Lynne and John Hogg welcome customers at C & J Wood Works.

Shoal Lake woodworking business going strong for nine years

C & J Wood Works can create something new, refinish something old, or do some repair work

It’s been nine years since John and Lynne Hogg set up a woodworking business in Shoal Lake, and while many things remain the same, there have been some interesting changes along the way. Although the mainstay of C & J Wood Works has been just that — whether it’s creating something new, refinishing a treasure

Hayden Charney marked a score of 87 at Broncs & Bulls this spring at Waywayseecappo First Nation, to win the bull riding title.

Student making a name for himself in bull riding

Rossburn teen thrives on the mental and physical competition

What makes a rodeo athlete compete? For Hayden Charney, who began in the rough stock or eight-second world of the sport, there is a lot that goes into being a competitor — both mentally and physically. “The crowd, the guys behind the chute, fellow competitors and friends all make this sport hard to resist,” said


Ashten Hawtin, 15, enjoys competing in rough stock events of junior steer or bull riding.

Miniota brothers carry on family tradition

Inspired by their grandfather they continue competing in rodeo

Drawing on the inspiration of a former rodeo contestant and member of the Little ‘M’ Rodeo committee, two brothers now calling Miniota home are proud to recall the livelihood of their grandfather Don Haines, even though they never got to meet him. The cowboy lifestyle for both Peyton Hawtin and his younger brother Ashten, the

Incubating capacity is 250,000 eggs, hatching 70,000 chicks per week at Berg’s Hatchery.

A great place to pick up chicks

Berg’s Hatchery serving Russell area for over 65 years

Looking for a great place to pick up chicks? Berg’s Hatchery of Russell can help you with that. The family business, currently owned by Kevin and Connie Berg, has been turning eggs into fluffy chicks for over 65 years. “Hatching chicken eggs is an extremely rewarding experience, which requires good planning, dedication, flexibility and observation


Binscarth pilot takes on ultimate DIY project

Binscarth pilot takes on ultimate DIY project

Walter Thickett spent four years building his own plane with family help

Having the freedom to go anywhere without the limitation of roads or speed limits sparked a Binscarth business owner’s interest in becoming a pilot. Walter Thickett, owner of Thickett Engine Rebuilding, has always been fascinated by machines, so it came as no surprise when he pursued an ultralight licence in 1993, followed by a pilot’s

Singer/songwriter Rebecca Brooks shares her passion for music.

Hamiota musician shares her love of music

Busy farmwife and mother still finds time for her longtime passion

Going back to childhood memories of wanting to make a name for herself in music, a Hamiota farmwife and mother of two is finding time to share her passion for music with community audiences. Rebecca Brooks met her husband Justin, while studying practical nursing at Assiniboine Community College in Dauphin. It’s been five years since


Choir members were billeted in Rossburn as part of hosting the touring group.

Watoto Children’s Choir presents concert in Rossburn

Group shares passion for music and message of hope for the future

The smiles, exuberance, and the heartfelt message, was an extraordinary experience presented by the Watoto Children’s Choir in Rossburn last month. The choir consisted of 17 youth and three adult singers/message presenters, and three band members. Up against some major events including the Brier, audience numbers were relatively low, but that didn’t bother the choir’s

Jim Lane handles the lines of a team at the World Percheron Congress this past fall at Des Moines, Iowa.

Showing horses a family affair

Lone Oak Percherons of Birtle known throughout the world

A love of horses runs deep at Lone Oak Percherons of Birtle. Just how deep? Three generations, to be exact. Jim and Darlene Lane got things started as pregnant mare urine (PMU) producers over 30 years ago, which presented them with a great opportunity to breed and raise their own stock. Since those early days,


Pens full of healthy cows and calves are a welcoming sight for local cattle producers.

Winter calving season has come to an end

Cattle producers must face cold weather extremes to see healthy calves

Success for a cow-calf producer is related to the ability of the producer to wean one healthy calf per cow each year; a set of twins is additional dollars in the bank. When that calving season is done varies, but the objective of any operation is to try to keep the calving interval as short

Dr. Cindy Lukianchuk is a practising veterinarian and farrier.

Russell veterinarian also a practising farrier

Dr. Cindy Lukianchuk has passion for podiatry in the horse world from a multi-model approach

Problem solving and hard work is how Dr. Cindy Lukianchuk, a veterinarian at the Russell & District Veterinary Clinic, sums up what travelling to farms raising cattle, bison or horses within the Parkland region means to her. The 2015 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine began searching for a job while attending farrier