Winnipeg singer-songwriter makes American television appearance

‘You’re just feeling so emotional’: Americans reunite with loved ones as the Canadian border reopens

Americans waiting to come to Canada finally got their wish as the border reopened.

Beausejour biz has a bit of everything and a lot of buzz

BEAUSEJOUR — Andrea Swain, co-owner of Pennyweight Market, a combination bulk food outlet, ice cream parlour and good, old-fashioned general store situated in Beausejour, laughingly opines that one of the challenges of launching a new venture in a small community such as theirs is that “everybody in town knows your business.”

Among the benefits? That’s easy, she says: everybody in town knows your business.

Not long after they acquired the space four summers ago, rumours abounded as to what it was going to be when it reopened, Swain continues, seated next to her associates Kimberley Friesen and Laurie McLean, inside their cute-as-a-button shop at 802 Park Ave. The previous owner had been around for more than 20 years, and ice cream and milk shakes were two of her main drawing cards, so there was some concern — OK, a lot — on the part of the high school students down the street that the three of them were going to turn it into a (here she lowers her voice to a whisper) health-food store.

Friesen, who, like Swain, grew up in Beausejour, located 45 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, was at a neighbourhood pool party in July 2017, a few weeks before Pennyweight’s grand opening. She recalls being peppered with questions, including one from a 10-year-old girl splashing about in the shallow end who was under the impression the former locale’s beloved “candy island” was about to become a thing of the past. The second Friesen told the youngster not to worry, that the colourful array of gummies, licorice and chocolates wasn’t going anywhere, she came bounding out of the pool to give her a big, albeit wet, hug.

Corporate declaration of action takes flight

Businesses pledging to support reconciliation will meet in Assiniboine Park today as a national project launches.

Victoria Grant plans to attend. She’s been working on this nationwide corporate declaration of action for years — skipping Wednesday morning’s event in Winnipeg means missing launch time.

The private-sector-led declaration will gain its first signees during a ceremony, running from 10 a.m. to noon in the Pavilion.

Signatories agree to learn about the past, build cultural awareness, support Indigenous entrepreneurs and incorporate reconciliation into their corporate policies, among other things.

Olympic soccer champion Christine Sinclair is golden in her hometown, too

Community centre that bears her name now also sports a rather large gold medal. As for ex-Jay José Bautista ... make that bronze.

Town of Churchill aims to protect both citizens and polar bears from harm

Virtually every city in the world has a problem with car theft and vandalism.

But there is one exception.

Churchill, Man,, population 995.

There, citizens are encouraged to leave their car doors unlocked, as well as the front doors of their homes and offices.

Danielle Da Silva

Danielle Da Silva is a general assignment reporter.