Forrest Special Projects Group wins $25,000

By Jessica Coulter Rivers Banner

Thanks to all for your votes and support, Forrest Special Projects Group (FSPG) won the Growing Home with BASF Contest. BASF gave them an incredible opportunity, and they want to thank BASF, and the farmers who nominated them. The prize was $25,000.

“During the two-week voting period, we (BASF) received an astounding 37,661 votes cumulatively. That number is a real testament to the strength of our rural communities here in Western Canada,” says Andrea McConnell, Manager of Customer Solutions at BASF. “Our team was inspired watching community members show up and rally support for the finalist organizations.”

The contest really showcased what being part of a community is all about. And having the support of surrounding communities was a very powerful thing. The FSPG is a charitable organization formed in 1989 by local parents to create a healthier community through the construction of local recreational facilities.

“Winning the Growing Home with BASF contest is a tremendous honour for our small rural farming community. Being nominated by local farmers, becoming a finalist among other worthy Manitoba organizations, and ultimately winning because of votes from community-minded people who support this project is incredibly meaningful for us. Winning the contest will allow us to install playground components in our new community park this fall, and we wish to extend our sincerest gratitude to BASF for this extraordinary investment in our community. Thank you!” - FSPG

Thank you to Rivers Banner, Brandon Sun, Star FM Brandon, Q Country 91.5FM, Brandon’s Bounce Radio, RM of Elton, and every single person who voted and shared the contest. The FSPG heard from so many people who worked so hard to help Forrest win.

The 4-H Beef Club has been busy since their last report. Their Cowboy Caviar fundraiser and Online Auction were huge hits. Thank-you everyone for supporting those fundraisers.

On May 27, the club participated in 4-H Highway Clean-up Day. They split in to two groups. One group picked up from Wheatland to Rivers and the other group picked from Chimo to Rivers. Both groups picked up a lot of garbage.

They held their rally day on June 11, 2023, at Big Sky Simmentals. Andrew Wrightson from Prairie Rose Meats came and talked to the group about the different cuts of meat and the value of those cuts that will be on our market steers. A big thank you to Andrew for coming out to talk to the group.

After that, the 4-H Beef Club went over how to judge animals. Then the senior members gave the younger members a demonstration on how to fit their animals on show day.

They held their June meeting and continued making plans for their rapidly approaching achievement day. Their 13 members would like to invite everyone to their show and sale on July 6 at HTA Charolais. The big show starts at 1 pm and will be followed by their market steer sale at 7 pm. If anyone needs more information or would like a sale catalogue, feel free to contact any of the members. Thank you all in advance and the 4-H Beef Club hope to see you July 6.

Thursday, June 15, was a day I will never forget. I first heard sirens indicating that either ambulances or police were heading out of town. Then came the prolonged wailing of the siren from our fire hall.

I had heard that combination once before; following a crash on Highway 16 west of Neepawa. My first thought was that our First Responders were probably heading to a traffic accident with fatalities. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined how tragic this accident really was. A small bus from Dauphin, carrying 25 people (mostly seniors), was hit by a semi-trailer truck as it (the bus) was crossing the east bound lanes of Hwy 1 at Hwy 5 Pictures of the scene can be found on social media and in YouTube videos. A detailed report can be found elsewhere in this issue of The Banner and Press. This column is directed to those who either lost a family member in this tragedy; or who will be caring for someone who survived, but who is facing a lengthy recovery from serious injuries.

As I write these words, I have just finished watching an interview with Dauphin’s Mayor word search

David Bosiak. In one sentence, he summarized the impact of this tragedy on his city. “Just about everyone in Dauphin,” he said, “knows someone who was on that bus.”

Those words personalize this tragedy better than any others I’ve heard. We are a small community in a region of small communities. What touches one community touches us all. Even if we may not know any of the victims personally, our close proximity to the Dauphin community makes June 15 a sad day for all of us.

I will be the first to admit that I can’t explain why this accident happened. We have been assured that RCMP investigators will do all they can to provide victims’ families with as many answers as possible. I have no doubt that they will keep that promise; and that their final report, when released, will help bring closure and healing to the grieving families. And if investigators recommend changes that could improve safety at that intersection, I call on officials in Manitoba’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure to take them seriously and act on them promptly.

But there is one other thing that we can, and must do. We cannot expect the people of Dauphin to carry this burden of grief and pain alone. We must stand with them and support them with our prayers, our words of encouragement and any practical help we can offer. One creative person posted a simple logo on Facebook. It has two words: “Dauphin Strong.” People of Dauphin, we are standing with you. You are not alone.

I also wish to speak to the First Responders from our communities who were called to the accident scene and remained there until given permission