Anyone who was around as the century turned in 2000 may remember all the speculation. Was the relatively new Internet going to change as everything digital turned over from 1900 to 2000? Would whatever digital data in place already just disappear? There were questions after questions.
Now, of course we know there was nothing to worry about on that front at all. As people prepared for the year 2000 to arrive, along with the preparation for epic end of the century parties, many friends and colleagues got together to place mementos of their years together in time capsules like this one.
A little while ago, Kim Shwaluk, who is an admin assistant at the Russell Hospital was downstairs in the basement of the hospital cleaning out the records room when she came across this time capsule put together by the nurses and staff working at the hospital on the last day of the century. Inside were pictures of all three shifts along with some New Years Eve 2000 party favors and a questionnaire asking the staff their predictions for twenty five years later. The questions included things like “where do you think you’ll be in the year 2025?” “What do you think your annual wage will be in 2025? “What major medical discovery /cure do you think will be made for the year 2025 among other questions. We have a few of those answers here.
Also in the capsule was a pamphlet put out by the Regional Health Authorities of Manitoba answering questions like: “will my holidays be cancelled if they’re in the early months of 2000?” along with questions about if the compatibility of medical equipment fit the pre millennial equipment on hand.
As an example of the uncertainty at the time, the RHA told their staff scheduled for a New Years Eve shift to dress in layers and bring sleeping bags in case of a midnight power outage.

Want to know what predications were made for the year 2025 back in the year 2000? Purchase a subscription to our printed or online copy of the Russell Banner, or purchase a copy at one of our fine dealers and turn to page 5.

Kole Magnowski won a World Championship title while representing Canada at the 2026 IWWF World Over 35 Waterski Championships.
Held at Predator Bay in Calgary, Alberta, the championships brought together more than 250 athletes from approximately 20 countries to compete in slalom, trick, jump, and overall. Team Canada finished the event second in the Overall Team standings with 16 individual medals. Competing in the Over 35 Men's Jump event, Magnowski delivered a standout performance to earn the gold medal and claim the World Championship title. His victory marked one of three World Championship titles won by Canadian athletes
during the competition.

The Russell Flying Club held its annual Fly-In Breakfast on Sunday, July 28th. 350 pancakes were served up, planes were on display, a car show took place and fun things for the kids were among the events of the day.
This year approximately 350 breakfasts were served, about a dozen classic vehicles attended the car show, and Leading Edge Aviation from Yorkton gave plane rides to interested people. A Fleet Finch and a DeHavilland Tiger Moth from the BCATP museum in Brandon flew in to join the event as well.

For more photos, pick up this week's Russell Banner  and turn to page 6.

What began as a new partnership between Huddle Brandon and the Park West School Division has become a growing resource for youth across our region. Since opening as a satellite site in October 2024, Huddle has been connecting young people with mental health supports, wellness programming, and community resources—while building relationships that help interested youth and young adults feel supported, valued, and hopeful.
Huddle is a free, youth-focused organization that provides trauma-informed and culturally safe health and wellness services for young people aged 12 to 29. Russell is proud to be the first rural community in Manitoba to pilot the Huddle model as a satellite of Brandon, working in partnership with Huddle Brandon, the Park West School Division, and provincial and federal governments to make mental health and wellness supports more accessible in rural Manitoba.
At its heart, Huddle's mission is to meet young people where they are, listen to their needs, and help connect them with the right supports. Sometimes that means arranging counselling. Other times it means helping someone obtain identification, access employment or literacy supports, connect with health services, or simply provide a safe space where they know someone cares and they are not alone.
A Growing Rural Resource
Huddle Brandon first launched a satellite site in Russell in October 2024, and it has continued to grow as more youth, and families learn about the supports available. The program currently serves young people from communities throughout the region, including Russell, Rossburn, Birtle, Binscarth, Inglis, Waywayseecappo, and surrounding areas.
Today, the Huddle satellite in Russell includes a full-time Service Navigator, a part-time Peer Supporter, and a counsellor who provides three hours of counselling each week. Provincial and federal funding has been secured through April 2029, allowing the team to continue building services that respond to the unique needs of rural youth. Additional funding/grants are pursued from businesses, foundations and individuals to enhance programming by bringing in mental health professionals, providing meals and snacks, purchasing program supplies, and expanding wellness opportunities for youth and families.
What Happens at Huddle?
Every young person who would like to access our Huddle services begins with a brief, approximately 20-minute intake meeting with the Service Navigator. This conversation helps identify each individual's goals and needs so they can be connected with the most appropriate supports. The intake isn't a test or assessment—it's simply an opportunity to get to know each individual and determine how Huddle can best support them. There are no membership fees or costs, and services are available to any youth aged 12 – 29 who would like to participate.
Huddle offers a variety of services, including:
•Individual service navigation and goal planning
•Free counselling by appointment
•Weekly and monthly wellness programming throughout the school year
•Mental health education and peer connection
•Employment and literacy support
•Referrals to community resources and specialized services
•Help obtaining identification and navigating government or community systems
Programs continue to evolve as community needs change. This coming school year, Huddle plans to continue Wednesday after-school wellness programming for Grades 9-12 in Russell, while also introducing a monthly support group focused on anxiety and depression, facilitated by mental health professionals. Monthly wellness programming also continues for students at Rossburn Collegiate and counselling will continue Mondays by appointment.
Intrigued? Pick up the latest copy of the Russell Banner and turn to page 7 to find out more.

Kids from around town enjoyed the games and activies as Russell’s Tim Hortons held their annual Camp Day on July 15th.
Camp Day is Tim Hortons' biggest annual charitable event, where 100% of the proceeds from all hot and iced coffee sales are donated to the Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, which is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1974 by Ron Joyce to honor his late friend Tim Horton.
For over 50 years, Tims Camps has been a leader in youth development programming, helping young people from underserved communities gain the skills and confidence to rewrite their stories for a brighter future, through experiences both at camp and in the classroom, youth build resilience, leadership, and responsibility, empowering them to thrive in school, work, and life.
Across North America, Tims Camps has provided life-changing experiences to nearly 350,000 youth – at no cost to them or their families.
This is made possible through the generosity of Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners, guests, corporate sponsors, donors, and community partners.
These funds help send youth from underserved communities to multi-year, camp-based development programs.