Submitted by: Donna Burghart | A benefit concert was held in Bowsman on January 26, 2013 with proceeds going to BAM Jam Camp 2013. What an AMAZING Night!!! The concert was a great success. Father/ Son duo Des & Desi Lagace gave the crowd an impressive performance. Click any picture for a larger version. Tayler […]

Submitted by: Wade Dale | The Bowsman United Church held a Christmas Eve Service and Concert on December 24, 2012. To open our service and our hearts to this special time of year, Judy Melnechuk used her gift to perform a solo of “O Holy Night”. Click any picture for a larger version The service […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | The Swan Valley Stampeders would like to thank all their fans that help make the Toys for the North night a sucess. Click the picture for a larger version. Many boxes were filled with toys for local children, Bev Polon from Communities that Care was on hand as well as […]

Submitted by: Gillian McGrath | The Festival of Trees was held this weekend 14th – 16th December and was well attended. $150 was raised towards the Swan Valley Christmas Cheer Board along with a large box of assorted groceries. Click any picture for a larger version. The best tree – by popular vote was decorated […]

Submitted by: Karla Weir | Bowsman Skating Arena held their registration yesterday (December 20, 2012) for figure skating and youth rec hockey and for many of the kids if was their first opportunity to get skating this winter! Both programs will officially kick off in the new year with youth rec hockey starting January 7th […]

Submitted by: Maryann Friesen | Sunday was a beautiful night for The Live Nativity put on by Valley churches at the farm of Scott and Cindy Tibble near Benito. There were about 420 guests that came through between 4:00 and 7:00 on Sunday, Dec. 16th. Click any picture for a larger version. There were approximately […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin | Swan River Timbits Black team played in Dauphin on Dec 15th & 16th, 2012 the kids were excited as this was their 1st tournament this year. Front Row – Ryzlie Nepinak, Christian Hart, Jackson Badowski, Kai Gorchynski, Drayson Davy, Chrystal Zamzow Middle Row – Noah Weir, Shayden Anderson, BRady Burghart, […]

Submitted by: Jayne Leadbeater | Swan Valley Community Band started Sept. 1994 with Julie Kooistra organizing & directing the group. There is a core of those charter members who are still participating. Click any picture for a larger version. We average around 30-32 members every year, of all ages & experience. We have had a […]

Submitted by: Tammy Zaretsky-Denischuk | The SVRSS Cafeteria was filled with family, food and friends as the Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers held their second annual Old Fashion Ukrainian Dance Concert. Click any picture to view a larger version They were entertained by the Beginner, Intermediate, and Senior dancers, along with a number of Ukrainian Christmas Carols […]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist On Saturday, December 1, 2012 the Kenville Hall was decorated in a teddy bear Christmas theme to help the Swan Valley Hoedowners celebrate sixty years of square dancing in the Swan Valley. Click any picture for a larger version. Despite iffy road conditions, dancers from as far away as Moose Jaw, […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin Swan Valley Stampeders White team coached by Mark Munro, Al Hambley & Tom Yaschyshyn went to Flin Flon this past weekend for the Mel Pearson Memorial Novice Tournament. Click any picture for a larger version. The team played on Friday Nov 30th 2012 at the Whitney Forum in Flin Flon against […]

Submitted by: Karen Peters Fairly Traded Handicrafts from Around The World Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to Third World people by selling their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Click any picture for a larger view. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin Swan Valley Novice White team are the B-Side Champions of the Dauphin Novice Tournament held November 23 to 25th 2012 Left to right: Braden Bartel, Cash Henkelman, Aiden Walker, Steven Arp, Jack Mullin, Wyatt Rose, Will Munro, Tyan Mykula, Brooke Foster Swan Valley defeated Ste Rose Royals on Friday Nov 25th […]

Pictures by ValleyBiz.ca & Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce Christmas Carols filled the air as people braved the cold to get an early dose of the Christmas spirit at the Tree Lighting Festivities on Friday, November 23, 2012 sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. Click any picture for a larger view. As the Taylor School […]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist The Valley Stage Players presented three performances of their comedy, “Squabbles” over this past weekend, November 23, 24, and 25. Click any picture for a larger version. Friday’s opening night performance at the Veterans Community Hall was held as a dinner theatre in partnership with the Community Foundation of Swan Valley. […]

Submitted by: Jocelyn Beehler Community Bible Fellowship Christian School participated in Operation Christmas Child again where we filled shoeboxes to be sent to kids around the world. Click any picture for a larger version. Samaritan’s Purse organizes the collection and distribution. The 25 families in the school filled 49 boxes this year. The kids have […]

Submitted by: Debbie Soloway Pine River Community Centre hosted a delicious roast beef supper with all the trimmings. There were all types and flavours of desserts. There were guests that travelled from quite far just to participate in this wonderful event. Click any picture for a larger version. Everyone enjoyed the great meal and the […]

ValleyBiz Story | The famous Annie Oakley believed strongly that all women should know how to handle a firearm. This young girl had the opportunity to fire a gun for the first time at the Swan Valley Historical Museum turkey shoot on Saturday, November 17 2012. Click any picture for a larger version. For men […]

Submitted by: Jocelyn Beehler The pancake breakfast fundraiser was a great success. Thank you so much to the CBFCS School Board and parents for organizing this fundraiser. Click any picture for a larger version It is so wonderful to see a community come together to support its own in this difficult time. There were many […]

Submitted by: Kamshi Kanavathy The multi-purpose room was filled to capacity with locals, keen to catch a glimpse of faraway places, especially those depicting warmth and sunshine, on a cold November evening. Hosts, MayAnn and Elmer Friesen and Lorne and Lesley Henkelman, talked about their eye-opening trip through Thailand, Cambodia and Bali. Highlights included visits […]

Submitted by: Nelly Mills An era has passed. White’s Drug Store has been sold. The Nahnybidas are moving toward retirement. Click any picture for a larger version. On Friday evening, the first night of the 14th annual White’s Drug Store Curling Classic, curlers and committee members honoured the long-standing Gold Sponsor of the White’s for […]

Submitted by: Swan Valley Rotary Club This year marked the 50th Anniversary of the Swan Valley Rotary Auction. Bidding seemed to start earlier and remained steady throughout the evening. When Dave Theunissen rang the final bell, no items remained unsold and sales totalled $11,900. Proceeds of this year’s auction have been designated toward the Richardson […]

ValleyBiz Story The Association for Community Living hosted the 33rd Annual Calico Corners Craft Sale on Friday, November 2, 2012. It was a great opportunity for the community to start their Christmas shopping. Click any picture for a larger view. From tasty treats to hand crafted items, there was something for everyone. Don King sold […]

Submitted by: Bowsman Lions Club The 2012 Bowsman Community Halloween Party took place at the Bowsman Legion on Halloween night. Click any picture for a larger version. Kids demonstrated their carving skills and showcased their jack-o-lantern creations during the pumpkin carving activity. With close to 100 people in dressed up there were plenty of choices […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin The Swan Valley Novice team was invited to play a mini game during the 1st intermission of the Swan Valley Stampeders home game on Friday Nov 2nd. 11 boys and girls age 7 & 8 took to the ice with 3 Stampeder Players. Click any picture for a larger version. They […]

Submitted by: Nelly Mills: The Harley House certainly has grown into a hub of our community. “Yah,” said Moe Bowles, one of the volunteers central to there birth of the town’s classic heritage house on Veterans Way. “We have a couple of organizations in here, and people use it for meetings, and art classes. It’s […]

Submitted by: Wade Dale FOOD! What an equalizer. No matter your age, sex, race, creed, color or religion, FOOD, nourishes not only our physical body but also ones soul and spirit. Click any picture for a larger version. A chance to gather at the table is an opportunity to discuss the coming and going of […]

Submitted by: Micheline Carstairs The Home Routes House Concerts have entered their fifth season in The Valley, and the variety of shows has the audience enchanted. Click any picture for a larger version. “We have begun to attract artists from different regions, and different genres,” said Tim Osmund, artistic director of Home Routes, “and the […]

Submitted by: Wendy van der Walt From the time the doors opened in the morning, until late into the evening, Fabriculous was full of excitement this past Saturday. Pictures courtesy of Gordon Hornbeck. Click for a larger version. Eager shoppers came from Flin Flon, Dauphin, Kamsack and beyond to check out what our local quilt […]

Submitted by: Darlene Hardy Just 4 Kids club at Living Word Tabernacle began with registration night on Thursday, September 20th. Kids club meets every Thursday evening from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Click any picture for a larger version. The evening begins with a variety of games such as modified soccer, relays and races. It […]

Submitted by: Melodie Smith Skateboarders and BMX bike riders demonstrated why they love the Swan River Lions Skate Plaza with a local talent show on Friday, September 21, 2012. Click any picture for a larger view. To all of our local talent that came out to show their stuff – well done – it was […]

ValleyBiz Story | On September 16, 2012, the Swan Valley Gun Club held their Annual Turkey Shoot. The Turkey shoot helps raise money for the operation of the club and provides an opportunity for people to experience trap shooting either as participant or a spectator. Click any picture for a larger version. Live targets are […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Tent Town Garden Club held their 30th Annual Fruit Festival at the Town Hall in Minitonas on Saturday, September 8, 2012. The Garden Club creates and maintains the beautiful public flower gardens around Minitonas. Click any picture for a larger version. The Fruit Festival is the Garden Club’s annual fundraising event. […]

ValleyBiz Story | Harvest is a busy time marked by early mornings and late nights, supper in the field and everyone helping out. The golden crops and swathed rows and vibrant sunsets also produce some beautiful imagery, a tribute to our agricultural roots. Click any picture for a larger version.

Submitted by: Jocelyn Beehler Community Bible Fellowship Christian School is excited to announce that it has completed phase 1 of the playground upgrade. This phase included installing a new “treehouse” play structure as well as 2 park benches. Click any picture for a larger version. This structure was purchased through Blue Imp with local representative […]

Submitted by: Wade Dale On August 24, 20 quilters from all over the province of Manitoba came together at the United Church Bible Camp at Wellman Lake for a weekend quilt retreat. Some people brought their RV’s to stay in, some stayed in the cabins and some drove back and forth each day. Click any […]

Pictures and Race Results Submitted by: Tanya Chernyk Although wet track conditions caused races to be cancelled on Saturday, stock car points race and mud bog took place on Sunday, August 26, 2012. Here are some pictures and race results. Click any picture for a larger version. 8 Cylinder Heat 1 1st place- #3 Brian […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Harvest Festival on August 26, 2012 at the Swan Valley Historical Museum is an annual celebration of our history. It provides an opportunity to reflect on days gone by and stoke the interest of younger generations. Click any picture for a larger version. The kids enjoyed simple pleasures … Ice cream […]

ValleyBiz Story | Approximately 90 riders, including participants from across Canada and the US gathered in Cowan on Saturday, August 25, 2012 for the Cowan Trail Celebration. Click any picture for a larger view. The sun peaked through the clouds, warming the cool air and holding back the rain just as the riders headed out […]

Submitted by: Wade Dale A joint event between the Bowsman Legion and the Bowsman United Church was held on Wednesday August 22, 2012. The doors opened at 4:30 p.m. and the people, ready to dive into the spaghetti, came rushing in. Mel Edmunds chatting with Donna Ferriss and Laura Henderson while waiting for more spaghetti […]

ValleyBiz Story | How does a 6 year old boy sum up Durban Demo Derby? “Cars smashing together?” “Awesome!” That pretty much describes the scene in Durban on Sunday afternoon, August 12, 2012. Click any picture for a larger version. People of all ages gathered for an unforgettable afternoon of crashin’, smashin’ and even a […]

Submitted by: Emma Mayer 2012 North-West Regional Library Summer Reading Program With this year’s Summer Reading Program theme being “Imagine”, the library was full of just that – imagination! Click any picture for a larger version. About 92 children in total from Swan River and Benito registered for the library’s annual programming sponsored by the […]

Submitted by: Lorna Rivett The 2012 Avalanche Ranch day camp for children aged 6-12 ran Monday, July 30 to Friday, August 3. This was our third annual day camp and, although the numbers were low this year, there was an average attendance of 16 kids. Click any picture for a larger version. Avalanche Ranch Day […]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist Callers Linda Gilchrist and Brad Slepicka hosted a summer square dance at the Wellman Lake United Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Click any picture for a larger version. Dancers attended from Winnipeg, High Bluff, Brandon, Hamiota, Grandview, Dauphin, Churchbridge, and Saskatoon, as well as Swan Valley locations. Dancing […]

ValleyBiz Story | An old fashioned picnic and potluck supper was held Sunday, August 5, 2012 at the Big Woody Hall to celebrate the centennial of the formation of the Big Woody School District. Click any picture for a larger version. The festivities had many reminiscing about the picnics traditionally held on the last day […]

ValleyBiz Story | Many local riders participated at the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition in Gymkhana and other horse shows. Click any picture for a larger view. During Gymkhana, horse and rider work together to achieve speed, agility, control and responsiveness in executing a series of patterned racing events. Family and friends came out to the […]

ValleyBiz Story | Once again this year the familiar sounds of midway music along with laughter, squeals and screams return for Northwest Roundup in Swan River. Click any picture for a larger view. The exhibit halls offered a nice break from the heat and noise. With entries in baking, canning, sewing, handicrafts, photography and horticulture, […]

ValleyBiz Story | People of all ages enjoyed the fast paced action at the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition grandstand this weekend. The great weather and exciting events kept even the youngest fans smiling. Click any picture for a larger version

ValleyBiz Story | Things got cooking at the McKay Night Barbeque on Thursday, July 29, picked up the next day at the St. Andrews United Church Rodeo Lunch and continued on Saturday and Sunday with pancake breakfasts sponsored by Formo Motors and Parrish & Heimbecker. Click any picture for a larger version. Throughout the day […]

ValleyBiz Story The Down on the Farm Exhibit at the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition in Swan River allows kids to get a close-up look at farming activities and learn about how agriculture contributes to their everyday life. Click any picture for a larger version. Interactive displays allow kids to dig potatoes, gather eggs, pick apples, […]