Pictured above: Sitting L-R: Bev Leach, Linda Mcrae, Donna Jorundson, Christina Danyluk, Karen Kosolowsky Standing 1st row: Brenda Hunt, Julie Kooistra, Glenda Horochuk, Jayne Leadbeater, Lorraine Malcolm, Kim Kosokowky, Leigh Hunt Standing 2nd : Cheryl Dahl, Stephanie Jersak, Phyl Friesen, Maureen Bowles, David Gnida, Cindy Bobick, Rick Houle, Jessica Kovacik, Brian Dormer Standing with Tuba: [...]

Submitted by: Lesley Sembaluk | The Christmas Coffee House that was put on by the Minitonas Metis Local on December 8, 2018 was a fun and entertaining evening. There was about 100 people in attendance, with performances from musicians and singers from all around the Swan Valley and beyond. Our youngest performer on the stage [...]

Submitted by: Tim Mueller | Madge Lake Bible Camp Christmas Production/ Dessert Theater was a huge success.The first performance which happened Sunday morning saw the auditorium at Community Bible Fellowship filled to 90% capacity. For the evening performance it was standing room only. A big thank you to all who attended and supported this event. [...]

Submitted by: Nicola Davies Have you ever considered inviting musicians into your living room to play a concert? Living Room Live is setting out to offer just that, connecting new and experienced hosts with classical musicians for cosy house concerts. House concerts have been around for years, and you may be surprised to learn just [...]

Pictured above: Just for Joy Singers – Back Row: Linda Fried, Melody Hunt, Margaret Nemez, Lisa Eisner, Darlene McKibben, Tobey Thiessen, Kelly Burick, Alicia Friesen, Katharina Rinsdorf, Middle Row: Lydia Neufeld, Rita Thiessen, Peggy Kalynuk, Front Row: Cheryl Dahl, Rachel Eisner, Evelyn Bredin, Missing: Grace Jersak Submitted by: Darlene McKibbon | The Just for Joy [...]

ValleyBiz Story | The Swan Valley Folk Festival took place at the curling rink on June 15 an 16, 2018. Walking into the Folk Fest was a feast for the senses. People were able to taste and smell a variety of dishes from many cultural backgrounds. Booths were decorated with traditional items from their host [...]

Submitted by: Violet Plett | The 5th Annual Barrows Gospel Jamboree was held on June 8,9,10, 2018. This seemed to be a good choice of weekend. People attending and bands thought it worked well. Of course we know that others couldn’t come because of various other events and commitments, but I’m sure that would be [...]

Submitted by: Tammy Zaretsky-Denischuk | The SVRSS Gym was filled with laughter from the audience and cackles and screams from the stages during the SVRSS Drama Production of Snow White this past weekend! This traditional fairytale was brought to life under the dedicated and creative direction of Director Michelle Baudin the very talented cast and [...]

Pictured above: 2nd/3rd Year Band Students Perform on Music Monday ValleyBiz Story | On May 7, 2018 the Swan Valley School Division (SVSD) participate in the 14th Annual Music Monday, a national event where Canadian students and industry come together to celebrate the creation of music as a community. SVSD Music Monday Mass Bands was [...]

Submitted by: Renate Wille | The Art Show at Little Woody Baptist church held on May 5, 2018 was great and many visitors enjoyed the art and visiting. We, who paint there on Mondays, are grateful to be using the venue. It is given to us freely and is in no way a fundraiser for [...]

Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater, PR & Communications | On Wednesday, 2 May 2018 in the SVRSS Cafeteria, the Swan Valley Community Band had their 24th Spring Concert, performing for over 65 people. After enjoying the Concert, everyone was treated to refreshments. With a constant membership of around 30 to 35, the Band continues to entertain, [...]

Submitted by: Nicole Clouson |The Dolyna Dancers held their final Dessert Concert on April 28, 2018. It was a great evening of entertainment put on by our dancers and their talent always impresses the crowd. The night began with the traditional Pryvit to welcome guests. Hospydar for the evening was Ed Fedorchuk and he was [...]

Pictured above: SVRSS Senior Jazz Band winner of the TD Canada Trust Trophy – Senior Band Submitted by: Darleen McKibben, Photos by Terri Eggie | The Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival held their Annual Awards Concert on April 28, 2018 at the Veterans Hall in Swan River. It was an entertaining afternoon with award winners [...]

Submitted by: Lyle Malley | A great time was had by all that attended the Elvis tribute concert on April 13, 2018 at the Birch River Legion Hall. The evening started out with a few Merle Haggard songs before Elvis took the stage. It didn’t take long for people to hit the floor and dance [...]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist | The Valley Stage Players presented three very successful performances of the audience interactive play, “Café Murder” written by Nathan Hartswick under the direction of Denis Beaudoin on April 13, 14 and 15, 2018. Friday and Saturday night performances were dinner theatres with the audience enjoying a very delicious salad and [...]

Submitted by: Violet Plett | We had a great time this week (March 26 – March 28, 2018) with 3 Gospel concerts performed in Sapotaweyak, Barrows and Wuskwi Sipihk by Kene and Milly Jackson, from Alberta. In Barrows and Indian Birch, we also had addidtional local singers. They sang during the fundraising supper in Barrows, [...]

Submitted by: Michele Poole | The Swan School of Dance held their annual recital on Wednesday March 21, 2018 in front of a full and appreciative crowd. Dance disciplines including Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop and Ballet were show cased during the evening. The show concluded with a very special number featuring our Tap Teacher, Teri [...]

Submitted by: Leigh Osatchuk | The Benito Vesselli Dance Club held their 36th Annual Concert on March 10, 2018. Family and friends, along with spectators from the community gathered in the Benito School Gym to enjoy the fantastic presentation put on by the dancers. The entire club kicked off the show with the Privyt – [...]

Submitted by: St. Andrew’s United Church | The 7th Annual Loving Hearts Supper and Entertainment was held on February 10, 2018. The Veterans Hall was decked out in red decorations and many hearts! The entertainment was wonderful and they performed for a very appreciative crowd. The roast beef supper with all the trimmings as delicious! [...]

Submitted by: Rachael Stober | The CBFCS Parent Advisory Council put on a Dessert Night/Duelling Pianos/Silent Art Auction Fundraiser on Saturday, February 10, 2018 and raised $2500 for a multi-sports pad project that will benefit the entire community of Swan River. Almost 100 people in attendance enjoyed fabulous desserts from our local Swan Valley Co-op [...]

Pictured above: Clinicians perform during the final Jazz concert. ValleyBiz Story | The Swan Valley School Division (SVSD) Band Council held their Sixth Annual SVSD Jazz Retreat and Improvisation Workshop on January 19 – 20, 2018. Students from across the Valley worked with esteemed music educator Graydon Cramer (drums) from Brandon, Kyle Wedlake (tenor saxophone) [...]

Submitted by: Dave Statkewich | The Ukrainian New Year’s Eve Supper and Dance on January 13, 2018 at the Benito Rec Centre dance was well attended despite the cold weather. Supper was preceded by some carols in English and Ukrainian. Grace was then offered by father Warren from Kamsack. We fed approximately 200 people for [...]

Submitted by: Beth Gust, Pictures and Video by Kevin Penner | Swan Valley Museum was the venue last Saturday, December 16, 2017 for a Live Nativity Event. Valley churches organized the scenes which included a marketplace manned by local vendors showing their wares and a manger scene, complete with the Biblical characters, musicians, and live [...]

Pictured above: Crowd Favorite, Solid Rock Youth Group Tree Submitted by: Maureen Bowles | The North-West Regional Library was dressed for the Christmas Season at the Festival of Trees on December 5th to the 9th, 2017. It was a very festive atmosphere with decorated trees, gingerbread Houses, Christmas music, cookies and hot apple cider. Eighteen [...]

Submitted by: June Jamieson | Celebrating Christ’s Birth Through Word & Song was the theme of the Hymn Sing at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday, December 10, 2017. More than sixty people got together to sing carols and listen to the Christmas themed presentation by various musicians from through the Swan River Valley. We [...]

Corey Grandfield with the SVRSS Varsity Hockey Team receiving a grant for hockey jerseys. Submitted Story | The Community Foundation of Swan Valley (CFSV) held their annual granting night on December 7, 2017. “We are here tonight to harvest the fruits of philanthropy in the Swan River Valley,” said CFSV Board Chair Lorne Henkelman. Since [...]

Submitted Story | The Minitonas Knox United Church held their Ladies Christmas Program on Monday, December 4, 2017. The evening included some beautiful special music by Brenna Smith on violin. The short program told the wonderful sweet Christmas story featuring various candies and Christmas Carols throughout. First, there was the “Rocky Road” travelled by Mary [...]

Submitted by: April Maxwell | The Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival Association held its 54th annual Carol Festival on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at Temple Baptist Church in Swan River. This concert takes place the first Sunday in December every year and is the only non-adjudicated festival that we organize. The program showcased a variety [...]

Submitted by: Nicole Clouson | The Swan River Dolyna Dancers put on a short and sweet presentation of what they’ve been working on so far this year. The evening was also a chance for our youngest dancers, the Sadochuk’s to get a taste of dancing in front of a crowd. These little ones are always [...]

Submitted by: Susan Hrycyk | We had a great turn out for the Lenswood Harvest Wind-up dance on Saturday Nov. 18, 2017. We had approximately 160 people attend the social with ages ranging from a few months old to 70+ years old. It is always nice to see families come out and enjoy themselves, we [...]

Submitted Story | The Community Foundation of Swan Valley (CFSV) held their third annual Cultural Gala on November 10, 2017 at the Veterans Hall in Swan River. The sold-out event was once again an evening to remember. As guests walked in the door they were surrounded by elegance in a room richly decorated in red [...]

Submitted by: Al Berkan | Lumber River Quartet from Lumberton, N.C. USA presented a concert at Temple Baptist Church in Swan River on October 8, 2017. Considering it was thanksgiving weekend, there was a good number of people out that enjoyed good southern gospel music. Their gospel songs they sang were reflective of their goal [...]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist | The Swan Valley Hoedowners square dance club have swung into a new season of dancing with two special dances. The club welcomed new dancers on September 27 and October 11, 2017 at the Swan River Senior Centre. New dancers enjoyed these two free dances in order to experience the fun [...]

Submitted by: Mark Matejka | Pictures by ValleyBiz The Swan Valley Band Directors once again joined forces to hold the SVSD’s annual Beginner Band Workshop on Sept. 29-30, 2017. This opportunity is annually offered at no cost to parents and students, thanks to the Swan Valley Band Booster Parents’ fundraising. There were about 39 beginning [...]

Submitted by: Violet Plett | The 4th Annual Barrows Gospel Jamboree was held July 14 – 16, 2017. This year we had record attendance. Friday evening and Saturday were nice and warm and sunny. Click any picture for a larger version. Sunday morning we had some rain and strong wind, so we had to move [...]

Submitted by: Kristina Kotyk | To celebrate Canada 150th Birthday on Canada Day 2017 Swan River hosted a Picnic in the Park at the Legion Park. The afternoon was packed with fun for all ages. Click any picture for a larger version. Activities included two kid’s trains (one by the Bowsman Lions’ Club and one [...]

Submitted by: Tanya Powell | National Aboriginal Day was celebrated at the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. The Celebration featured many different activities and events throughout the day. Click any picture for a larger version. The day started with a Sunrise Ceremony at 6am followed by a free Pancake Breakfast. The [...]

Submitted by: Corey Hurren | Over 100 golfers came out to play in the rain at the Friends of the Swan River Valley’s 3rd Annual Golf Bonanza “FUN”draiser which was held at the Swan River Golf & Country Club on Saturday, June 24th, 2017. Click any picture for a larger verion. If you were brave [...]

Submitted by: Bev Leach | St. James Anglican Church hosts the residents of the Personal Care Home and the Lodge at a coffee morning on the third Wednesday of each month during the warm weather. Click any picture for a larger version. The idea behind the Company’s Coming initiative is to provide a time for [...]

ValleyBiz Story | The Valley’s finest jazz students from Swan Valley Regional Secondary School (SVRSS), Ecole Swan River South School (ESRSS), Minitonas Middle Years School (MMYS) and Benito showcased their talents to a captivated audience on June 7, 2017. Click any picture for a larger version. The evening included performances by 5 individual bands along [...]

Story Submitted by: Nicole Bobick Our first Wellness Day exceeded our expectations – it was a lot of fun! The goals were to share a day with Benito School, make new friends and experience a variety of wellness activities. Above picture by Nicole Bobick Other Pictures by ValleyBiz – Click for a larger version. Students [...]

Submitted by: Edgar Yacyshyn | In the year 1930, 87 years ago the town of Durban, with a lot of community and valley supporters decided to build a community hall. Click any picture for a larger version. With volunteers back then and now the hall is still active with dances, suppers, and lot of special [...]

Submitted by: Nicole Clouson | The Swan River Dolyna Dancers celebrated their 40th Anniversary with a Zabava on May 20, 2017. Guests were treated to quite the show, starting with our own young dancers. Click any picture for a larger version. Next up was a hearty Ukrainian meal, prepared by our group, along with family [...]

Submitted by: Renate Wille Once again this year, the Little Woody Little Woody Baptist Church Art Show was a very successful and fun event. The variety, quality and love for the art and crafts could clearly be seen. Click any picture for a larger version. About 100 visitors came to view the displays, enjoy the [...]

Submitted by: Jennifer Simpson | On Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017 the SVRSS Performing Arts class had their spring concert. The students performed a wide variety of music from Shawn Mendes to High Valley and everything in between. Click any picture for a larger version. They performed 13 different songs, some with the whole group while [...]

Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater (Commuications, PR, Manager) On Monday, 1 May 2017, the Swan Valley Community Band presented their Spring Concert, “Music Monday!” In 1994, Julie Kooistra had a Dream and that Dream is now celebrating its 23rd year. Click any picture for a larger version. In all those years, there have been many musicians [...]

Submitted by: Nicole Clouson | The Dolyna Dancers performed to a full house as always on April 29, 2017. All of the dancers gave their best performance of the year and gave the audience an amazing show. Click any picture for a larger version. The senior dancers welcomed our guests with the traditional Pryvit, with [...]

Submitted by: Gwenda Wotton | Birch River Northern Neighbors Annual Jamboree was held on April 30, 2017 and was another huge success. There was lots of singing, guitar picking, violin playing, and dancing was enjoyed by everyone. Click any picture for a larger version. I even seen some JIGGIN going on in the corner. THANK [...]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | The Minitonas Fiddling Program held their 11th Annual Spring Concert on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Minitonas Early Years School Gym. Click any picture for a larger version. Music instructor, Lyneta Grenier and the students had worked very hard to prepare for the wonderful evening of music and were [...]

Submitted by: Bethany Matejka | People from around the Valley enjoyed the presentation of Carl and Brenda Ens at Christian Fellowship Church in Birch River on April 23. Carl presented his one-man drama production, “Stand in the Gap.” Click any picture for a larger version. The drama tells the story of powerful prayer warrior and [...]