The Rural Voice, 2003-03, Page 55i
RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA.
February 12, 2003
"When one door of happiness closes,
another opens; but often we look so long
at the closed door that we do not see the
one which has opened for us." — Helen
Keller.
The farming community has lost two
more of its dedicated agricultural
pioneers and long-time RRFA members.
Theodore "Dee -dee" Gouliquer and John
Angus have passed away. Our deepest
condolences to Georgette, and to Eva
and their families.
The February RRFA meeting was.
held at Morley on February 4. It was one
of our colder evenings and we are
experiencing arctic weather here in the
North Western District still. Attending
were Kristine Carpenter, Bernie
Zimmerman, Linda Armstrong, Shirley
Morrish, Sue Boersma, Rudy Sinninghe
and Jason Teeple. Member Services Rep
Betty Salchert is still away, basking in
the Arizona sunshine. Reg Kaus also is
in the warmer climates and Ken Fisher is
just wishing he was on holidays. He's
too busy to go south. It's that time of
year when calving has begun for some
and others are busy with the mid -winter
projects and glad that calving for them
doesn't start until mid-March or April
when spring arrives.
Bernie reported on the meeting held
at the Circle D, where Amos Brielmann,
Bernie Zimmerman, Tom Morrish, Kim
Cornell and Arnold Kaemingh put
together a presentation for the Second
Draft of the Nutrient Management
meeting that was held last Thursday in
Rainy River. Kim Cornell would speak
on behalf of the Rainy River Cattlemen's
Association and Bernie for the RRFA.
Kristine reported for OAFE (Ontario
Agri -Food Education). Plans for the pork
promotion are underway for the season's
activities and Shirley will give a
presentation on Ag Awareness at a W.I.
meeting this week. A half hour is
allowed. Do you realize how fast I will
have to talk to say it all? Rudy says it's
highly possible.
Bell Canada has a new
communications voice that will answer
your calls. "Emily" is the voice that you
will hear and we're told if we speak
clearly, she'll make the call shorter
without all those extra buttons to push.
I'm visualizing a femmy-type robot
wearing a pair of earphones and a lace
apron. Call 310 -Bell to hear her voice.
Jason reported for Rainy River
District 4-H. The regular meeting is
February 24 at Barwick. The Annual
Awards Banquet is March 7 at Stratton.
The potluck luncheon and skating party
is March 23 at the Emo Arena. The
annual 4-H Leaders Association had
their elections with the new president
being Kari (Vos) Lemelin, vice-
president, Ken Fisher; secretary, Cindy
Nielson, and treasurer, Carol Angus.
Enrollment fee for one year is $20 per
member. This is the 90th anniversary of
4-H in Canada. It began in Roland,
Manitoba and now operates in every
province.
lvomec is offering a $1,000 4-H trust
fund scholarship. The essay topic is
"Over the last few years, livestock and
poultry producers have invested heavily
in protecting the Environment. Propose
ideas or solutions that would further
improve the existing systems or provide
new approaches to environmental
protection in Agriculture". Applicants
must be 16 years old. Scholarships are
based on community and volunteer
involvement and a presentation of the
500 to 750 -word essay. Completed
entries must be postmarked by May 15
and winners will be announced in June.
Our local Safeway store in Fort
Frances now has a new system. They
will no longer cut meats; instead they
will be getting all fresh meat from the
central packing plant in Winnipeg.
Nineteen employees who took the
buyout, have left. They either retired or
took new career paths.
Rainy River Rural Safety will hold
their annual meeting at the Emo Inn on
Monday evening, February 17 at 7:00
p.m. 911 is now available in 14
communities: Fort Frances, Alberton,
Couchiching First Nation, Halkirk,
Watten, Morley, Chapple, Emo, Rainy
River First Nations, Dawson, Lake of the
Woods, La Vallee, Naicatchewenin First
Nation and Rainy River. If you are not in
a 911 community, call 274-2233 for
ambulance service. Kristine reported that
not all cell phones can get through, so be
aware of your locations and destinations.
Remember to follow safety procedures
while on your snow machines. Respect
the rights and property of others. Sled
smart and stay sober.
Heritage Day will be celebrated this
year on February 17. Ontario Heritage
Week is promoted across Ontario
February 17-23. Locally, there will be a
Heritage Day Tea on Saturday, February
22 at the Emo Museum.
March 31 is the deadline date to
appeal your property assessment if you
have discrepancies.
Jason reported that the Rainy River
Cattlemen's Association had their annual
meeting. The new board consists of
Clayton Teeple, Mark Chojko-Bolec.
Archie Wiersema, Allen Jolicoeur,
Darryl Angus. Peter Spuzak, Len
Kuorikoski, Doug Hartnell, Rick
Boersma, Aarnie Habkala and Steve
Loshaw. Jo Bragg is secretary -treasurer.
At their first meeting February 5, past
president Tom Morrish handed the gavel
over to Peter Spuzak. Tom is now
Provincial Director to the OCA. Thanks
to Archie for sponsoring coffee and
doughnuts. Russ Richards is the sales
manager and Clayton Teeple is the
assistant manager.
Good news for homemakers. Gem
jars are going to have their lids once
again. The 78 millimetre lids
disappeared from stores last summer.
Bernardin phased out the lids in 2001
because demand for them was low.
Canadian Home Canning Ind. of Toronto
is the company that will begin making
Gem lids in March and they will be
available in grocery and hardware stores
across Canada by April. The company
also has the mold to make the Gem jars
and they, as well, will be produced if
there is a need. The company started up
with help from the Federal Government.
Gary Sliworsky, our local Ag. Rep.,
is reminding us to take year-end
inventory on the farm. This would
include livestock, homegrown forage
and grains, as well as purchased feed and
supplies. He also advises to update your
list of farm machinery, and the fair
market value of all equipment, animals
and supplies. Listing everything will
make it easier at tax time. I would also
like to add that it is important to have all
records, be it birth certificates, marriage
licences, insurance policies. health cards,
social insurance cards and any pertinent
documents updated and in a safe place.
Would you be prepared if an emergency
or tragedy were to happen?
You know you're over 50 when you
enter the metallurgical period of your
life: silver hair, gold teeth, and a lead
bottom.0
— By Shirley Morri.di
MARCH 2003 51