Business has gotten a little more hairy in downtown Swan River this year, but actually in a good way!
If you haven’t checked out their new storefront 520 Main Street, Roaring River Fur has established themself in a new permanent location this year, giving opportunity to their client base to reliably find them and their products at the Roaring River Gift Shop.
Not only that, Roaring River Gift Shop has opened their space up to other small business makers, leading to a wide variety of foodstuffs, crafts and gift ideas produced by local people and filling their shelves with an assortment of treasures to discover, some of which are not found in any other permanent storefront location.
Roaring River Gift Shop opened at the beginning of July this year, right before the crowds of the NorthWest Round-up and Exhibition filled the town.
“I figured we’d get our feet wet before the rodeo in case it got really busy,” said Roaring River Owner/Operator Clayton Block, who operates the business and the gift shop with his wife, Andrea. “We’ve both worked retail before, so we’ve got a pretty good idea (of how it’s supposed to work), but it’s a little different when it’s yours. There’s a lot more things to think about that you don’t normally think about.”
Blocks found the summer to be fairly successful for a new business, and their shelves became quickly full of vendors’ products in the reasonable-sized retail space.
Word of mouth and having a significant presence in a busy part of town has led to more traffic in their store, just in time for the Christmas shopping season.
“This is a better opportunity (for our customers) because our stuff is always out, instead of packed away in tubs waiting for the next craft show,” said Block.
Ever since Roaring River Fur started about five years ago – with Clayton having been trapping for closer to 10 years – both Blocks envisioned having their handmade fur-based products in a store. The trouble, of course, is the retail space that their furs take up, more than what might be available in existing stores, but perhaps not enough to fill an entire retail store.
“We thought there would be enough small business people here who put their product away in tubs waiting for the next craft sale, that perhaps they would want to join us in our space,” said Block, noting that the idea has worked out well, with more than 40 vendors putting their products on the shelves in Roaring River Gift Shop, perhaps even getting close to 60 in the near future, which he noted would be about the maximum capacity, to avoid the store getting too cluttered and difficult to navigate.
“The more vendors, the better, because everybody’s paying rent, so it only helps us out even more,” said Block. “We had to hire one staff to help us because we can’t always be here, so it helps with that as well.”
Roaring River Gift Shop also uses a vendor relationship business model that is non-traditional but also not brand new. Instead of purchasing inventory from vendors and pricing up the product to profit the store, or taking a commission when vendors sell the products on their shelves, Roaring River Gift Shop simply charges their vendors $30 per month for their shelf space, allowing vendors to charge the same prices they would if they sold to their customers directly, leaving them the responsibility to manage the inventory on their shelf.
It’s a business model that’s been done before, but in other instances where this has been done, such as in large urban centres, rents on these retail shelves can sometimes be hundreds of dollars.
The lucrative business model that benefits both parties has led to a diverse mix of products, ranging from nature-based artwork, handmade cosmetic products, delicious treats and appetizers, jewellery, spreads, clothing, and so much more.
Having the business of Roaring River Fur taking up a plurality of the retail space also serves an anchor that draws customers in to discover the other treasures that they may not have known exists there.
Blocks are also pleased to be able to move into a downtown space in an era where Main Street seems to have continually more vacancies popping up than new businesses.
“It’s nice to see signs coming back up on buildings,” said Block.
Andrea Block added that their family used to spend Saturday afternoons wandering Main Street and checking out the Swan River stores, which is something that’s become more difficult.
“This was one of those things where we wanted to do this and offer an opportunity to people who would love a storefront, but can’t do it on their own,” she said. “This gives people an opportunity to have their products showcased.
“I think we’re all in the same boat and can’t do it on our own.”
Roaring River Gift Shop is open currently from Wednesday to Saturday every week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Stop on by while on your Christmas shopping travels to perhaps find your favourite local product, or discover something new and unique.

Two vehicles ended up in the ditch on Hwy. No. 10 south of Bowsman on Thursday evening (Nov. 6). Swan Valley Fire Department and Swan River Emergency Medical Services conducted the appropriate rescues, and Swan River RCMP continues their investigation of the incident.

Innovation, inspiration, and hometown pride was on full display as Fusion Credit Union announced the winners of Community Infusion 2025. The annual event celebrates local entrepreneurs with bold ideas and the drive to make a difference in their communities.
Four finalists took the stage at this year’s final live event, each pitching their business idea to a panel of judges, for a chance to share in up to $30,000 in grant funding. The evening was filled with creativity, inspiration and community spirit – proof that ideas grow right here at home.
After the pitches were presented, Fusion Credit Union CEO, Darwin Johns, announced Silver Frame Photo and Video Memories from Dauphin as the grand prize winner of $20,000. The funding will help the business expand services, invest in equipment, and develop marketing initiatives. Grit and Glam Salon, also from Dauphin, received $5,000 as the 2nd place winner. Sumatu Intercontinental Trade Wears (Brandon) and Friendly’s Grocery Coop (Inglis) each took home $2,500 for their business ideas.
“Community Infusion is all about empowering local people with big ideas,” says Johns. “Each finalist showed incredible passion and dedication to building something that benefits their community. We’re proud to be a part of their journey.”

Be in the know and pick up this week's Russell Banner for the full story.

The role manufacturing plays in rural economies often goes unnoticed, especially in areas where agriculture dominates the scene.

But Ritz Machine Works Inc. in Dauphin was drawn out of the shadows recently when it’s Director of Operations, Bryan Yakimishen, was named one of the top 10 manufacturing leaders in Canada under the age of 40 by Plant, a leading industry magazine.

The awards are meant to recognize the next generation of talent in Canada’s manufacturing industry and celebrate those who are helping to actively shape the future of the sector.

When the call for nominations came out, Ritz’s chief executive officer Rick Ilnisky knew his company included such a person.

“I thought of Brian right away because he’s done some great things at our company over the 10 years plus,” Ilnisky said.

“I felt that he had come through the ranks within that 10 years. He’s had the opportunity and he’s had the aptitude to succeed. And it’s nice to see a story where a fellow from a small town can go away, get his education, and come back and thrive.”

Yakimishen started his journey with Ritz in 2015 as an engineering student home from the University of Manitoba for the summer.

After completing his degree, he remained with the company as a manufacturing engineer, eventually leading the engineering department. In that role he helped implement the company’s ISO 9100.

Last year, Yakimishen became Ritz’s director of Operations, overseeing production, engineering, maintenance, quality, human resources and more.

Humbled by the recognition, Yakimishen feels the achievement is not his alone, but rather is a testament to the work of everyone at Ritz, from owners through to the shop floor.

Read the full story in this weeks edition of The Dauphin Herald.

If you are looking for a quiet place to read or write the next best-selling novel, The Pas Regional Library has the perfect option for you. A new Silent Writing and Reading Club has started and it gives people a place without day-to-day distractions to focus on reading and writing activities.
“The library's Silent Reading and Writing Club is hosted by one of our staff members, Laura Hrabarchuk,” said The Pas Regional Library Head Librarian Dawn-Maire Blanchette. “We first started the club as a quiet reading space to give people a chance to step away for an hour and just relax.

The University College of the North, in partnership with The Pas Guest List, will display former astronaut, Dr. Roberta Bondar’s travelling exhibit, “Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive”.
Bondar’s exhibition is made up of selected high-resolution images from the project, Space for Birds. By integrating three perspectives of migratory bird corridors—space, aerial and surface—this global, emotional story encourages ethical protection of fragile, endangered, and threatened avian species and the habitats they need to survive.
The public is invited to the exhibit's grand opening and in-person presentation from Dr. Roberta Bondar on November 27, 2025, at 6 p.m. at The Pas Campus. It will remain on display and open to the public until March 14, 2025.

A new movement created to help children who are removed from their homes due to crisis circumstances such as abuse, neglect and other factors, has established a chapter in the Valley. Bags of Love is a charitable organization that provides the Department of Family Services with bags filled with items a child would benefit from having when being transitioned to a new living arrangement.
The Canadian Program was started in Alberta in 2009 and is making its way across Canada, and now here in the Valley.
“We recognize that certain children, upon being displaced from their normal or perhaps abnormal home life due to domestic violence and or drug or alcohol abuse, are left with nothing, not even their favourite toy or blanket,” said Bags of Love Volunteer Linda McCullough. “It is our intent that working through the Department of Families, to provide to each of these children, from newborn to age 17, a Bag of Love with age and gender appropriate items for their care and their enjoyment that they can truly call their very own.
“We believe that this small token of love and affection will go far toward helping these children adjust to a foster or adoptive home, whether temporary or permanent. We pray that these children will long cherish their Bag of Love and endeavour to remember other children who might be subjected to the same plight in their growing years.
“When given their very own Bag of Love, it can give them a sense of security, comfort and care to support their emotional and physical wellbeing,” said McCullough.
“While attending a Women’s Retreat in May of this year, Pauline Rogers from North Battleford, SK, spoke on this project that has been moving across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. We were impressed to start a chapter in Swan River, as we believe there is a need in our community and we want to make a difference in a child’s life.
“We officially became a chapter in September and have delivered eight Bags of Love to the Department of Families,” said McCullough. “We plan on delivering more in the near future.”
Items that are new or gently used can be donated to go into the Bags of Love.
“Items suitable for donation could be a handmade quilt/blanket, stuffed toys, dolls, new toys and games or clean and like new condition, school supplies, books, coloring books, journals for older children, flashlights, nightlights, hygiene products such as shampoo, body wash or bar soap, deodorant, sanitary napkins, dental hygiene products, combs/brushes, hair accessories, Kleenex, socks etc.,” said McCullough. “Also, baby items such as diapers, bottles, pacifiers, baby shampoo, lotion, powder, blankets, knitted hats, toys, stuffies, etc.”
The Swan River chapter for Bags of Love is also looking for volunteers to either help put the bags together or to make handmade items to go into them. 
“It takes a village to raise a child, and it also takes a community to make a project for children work,” said McCullough. “It relies on volunteers of all ages and walks of life to meet the needs of displaced children by donating the above items as mentioned.
“If you sew or knit, we can use homemade quilts, baby blankets, bibs, pencil cases or makeup bags, hats, mittens and scarves. Please contact me or Donna Leming.
“We are a nonprofit organization and will be operating through the Swan River Seventh-day Adventist Church. If someone wishes to make a monetary donation, please make cheques payable to the Swan River Seventh-day Adventist Church and mark ‘Bags of Love’ and a receipt will be issued. Please contact me at 204-281-0483 or Donna Leming at 204-731-4553 if you have any questions or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..”

The children of Rhonda’s Home Daycare went forth around Swan River for a little early daytime trick-or-treating on Halloween (Oct. 31), with an assortment of animals and Pokèmon taking advantage of some early bird picks of the candy baskets.

Thanks to the hard work and organization of Russell Legion Branch president Al Marshall, the Veterans Banner program has returned.
As an extension of the programs of the last two years, the number of banners have grown substantially over last year where families of veterans in Russell had started with 19 banners along with 21 banners gracing the streets of Binscarth. This year, there have been 15 more banners added in Binscarth and a further 25 banners in Russell, meaning that streets like Alexandria are now being utilized.

To find out more, pick up a November 4th, 2025 edition of the Russell Banner.

On October 15, 2025, at approximately 2 a.m., Manitoba First Nations Police Service officers in Opaskwayak Cree Nation attempted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle fled at a high rate of speed into The Pas and eventually became stuck in snow. Along with the assistance of The Pas RCMP, seven adult occupants were taken into custody.
Investigation led to the discovery of a high-capacity magazine (prohibited device), ammunition, blunt weapons, and suspected cocaine.