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Every spring, the Gilbert Plains Community Fund takes time to connect with the community and to award annual grants to a variety of community projects.

They also use it as an opportunity to celebrate and raise funds.

The Boots, Buckles, and Ballgowns Gala is this Saturday at the Richardson Pioneer Community Hall in Gilbert Plains. It starts at 8:00 p.m.

"Our committee is very excited. It's a great opportunity to showcase the various projects that will be supported for the upcoming year," said Charlene Gulak, committee member. "This year, we are pleased to grant back $22,672.00 to various community projects."

Since 2008, the Gilbert Plains Community Fund has granted the community more than $152,000, with the $22,672 given back this year marking the most in a single year.

Gulak says giving back to projects within the community is very meaningful.

"It's very special, exceptional in terms of the variety and scope of projects that we have been able to support," continued Gulak. 

On top of giving back more than $22,000 to community projects, they will allocate funds to the Gilbert Plains Personal Care Fund. With the theme being Boots, Buckles, and Ballgowns, you're encouraged to come dressed for the part and expect to have a blast.

There will be a nacho bar.

"We'll have a contest that evening to award some of the most creative outfits," ended Gulak. "We have a ton of amazing prizes that will be raffled or auctioned off. The nacho bar is going to be new for us and a lot of fun."

Tickets are $35 per person and can be picked up at Gilbert Plains Fusion Credit Union and Paziuk's Family Food. 

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The Watson Art Centre will announce its lineup for its 2025-26 concert series during Saturday's Dirty Catfish Brass Band show.

One show will take place in October, with the remaining three set for early 2026.

Cam Bennett with the Watson tickets for each show is $45. 

"Tickets for the four shows combined have a $180 value, but if you buy them as a package, it costs you $150, so you save 30 bucks.  And we also have a special hot deal.  If you come to the Parkland Business Expo, you can get a ticket to all four shows for just $135." 

Bennett says they can keep ticket prices as low as they can because of the outstanding sponsors that they have,

He promises there will be something for everyone in the concert series. 

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There were a few new faces around the table when the board of Prairie Mountain Health held their latest board meeting earlier this month.

Provincial Health, Seniors, and Long Term Care Minister Uzooma Asagwara recently appointed four new board members, while extending the terms of the remaining five members.

Newcomers to the board include Sue Stirling of Grandview, Debbie Huntinghawk and Kim Magalhaes of Brandon and Ron Janzen of Winnipeg.

Among those remaining on the board are board chair Lon Cullen of Brandon, vice-chair Donna Davidson of Ochre River, Jody Parsonage of Baldur, Lori Rodych of Minnedosa and Judy Swanson of Boissevain.  

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If you've had an interest in growing cannabis in your home and you live in Manitoba, you'll soon be able to do so legally.

The provincial government is lifting a ban on homegrown recreational cannabis on May 1. That means anyone aged 19 or older can grow up to four cannabis plants in their homes. 

Trevor Shewfelt is a co-host on the Reefer MEDness and is happy that Wab Kinew and his party changed the ban.

"They were thoughts of being worried if you're a property owner and rent your home, if your tenants grew cannabis, would that decrease your property value, and child safety," said Shewfelt. "In my opinion, it was overblown. We are very glad that the provincial NDP under Wab Kinew changed their mind, allowing us to be on the same playing field as most of Canada."

With the ban lifted, Quebec is now the only province in Canada that does not allow for cannabis to be grown recreationally in homes. Shewfelt highlights a few reasons why this is a positive for cannabis users.

"It is way cheaper to grow your own plants than it is to buy them at the store," continued Shewfelt. "Just like tomatoes or watermelons and things like that, it's cheaper to do it yourself. You can also get the variety you want, know exactly how it was grown, it's now under your control."

While people must remain cautious when using cannabis, especially if they are planning to operate a vehicle afterward, Shewfelt says there are benefits to recreational use.

"It's used for sleep, pain, and anxiety. There is a lot of evidence that at times, cannabis works very well for those things," ended Shewfelt. "Putting my pharmacist back on, cannabis is safe."

According to reports, there have been no deaths from overdosing on cannabis. 

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The Green Party candidate in the Riding Mountain constituency is the focus of today's election profile.

Liz Clayton is semi-retired, but still serves as an Educational Assistant.

She also spends her winters growing greens in her nutrition greenhouse on her property.

Because of that, food security and land use are among the issues she focuses on in this election.

"Also, issues that are facing Manitoba as a whole, such as depopulation of some of our rural communities, the loss of services, and the great distances we have to travel to maintain our social structure."

With affordability a major issue among many voters in this election, Clayton thinks we need to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in this country.

"The Green Party has some policies for fair taxation.  We would alleviate taxes for anyone making less than $40,000 a year,  And at the very top 0.5 per cent, we would increase taxes to make up for the offset.  And just try to spread it around a little more."

Election day is set for Monday.

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It's an annual festival getting ready to celebrate year 13.

The Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival is back this Saturday and Sunday in McCreary. The festival opens Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast at the Senior Drop-in Centre, hosted by the Marlins Baseball club. There's a farmers market beginning at 10 at the Community Centre, followed by activities for children and youth from 11:30 to 3:30. 

There will be horse and wagon rides from 10:30 to 2:45, and you can learn how to roast bannock on a stick at the sugar bush fire ring. At 11:30, Cameron Campbell will take the stage to open up the entertainment portion of the event, followed by Chantale Crivea, Jody Tucker, the Anderson trio, and Caleb Rudkewich.

The Asham Stompers perform at the Community Centre on 445 Broderick from 5 to 6:30. 

Pam Little is president of the Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival.

"It's always nice to see all of the people who come from all over Manitoba," said Little. "Locals come as well. With that said, it seems there are more people outside of the Parkland. It's interesting to see where people come from and why. Everyone always seems to have a great time."

There will be another pancake breakfast on Sunday and a pemmican making workshop at the McCreary Legion Hall beginning at 11, followed by plant identification, traditional medicine teaching, and harvesting at 2. Sunday's list of events includes the maple dessert contest, the Maeghan Bramley Memorial Steppers, and a 50/50 draw.

An individual pass is just $5, and a family pass is $25. 

Little says there's something for everyone, including those with mobility issues.

"You do have to climb some steps for the horses and buggies, but we always have people there that can help," ended Little. "If people let us know ahead of time, we will do our best to accommodate them getting to the bush, if that's something they're interested in.  There is something for everyone in McCreary this weekend. It's going to be a great festival."

You can get a full list of weekend events here. It's the 13th annual Manitoba Maple Syrup Festival this weekend in McCreary. 

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The world of A.I. will be the focus of the final Parkland Chamber Lunch & Learn event of the spring.

The event, which is set for next Tuesday at 11:45 at the Parkland Rec Complex, will feature Kirsten Thompson of MAETL, the Manitoba Association of Education Technology Leaders.

Chamber Executive Director Stephen Chychota says this is a big and relevant topic to discuss.

"So, we want to get our local businesses to understand that if they are not using A.I., what are some ways that they can use it.  This will be a very general discussion.  I would imagine that Kirsten will dive a little bit into some of the tools and how they work a little bit.  But, that high-level discussion of how does it integrate into your business, what does it mean, and how do you create efficiencies."

Tickets are now available through the Chamber's website and their office.

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The provincial government is giving $255,000 for 17 community-based climate plan projects in Manitoba.

The City of Dauphin has been awarded $15,000 in funding, which will be allocated toward the development of a climate adaptation plan.

Justin Tokarchuk is the city's information and communications technology manager. 

"It feels absolutely amazing," said Tokarchuk. "I'm very excited to be able to work towards climate adaptation in our community."

Climate adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to the current and expected effects of climate change. It involves making changes—both big and small—to reduce the risks and harm caused by climate-related events, such as extreme weather, flooding, droughts, or rising temperatures.

"Examples I've been given are things like flood barriers or looking at the size of our storm water system so that it could contain bigger rain storms that we could get in the future," added Tokarchuk. 

The City of Dauphin is also seeking roughly $70,000 from the local leadership for the climate adaptation fund from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

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Forty-one-year-old Roland Klyne has been charged with more than 15 offences after threatening a female and holding another man at gunpoint.

On Sunday at 10:05 p.m., Dauphin RCMP responded to an assault at a home on Jackson Street. When they arrived, Roland barricaded himself and would not allow the officers to enter. The officers forced entry, and Klyne was arrested.

Roland assaulted and threatened a 21-year-old female and held a 36-year-old man at gunpoint. Neither of the victims from Dauphin sustained serious injuries. While Klyne was in custody, he damaged the sprinkler system in a Dauphin cell and threatened an officer. 

He was remanded and charged with 18 different offences, including Assault, and numerous involving Firearms.

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A partnership between the Manitoba First Nation Police Service and Assiniboine College has resulted in 15 recruits for the police service.

A graduation ceremony was recently held for the new officers, who completed a six-month policing program through the college.

In a news release, MFNPS says the program highlights the importance of having a police service that is culturally responsive and accountable to the communities it serves.

MFNPS currently serves 10 First Nations communities in Manitoba, including two in the Parkland - Sandy Bay and Waywayseecappo

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CKDM continues its profiles of the candidates seeking your vote on April 28th in the Riding Mountain constituency federal election.

Today it is NDP candidate Andy Maxwell, who says he was drawn into this race by the recent behaviour of U.S. President Donald Trump.

"Right now, with Trump changing his mind every five minutes with ridiculous things such as taking over Gaza or the Panama Canal or taking over Canada, he is a threat to our sovereignty.  And it is a very dangerous time.  So we need that team Canada approach and I would like to be a part of that."

A former dentist in Swan River, Maxwell ran for the NDP in the 2023 provincial election.

Now retired, Maxwell says he has plenty of time for the job, especially to learn the ins and outs of being a politician.

"I have not been paid (to be a politician) like (Swan River MLA) Rick Wowchuk and Dan Mazier so they are a little quicker on issues than I am.  But they had to learn, so if they can, then I can."

Tariffs from both the U.S. and China on agricultural products, and improvements to health care are two key issues for Maxwell in this campaign.

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