ValleyBiz Story | “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closing of the Minitonas Fiddling Program.” announced Shirley Todosichuk, the current coordinator of the program. The announcement was made during the closing ceremony for the Minitonas Early Years School on June 8, 2018. The fiddling program was established by Peter and Christina […]

Swan Valley Co-op Media Release | Co-op is helping to build a place for everyone in Swan River, MB., with funding for the Swan River Valley Agricultural Society. The Co-op Community Spaces Program is providing $30,000 to help build an outdoor entertainment shelter at the agricultural society’s fairgrounds. The permanent structure replaces a temporary shelter […]

Submitted by: Jaci Zbirun | A big thank you to all that came out to the Down Home Tea and Bake Sale last Saturday, June 9, 2018. We had a great time trying all the freshly baked biscuits, muffins, jams and jellies!

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: Angela Mullin | On June 8-10, 2018 the Ag grounds were once again alive with Rodeo action. Youth from all over Manitoba, Eastern Saskatchewan, North Dakota & Ontario came to Swan River to compete for provincial bragging rights & a chance to represent Manitoba at Canadians in Merritt BC & Nationals in Rock […]

ValleyBiz Story | Minitonas Early Years School (MEYS) held a small farewell ceremony for the school in conjunction with their final family picnic on June 8, 2018. Approximately 75 community members attended the ceremony along with the students to bid farewell to the facility. The MEYS school will be closing and students will be joining […]

Submitted by: Sherry Martin | Swan Valley Animal Protection League’s Plant Nights, held on June 6th and 7th, 2018 at Lynn’s Plants and Things, were a big success! Everyone that attended had great fun building their planters, and the results showed such imagination and ingenuity. Lynn had a wide variety of pretty stones, fairies, miniature […]

ValleyBiz Story | On May 31, 2018 the Swan Valley School Division held the grand opening of their Trades Building, the newest addition to a growing campus that also includes the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School, Heavy Duty Shop and University College of the North Regional Centre. The new 8,400 square foot facility will support […]

Submitted by: Carla Dixon | The Association for Community Living – Swan River held their 57th Annual General Meeting at the Westwood Inn on Tuesday June 05, 2018. Approximately forty people enjoyed the luncheon which was catered by the Westwood Inn at 12 PM with the meeting beginning at 1 PM. Representatives from the Town […]

Submitted by: Cheryl Ellingson | Despite the cold, rainy weather, 20 athletes came out for all or part of the weekend from Jun 1-3, 2018 to work on their football and baseball skills. During the football on field sessions, emphasis was put on footwork, proper ball handling, and safe tackling techniques. We were able to […]

Submitted by: Lynda Parsons | After 43 years of dedicated member service, Caroline Willis spent her last day on the job doing what she has enjoyed most, serving her members, with Cake and Coffee! New and old faces, past co-workers, friends and family all stopped in to sign her guest book and wish Caroline all […]

Submitted by: Donna Burghart | The graduating class of 2018 served up burgers with a drink & ice cream for the crowd at the SVSD 50th anniversary celebration on May 31, 2018. Thanks to all who came out to support our graduates! Thanks to all who supported the Safe Grad Raffle. Congratulations to Dillon Redlick […]

Submitted by: Terri Fahrenschon | The weather cleared up just in time for the Fun Run on Sunday, June 3, 2017. Events included the 1km kids run, 5km, 10km and 1/2 marathon. Thank you to everyone that participated, spectated and volunteered.

Submitted by: Beverley Polon / Lorri-Ann Munro, SVCTC Coordinators | On May 31, 2018 the Swan Valley Inter-Agency, SV Community Mobilization and Swan Valley Communities That Care hosted their Annual General Meetings at the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Center. Pictured above, Jack Dyck presented a brief overview of the history of the Inter-Agency in this 25th […]

It was a time for reflecting on the past and looking to the future during the Swan Valley School Division (SVSD) 50th Anniversary Celebration on May 31, 2018. The celebration included access to school division information and displays as well as a selection of old yearbooks. Live entertainment and a fundraiser barbeque for the 2018 […]

Pictured above: Carol Tripp and Elyse Busch, who will be replacing Carol at the branch as the Investment Retirement Specialist Submitted by: Tracey Markin | On Thursday May 31, 2018 clients and staff of RBC celebrated and thanked Carol Tripp for providing over 40 years of financial advice to the valley. Former colleagues also stopped […]

Submitted by: Ione Anderson | The Minitonas 4-H Beef Club celebrated 63 years with the annual show and sale on Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Swan Valley Ag Grounds. Preparations for the show started last fall when members selected their projects and weights and animal identification was recorded in December. Over the feeding period […]

Submitted by: Yuliia Haletska | We had 35 participants in total. The purpose of this event was Folkfest fundraising and connection immigrants with community. Everyone brought food, everything was so delicious. We introduced ourselves. We had KeyChevrolet worker who did a draw for free oil change and accessories for car washing, one of the newcomer […]

ValleyBiz is excited to announce that on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 we made some upgrades to the free classifieds on ValleyBiz. The process is still free and easy and while some screens may look a little different, most of the steps are the still the same … just better. Our classifieds listings are now fully […]

Submitted by: Falon Cooke | The Centennial Arena buzzed with families and kids of all ages Friday, May 25, 2018 for the annual Taylor School Fun Festival. The BBQ supper concession, carnival games, and prize shopping were a constant circuit of activity. The most popular being face painting, cotton candy station, and the dunk tank. […]

Submitted by: Donna Krochak | Approximately 40 people attended the Divine Liturgy, Provody, and delicious home cooked dinner on May 19, 2018 filling the church and hall to capacity. During this 85th anniversary milestone, several people were presented with rose bowls to recognize them for their ongoing support of the Kobzar Parish. Attendees came from […]

Submitted by: Tanya Staniland | A successful camp was held on May 14, 15 and 17, 2018 for nearly 25 future and returning players! Thanks to the Community Foundation of Swan Valley for their support of this program and to our community coaches for their time and effort!!!

Submitted Story| Swan River – Rick Wowchuk, MLA for Swan River, welcomes the introduction of a bill that will establish safer hunting and sustainable wildlife management. Bill 29, the Wildlife Amendment Act (Safe Hunting and Shared Management), includes measures to regulate some practices of night hunting, particularly spotlighting, as well as to ensure the sustainability […]

Submitted by: Jaci Zbirun | We all had a lovely day at Benito Legion hall on Saturday May 12, 2018 as we celebrated Mothers day with our 2nd annual High tea! It was a wonderful turn out and everyone enjoyed the Mini Pavlovas and Dainty sandwiches along with the huge assortment on the bake table. […]

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 […]

Submitted by: Tanya Staniland | Smiles, laughter and tapping toes were found out in Lenswood at their Mothers Day Dance on Saturday night!!! Thanks to those who worked and who sent food.

Submittec by: Gloria (for the SRVHA members) Swan River Valley Health Auxiliary held their annual Strawberry Tea on May 11th, 2018. We would like to thank everyone who came out to support the SRVHA Tea. Also sold was baking, plants and 50/50 tickets. The 50/50, won by Bud Fullerton, amounted to $1,002.50 Congratulations! Besides the […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | Swan Valley HS Rodeo hosted a MB HS Rodeo this past weekend (May 11-13, 2018) and it was a huge success. The weather was perfect, the grounds were amazing, great food, spectators & competition! The weekend started with a Jackpot Barrel race! The fast time was run in the Junior […]

Submitted by: Jan Fawcett | On Sunday May 13, 2018 Bowsman United Church Quilt Group held a Mother’s Day Quilt Show at Harley House. The Heritage Home in Swan River provided a picturesque background for the beautiful quilts that were on display. The showcased quilts ranged from traditional to modern in design and varied in […]

Submitted by: Minitonas Knox United Church | Friendly faces greeted guests on May 5, 2018 as they arrived for the Minitonas Knox United Church Spring Tea on Saturday, May 5, 2018. The dessert table was filed with a variety of tasty choices and the afternoon overflowed with lively conversations. The auction table was popular with […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | Over 60 Special Olympic athletes, coaches and volunteers from the Swan Valley, Russell and Winnipegosis enjoyed an afternoon of dancing, dining and friendship at the 7th Annual Special Olympics Dance Fever on April 21, 2018 at the Elbert Chartrand Friendship Centre. $4,620 was raised in the 50/50 cash draw. Congratulations […]

Submitted by: Prairie Mountain Health | Taralynn Stephen of Swan River, MB. has been recognized by the Canadian Organization of Paramedic Regulators (COPR) for having achieved the highest score on the Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) exam in 2017. Stephen took the one-year program through the Red River College—Swan River site and was also awarded the […]

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 […]

Pictured above: Presentor, Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk, Dr. Adrian Fung, Dr. Leah Koetting and Dr. Rafiq Andani [Photos courtesy of Tommy Jones Photography] Submitted by: Prairie Mountain Health | The Manitoba College of Family Physicians (MCFP) held their 2018 MCFP Awards Banquet at the Inn at the Forks Ballroom in Winnipeg on April 20. Recipients received […]

Submitted by: Julie Harvey | The Everything Children’s Sale and More was a huge success! Approximately 200+ people came over the two days. There were 14 tables with everything ranging from children’s furniture, toys, books and clothes to housewares, decorative signs and more. Mike Jessup from Creighton was the winner of the 60/40 draw, taking […]

Pictured above: Mixed Doubles Medallists Silver – Steinbach, Gold – Swan Valley, Bronze – Vincent Massey (Winnipeg) Submitted by Craig Zamzow | On May 4-5 Vincent Massey High School in Brandon hosted the MHSAA Badminton Provincials with 32 teams qualifying in each category. Girls Singles Grade 11 student Rachel Negrave, in her second Provincials, had […]

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 Ian Kitch | Swan Valley Basketball Association hosted two basketball clinics on May 5th, 2018. Coach Gil Cheung, Tyvon Cooper, and Mikaela Stanton from the Brandon University Bobcats Basketball Program provided excellent coaching and instruction to nearly 40 players. Thanks to Brandon University and Coach Cheung for coming to Swan River.

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: Rose Kovachik, Pictures By Jessica Kovachik | It was a beautiful hot day on Sunday, April 29, 2018, when the annual Spring Supper event occurred in Cowan. After a long cold winter, everyone was anxious to get out and enjoy the company of neighbors and friends. This was noted as when the doors […]

Submitted by: St. Andrew’s United Church | St. Andrew’s United Church held a successful Spring Tea on April 21, 2018 There was lots of baking, friends, food and fellowship. Thank you to all who attended and helped in any way.

Submitted by: Mintonas 4-H Beef Club | On Saturday April 28, 2018, 55 4-H members and parents spent the day learning about the beef industry at Anderson Cattle Co. The day began with roundtable discussions on carcass quality, food safety, forage and soil options, alternative beef production, financial literacy, 4-H Beef series books, Lakeland College […]

Pictured above: Swan Valley Sport Fish Enhancement President Jeff Connolly (left) receives cheques in the amounts of $126,000 and $22,500 from Rick Wowchuk, MLA for Swan River. Submitted by: Chris Stock | Great food, prizes, and fun to be had at this year’s Swan Valley Sport Fishing banquet. Thank you to all who were able […]

Submitted by: Bev Leach | St James Anglican Church hosted its annual Spring Tea on April 28, 2018. New and familiar folks were in attendance to enjoy the lunch and the companionship. The sounds of conversation and laughter brightened an already lovely spring day. The bake table was well received by the patrons at the […]

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: Carol Tripp | Bowsman & District Lions Club held a Pancake and Sausages Brunch on Friday April 27, 2018 All proceeds will be donated to Heart & Stroke Bowsman Campaign. Heart & Stroke thanks the Club and all those who attended.

Submitted by: Lynda Parsons | On Thursday April 26, 2018 SVCU celebrated with Judy Schneider of our Benito Branch as she said goodbye to staff and new and established members alike. It was standing room only as over 100 valley residents and SVCU members gathered to share cake, coffee and 34 years of memories as […]

Pictured above: SVRSS Badminton Provincials Players Submitted by: Craig Zamzow | |The SVRSS Badminton team participated in zone play downs in Gilbert Plains on April 25, 2018 Boys Singles Jackson Kurtz went 3-0 in round robin to finish first in his pool. He won his quarterfinal match and then sadly had to play teammate Austin […]

Government of Manitoba Media Release | The Manitoba government is seeking grant applications for community development projects and initiatives, Municipal Relations Minister Jeff Wharton and Sustainable Development Minister Rochelle Squires, minister responsible for the status of women, announced April 26, 2018. “Investments in these community organizations are critical in supporting the sustainability and economic development […]