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, […]

The annual Chamber of Commerce Parade marks the start of a weekend of family fun and excitement at the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition. 10am – the stores are closed, the streets are lined and people anxiously await the first glimpse of the parade. Click any picture for a larger version. The parade is an interactive […]

ValleyBiz Story | This young cowboy kept a careful watch over the grandstand last night as the first Pony Chariot and Pony Chuckwagon races of the 2012 Northwest Roundup and Exhibition got underway. Click any picture for a larger version. The sound of the horn, the thrill of the race and the cheers of the […]

ValleyBiz Story | On Monday July 23, 2012 the Swan River Ladies Golf Club held their annual Garden Walk featuring the creativity and hard work of 8 Swan River gardeners. It was an inspiring way for gardeners, photographers and people of all ages to spend a beautiful sunny afternoon . Click any picture for a […]

Submitted by: Tanya Chernyk Pictures and Race Results from the Swan Valley Stock Car Club race held Saturday, July 14, 2012. The mini demo scheduled to take place following the race was postponed until a later date. Click any picture for a larger version. 8 Cylinder Heat 1 1st-22 Dane Vessey 2nd-42 Colin Eisner 3rd-59 […]

Submitted by: Nancy Mclennan Kim de LaForest keeps coming back to The Valley. Tuesday night (July 10, 2012) she entertained at a Valley House Concert in Minitonas. In one of her song introductions she commented on the feeling she gets when she enters The Valley from Saskatchewan. “The hills, the beauty,” she said. “There’s no […]

ValleyBiz Story | The Credit Union was busy serving the community on Friday, July 6 at their 59th Annual Beef on a Bun. All proceeds go to the Swan Valley Food Bank, Swan Valley Health Auxiliary and SVRSS Envirothon Team. Click any picture for a larger version. Beautiful weather help to coax in a large […]

Submitted by: Tanya Chernyk The Swan Valley Stock Car Club held a race on Canada Day, July 1, 2012 8 Cylinder 1st Heat 1st place- #3 George Lumax 2nd place- #42 Colin Eisner 3rd place- #89 J Tooley 2nd Heat 1st- #89 J Tooley 2nd- #3 George Lumax 3rd- #42 Colin Eisner Feature Race 1st- […]

ValleyBiz Story | What a beautiful day to celebrate Canada Day 2012 with a picnic in the park! The weather was great and there was ice cream for everyone at the Legion Park in Swan River. Click any picture for a larger version. The always popular Bowsman Lions train spent the day winding along the […]

Submitted by: Kamshi Kanavathy Poetry by candle light; the perfect ambiance to poetry straight from the heart. Melodious music, flickering candlelight, delicious drinks, warm smiles and cheery laughter formed the perfect accompaniment to the rendition of a fine selection of poetry and short stories at the North-West Regional Library on the evening of Thursday, June […]

ValleyBiz Story | Many people started Canada Day in the company of neighbours and friends at the Minitonas Arena. The pancake breakfast was served up by the Town and RM of Minitonas and was one of several held across the Valley. Click any picture for a larger version. Good food and good company… …what a […]

Submitted by: Tanya Chernyk It was a great race day and mud bog! Thanks to all our fans! And for everyone that helped out! 8 Cylinder Street Stock Class 1st place in the first 2 heats was #8 Brian Vanderpoole. Feature Race 1st place went to #8 Mark Maga, 2nd place- Dane Vessey, 3rd place- […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin 2 open, 1 junior & 3 Peewee raced at Churchs Arena Sanctioned MBRA 0n Friday, Jun3 22, 2012. The weather was beautiful and the ground was perfect. A few spectators came out to watch the 1st night of barrel racing at Churchs arena. In the open was Dusty Church on Runaway […]

Submitted by: Kamshi Kanavathy The North-West Regional Library was abuzz on the evening of Thursday, June 21, 2012 as patrons enjoyed learning how to make dreamcatchers. Participants were welcomed by an Inukshuk made out of books. Free promotional Aboriginal Day materials such as 2D and 3D puzzles, games, colouring pages, tattoos, books and bookmarks were […]

Submitted by: Community Bible Fellowship Christian School Students and staff and Community Bible Fellowship Christian School participated in a Dr. Seuss enrichment week. Isabelle Beehler, Kitana Legebokoff, and Ainsli Ellingson showing off their Oobleck Goo (Click any picture for a larger version.) Kendra and Rita Thiessen led the school through 5 afternoons of fun and […]

ValleyBiz Story | A&W held their 11th annual Fathers Day Car Show on Sunday, June 17, 2012. Car enthusiasts braved our continuing stretch of rain to stop by and check out the vintage rides. The market shelter provided a refuge from the wet weather for the people in attendance and even for some of the […]

Submitted by: Angela Mullin The Swan Valley Soccer Association Timbit Beginners held a soccer Jamboree on June 15th at the Swan Valley soccer pitch. The weather was great, the kids played a fun game & then enjoyed Timbits after the game. Click picture for a larger version. Back Row – Maddix Eisner, Dax Mullin, Levi […]

Submitted by: Canadian Mental Health Association Staff Learn from the past, Live in the present, and Believe in the future. Click any picture for a larger version. We would like to thank the community for their participaction in the First Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk on Friday, June 15th. The Canadian Mental Health Association of […]

ValleyBiz Story | On June 15, 2012 SVRSS Safe Grad 2012 held a Smokie on a Bun sponsored by the Swan Valley Co-op. Co-op staff and students worked together to serve those who stopped by to support the Grads. Even the sunshine made a very welcomed and long overdue appearance.

Submitted by: Mike Yablonski It was a beautiful sunny afternoon for a bar-b-que! Celebrating Phatboys’ Anniversary and benefiting the French Immersion students’ future French Cultural Trip, the bar-b-que was a success. Donations from KFC, Extra Foods, and TD Canada Trust helped increase the profits. Salad, a drink and a delicious burger sold for $5. Yummy […]

Submitted by: Bev Leach Merle Robinson, representative of Friends for Grandmothers of Africa, watches as Susan Huxley signs a petition calling upon the House of Commons to pass Bill C-398. This Bill will help facilitate the immediate and sustainable flow of life-saving generic medicines to developing countries which can’t afford brand name retroviral drugs. The […]

Submitted by: Bev Leach On Thursday, June 14, 2012 fifty-seven seniors listened attentively as Royal Bank Manager Joe Synk and Constable Korey Ogungbemi informed them of potential problems which might be encountered when dealing with any type of financial transactions. They spoke of Internet banking, credit card use, false charity scams, financial abuse by trusted […]

ValleyBiz Story On Monday, June 11, 2012 Olympian and World Champion Curler Jill Officer kicked back at a community barbeque. Hosted by the Royal Bank, all proceeds of the barbeque went toward the Swan Valley 2012 Power Smart Manitoba Games. Click any picture for a larger view. The staff of the Royal Bank stayed warm […]

Submitted by: Bev Lumax The Busy Hands Craft Group are students from the SVRSS doing special projects to help earn their Math credit. As well as the crafting, they set up a simulated business. Bev Lumax accepting donation to Special Olympics from Jordan Gosselin. Click picture for larger version. As crafts were sold, Income and […]

Submitted by: Swan Valley Co-op The Swan Valley Co-op in cooperation with the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission held a “Wine & Cheese Spectacular” on Friday, June 9th. Click any picture for a larger version. The food floor of the Swan Valley Co-op hosted a group of nine wine companies offering over 40 different varieties of […]

Submitted by: Tracy Boychuk and Meghan Gray | Around 300 people including Taylor school parents and students, surrounding schools, community daycares and nursery school attended the Taylor School Fun Fest on Friday, June 1, 2012. Approximately $6,500 dollars was raised that will be used for the students of Taylor School and for other people in […]

Submitted by: Karen Gade On Friday, June 1 over 150 healthy appetites were amply satisfied at the Benito United Church Salad Supper. Click any picture for a larger version. A team of United Church ladies, under the direction of Marlene Kostiuk and Helen Homeniuk, worked together to provide a beautiful cold meal. The buffet of […]

Submitted by: Wade Dale What a wonderful day the Lord provided for the Bowsman United Church Prayer Quilt Group’s Tea & Quilt Show called “Golden”. Click any picture for a larger version. The show displayed 61 quilts made by the talented group of quilters. The quilters gather once a week on Saturdays and join not […]

Submitted by: Jim Makichuk | Screenwriter and author Jim Makichuk had a successful book signing Wednesday May 23rd at Green Brier Bookstore in Swan River. Jim Makichuk with Ann Makichuk Click pictures for a larger version. Jim who was born in Swan River and raised in Benito has written a novel called Emperor of Mars […]

ValleyBiz Story | Young and old came with rocking chairs in tow to the Royal Canadian Legion 39 Club Room on Friday, May 18 for the “Off Your Rocker” rock-a-thon. Click any picture for a larger view. Over $6,000 was raised for renovations to the Legion’s club room.

Submitted by: Willetta Hoffman | Trinity Lutheran Church held their annual Spring tea on May 12, 2012. It was well attended and all who came enjoyed the array of sandwiches and dainties provided. There was also a bake and plant table where people could purchase items. We’d like to thank all who came.

Submitted by: Louise Schabert | On Friday, May 11, the Benito Rec Centre was the scene of AbracaDazzle, an entertaining magic show. The show was enjoyed by about 400 people young and old. John Kaplan and his crew preformed magic tricks and illusions including an Acupuncture Illusion on Will Moncrief. Maria Schneider’s key opened the […]

ValleyBiz Story | On Friday, May 11, 2012 the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School Drama Club presented their first of 3 performances of the musical Grease. The two remaining performances are: Saturday, May 12 at 7pm Sunday, May 13 at 2pm Click any picture for a larger version. The students acted, sang, danced and Rama […]

ValleyBiz Story | On Wednesday, May 9, 2012 plans for the new Swan River Town Office were on display at the Veterans Community Hall in Swan River. Click any picture for a larger version. View from 4th Street South View from Main Street The estimated cost to build the new 6,716 square foot Town Office […]

ValleyBiz Story | Ecole Swan River South School Students Who Care have embarked on a unique fund raising activity to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Click a picture to see a larger version. Students began by Flocking their Principal’s yard on Monday, May 7 who then paid $15 to choose the next location […]

Submitted by: Wayne Grier The Thompson Trade Show 2012 was attended again this year by a delegation organized by the Swan Valley Chamber of Commerce. Thanks goes out to the Valley Municipal Governments that finacially sponsored this annual journey. Click the picture for a larger version. The delegation consisted of Chamber President, Wayne Grier and […]

Submitted by: Beth Gust | Wet weather did not dampen the plans for the Wellman Lake Bible Camp Open House held at the museum on May 6. There were smiles and laughter as people of all ages enjoyed the carnival type activities! Click the picture for a larger view. Informative displays and the opportunity to […]

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 […]

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 […]