Manitoba Government Media Release | Announced by Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart: The provincial government is providing support to help unemployed or underemployed individuals in northern Manitoba work toward certification as heavy-duty technicians, agricultural equipment technicians, and truck and transport mechanics. “Our government is helping Manitobans get the training and experience needed to access […]

Submitted by: Phyl Firesen | Approximately 35 people attended a memorial candle lighting service on December 23, 2016 to light up the Birchwood Cemetery in memory of their loved ones. As the candles were lit, names were read of the loved ones for whom each of the 75 individuals candles were purchased.

Submitted by: Bev Polon | Swan Valley Communities That Care (SVCTC) wishes to thank members of the Swan Valley Community fortheir generous donations to the Swan Valley CTC Toys 4U Toy Drive. There were donation boxes located at nine local businesses in order to collect community donations of toys and money. As well, the Swan […]

ValleyBiz Story | Swan Valley Band Booster (SVBB) is winding up its Friday night bingos at the end of the year (2016). “Band bingo has existed for over 40 years.” said SVBB Bingo Chairperson, Susan Ross.” “We would definitely like to thank all the players and volunteers who have supported us over the years.” Ross […]

Submitted by: Robin Warner | We would like to thank the Swan River community for helping so much to make our Crafty Flea Market a big success. The event was held in the Taylor School Gym on Saturday, December 10th, from 12 noon until 4pm. Click picture for a larger version. So many volunteers made […]

Submitted by: Swan Valley Christmas Cheer Board | We were able to provide 51 hampers to those in need. Students from Riverdale School helped with sorting of groceries and packing hampers. Click any picture for a larger version. The Riverdale students sang a few Christmas Carols before they left. Lion members helped with donation pick […]

Submitted by: Leila Richard | Approximately 65 people attended the Pine Creek First Nation Coffee House on December 18, 2016. Committee members along with attendees served a delicious Christmas Meal with a large variety for all to enjoy. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured right are several dancers that were eager to learn […]

Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater | Swan Valley Community Band makes a donation to the Swan Valley Christmas Cheer Board from their Silver Collection gathered at their recent Christmas Concert. Click picture for a larger version. Pictured is Cheer Board representative, Carli Ulmann, accepting from the Band’s Director, Julie Kooistra, a $150 donation. As the audience […]

Submitted by: Maureen Bowles | The Swan River Library was dressed up for the Christmas season with the FESTIVAL OF TREES event held from December 6 through December 10, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. This event is jointly sponsored by the library and the Chamber of Commerce. Sixteen trees and twenty-five gingerbread […]

Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater | On December 7, 2016, the SVRSS Cafeteria was ringing with music which included performances from the Swan Valley Community Band, Tarnished Brass Quintet, and St. Andrew’s United Church Senior and Junior Choir. Click any picture for a larger version. The Concert was attended by a enthusiastic capacity crowd. And, as […]

Prairie Mountain Health Media Release | Prairie Mountain Health is starting a ‘low-risk obstetrics program’ at Swan Valley Health Centre in Swan River. What this means is that physicians will begin to talk with expectant mothers that are around 20 weeks gestation age, about delivering in Swan River. Based on some of these timeframes, and […]

Submitted by: Craig Zamzow | On Dec 9-11, 2016 the Atom A Stampeders attended the Dauphin Atom tournament. Click picture for a larger version. Pictured above: Back Row: Comrie Quill, Eli Betcher, Brady Burghart, Jackson Badowski, Andrew Pidskalny, Maddix Eisner, Crystal Zamzow, Samantha Jo Moshenko Front Row: Tucker Thompson, Christian Hart, Owen Martyniuk, Grace Kirk, […]

Submitted by: Susan Hrycyk | There was a great turn out for the Santa Brunch in Lenswood on Sunday, December 4, 2016. Everyone enjoyed pancakes, sausage, deserts, coffee, juice and great conversation. Click any picture for a larger version. Santa arrived at 11:30 and was greeted by a number of children who waited in line […]

Submitted by: Blaine Campbell | On the weekend of December 2-4, 2016, the Swan River Novice Colts travelled to Flin Flon to compete in the Mel Pearson Invitational Novice Hockey Tournament. Pictured above: Front Row (L-R): Ashton Cochrane, Sam Lacasse Middle Row (L-R): Lily Nemetchek, Logan Gray, Nicholas Puchailo, Alex Campbell, Trace Langan Back Row […]

Submitted by: Eugenia Barker | Another Guiding Good Choices parent workshop concluded on Dec. 1, 2016. Guiding Good Choices is a five-session program that teaches parents of children ages 9-14 how to reduce the risk that their children will develop drug problems. Click any picture for a larger version. However, parents also learned how to […]

Submitted by: St Andrew’s United Church November 25, 2016 – a lovely but very busy evening in Swan Valley saw The Great Plains at St. Andrew’s United Church for the fall concert tour! Click any picture for a larger version. Saskia and Darrel sing a mix of country, and gospel and gave us a little […]

ValleyBiz Story | On December 7, 2016, GX94 made a $1,000.00 donation to the Swan Valley Food Bank. Pictured: Jake Warkentin, Swan Valley Food Bank and Tonya Cherry, GX94 Midday Host Funds were raised through the sale of the 2016 GX94 Christmas Goodies cookbook. “It is made up of recipes from GX94 listeners and 100% […]

Submitted by: Nicole Clouson | The Swan River Dolyna Dancers held their annual Old Fashioned Christmas concert on Monday December 5, 2016. As usual they performed to a packed house, a nice short and sweet show. Click any picture for a larger version. Each group got to present the crowd with what they’ve learned so […]

Submitted by: April Maxwell | Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival held its 53rd annual Carol Festival on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Temple Baptist Church. It was a full house. Click any picture for a larger version. The audience was entertained with traditional Christmas carols as well as jazzy festive numbers. The participants ranged in […]

Submitted by: Judy Kostyskyn | The Annual Swan River Constituency NDP Christmas Supper was held at the Swan Valley Museum on Saturday, December 3, 2016. Following cocktail hour, guests enjoyed a delicious roast pork supper. Click any picture for a larger version. Ron Kostyshyn acted as Emcee for the evening. Following supper, everyone was honoured […]

ValleyBiz Story | A spokesperson from the Municipality of Swan Valley West informed ValleyBiz that the attendant’s shack at the Benito Landfill had been vandalized and burned down. The burned building was discovered by the landfill attendant on Friday December 2, 2016. “It appears this has happened since the dump was last open on Monday […]

Submitted by: Beverley Polon | Swan Valley Communities That Care (SVCTC) hosted two presentations by Dr. John Walker on November 30, 2016. The subject of these presentations was Positive Parenting in Challenging Situations. Click any picture for a larger version. Over 40 people attended the very informative presentations held at the SVRSS School. Dr. John […]

Submitted Story | On behalf of Minister of Agriculture Ralph Eichler, MLA Rick Wowchuk presents a cheque for $9,500.00 to Stuart Walmsley from the Swan Valley Veterinary Board. Click picture for a larger version. The Government is pleased to provide support for the maintenance and operation of local veterinary services.

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | On Sunday, Nov 20, 2016 the Special Olympics Manitoba Parkland Region held its first Floor Hockey Skill Development Clinic at the Lt. Colonel Barker V. C. School in Dauphin. Click picture for a larger version. The Riding Mountain Rebels comprising of athletes from Winnipegosis and Dauphin and the Swan Valley […]

Submitted by: Jan Fawcett | On November 29, 2016 members of Swan River Royal Purple Elks Lodge packed pre-ordered Christmas Baking boxes. The Ladies outdid themselves this year with a beautiful and tasty selection of goodies. For the first time Christmas baking boxes will be available to purchase at the Coop grocery store: Monday, December […]

Submitted by: Craig Zamzow | On Nov. 25-27, 2016 the Swan Valley Atom “A” Stampeders hosted the Atkinson’s Sports Excellence/Pizza Place Atom Tourney. Click any picture for a larger version. Friday afternoon the tourney kicked off with the Taylor School Choir doing a great job singing O Canada, followed by our VIP Ray Atkinson (above) […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | The Swan Valley Tiger’s Bowling Team had a great Bring a Buddy Tournament on November 29, 2016 at Up Your Alley in Swan River. Seven teams played the pins and everyone had fun! Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured above (left to right): 2nd place winners, Jamie and […]

Media Release Submitted by: Swan Valley West | Earlier yesterday (November 29th [2016]) two of the more reputable media outlets in the Swan River Valley asked the Municipality of Swan Valley West if the municipal water supply in the LUD (local urban district) of Benito was safe. The answer was and is an unequivocal YES. […]

Submitted by: Heather Nielsen | It was a busy weekend for the Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce. The annual tree lighting took place Friday at 4:30 with Santa, hot dogs and hot chocolate. Click any picture for a larger version. Black Friday was a resounding success! We could not have asked for better weather to […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Public Utilities Board (Board) has approved revised water and wastewater rates effective January 1, 2017 and January 1, 2018 for the Town of Swan River (Town). Sewer rates will increase 93.09% in 2017 (from $2.75 to $5.31 per 1,000 gallons) and 39.55% in 2018 (to $7.41 per 1000 gallons). Water rates […]

ValleyBiz Story | Rumors are flying after concerns about the safety of the Benito Municipal water supply were raised over social media yesterday (November 28, 2016), citing staffing issues at the water plant. In a statement to ValleyBiz, David Minish, Media Spokesperson for the Municipality of Swan Valley West, said,”There is no concern as to […]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist | The Veterans Community Hall was the location this past weekend for a very successful production of the comedy, “Virgil and the City Slickers” by the Valley Stage Players. Click any pictures for a larger version. The production opened Friday night on November 25, 2016 to an enthusiastic audience who responded […]

Submitted by: Bev Leach | Early arrivals to the Services to Seniors Cookie Walk lined up for the 10 a.m. opening at St. James Anglican Church on Saturday, November 26, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. Board members and volunteers helped keep the lines moving as participants chose cookies to fill their boxes. […]

Submitted by: Karen Peters The Ten Thousand Villages Sale took place in Swan River on November 17 through 19, 2016. The sale featured handcrafted products made by disadvantaged artisans. Click any picture for a larger version. Many people stopped by to find some unique items, to get a start on their Christmas shopping and to […]

Submitted by: June Jamieson | The “Let’s Just Praise the Lord Sing-along” at the Seventh-day Adventist Church was held on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. The voices of the fifty attendees combined to make a wonderful choir, singing along with old-time hymns. Special selections were given by a group […]

Submitted by: Jennifer Simpson | On Sunday, November 20, 2016, St. Andrew’s United Church held their annual fall supper. A scrumptious turkey dinner was enjoyed by everyone who attended and the many who ordered their meal for delivery. Click any picture for a larger version. The huge array of desserts was exciting for everyone young […]

Submitted by: Bethany Matejka | Despite the weather getting steadily colder, things were warm and cheery in Birch River at the Family Fun Night put on by Christian Fellowship Church on Saturday, November 19, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. With multi-generational participants from Swan River, Birch River, and Mafeking, everyone had a […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Minitonas Middle Years School “We Create Change” social justice team was in Winnipeg on November 16 – 18, 2016 to attend the WE DAY event at MTS Centre on November 18, 2016. Submitted photos. The 19 students from Minitonas joined approximately 16,000 students from across Manitoba for the inspirational event intended […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley | The Community Foundation of Swan Valley (CFSV) hosted their second annual Cultural Gala on Friday November 18, 2016 at the Veterans Hall in Swan River. Click any picture for a larger view. Over 150 people attended the elegant evening that celebrated the benefit the CFSV provides to […]

Submitted by: Edgar Yacyshyn | Last Saturday, November 19, 2016, The Swan Valley Snowmobile Association had their first annual Snowmobile Show and Swap Meet. There were plenty of new and used merchandise to choose from. Click any picture for a larger version. Thanks to all the local snowmobile dealers who brought in their machines and […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | The Swan Valley Tiger Fire Floor Hockey team travelled to Portage La Prairie on November 5, 2016 to compete in the Special Olympics Manitoba Centre Ice Floor Hockey Tournament bringing home 2nd place blue ribbons. The Winnipeg Blue Devils won all three of their games to take home first. The […]

Submitted by: Brenda Fisher | Our 37th annual craft sale was held on November 4, 2016. Crafters and shoppers enjoyed an unseasonably warm day for our event. Click any picture for a larger version. The War Veteran’s Hall was abuzz with activity as people browsed through the wonderful variety of wares available for purchase. Friends […]

Submitted by: Roxie Petelski | At Patti Bresky’s 40th Birthday party held at the Westwood Inn banquet room on October 15th, 2016 she invited family and friends to attend a special event. In celebration of her 40th birthday, she decided to shave her head in honor of people fighting cancer. Click any picture for a […]

ValleyBiz Story | Swan Hills Ranch had a strong showing in the Yorkton Exhibition 2016 Havest Showdown on November 2-5, 2016, bringing home the titles of Reserve Grand Champion and Grand Champion Pen of Three Open Heifers. Photos by Peter Baron Photography Pictured above: Reserve Grand Champion Winner, Scott Tibble/Swan Hills Ranch (center) with Judge […]

Submitted by: Judy Biech | The Lenswood Community Hall was rocking to the music of Ken Thompson and Brittany Moore for the Lenswood Harvest Windup Dance on Saturday November 5, 2016. Young and old alike had a great evening dancing and socializing.

Submitted by: Austen Anderson | It was a beautiful day on November 10th when the Minitonas 4-H Beef Club gathered to host a fundraising BBQ for the Mangin family. Joe is a leader in our club and Bailey and Nolan are members. Click picture for a larger version. Over 800 burgers were sold between 11:00 […]

Submitted by: Minitonas Knox United Church | The Minitonas Hall was packed on Sunday November 6, 2016 for the fall supper put on by Minitonas Knox United Church. Click any picture for a larger version. The hearty meal included turkey, meatballs, vegetables, salads and all the trimmings followed by a delicious selection of pies for […]

Submitted by: Michelle McKenzie It was a gorgeous day on Saturday, November 5, 2016 and there was a good turnout for the Arran Rec Board Wing & Rib Night held in the Arran Gymnasium. Click any picture for a larger version. Thank you all who came out, and thanks to all the volunteers.

Submitted by: Heather Nielsen | It’s an exciting time in Swan Valley! Swan Valley RISE has been awarded a grant through the Tourism Development Fund for $17,250. The funds will be used for developing a multi-year, valley wide Tourism Development Plan. The plan will provide direction for the development and promotion of tourism sites and […]

ValleyBiz Story | We will remember them. “We remember because this peace that we enjoy today cost us too much.” said Rev. Marcel Archambault during a Remembrance Day Service on November 11, 2016 at the Veteran’s Community Hall. Click any picture for a larger version. Following the March to the cenotaph, Veternas place wreaths to […]