The Rural Voice, 2004-07, Page 55RAINY RIVER •••
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTERAIIMMU' The Federationi Voice is membersprby the to Rainy.
RAINY AVER VALLEY River by RRFA.
June 15, 2004
The Rainy River District is covered
in many shades of green these days,
after a tropical rainfall last weekend.
Pastures are thriving, but, with the
many cattle in the area. there is a
shortage of fenced fields to summer
many of them.
The farmers who were lucky
enough to get their grain in are smiling
and some gardens are getting planted
late this year because of the weather
conditions. In past years many gardens
thrived even after being planted in late
June or early Jdly. The hot weather
makes up for lost time. Kitchens are
full of rhubarb pies, jams and jellies
along with fresh asparagus. fiddlehead
fern and wild mushrooms. The summer
ahead looks very promising.
The June RRFA meeting was held
at Emo with Bernice' Zimmerman.
Linda Armstrong, Betty Salchert.
Angela Halvorsen. Shirley Morrish.
Kristine Carpenter, James Gibson.
Kim.lo Bliss. Susan Boersma and
Marvin Smith attending.
Betty, reporting for Member
Services. says that farm income is at a
25 -year low. She mentioned the
removal of tax from family farm sales
as of March and the policy handbook
dated May 1999 has not been updated.
On Saturday. June 12. Kristine and
Shirley. representatives for the
Agricultural Awareness (OAFE)
committee. promoted beef at the local
CloverValley Farmers' Market. It was
interesting to hear comments from
consumers as we handed out
information and recipes. Politicians
and the media rule.
Betty will contact the candidates for
an All -Candidates meeting that will
cover the rural and tourism areas of the
west -end. RRFA will sponsor this
event.
The entertainment committee has
October 23 booked for the annual
meeting. Kenora/Dryden will hold their
annual meeting October 22. A speaker
has been contacted and location will be
convenient for all members to attend.
It's not easy to think of fall events
when we're still thinking of summer.
The local papermill. now known as
Abitibi-Consolidated Company of
Canada, Fort Frances division,
celebrated 90 years on May 28.
Bernice, reporting for the local milk
producers, said that they've received
an increase and that there are heavy
fines to anyone selling raw milk or
even giving it away.
Ag Awareness appreciates the
donation from the milk committee. It
will he used for all agricultural
promotion and material used.
The community pasture is full and it
was mentioned that a report would he
appreciated on what is happening there
on a regular basis.
The Ag Society (fair board) reports
that permanent electrical hookup in the
display area of the arena for farm
progress days is in the works. RRFA
will contribute towards the expense.
The fairboard is also offering the use of
the upstairs of the arena during the fair
since there will be no dance as in years
past.
Congratulations to two of our
graduates whose parents are members
of RRFA. Bursaries were awarded to
Matt Neilson, son of Mike and Joanne
of Stratton and to Jason Seguin. son of
Claude and Cathy of Rainy River. Each
year RRFA makes this presentation to
two eligible recipients.
Alberton Central School will have
its last school day June 23. Alexander
Mackenzie in Fort Frances has also
held their closing ceremonies. There
will be many changes come
September.
When Albert Einstein was sworn in
as an American citizen. he attended the
ceremony without socks.
Ostrich. an expensive luxury meat
in many parts of the world. sells for $3
per kilogram more than beef or lamb in
Saudi Arabia. They're served up as
low-fat burgers. kebabs and meat -filled
pastries. They are also raised for their
valuable skin and feathers. South
Africa leads the world market in the
Ostrich industry. It's suited to the
desert climates and is a healthy red
meat with few diseases. It is similar to
veal and beef.
We missed Rudy at the last
meeting. He did send cookies for
coffee break and they were delicious.
Thanks Rudy. Hope your evening was
fun.
Rainy River Rural Safety advises to
be sun -safe this summer. Sun can
damage skin. causing skin cancer later
on. Limit sun exposure between the
hours of 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. when
the sun's rays are the strongest. Use
waterproof sunscreen which protects
against UVA and UVB forms of
ultraviolet radiation. It should have a
SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or
higher. Reapply every two hours and
after swimming. It's important to wear
shade hats and clothing as well as
protective sunglasses. Make
summertime fun as well as safe.
Now we have to think about
mosquitoes which may or may not
carry the West Nile virus. For
information call 1-887-234-4343 or 1-
800-387-5559. There's this thing about
using repellent containing DEET
(diethylmtoluamide) something that
will kill a bug. must do something
harmful to mankind. I would maybe
apply it to clothing - but not
underneath clothing. It becomes a
personal decision - do I want to die
from West Nile or from too much
DEET'' Skin -So -Soft made by Avon is
a good repellent for bugs, it smells
good and it also removes paint. Now.
that's another story!
Rainy River will be celebrating
their Centennial July 29 to August 2.
IA large sign 1904-2004 has been
set up on the west end of town.
Jack Elliott has taken on
the responsibility as assistant co-
ordinator working with committee
members and the community. Jack was
a former and very active member of
RRFA.
Dairy Queen is celebrating 100
years of the DQ cone this year. It's one
of the greatest and most delicious
inventions by man.
Here is another more useless but
fascinating fact: the citrus soda 7-Up
was created in 1929 and got its unusual
name because the original bottles held
seven ounces and the carbonated
bubbles went up.
Inventions can be so useful - like
self -sticking stamps. ketchup and
Miracle Whip in upside bottles - all
you have to do is pour. Cans that have
pull -top openings. no need for a can
opener. Toothpaste that stands alone.
Pretty soon we won't have to do
anything strenuous. Do you think
maybe things are becoming too easy.
Fort Frances is building a new CTC
store in town along with Mark's
Workwear. It's been described as
glitzy.
Donald Duck turned 70 years old
this year and still doesn't wear pants.
"Many people take no care of their
money 'til they come nearly to the end
of it. and others do the same with their
time." - Johann vonGoethel (1749-
1832).
Have a safe and happy summer.0
- By Shirk"% iorri.h
JULY 2004 51