The Rural Voice, 2002-12, Page 63VEJR.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
RAINY 807-486-3622
• The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
November /8, 2002
Winter has arrived in Northwestern
Ontario and, as always, is too soon for
many of us. The ground was freezing
before the snow fell, but some got caught
with insulation to complete, manure piles
to move out and even crops to harvest.
With the crazy year of heavy rains this
June, and winds that acted up, and people
having to adjust their lives, winter just was
not on the list of "things to do." We are
not complaining, only making a statement.
We are very lucky to be living in a district
that has it all — good families and good
neighbours. Who could ask for anything
better.
Well. it's been 10 years since I started
writing this column and they've asked me
to continue, so here I am as bright and
bushy tailed as ever. When I run out of
wind, you'll know it!
The RRFA held its November meeting
at EMO. with the new executive attending.
Presiding was Bernie Zimmerman. Vice-
president is Ken Fisher. A secretary is
needed. Betty acted as treasurer in
Angela's absence. Jason Teeple, Shirley
Morrish. Kristine Carpenter. Rudy
Sinninghe and Linda Armstrong also
attended. Missing were Reg Kaus, James
Gibson and Sue Boersma.
Betty Salchert is continuing as Member
Services Rep., and also gave the report on
the annual meeting held at Devlin on
Saturday, October 19. It was a great time
for all, with the live bluegrass music for
entertainment adding to the evening's
enjoyment. Ron Bonnett was guest
speaker, and touched on the subject of
Nutrient Management. Ron also stayed on
to talk to individuals who had concerns.
Ron applauded the efforts that Ag in the
Classroom and Ag Awareness have been
doing, and stressed that one of the most
important jobs as a member of the
federation is to communicate with the
consumers.
Committees were set up for the
upcoming year; OAFE. also known as Ag
in the Classroom, will be Kristine and
Shirley; Bright Ideas, Jason, Ken and
James; Public Relations, Shirley; Farm
Beautification, Linda, Reg and James:
Farm Progress, Linda and Bernie:
Entertainment, Rudy, Jason and Ken:
Bursary. Susan, Bernie and Angela:
Finance Committee, Bernie, Angela, Reg
and Ken.
Bernie, just back from a fall policy
meeting, reported on his venture. The
meeting was on transportation, marketing
and the U.S. trade, with the milk
producers. Then was some discussion on
milk producers in Simcoe County who
export milk in the U.S.
Other commodity and board
representatives are: Ag Society, Jason;
Cattlemen Association, Clayton Teeple;
Community Pasture, Ken Fisher; Vet
Committee, Kristine Carpenter; Milk
Producers, Bernie Zimmerman; Rural
Safety, Shirley Morrish; 4-H Leaders'
Association, Ken Fisher; and
Feeder/Breeder Finance, Jason Teeple.
Manitoba Ag Days at Brandon
Manitoba is January 14-16. 2003. Call
204-571-6566 for information.
Clover Valley Farmers' Market in Fort
Frances has closed for the season as of
October 26 with a pumpkin day. Lowey's
Garden Centre, and Gerber's Produce
donated all the pumpkins that area artists
decorated for the silent auction. Lowey's
had a trailer set up with all kinds of scary
fun for the children to venture through. All
money from the contest goes to the
Riverside Foundation. The Christmas
Store will be opening shortly in the same
building just north of Canadian Tire.
Emo has their annual "Holly Daze"
coming up with sleigh rides, Santa visits.
sales and promotions at participating
business with lots of prizes. More ideas.
suggestions. or even inquiries are
welcome. Call Emo Chamber of
Commerce President Colleen
Vennechenko at 482-1811. Emo is
becoming a big town with the expansion
of Borderland Esso and the new
Fairway/Cloverleaf Store that is now
under construction. For my eastern
readers. Emo is situated on the Rainy
River which borders Ontario and
Minnesota. It's the hub of agricultural
activities, and one of the scenic stops
along MOM's (Minnesota -Ontario -
Manitoba) highway. Another reminder:
Yonge Street begins at Rainy River and
ends in Toronto.
Farm Safety is sending out a friendly
reminder to everyone: are you prepared for
power failures during the upcoming cold
weather? Do you have heat backup, extra
provisions like food. warm clothing.
candles, first aid supplies? Remember your
animals as well, and the older folks down
the road who may not have family close by
to come to their aid.
Research studies over the past 20 years
have found that sugar is not responsible
for hyperactive behaviour in children. as
many people believe. or use for an excuse.
In fact. research has found the opposite:
sugar has a calming effect. No further
comments.
Rainy River District Cattlemen's
Association will hold their meeting on
Wednesday. November 20 at Morley's
upstairs meeting room. There will be a
summation of this year's activities and
they will be compiling the new year's
agenda.
A Livestock Medicine Course will he
held the first week of December in
Thunder Bay, Dryden and Emo. Each day
runs from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The
cost is normally $100 but has been
reduced to $50 with Agricultural Adaption
Council grant money. For you cattlemen
who missed the course last year. this will
be the only opportunity to obtain a
Livestock Medicine Education Certificate
before the April 2003 deadline. To
register, you must call Susan at Ridgetown
College at 1-877-480-9992, or if you have
questions. call Gary at 1-800-461-6132.
Emo OMAF.
Rainy River Hereford Association held
their annual meeting with a potluck supper
at the Seniors' Centre at Stratton. There
was a good turnout of members and
guests. Election took place with Aaron
Kuorikoskias the new president. Vice -
President is KimJo Bliss:
secretary/treasurer. Eleanor Wiersema: and
directors. Buck Bujold. Ross Stafford.
Archie Wiersema. Kristine Carpenter and
Vicki Calder. A roast of beef was
auctioned off and the lucky bidder was
Jack McNabb. Prizes throughout the
evening were won by Louis Bujold. Aaron
Kuorikoski. Gladys Smith. Jack McNabb.
Buck Bujold. Louise Bliss. Stan Calder.
Bob Angus. Genie Bujold. Dorothy Wier.
Matt Neilson. Shari Bujold. Jay Neilson.
Gordon Cornell. Aaron Bujold and Justin
Bujold.
A recap of something mentioned in my
earlier notes. on the disaster that struck our
district in June of this year. We all choose
where want to live and farm. be it on
sandy soils or clay loam. near a busy
roadway. or a winding river. We choose
the way our homes are designed and the
way we live and make a living. When
something happens. we deal with it each in
our own way with support from family and
friends around us. If you choose to have
insurance coverage. or don't. that's
another personal choice. But this recent
disaster brought forth a lot of debate and
hard feelings. It isn't the first time that
something like this has happened and it
won't be the last. We should be thankful
that there is such a thing as Disaster
Relief! The ice storm in Eastern Ontario
took over one and a half years to get things
settled. Everything takes time. There are
rights and many steps to follow. and there
are disaster planning books available to
assist with procedures. Many people are
very grateful for the assistance. while a
few are still disgruntled. That is the nature
of the human being: some can never make
restitution no matter what happens in their
lives. So. after getting that oft my chest. I
will say no more.
"The difference between an old hen
and certain people is that that the hen will
scratch over a bushel of chaff to find a
kernel of wheat. and the certain people
will scratch over a bushel of wheat to find
a little of the chaff."
Announcement: Julie Poirier is at the
Verner office with OMAF. She is a
graduate from the University of Guelph.
has a Bachelor of Science major degree.
She is at 1-800-461-6132 to help you with
business management whether you're
starting up. expanding. or heading off in a
different direction. If you feel she is too
far away. you can contact Gary at Emo at
1-800-461-6132 or fax 807-482-2864. He
does the same thing.
Well. Buck Bujold. I sure hope this
made better reading than the church
bulletin this time. I heard that Albert
Einstein's brain was stored in a mason jar
in a Wichita, Kansas laboratory. There are
days when I could sure use it!
Safe and Happy Holidays to everyone
of you.0 — By Shirley Morrish
DECEMBER 2002 59