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: 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 […]

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: 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: 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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | The Swan Valley Stampeders and the booster club are selling Movember Tshirts. Sizes range from youth XL to 2Xl adult and the shirts are $20 each, with $14 from each shirt sold going to Cancer Care Swan River. Click any picture for a larger version. Tshirts are available at all […]

Submitted by: Rebecca Popoff | On Thursday, November 3, 2016 Formo Motors delivered 2 trucks loaded with non-perishable food items to the food bank! It was a grand total of 2138 pounds! Click any picture for a larger version. Thank you everyone for your generous donations this year this will help fill up the Christmas […]

ValleyBiz Story | “We’re a small club, but we’re a mighty club.” said Rotarian Dave Theunissen while reflecting on the Swan Valley Rotary Club’s (SVRC) past successes. Over the years the “small club” has raised more than $500,000 for community projects. Click any picture for a larger version. Looking back, the first major project for […]

ValleyBiz.ca | Two students from Benito were recognized for having the first and second place winning entries in the 2015-2016 Manitoba State level of the Knights of Columbus Substance Abuse Awareness Poster Contest. Click any picture for a larger version. Rachel Negrave (left) won 1st Prize for the Alcohol Division Age 12-14 and Anika Badowski […]

Submitted by: Corey Hurren | The annual Bowsman Community Halloween Party was put on by the Bowsman Lions Club at the Bowsman Legion Hall on Halloween night. Click any picture for a larger version. There were prizes for costumes, a pumpkin carving contest, and door prizes as well as drinks, hot dogs, and treats. The […]

Submitted by: Jacee Zbirun | The Benito Ladies Auxiliary would like to thank everyone who came out to support their first annual Fall Craft Sale. Hope to see everyone next year! Click any picture for a larger version.

Submitted by: Gwenda Wotton | The annual craft sale held by the Birch River Northern Neighbors was again a success. 20 plus tables with all kinds of goodies to choose from. Click any picture for a larger version. Once you were done looking at all the baking, knitting, jams, jellies and endless crafts that all […]

Submitted by: Beverley Polon | We hope you had a chance to visit the Swan Valley Communities That Care (SVCTC) Spooktober- Fest Haunted House! It was a smashing event which offered a Halloween experience for all ages. Click any picture for a larger version. There were over 1,450 visitors, who attended Spooktober-Fest at the John […]

Submitted by: Rob Ter Horst | On Oct. 23rd, 2016 Temple Baptist Church hosted Potter’s Clay, a Male Quartet that sings Traditional Gospel Music. There were approx. 175 people in attendance. Thank you to all who attended, it was an encouraging evening of uplifting music.

Submitted by: Patty Gattinger | The Swan Valley Ducks Unlimited Committee held their 35th Annual Banquet and Auction this past Saturday, October 22, 2016 at the War Veterans Community Hall. Click any picture for a larger version. The gathering of 160 people were welcomed into the hall by being served lovely appetizers as they viewed […]

ValleyBiz Story | With Christmas quickly sneaking up on us, it is the time of year that we start thinking about gifts for the special people in our lives. What can compare to the excitement of children around the tree as they open their gifts on Christmas morning. While many children would be disappointed to […]

Submitted by: Tanya Powell | The Friendship Centre craft sale held on Saturday, October 22, 2016 was a huge success with close to 300 people stopping in to take a look. Click any picture for a larger version. There were over 35 tables and lots of great Xmas ideas and food samples on hand. Don’t […]

Submitted by: Community Foundation of Swan Valley | Building on the success of last year’s event, the Community Foundation of Swan Valley (CFSV) is gearing up to host their second annual Cultural Gala on November 18, 2016. Valley residents are once again invited to attend a formal evening of delicious food served during a showcase […]

Submitted by: Jackie Mayuk | More than one hundred people have stood up to show their support in fighting hunger in the Swan Valley, by attending Formo Motors’ third annual We Scare Hunger barbecue. Click any picture for a larger version. In partnership with global charitable organization WE, with generous support from Y Not Johnny’s, […]

Submitted by: Bert Sutherland | During the month of September, Redline Chrysler donated $50 from every new or used vehicle sale to the Bowsman Lions Club Medical Initiative, and wrapped up the fundraiser with a barbecue on September 30, 2016. Click picture for a larger version. Pictured above are Tasha & Greg Ashauer, the owners […]

Submitted by: Rev Dr. Jenny Sprong on behalf of the SVMA The Swan Valley Ministerial Association organizes an Annual Community Service for the Swan River Churches. This year, the service once again took place on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Click any picture for a larger version. The service was held on October, 16th at 10:00am […]

Submitted by: Brenna Minish-Kichuk | The Sunflower Early Learning Centre in Minitonas held it’s grand opening on Tuesday, October 4, 2016. It was great to have some kids there using the new facilities. Click any picture for a larger version. We would like to say a special thank you to our director, Robyn Jacobs, our […]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist | The Swan Valley Hoedowners square dance club started their season off on October 5 and 12, 2016 with a great opportunity for new dancers to come and experience what square dancing is all about. Click any picture for a larger version. On October 5, caller Linda Gilchrist led the dancers […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) has announced that their annual holiday shopping event will be a Black Friday Weekend Sale and will take place Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26, 2016. While the retail sales event will no longer be called Midnight Madness, Swan Valley bargain hunters can still […]

Submitted by: Bert Sutherland | It was a beautiful, warm and sunny day for the Redline Fundraiser BBQ on September 30, 2015. The BBQ went over very well with Lion’s members did all the cooking as approximately 100 people came for lunch. Click any picture for a larger version. Redline donated the proceeds from the […]

ValleyBiz Story | Curling Canada has announced that Canada’s best four-player mixed curling teams will be headed to the Swan Valley in Manitoba for the 2018 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship. Photo Source: swanrivercurling.ca The Championship will be played at the Swan River Curling Club, Nov. 12-18, 2017 with the winner advancing to the 2018 World […]

ValleyBiz Story | Tread the Thunder Bike Club (TTT) hosted “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day*” at Thunder Hill on October 1,2016. It was a great way to spend a fall day, get some exercise and enjoy the gorgeous colors from the top of the Valley. Click any picture for a larger version. The day […]

Submitted by: Rose Kovachik | Sunday, September 25, 2016, brought a crowd of people to Cowan – all with the intention of tasting some of the delicious items that the Cowan Ladies have been preparing. Photos: Rita Cryderman Click any picture for a larger version. It was a nice fall day that followed some unwelcomed […]

Submitted by: Corey Hurren | The Bowsman and District Lions Club held our 13th Annual Bowsman Bull-A-Rama Rough Stock Rodeo on Saturday, October 1st, 2016 and this medical equipment fundraiser was another huge success. Pictures by Corey Hurren and ValleyBiz.ca Click any picture for a larger version. It was a beautiful fall day when things […]

Submitted by: Jacee Zbirun | The CNIB Tea and Bake sale was a cozy place to go on a rainy Saturday afternoon in Benito. Delicious desserts and great company made this a worth while community event a success! Click any picture for a larger version. Winners of the hampers were Mary Harness and Linda McCrea. […]

Submitted by: Holly Urban and Sherry Markle | Once again, the SVAPL banquet was completely sold out. It is always nice to see the community coming out to support a great cause. Click any picture for a larger version. Murray Wenstob was invited to give the blessing before the meal commenced. The crowd enjoyed a […]

Submitted by: Jan Fawcett | On Saturday September 24, 2016 the Bowsman United Church Quilt Group led a workshop “A Trip around the Quilt” at the Bowsman Legion Hall. Click the picture for a larger version. Sessions led by Group members provided an overview of the process of making a quilt from choosing fabric, cutting […]

Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater | On Wednesday, 21 Sept 2016, Swan Valley Community Band launched their 23rd year of existence with Beginning Day, at the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School Band Room. Click picture for a larger version. At this time, new members are welcomed into our midst, new music is handed out, and returning […]

ValleyBiz Story | Although the day started out damp and dreary, about 60 dedicated participants and volunteers gathered to take part in the Terry Fox Run on Sunday, September 18, 2016. Just as the walk began, the rain cleared for most of the duration. Click any picture for a larger version. The total amount raised […]

Submitted by: Rev Kevin Sprong | The first harvest and flower festival held at the United Church in Swan River delighted visitors on September 9 through 11, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. Flower festivals are common in the United Kingdom but something new to the Valley, so when Rev. Dr. Jenny Sprong […]

Submitted by: June McKenzie | “She”nanigans was the theme on September 13, 2016 for the last event nite for Tuesday nite gals golf. Each golfer could only chose 3 clubs to golf with which made for some “awesome” shots. Click any picture for a larger version. Everyone enjoyed the evening which included a delicous rib […]

Submitted by: Rose Kovachik | The annual Cowan Trail Celebration once again occurred on the fourth Saturday of August, being August 27, 2016 this year. Pictures submitted by: Rose Kovachik and Rita Cryderman What is Cowan Trail? – many people have asked. Well it is an event that was started some 18 years ago by […]

Submitted by: Michelle Buck | The Blue Sky Arena wrapped up their season this past weekend with a trail ride on Saturday, September 10, 2016 and a team cattle penning jackpot on Sunday, September 11, 2016. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictures by Carmi Hrabarchuk an Michelle Buck Saturday’s ride started and ended […]

Submitted by: Teresa McKay | The annual Tent Town Garden Fruit Festival was held Saturday, September 10th, 2016 at the Minitonas Town Hall. Many enjoyed pie and coffee with a variety of baking, vegetables, preserves and flowers for sale. Click any picture for a larger version. Door prizes and a chance auction also brought some […]