By: Jennifer Beard When Boissevain–Morton’s council and municipal staff opened the doors on April 9th for A Seat at the Table , they weren’t just hosting an information session—they were extending an invitation. The evening brought together guests, councillors, and staff for an honest, engaging look at what it means to serve in local government, why people choose to run, and how residents can step forward as leaders in their community. The idea for the event grew from Hea

By Lorri Matthewson (Founder and Lead Consultant Matthewson & Co.) www.smallplacesrock.com Municipalities run on a combination of legislation, bylaws, policies, and day-to-day administrative practices. In theory, these elements work together to create a transparent, consistent, and legally compliant system of local governance. In reality, many municipalities rely far more on practice than on policy—and often don’t realize that there could be consequences. Across the muni

By: Jennifer Beard www.smallplacesrock.com Elaine Froese’s work didn’t begin with a business plan or a grand strategy. It began with a deep understanding of farm life and a genuine desire to help families communicate better. Long before she became known as a farm family transition expert, she was “Miss Home Ec” with Manitoba Agriculture back in 1978, travelling to farms and supporting families with the everyday challenges of rural life. Those early years set the foundation

By Jennifer Beard, Matthewson & Co. www.smallplacesrock.com If you’ve ever stepped inside Steads Farm Supply, you’ve probably felt it—that mix of down-to-earth farm know-how, genuine neighbourliness, and the sense that this place has grown right alongside the community it serves. That feeling didn’t happen by accident. It started more than 40 years ago with a big leap of faith, a dairy farm in England, and a newspaper ad that changed everything. In the early 1980s, David an

By Lorri Matthewson, Founder, Matthewson & Co. www.smallplacesrock.com I love the peace of small‑town living. I love the way generations of the same families shape a place, and how newcomers add new energy and ideas. I love the civic pride, the beauty of our prairie communities, and the way people show up for each other. And I especially love the “get‑after‑it” spirit that builds rinks, pools, firehalls, and community spaces through sheer determination and volunteer power

Immaculate Care Grooming began with a moment of reflection during the uncertainty of the Covid years. While working in Brandon, Pam found herself thinking more and more about what she truly wanted to do. She had trained as a groomer years earlier in Red Deer, Alberta, but life had taken her in other directions. As she looked ahead, she realized she wanted to build something of her own—something rooted in a rural community, something hands-on, and something that brought real v

Just north of Boissevain, tucked among open fields and big prairie skies, sits a place where time moves a little differently. Fraser Family Farms Bed & Breakfast has been welcoming guests since 1992, but its story starts long before that—with Ernest and Donna Fraser’s simple desire to share the joy of farm life with others. More than 30 years ago, the Frasers came across an article from the Manitoba Farm Vacation Association encouraging farms to open their gates to visitors

By Lorri Matthewson There is a moment that happens—usually somewhere between being stuck behind traffic during a 40-minute commute, and a line up for parking, when people start to wonder if life is supposed to feel like this, or if there could be a calmer, more authentic way to live. At least, that is what I am told. I wouldn’t know. I have never lived in the city where I had to commute to work without a bus. I love to visit the city, love a concert, or a show, and the great

Pringles Sports Excellence has been a familiar and trusted part of Boissevain for more than six decades, and its story is one of family, community commitment, and a deep love of sport. The business began in 1962, when brothers Wayne and Del Pringle purchased Welch’s Menswear from longtime owner Jim Welch. At that time, the store focused exclusively on men’s clothing and footwear, but because Wayne, Del, and their father were actively involved with the Boissevain Border Kings

Boundary Co‑op has deep roots in our region, with a history that reflects decades of cooperation and community spirit. The story began in 1945 with the formation of the Boissevain Consumers Cooperative Ltd. In 2011, Boissevain and Deloraine amalgamated to create Boundary Consumers Cooperative Ltd., followed by the amalgamation of Hartney in 2012. The organization continued to grow when Killarney Cartwright Co‑op joined in 2019. Each step in this journey has strengthened the C

The story of the Boissevain‑Morton Arts Council begins in 1990, when a group of local businesspeople came together with a shared vision: to bring the community’s history to life through outdoor murals and strengthen local tourism. Their efforts resulted in more than twenty professionally painted murals that still brighten the community today, each one capturing a piece of Boissevain’s past in vivid colour. In 2016, a new wave of residents gathered to broaden the Council’s p

Every municipality—no matter its size—runs on a simple structure: Council sets the direction, and administration carries it out. When those roles stay clear, the community gets steady, reliable service. But when the lines blur, things get messy fast. Here’s a situation that happens in almost every town. A resident walks into the municipal office feeling frustrated. Maybe a bylaw ticket felt unfair. Maybe a service took longer than expected. Maybe a conversation with a staff m

When Deb Turner talks about Inner View Health Solutions, it’s clear this business is more than a job—it’s a personal mission. Her journey started years ago after struggling with multiple misdiagnoses before finally learning she had Crohn’s disease. The medication she was prescribed came with harsh side effects, and Deb realized she wasn’t getting the help she needed. That experience sparked a decision that changed everything: she went back to school to become a nutritional pr

Du-Rite Motors has been part of Boissevain's story for a long time—since 1959, in fact. It all started with George Dyck, who opened the business as a car and tractor dealership across from the Co-op Home Centre. Over the years, the company has seen its share of changes. After an explosion in 1992, Du-Rite moved to its current location. After George's passing in 2010, the shop was purchased by Marjorie Coupland, Lonnie Graham, and Jeff Hagyard, who kept it running until 2015.

On a quiet stretch of prairie just outside Boissevain, there's a place where the sky feels a little bigger and time seems to move a little slower. The Back 40 Hideaway didn't begin as a grand plan—it started with family. When Jen Howarth and Ritchie Barwick opened the doors in September 2023, she was continuing a tradition that runs deep in her life. Her grandmother and mother owned the Trails West Motor Inn in Brandon, and those memories—warm welcomes, coffee on, beds turned

When you walk into the Boissevain Bakeshop, the first thing you notice is the smell—warm bread, sweet pastries, and something fresh from the oven that makes you slow down and breathe it in. For Alex Moody, that smell is more than a sign of good baking. It’s the scent of a dream realized. Alex grew up in Boissevain, attended school here from kindergarten through grade twelve, and has always had a love of food. After graduating from Assiniboine Community College's Culinary Ar

Nestled on the Strain family farm just outside Boissevain, Country Lane Florals is more than a flower shop—it’s a story of creativity, community, and care. Country Lane Florals is a business that grew from a simple idea and a love of creativity. Back in 2019, Sharon Strain started making outdoor Christmas Porch Pots using evergreens from her family farm. One day, a customer asked if she could make an indoor Christmas pot—and that single request sparked the beginning of Countr

Turtle Mountain Physiotherapy has been part of Boissevain’s heartbeat for over 20 years. Merle Neufeld first came to town in 1998, working part-time out of a satellite office of West-Fit Physiotherapy in the Arts Council building. He split his time between Boissevain, Brandon, and the local hospital. As more people sought his care, Merle made the move to Boissevain full-time and officially opened Turtle Mountain Physiotherapy in 2001. In the early years, Merle briefly expan

If you’re a builder or developer working in a small town—or thinking about it—this is your moment. Across Canada, communities with populations under 5,000 are facing a real housing crunch. They need rental units, starter homes, and senior-friendly options. And they’re ready to work with builders who can help make it happen. But here’s the thing: in smaller places, the usual development model doesn’t always fit. That’s why smart builders are starting to explore non-traditi

Accessibility isn't just about ramps and automatic doors—it's about ensuring that everyone in the community can fully participate in public life. For municipalities, having an up-to-date accessibility plan is more than a legal requirement—it's a smart, inclusive, and community-building move. What Is an Accessibility Plan? An accessibility plan is a document that outlines how a municipality will identify, remove, and prevent barriers for people with disabilities. These bar