The Rural Voice, 2001-12, Page 63RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
416
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 100
807-486-3622
RAINY RIVER VALLEYThe Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
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River Federation members by the RRFA.
Rainy River District 4-H Association
will hold its annual meeting at the Emo
Inn on January 25, 2002. Call Kimio at
482-2863 or 275-9706 if you will be
attending.
"Looking Back — Moving Forward"
was the theme for the Manitoba Farm
Women's Conference at Portage la
Prairie. It was their 15th anniversar. ms
birthday on the 1lth and Kristine's on
the 12th, so we decided to attend.
representing our Ag Awareness
Committee. It was a real eye-opener for
all who attended.
Keynote speakers like Dr. Val Farmer
Ph.D who counsels farm families on the
demands of a stressful occupation: Gary
Gregor. who has a degree in commerce
with a major in psychology. and is the
most sought-after motivational speaker.
showed one how to apply what you learn
and have fun while learning. The stories
that Deann and Tim Treadway had to tell
after their year of living 19th -century
style after accepting the challenge from
History Television's Pioneer Quest. left
one with a better idea on how our
ancestors had to cope without electricity
and modern conveniences. The song they
composed and sang "You'll Get Used to
It", related their experiences. Maybe we
should all at some point in our lives, try
living the pioneer way, and we'd
appreciate what we have. so much more.
One of the things that Dr. Val Framer
told us was "Farming alone is worse than
bowling alone". It's a very hard thing to
do. People need to share the goals and
the hardships. Farming is a shared
lifestyle and you can be your own boss.
We are constantly exposed to nature —
even the blizzards put us at awe. The
night sky. the soft rains. newborn
animals and the love of God. Farmers
feed the world. Farmers are continually
creating memories. but you must know
how and when to take a'break. Everyone
needs time off and time away. Things
have to be done in a timely way.
Workaholics are only trying to prove
something. You never say. "Just a
Farmer" because a farmer is a multi-
talented manager.
And so. Kristine and I, both a year
older. are so much wiser, after attending
this conference and borrowing Dr. Val
Farmer's quote — "So we could associate
with the best people in the world —
Farmers".
"Some people should never retire,
because all they know is what they do-.
— Dr. Val Fanner. Ph.D
Season's Greetings from all of us at
Willow -Mor Farms.°
— By Shirley Morrish
November 18, 2001
"Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let
it Begin with Me" — the words to a
wonderful soneand tribute to all of those
who gave their lives to make it a
peaceful world. What we have today is
so unsure, but we must live each day as
it comes. Life can't get better until you
do.
Attending the November 6, RRFA
meeting at Morley, were the members
from last term and the newly elected
directors for the year 2002. Time goes
too quickly.
President Bernie Zimmerman
chaired; Kelly Teeple agreed to remain
as secretary — she may be shy, but a great
little bookkeeper. Also attending were
Jason Teeple. Reg Kaus, James Gibson,
Linda Armstrong. Rudy Sinninghe,
Kink, Bliss. Wade Desserre, Susan
Boersma, Kristine Carpenter. Member
Services Rep, Betty Salchert and Rural
Voice writer, Shirley Morrish. Vice -
President. Ken Fisher and Treasurer
Angela Halvorsen could not attend.
Betty. reporting for member services.
attended the convention "Healthy
Futures". She has also inquired on the
dead animals left on roadways and
highways. It is still questionable as to
who is supposed to remove the carcasses.
Prior to the Harris government. the
Ministry of Transportation did all the
cleanup situations, but things have now
changed. Betty will continue her
research into this messy matter.
Kristine reported for OAFE (Ag
Awareness). She was questioning where
one would go for better prices on photo
copies for our committees' paperwork.
Many items are getting very costly and it
costs less to just copy sometimes.
Kristine and Shirley planned on
attending the 15th Annual Manitoba
Farm Women's Conference in Portage la
Praire on Nov. 11, 12, 13.
Bernie, reporting for the Milk
Producers, attended the annual meeting
along with Arnold Kaemingh at Geneva
Park. The Quality Assurance Program has
come into effect. The Livestock Medicines
course will become compulsory. Water
testing and tank monitors — there are a
number of things coming down the pipe.
Kimco gave the report for the Vet
Committee. They've had more meetings
on how to go about getting another vet
for the district. It's very discouraging. A
Livestock Medicines Course will take
place in the spring of 2002.
Representatives from other commodity
groups have been invited for their input
on the vet matter.
Rainy River. Rural Safety is
reminding everyone of some of the
hazards that come with the winter
season. Carry extra supplies in your car
in case of a breakdown. slow down on
icy roads when not sure of conditions.
and when towing another vehicle. fasten
the chain up from the bottom and around
— not down from the top. because if the
tow chain happens to break, it will fly to
the ground and not through your
windshield, or your head. if you happen
to be towing with a tractor. When towing
with a tractor, hook. the chain to the
drawbar only. to prevent rollovers.
The entertainment committee
reported on the annual RRFA dinner and
dance. It was a very different one. The
evening went all too quickly. but maybe
not quickly enough for the contestants
who so bravely answered the questions
to the Newlywed Game. The great sports
were Reg and Doreen Kaus, Rudy and
Marie Sinninghe. Jason and Kelly
Teeple, Ken and Evie Fisher. and Jack
and Dianne Vandenbrand. They should
all have won a prize, but the winners
were Rudy and Marie. Rudy reported
that life at home would have been very
different if they hadn't taken home the
beautiful lawn bench as a prize. But. it
was all in fun and they were all such
teratic sports.
The dance followed. with Glen Hart
and his band playing good old-fashioned
music. It was something to see people
like Bubs Hughes and Peggy out on the
floor stepping along with others like Bob
and Vivian Locking. So many members
who came out to celebrate the 25th
anniversary of the RRFA. We're hoping
this sets a new trend. and every member
of the association enjoys the festivities at
all future annual meetings.
The last cattle sale of the season at
Stratton Salesyard went very well with
over 1,200 head sold. The annual
meeting will take place at the Our Lady
of the Way School at Stratton on January
23. At this time any changes to dates or
types of sales held will be discussed.
Further upgrading of the yards and sales
barn will take place as soon as the warm
weather comes in the spring.
The Rainy River District has been
officially declared, a disaster area from
the July 31 storm (tornado) and anyone
needing to claim damages for
compensation, should apply to the
Disaster Relief Committee. which is
headquartered at the Chapple Municipal
Office. Deadline for applications is
December 31, 2001. Submit to the
Committee at Barwick, or for further
information, call 807-487-1283. It covers
essential, non-insured items.
DECEMBER 2001 59