The Rural Voice, 2001-09, Page 71RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
d►
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 100
807-486-3622
ALimilL ' The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY t21FR VALLE\ River Federation members by the RRFA.
August 2/. 2001
In this past month the Rainy. River
District has experienced a tornado. the
Emo Fall Fair and a dramatic change in
weather conditions which triggers a whole
different series of events. Insurance
companies are scrambling to settle claims.
and with so many. it's taking what seems a
very long time. I can't even begin to
mention the devastation that took place in
the Devlin area and we are all still cleaning
up the mess that the storm lett us. Were so
thankful that there were no lives lost or
hurt. It could have been so tragic.
The RRFA meeting was held at Emo
with some members unable to attend
because of summer commitments.
President Bernie Zimmerman gave the
Milk Producers report saying that they
would have a display at the fair and they
did. It was very nice and won second place
from the 10 judges. They have a large
number of promotional items available.
which can be had by calling Bernie at 487-
1278 and he can place an order for you.
Congratulations to Bernie and
Roseanne. on the birth of a new baby son.
Rebecca now has three brothers to help out
on their Dairy. Farm north of Emo.
Ken Fisher reported for the Pasture
Committee. He said that there has been a
bit of foot -rot at the pasture. There will
possibly be a tour in September with a
pasture specialist coming. Some
crossfencing will be done. making more
space for next year's cattle. Rainy River
First Nations just completed the fencing off
of the creeks under the watershed program
at the community pasture.
A number of Targe black hears have
been spotted in several places in the
District — even in towns. You are being
advised to dispose of garbage properly and
secure food items so as to not entice the
bears. They love to eat and have a great
sense of smell.
Betty Salchert, Member Services. says
she has renewed her contract for another
year and mentioned that Northern Ontario
reps are the only ones who did not get a
raise in their allowance. She also reported
that Ron Bonnett will be in Thunder Bay
on October 3. in Dryden on October 4 and
Rainy River on October 5. A meeting will
he set up with Ron at the Stratton School
for Friday. October 5.
Linda Armstrong reported for the Farm
Progress Building at the annual Fall Fair.
She had 42 booths already hooked. but by
fairtime all had been taken and filled. It
was a terrific show. Linda appreciates the
volunteers who come out to help set up the
curtains and steel. Take-down time at 5:00
p.m. on the Saturday of the fair is always a
madhouse with everyone scrambling. You
always see the same faces helping out.
"The manner in which one endures
what must be endured is more important
than the thing that must he endured.- -
Dean Acheson.
2001 is the International Year of the
Volunteer.
Rainy River Rural Safety set up a
display at the Farm Progress Building. It
was very successful with all kinds of
promotional items available. questions
answered. and hand -aids distributed. along
with earplugs. There was a tree draw for a
first-aid kit. a hard hat and a tote hag. all
won by ladies.
TORC iThc Ontario Rural Council, a
catalyst for Rural Dialogue Collaboration
and Action held a conference at North Bay
August 26. 27. 28. This is the group who
labelled our district "remote". Don't worry,
I'm still getting flak tiff even mentioning 0
last month.
Hymer's Fall Fair happens Labour Day.
Weekend. September 2-3. It's situated
south of Kakabeka Falls in the Thunder
Bay region. It's one of the greatest events
with old-time fun and Tots of
entertainment. You'll be glad you went.
Rainy River Cattlemen's Association
held its first fall sale on Saturday. August
25 at Stratton Salesyards. The calf sale will
take place on Saturday. October 6. More
pens have been added on the south side of
the barn. Improvements are underway
every time the volunteers can give their
time.
4-H will he having a local competition
for "Go For The Gold" on September 8.
The Regional will be September 22. If you
can get a team together. register with
KimJo Calder at 482-2863 this week.
Linda Armstrong set up "Icer -Gel" in
four convenient places on the fairgrounds
to he used for fairgoers. It took the place of
soap and water when the visitors left the
barns and pens. Nice touch.
The 4-H Market Steer competition had
19 entries with Grand Champion at 1.395
lbs. raised by Jeff Teeple. We've been
weighing 4-H calves for about 17 years
now and it's a thrill to watch the 4-H kids
proudly. sometimes nervously. sometimes
too bravely. but always dedicated to
"Learn to do by Doing". Jeff led "Fella IX"
through the scales just as easily as he
always has. Reserve Champion Market
Steer. went to 85 -pound Matt Smith. who
led "Lady's Man" over the scales topping
the weights at 1485. Now that was
something to see. To Erika Boersma. Jeff
Hyatt. Riley Caul. Linda Zimmerman.
Kerry Hyatt. Sheila Teeple. Melinda
Teeple. Sean Forster. Joey Sloetmoen.
Kevin Gemmell. Adam Forster. Anthony
Boersma. Matt McQuaker, Cory Forbes.
Laura Zimmerman, Jock Gemmell and
Aaron Kuorikoski — congratulations on a
job well done. We're proud of each and
every one of you and will continue to
weigh your calves as long as the good
Lord's willing.
Congratulations to Pat Marcotte who
has been awarded Ontario .Agri -Food Ed.
Inc. "Volunteer of the Year Award for
2000" and also received honourable
mention as an outstanding volunteer Pat is
also our chairperson on the executive
committee of OAFE for 20111-1)2. Kristine
Carpenter. Pat Clssdale-Cornell and
Shirley Morrish send their applause.
Our local committee set up a display at
the fair featuring 'Bees and Honey. with
help from local producer. Rick Neilson and
Kristine's sister. Rhonda. a retired school
teacher. Samples of local honey troni
Louella Hoskins Farm and Rick Neilson's
honey farm were on display. along with
beekeepers' tools -of -the -trade. Rick even
had a display of drones busy at work
preparing for the Queen to hatch during the
fair. The term "busy as a bee" now has full
meaning. Our display won first place
honours in the farm progress building. \\e
thank everyone who gave of their time.
Jen Mercer from the Rain- River First
Nations Watershed Program set up a
display with hug samples and free water
testing bottles. She was part of our Ag
Awareness promotion. Terry gave the hug
demo, and the t -shirt was won by Linda
Booth of Devlin.
Once again the Rainy River Hereford
Association held a "guess the weight of the
heifer' contest. The heifer weighed 1.184
lbs. and was won by Cindy Haniak. The
half of beef or S500 was won by Greg
Stahn of Greg's Recycling. Dev lin.
We were honoured with a visit by the
Minister of Agriculture just after the hig
storm. He was visiting his daughter in the
Sioux Narrows area and was stormed out
from the road being washed away. so. he
was able to have a quick visit and learn a
hit about our district. He was unaware of
the distance that Ag Rep. Gary had to
cover and quite surprised at the actual site
of our farming area. Maybe. if they made
the maps properly for Ontario. the true site
would he noted and we would not he
labelled as "remote...
Don't forget the annual RRFA dinner
and dance at Stratton Millennium Hall on
Saturday. October 20. There will he live
entertainment and tickets are available
from any one of the directors. Call Linda
Armstrong if you have been an RRFA
member for 25 years. She is husy making
up the list from Ralph Hunsperger's
memory and it may not he too reliable
since the storm knocked his barn and silo
around. He has too many things to think
about these days as many others hase.
"The most disastrous times have
produced the greatest minds. The purest
metal comes of the most ardent furnace.
the most brilliant lightning comes of the
darkest clouds." - Charles Montesquieu
(1689-1755).0
- Submitted by Shirley Morrish
SEPTEMBER 2001 67