The business buzz

By Sheila Runions

Banner Staff

The last time this column appeared was March 25 and in those 3.5 months, more exciting things have happened in Rivers. 

The first was June 1, when Darren Whelpton moved his home-based business to Rivers. In 2014, he started Whelpton Electric, which was run from the family farm 12 miles southeast of Rivers. He is now located at 251 First Street (Hwy. 25) in the old B&G Electric building.

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Council Clips - July 15

RM of Oakview, June 28:

Additional gravel at Rapid City landfill is to be hauled in as soon as possible. Concern with people removing wastes from that landfill was brought to the attention of council. Wind damaged shingles on the Oak River municipal shop; the insurance company will be notified.

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Minnedosa mayor under fire

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Photos courtesy of Vern May. Minnedosa’s mayor Ray Orr took part in a Shoot the Mayor fundraiser, which raised money for community projects. 

By Vern May

Submitted

Serving in municipal politics, Minnedosa mayor Ray Orr is accustomed to finding himself on the hot seat with the local ratepayers, but this past weekend, he was on the firing line in a whole new arena.

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Threshermen's reunion and stampede

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Submitted photo. Big Roy unveiled to the crowd at a Versatile event on July 6, 2016. The tractor has been returned to mint condition and ready to undertake the tour of various farm shows that Versatile has planned for the tractor this year. Big Roy will be at the 2016 Reunion but will leave after the Reunion to continue its tour. 

Submitted

Manitoba Agricultural Museum

In 1966, Versatile entered the tractor business by designing a prototype four wheel drive tractor. This was a huge gamble for the Versatile Company, which was successfully manufacturing and selling swathers, combines, augers and other equipment at the time. A four wheel drive tractor was much more complicated and, in 1966, four wheel drive tractors were very uncommon. The other tractor manufacturers thought that the market for four wheel drive tractors was so small it was  not worth the effort. Versatile, however, thought that there was a market for a four wheel drive tractor that was affordable. Versatile’s prototype tractor resulted in the D-100 and G-100 tractor models entering production at Versatile.

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Jam Fest returns to Neepawa

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Photos by Diane Ruzycki. Left: Some of the artwork on display at the outdoor artshow during Jam Fest 2015. Right: A musician performs a piece as part of the Jam Fest 2015 festivities and events. 

By Eoin Devereux

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

What do you get when you combine the sound of live music, the sights of local art and culture and the taste of freshly produced jams and foods? For ArtsForward, it hopes you’ll get everything you need for a perfect summer day in Neepawa. The non-profit group has organized Jam Fest for Saturday, July 23. 

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