In between rainshowers and thunderstorms this month, some of the Swan Valley’s grain producers have been getting out in the fields and taking off some of their crops. Pictured here, RanHart Farms from Minitonas harvests a cereal crop along Hwy. No. 10 East.

After a dry summer with very little precipitation, the taps were turned on during the last couple of weeks, with 71.9 mm of rain being reported in Swan River between Aug. 11-17, or 132.3 mm total if extended to Aug. 6. Only two days in that time period experienced no precipitation at all. Pictured here, a rain gauge in the Municipality of Swan Valley West shows the local precipitation over an approximately 36 hour period last weekend...

There are those folks who have an eye for design and a talent for making it happen when it comes to home renovations. Cheryl and Derek Gorski are just those two. They took their love of renovating and decorating, and turned it into a business here in the Valley.
“My husband, Derek, and I have always loved renovating,” said Cheryl. “We’ve always renovated our own houses and both originally came from families who had carpenters.
“A couple of years ago, some of our friends came to us because we’ve always done renovations and they couldn’t find anyone to renovate their bathroom. They had guys come out and give them a quote, only to turn around and tell them they couldn’t do it anyway. Then they found another guy who said he could do it, gave them a quote and it’s been two years later, and he now won’t get back to them.
“Derek was working for a farmer at this time, and they begged him to do this during the slower time,” said Cheryl. “So he took a month and renovated their bathroom. They absolutely loved it and Derek showed his boss the photos. His boss was building a brand new shop and needed a second-floor mezzanine, so he asked if he could build it over the winter. So he built that. All the guys my husband had been working with told him he needed to do this as a business on his own. So, he wound up doing just that.
“Now, I had been working at the Swan Valley Credit Union since we had moved back. I’ve always loved interior design, decorating and renovations. Growing up, I wanted to major in interior design, but there were no options for that back then in the Valley. I’ve always been interested in it, just never majored in it, but dabbled in it.
“Derek and I have always worked well together, so when he was convinced to go into doing a business where he did renovations, we both went into it,” said Cheryl. “We found a lot of people didn’t know what they exactly wanted when it comes to renovations, but knew what they didn’t want. I go into it by asking the questions and finding out what they want. Then I show them some options, order the supplies and materials, and Derek would do the work.”
This started the concept of Zylo and Bloom Interiors. The Gorskis’ business offers several options in blinds, area rugs, custom cabinetry, hard surface countertops, doors, cabinet hardware and handles, wall and floor tile, LVP, laminate, engineered hardwood, carpet, specialty ceiling tile, and more. With the option to also have these products installed.
“I ended up going to the Home and Gift Show with Rachel Stober from Three:30 Paper, Décor and Gift in January,” said Cheryl. “I realized there was this whole new world and I found it amazing. That catapulted our dream of getting into the design aspect of things.
“After I came back from the Home and Gift Show, I tried looking up some of these companies online to see all their inventory, and I couldn’t, because you have to be part of their network and distributors. They want to supply businesses rather than deal with individual sales.
“We found a lot of time when we were doing the renovation aspect, that we wanted to support local, but couldn’t find a specific product a customer wanted, it wasn’t available and couldn’t be ordered in,” said Cheryl. “I would have to go find it somewhere else and I didn’t like that. I wanted to get it in town and found that a lot of our customers and clients felt the same way. They were also getting stuff out of town. This led us to wanting to be able to carry these items in town or be able to bring them in.
“We are signed up with Viana Inc. for area rugs; Canarm and DVI Lighting, and many more brands for lighting; we will have a large variety of industry leading quartz manufacturers for countertops as well as Laminam and Dekton; wall and floor tiles and flooring by Julian Tile, Ames Tile, Primco and an exclusive dealer of MSI Surfaces.
“I also got approached by someone about ordering and installing blinds, and that also helped start this process,” said Cheryl. “They knew we were signing up with a few different companies and asked if we had signed up for blinds. At the time, we hadn’t, even though we’ve ordered and installed a lot of blinds for clients. They asked if we would consider doing that, and it was something I was interested in. So we signed up with Graver and Maxxmar Window Fashions.
“We’ve also signed up with some lighting companies, because that was another big one that I couldn’t get nice ones. I found that most people want something different.”
Zylo and Bloom is opening up their shop at 519 Main Street in Swan River. They felt that having a physical in-store location was the best way to display these products and serve customers. They had a soft opening on Monday (Aug. 11).
“I’m the type of person who needs to look at and feel the texture of things like tile and fabric before I know if it’s going to work or not,” said Cheryl. “I need to see what I’m getting, which became one reason why we decided to open up a storefront. Then I thought about doing consultations in people’s homes, but it’s awkward to carry in samples to and from places.
“Right now, we are trying out some working hours and doing a soft opening to see what works best for this type of business. We are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday afternoons, to see how it goes.
“If someone comes in and is asking about something, we want to be a place that gets it for them,” said Cheryl. “If we don’t carry it, if at all possible, we will try to get it for a customer.”
For those interested in seeing some of Derek’s finished products, check out his YouTube Channel, Gorski Woodworks.

Last week (Aug. 8), Dr. Gene Theodore was awarded a King Charles III’s Coronation Medal, presented by Swan River MLA Rick Wowchuk on behalf of the King’s representative. Theodore served as a medical doctor in the Swan Valley for 52 years, finally retiring in 2018...

Some former Valley residents are taking advantage of a summer student opportunity that allows them to work in their home community and gain experience in their field of study. Discover Health Careers Manitoba offers term positions to students in the healthcare field to provide a hands-on experience in clinical, hospital or healthcare environments.
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) offered 26 positions in the region in areas of pharmacy, primary care, mental health, therapy services, acute care, public health and nutrition. PMH and Shared Health cost share the initiative.
At the Primary Care Clinic in Swan River, two local students, Brittan Yaschyshyn and Abby Facundo, have been participants working through the initiative since May of this year.
“I grew up in the valley and love coming home every summer to my family and friends. My parents, Tom and Tracey, grew up here as well,” said Yaschyshyn. “After graduating in 2022 and moving to the city, I missed being in a small town and getting to participate in community events and groups that I had become so accustomed to.
“I study Midwifery at Mount Royal University in Calgary. I chose it after learning about its unique scope of practice and clinically based teaching style. After graduating, I will have spent over 24 months in practicums outside of the time spent in the classroom. I chose this area of healthcare because it is such an exciting and critical moment in people’s lives and I look forward to being able to support others through it.
“I moved to Swan River from the Philippines and have lived in the Valley since 2017,” said Facundo. “My parents are Ivy and Allan Facundo. My dad works at AG Shield in Benito and my mom works as a health care aide at the Swan Valley Lodge. I graduated from the Swan Valley Regional Secondary School in 2024. During my time in the valley, I enjoyed spending time at the lake, being with friends, and being part of the Filipino community.
“I’ve always loved taking care of others, especially my little cousins and great-grandparents, whether it was babysitting, helping with everyday tasks, or keeping them company. Additionally, I worked at the healthcare facility where my mom works, which gave me firsthand experience and opened the door to pursuing a career in healthcare.
“I’m currently studying for my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Calgary,” said Facundo. “After I graduate, I plan to become a registered nurse and hope to work in labour and delivery or pediatrics.”
Yaschyshyn is a midwife student and has been working in the clinic’s front administration area. She has been attending to patient care, booking appointments, dealing with tasks and making specialist appointments. She has also been able to pair up with physicians and help with history and physicals for prenatal care, as well as update prenatal records and sit in on prenatal care with the physicians.
“My role this summer has been supporting the admin staff and working with the providers for prenatal and postpartum assessments,” said Yaschyshyn. “My learning experience so far has been exciting.
“When I started here three years ago, I hadn’t begun midwifery school yet and the doctors were filling me in on everything. This was super beneficial for me when I started in my program. Now I am grateful to feel like I can bring the skills I have learned at school and utilize them even when I’m on break. It keeps me fresh and brings a new perspective about working in rural areas.”
Facundo is a nursing student and has been shadowing the LPN at the clinic. She has been undertaking tasks like rooming patients, taking vitals and updating electronic medical records.
“This summer, I’m working in a vitals position where I’m responsible for taking patients’ vital signs,” said Facundo. “The role allows me to work with diverse people and collaborate with different healthcare professionals as part of the team.
“So far, this has been a really valuable learning experience. I’ve had the chance to see what different healthcare professionals do and how they work together, which is helping me expand my understanding of the various paths in healthcare. I’m trying to absorb as much as I can and keep my options open, especially with what I can apply to my future in nursing.”
Yaschyshyn and Facundo will complete their terms this month and return to university in the fall. Having this opportunity to work and learn in their home community has had so many benefits for both women as they return to school and consider their options for the future.
“This experience has brought me invaluable learning opportunities and I am so grateful for the pregnant people who have welcomed me into their care,” said Yaschyshyn. “Unfortunately, without a delivering hospital, a midwife couldn’t work in Swan River right now. However, this experience has brought me an appreciation for rural care and I do plan to practice in rural areas.”
“As of right now, I’m not entirely sure what the future holds, but I’m open to gaining experience in other communities as well,” said Facundo. “This experience has definitely made me appreciate the value of working in my home community, but I also want to explore different environments to continue learning and growing in my career.
“What I’ve enjoyed most about this experience is getting to shadow and talk to some of the nurses. It’s been really helpful to see what their roles look like day to day and to hear their perspectives and advice. It’s given me a clearer idea of what to expect in the profession and what kind of nurse I want to become.

Hot weather on the August long weekend sounds like the perfect time for people to enjoy nature in lake country, which is exactly what plenty of people did in and on the countless water bodies that are within a relatively short drive from the Swan Valley. Pictured here, Nick Gowler visits from Minnedosa and tries his luck at catching fish in Two Mile Lake on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 3).

Residents at the Swan Valley Personal Care Home (SVPCH) have another beautiful view to enjoy thanks to the talents of local artist Melanie Bird and the financial donation from the Swan Valley Credit Union. This is the second mural that Bird has painted at the care home, with the first one being a scenic farm setting.
“Last summer, I painted a wall for the residents on the north end of the building and so the PCH approached me about doing another mural for the residents on the south end of the building to enjoy,” said Melanie Bird.
“The PCH wanted paintings that reflected the beautiful Valley in which we live. Since many wonderful lakes surround our valley, they decided to choose a lake/wildlife scene for this painting. The painting isn’t necessarily Wellman Lake specifically. It was intended to represent the lakes that surround our Valley in general.
“However, since we have a family cabin at Wellman Lake, the scenes are definitely inspired by that lake,” said Bird. “I tried to incorporate a variety of wildlife that we would typically see at any one of our lakes in the area, including deer with fawn, a mallard duck pair with some ducklings, geese, moose, rabbit and a loon.
“I’m hoping that each resident, no matter which lake they most often visited, will feel a connection to the painting.”
Bird was able to complete the mural from start to finish in just under two weeks, as there were many components to finalizing the mural and ensuring its longevity.
“I started the painting on July 3 and finished it on July 14,” said Bird. “I’m the type of artist who likes to stay focused on the painting until it is complete, so it was a relatively quick project. The actual painting took about four full days of painting and then it needed to cure for a few days before I put a couple of layers of protective coating on, so that it will be enjoyed for years to come.”
The response from the residents and visitors has been complimentary, as many enjoy the new view on the walls. Most viewers respond to the wildlife portrayed in the mural. Bird has enjoyed working on both murals for the care home and is open to doing more in the future.
“Everyone who walked by was always so happy to see the painting come to life,” said Bird. “Some residents really enjoyed commenting on the animals in particular, giving ideas of other animals for me to paint as well. I think they will really enjoy looking at this painting every time they walk by. Having the opportunity just to work at the PCH for those days was richly rewarding for me. I truly loved the interactions I had with both staff and residents.
“I would be more than happy to paint more murals at the PCH if they decide they would like it, but for now, no other plans are in place.”

The Swan River Valley Agricultural Society Grounds were once again bustling with activity as the NorthWest Round-up and Exhibition (NWRE) drew crowds from near and far. Whether it was the shows and races in front of the grandstand, the tastes of the food booths, the entertainment of the midway, or much, much more, the NWRE had a little something for everybody. Pictured here, a view of the grounds from 1,000 feet up.

The Benito Splash Park seems to have taken off with some full-force momentum. The project started as an idea, to raising almost half a million dollars, and now breaking ground for construction. There are still opportunities for people to donate or for local businesses to purchase naming rights.
“We broke ground on Monday, June 23, 2025,” said Benito Splash Park Committee Member Holly Kushniryk. “The ground base is currently being built and then they will move on to creating the mechanics of it all before pouring the cement.
“Construction is estimated to take just over one month, if everything goes smoothly. We are hoping to have the park open and running within the first couple of weeks of August, fingers crossed.
“A total of $420,000 has been raised so far, but we aren’t done yet, so we are asking people to please consider donating,” said Kushniryk. “Every amount helps and tax receipts will be issued. There are also options to have logos and names on water features, or naming the park itself is still up for grabs. Those interested can call, email or find us on Facebook for more information.”
The Benito Splash Park has an assortment of water features that are guaranteed to provide amusement and thrill to all those who use the facility. The splash park is also being made accessible in terms of entry, so that all may use it.
“There are nine main water features, along with several fountains and ground sprinklers,” said Kushniryk. “These features are great for all age ranges, toddlers to teens, and older, if you want to be adventurous.
“There will be a path directly to the splash pad, so anyone with mobility issues will have direct access to the pad and use of the features. This was one of the main motivators for deciding on a splash park when thinking of ways to attract families to the community.”
The support to bring this project to fruition has been remarkable. The community of Benito has been the driving force behind it, but Swan River and the surrounding Valley have also contributed to the success of its creation.
“There has been a ton of support from Benito and the Valley,” said Kushniryk. “Most people are excited to see something new and fun to do.
“Of course, there are always those few who maybe don’t quite fully understand the reasoning behind our decision to build a splash park. And for those people, we would like to say that this project was fully funded through fundraisers created to unite families in a safe, fun, engaging environment. To get kids and adults alike interactive in a world of screens and technology, and an affordable option for an outing for those who can’t necessarily go on a trip to the mountains or have a cabin to go to.
“There are so many proven benefits to splash parks,” said Kushniryk. “I couldn’t possibly list them all. My only regret is not doing this sooner while my kids were younger. I can’t wait to hear the laughter and joyful screams from the children playing in the spraying water!
“Benito is on a burst of growth right now. We’ve had a few new businesses open. We’ve seen some new families move in. And I truly believe that this splash park will be that one extra exciting amenity that will help families decide to settle in our community. More foot traffic from those passing by will also mean more shoppers for our local stores, which will be awesome. All in the plan of boosting the economy of our community.
“And where else will these families head but to the bigger center of Swan River, helping to boost the economy there too, again, which is all in our plan,” said Kushniryk. “It may seem silly to some, how would one little splash park have so much impact, but it’s proven, amenities attract people, people grow the economy and create jobs, and communities grow bigger and stronger. What’s the next big project?”

Much the Swan Valley has been in a lovely state of seasonal golden orange as canola flowers bloom.