By Mayor Ken Waddell Town of Neepawa | Republished with permission from The Neepawa Press Original print date May 9, 2012 Over the past several months, the Town of Neepawa has been dealing with a difficult legal situation. In 2011, radio station CJ97, which is operated by Mr. Bill Gade of Swan River, Man., began […]

ValleyBiz Story | What do you call 600 people, 475 pounds of walleye fillets, piles of hors d’oeuvres, raffles, games and a 290 pound pig? The 26th Annual Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement Banquet! Click any picture for a larger version. Warning: This story may make you hungry. The banquet took place on Saturday, May […]

ValleyBiz Story | When she heard that the Brunel’s home had been destroyed by fire amid their young son’s fight against leukemia, Brittaney Vandepoele’s response to her mother was, “We have to do something.” Click any picture for a larger version. The next day when she returned from school, she showed her mother a poster […]

PRHA Media Release | The Parkland Regional Health Authority (PRHA) continues to make strides in ongoing physician recruitment efforts. The PRHA has successfully recruited another International Medical Graduate (IMG) to the community of Swan River. The new physician, Dr. Sam Mikhaiel, is just finalizing his provincial assessment and medical licensure requirements and should be in […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Little Woody Art Group held their annual end of season art show on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Over 70 people enjoyed the opportunity to appreciate some local artwork and share a cup of tea with the artists. Artists Renate Wille and Naomi Nemez Click any picture for a larger version. Members […]

Submitted by: Kathleen Markle | On April 12, 2012 the Royal Bank and Swan River Lifeline organized and hosted a Volunteer Day at the Anglican Church. Florence Gray participates in a distress demo. The 85 people in attendance received information and saw demonstrations of the Swan River Lifeline Program and then enjoyed visiting over lunch. […]

Submitted by: Evelyn Bredin | On Thursday, April 26th, several Grade 5 & 6 students from the Swan River Valley met in the St. Andrews United Church to participate in the annual Spelling Bee, hosted by the Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival Association. The Grade 6 students participating in the Spelling Bee. Grade 5 spellers […]

Submitted by: Marilyn Atkinson On Saturday, April 28, 2012 Chris Delaurier and Carlie Rondeau started their pre-wedding fun during their social that night. The hall was filled with friends and family from all over Manitoba as well as supporting friends from the valley. Thank you to everyone who helped with the shower & the social. […]

Submitted by: Nancy McLennan The finale of the 2011-2012 Home Routes House Concert series went well. Attendance was thirty, precisely the size of crowd Home Routes hopes we will achieve, enough so the artists can pay their expenses and earn a bit on this tour. Harley House was the perfect venue, as always. It can […]

Submitted by: Jocelyn Beehler | Students and staff at CBFCS were blessed with musical expertise from several local, valley musicians on April 24th and 25th. Rita Thiessen (new to the valley) and Heidi Honke (Geloa) worked specifically with our JK to Gr.4 students. Martin Snell and Kendra Thiessen (new to the valley) worked with the […]

ValleyBiz Story | On the morning of April 1, 2012 Bill Gade, owner and radio personality of CJSB / CJ104 radio put the lives of Swan Valley residents at risk with a news update that broadcast inaccurate information on air multiple times throughout the morning. Gade reported that the Swan River Hospital would only be […]

Province of Manitoba Media Release: April 27, 2012, SWAN RIVER The province will invest in more upgrades and repairs to key roads and bridges in the Swan River region this year while continuing to repair flood-damaged infrastructure, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today. “Over the last several years, our Highway Renewal Plan has produced record […]

The Parkland Regional Health Authority advises that due to qualified physician resource shortages at the Swan Valley Health Centre there will be no maternity services available during the following time period: Effective Friday, April 27th until Friday, June 1st at 7 a.m. Patients requiring obstetrical services during this period of time will be referred to […]

Submitted by: Shasta Scott The Swan Valley Chapter of The Compassionate Friends held a public information session on April 19, 2012 Pictured here are: Bob Lewis – Advisory Board member, Tara Fahrenschon – Chapter Leader, Shasta Scott – Treasurer, Kathy Highmoor (back) – Advisory Board member and Erin Clouson. The Compassionate Friends is an international, […]

Sears in Swan River has accepted the 2012 Swan Valley Host Society challenge to support Games Wear Day of the Week by purchasing Games Wear uniforms for their staff and having their staff dress in Games Wear each Friday. Photo Courtesy: 2012 Swan Valley Host Society Click for a larger version. Games wear may be […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Swan Valley Cheetahs Gymnastics held their annual demo night April 19, 2012 giving the gymnasts the opportunity to demonstrate their skills for parents, grandparents, family and friends. Click any picture for a larger version. At the Kindergym level basic skills are taught as class dynamics are learned. The display highlighted the […]

Submitted by: Willetta Hoffman | The Lutheran Collegiate Bible Institute from Outlook Saskatchewan presented a concert at Trinity Lutheran Church on Friday, April 13. The concert was made up of a mixture of classical and modern songs, and included a mini-miracle based on Jonah and the Whale. The audience appreciated the music and the quality […]

Merv’s Audiotronic in Swan River has accepted the 2012 Swan Valley Host Society challenge to support Games Wear Day of the Week by purchasing Games Wear uniforms for their staff and having their staff dress in Games Wear each Friday. Photo Courtesy: 2012 Swan Valley Host Society Click for a larger version. Games wear may […]

Province of Manitoba Media Release April 12, 2012 | A new food-processing centre is part of a one‑year pilot project that will provide entrepreneurs from northern communities with the opportunity to test and develop food products for commercial markets, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced at the opening of the facility here […]

Submitted by: Lana Edmunds Nearly 90 people were involved with the Hillsview Hike on a windy Monday April 9, 2012. Nearly 90 different stories unfolded as the day progressed. Pictures submitted by Courtney Densen, Lloyd Gilchrist and Gale Wagner. Click any picture for a larger version. To Kathy Highmoor, the day signified a coming together […]

Submitted by Wayne Grier | The Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce held their Annual General Meeting April 4, 2012. It was a great evening with approximately 50 people in attendance, highlighted by Guest Speaker Kathy Fisher and her presentation on Leadership! It was a profound message, one that every Valley resident would have had a […]

Dauphin- Manitoba Health Minister Theresa Oswald has appointed new members to the Board of Directors of the Parkland Regional Health Authority (PRHA). New appointments include Coenraad Fourie of Grandview, Diane Ironstand of Shortdale, and Gwynn Ketel of Pine River. Two previous members have been reappointed for a second, three-year term. They include Monica Black (Bowsman) […]

Hillsview Hike Submitted by: Kathy Highmoor “One more step along the world I go” – Sydney Carter On Easter Monday, April 9, 2007, I laced up my runners, walked out our lane and proceeded to walk the country block (4 miles) This was the first day of what was to be a 90-day Sabbtical. One […]

Swan Valley RISE Media Release: March 30, 2012 Stakeholders from the Swan Valley recently met to discuss local efforts to improve access to medical services within the Valley. The initial meeting took place on March 15, 2012 with representatives from the Swan Valley Health Facilities Foundation, Swan Valley (G7) Medical Services Committee, Parkland Regional Health […]

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF OBSTETRICAL (MATERNITY) SERVICES AT SWAN VALLEY HEALTH CENTRE Attention Swan River Valley area residents: The Parkland Regional Health Authority advises that due to qualified physician resource shortages at the Swan Valley Health Centre there will be no maternity services available during the following time period: Tuesday, April 3rd at 7 […]

ValleyBiz Story | With the snow gone and signs of spring popping up, skiing and snowboarding may be the furthest thing from your mind, but not so for the dedicated members of the Thunder Hill Ski Club. Pictures courtesy Thunder Hill Ski Club As one of only a handful of non-profit ski hills in Canada, […]

2012 Swan Valley Host Society Media Release | The 2012 Swan Valley Host Society held a Kickoff Event at the Swan Valley Consumers Co-op on Friday, March 23, 2012 to announce the Power Smart Manitoba Summer Games “Games Wear Day of the Week”. Pictures by ValleyBiz Town of Swan Mayor Glen McKenzie, declared that effective […]

ValleyBiz Story | On Friday, March 23, 2012 an official sod-turning ceremony took place at the construction site for the Swan Valley Recreation and Wellness Centre. Sod-turning honours went to Ron Kostyshyn (Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister) Robert Sopuck, (Member of Parliament for Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette) Glen McKenzie (Mayor of Swan River) and Tom Hamilton […]

Submitted by: Michele Poole The Swan School of Dance held their annual recital, on Wednesday March 21st, at the SVRSS Auditorium. In front of a packed house, people were entertained with tap jazz, ballet, hip hop and to top the night off they performed an amazing Bollywood number. Click any picture for a larger version. […]

ValleyBiz Story | Autumn Klekta spotted this robin sitting is a tree outside her window on March 24, 2012. With the weather giving mixed messages regarding the arrival of spring perhaps this sighting is a sign of warmer days to come.

Submitted by: Dennis Medwid The Swan River, Bowsman and Minitonas Lions clubs are now offering a confidential paper and document shredding service with all proceeds going toward Lions projects within the Valley. The Lions Clubs of the Swan Valley have a long history of collecting and promoting recycling within the Valley. The addition of the […]

Songs of the Modern Wild West Submitted by: Nancy McLennan If you’ve never been to Montana, just listen to the music of Martha Scanlan and you are carried into her beloved landscapes. Martha’s post office box is three miles from her ranch cabin. There, she can get a few groceries, but to do a full […]

Submitted by: Jocelyn Beehler (on behalf of CBFCS) Community Bible Fellowship Christian School students Gr.1-8 participated in an online math competition that was open to all schools in the province. The contest involved students answering math questions through an online game called “Sumdog.” 13 schools participated in the 1-week competition. During the contest 340 students […]

Submitted by: Holly Urban & Melissa Johnson Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement Inc. held Family Fishing Day again this year on March 18. The weather was fair, and one Northern Pike was caught by Briar Werbicki. Swan River Elks provided a fabulous hot lunch and hot chocolate. There were 28 kids who attended along with […]

Submitted by: Barry Stephen | If you missed the 15th annual Billy Beal Classic, you missed one of the best ever. If you were there you’ll know what I mean when I say the weather was unbelievable, the conditions were great, the food was awesome and the fishing was pretty good too. Click any picture […]

ValleyBiz Story | Sapotaweyak Cree Nation Chief Nelson Genaille and Swan River Mayor Glen McKenzie signed a Municipal Development and Services agreement on Thursday, March 15, 2012. Members of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, councilors, youth and members of the public gathered at the Swan River Friendship Centre to witness the signing of the agreement that is […]

Submitted by: Wayne Grier This may be the earliest Swan River Break-up ever. These Photos were taken at 8:30 am March 17, 2012. Click on a picture to see a larger version. Last week people were roaring across this on snowmobiles!!

Condensed version of Chamber Board of Director’s Meeting March 1st meeting The Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met on March 1st in the Chamber Board room. The agenda, minutes of last meeting and the financial report were adopted. The membership renewal update was reported. It was suggested that a letter be written […]

Submitted by: Micheline Carstairs The Swan Valley Fine Arts Festival Association, Dance Festival began on Thursday evening at the Friendship Centre with the Dolyna Dancers and Benito Vesselli Dancers rivaling it out for top marks. Click any picture for a larger version. It is very interesting to watch all the traditional dances of Ukrain but […]

Submitted by Sharron Carpenter Spring is coming soon and with it thoughts of no more snow, baseball, seeding, warm days and many other things we wait for all winter. Some of us also wait for festival season too. The Fine Arts Festivals gives many people an opportunity to perform on stage. To do this, the […]

Province of Manitoba Media Release ValleyBiz file photo Rapid response will protect Manitoba elk from chronic wasting disease: Mackintosh Manitoba Conservation officials are using plane and helicopter surveillance over part of western Manitoba this week to find and remove up to nine escaped farm elk from Saskatchewan that could threaten to spread chronic wasting disease […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Swan River Skating Club presented Broadway on Ice, Sunday March 11, 2012 at the Swan Valley Centennial Arena. Click any picture for a larger view. The older skaters did a great job presenting their routines with the flair and personality of true Broadway performers. There were “No Worries” as the little […]

PRHA Media Release | Working together with industry partners, the Parkland Regional Health Authority (PRHA) continues efforts to strengthen its Aboriginal health strategy. In conjunction with Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, Manitoba Employment and Training and Manitoba’s Office of Rural and Northern Health, the PRHA will be establishing a Human Resources Office for Aboriginal Employment in […]

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 11 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.

PRHA Media Release | The Parkland Regional Health Authority (PRHA) is pleased to announce that the cataract surgery program, slated for Swan Valley Health Centre in Swan River, will begin Monday, April 16, 2012. PRHA CEO Kevin McKnight stated that the surgeon, Dr. Robert Beldavs of Winnipeg, will be in Swan River to perform cataract […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Minitonas Figure Skating Club presented their annual figure skating carnival, “Disney on Ice” on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Minitonas and District Arena. Click any picture for a larger version. The evening was full of endearing Disney songs and characters: From the country flair of Toy Story To the Hawaiian […]

Submitted by Derek Sagert The Swan Valley Snowmobile Association held their 5th Annual Vintage Snowmobile Ride on Saturday, March 3, 2012. It was a beautiful day for all to enjoy. We had a great lunch, lots of laughs, visiting and many great memories. Over 40 vintage machines dated prior to 1990 attended the event.

Province of Manitoba Media Release | Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship recently completed two aerial surveys in west-central Manitoba that show the moose population in the Porcupine and Duck mountain regions remains low but stable. Several factors can influence the number of moose seen during surveys such as snow depth, temperature and time of year. […]

Submitted by: Leona Sweetser | The 33rd Annual Bellsite Poker Derby took place on Sunday, February 26. There were 179 driver hands sold and 297 ghostrider hands sold. Click any picture for a larger version. 1st prize 20% of total Best Hand 4-8’s to Claudia Sutherland $834.00 2nd prize 15% of total Best Hand 3-A’s […]

Submitted by: Leona Sweetser | The first annual Porcupine Bash, started out with a guided snowmobile ride, with approximately 20 people. There were more sledders that chose to ride on their own. Click any picture for a larger view. Fire and Ice, had about 60 people stop in for Chilli and a bun. The home-made […]