Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley The Benito & District Recreation Centre Inc. received a grant for kitchen and hall upgrades. This area is used by Valley residents hosting family gatherings, community events, and other special occasions. The upgraded amenities have created a more functional, welcoming environment that will benefit the community for years […]

ValleyBiz Story | A large number of vintage vehicles made an appearance at the Chamber of Commerce parade held on Friday, July 25, 2025 as part of the kickoff to the 2025 Northwest Roundup and Exhibition. Below is a gallery of entries in all their former glory. Click any picture for a larger version.

ValleyBiz Story | There was something for everyone at the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition hosted by the Swan River Valley Agricultural Society on July 24-27, 2025. From the parade on Friday morning, fair rides, local exhibits, horse shows, the Down on the Farm petting zoo and great local food booths, there was an abundance of […]

ValleyBiz Story | On the morning of Friday July 25, 2025 rodeo weekend in Swan River kicked off with one of the largest parades in recent years. The theme of this year’s parade was “Canada: True North Strong and Free” and was fittingly led by the RCMP, Swan River Legion and Swan River Canadian Rangers […]

Submitted by Debbie Soloway. Welcome to Renwer, a quaint little town with four street lights and a population of under a dozen. Here you will find one of the last still standing old one room country schools called Fisher’s Siding. Brian Lewicki owns the property and gets the yard site prepped for the picnic day, […]

ValleyBiz Story | On Monday July 21, 2025, the Ladies Golf Club hosted their Annual Garden Walk, featuring the private gardens of community members. From expansive, perfectly manicured lawns, to water features and cozy garden sitting areas, each garden had it’s own special charm. Each detail reflected the love and care that went into the […]

Submitted by: Swan River & District Community Resource Council Inc. We are happy that 65 people took home some knowledge of this weeks Chat’s, Benito Drop in Centre and the Swan River Senior Citizen Center. They were held June25th and 26th, 2025, and all started at 10 am. Benito hosted Craig Larson with an entertaining […]

Town of Swan River Media Release | On June 19, 2025, Deputy Mayor David Moriaux proudly announced two new streets, Glen McKenzie Bay and Dick Walker Trail, to celebrate two remarkable men whose dedication and service helped shape our community. Moriaux presented these street signs to Glen McKenzie and Bob Walker, in honour of his […]

Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2025 Swan Valley Regional Secondary School June 20, 2025 Be Like a Tree: Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Celebrate your unique natural beauty. Keep Growing! Swan Valley Regional Secondary School Graduating Class of 2025 Adetola, Ayooluwa Judah Baskier, Arden […]

Submitted by: Gloria Stesenko The Benito Annual Community Garage and Sidewalk Sale was held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 with a huge amount of bargain hunters and shoppers in for the day. The community was full of activity as 38 plus sites set up their tables and displays. Businesses where very active with special sales […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley | On April 20, 2025, the Community Foundation of Swan Valley (CFSV) held their 6th Annual Spring Grant presentation and information night at the Swan Valley Museum Hall. The audience was greeted with a special guest performance by talented local vocalists Harper Dahl, and Terri Boyd. Over $89,000 […]

Pictured above: Cindy Ghostkeeper-Whitehead from James Smith Reserve in SK. All those who were able to attend the Jamboree were blessed. The crowd was smaller than usual, but we heard some reports of people not being able to attend because of the smoke. Maybe this also kept others away that we have not heard of. […]

Submitted by: Glenda Foster | The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #39 hosted a supper for Fire Evacuees and Host families on June 6, 2025. We had an overwhelming response to our supper and fed approximately 260! We would like to recognize and thank the following sponsors of our event – we cannot thank our community […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley Swan Valley Youth Soccer received a grant for portable team bench shelters. This project helps to keep the youth out of the elements (rain or shine) and gives them a safe space to store belongings. The Community Foundation of Swan Valley is happy to support youth recreation in […]

Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater On Wednesday, the 14 May 2025, the SVRSS CAFETERIA had an audience of almost 100 people enjoying the performances of the Swan Valley Community Band and guests, the Swan Valley School Division’s Tour Band. This group is comprised of Grade 8-12 Band students from ESRSS, SVRSS, and Minitonas School. Because our […]

Submitted by: Gloria Stesenko The Mother’s Day Quilt Show and Garden Tea held in Benito on May 10, 2025 was a huge success. People’s choice award for an entered quilt was sponsored by the Empty Bobbin: Quilt and Fabric Shop. The first prize winner was Joan Mohr and Second prize winner was Sonja Frampton. Thank […]

Town of Swan River Media Release May 13, 2025 Swan River, Manitoba – Mayor Lance Jacobson today announced the immediate resignation of Councillor Tracy Boychuk from the Town of Swan River Council. Elected in 2022, Councillor Boychuk was serving her first term on Council. During her time in office, she was the chair of the […]

Submitted by: Carla Werbicki Bowsman School hosted its annual Mother’s Day Breakfast, and it was such a joy to see so many families come out to celebrate together. The event was filled with smiles, laughter, and appreciation for all the amazing moms and mother figures in our students’ lives. Guests enjoyed a delicious breakfast, a […]

Submitted by: Renate Wille The Little Woody Art Show held May 3, 2025 was a success. Like every year we had a good number of people coming out to enjoy the art and the fellowship time over coffee and good food. The exhibitors were: Naomi Nemez Wilma Barkman Barb and Terry Filuk Melodie Hunt Julie […]

Submitted We are very grateful to the 44 people who attended the Coffee and A Chat this month, sessions were at the Northern Neighbors Birch River Drop In Center, and the Swan River Senior Citizen Center. They were held April 22-24, 2025, and all started at 10 am. This month’s presenters and topics were Canada […]

Submitted by Phyllis Friesen | The Swan Valley Community Choir held their spring concert on April 24, 2025 at the St Andrews United Church in Swan River. The evening included a guest performance by the Benito School. Following the concert, attendees visited over coffee and dainties.

Submitted by: Kari Goethe The 3rd annual 2025 “Where’s Waldo?” event hosted by the Swan River Curling Club on April 26, 2025 was another successful fundraising event for the Swan River Community Center. The event welcomed participants of all ages and backgrounds, with teams made up of co-workers, families, and groups of friends. People of […]

Submitted by: Savanna McKay | The Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers held their annual year end concert on April 12, 2025 at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School gymnasium. There was a great turn-out of family, friends and community members to enjoy the impressive display of athleticism, choreography and culture. The event began with the procession of […]

Submitted by: Swan Valley Cheetahs Gymnastics club Gymnastics Provincials 2025 hosted by Swan Valley Cheetahs was a success! Gymnasts from all over the province came to Swan River to compete. The weekend closed off with an invitational showcasing our gymnasts who were not eligible to compete. A big thank you to all our hard-working volunteers! […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley The Town of Swan River Recreation Department received a grant to purchase skating aids. These new aids make it easier for beginners to gain confidence on the ice and enjoy skating safely. By removing barriers to participation, this project encourages more people to stay active. The Community Foundation […]

April 15, 2025 Press Release: 2025/2026 Swan Valley School Division Budget Over the past several years, Swan Valley School Division has been growing in terms of programming. This growth has been focused on providing a wide variety of programming for our children. An important consideration as it relates to programming decisions is funding. The Division […]

Prov of MB Media Release The Manitoba government is strengthening emergency care across rural and northern Manitoba through the introduction of advanced care paramedics (ACPs) throughout the province, announced Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “We’re expanding the scope of paramedicine in the province, starting with clinical service leaders stationed in communities throughout […]

Submitted by: Donna Leming Sunday afternoon, April 6, 2025 was a blessing to all who attended the Seventh-day Adventist Spring Hymn Sing. The program featured hymns authored by Isaac Watts. He authored over 600 hymns with the first one paraphrasing Rev. 5:6-10 and his first children’s hymn was “I Sing The Power Of The Mighty […]

Submitted by: Scott Tibble On March 22, 2025, Yamaha enthusiast from as far away as British Columbia to as far east as Ontario gathered at Duck Mountain Lodge to celebrate 57 years of Yamaha snowmobiles. Free lunch, Yamaha swag and limited edition T-shirts for the event were offered in the final ride hosted by Yamaha […]

FRONT: Referee in Chief Kolton Leslie SECOND: Jarrett Gingras, Faron Cook, Terry Fullerton, Mark Munroe, Pat Morden, Randy Mateika, Doug Sagert, Lyle Eggie BACK: Henry Barkowski, David Eggie, Rodney Redhead,Marc Kunjumpa, Carl Giesbrecht, Stephen Natyna, Dennis Kalynuk, Blair Mosiondz, Eldon Hart, James Waldner, Steve Windsor, Glenn Nichiporuk MISSING: Faron Genaille, Calvin Campeau, Chris Cook, Jerry […]

Submitted by: Alyssa Pitura The 94th annual women’s bonspiel, hosted by the Swan River Curling Club, took place March 14-16, 2025. Twenty four teams participated in the event. 1st Event – Sponsored by Rogers WINNERS (Pictured Above) Kate Patterson, Calli Goethe, Lexie Leadbeater, Bailey Mangin/Mac Moore RUNNERS-UP Kari Goethe, Charlene Fothergill, Kristy Ashcroft, Caitlynd Sutherland […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley The Benito School (SVSD) received a grant for their strings music program to purchase instruments. The Community Foundation of Swan Valley is happy to support this project, helping provide students with more opportunities to develop their musical skills and passion. The Community Foundation of Swan Valley is a […]

A friendly reminder from ValleyBiz that Daylight Savings Time begins tonight. The official time to set your clocks ahead 1 hour is: 2:00 am Sunday, March 9, 2025 Set your clock to: 3:00 am Each year, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

Submitted by: Beverly Ajtay, Events Director We could not have asked for a better day for our Western Manitoba Sled for Eternity Ride in Swan Valley on Saturday, February 22, 2025. Mild temperatures and sunny, blue skies brought out many walk up registrations that morning, and we had 63 riders on the trails. Our route […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley The Swan River Community Centre Inc., received a grant for curling rock repairs. Reprofiling the strike band on curling rocks prolongs the life of the rocks, reducing the need for replacements. The CFSV is happy to support this project that provides recreational opportunities to our community. The Community […]

Submitted by: Andrea Keller The Benito Rec Centre 16th Annual mixed bonspiel was held February 12-16, 2025. We were pleased to host 26 teams from the Swan Valley & Saskatchewan! Wednesday evening the spiel kicked off with a 7pm & 9pm draw. Thursday evening meat draw drew in a crowd! Although the weather was cold, […]

Submitted by: Connie Beaudry, Resource Coordinator 36 people attended the Coffee and A Chat this month, sessions were at the Northern Neighbors Birch River Drop In Center, and the Swan River Senior Citizen Center. They were held January 28th, & 30th 2025, and all started at 10 am. This month’s topics were Addictions and Strive […]

Prairie Mountain Health Media Release | Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) is partnering with the Swan Valley Medical Professional Recruitment and Retention Committee (SVMPRRC) to host an additional medical student rural interest group (RIG) workshop in Swan River February 7-9, 2024. The weekend event will feature 19 first and second-year medical students from the University of […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley The Bowsman Community Skating Arena received a grant for arena upgrades. With these funds, the Arena was able to replace kitchen appliances, and lighting that improved the arena’s energy efficiency, as well as get repairs done on the arena’s zamboni. The Community Foundation of Swan Valley is happy […]

Submitted by: Tracy Mychalchuk Benito Vesselli Dance Club hosted their second annual Malanka Event on Saturday January 11th, 2025. Guests were greeted by Vesselli Senior Dancers as they entered for cocktail hour. A delicious and filling supper with Vesselli’s deep fried perogies, cabbage rolls, meatballs, roast pork, dessert and more was catered by H&M Catering. […]

Submitted by Anna Fullerton | We held our 8th annual supper on December 25th, 2024 at the Elks Hall with 75 guests attending and a further 6 take outs. Every year the event is a little different with some new faces – guests and volunteers. Some guests and helpers attend every year since we began […]

Submitted by: Rev Margaret McCallum After over one hundred years Benito and Kenville United Churches celebrated their final candlelight Christmas Eve Services on December 24, 2024. The churches will continue with Sunday morning Services on the second and fourth Sunday of the month with the Closing Services on June 22, 2025.

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley North Mountain Riders (RM Mountain) received a grant for a warm-up shelter at the Bellsite Lookout. This project encourages outdoor recreation and provides a safe community space to rest and connect. The Community Foundation of Swan Valley is happy to support this addition to our community. The Community […]

Submitted by Jayne Leadbeater (PR/Communications/Secretary) The 31st Christmas Concert of the Swan Valley Community Band was once again at the facilities of the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School on Wednesday 11 December 2024. Under the direction of Julie Kooistra, also a former Music Director for the Swan Valley School Division and founder of this group, […]

Submitted by: Amy Hofford The Bowsman Community Skating Arena hosted a Community Christmas Party on December 20, 2024. Santa made a special appearance to hand out treat bags to all the kids in attendance. The Arena was packed from start to finish with residents from across the Valley showing up for a night of family […]

Submitted by: Swan Valley Funeral Services | Swan Valley Funeral Services held their annual Angels Among Us Memorial Service at the Veteran’s Community Hall on December 4, 2024, celebrating and remembering the lives of those lost over the past year. The evening was well attended with Kathy Highmoor giving a message and the Swan River […]

Province of Manitoba Media Release | As Manitobans head into the holiday season, they will be able to enjoy a number of improved walking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails through grant funding for 12 organizations across the province, Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt announced December 16, 2024. “Winter activities are vital to […]

Submitted by: Candace Balbo | Mistletoe Magic – brought to you by the Swan Valley Historical Museum. The Magic was real!!! Our Mistletoe Opening Night Celebration on December 7th was simply wonderful. Excellent mild weather perfect for making snowballs, beautiful lights (including a bonus mystery car), a lovely team of horses & expert handlers, patient […]

Submitted by: Connie Beaudry Community Resource Coordinator, Services to Seniors Swan River Coffee and A Chat, sessions were at the Northern Neighbors Birch River Drop In Center, Benito Drop in Center, and the Swan River Senior Citizen Center. They were held November 26,27 & 28th 2024, and all started at 10 am. This month’s topics […]