Owning a piece of Swan River’s history can be an amazing and rare find. This is the case for Valley-born Jason Beasley of J-Ride Customs.
Beasley acquired the old milk truck from Crescent Creamery that was used in the Valley to deliver milk and cream to people. It was a treasure he stumbled upon while taking a drive out in the country.
“I have family in the Valley and was actually born in Swan River,” said Beasley. “I was cruising around with my Aunt Nancy Thomas and Uncle Bob Thomas. They have land up in the Pretty Valley area and on the way, I spotted the old Crescent Creamery milk truck just off a gravel road, in a field. It caught my eye and we stopped, because any kind of old vehicle gets my attention right away.
“My uncle stopped and I went and had a look at it. It was in rough shape and there wasn’t even a frame underneath it. It’s a 1954 International Metro Milk Truck and it’s a rare find. My uncle knew who owned the land it was on, so I called them up and I made a deal with the owner. My brother was coming back up to Swan River in a couple of weeks because my grandmother was moving to Winnipeg, so we put all of her stuff in the Metro and put it on a trailer and brought it back.”
Beasley is an avid retro vehicle collector and has dedicated his time to restoring many classic cars, trucks and antique automobiles. Through his business J-Ride Customs, he does all the custom work himself and has a dedicated YouTube channel that has videos of him doing the restoration work for people to see.
Restoring the old 1954 International Metro Milk Truck was challenging for a few reasons. It was in really rough shape; the parts were impossible to find and basically no longer exist.
“I just love old vehicles with all the curve detail they have on the body itself,” said Beasley. “I had to do some research because it was missing so many parts. It looks like someone was just gutting it and using it for parts at one time. There was no frame or motor in it when I bought it.
I had to find out what would fit underneath it the best with the least amount of modifications to it.
“I ended up buying a 2009 Dodge Durango and used that frame for underneath it, including the motor and transmission. Now it’s an all-wheel drive vehicle. I wasn’t able to find any of the old parts for it, so I had to customize and make my own. I had to make my own body panels and everything for it. On my YouTube channel, I have videos of myself making parts for this.
“Sure, it would have been nice to go to somewhere like California to find potential parts for this old milk truck, but you just can’t do that with these types of vehicles because there’s just not a lot of them around,” said Beasley. “You have to make do with what you can.”
It took some time for Beasley to find the right parts that would work with the old Metro milk truck.
He spent a lot of time researching what would work best. Once he had the materials, he began working on it through the winter and on side, amongst other projects and work he had coming into his shop.
“I owned the old Crescent Creamery milk truck for three years before I even did anything with it,” said Beasley. “That’s how much time it took to research and make parts. I work on big projects like this in the winter months. I have a decent size shop and the tools to work on stuff like this. I actually started working on the milk truck last fall to get to where it is now. It’s not totally finished, but did a fair amount of work to it, plus I have three or four other vehicles I was working on at the same time. Plus, I have other vehicles coming in for servicing as well.
“I’m going to bring the milk truck back into the shop for the winter and hopefully finish it. It’s not going to be all pristine; I’m going to leave the original paint and the mural on the side of it. That is all going to stay and where I put the new parts, I’m going to blend the paint to make it look older as well, to match.
“I’m also going to put the seats from the Dodge Durango inside the Metro Milk Truck, so it will have three rows of seating inside,” said Beasley. “I’m also using the dash from the Durango as well, because it’s got this nice woodgrain look to it.”
Restoring the old 1954 Metro milk truck has been a topic of discussion for people of all ages and from everywhere, not just the Valley. Many people remember a time when milk and cream were delivered to their home using milk trucks just like this.
“It’s a real conversation starter that’s for sure,” said Beasley. “A lot of older people remember these types of milk trucks from back in the day. They tell me how they got their milk and cream delivered back then in these trucks. My mom recalls that as well.
“Then I have all these delivery people and Amazon drivers who come here and they are just drooling over this old milk truck. People always ask if they can take pictures and are just blown away by it.”
Beasley has always loved classic automobiles and that led him to learn how to restore them. Some of the restorations he sells, and others stay part of his permanent collection.
“I have certain ones I keep after I’m done restoring them,” said Beasley. “I have a Corvette that I bought when I was 19 years old and a few Novas, Chevelles, cab over pick-up trucks in my collection. I’ve always been car crazy my whole life and I blame it on the band ZZ Top. I’m all self-taught when it comes to the autobody and restoration work.”
Beasley has plans for the 1954 Metro milk truck once it’s finished. It will become part of his permanent collection.
“Once it’s finished, I will keep it because it’s nostalgic to me, and is a part of my history and Swan River’s as well,” said Beasley. “It pulls on my heartstrings a bit. I plan to keep it and potentially take it and put it in car shows. I put a trailer hitch on it so if I want to pull a trailer and my Harley on the back, I can do so. There are a lot of options of things I can do with it now.
“It’s in the plan for me someday to show these restorations in car shows and even down in Arizona. I’ve had lots of people wanting to put old Crescent Creamery milk truck in the parade in Swan River for the rodeo, but it won’t be done for then, but likely next year it will be.”
To see more of Beasley’s restoration work and projects, you can watch videos on his YouTube channel under J-Ride Customs.

The Swan Valley Historical Museum held their 2023 Harvest Festival this past Sunday (Aug. 27), with a great showing of support from visitors. Here, William Piwish (left) and Rae-lene Piwish toss sheaves of wheat into the old threshing machine...

With August drawing to a close, high school sports are beginning to ramp up for another season.

The Dauphin Clippers football team began practicing, Aug. 9, with an average of between 25 and 30 players.

Incoming manager Jeff Micasew, who is taking over from the retired Cam Bennet, said it is always tough when it comes to the number of players in practice in the summer, because of family vacations and other commitments.

“We’re not going to tell kids, don’t go on vacation because you’ve got practice. But the young kids we’ve got, some rookies, have made a bunch of practices. The coaches have done a really good job of focusing our practices to getting conditioning and learning plays and positional aspects of the game. So it’s worked out really well that way,” he said.

Those rookies, Micasew said, seem to be catching on to what the coaches are trying to teach them. But it’s not just the coaching staff doing the teaching.

“We’ve got some vets that are really showing some maturity and helping these young kids along. I know back in the day, the rookies were kind of just off on the side. Our vets have done a really good job of taking these young kids under their wing and saying, ‘look, this is what you need to do.’ Just being more of a hand up instead of being a nuisance and you’re trying to take my spot type of thing,” he said. “It’s really good to see. From a teacher, educator standpoint. It’s good to see that type of thing.”

The schedule has been reduced to six games per team with the additions of the Falcons Football Club and St. Vital Mustangs, both from Winnipeg.

The Clippers will kick off the season on the road against the Falcons, Sept. 10, at 2 p.m.

The first home game isn’t until, Sept. 22 when the Clippers host the Interlake Thunder at 5 p.m.

Micasew expects the Clippers to be competitive this season.

“Just from what I’ve seen in practice, we’ve got some dogs with some bite in them. So I think we’ll be competitive. And that’s all you can ask for,” he said. “You always go into a season gunning for a championship.”

As much fun as it is to watch the players at practice, Micasew is looking forward to getting the season underway.

“The real fun is standing on the sidelines and watching everyone play and seeing the excitement in the kids’ eyes when they make a good play. It’s always good to see,” he said, adding the coaching staff continues to step up and put the work in to get the team ready. “Hats off to the coaches. As anyone who coaches knows, they put in a ton of work that probably never gets recognized. In June we had conditioning camps and guys were talking about getting plays ready and slotting in who do we think we have here and who we have there. They’re thinking about this long before August. So it’s always a good thing. So hats off to those guys.”

A dedicated community advocate has been recognized for the effort he puts into improving the lives of others.

Jim Perchaluk received a Community Service Medallion for his work as president of the the Ukrainian Folk Arts Centre and Museum, the Selo Ukraina site, and other volunteer efforts such as the Parkland Ukrainian Family Fund.

Dauphin-Swan River-Neepawa MP Dan Mazier made the surprise presentation during a visit to Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival (CNUF).

“In reading and speaking with others on Jim’s contributions over the years, it is clear how selfless he was, and continues to be, in supporting his community and those around him,” Mazier said. “Jim’s contributions are genuinely bettering the lives of countless people and these contributions should not go unrecognized.”

The award truly was a surprise for Perchaluk.

“It came out of the blue,” Perchaluk said, adding you do not think about awards and recognition when you donate your time and talents. “When you volunteer you’re not looking to get anything in return. I guess I’ve been volunteering with Selo for more than 25 years and out of the blue somebody recognized that. It was quite an honour.”

The full story is in this week's Dauphin Herald!

After many years as an educator teaching about the workings of government in his social studies classes, Gord Wood is looking to get directly involved.

Wood is seeking election to the Manitoba Legislature in the Dauphin constituency as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party in the upcoming provincial election.

“I’ve had a very strong interest in the democratic system and always thought at some point I would like to be involved in running for an election,” Wood said. “So when the opportunity came up with Mr. (current MLA Brad) Michaleski retiring, I put my name forward and was able to receive the nomination in late June for the candidacy for the PC party.”

Wood has been going door-to-door throughout the constituency talking with voters to get a handle on what people are expecting from their next provincial government.

He has been having good conversations, he said, and some common themes have been emerging.

“Concerns about our health care system, concerns about affordability, concerns about crime, in the Dauphin area in particular and the entire area in general, concerns about the education system and where that’s going. So those are those are probably the major ones that have flushed out here as the campaigns or the canvases gone on,” Wood said. “Every issue affects people in different ways, we’re all dealing with different life circumstances, but it’s interesting how those themes still seem to come out for majority of our constituents.”

In all instances, the governing PCs are best equipped to deliver results, Wood added, citing the party’s record on crime, investments in health care and plans for public education.

And when it comes to representing the area within the party, Wood feels he is the proper choice for voters.

“People that know me or have worked with me or had interactions with me know that I’m going to work for them. I’m going to ask questions. I’m going to dig into where we need supports and really seek out as much knowledge as possible, connecting people with the right individuals,” Wood said. “A lot of that is the role of an MLA, trying to connect, whether it’s government to the right people or the individuals that are in need, connecting them with the right services.”

In his campaign literature, Wood commits to fighting for good jobs, more businesses and development which will create more opportunities for area residents.

The candidate also commits to fighting for agriculture which he considers the backbone of the province. Specifically, he will work to keep the School Tax Rebate for farm properties, keeping more money in the pockets of those who grow our food.

When it comes to crime, Wood will ensure front-line officers get the resources they need, while also investing in more mental health, addictions and homelessness services.

And whether it’s healing the health care system, creating good jobs, providing reliable infrastructure or keeping taxes low, Wood vows to keep the best interests of constituency resident and all Manitobans at the forefront.

“I will fight to make sure Dauphin and the surrounding communities are positioned well for the opportunities of tomorrow,” he said. “I will be out at the door for a majority of that time, contacting as many people as possible. There are a few events on my calendar but really, right now it’s about meeting individuals, connecting with them and hearing what their concerns are and addressing how the PC party can support them.”

While the promise of a new Community Centre for Justice by NDP leader Wan Kinew is encouraging, Dauphin mayor David Bosiak is hoping for more from the upcoming provincial election.

“I’m supportive of (Community Centre for Justice) from a sense of there was plans and everything done in their past mandate and they’re fulfilling a promise. So I think that, from that point of view, it’s really good for us and it’s certainly something that may help stem the tide of the loss of public service jobs in our community. There was a huge loss when the jail closed,” Bosiak said. “I want to take them at their word. From what I can gather, historically the previous NDP government was beyond just the idea and the promise phase. The city and RM had developed the property and we spent some money and did a lot of planning on getting the land available for them. And they were designed, they were all ready, they were way past just the schematic plan for this.”

Historically, for a variety of reasons, governments do not always keep their promises, Bosiak said, and while the original plans for a new jail did not come to fruition, he believes the community will do whatever it can to make the centre for justice become a reality should the NDP come to power in October.

“I think that this may be one, at least for us locally, that is of importance enough that locals won’t allow them to ignore it,” Bosiak said. “Especially with a first-term commitment that was made and considering how our existing government handled (the closure of the Dauphin Correctional Centre).”

And while the jobs the new centre would bring many needed jobs to the community, Bosiak has his sights set on something less tangible coming out of the election.

“I would like to see a renewed level of communication between the municipal government and the provincial government and a willingness to discuss issues, ideas and concerns,” Bosiak said, citing the Community Safety and Well-being plan as one instance. “It’s been over a year and a half that it was announced and we’re just now starting to have discussions with consultants. But we still are yet to have a one-on-one with a consultant for our project. We are still in the infancy stages of the overall plan for the province with the consultants and it’s just so frustrating to see that this is what needs to be done.”

A more open relationship would also help in instances such the Main Street South redevelopment project, which became hung up when tenders came in $1.5 million over what the city had borrowed through debenture.

Government rules and regulations make it difficult for the City the raise the remaining funds and the City has been attempting to get some help from the province.

“We went to the province to say ‘hey can you throw us a bone, can you maybe help us, can you maybe do something?’,” Bosiak said. “Because we had seen this in other jurisdictions around the province, the province came to help other municipalities whether it’s water treatment plants in central Manitoba or crime stuff in the North or health stuff. There doesn’t seem to be an ability to help Dauphin.”

Bosiak said the City met with Minister of Municipal Relations Andrew Smith, last week, but now, because of the election blackout, there is nothing that can be done until after the election in October.

“So we just have to hurry up and wait, which is frustrating and it just means further delay,” Bosiak said. “Whichever government gets elected I just hope that we have a heightened sense of communication and collaboration as we work forward in the next three years for us and four years for them. I’m hopeful that we have someone on the government side again and that we have someone who may be a minister. But if not, I still want to have a positive relationship with the provincial government because quite honestly, municipalities can’t do much without support from the province.”

Every year at Opaskwayak Indigenous Days (OID) many are eager to win or be gifted one of the traditional leather vests that commemorates the event in the community. These vests are made by Indigenous artists, and this year was a collaboration of two extremely talented and local ones.
“Shauna Ponask and I submitted a bid for the vests and we were selected to do them,” said Tyler Tobacco. “She’s a big part of the whole process too, and a great artist as well.”

If you’re out on the hunt looking for Bigfoot, you just might find him in the tri-community. Noah Head has taken to wood carving and creating various likenesses of Bigfoot as a hobby. His hobby grown and now his wood carvings are in demand.
“I’ve always been interested in arts since high school,” said Noah Head. “About ten months ago, I thought I would give carving wood a try. I’ve dabbled in sculpture, painting and drawing before, but I’m finding wood carving rewarding. I’ve been sharing my work with people online and they really respond to it. I only started carving sculptures about 10 months ago as a hobby and something to keep busy with.”

The Pas Rotary Club decided to recognize some former club members who have recently passed, by memorializing their efforts and service through dedicating a bench in their memory. The club has been raising money to purchase and install benches throughout the community.
“Our rotary club has for over 15 years now, as part of our service, town beautification and recreation purposes, purchased and installed a number of concrete benches along the walking trail,” said The Pas Rotary Club Member Kent Whaley.

The Town of The Pas held a regular scheduled council meeting on August 16 in council chambers.
During the citizen’s period Dylan Young presented some questions to council about the responsibilities and procedures in relations to last year’s Canada Day. Young asked if the Town of The Pas put in any federal grant applications for Canada Day celebrations, who was responsible for organizing the Canada Day Parade, and if it was Kelsey Recreation. Council said that a Canada Day event committee is usually formed and Kelsey Recreation would sit on that committee, but they do not organize the event on their own. Council tried to explain to Young that no one organization is solely responsible for organizing it and in the past, it’s been a collaborative effort from a few different organizations.