Submitted by: Jean Baskier | A large crowd gathered for coffee and a visit in the hall at the St. James Anglican Church on Saturday April 30, 2016 for the spring tea and bake sale. Click any picture for a larger version.

Submitted by: Nicole Clouson | The Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers performed to a packed house for the annual year-end Dessert Concert on April 30, 2016. Photos by Christine Klimuk. Click any picture for a larger version. The entertainment was top notch and included dances from various regions such as Poltava, Hutzul, Bukovanian, Transcarpatian and Polissia. The […]

Submitted by: Gwenda Wotton | Birch River Northern Neighbors hosted their 27 the annual Western Jamboree on April 30, 2016. About 20 participants took part. Click any picture for a larger version. Singing,Harmonica and Guitar playing was enjoyed by all that came out to enjoy the evening. Lots of good toe tapping music to dance […]

Submitted by: Kevin Kirkpatrick | We had a very successful Soup and Sandwich with over 300 people packing the Elk’s hall. We were able to raise over $1500.00 dollars for our trip. Photos by Rob McDonald Photography. Click any picture for a larger version. The Banff Geo class of 2016 would like to thank all […]

Submitted by: Sherry Martin | Swan Valley Animal Protection League enjoyed a great crowd and a very successful Soup and Bun Luncheon on April 27, 2016 at the Elk’s Hall. Click any picture for a larger version. The homemade soup smelled and tasted fabulous! There was a huge array of yummy desserts. Folks had a […]

Submitted by: Evelyn Bredin | The Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival Association encourages artistic growth and appreciation of the arts in the Swan River Valley. Click any picture for a larger version. It provides a public platform, in a supportive atmosphere, for artists at any level and age, assisting in their development through an adjudication […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | Morgan Staniland and Otis!!! Morgan would like to invite you to come out to the Swan Valley 4H Beef Show & Sale on May 28, 2016. Show starts at 10am, bring a lawn chair & plan to have lunch. Sale follows the show in the afternoon. Join in the Auction, […]

Submitted by: Bethany Matejka | Christian Fellowship Church hosted the Ignite vocal ensemble group from Steinbach Bible College on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. The group of 10 students and 2 staff members had a great evening planned. Click any picture for a larger version. There was lots of musical numbers, some sharing about their college […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | There was some great bowling this on Saturday April 23, 2016 at Up Your Alley Bowling Lanes in Swan River. 32 Special Olympic bowlers from Swan River, Russell and Winnipegosis hit the floor for the Parkland Region Bowling Tournament. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured above: Top 3 […]

Submitted by: Brenna Smith | Bowsman United Church and Minitonas Knox United Church held two performances on April 23 and 24, 2016 of the Cantata “Come To the Table” at the Bowsman Legion Hall and Knox United Church. Click any picture for a larger version. A great message was received by many about going forth […]

Submitted by: Cowan Community Ladies | On Sunday, April 24, 2016, a flock of people enjoyed a delicious supper at the Cowan Community Centre hosted by the Cowan Community Ladies. Pictured above: Just a few of the many volunteers. Click picture for a larger version. Doors opened at 4:30pm and within minutes the hall was […]

Submitted by: Bethany Matejka | Christian Fellowship Church hosted Family Fun Night on Saturday April 23, 2016. Families came out to enjoy the games, snacks, and visiting and everyone had fun! Click any picture for a larger version. Watch for our next Family Fun Night in Birch River this fall!

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | Five Special Olympic Parkland Region athletes took part in the 2016 Kinsmen Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Max Bell Centre in Winnipeg on April 16th 2016. Click picture for a larger version. The athletes have been training hard and were pleased with how well they did at the […]

ValleyBiz Story | Sally Yunick was the recent recipient of a Community Futures Parkland Volunteer Award in recognition of her volunteering spirit within the community. Click picture for a larger version. The award was presented at the Benito and Area Drop In Centre on April 21, 2016 by Tom Barnett from Community Futures Parkland in […]

Submitted by: Jessica Bergen | Greg Wood is a children’s speaker & illusionist from Winnipeg. He performed many slight-of-hand magic tricks and illusions for nearly 70 children and adults on Friday, April 22 at Temple Baptist Church. Click any picture for a larger version. He has worked in 10 countries bringing joy and the message […]

Submitted by: Rebecca Popoff | Tornado hunter Chris Chittick blew through Swan River on Thursday, April 21, 2016 with a presentation at Ecole Swan River South School and a meet and greet event at Formo Motors Ltd! We are excited to report that the educational afternoon and evening BBQ was a huge success! Formo Motors […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | My name is Carnell Grandfield. This is my steer Buddy. He is a Simmental. This is my fourth year in 4-H Beef. I have raised a AAA beef steer every year. Come and see me and my animal at the show on May 28, 2016 at Valley Livestock.

Submitted by: June McKenzie | The Saturday Brunch Book Club is collecting new and gently used books to be distributed to Swan Valley children & youth who may benefit from the program. The books are being collected to honour the memory of our friend, Carol Hunter. Drop­boxes for book donations will be available from April […]

Submitted by: Maria Kent | The Valley was in for a treat this year at the The Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival’s Visual Arts Exhibition, which was held from April 12-15, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. Valley residents displayed their work in categories like Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, and Photography. The end result […]

Submitted by: Beth Gust | Approximately 60 women enjoyed “It is Well”- a one day interdenominational conference sponsored by Women of the Valley. The event was held at Community Bible Fellowship on April 16, 2016. Several speakers, fellowship and times of music and singing were highlights of the day.

2016 MB PROVINCIAL ELECTION RESULTS PC Candidate Rick Wowchuk has been elected as the new MLA for the Swan River Constituency. Wowchuk will join Progressive Conservative leader Brian Pallister in the new Manitoba PC majority government. Provincially, the PC Party won 40 out of 57 seats, the NDP kept 14 and the Liberals took 3. […]

Submitted by: April Maxwell | Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival Association held the Speech Arts & Music Festivals at Temple Baptist Church on April 13 – 15, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. Elizabeth Rotoff from Winnipeg was the adjudicator and it was a pleasure working with this very talented woman. Congratulations to […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | This is Egan Finlay with his 4H Beef project, Tom. Egan invites you come to Valley Livestock on May 28, 2016 watch the show, have some lunch & join in the auction. Come out on May 28th and support the Future Farmers of the Valley. Egan raised the Grand Champion […]

Submitted by: Tracy Maksymchuk | Two successful registration nights for Swan Valley Youth Soccer were held April 5 and 12, 2016 at the Centennial Arena. There are approximately 225 soccer players registered. Click any picture for a larger version. The players range in age from our Timbit Beginners who are turning 5 this year, to […]

Submitted by: David Ogram | The final Information Meeting for the Full Plate Living – Better Health & Weight Loss Program was held at the Swan Valley Health Centre on the evening of Wednesday, April 13, 2016. To date 12 people have signed up for the program. There are still a few more days left […]

Submitted by; Tanya Powell | The Minor Hockey Awards Night held at the Friendship Centre on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 was a success with over 300 in attendance. Click any picture for a larger version. Mark Simpson was our MC and Darren Webster was our guest speaker. Local Stampeders also attended. Many Thanks to the […]

Submitted by: Minitonas Knox United Church | Many people braved the snowy return of winter to attend the Minitonas Knox United Spring Tea on Saturday, April 9, 2016. The tea was, by all measures, a great success. Click any picture for a larger version. As people entered the basement of the church they were greeted […]

Submitted by: Michelle Buck | The Blue Sky Team Penning Club held their Annual General Meeting on March 18, 2016 at the home of Stan and Sharon Foster, Benito, MB. File photo. Click for a larger version. Here are the AGM highlights: 1. Membership fees will remain unchanged at $80/person for the season or $15/day […]

Submitted Story: The Sons of the Pioneers rode in to the town of Swan River this afternoon leaving behind a clean tire trail on the snow covered mountain highway. We had all travelled north, leaving from Brandon after an early breakfast this morning! Pictures by Lana Graham | Click any picture for a larger version. […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | This is Garth! Liam McArthur’s 4h steer project. Liam would like to invite you to the Swan Valley 4H Beef Show and Sale on May 28, 2016 at Valley Livestock. The show starts at 10 am, bring a lawn chair & have some lunch. Afternoon will be Steer show, and […]

ValleyBiz Story | Progressive Conservative Leader Brian Pallister met with party supporters at the Westwood Inn on Saturday April 9, 2016, one day after the release of his party’s full platform along with cost and savings estimates. Click any picture for a larger version. The platform costing document outlines $117 million in election promises, offset […]

Submitted by: St. Andrew’s United Church | THE GREAT PLAINS CONCERT by Saskia and Darrel Delaronde held at St. Andrew’s United Church on Sunday April 3, 2016 was attended by 188 folks from around the valley! Click any picture for a larger version. What a wonderful night of music by these talented musicians! They share […]

ValleyBiz Story | On Saturday, April 2, 2016 NDP Leader Greg Selinger announced that Today’s NDP will build a new, stand-alone construction shops building at Swan Valley Regional Secondary School (SVRSS). Click any picture for a larger version. “By building state-of-the-art training facilities in schools, young people can learn the skills they need to get […]

Submitted by: Kim Pierce | A soup and sandwich medical benefit was held in Benito on April 3, 2016 for Alyx Zbirun, daughter of Byron and Cheryle Zbirun. We served 215 people, the atmosphere at the Legion hall was great even though the weather wasn’t. Click any picture for a larger version. Thank you to […]

Submitted by: Gary Slack | Results from the Swan River Men’s bonspiel that was held on March 25-27 2016. The winner of the SV Co-op/ SV Credit Union sponsored first event was Carter Watkins rink. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured Above: (R to L) Presenting Kelly Tibble, Carter Watkins (skip), Brad VanAchte […]

Submitted by: Myrna Zinkiew | 110 people attended an early morning Easter Service held on the river bank of Walter and Myrna Zinkiew on Sunday April 27, 2016. The weather was good, a little cool but no wind. Click any picture for a larger version. The Easter drama included the scene of 3 crosses: the […]

Submitted by: Re-Elect Ron Kostyshyn Campaign | Good friends and great snacks were on hand to wish Ron Kostyshyn well at his office opening this Easter weekend. Click any picture for a larger version. And once the many door prizes were handed out and all had something sweet in hand the official program was brought […]

Submitted by: Jen Patterson | A Guiding Good Choices parent workshop concluded on March 21, 2016. In this program, parents and caregivers learned how to strengthen family bonds, set a clear family position on drugs, teach children skills they need to make healthy choices and increase children’s involvement in the family. Participation in this parenting […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | On Tuesday, March 15, 2016 the Swan Valley Tigers’ Special Olympics 5-Pin Bowling Team played host to members of the Swan Valley Stampeders at Up Your Alley. Click picture for a larger version. Pictured Above: Top L-R: Allison Landels, Josh Martin, Skylar Blosha, Blake Jameson, Daylon Creasy, Evan Last, Josh […]

Submitted by: Michele Poole | The Swan School of Dance held their 24th annual dance recital on Monday, March 22, 2016. A large crowd was entertained by students showing off their hard work and talent in Tap, Street Jazz, Hip Hop, Lyrical and Ballet. Photos by Jennifer Paige Photography Click any picture for a larger […]

Submitted by June Jamieson | A good crowd came together at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday evening, March 20, 2016 for its annual Hymn Sing. Click any picture for a larger version. The opportunity to sing together and to listen to special selections performed by some of the guests was enjoyed by all. Pastor […]

Submitted by: Rhonda Mykula | The Flin Flon Flinty’s, Grand Plains Gymcats, and the Neepawa Novas and the Birtle Prairie View Ariels joined the Swan Valley Cheetahs for a very successful meet on Saturday, March 19, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. The Showcase on Sunday March 20, 2016 was very well attended […]

Submitted by: (a deliriously tired & sore) Chris Chmelowski | There was no grey area…it was all ‘black & white’ for the 2016 Swan River Ladies Curling bonspiel, held this past weekend on March 18, 19 and 20, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. The games began at 5:30 on Friday night and […]

Submitted by: Corey Hurren | The 2016 Billy Beal Ice Fishing Derby was held on Saturday, March 19th at Whitefish Lake. 525 people came out to enjoy the beautiful weather and another great day of ice fishing at the 19th annual Billy Beal derby. Click any picture for a larger version. The event is an […]

Submitted by: Mike Yablonski Exciting News!!! Donations are coming in and soon we will be able to start the paperwork and planning phase with the Mennonite Central Committee for our first family. Government, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and local organizations select refugees who are unable to return home and are unable to […]

Submitted by: Craig Zamzow | The North Division champion Swan Valley Atom Broncos faced the West Division champion Russell Rams in game one of the Parkissimo League Finals on March 15, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured Above: Team Photo: Far Back: Liam McArthur Back Row: Henry Branconnier, Crystal Zamzow, Bailey Hunt, […]

Submitted by: Vivian Rooks | Once again volunteers from the Swan River Valley have come together for a successful fundraising event on March 15 and 16, 2016. Click picture for a larger version. Volunteers braved the aftermath of a few inches of snow and distributed 900 bunches of daffodils throughout the valley to homes and […]

Submittedy by: Kay Markle | Service to Seniors, along with Community Futures, hosted a Frauds & Scams presentation they hosted on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at the Elks Hall. Click any picture for a larger version. Presenters were Carol Tripp, Manager Joe Synk and Trish Gray from the Royal Bank and Constable Cole Plaetinck from […]

Submitted by: Jessica Lacasse | On March 7, 2016 Swan Valley students in grade 7-12 along with their parents a presentation that offered great information on the media coined term “sexting”. The information night was presented by the Swan Valley School Division, in partnership with the RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit, Swan Valley Communities that […]

Submitted by: Denise Sigurdson | On Friday, March 11, 2016 the Birch River Skating Club presented their end of season carnival with a Theme of Around the World. Thank you to all who supported the Birch River Carnival. Click any picture for a larger version.