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Wherever Norm Bruce has lived, he has given back.
Whether it be volunteering with Minor Hockey Associations, Minor Baseball Associations, or Agricultural Societies, Bruce takes immense pride in giving back to the communities he lives in. Since 1992, Bruce has lived in Swan River and spent several years as Secretary of the Community Foundation of Swan Valley, member and Chair on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a board member on the International Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and other community groups and organizations.
Norm is described by many in the community as a pillar.
"That's just awesome to be recognized for community involvement and volunteerism," said Bruce.
Before moving to Swan River, Norm lived in Minitonas for 14 years. He has lived in other communities in the province, and whenever a community group needed a helping hand, Bruce was there with a smile, ready to put on his work boots. While Bruce appreciates that people think highly of him, he doesn't do it for the recognition.
He volunteers because it's near and dear to his heart. It makes his world go around.
"Absolutely. My wife and I have been a part of many communities. It's hard to leave them once you become a part of them," said Bruce. "It's all about community involvement, it's what I love."
Norm has also volunteered his time with the Boy Scouts of Canada, 4-H Clubs, Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Rotary International, and the United Church.
Earlier this summer, Norm was once again recognized for his contributions to the community. Riding Mountain MP Dan Mazier was on hand to present Norm with King Charles III's Coronation Medal. The Medal was created to recognize Canadians for their contributions.
"It was such a humbling and awesome experience to be recognized," offered Bruce.
When asked why Norm loves living in Swan River, he was quick to answer. He spent a small portion of his life living in Gilbert Plains, where they frequently visited the beautiful Duck Mountains.
"Coming from just outside Winnipeg, where it's flat to the Duck Mountains, it was a draw," ended Bruce. "When we had the opportunity to come this way for work, we took advantage of it. The rolling landscape, the agricultural community. It's a special place to be."
Norm still frequents the Duck Mountains, so if you see him out and about, congratulate him on receiving King Charles III's Coronation Medal and thank him for all his dedication to volunteering.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Globe and Mail published an article this week, stating Spanish drugmaker Griffols is profiting from the sale of products made from blood plasma donated by Canadians.
The Federal Conservatives have also uncovered that Brookfield Asset Management, which Prime Minister Mark Carney invested in significantly in the past, have made several attempts over the past year to acquire Griffols.
Riding Mountain M-P and Conservative Health critic Dan Mazier has called for an investigation into these findings, adding the federal Liberals have some explaining to do.
"Why are foreign companies and corporations such as Griffols profiting off of blood plasma donated by Canadians, without their knowledge. And the other question is what would Mark Carney's financial gain be if Brookfield acquired Griffols, given that the company has worked to take control of the firm that profits from Canadian plasma."
Mazier added that Canadians give blood to save lives, not to line the pockets of foreign companies or the prime minister.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
Around 200 people from across Manitoba and into the United States are expected to be in Ste. Rose next Sunday for the annual Pilgrimage of Hope
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A 34-year-old Roblin man faces several charges following a disturbance in the community.
Wednesday afternoon, RCMP received a report that three people were fighting, and were possibly armed with bats, knives, and a gun.
Two of the men were found and spoken to, while the third individual was located following an extensive search, in possession of an airsoft pistol.
Gene Leshchyshyn is charged with Uttering Threats and several firearm-related offences, and remains in custody.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
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Gilbert Plains Municipal council is set to hold a special meeting on Monday night.
Discussion and potential approval of a drainage plan proposal will take place at this meeting.
It will take place at 7 pm in council chambers at the Gilbert Plains Municipal office, and the public is welcome to attend.
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- Contributed by Jeff Henson
There will be no shortage of great music this weekend in Eriksdale.
The 5th annual ROGerKimLee Music Festival begins tonight, with performers this evening including the Wrigley Brothers, Majia Kaartinen, Mark Reeves, Julie Mondor, and the Solutions.
Gates to the Eriksdale Sports Grounds open at 5, with the first act hitting the stage at 7 this evening.
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Jason Gilmore looks at it as the final chapter of the first stage and the jumping-off point of the next chapter.
On Sunday at 3:30 at the City of Dauphin's Public Works Shop on 22 Jackson Street, it's the final goodbye to Dauphin's Rail Turntable. Most of the 90-tonne turntable is being removed from that site on Monday.
"Basically a small community event to discuss. Given our initiative to save the turntable, many people didn't even realize it existed," said Gilmore. "It's a bit of education and an opportunity to speak on what the plans are moving forward to plan an off-site memorial of the turntable."
Gilmore says they are keeping 15 feet of the turntable to create that memorial, which is likely to be parallel to 1st Avenue NW and the tracks. Fundraising efforts are now underway to help create the memorial. If you'd like to help the cause, you can donate funds at City Hall.
"It goes back to 1993, when there were 17 community members who took their own money to buy that site from CN and to preserve it for historical purposes," commented Gilmore. "Just out of respect for that group, it's important to create a memorial. It's a legacy piece of the 129 years of rail history that we've had in Dauphin."
The 15 feet of turntable being preserved is close to 20 tonnes.
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More than 30 community members from Dauphin are heading to the pow wow in Ebb & Flow on Saturday afternoon.
The Dauphin Friendship Centre is holding a Culture & Wellness event. The event organisers have chosen to take part in is the pow wow on the Ebb & Flow First Nation, as they hold their Treaty Days.
Cheryl Klyne is the cultural and wellness worker at the DFC.
"We have 35 registered, so we'll be taking a few vehicles," said Klyne. "Some people have never been to a pow wow before, so we wanted to expose them to the culture."
Klyne wasn't sure how the reception would be. Things started slowly, but ultimately, it's a sell-out, and those attending are very excited to be a part of the special day in Ebb & Flow. They'll depart Dauphin before noon and arrive in Ebb & Flow for the Grand Entry at 1:00 p.m.
"The other day, we had 20 people sign up by Monday," offered Klyne. "Then all of a sudden, a few days later, we had 35. We couldn't accept any more people, had to stop registrations."
The Friendship Centre will provide free transportation, lunch, and snacks for the 35 attendees. Cheryl has asked the attendees why they're interested, and it's because of the atmosphere.
"People want to get out. Some of them have never been to a pow wow, and they want to know what it's all about. It's a learning experience for some," ended Klyne. "Some also have no means of transportation, so this is their chance to get out and be a part of it."
This is another case of the Dauphin Friendship Centre being here for the community.
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Lights, camera, action.
It's showtime in Kelwood. The Harvest Sun Music Festival runs from Friday to Sunday, and what a weekend it's set to be.
Nadia Kuhl says it'll be a weekend to remember.
"It's really great, we are almost sold out," said Kuhl. "Preparations have been going amazingly. Everything is ready. It's going to be a lovely weekend in Kelwood."
The festival begins on Friday night, with doors opening at the Kelwood Community Hall at 5:30.
"We've been running the Boom Chuck Old Time Music Camp, so the students have been attending camp for the last two days," said Kuhl. "The festival kicks off with a recital with the students. We then have an incredible night of music."
The evening performers include 2 Dollar Bill & His Bad Pennies, Claire Therese & The Lockdown, and The Stanley Country Cut Ups. The party then heads to the Legion at 10:00 p.m. for a bluegrass jam.
On Saturday, the party continues in the campground, and no tickets are required. Folk & Flow starts at 9:00 and continues throughout the day. Kayla Luky takes the stage at 2:30.
"Great local performers from 9:00 to 4:00," said Kuhl. "Then we have a little break before we head to the hall on Saturday evening. We have some more great entertainment there. Including a local band from Onanole called Route 10 Collective."
Jimmie Kilpatrick and The VinceTones take over the Legion at 10:00 p.m., and tickets are required. On Sunday, there's a jam in the garden hosted by Ian Porteous. You can bring an instrument to join or just enjoy the show. That's from 11:00 to 1:00.
That'll officially put a wrap on the 2025 edition of the Harvest Sun Music Festival.
If you've never been to the festival, Kuhl says it's one you won't want to miss.
"We've been running it for 20 years. We can hardly believe this is the 20th anniversary. We're so excited that our little arts organization has been able to sustain itself through a lot of challenges, particularly in the past five or six years," ended Kuhl. "We're so excited that there is still all of this life and music happening in Kelwood after 20 years. It's been a lot of hard work and we're happy to celebrate getting here."
For this weekend's entire schedule, head to the Harvest Sun Music Festival.
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Family and friends have been calling for it for weeks.
And on Wednesday, the province announced that it would search the Brady Road Landfill for the remains of former Pine Creek resident Tanya Nepinak.
She was last seen in September of 2011 when she left her Winnipeg home to go to a restaurant.
During the investigation of her disappearance, police stated they believed that her remains were in the Brady Landfill.
The province says they are finalizing plans to search the location for the remains of Ashley Shingoose, who was a victim of serial killer Jeremy Skibicki.
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