8 minute read
Local Culture
THE FIREHALL VENUE Brandon’s premier Wedding and Event Venue
BY HUNTER PLOSZAY PHOTOS BY STUDIO 78
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The only fire at The Firehall Venue will be on the dancefloor. The Mint Experience offers some amazing Brandon and Westman Area businesses and entrepreneurs. Heather Day is one of those people. She has made her second appearance this issue with a business that’s sure to heat up the Brandon event scene. For the first time ever, Mint Magazine readers are getting a look at The Firehall Venue. Built in 1911, The Firehall Venue is located downtown in Brandon’s historic Central Firehall. Heather is taking on
the role of development. This includes renovations and expansion plans. These changes have fueled life into the rejuvenated historic building “I took on this role in the summer. A venue is a perfect solution for use of this beautiful building. We don’t have any venues that compare in Brandon, or in Manitoba for that matter,” explained Day. The changes will give the building a unique and elegant feel. Some of the changes include fresh paint, 15 crystal chandeliers, and new furnishings. Guests will love the restoration with a modern shimmer.
So far, approximately 3,500 square feet of the available 12 500 square feet will be turned into an event ready venue. Two areas being showcased right now, is one being dubbed the Engine Room, with a capacity of 195 people. The Hayloft, which is a secret loft between the first and second floor, with a capacity of 50 people. Day has the confidence that The Firehall Venue will be a complete game changer in Brandon’s event industry. The venue will have exclusive catering available depending on your style and palette. The response has already been incredible. Dozens of brides already inquired about being penciled in for their special day. Lindsay Day will be taking on the role of Venue Representative. Day is also planning to open up the second floor, with four of the original spaces being made available to rent as of Summer 2021, with event industry related businesses. Looking to add to the third floor to the list, is an additional venue space, coming late 2021. The Firehall Venue will be officially open for tours and bookings as of December 2021. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to get a first hand look at this magnificent venue and see what it has to offer for your next event. Join us at our very first open house December 9th 2020, from 5pm-8pm.
The Firehall Venue 637 Princess Avenue, Brandon thefirehallvenue@gmail.com
Phillip Emmerson
Phillip Emmerson Life of Healing
How Phillip Emmerson transcended his disability and pain
BY HUNTER PLOSZAY PHOTOS BY STUDIO 78
Every once in a while, as a writer, there is an opportunity to cover someone who motivates you in your own life. It doesn’t happen often— but when it does—it leaves a lasting impression. The story of Phillip Emmerson is about being at the lowest point of the totem while every single negative tangible occurs. Phillip played the hand he was dealt at birth and was able to lift himself and rise above everything that was holding him down—and he’s still fighting the good fight. Phillip Emmerson is 39 years old. A week after he was born, he stopped breathing and had to be revived. He was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy because of the damages from lack of oxygen. Phillip’s cerebral palsy affects the electrical impulses from his cerebral cortex to the left side of his body—making movements in his hand, arm, and leg very difficult. Phillip was thrown into the foster system at four years old due to an abusive father who struggled with alcohol and anger issues. His father would come home from a night out drinking and Phillip would instantly try to hide—only to be beaten by his father when found. Not being able-bodied made it impossible to get away from the abuse like his older siblings. Phillips’s mother tried her best to take care of him but was abused also. His family lived on a farm and as someone with a disability, was looked at as a liability, more than as a newborn baby. Phillip was placed in the foster care system at four years old and permanently removed from his family home at eight. Phillip would eventually go on to move in and out of 12 different families just before the age of 18 when he was old enough to go out on his own. Phillip provided that some of the foster homes were just like being at home in terms of conditions and abuse.
“It’s hard as a child not having a relationship with your family and being tossed around like hand-me-down clothes,” admitted Phillip. “I struggled with alcohol and other addictions. I shouldn’t be sitting here but it’s by God’s grace that I am.”
Due to Phillip’s constant drinking to mask his inner pain, he graduated from Vincent Massey High School in 2000 by the skin of his teeth. Once the diploma was in his hand, he fled to Calgary to try and become an actor. “One of my lifelong dreams is to become an actor and I went to Calgary to run away. I was there for a couple months until my wallet got stolen so I had to come back,” told Phillip. Back in Manitoba, Phillip went to live in Winnipeg for 6 months but eventually ended up back in Brandon. He was living off Government Assistance and was riding his wheelchair downtown every day to find someone who would let him crash for a night or two. This was a very dark time for Phillip where drugs and alcohol still had a tight grip on his life. Phillip’s life changed when he was “connected” with Career Connections. Career Connections started Phillip on the journey of finding meaningful employment and helping him realize his true worth and potential in society. Before the actual work of finding him a career, they first had to show him his worth.
“I was always taught that I was a piece of trash. I’m super blessed because the only thing I knew how to do was drink. They had to build my confidence and made me realize that I could be a part of society and that I could someday be a light for people with disabilities and people in general. I give them credit because there were many of times I wanted to give up,” shared Phillip.
While Phillip was still living in his friend’s spare bedroom and going to Career Connections, his employment counsellor showed him an article in the Brandon Sun asking people to apply as educational assistants. Phillip instantly thought there was no way he would ever be hired given his struggles in school when he was younger.
“The rest is history. 18 years later I am still working for the Brandon School Division,” said Phillip proudly. “I work with students who struggle with learning and students with disabilities. Sometimes my day is working with students who struggle with life issues and we focus on those before we focus on schoolwork.
Phillip relates to his students and helps them to get on the right path—just like Career Connections had previously done for him. Phillip’s 18 years of hard work and his story of redemption has gained him national notoriety from the Canadian Association for Supported Employment. They honoured him in October with the inaugural Phillip
Emmerson Award, given at the Canadian Association for Supported Employment’s Annual Conference. Not only is it an amazing feat to have an award named after you, but it’s a cherry on top to be the first recipient of such a valiant award. CASE is a national association that champions the inclusion of people with disabilities within the workplace. Phillip got to speak at the conference and was the closing keynote speaker where he got to tell his story in what he calls his “first public speaking contract”. “I didn’t believe CASE at first because usually, you have to be famous or dead to have an award named after you,” joked Phillip. “To have someone name an award after you is an honour. I’m thankful and I thank God. Next year when CASE presents The Emmerson Award to the next recipient, it may change their life.”
Besides Phillip’s educational work, he is an amateur bodybuilder. He has been a fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger since Grade Seven when he did a research project on the famous bodybuilder. Phillip had been officially lifting weights since he was 15 but started taking it seriously around the age of 25. Phillip went into amateur bodybuilding competitions and met one of his other heroes (ironically another Arnold). This chance encounter took place at a Second Cup Coffee Co. in Toronto when Professional Punjabi Body Builder, Anand Arnold, spotted Phillip through the coffee shop glass. “Anand said to me, ‘I follow you on social media.’ And I was blown away. We got to talk for about an hour,” said Phillip excitedly.
The sky is the limit for Phillip and his eyes are set past the clouds when he thinks about what endeavour he is going to take on next. Not only does he want to continue his public speaking and be a motivational speaker, but he wants to write a book about his life story. And he still has those Calgary dreams of being a famous actor. His dream role would be him alongside his idol, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Phillip was gladly able to repair his relationship with his father for 6 years before his passing and still has the “best relationship right now” with his mother.
“I’ve gone through tremendous healing from my past. I know my time is coming when I’m going to speak in front of thousands of people because my story and personal healing have been so amazing. I am a stubborn human being so I will continue to conquer until my very last breath,” announced Phillip.
