By: Lindor ReynoldsThe temperature in Winnipeg today will be in the range of minus 45 with the windchill. The temperature in Las Vegas, by contrast, will be plus seven.
They don't know from windchill in Las Vegas.
So what would possess an entrepreneurial couple to consider leaving the glories of Sin City and moving to the Peg?
"We like to ski and snow," says 56-year-old Susan Ashby. "We're up for a challenge."
Here's the backstory on Susan and Peter Ashby. They're Brits who went to the States 10 years ago and moved to Panama City, Florida. There are only about 150,000 people there and they found it too small.
From there, they moved to Las Vegas, with a population of over two million, not including the tourists. That was plenty big.
The couple, who run a catering company and would like to set up a tea room here, can't get green cards to stay in the States permanently.
Next step, Canada.
"We are applying for a Canadian visa under the Manitoba provincial program. This is different to the federal program where a visa is issued and the holder can move anywhere in the country," says Susan.
"Under the provincial program, you are making a commitment to Manitoba and to invest in the province, in our case to operate a business."
But why not just return to England now that their time in the States is up? Why take a chance on Winnipeg?
"We certainly don't want to go back to England," says Susan snappishly. "It's gone downhill in the last 10 years."
As for Winnipeg, they think the population is the right size, she says, and it sounds like a good place to live.
"It is large enough to attract entertainers and exhibitions, but not too large for travelling around the whole city. We are pretty sure we could not settle in a small town," she says.
"With the international airport close to the city and direct flights to London this is also a bonus. Especially if we had to travel in the winter."
And here's the part I really liked:
"I believe wherever someone decides to live it is what you make of it. If you need to be alone, this can happen in a large city as much as a small community. We want to be involved in what will hopefully become our new permanent home."
Susan and Peter got in touch because they're desperately seeking more information about Winnipeg. They've been to the Destination Winnipeg site but that didn't give them the feel they were looking for.
So here's the pitch: Send me an e-mail, a package of information, whatever you like that would help a pair of newcomers. Maybe you're a realtor with ideas on relocation homes. Maybe you have a line on a place they can rent to start a business.
You might be an English expatriate with a few tips for settling in; you might be part of the Chamber of Commerce with some thoughts on how this couple can make a smooth transition.
For those of you who remember the charming Hughes family from England who visited here a few summers back, we are not planning to host this latest family.
No, really, I mean it.
If they(sic) Ashbys decide to relocate to Winnipeg, great. We wish them well. But what they want now is some practical advice on starting a new life on the Prairies.
You can e-mail suggestions to me or sent letters c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, R2X 3B6.
I'll forward everything along.
My first piece of advice? Try to arrive in the summer.
And never mind what everyone says about the mosquitoes. They're not that big.
lindor.reynolds@freepress.mb.ca 
