Community organizations are turning great ideas into reality with support from Fusion Credit Union’s Full Circle Fund.
Following its latest intake, Fusion has committed a total of $56,000 to eight community organizations, providing support to projects that will have lasting benefits for residents.
École St. Lazare will receive $20,000 to support the development of a new school and community fitness area, providing students and residents with greater access to health and wellness opportunities. Roblin Children's Center’s layground Renewal and Safety Enhancement received $25,000 while the Rossburn Ag Society was awarded $10,000 for grounds & building upgrades
Here in the Municipality of Russell Binscarth, $5,000 was awarded to help toward the cost of George P. Buleziuk flooring renovation.
The Full Circle Fund was established to support community projects that require larger donations. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed twice annually, on April 1 and October 1, ensuring organizations have ongoing opportunities to access funding for impactful initiatives.
“Communities thrive when organizations, volunteers, and local leaders have the resources they need to bring important projects to life,” says Michelle Mazurkewich, Chief Strategy and Governance Officer at Fusion Credit Union. “Through our Full Circle Fund, we are proud to support initiatives that enhance quality of life, strengthen community connections, and create lasting benefits for generations to come.”
The eight organizations selected through this latest intake represent a diverse range of projects focused on recreation, education, wellness, and community development.
Since its inception in 2019, Fusion has invested over $1.06 million through the Full Circle Fund to community-driven projects that improve local infrastructure, promote wellbeing, and create opportunities for residents of all ages.
"Behind every successful project is a dedicated group of volunteers, leaders, and community champions who are working to make their communities better,” adds Mazurkewich. “We are proud to support their efforts and celebrate the positive difference they make every day."
For a full list of winners and more information on the Full Circle Fund program, or to apply for the October 1, 2026 intake, please visit fusioncu.com.

Since it’s inception in 2016 when the little shareholder owner grocery store in Inglis first opened, Friendly’s Grocery has always been community driven. Last week, as they moved into their new premises in the old curling rink was no different as staff and volunteers from the community banded together to make sure that the move was as seamless as possible.
Erna Hall, General Manager of Friendly’s explained that while planning and renovations for the new building have been going on for the last two years, community members and shareholders have never taken their eye off the future of the local grocery store and the fundraising efforts that will push new efforts forward. “Throughout this whole time the community was amazing,” Hall said, adding that the entire moving process was an exercise in community cooperation between staff and volunteers.
The actual move, Hall added went on since mid July.
“After hours, during the week of July 20, excess stock and anything else that could be moved was moved,” she said.
“During that week, we also had help from The Grocery People in setting up the shelving and where items should be placed in the new location.”

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Municipality of Roblin’s head of council Robert Misko has released a statement regarding concerns and criticism directed toward him and council.
The statement was made in response to posts made on a new private Facebook page callend Roblin Town Square.
Check out the transcript of his statement in this week’s Review.

A young man in the tri-community is building not only himself up, but others as well. Carson Thibodeau is only 19 years old and is the Aging Out of Care Coordinator Assistant with The Pas Friendship Centre. Recently, Thibodeau received the Most Active Youth Award from the National Association of Friendship Centres.
“I first got involved with The Pas Friendship Centre last November,” said Thibodeau. “One of my friends’ dads worked at The Pas Friendship Centre at the time and they were looking for an assistant to help with cultural activities. I was the first one to be called up.
“Here at The Pas Friendship Centre, we do a lot of culture-based activities. I also started getting involved with the Opaskwayak Sundance.”

If you’re driving by Funky Threadz, you might notice a new work of art. A new mural has taken up residence on a side wall. It’s something the owner of Funky Threadz has envisioned, in terms of having a mural on the side of the building.
“We purchased the building a year ago to run our family businesses out of,” said Funky Threadz Owner Jerome Conaty. “That wall was a huge blank space, with such high visibility; we knew we wanted a mural on it before we bought the building.

A very special MMIWG2S awareness project made a stop in The Pas for the first time. The Pembina Valley REDress Project was on display at this year’s Kendara’s Memorial Walk on August 6, 2026. The REDress project was started by an Indigenous artist to create more awareness about the MMIWG2S.
“The REDress was a project created by Jaimie Black, who is a Metis artist out of Winnipeg,” said Pembina Valley REDress Project Co-organizer Courtney Yeo-Thiessen.

The Minitonas and District Lions Club hosted a community wide pancake breakfast last Saturday (August 8), at the Minitonas & District Arena. Many people attended the event that celebrated the residents and volunteers who helped with the 2026 flooding. Here, Levi Church helps Larry Holland collect his plate and untensils.

While buffalo farms aren’t rare, it’s always an interesting sight to see when the public catches a glimpse of a herd, such as this one found between Cowan and Camperville. This particular herd consists of several hundred animals. Pictured here, a small fraction of this herd was found roaming a field, with a couple keeping a close eye on this photographer.

The Inglis Fire Department’s fire chief Glen Gorda travelled to Brandon to pick up a Global Medic fire skid.
This self-contained unit has a 1000 L water tank, high-pressure pump and hose.
In addition, IFD was given 20 fire retardant coveralls. As one of the departments who volunteered to respond to the 2025 Manitoba Wildfires, the Inglis Fire Department was eligible to participate in this program provided by Global Medic, a Canadian-based charity, whose mandate includes equipping local departments for swifter and more effective wildlife frontline operations.
They and the RM of Riding Mountain West greatly appreciate being chosen as a recipient of these items that will help protect their fire fighters and increase their fire fighting capacity.

Last weekend, the Russell Golf Course celebrated their 100th anniversary.
After a day of golf amoung friends, the club members met again on the Sunday morning for a pancake breakfast followed by a speech by RM of Russell Binscarth councillor Brent Havelange and the cutting the official anniversary cake.
Councillor Havelange’s speeches are always a treat. This one, shown below, takes us through the history of the Russell Golf course. Thank you councillor Havelange for allowing us to pass this information onto our readers.
“My name is Brent Havelange I am a counselor, in the Municipality of Russell-Binscarth, also in attendance is my fellow councilor Barry Wishart and ex-councillor Ray Elliot, so on behalf of the municipality, I would like to congratulate the Russell Golf Course on its hundred-year anniversary.
That was all Joan Miller had asked me to say in our first meeting. But after a follow up meeting, she gave me five more chores and expanded this brief speech into the history of The Russell Golf Course.
So, if I see any rolling of the eyes ITS NOT MY FAULT...nor worries it will not last 20 minutes, no one here wants to hear my mumblings for that long.
This quarter section was originally owned by Mr. R. M. Anderson and was purchased for the price of $6000. Mr. Ken Reavie had indicated in a letter that the committee that was struck to negotiate for the purchase was not transparent about what they wanted the land for, fearful that Mr Anderson might raise his asking price if he had known the true purpose it was to be used for. Any councilors who have been involved in similar negotiations for the purchase of farmland in the municipality know what Ken is getting at.

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