The Rural Voice, 1998-09, Page 71RAINY RIVER
Federation of Agriculture NEWSLETTER
At_ik
RAINY RIVER VALLEY River Federation members by the RRFA
R.R. 1, Devlin, Ontario POW 1C0
807-486-3622
• The Rural Voice is provided to Rainy
August 16, 1998
It's harvest time in the Valley and
combines are busy all across the
district. Some have already cut and
baled their crops, making for more feed
come winter. It's a bumper crop at this
end of the Valley, despite the shortage
of moisture. Bears are plentiful again
and the tourists anxiously wait to catch
a glimpse of the animals as they frolic
and roll in the tall, golden harvest.
Fair time has come and gone for
another year and with it much sadness.
On August 15, we attended the funeral
of Kristine's husband, Andrew Carpenter.
Andy was everybody's friend and there
wasn't an organization around that he
didn't have some part in. He loved kids
and they would return his teasing
nature. We'll 'piss him as a dear friend
and neighbour to many, for a long time
to come. Our deepest condolences to
Kristine and family.
The RRFA held their August
meeting on Monday, August 10 at
OMAFRA. Attending were Kim
Desserre, Lucy Lahti, Betty Salchert,
Linda Armstrong, Stanley Armstrong,
Wayne Flatt, James Gibson, Don
McCullough and Shirley Morrish.
Linda said the Farm Tour in Dryden
went very well. She also announced
there is a binder available on farm
tours for $20 from head office. There is
concern over drought conditions and it
seems that the east is suffering a bit
more than we are at this time.
Kim reported that of the 45 booths
in the Farm Progress Building, 39 were
rented. Setup was Thursday evening
before the fair and take-down was on
Saturday at 5:00 p.m. Wally Hunsperger
and Jamie Galusha were the night
watchmen. All went well. The python
that was exhibited in the building was
on display next to the fairboard office.
For everyone who admires the reptile,
they had a good look at it while the
owner let it crawl around her body.
Takes all kinds, I guess.
The first cattle sale at Stratton
Salesyard this fall is September 5 and
the next one is October 3. Wayne
reported the cattlemen are looking into
the price of scales for the ring. More
improvements are slated before sale
time.
Kim stated the water at the
Community Pasture is becoming a
possible problem. The wells aren't
recovering fast enough and the nearby
creek is almost dry. She also
mentioned a new manager will be
needed for next season, as Wade
Desserre is retiring from the position.
The RRFA annual meeting will be
held on October 24 at the Pinewood
Hall. The C.W.L. will cater and Shawn
Nicholson will provide the music.
Tickets will be available from any
director.
Keep in mind it is election time and
a president, secretary and treasurer are
needed. Linda Armstrong, provincial
director, is willing to let her namc
stand in that position. A number of
directors are also needed in the
different zones. Please think about
serving on this board, it's not so bad.
The Ag in the Classroom corm -Mace
set up a display at the Emo Fall Fair
featuring pigs. The famous cornmeal
sandbox was as popular as ever, the
animal videos, the various pig pictures
to colour and the animal guessing
games were all a hit. Pat Clysdalc-
Cornell and I set it up, but boy, did we
ever miss Kristine!
Delivery date for bulls to go on test
at the Rainy River District Bull Test
Station is October 13. Call Ken Fisher,
station manager at 807-482-2747 for
details.
The 4-H food booth had a numbcr
of repairs done before the fair. Thanks
to the families of Murray and Margie
Gemmell, Archie and Eleanor
Wiersema and the Leonard Kuorikoski
family for building a safe, sturdy floor
under the deep fryer, repairing the back
door and setting in a bigger sink. Our
paint crew did a terrific job as well;
there are too many to thank, but you all
know what you did. It certainly was a
"learn to do by doing" all the way. The
new managers, Darryl and Wilma
Sletmoen, did a superb job above and
beyond the call of duty. A big thanks to
all the members, leaders and their
families who showed up on Monday
evening to help with the clean-up. The
fairboard appreciates the efforts and
always serves up an adequate meal
after the work is done. There was a
good turnout of volunteers, so thc job
was completed much earlier.
The mural painted by the 4-H group
at the OSB plant is now completed.
Percy Champaigne, mill manager, will
be in attendance at our next 4-H
association meeting on September 28
at OMAFRA.
Ag week this year is October 5 - 12.
Rainy River Rural Safety set up a
display at thc fair. It is the 25th year
for the Ontario Safety Association.
Anyone interested in supporting our
rural group can call Carol Angus at
487-2158 or Rick Neilson at 487-2387.
Parents or caregivers are being warned
about a trailer/stroller manufactured in
1996 by CCM, that can be pushed
while walking or towed behind a
bicycle. Model #GW00200 and bearing
1.D. #71-5000-0, should he used in
such a way that the child is properly
restrained. It seems there have been
several incidences where children have
suffered severed fingers, bruises, or
hands entangled in the wheel spokes. It
was also put out by Grccnwave
International #GW00200.
Our next RRFA meeting will he
later in the month on September 14,
7:30 p.m. at Morley Municipal Office.
It's Bill's turn to bring thc cookies.
Great fudge at the August meeting,
Betty!
. Last chancc for Farm Registration is
August 31 — so by the time you get to
read this, the deadline date will have
passed.
If you were driving in the Stratton
arca about two weeks ago, you would
have seen the beautiful, lush, green
crop of alfalfa that Kcnny Haw was
cutting.
At the Emo Fair, thc Hcrcford
association always have a Hcrcford
animal on display where you can guess
the weight and also purchase a ticket
for a prize. This year the steer weighed
in at 1,118 pounds, and the lucky gucss
was from Allan Teeple, Barn -boss,
who had 1,117.5 pounds on his ticket.
Lucky winner of the S500 draw was
Derck Carpenter. His dad, Andrew,
had bought him the ticket.
"No smile is as beautiful as the one
that struggles through tears."0
By Shirley Morrish
SEPTEMBER 1998 67