Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist More than seven squares of enthusiastic square dancers joined with the Swan Valley Hoedowners to wind up the square dance season with a fun-filled dance which was held at the Kenville Hall on Saturday, May 3, 2014. Click any picture for a larger version. Dancing began at 2:30 p.m. and continued […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | Special Olympics Manitoba Parkland Region held its 3rd Annual Dance Fever at the ACL Resource Centre on Thursday, May 1, 2014. 30 athletes, coaches and volunteers danced the evening away and over $1700 in pledges was raised. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured above: Top 5 Fundraisers L-R […]

Submitted by: Renate Wille Exhibitors: Alex Stupak, Jean Hunt, Naomi Nemez, Mary Jane Eichler, Barb L’Abbe, Wilma Barkman, Barb and Terry Filuk, Martyn Snell, Shirley Nemez and Renate Wille. The annual event was worth the drive into the countryside! Click any picture for a larger version. The show exceeded all expectations as to the art, […]

Submitted by: Marnie Waddell April 30 the Swan Valley Animal Protection League (SVAPL) held a luncheon fundraiser – just the first of many fundraisers being planned for this year. “We got off to a late start fundraising this year but this is a good start.” said Marnie Waddell, Secretary of the SVAPL. A display set […]

ValleyBiz Story | Taylor School Principal, Kevin Kopecky, was ready to make a splash during an announcement at Taylor School on Thursday, May 1, 2014 regarding the opening of the Swan Valley Credit Union Aquatic Centre. Councillor Lance Jacobson made the announcement on behalf of the Town of Swan River Mayor and Council and the […]

Submitted by: Carolle Cowan | On Thursday, April 26, 2014, parents, teachers and friends gathered to enjoy Beginner Fiddlin’ sessions with students of Mr. Desmond Legace in the Lower Hall of the Temple Baptist Church. Click any picture for a larger version. Mr. Legace accompanies his students, young boys and girls. In the afternoon and […]

Submitted by: Christine Klimuk The Dolyna Dancers held their annual year end dessert concert this Saturday April 26, 2014. The audience was treated to performances by dancers of all ages from Sodochuk to Senior. Click any picture for a larger version. There were also guest performances by the Dolyna Adult Dancers and our own instructors […]

Submitted by: Donna L D Burghart | April 25, 2014 the Bowsman Legion Hall was the venue for the 7th Annual BAM Spring Concert. The Bowsman Accomplished Musicians is the fiddle & guitar program under the Bowsman School PAC. Click any picture for a larger version. Mr. Desmond Lagace works with the students one day […]

Submitted by: Reverend Kathy Highmoor The support crew for the Hillsview hike were up early Easter morning Monday (maybe running on energy from all those chocolate eggs?) A tasty pancake breakfast was ready as hikers gathered up. Click any picture for a larger version. The hike took its first steps at 9:00 am Gord Lincoln, […]

RM of Mountian Public Notice | Birch River experienced a power outage on Saturday, April 19, 2014 plant and distribution system. One Hydro employee was on call with two other power outages reported at Thunderhill and the Woody district. Our Municipal Emergency Coordinator requested (unsuccessfully) MB Hydro reprioritize the calls. Power and water service were […]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist “Circle left, circle right, promenade, right and left grand, swing your partner, weave the ring” were just some of the moves called out as the Swan Valley Hoedowners hosted guests at their square dances April 9 & 16, 2014 Click any picture for a larger version. Several new dancers were welcomed […]

Submitted by: Maureen Bowles A record crowd was in attendance for the presentation on the Ukraine. Pastor Vlad Makyeyev gave a talk on the history of the Ukraine and the present day conditions of the country. A very interested crowd asked many questions and had a better understanding of the situation of the Ukrainian people, […]

Submitted by: Jennifer Dahl A great evening of music, information, food and fun was held Sunday, April 13th to raise funds for the Wellman Lake Bible Camp. Above: Rob Terhorst, Rod Seib and Taylor Fleming led the singing with their Blue grass band. Right: Dorleen Sagert introduced our 2014 staff. Left: Everyone enjoyed Ice cream […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk | On Saturday April 12, 2014 the Special Olympics Manitoba Parkland Region bowling teams held their Parkland Regional 5 Pin Bowling Tournament at Up Your Alley in Swan River. Two sessions were held, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Winners of the morning session were Jamie Brass 1st […]

ValleyBiz Story | This year schools across the Valley once again donned pink t-shirts to stand up and stand together against bullying. February 26, 2014 marked Pink Shirt Day and April 9, 2014 marked the International Day of Pink. Above: Some of the students from Benito School Click any picture for a larger version. Regardless […]

Submitted by: Donna L D Burghart With our highest number of participants, reaching 58, BAM Jam Camp was an inspirational 2 days. With the generosity of local sponsors, 32 of these students were able to participate through this sponsorship. Thanks go to the Bowsman Lions Club, The Swan River Lions Club, Minitonas Lions, The Royal […]

Submitted by: Henry Barkowski, Mayor, Town of Minitonas I was saddened to learn of the passing of Gay Darroch. Although she did not live in Minitonas, she has left a legacy in our community. In the fall of 2003, Gay was commissioned to painted the sunflower and the “Welcome to Minitonas” message on the rocks […]

Submitted by: Michele Poole The Swan School of Dance held their annual recital on Wednesday, March 26th, 2014 in front of a packed house, at the SVRSS. People were entertained by tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, and lyrical dances. Click any picture for a larger version. With the theme of “This Is It”….. Michele Poole […]

Swan Rive Fire Department Media Release | On March 30, 2014 at 11:07am Swan River Fire, EMS and RCMP were dispatched to a structure fire at 1419 Main Street in Swan River. Upon arrival smoke was contained to the structure. Staff had already evacuated. A successful knock down and quick overhaul limited damage to the […]

Submitted by: Laurie Evans | To promote Nutrition Month, Eat Right Dietitian Services and the Swan Valley Coop collaborated to provide three nutrition education opportunities throughout the month of March. The three events which included taste testing, grocery store tour and a label reading game were well received with over 75 grocery shoppers participating.

Submitted by: Linda Carpentier, Chris Staniland Members of Teen Challenge visited the Swan Valley on March 22 through 23, 2014. The group performed at the Friendship Centre on Saturday evening (pictured left). Teen Challenge men’s outreach group spoke to over 90 men of all ages at a men’s breakfast get together at CBF this past […]

Submitted by: Vivian Rooks Once again volunteers from the Swan River valley have come together for a successful fundraising event. Left to Right – Lesley Henkelman, Judy Storjord, Vivian Rooks and Louella Lausman Judy Storjord and Vivian Rooks coordinated volunteers to distribute 1000 bunches of daffodils throughout the valley homes and businesses to bring the […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk On Saturday March 15, 2014 Angie Ferland and Ricky Zimmer from the Swan Valley Tiger Fire Floor Hockey Team were in Dauphin for the Safeway Special Olympics Fundraising Day. From March 7th to 21st every $2 donation nets 5 air miles at Safeways across Canada. Angie, who will be traveling to […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin The Swan River Ladies Curling Club hosted their 85th Annual Bonspiel on March 14 – 16, 2014 with the theme of Wedding Crashers. Click any picture for a larger version. The 1st Event Winners go to the Dauphin Rink, Therese Deah. For the Saturday evening entertainment … The Newly Wed Game […]

Submitted by: Don Baldwin The Swan Valley Snowmobile Association hosted their 7th Annual Vintage Ride on Sunday, March 16th. There were over forty vintage sleds that attended the ride with over a hundred sleds visiting the shack including newer models. Click any picture for a larger version. The ride was approximately a 35 mile round […]

Submitted by: Corey Hurren About 600 people came to Whitefish Lake on Saturday, March 15th to see who was going to pull the winning $10 000 fish through four feet of ice when the Valley Lions held their 17th annual Billy Beal Ice Fishing Derby. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured above is […]

Written and Submitted by: Debbie Soloway On Friday March 14th, 2014 Rachel & Darwin Dancsok of Esterhazy, Saskatchewan entertained to an audience of 45-50 people by singing and playing great country gospel favorites. Click any picture for a larger version. Rachel is an award winning country gospel singer, starting at the early age of thirteen […]

Submitted by: Courtney Densen On March 11 2014 in the Bowsman Legion Hall, great food, wonderful fellowship and a little luck of the Irish was to be found at the Bowsman United Church Soup n Bun. Patrons were treated to their choice of potato or hamburger soup, a variety of bunwiches, dessert, coffee, tea and […]

Submitted by: Yoenne Ewald The Swan Valley Farmer’s Market held their Annual General Meeting on March 11th 2014. The meeting was well attended. Looking back over 2013, the market saw a number of new summer vendors offering a diverse range of products. Pictured above, the Farmers’ Market Board.(L to R, back) Fay Perrin, Shirley Leask, […]

Provincial Media Release: More than $50 Million over Next Five Years to Increase Safety, Extend Life of Busy North-south Highway: Premier Selinger SWAN RIVER—Several more road improvement projects are planned for PTH 83 in western Manitoba to improve the ride, help boost commercial truck and tourist traffic, and increase safety for travellers, Premier Greg Selinger […]

NOTICE OF DECISION March 14, 2014 By Board Order 29/14, the Public Utilities Board (Board) approved an application by Swan Valley Gas Corporation (“Swan Valley Gas”) to sell, and an application by Centra Gas Manitoba Inc. (“Centra”) to purchase, the natural gas distribution system assets of Swan Valley Gas, subject to certain conditions. The Board […]

Submitted by: Jocelyn Beehler Community Bible Fellowship Christian School (CBFCS) recently installed a traverse climbing wall in the gym. It took the work of many individuals to make it happen. Click any picture for a larger version. The CBF church helped with installation, our parent advisory council (PAC) initiated the fundraising efforts, and parents and […]

Submitted by: Melodie Smith The tournament committee would like to take a moment to say thank you to all the volunteers, players, coaches, parents, fans, referees, Hockey MB, Cargill, and all our local sponsors for the GREAT weekend! Pictures above are Silver Winners – Swan Valley Stampeders Click any picture for a larger version. Gold […]

Submitted by: Bev Lumax “Welcome to Boot Scoot’n and Ballet! From the OK Corral to Prima Ballerinas The Minitonas Figure Skating Carnival offered it all to over 200 appreciative family and friends. Pictures by Kim Leslie – click for a larger version. Head Coach Michelle Windsor and assistant Cindi Fulford coached over 30 young skaters […]

Submitted by: Linda McCullough Annual World Day of Prayer was held on March 7, 2014 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church with approximately 80 in attendance. Pictured above, coordinators Donna Leming and Linda McCullough. This years theme “Streams in the Desert” written by the women of Egypt was presented by the All Saints Ukrainian Catholic, Seventh-day […]

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 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: Tracy Boychuk The gold medal game between the Winkler Flyers and The Pas Huskies ended in a 7-2 victory for the Winkler Flyers (pictured left). The Pas Huskies Silver medal winners. Portage Terriers Bronze medal winners. Portage played the local Swan Valley Stampeders in a hard fought game with a final score of […]

Submitted by: Patti Hack The Elbow Lake SnoDrifters 18th Annual Snowmobile Derby took place as scheduled on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Click any picture for a larger version. The frigid weather (-51 with the wind chill when we woke up Saturday morning) kept many people away however, for those of us who braved the winter […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin The Swan Valley Stampeders Novice Black team went to Souris, MB for the Ultimate Hockey Championships. The kids played hard losing 1st game to Virden and a nail biter to home town Souris … Left them playing at 8 am on Sunday against Shilo… The kids rallied for the win & […]

Submitted by: Tracy Boychuk The Atom Provincials kicked off this afternoon at the Swan River Centennial Arena. The local support for this event was amazing. The Swan River Daycare (left) was in attendance for the opening game. Click any picture for a larger version. Taylor School (below) also attended to cheer on the local team. […]

ValleyBiz Story | The provincial government has announced better co-ordinated health-care services will be offered in the Swan River Valley following the purchase and redevelopment of the McKay Building in Swan River, which will become a new primary care centre. Participating in the announcement were (pictured above) Swan River MLA and Agriculture, Food and Rural […]

ValleyBiz Story | Nominated by parents, former students, teachers and administrators, former SVRSS educator, Byron Ross was presented with the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence on Tuesday, February 18, 2014. Click any picture for a larger version. The Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence honours outstanding and innovative elementary and secondary school teachers in […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk Our Swan Valley Tiger Fire Floor Hockey Team took 1st place in the Kinsmen Winnipeg Winter Games on Feb 22, 2014. Winnipeg Jets Captain Andrew Ladd (stretched out front row) also came out to support the games. Click picture for a larger version. What a great victory for our Special Olympics […]

Submitted by: Connie Beaudry The Bellsite 35th Annual Snowmobile Poker Derby, held on February 23, 2014 was a huge success. A total of $2,720.00 was given away in cash prizes. An estimated 150 sleds attending with over 200 registered drivers. Garth Scott wins 10% of prize money with 53 ghostriders ( the most ghostriders prize) […]

Submitted by: Louise Schabert The Benito Rec Centre hosted their Annual Open Bonspiel from Feb 12- Feb 16th. 29 teams entered the event with the following teams coming out on top. A big THANK YOU to all teams who competed. Above: The first Event winners of the Barrie Goodman Memorial Event were: The Hrycenko Rink: […]

ValleyBiz Story | A group of concerned citizens from Minitonas and the surrounding area met with Minitonas Town Council and Staff Sgt. Cliff McKay of the Swan River RCMP on Monday, February 10, 2014. Following an increase in vandalism and theft throughout the past summer and fall, discussion focused on what can be done to […]

Submitted Story | Swan Valley RISE and Prairie Mountain Health have been working hard to recruit physicians to the Swan Valley and their collaborative approach is starting to pay off. Swan Valley RISE announced today that two future physicians have been recruited to practice in the Swan Valley. Return of service agreements have been signed […]

Submitted by: Melodie Smith What a weekend! Seven teams battled through the Elks PeeWee AA tournament starting on Friday, February 14 and concluding on Sunday, February 16. Click any picture for a larger version. A Side Champs – Tisdale, SK B Side Champs – Swan Valley Stampeders C Side Champs – The Pas, MB Throughout […]

Submitted by: Betty MacCumber The February Minitonas Coffee house was held Saturday, February 8, 2014 at the Minitonas Hall. The coffee house was a great success with about 100 people including performers. The Minitonas Coffee House is held the second Saturday of every month from 7pm until 11pm. We welcome all the performers and singers […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk By Tara Gray This article is re-published with permission from the Swan Valley Star and Times One of two athletes who will be representing the Parkland on the Special Olympics Manitoba (SOM) 5 pin bowling team is Peter Brass, who has qualified to compete in Vancouver at the 2014 Special Olympics […]