The Rural Voice, 1999-03, Page 63RAINY RIVER *10*
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
RAINY RIVER VALLEY
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 100
807-486-3622
• The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
River Federation members by the RRFA.
February 8, 4999
We were quite saddened by the
demise of the famous Wiarton Willie,
just before Groundhog Day when he
was to make his appearance. We
certainly hope that our eastern friends
still get their spring anyway.
We're very lucky here in the Rainy
River District. Spring arrives every
year without a groundhog to proclaim
the advent of that most miraculous
season of the year. Let's hope for a
good one for all of us across the
country.
The RRFA held their February 2,
1999 meeting at Morley Township
meeting room. In attendance were
Linda Armstrong, Dianne
Vandenbrand, Rudy Sinninghe, Betty
Salchert, Archie Wiersma, Shirley
Morrish, KimJo Calder. Kristine
Carpenter, Wade Desserre and James
Gibson.
It has been decided to hold the
annual Spring RRFA dinner at
Barwick Community Centre on Friday,
April 16 to coincide with the Annual
Soil and Seed Fair event which takes
place April 16 - 17 at Barwick. Rainy
River Farm Management Club is
working along with all the Commodity
groups in the District to make this an
all-out event for everyone. Donations
of prizes is in the works and each
committee member has a job to do.
Kristine reported on the Teachers'
Day on Friday, February 19 where our
OAFE (Ag in the Classroom) will be
set up at Robert Moore and St. Francis
Schools in Fort Frances. We will be
providing information and material to
over 130 teachers from across the
District. On Saturday, February 20,
there will be a workshop at OMAFRA
with Pat Marcotte as guest speaker.
Wade reported on the tax situation
in the Unorganized areas. There is a
difference with each municipality, but
he felt that the rates for their
Unorganized, were equitable at this
point in time.
The Bill Gibson Volunteer Award
will once again be presented at the
annual RRFa meeting in April.
Nomination forms will be published in
the local newspapers. The award is
presented to a person or couple who
have given their time freely in the
Agricultural realm without
remuneration for their achievements.
Rainy River Rural Safety held their
annual meeting and executive stays
with Carol Angus as President; Wayne
Flatt, Vice-president; Secretary.
Shirley Teeple; Treasurer, Alwine
Teeple and Promotion person, Shirley
Morrish. It was an informative
meeting. but the group is small and
anyone who is interested in Farm and
Home Safety. please consider joining
to help out. We will be setting up
displays throughout the year at several
functions with handouts and valuable
safety information. Our next meeting
will be in KimJo Calder's kitchen at
7:30 p.m. March 10. She's busy with
calving, so we'll be there if she needs
us. Rainy River Rural Safety will be
supporting the local 4-H Association
with a First -Aid and CPR Course
coming up this spring.
If you have BIO evaluated bulls or
heifers to sell. you can advertise in the
1999 Breeding Stock Directory. Call
1-800-373-2253 to book a space. BlO-
Link tags are also available.
Remember the year letter is "J" for
tattooing in 1999.
Open House at the Rainy River
Bull -test site is Saturday, March 6 with
the sale on Saturday, March 20 at the
Stratton Sales Barn. There will' be a
cleanup day at the salesyard on
Sunday, March 14. Anyone involved is
asked to come out and lend a hand.
National Farm Safety Week' is
March 10 - 17 this year.
Spring Fever Days in Emo will be
celebrated April 15, 16, 17. Remember
the "Leprechaun Catcher Contest" or.
March 11. This all coincides with
Emo's IOOth anniversary ytar. Warr"
for fun activities all through '.999,
both Emo and Barwick.
Did you notice the huge eight -page
flyer that the Government of Canada
has sent to every household
concerning the year "2000,
Millennium bug". I'm a bit bugged at
the silly concerns and the way our ta-
money is being spent. I've seen a lot
these flyers laying in trash cans across
the District. That must be telling
something right there. The world will
not end in the year 2000, despite their
scare tactics.
The Stock Dog Training course will
take place at the end of May. Call
OMAFRA at 807-482-2310 for
information. Only a certain number
will be accepted and there is a cost if
you bring your dog, or leave him at
home, or just view the training.
The Rainy River Feeder Finance
did not hold their meeting on February
8 as earlier scheduled; the annual has
now been moved to March 15 at
Morley.
Rainy River District Cattlemen had
their annual meeting and have elected
their new executive. President is Peter
Spuzak: vice-president. Tom Morrish:
secretary/treasurer. Jo Bragg: sales
manager, is Russ (J.R.) Richards. with
directors Archie Wiersema. KimJo
Calder. Aarne Hahkala. Todd McLean.
Harold Di venvoorden. Brent Miller.
Rick Boersma. Wayne Flatt and
Gordon Hoskins.
The first sale of the season is April
24. Call J.R. at 807-487-2472 for
details.
The Bob Lockings, north of Rainy
River. have all their 1999 calves safely
on the ground. They are a bit early this
year. but they knew it would happen
during our mild spell and planned in
advance.
Gary Sliworsky from OMAFRA
has a nice reminder for all of us. He
says "Remember your partner is m, orth
more to you than your entire herd —
no matter how valuable you reckon
your cows are. It is a stressful time but
don't take out your frustrations on
you're mate." Have a sate and
rewarding calving season to everyone.
Did you know that the billy goat
was the original symbol of co-ops in
North Dakota because it was the only
animal that used its head in conflict.
But. so do bulls!
The "No entry without written
permission of owner" signs are still
available from any RRFA director or
Kim Desserre for $3 each. They are
12" long and 5" high with black
lettering on bright yellow.
Clover Valley Farmers' Market is
looking for an outgoing and organized
person to manage the market this year.
Call Deb at 807-486-3409 for
application details.
• The Grower Pesticide Safety course
is scheduled for Wednesday, March
17, 9:00 a.m. at OMAFRA in Emo.
Cost is $65. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
The Rainy River Cattlemen's
Association will nold their regular
meeting the same even'.,+• at 7:30 p.m.
"You can tell wh;. man is. by
what he does. when he doesn't have
anything to do."
"There is a quiet about the life of a
farmer, and the.hope of a serene old
age that no other business or
profession can promise." – Robert G.
Ingersoll (1833-1899).0
– Submitted by Shirley Morrish
MARCH 1999 59