The Thunderhill Ski Area held the grand opening, ribbon cutting ceremony of the Co-op Community Magic Carpet ride trail this past Saturday (Jan. 31). This exciting addition to the ski hill makes learning to ski easier, and more fun for their youngest riders and beginners. Pictured here, the first users of the Magic Carpet ride test things out. (INSET) Pictured (left to right) Thunderhill Ski Hill President Curtis Hamilton, Town of Swan River Councillor Duane Whyte, Municipality of Swan Valley West Reeve Bill Gade, Swan Valley Consumers Co-op Marketing and Community Engagement Manager Patti Henkelman, Swan Valley Consumers Co-op Board representative Jacquie Mydynski-Arp, Swan River MLA Rick Wowchuk, and Thunderhill Ski Area Manager Karen Nemetchek officially open the hill’s newest addition.

Back Left- Right: Bruce Christopher, Alan Nernberg, Robert Muir, Alan Tataryn, Chris Radford, (Front) Sandy Ross and Lenore Fenton.

For more than two decades, Russell’s Take a Year Off Lottery has been one of the major fundraisers for area facilities and projects. At the same time, it’s one of the most talked about lotteries in our area.
Total payout to organizations:$1,287,605
The organizations below received the following:
- Russell Swimming Pool - $335,458
- Russell Memorial Multiplex – $350,458
- George P. Buleziuk – $320,458
- Russell Golf Course – $40,025
- Russell Curling Rink – $6,380
- Field of Dreams – $66,745
- Playground - $8,000
- Russell & District Library – $58,745
- Russell Flying Club – $36,085
- Russell Lots-A-Tots - $86,050
- Binscarth Park & Pool - $50,000
- Binscarth Lil Bloomer Learning Patch $26,800
- Prairie Arts cARTel - $5,000
- Russell Area Heritage & Arts Centre - $5,000

Binscarth is up to great things again.
Everyone knows that the people of this small town can accomplish anything they set their minds to - and it’s time for another homecoming.
The first Binscarth homecoming was held in 1986 and there’s been one every ten years since.
This homecoming will run from July 2nd to July 5th which, because of the way the dates fall, the homecoming events will replace Binscarth’s annual Canada Day celebrations.
(Remember that the Inglis Area Heritage Committee people who run the Heritage site always put on wonderful Canada Day celebrations there too) 

Find out what else the Binscarth Homecoming Committee is up to on the front page of this week's Russell Banner.

Roblin’s first bonspiel of the season played out at the Roblin Curling Club Jan. 22 to 24 – during the coldest days of the year so far – with 12 rinks battling it out in three events.
The finals took place Saturday evening, following another terrific feast prepared by Marta Orlowska.
Want details? Want to see photos of the winning rink? Pick up a copy of this week’s Review

Development in Dauphin got a $350,000 boost over the weekend, thanks to the Province’s From the Ground Up - Safe Healthy Communities for All program.

The four community projects supported included Dauphin Recreation Services arena upgrades with $100,000, enhancement to the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum to the tune of $100,000, youth programming through Anishinaabe Agowidiiwinan Secretariat valued at $100,000, and career education programming for youth through Career, which received $50,000.

“These investments are a meaningful boost for our community and reflect the strength of our local partnerships,” Mayor David Bosiak said.

“From supporting seniors and enhancing recreation facilities to creating positive opportunities for youth, these projects directly contribute to a healthier, more inclusive Dauphin. We are grateful to the Manitoba government for recognizing the value of investing in community-driven initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives.”

Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced the grants, Saturday.

“Our government is proud to partner with communities like Dauphin to strengthen the places where people come together, stay active and feel supported,” Simard said.

“These investments reflect what we hear from local leaders every day, that when we create safe, welcoming spaces for seniors, youth and families, the whole community thrives. From recreation upgrades to cultural spaces and youth programming, these projects will make a real difference for Dauphin residents for years to come.”

In 2025-26, From the Ground Up - Safe Healthy Communities is investing more than $12 million to support more than 200 community development projects across Manitoba.

The program’s approved grants will fund renovations at local legions and community spaces, as well as programs that help keep young people away from gangs and crime, improve public parks and support seniors looking to stay active.

“I’m proud to see these investments supporting the people and organizations that make our community vibrant and resilient,” Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, member of the legislative assembly for Dauphin, said.

“Whether it’s creating opportunities for young people, strengthening cultural spaces or improving recreational facilities, these projects reflect the priorities we hear from residents every day. Our government is committed to building safe, healthy communities across Manitoba, and I’m pleased to see Dauphin benefiting from this important program.”

A new food store has opened up in The Pas and it’s providing a flavour and taste unique to most of northern Manitoba and even Canada. Graceland International Foods is bringing the authentic taste of Africa to the table. For many newcomers, it can be hard to find the foods they enjoyed in their home country, and Graceland International Foods is one way for people to do so and for other locals to broaden their taste buds.
“I’m originally from Nigeria, and I carry the values of hard work and hospitality that I grew up with,” said Graceland International Foods Owner and Operator Evelyn Okpe. “My family is my biggest support system; they are the reason I felt empowered to take this leap.

At long last, the SVRSS Cultural Arts Centre is officially open for use, with the grand opening being celebrated on Saturday (Jan. 24).
Among those in attendance were Swan Valley School Division staff and students, alongside council and band members of Wuskwi Sipihk First Nation (WSFN) and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation (SCN), municipal leaders, and provincial government representatives.
Keynote speakers for the grand opening included Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy, WSFN Chief Elwood Zastre, and SCN Chief Nelson Genaille, as well as guest speaker Caroline Quill, an elder from SCN who played an important part in the design of the facility.
Other dignitaries who were in attendance were Manitoba Minister of Municipal and Northern Relations Glen Simard, Swan River MLA Rick Wowchuk, Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko, and Northwest Metis Council Minister Peter Fleming.
SVSD Board Chair Gary Wowchuk took the audience on a journey through the historical timeline of the project, beginning from the days of the Glacial Lake Agassiz and the evidence of Indigenous peoples living on the shores of Lake Agassiz in what would now be the Swan Valley, all the way through the days when Treaty 4 was signed and how the culture of the Indigenous people of Manitoba informed the design elements of the space, and made room for traditional ceremonial practices that were otherwise lacking on the campus of the SVRSS.
The day started by making use of the new facility for that ceremony, with Firekeepers doing their best to keep a fire going outside in the fire circle on a morning that may likely be the coldest morning of the year. A pipe ceremony was also performed inside the space behind the main formal stage, a space that incorporates significant symbolism of Indigenous culture.
In his message, Kinew acknowledged the bus crash that stunned the community of Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, the Swan Valley, and the entire province, which happened just over one week prior. Kinew had visited the three students that were sent to the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg.
“We’re definitely going to be praying for these communities and for the broader community in the region,” he said. “We should also be grateful for resilient young people all across Manitoba.
“Let’s keep providing a good education and investing in wonderful facilities like this, and let’s build up this Province of Manitoba even more into the place we’re so proud of today, so our children and grandchildren can inherit a place that they’re proud of in the future.”
Following the program, the Cultural Arts Centre was open to the general public so anyone could come and view the much anticipated end product.
The $16.6 million investment into the project brought a 4,200 square foot cultural arts centre featuring a large auditorium with a raised stage, a 2,100 square foot multi-purpose room and an outdoor teaching area located adjacent to the cultural arts centre.
The space was developed in consultation with Indigenous community leaders to incorporate Indigenous learning and cultural practices. The cultural arts centre will celebrate Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, traditional values and worldviews, and will feature programming that incorporates oral traditions and storytelling, land stewardship and resource management presentations, medicine wheel teachings and smudging. Programming will also include jigging, drumming, powwows and hand drum singing.
“As mayor, I’m proud to see this investment in Swan River Valley that strengthens both education and community,” said Town of Swan River Mayor Lance Jacobson in a follow-up press release. “These new spaces will not only enrich student learning but also provide opportunities for cultural expression and collaboration that benefit the entire region.”

Local snow sculptor Derryl May continued his work on his latest front-yard piece on a frigid Saturday afternoon (Jan. 24). In about a week’s time, he expects the final piece to be revealed.

Darryl Fuz and Dave Maglahus Co-General Managers of the Paterson Grain Terminal in Binscarth presented a cheque for $10,000.00 to the Russell Health Centre.
Stacy Falkevitch - Charge RN - accepted this generous donation.
The donation is from the Paterson Family Foundation; the funds are to be utilized towards emergency care and services provided by the Russell Health Centre.
Annually for six yearsthe Paterson Family Foundation has donated $10,000.00 to the Health Centre.
This year’s donation will be used to purchase furniture for the Spiritual Care Room at the Russell Health Centre. This room will give families a private and comfortable place to gather in emergency situations and receive spiritual care if they choose. It will also be used for patients that need to see specialists using virtual technology.
All donations made to the Russell Health Centre are used to enhance the services, care and comfort of the patients and clients that access the Health Centre and the Paterson Family Foundation donations have been appreciated greatly.

By Ed Doering
The Roblin Review
Russell clinical psychologist Dr. Amy Wendell has made a major investment in her practice to continue to help as many people as she can.
Wendell, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, established Parkland Psychology and Wellness in offices in the Smellie Block in 2019 offering counselling services with a special emphasis on adults dealing with trauma.
She also supervised students – who were also available to provide counselling – working on their Master’s degrees.
In 2025, she began expanding her practice with the addition of four wellness practitioners.
That fall, with her lease coming up for renewal, a house just down the street that she’d been “called to for a long time” came up for sale – the historic “Storey (Elliott) House” located just up the street at 219 Westbourne.
She had always envisioned having her practice “in a home” as opposed to a commercial space and made an offer as soon as she could.

Want to know more? See page 2 in this week's Russell Banner.