Roblin’s newly formed wildlife and habitat association hosted the first of what organizers hope will be many more to come annual general meetings.
Around 30 members of the Roblin Fish and Game Club and visitors gathered at the Life & Art Centre, Feb. 4 to hear how the club came into being and what’s going to be on its agenda for the immediate and distant future.
Read all about it in this week’s Review.

The Russell Thrift Shop Volunteers would like to extend their appreciation to the community for the on-going support through donations to and shopping at the store, as we all recycle together to lessen the load of the landfill. Without the continuous donations from the communities and the countless hours of dedication of the volunteers it would not be possible to provide our area with this amazing amount of $60,000 distributed to 33 Clubs and Organizations in 2025.
To all who contribute towards the success
of The Russell Thrift Shop –THANK YOU!

Translated into English, the word Zabava means: fun, entertainment or party. And those who attended the packed house for Yachminka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble’s annual celebration got exactly that.
Since the setback felt by Covid, the club has been growing continuously, growing with no sign of slowing down.
“Our club is growing,” Tyla Betke said. “We have 72 dancers this season from 3 years old to somewhere in their 40s.” Yachminka's instructors this year are Feron Lovas and Tyla Betke, and assistant instructors are senior dancers Bella Potter, Tatum Chuhai, and Ava Melnyk.
And, with their largest group being the Novice level with 20 dancers from kindergarten to grade two, the club is definitely going to grow.
The Zabava celebration featured a mini concert during which all age groups performed seven dances, including two new dances choreographed by club alumni David Fenton.
Of course with any celebration based on Ukraine, there must be very good traditional food.
“Our fundraising queen is Celina Nernberg,” Betka said. “She planned the event, along with Becky Flundra who handled the delicious food - sausage and a perogy bar with tons of toppings.”
After the entertainment and good old feed of perogies, the audience took to the floor filling it until the 1 am closing time to the sounds of High Profile who came here from Winnipeg.
With the highly successful event now over, the money raised will go toward club costs including competition entry fees and costume orders from Ukraine.
The club is now focusing on their competition season, including the Northwest Marquette Festival in Russell along with Ukrainian dance competitions in Regina, Yorkton, Brandon, and Winnipeg. Their local year-end concert will be held on Friday, April 24th.

Every year the staff, students and hockey parents of Major Pratt host their Stick It To Cancer game in February. And every year, it just gets better and better. Over the past 11 years the Major Pratt crew - including the younger classes has donated more than $210,866 to the construction, furniture and equipment for the local Cancer Care unit. This year, as Cancer Care is successfully operational, they’ve switched to the Palliative Care unit in the Russell Hospital. Their efforts this year drew a record number of supporters bringing in a remarkable $25,293.90 for the oh so important Palliative Care Unit here.

Everyone is safe following a major fire, which began Friday evening, extended into Saturday morning and destroyed the Queen Apartments at 1109 Main St. S in Dauphin.

Fire chief Cam Abrey said Dauphin Fire Department crews were just nicely finished dealing with two-vehicle accident in the southeast section of the city when the call came in regarding smoke in the apartment building.

In a news release, Abrey said firefighters worked throughout the night, eventually clearing the scene at approximately 8:30 a.m., Saturday.

“All of the occupants were able to escape the building safely, with one transported to hospital for precaution for smoke inhalation,” Abrey said.

“Firefighters were able to rescue two pets from the building to return to their owner.”

Cooler temperatures caused icing conditions and took its it toll on men and equipment, Abrey said, adding a mutual aid request was sent to Gilbert Plains Fire Department for additional manpower.

“To assist with swapping out firefighters for rehab - a chance to warm up and eat and hydrate - at around 10 p.m.,” he said.

“We are thankful for our mutual aid neighbours who stood with us throughout the night and helped with this stubborn fire.”

Read the full story in this weeks Dauphin Herald.

Many people whom we call friends and neighbours have lived an interesting life and it makes for quite a story to tell. Edna Nabess has lived one of those lives and is now sharing her story in a memoir she wrote called The Woman in the Polka Dot Dress.
“I’m a storyteller and I like to share with others how I grew up and my life story,” said Nabess. “Over the years, I’ve had people tell me I should write a book about my life and this seemed like the right time to do it.

A new archbishop has been ordained for the Archdiocese of Keewatin-LePas. Archbishop Fr. Susai Jesu, O.M.I., was consecrated last month to oversee the ministry of over 50,000 Catholics in northern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Archbishop Jesu came from humble beginnings in India, but found his calling very early in life.
“I’m the fourth child in my family,” said Archbishop Fr. Susai Jesu, O.M.I.. “I have two older sisters, one older brother and a younger sister who is a religious nun. I was born in a village called Pushpavanam, Ramnad District in Tamil Nadu, South India. My parents are farmers and I used to help them in the field.
“I come from a very traditional Catholic family where my mother was very spiritual and religious. She went daily to the church for both morning prayers at 4:30 a.m., and evening prayers at 6:30 p.m., and would take me with her. My mother inspired me to go to church to pray every day.

Putting a smile on someone’s face is a big part of what a florist does and local Sunshine Flowers N Gifts Florist Cindy Genaille is celebrating her fifth year in business and of bringing smiles to customers. Genaille had been working in the floral industry for many years before she ventured out into owning her own shop.
“I have been in the florist industry since 1994,” said Sunshine Flowers N Gifts Owner and Operator Cindy Genaille. “An opportunity came up to open my own shop and I took a chance. It proved to be a great decision. I love all the customers I have met on my journey here in Swan River.”
Being a florist provides work that is creative, inspiring and always changing. It’s this combination of creativity and change that keeps Genaille so engaged in her work. Her biggest enjoyment from the job comes from the people she gets to interact with every day.
“In the floral world, there are more than just roses when it comes to fresh flowers,” said Genaille. “Customers love mixed arrangements. Many of the flowers come from other countries like Educator, Columbia and South America.
“Giftware changes like everything. There is something new every year. We try our best to keep up and bring in the new trends that we think will please customers in the Valley.
“What I enjoy most about running the floral shop is the customers,” said Genaille. “They are truly what makes a business succeed. I love to make beautiful arrangements for every occasion such as birthdays, weddings, celebrations of life or even for folks to get well. We just love putting smiles on everyone’s faces when they enter and leave our store.”
The Swan Valley community has been very supportive of Genaille’s business. She not only has a strong local base of support from customers, but internationally as well. Genaille accredits her success to customers and the support of one of her work colleagues, and looks forward to the next 10 years in business.
“The support in the Swan Valley is the best,” said Genaille. “I couldn’t ask for better support throughout the Valley and surrounding areas. We have regular customers that see us weekly and get orders from friendly customers as far as Scotland, Mexico and Switzerland.
“I’ve been fortunate to also have the help I received from my number one fan Lynn Hill. We have worked together since 1998 and she is also a big part of what makes this place what it is as well.
“I’m so happy with opening up the shop and I look forward to providing floral arrangements for our beautiful community for many more years to come,” said Genaille.

Local artist Derryl May has completed his annual snow sculpture in his front yard at 410 10th Avenue North in Swan River. This year’s piece, called ‘Adventurer’, features a hiker flanked by two dogs and a bird-of-prey on his shoulder.

To the Editor,
As a community, we all share a responsibility to care for the animals who rely on us — from beloved family pets to the strays who need a second chance. That’s why it’s frustrating to see a lack of collaboration between the Russell Veterinary Clinic/Vet Board and Passion 4 Paws. When two organizations share the same goals, working together only makes sense.
Passion 4 Paws has made a tremendous difference in this community. Their volunteers have stepped up to rescue, foster, and rehome countless animals, often using their own time and resources. Since Passion 4 Paws was established, they’ve generated over $13,888.70 in veterinary services and dog food purchases — directly supporting the clinic while improving animal welfare across the region. This does not include more than $2,800 in rent paid while Passion 4 Paws volunteers cared not only for their own rescue animals but also for animals boarded at the vet clinic from the time they were there until they were evicted in June 2025.
Even after being asked to vacate the vet clinic kennels, Passion 4 Paws continue to bring all animals to the clinic for vaccinations, spaying, and neutering — and even cleaned the kennel building, which had been left in poor condition before Passion 4 Paws began using it. That kind of dedication speaks volumes about their commitment to both animal welfare and the local clinic.
At the same time, the Russell Vet Board has asked the public to support it’s one annual fundraiser, yet it has also turned away a steady stream of potential income. Passion 4 Paws had offered to lease space on Vet Board property and bring additional revenue through monthly rent and veterinary service use. However, the Vet Board passed a resolution stating it “will not permit private businesses or organizations to develop, lease, or otherwise utilize any portion of the Vet Board property.”
(Municipal records also show that the Municipality of Russell Binscarth will be approving an $11,000 levy to the Vet Board — an increase over the previous year.)

Read the whole letter on pages 4 & 6 in this week's Russell Banner.