The Rural Voice, 2001-06, Page 63i
RAINY RIVER 446
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Federation. of River Fedeeratstionn members Agriculture NEWSLETTER RAINY RIVER VALLEY -The i e is provided to Rainy
9 by the RRFA.
May 14, 2001
Spring seems to be taking longer
than usual to come this year. Maybe
we're just too impatient for those
dandelions to pop up, watch the garden
grow, and the pastures to remain green
and lush. It'll be a good year. It always
is here in the Valley.
The May RRFA meeting had a few
absentees again,— too many other
commitments. It's funny how people
can attend the same meetings and yet
come away with completely different
perspectives. Some of these people
should have attended the workshop
held on Saturday at the Emo Inn,
covering meetings and parliamentary
procedures. A big thanks to Gary
Sliworsky from OMAFRA and Wilma
Sletmoen, 4-H leader and Registered
Nurse, who gave the presentation. For
the 10 who did attend they will see
that future meetings will be run in a
democratic manner. The regular 4-H
Association meeting followed with
plans for the upcoming season. The 4-
H Beef clubs have decided to join
forces and have meetings together with
the next one on May 22 at the
Research station at 11:30 a.m.
There is still confusion between
Mad Cow Disease and Foot and
Mouth Disease. Mad Cow is a brain -
wasting disease that may cause a
disease fatal to people. Foot-and-
mouth doesn't affect humans, but
causes economic devastation by
rendering livestock unmarketable.
People tend to put them in the same
category and they're not. Foot -and -
Mouth Disease is highly infectious and
travels in many different ways. For
more information, call Canadian Food
Inspection Agency at 1-877-227-0677
or OMAFRA at 1-877-424-1300.
Many Dairy and Beef Farmers in the
District are taking precautions by
using the disinfectant foot wash and
screening visitors to their farms.
2001 has been designated as
International Year of Volunteers and
will be celebrated worldwide all year.
Thank a volunteer and remember they
have lives at home to deal with as
well. So many volunteers go unnamed
and yet continue to go about doing
what they do best. Take that time and
join them, you'll feel better for it.
Clover Valley Farmers Market
opened this month at Fort Frances
featuring maple syrup. Watch for our
Ag Awareness Committee on June 2,
when we will be handing out samples
for barbecued beef, pork, chicken and
possibly elk. Recipes and handouts
will also be available.
Did you know that astronauts
cannot cry? There is no gravity, so the
tears can't flow.
The annual fish fry is being held on
Friday, May 18 at Manitou First
Nations. Chief Jim Leonard says it's
not only for First Nations — it's for
friends and community. They usually
host 800 - 1,000 people from all over
Canada and the U.S. Their season at
the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical
Centre opens May 2 with the museum,
mounds and dining room available
seven days a week, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00
p.m. It's a place where you are
immersed in a sense of place and time;
where you can begin a journey of
discovery, and let the teachings of
yesterday prepare you for tomorrow.
It's a wonderful place to take your
family and guests.
Farm Safety advises everyone to
wear your seatbelts. In the year 2000,
OPP officers checked 585,208
vehicles. More than 9,000 were charged
for not wearing seatbelts during a two-
week campaign. Also 200 infant seats
were improperly installed. Police are
urging motorists to please buckle up
and save a life. Report an impaired
driver to 1-888-310-1122.
This morning at 10:00 a.m. elk
producers, MNR, committee for
Reintroduction of Wild Elk, the Rainy
River District Cattlemen's President
and the RRFA President met to discuss
concerns over the elk damaging stored
haycrops, possible diseases, possible
fence damage during rutting season in
the fall, and farmers feeding elk.
Concerns were discussed and there
was an agreement to work together to
solve them.
OFA jackets and hats are on sale.
Regularly $55 each, jackets are now
$45, and hats normally selling for
$6.50 are now $4 each. Both jacket
and hat are red, featuring the OFA
logo. If interested, call Mary Myers at
OFA at 416-485-3333, ext. 236.
Plans are still underway to
officially recognize all OFA members
of 20 continuous years or more. Send
member's name, address and phone
number to Linda Armstrong at 807-
852-3645. Long standing members
will receive a letter of recognition
from OFA.
It's that time of season to check
your power lines to see if any
equipment is damaged. Check for
fallen trees and branches that may
have grown too close to the wires or
any branches or debris that may have
fallen across lines. Remember to equip
all outdoor electrical outlets with
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters to
provide protection from electrical
shocks.
Summer storms and winds can
cause disruptions to service, so be
prepared.
The April 21 Cattle Sale at Stratton
was a success. High price for 400 -
pound calves was $1.68 and the top
selling bull went at $2700. The Rainy
River Feeder Finance Club was the
second largest buyer. Work is
continuing to improve the salesyard in
preparation for the fall sales.
Life is like a 20 -mule team. Unless
you're the lead mule, the scenery will
always be the same.
The Gift of Volunteers
Volunteers are a priceless gift that
cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is much, much greater
than a mountain made of gold.
For gold is cold and lifeless.
/1 can neither see nor hear
And in time of trouble. it is powerless
to cheer.
It has no ears to listen, nor heart to
understand,
It cannot bring you comfort, reach out
a helping hand.
So when you ask God for a gift. be
thankful if He sends.
Not diamonds, pearls or riches.
But the love of real true friends.°
- Author unknown
- Submitted by Shirley Morrish
JUNE 2001 59