Submitted by: Leigh Osatchuk | The skies opened and the sun was out for a beautiful Canada Day Celebration. The Benito Rec Centre hosted a terrific day full of fun events for all ages. Click any picture for a larger version. Starting the day was a pancake breakfast hosted by the Benito Volunteer Fire Dept. […]

Submitted by: Phyl Friesen | In Swan River, Canada Day was celebrated in the Legion Park. We had great day, beautiful sunshine and lots of people. Click any picture for a larger version. There was live entertainment, rides in the Lions train, kids bouncers, ice cream and more. Everyone seemed so happy to get outside […]

Submitted by: Rhanda Caruk Kal Tire celebrated their 10th Anniversary in Swan River with a customer appreciation BBQ on Friday, June 20th. Click any picture for a larger version. Burgers, smokies, chips, drinks, curly fries and cake were served with 75 door prizes given out and a chance to win a $500 Kal Tire gift […]

Submitted by: Maureen Bowles The North West Regional Library hosted an afternoon of walking down memory lane with archival photographs from the Association of Manitoba Archives. Click any picture for a larger version. All photos were related to recreation and set in rural and northern Manitoba. Also for viewing are archival photographs from the Swan […]

Submitted by: Gillian McGrath Swan Valley Settlement and Immigration Services hosted a Newcomer Welcome Potluck on June 14, 2014. The supper was well attended by 60 individuals. Click any pictures for a larger version. Newcomers present were from the Philippines, Ukraine, England, Germany, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jamaica, and South Africa alongside several people from the Valley […]

Submitted by: Karen Gade | On Sunday June 8, 2014 more than 200 people enjoyed a delicious supper of turkey, ham, assorted salads and desserts prepared by the Benito United Church. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured above: Rev. Erin McIntyre Garrick and Edwin Cotton greeted everyone with a friendly smile as they […]

Submitted by: Maureen Bowles Rene Coultier shared his expertise and photo collection to an enthusiastic crowd, answering the question: “How to take a better picture?” Click a picture for a larger version. Through the generosity of the Brick a 42″ television was available for the slide show presentation, ensuring the high quality of photos for […]

ValleyBiz Story | With 600 pounds of lobster fresh from Halifax, NS, piles of steaks and 150 pounds of mussels, nobody went hungry at Kinsmen Lobsterfest at the Swan Valley Historical Museum on Saturday, June 7, 2014. Click any picture for a larger version. The Swan River Kinsmen and their spouses looked after the preparations, […]

Submitted by: Cindy Tibble Swan Valley 4-H Beef Show & Sale took place Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Valley Livestock Sales. Approximately 28 members took part. Click any picture for a larger version. Best of 3 Maria, Ben & Joe Slepicka Best Pair of Animals Robyn & Parker Tibble Grand Champion Female Martina Tibble Grand […]

Submitted by: Barb Holms | On Sunday, June 1, 2014 Minitonas Knox United Church held a cold plate/salad supper. There was a very nice turnout of people who enjoyed potato salad, various other salads and ham and roast beef. Click any picture for a larger version. There were some very delicious desserts consisting of rhubarb, […]

Submitted by: Joyce Trevellyan On Saturday, May 31, 2014 the Royal Purple hosted a 60th Anniversary Tea at the Elks Hall in Swan River. Click any picture for a larger version. They were honoured with the presence of Hetty Pawlinsky and Betty Riddell. Both ladies are charter members of the Swan River Royal Purple Lodge […]

Submitted by: Beverley Polon Swan Valley Communities That Care (SVCTC) hosted their 2nd Annual General Meeting at the Elks Hall on May 20, 2014. It was a very successful meeting with over 75 in attendance. Click picture for a larger version. Honourable Kevin Chief, Minister of Children & Youth Opportunities, was the guest speaker on […]

Submitted by: The Urban Tree Development Committee May 21, 2014 marked the 15th annual Arbour Day in the town of Swan River. Committee members and volunteers met under a sunny sky at the arboretum. Click any picture for a larger version. The group reminisced about its establishment in 2000, the creation of the arboretum, and […]

Submitted by: Bev Leach | Elizabeth Archambault entertains the guests and friends from the Lodge and the Personal Care Home at St. James’ Anglican Church on Wednesday, May 21, 2014. Click the picture for a larger version. The congregation is happy to host this event when the weather permits.

Submitted by: Tent Town Garden Club | Community spirit is alive & well in Minitonas. Last Wed evening, May 14, 2014 a group of busy gardeners could be found weeding, trimming & turning over the soil in the Village Square & Learners Park gardens – getting them ready for planting. Click any picture for a […]

Submitted by: Donna Leming | The 6 Generation Quilt Show on May 17, 2014 was a resounding success. Approximately 80 people meandered up and down through the quilt lined corridors. Click any picture for a larger version. Fifty quilts created by Catherine Mae Epler and her descendants were displayed. Also on display were quick quilts […]

Submitted by: Shirley Todosichuk The Minitonas Early Years School Gym was the place to be in Minitonas on Friday, May 9th as parents, grandparents, friends and music lovers gathered for the 8th Annual Minitonas Fiddling Program Spring Concert. Click any picture for a larger version. Pictured above: Jesse Janzen, Wyatt Reader, Trinity Janzen, Talia Janzen, […]

Submitted by: Tanya Staniland Another successful Mother’s Day Dance in Lenswood!! Thank you to everyone who came out and had a great time!!! Thanks to Hair Mechanics for donating the Mother’s Day Pedicure gift certificate!

Submitted by: Evelyn Bredin The Swan Valley Fine Arts Association held their annual Festival Awards Concert on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 with 50 recipients honored for fine arts excellence. Click any picture for a larger version. Above: Desi Lagace playing double bass received Home & School Trophy for Senior Band solo and the Lloyd C. […]

Submitted by: Jayne G. Leadbeater The Swan Valley Community Band annual Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 was well attended with over 80 people in attendance, with some having to stand. Above: Barb Beadle — we have a really good time. Click any picture for a larger version. The Swan Valley Community Band performed […]

Pictures by Chris Stock & ValleyBiz | Swan Valley Sport Fishing Enhancement held their annual banquet on Saturday, May 3, 2014 featuring all you can eat walleye, roast pig and a variety of hors d’oeuvres. Click any picture for a larger version. The banquet and its associated draws and raffles is the organization’s only fundraiser […]

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 […]

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, […]

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: 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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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. […]