Lois Davison (left), along with Eileen Kowaluk (back) and Betty-Ann Cottingham sort and prepare donated product at the Value Shoppe in Birtle.

Thrift store continues to give back to community

Value Shoppe has donated over $115,000 to Birtle and surrounding area since 2005

With donated merchandise offered for sale for only a few dollars, the Value Shoppe in Birtle has given back over $115,000 to the community since its inception over a decade ago. Introduced in January 2005, the non-profit thrift shop moved to its present location on Main Street nine years later as it needed a larger

Frank Crew speaking at the unveiling of the cairn.

Cairn dedicated for gift of land

Property contributed to MHHC has been in the Crew family for half a century

Family, friends and neighbours of Frank Crew, along with representatives of the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation (MHHC), came together last fall to recognize and thank the Birtle citizen and retired farmer for his contribution and donation of land that had been part of his family’s farm for half a century. A permanent cairn was unveiled



MWI mourn passing of lifelong member Marion Fulton

Marion Fulton was passionate about the Manitoba Women’s Institute and its work on behalf of rural Manitobans

She was determined to improve the lives of rural women and their families, and she focused her entire life volunteering with an organization she believed could do that. Marion Fulton of Birtle was a longtime member of the Manitoba Women’s Institute. Her passing, at the age of 92 on Nov. 4, is being mourned by

Festivals – for Aug. 5, 2010

Contact us with your event, dates, location and contact information at [email protected]. Aug. 5-7:Canadian High School Rodeo Finals, Virden. Contact Wendy Smith at 204-855-2476 or [email protected] or visit http://canadianhighschoolrodeos.com. Aug. 6-7:Birtle Fair, contact Sharron Wilander at 204-842- 3419 or [email protected]. Aug. 6-8:Cypress River 125 Homecoming, for more info visit www.cypressriver.ca/125_ celebration. htm or email [email protected].


Fairs & Festivals – for May. 20, 2010

Is your community hosting a farm fair or exhibition in 2010? Contact the Co-operator with your event, dates, location, contact information (phone, email and/or website) and updates or changes to [email protected]. May 22-24 – Birdtail Valley Pasture Pickin’ Jamboree, Birtle. Contact [email protected]. June 5-6 – Rockwood Summer Fair, Stonewall. Contact Janice Rutherford at 204-467-5612. June

Fairs & Festivals – for May. 6, 2010

Is your community hosting a farm fair or exhibition in 2010? Contact the Co-operator with your event, dates, location, contact information (phone, email and/or website) and updates or changes to [email protected]. May 22-24 – Birdtail Valley Pasture Pickin’ Jamboree, Birtle. Contact [email protected]. June 5-6 – Rockwood Summer Fair, Stonewall. Contact Janice Rutherford at 204-467-5612. June

Manitoba Farmers File Hail Claims

The worst hailstorm of the year in Manitoba has resulted in about 600 crop insurance claims so far, the provincial government’s farm insurance corporation said Aug. 18. Damage from the Aug. 14 storm ranges from total crop loss to slight damage, said David Koroscil, manager of insurance projects and sales for Manitoba Agricultural Services Corp.


R. M. of Macdonald councillor new AMM president

Doug Dobrowolski was acclaimed fourth president of Association of Manitoba Municipalities during last week’s 10th annual convention. The R. M. of Macdonald grain farmer with 17 years service as a councillor takes over from retiring president Ron Bell, who has served four one-year terms. Bell, who is also Birtle’s mayor, chose not to seek re-election.