ValleyBiz Story | On April 10, 2013 students across the Valley participated in the “Day of Pink” International Day against Bullying, joining with 350 schools across Manitoba and event more schools and communities across Canada. Minitonas Middle Years School (above) Click any picture for a larger version. Bowsman School Many schools observed the Day of […]

ValleyBiz Story | The first Minitonas Coffee House, held at the Minitonas Town Hall on Saturday, April 13, 2013, was a huge success. From old favorites to new found talent, over 30 local musicians performed at the packed hall. Click any picture for a larger version. It was a toe-tapping evening for friends and family, […]

Submitted by: Lloyd Gilchrist | Swan River’s historic Harley House was the setting for the Valley Stage Players’ open house Thursday evening, April 11, 2013 Some current VSP members sharing a laugh about a previous production. Click any picture for a larger version. The group welcomed interested newcomers to the many opportunities available with involvement […]

Submitted by: Kathy Highmoor Walk with me, I will walk with you… Pictures courtesy of: Kathy Highmoor Jocelyn Marchuk Gale Wagner Click any picture for a larger version. After enjoying conversations and a tasty breakfast, hikers stepped out into radiant sunshine. The 2013 Hillsview Hike was underway. Students from Bowsman School, along with their teachers, […]

Submitted by: Donna L D Burghart | A PACKED HOUSE at the Bowsman Legion Hall Monday, March 25 & Tuesday March 26 set the scene for the 3rd Annual BAM Jam Camp. Click any picture for a larger version. 53 participants took part in two days of intense instruction in fiddle, guitar, vocal & bass […]

Submitted by: Maureen Bowles | On March 21, 22, and 23rd the North West Regional Library hosted a very successful “Human Library Event”. This is an initiative in which people called, “Readers” who want to learn about a specific topic “check out” people called “Human Books” for a half hour of conversation in the library. […]

Submitted by: Brenda Deneer | The 85th Annual Swan River Ladies’ (What NOT to Wear) Bonspiel was held on March 15th to 17th with 28 entries. Pictured is Club President, Brenda Deneer presenting the trophies to the winners in each of the 4 events. First Event: Bev Lumax, Betty Kotyk, (missing-Cindy Boychuk), Shannon Bresky, June […]

Submitted by: Krista Moisondz The Northwest Regional Library was proud to host 35 guests during Travel Night – Northern Ireland on March 19, 203. Click any picture for a larger version. Jayne Leadbeater entertained and educated guests as they learned about various destination points, architecture and overall culture of this beautiful country. Jayne provided stunning […]

Submitted by: Bowsman and District Lions Club 589 hardy contestants bought tickets and braved the cold -20C plus wind chill weather for a chance to win the first place prize of $10,000 at the 16th annual Billy Beal Ice Fishing Derby. Click any picture for a larger version. The event, which took place on Saturday, […]

Submitted by: Beverley Leach | Thirty-seven participants attended the very informative Mature Driver Workshop which took place in Swan River on March 7, 2013. Click any picture for a larger version. Susan Everton, instructor with Safety Services Manitoba, gave an excellent presentation designed to refresh the ‘rules of the road’, issues involved with seniors’ driving […]

Submitted by: Della McKay The Swan Valley Midgets hosted this years Hockey Manitoba Midget A Provincials this past weekend with 7 teams attending, Shoal Lake, Winkler, Lake Manitoba, Carman, Beausejour, Mitchell and our hometown team Swan River. Click any picture for a larger version. Team Photo by Jodi Proctor, Game Photos by Rob McDonald The […]

Submitted by: Lesley Sembaluk With additional pictures by ValleyBiz | With a theme of Cartoons on Ice that entertained those in attendance, the 2013 Minitonas Skating Carnival was a complete success. Click any picture for a larger version. Holly Laychuk from the Swan River Skating Club was a guest performer and Teagen Chartrand received a […]

Submitted by: Leona Sweetser The community of Bellsite has once again hosted a great snowmobile derby, as you can see from the results below. Pictures courtesy Keith Lamb & Brian Dawson – click for a larger version. The weather was as good as you could ever wish for, warm and comfortable to stop and visit […]

Submitted by: Jocelyn and Scott Beehler (on behalf of the Disc Golf Committee) Frisbee golf is a relatively new and upcoming sport in the province of Manitoba. It is played with Frisbees or discs. A group of volunteers (Disc Golf Committee) is pursuing the installation of an 18-hole course in Benito this spring/summer. Disc golf […]

Submitted by: Les Rosteski A delicious supper of roast stuffed pork loin was served by Reg Jacobson and staff to sixty people at the Legion Club Room on February 16, 2013. The fiddle contest followed: Thank you to all the competitors, a big thank you to the judges George Woodley and Sandy McKay. Thank you […]

Submitted by: Lesley Sembaluk In a awesome show of community spirit, the community members of Minitonas and surrounding area and local businesses came together to support the Minitonas and District Arena on Saturday, February 16, 2013. Click any picture for a larger version. The evening started with an appetizer and cocktail hour with viewing of […]

Submitted by Wade Dale | What a wonderful way to spend your Sunday afternoon listening and enjoying the talents God has given to the some of the members of The Hillsview Pastoral Charge. With Rev. Kathy Highmoor as MC for the afternoon talent, she got the ball rolling . Gordon Jerffery is always a crowd […]

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. […]