The Rural Voice, 2004-11, Page 47RAINY RIVER .fie
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER 'The esti n Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
October 20, 2004
Despite the rain, the cold winds and
threatening snowfalls, we can be
thankful for the warm, beautiful
weather that happened over the
Thanksgiving weekend. These are the
temperatures we've waited for all
summer. With it, came hordes of
ladybugs. We've been told they are
really beetles and here for a reason.
They're not as pesty as the tent
caterpillars, so we can deal with them
with the shop vac.
Since our last report, Rudy has
become a Grampa. Congratulations to
son Ryan and wife Nicole, Gramma
Marie and the rest of the family.
There's also a new addition at Kim1o's
Farm. She now has a new horse.
Attending the October 5 RRFA
meeting were Linda Armstrong, Rudy
Sinninghe, KimJo Bliss, Marvin Smith,
James Gibson, Betty Salchert, Angela
Halvorsen, Kristine Carpenter, Susan
Boersma and Shirley Morrish.
By the time you read this, we'll
have a new executive for the next year.
Our annual meeting will be held
October 23 at Stratton. It is hoped that
people will take the time to stand on
this board. The experience is knowledge
and they're a bunch of great volunteers.
Everyone should become a director, at
least once, to get the feeling and
understanding of how the wheels turn.
The local 4-H Association has set
their annual meeting for February 4,
2005. Our year ends December 1, 2004.
The 4-H awards banquet will be March
4, 2005 at Stratton. Ellen and George
Chojko-Bolec did an excellent job of
managing the 4-H food booth this year.
Ellen reports that our 4-H booth used
up 50 pounds short of one ton, of
potatoes for the homemade french fries
that are so famous. The 4-H horse club,
run by Kathy Stahn and Denise
Donaldson, is almost complete. A 4-H
tractor club will resume soon, led by Jo
Bragg and Shirley Morrish. A
committee has been setup to compile
the 4-H cookbook. ,
Kristine reported for Ag Week. We
set up at the Farmers' Market in Fort
Frances promoting milk. Our
committee handed out free yogurt,
cheese cubes skewered with a pretzel
stick and lots of recipes with
information on milk products. We also
built scarecrows and, thanks to Kim
Cornell, we did have enough straw to
stuff our creations. Thanks also to Betty
Salchert and Elaine Aveyard who
designed the faces. Thanks to R.R.
District Milk Committee for sponsoring
the dairy products.
Rainy River Hereford Association
will hold their annual meeting at the
Stratton Seniors' Centre on November
19 at 7:00 p.m. It will be potluck with
the Association providing the meat.
Everyone is welcome.
Manitoba Farm Women's
Conference takes place this year at
Portage La Prairie on November 7-8-9.
The theme is "Beyond the Gate —
Changing Horizons."
The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
is November 5-14 at the National Trade
Centre Exhibition Place in Toronto.
Call 1-416-263-3400 for information.
Rainy River Rural Safety is asking
everyone to check batteries on your
smoke alarms and carbon monoxide
detectors. The devices should be
replaced every 10 years for safety's
sake. Our local committee visited 40
homes and farms in the District leaving
safety information, signs, and kids fun
safety things.
We made notes on many unsafe
practices that are happening in the area.
We are unable to police residents, but if
you need information or advice give
President Rick Neilson a call and he
can direct you. We saw ladders being
climbed at an angle and nobody at the
bottom for support. We shuddered at
the baby car -seat tied to a tractor
fender. We saw bags of cement being
mixed in the wind and the worker was
not wearing safety goggles or mask.
We noted a young person with a
propane torch in one hand and a stick
lighter in the other. When questioned
he did say he was cleaning the barbecue
pit. The boy was 10. We've seen
clothesline rope and electric fence at
neck level, a trap if riding a bike or
four -wheeler. Snow -machine time is
coming up and we've noticed electric
fences that are not ribboned. The list is
endless.
What we don't want to see or hear,
is the report on the radio that another
accident has occurred because someone
couldn't take the time to stop and think.
Please take that time.
The CAIS Program deadline has
been extended again for 2003 and 2004.
You now have until November 30,
2004 to complete and return your 2003
CAIS Options notice and
supplementary form, and return your
2004 CAIS Options notice. You have
until March 31, 2005 to open your
account. Call 1-866-367-8506 for
information. If Marvin had known all
this was going to happen, he wouldn't
have had to stay up after midnight to
complete the first deadline. It makes
one wonder just how organized the
Canada Revenue Agency is and if we
are just getting the run-around.
The Manitoba Livestock Expo at the
Keystone Centre at Brandon takes place
November 4-6. 2004.
Bernie gave the milk report. There
will be a fall policy meeting. Bernie as
well as one member from Dryden and
one from Thunder Bay will attend.
There's a price change in milk because
of the excess powdered skim milk
available. Bernie stated that there are
55,000 tons of surplus protein
components and the price change is a
positive factor for him.
Rainy River Vet Committee will
hold a meeting on October 28 at the
Emo Research Station at 10:00 a.m.
Ralph and Jacquie Hunsperger will
attend the annual this year. Dr. Dan
Pierroz has been very busy with calls
throughout the District. He does have a
locum scheduled who will be coming
for one week a month.
"Every successful man 1 ever heard
of has done the best he could with
conditions as he found them and waited
until next year for better." — Edgar
Watson Howe (1853-1937).
BSE Help Line is 1-888-292-5856.
BSE Recovery Program for Ontario is
1-877-838-5144 and The Farm Line for
emotional support and referral services
is 1-888-451-2903. OMAF contact
centre is 1-877-424-1300.
Tom had a friend visit over coffee.
This fellow had a horrible year with
one thing leading to another. He told
Tom, "I just don't think 1 have any
hope anymore." Tom replied, "Then
use mine until yours returns".0
— Submitted by Shirley Morrish
NOVEMBER 2004 43