RIVERS
BANNER September 23, 2016
ersary v i n Celebrating our 108th An
Gazette-Reporter Serving the Rivers, Rapid City and Oak River areas for 107 years
Volume 109, Issue 13
89¢ + tax
Open Farm Day means open houses By Tony Eu Banner Staff
O
n Sunday, Sept. 18 44 locations across Manitoba invited the world to take a look at life on a farm during Open Farm Day. Simultaneously, participating bed and breakfasts across the province joined in, opening their doors to curious visitors, as well as the usual guests, as a part of the Bed and Breakfast Association of Manitoba’s open house event. All kinds of farms took part, from alpaca and cattle farms to grain farms; each had different activities prepared to show off life on a farm. From tours to demonstrations and fun activities for the kids, there was plenty to see and do. Though the farms are located off the beaten path in rural areas, as farms often are, lots of people made the trip into the countryside to find them. Plenty of people came out to learn more about where our food comes from, as well as find out what exactly farmers do and how they do it. The Hunter family farm, located 10 minutes from both Rapid City and Rivers, was one of the farms that took part. As part of their activities, they had a “cowboy corner” set up for kids to try out some rodeo events and just play around. As sheep owners, they also set up
Rebecca Schueler assisted the Hunter family at Open Farm Day when she explained the process of spinning wool to the visitors. She is the daughter of Peter and Rina, who own and operate Wind Mill Farms (the wool division) and All About Leather in Rapid City. Photo by Tony Eu
a sheep shearing demonstration and wool spinning demonstration; they even had a horsedrawn carriage ride around their
farm. Colin and Ann, with children Sara, Katie and Joseph, own horses, goats, cattle and chickens, all of which people
could look at. Hunters also had a water conservation display and farm equipment for people to look at. Any questions about
anything and everything having to do with the farm, its animals or equipment, were answered enthusiastically.
Racing returns to Rivers’ runway By Sheila Runions Banner Staff
H
enry Lepp is a local drag racer who regularly travels to Gimli for competition. As one of the co-owners of Springland Mfg., which leases land at the old Rivers airbase, he has the necessary connections to co-ordinate an event on the old runway. Such has been done and drag racing will be held there this weekend. Spectators are welcome to watch the competition on Saturday and
Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. There is a spectator fee, which is reduced in half for ages seven to 12; six-and-under are admitted free. Henry explains the racing is “from a standing stop to an 1/8th of a mile. It’s called handicap racing; you get three tries to qualify and then what you think your car will run, you write that on the door. That’s what the car gets dialled into the computer
at, so if a car can do the 1/8th mile in seven seconds, is racing against a car in six seconds, there would be a delay on the quicker car, so all have an equal chance to win.” Henry and “a lot of volunteers in the Rivers area” are now concerned weather may hamper their plans — rain ruins traction making racing difficult, if not impossible, depending on the amount of precipitation. As of
Sept. 20, 45 racers were registered but Henry was hoping for more people/cars for the Sept. 24 and 25 event. Some drivers travel with more than one vehicle but he says most are “one driver, one car. They are competing for a percentage of the entry fees, which are paid to first, second and third place.” To access the race site, travel on Hwy. 250 just south of Wheatland; watch for a sign
posted at the gate. Ear plugs are suggested but are not mandatory and a food truck will be on site but you can also pack a lunch. This will be first drag racing event on the runway but in 2007 and 2008 drift racing events were held there. (Drift racing is a single vehicle competition and involves travelling a course around pylons etc.; drag racing is two cars competing against each other on a straight line.)