The Rural Voice, 2002-01, Page 47RAINY RIVER 444
• The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
Federation Of Agriculture NEWSLETTER RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
December 7, 2001
By the time you get to read this. we'll
be into the year 2002. and the start of
another season, but. at this point in time we
are hustling and bustling. preparing for the
annual Christmas concerts, parties, family
gatherings. visits from friends who haven't
been around all year and taking the time to
think about the past events.
It's been an unusual year filled with
tragedy, sorrow, and unusual weather
patterns causing hardship across the
prairies and storms that we've never
experienced in our lifetime: but through it
all comes the happy times. the blessed
events in our lives and always the
awareness that things happen for a reason
and there is always tomorrow.
The RRFA met at Emo with the new
executive on board. Chairing the meeting
was President Bernie Zimmerman. Also
present were: Secretary, Kelly Teeple.
Treasurer. Angela Halvorsen. Member
Services Rep., Betty Salchert, Shirley
Morrish, Reg Kaus, Rudy Sinninghe,
Kimco Bliss, Jason Teeple. and James
Gibson.
Betty reported that the gift baskets went
over very well at the convention. They
were filled with various local, non-
perishable items. Bernie hoped that
someone different would attend each year
to get the experience and information that
is out there.
Betty is doing some research on the
safe storage of firearms. She has been in
touch with Howard Hampton. MPP. on the
proper disposal of roadkill. He then
referred her to MNR. She received a letter
from MNR containing a lengthy
explanation on procedures. but not really
answering who is to remove the bodies.
Pulling them to the side of the road for
prey to eat does not seem to be the answer.
As farmers. we all must dispose of our
domestic animals in a safe and hygienic
method.
Some resolutions of the OFA
convention do not pertain to our area, but
we all seem to be dealing with a vet
shortage situation.
Kimco mentioned the bus trip to
Regina's Agribition had been cancelled:
but any suggestions for future trips would
be appreciated. It must be understood that
these trips are not financed by any
organization: you pay for all your own
costs. It's just that "someone" has to
organize such an event and that takes
"someone" who can do it. We've always
had that someone available who has done a
terrific job!
The Rainy River District Veterinary
Committee will meet on Tuesday,
December 11 and hear the report from
Ralph and Jacquie Hunsperger who
attended the meeting at North Bay in the
southern part of our province.
The Milk Producers, reported Bernie,
have a teleconference coming up on
December 10 at Confederation College.
Canada won the appeal binding WTO. and
Bernie stressed that the recent attack on
agriculture by PETA be ignored. The
radical animal rights activists are trying to
scare children away from milk with fear
mongering. Dairy farmers hope that
rational adults will choose children's diets
and keep milk on the menu.
Makers of Parkay margarine are now
colouring margarine in bright colours of
pink and blue. The idea is to let kids have •
fun making faces on pancakes. sandwiches
and other foods. The margarine is in 10 -
ounce squeezable bottles and they hope to
make eating vegetables more exciting.
Parkay margarine has been around for 67
years and a controversial competitor with
butter. We prefer butter. the real thing, and
I find it very hard to put the green and
purple ketchup manufactured by H. J.
Heinz Co. on my french fries. I suppose
it's like trying purple potatoes or yellow
tomatoes for the first time. It's all in the
mid and what we're used to.
"The annual Rainy River District 4-H
Association will hold their meeting at the
Emo Inn on January 25. 2002. Call Kimio
at 482-2863 to confirm attendance. The 4-
H Banquet will take place March I in the
new year.
Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is
March 13-20.2002.
OFA is advising members not to sign
any contracts with electricity resellers at
this time. Don't rush into signing anything.
Power will still be there when the market
deregulates. There is a Code of Conduct
for reselling activity. For concerns, call
Ontario Energy Board at 1-877-632-2727.
Rainy River Farm Safety is advising
everyone to keep safe over the festive
season and all year round. Check your tree
lights for deterioration and discard if
frayed in any way. Unplug them before
going to bed or leaving home. Check your
smoke alarms and carbon monoxide
detectors regularly. They must be on every
level of your home or cottage, outside
sleeping areas and inside bedrooms.
Have an escape plan for quick exit in
an emergency. Have two ways out of each
room and a meeting place outside. If a fire
strikes. get out and stay out. Call the fire
department from a neighbour's home. If
you never need what you learn about
personal safety. you have lost nothing. but
if you never learn what you need you may
lose everything – your family. your life!
We can't stress SAFETY enough.
Burning wood from an old building
could pose a health hazard because old
paint contains high levels of lead. Before
the 1970s. lead was a basic ingredient in
paint because it made the coating
extremely durable.
When you burn lumber covered ss ith
lead paint. the wood disappears. but the
lead remains in the ash and then goes into
the soil. It's also expelled in the smoke.
People may also be exposed to lead
from food served in leaded -crystal
glassware or from improperly glazed
pottery and ceramic dish%are. The joints
of old water pipes will contain lead solder
and can be passed on in drinking water.
Other sources are lead in batteries. some
cosmetics and hair dyes. stained glass.
fishing weights and ammunition. Lead can
be absorbed through the skin or airway
passage as well as in food. Once in the
body. lead travels in the blood to the liver.
kidneys. lungs. brain. spleen. muscles and
heart. Then it moves to the bones and teeth
causing weakness — in extreme cases.
death.
Another warning – CCA pressure
treated wood contains arsenic which is
released when burned. This can make
animals and humans ill. It is advised that
all unburnable lumber be taken to a landfill
site. That should be enough scary
information for this month.
As of December 11, 911 comes to our
rural areas. If an emergency occurs at your
home. know your address. your phone
number, and the name of the road you live
on. Keep all information by each phone,
because when we panic. we sometimes
can't think.
Emo Research Station is closed for the
2001 season, as of November 30 and will
open again in April 2002. If you want to
contact our local Ag. Rep. phone 1-800-
461-6132 or fax 807-482-2864.
This has been the year of the volunteer
and I will finish the year's report with this:
Many will be shocked to find
When the day of judgement nears
That there's a special place in Heaven
Set aside for volunteers.
Furnished with big recliners
Satin couchef and footstools
Where there's no committee chairman
No group leaders or carpools.
No eager team that needs a coach
No bazaar and no bake sale
There will be nothing to staple
Not a thing to fold or mail.
Telephone lists will be outlawed
But a finger snap will bring
Cool drinks and ,gourmet dinners
And rare treats fit jor a king.
You ask, who'll serve these privileged Jew
And work for all their worth:'
Why, all those who reaped the benefits
And NOT ONCE volunteered on earth.
Wishing everyone much joy in your
homes and peace in your world. now and
always.0
– Submitted by Shirley Morrish
JANUARY 2002 43