The 31 dark and cold days known as January are done. We made it. The coldest time of year if you go by averages is over. And this year, it wasn't that bad. It was a very mild month right up until the 27th and there were only a few school closures and for the most part, highways were decent, especially compared to last year. We have to use the word "decent" loosely though. In the end, it was a good month to enjoy the great outdoors.

What are you looking forward to in February? Extra daylight? We get just over an hour more now compared to the start of the year and by the end of the month, the sun will come up around 7:15 and set around 6:15 - almost 2 more hours than we have today!

There are so many events and some include the Ride for the Boys snowmobile fundraiser for Central Plains Cancer Services. Event chair Robin Bailey and her team have been planning for months and it happens this Saturday. (you can still register today) The fundraising continues for CPCC on the 10th and 11th when they hold the first-ever 24-hour relay and the Central Plain Rec Plex. Click here for details 

winterfest

The PCRC is doing Winterfest Activities over a week-long time frame and it starts with a family fun event at La Verendrye School on Sunday the 12th. Plus the Rotary Pond Hockey Championships are back from the 10th to the 12th. There are still a few slots left so register now!

pond hockeyIt will be great to see this finally happen again next week

see our events calendar here

Concerts? Thomas Rhett is in Winnipeg on the 18th (we have more tickets to give away) and George Canyon is at the Glesby Centre on the 27th. click here for tickets

It's exam week and semester change time at Portage Collegiate. We hope all that studying paid off.

In sports, the South Eastern Manitoba and Tiger Hills Hockey Leagues will start playoffs. The Portage Islanders are tops in the SEMHL and will try to make history this week by completing an undefeated regular season. Gladstone is tops in the East division of the THHL. For the younger set, hockey and ringette provincials will start by the end of the month and hockey rinks all across the area will be busy every week as regular seasons in the different age groups wind down. For curling fans, there are bonspiels everywhere and the Viterra Mens Provincial event is in Neepawa starting next week.

For the pros, NHL All-Star weekend is this weekend and Super Bowl 57 between the Chiefs and Eagles is next Sunday. The Daytona 500 is February 19th.

Special days? Groundhog Day is tomorrow. Valentine's Day on the 14th. There's a long weekend with Louis Riel Day on the 20th and Mardi Gras on the 21st.

For silly days, National Pizza Day is the 9th, Latte Day is the 11th, Drink Wine Day is the 18th, Pancake Day is the 21st and the 22nd is National Margarita Day. 

Mayor Sharilyn Knox joined the Country 93 morning show to kick off February and talk about the city as well as the Central Plains Cancer Services events this month: