their faces, black hooded jackets, and green rubber gloves. The two employees in the store were not physically injured.
If you know where the suspects are, call the RCMP at 622-5020.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Nichelle Desilets grew up in small-town Manitoba and realized at a young age she wanted to pursue a healthcare career.
She went to medical school at the University of Calgary, completed a residency in rural family medicine in Prince Albert, and a clinic clerkship in Yellowknife. Now 39, Desilets has spent the last 10 years in Neepawa. She sees her patients at the Beautiful Plains Medical Clinic. She takes shifts at the Neepawa Health Centre and its emergency department, delivering babies and performing surgeries.
As a part of her duties, Nichelle is taking on a new role. She's the new president of Doctors Manitoba. Doctors Manitoba represents more than 4,000 physicians and qualified medical students in the province. It advocates for doctors.
"It's a real honour to be chosen to represent your colleagues and profession," said Desilets. "To work towards the goal that all doctors in Manitoba want, to have the resources, time, and space to provide excellent healthcare to all Manitobans."
Desilets joined the Doctors Manitoba board in 2020. Her reason for joining the board? Simple, flaws in the health care system.
"It seems like we're constantly pivoting to a new concern. I feel that I am a pretty solution-focused person," added Desilets. "It didn't sit well with me to be working on the front lines and experiencing the challenges and barriers for both my job and the ones my patients face as they try to navigate the system."
Manitoba has the lowest per capita rate of family physicians in the country. Manitoba did gain 133 doctors from May 2023 to April 2024. On a positive note, that did surpass the previous high of 83 in 2014. On the other side of the coin, Manitoba is still short 346 doctors.
In a recent conversation with Mandee Nakonechny, president of the Parkland Community Nurses Local 1022, she said front-line nurses and doctors have seen very little change in how health care is moving from the previous government to the current one. Staffing shortages are a major issue, something that has certainly been a burden on rural communities.
Nakonechny wanted Manitobans to know that things are not okay in the health system.
Desilets understands the issues of staffing shortages and how that can impact the health care system on a day-to-day basis. She says in her new role, positive change is the goal.
"Doctors do want to do the work. To have long-term longevity for doctors, which is what will best serve communities, is to acknowledge the staffing shortages," continued Desilets. "It's important to acknowledge the number of hours that health care providers are working and to find solutions to make it more sustainable."
Staffing shortages are just one issue facing health care professionals.
"Certainly the number one concern that I hear from rural doctors is difficulty in accessing the services that their patients need," ended Desilets. "Whether it's a non-urgent or urgent. Often times, the common denominator is geography and transportation."
Under her new role, Desilets plans to use her platform to inflict long-term positive change for health care professionals and their patients. She understands that many changes can't be made overnight, but she is committed and driven to better the system.
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Friday was an exciting day for the residents of Crane River
Representatives with Manitoba Fisheries were on hand to release around 2 million walleye hatchlings into their nearby rivers.
Local resident and MMF representative Dale McKenzie says decreasing walleye populations have been an issue in the area for some time.
"Our Walleye population has dropped significantly due to the other species of fish, such as Northern Pike and Freshwater Drums, that are hard on our Walleye population. So we are trying to rebuild them and bring them back up."
McKenzie says the news is great for fishermen who like to go out on the rivers in search of walleye.
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