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Board and HS teachers settle
A Taste of Atikokan – October 1
The hospital foundation is promising an Atikokan culinary celebration, with its A Taste of Atikokan fund-raiser on Saturday, October 1.
“I’ve been to events like this in other communities, and they are quite popular,” said Kim Cross of the AGH Foundation board. “And we’re getting a great response so far.”
The event will be held at the Legion, with the Legion Ladies Auxiliary supporting the kitchen work, which will be led by chef Garry McKinnon. It’s been a few years since he was in the business, but reports are he still has the touch. He’ll prepare a beef entree as well as a chicken breast in a mustard sauce.
Little Darlings will provide tarts, Sweet Stella Z’s the dessert, Robin’s the coffee, Calm Lake Bread the bread, and Tramin the wine, Also on board – and still working out exactly how they will contribute – are the Nite Club, Atikokan Foodland, PJ’s Pizza & Pasta, Community Living, Atikokan Wholesale, Triple T Lunch Bar, Warren’s Lone Pine Market, Sapawe Corner Diner, Quetico North, and Atikokan General Hospital.
It will definitely be a multi-course meal!
Foundation organizers are also approaching Atikokan artisans to see if they will donate to an auction to take place during the evening.
“We want to showcase one-of-a-kind, handmade items in the auction,” said Cross.
Tickets will be $50 per person, with half of that counting as a tax-deductible gift to the AGH Foundation.
“The money raised will help us pay for the equipment for the new wing, which will be completed later in October.”
The Legion Hall will be set up in tables of eight; groups of ticket buyers can reserve a table at the time of purchase. Tickets are available now at the AGH office.
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Rentech’s Canadian pellet plants continue to improve
“We are not on the medal stand yet, but we’re through the preliminary rounds and hopefully we’ll get there.”
That’s Rentech president and CEO Keith Forman using an Olympic analogy to describe the progress the company is making at its Canadian wood pellet plants. The comments here are all from his discussion of the company’s second quarter results with investors on August 10. (Transcript courtesy www.SeekingAl;pha.com)
Production at the Atikokan plant continues to improve.
“Atikokan is now typically producing between 80% and 90% of capacity,” he said. “Average weekly production increased by 10% during the second quarter [April 1 – June 30] as compared to the prior quarter. We continue to fulfill our obligations to OPG from the Atikokan plant and rail excess production to the port for delivery to Drax. We have delivered a total of 46,000 metric tons of pellets this year to OPG and Drax from Atikokan.”
Forman went on to say the plant would take a one-week shutdown in the fall to replace some – not all – of the conveyors. Some additional conveyor replacement will be necessary to reach full production at the plant (110,000 metric tons), but the company will hold off on that until it can justify the investment.
All told, the company has budgeted $145 million to get the Atikokan and Wawa plants to full production. That’s double what the company anticipated when it first announced the project in 2013, but has stayed stable the past year, as production at both plants ramped up. The budget does allow for replacing all the conveyor systems in the Atikokan plant.
The news is just as good at Wawa, where production rose 50% during the second quarter, averaging 2,500 metric tons per week. At times, the Wawa plant has produced as much as 500 metric tons during a 12-hour shift.
There remain conveyor problems at the plant – Rentech began a two to four week shutdown at Wawa on August 15 to replace defective conveyors – but even with those problems, the plant has proven it can produce “at an annual average equivalent of over 70% of our Drax contract requirements”, said Forman.
So far this year Rentech has shipped 95,000 metric tons of pellets to Drax, the United Kingdom power company, and expects to reach 144,000 metric tons by the end of the year.
“I will close out the Canadian discussion by noting that the loading operations at the Port of Quebec are working efficiently and that the quality of pellets we are producing is meeting the requirements under our customer contracts,” said Forman.
Red ink
Despite the positive outlook, Rentech’s Canadian operations continued to be money losers, according to the company’s second quarter statements. From the company’s August 10 (corrected) statement:
“Revenues were $6.5 million for the second quarter of 2016, earned by delivering approximately 56,000 metric tons of wood pellets. Revenues were $2.5 million for the second quarter of 2015, earned by delivering approximately 13,500 metric tons of wood pellets.”
“Gross loss for the second quarter of 2016 was $(5.2) million, compared to $(3.1) million for the same period in the prior year. Gross loss margin was (80)% for the second quarter of 2016, compared to (120)% for the same period in the prior year. The increased gross loss in 2016 was due to higher sales volumes at production costs that exceed sales prices, as the Atikokan and Wawa facilities are ramping up, including the related write-down of inventory by $5.2 million during the second quarter of 2016, and considerably higher depreciation expense in the second quarter of 2016 than in the second quarter of 2015. Further, certain expenses were recorded as operating expenses during the second quarter of 2015 before assets were placed into service. These expenses were capitalized to product inventory and included in cost of sales during the second quarter of 2016 as both the Atikokan and Wawa facilities were in service during the entire second quarter of 2016. During the second quarter of 2015, the Atikokan facility was in the ramp-up phase and producing wood pellets, and the Wawa Facility was commissioned and producing a limited quantity of wood pellets. The improvement in gross loss margin between periods was due to improvements in production costs and increased revenues as a result of the higher volumes shipped during the second quarter of 2016 as compared to the same period last year.”
“Net loss was $(7.0) million for the second quarter of 2016, compared to net loss of $(10.7) million for the same period last year.”
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Obituary: Rose Mrakic
With great sadness, the family of Rose Mrakic announces the passing of our beloved Wife, Mother and Nona on Wednesday July 27, 2016.
Rose was born in Barka, Yugoslavia on August 18, 1927. Rose was remembered fondly by her siblings and cousins for the kindness and care she provided to them during their childhood throughout the war years. Her strength and resilience would serve her well throughout life.
Rose worked in Trieste, Italy until 1952 when she boarded a ship for Canada. After spending a year in New Brunswick, she along with two girlfriends, headed west by train. Getting off in Port Arthur, she acquired work at Taylor’s Menswear and enjoyed dances at the Finn Hall where she met her future husband, Milan. Along with Milan, Rose worked for several years in bush camps throughout the Northwest, and in 1957 welcomed first son Rick, followed by Mark in 1963. Rose and Milan enjoyed their first home on Pine Street until 1964, when they purchased Roadside Lodge near Atikokan and raised their boys. In 1970 the family moved into Atikokan where Rose operated both the arena and ballpark concessions and enjoyed her many wonderful friendships, returning to Thunder Bay in 1980.
Rose will be remembered as a loving wife and mother and a fabulous Nona. She and Milan traveled extensively, taking their grandchildren on several excursions, including Europe. She was an avid fan and supporter of their many endeavours, enjoying sports, particularly hockey, dance, music and graduations. She took special pride in her lovely home and gardens, hosting events for family and friends who enjoyed her delicious meals and baking. She was a constant support to Milan whose business pursuits often took him away from home for extended periods, and looked forward to their many visits to the casino.
Rose is survived by Milan, her husband of 60 years, son Mark (Judy); Joshua, Haley & Jayden, daughter-in-law Heidi Smith (Bill); Mariah Mrakic (Eric TenHave), brother Mike Ambrozic (Darlene) and family, Edmonton, sister Maria Ursic and family, Slovenia and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son Rick (June 1996) and family in both Canada and Slovenia.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2016 in the Chapel of Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 North Cumberland Street, presided by Rev. Msgr. P.M. Stilla, V.G. of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Visitation for family and friends will begin one hour prior. Interment will take place in St. Andrew’s Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, Northern Cardiac Fund are greatly appreciated.
On-line condolences may be offered at harbourviewfuneral.ca
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Obituary: Elaine Broomfield
Elaine Agnes Broomfield (née Craigen) passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016, with family by her side, at the extended care wing of the Atikokan General Hospital.
Elaine had been a resident there for one year. When she was admitted to LTC (long-term care), we remember her fondly saying it meant ‘Loving, Tender Care’, and it was.
Born in Stratton, Ontario, February 10, 1930 to Jack and Matilda Craigen, she was the last and youngest of the ten Craigen sisters. Eventually the family settled in Fort Frances, where she met and married Elmer Broom-field in 1950. They had six children, Wayne, Sandra, Richard, Brenda, Janice, and Dianne.
When the family moved to Atikokan, Elaine went to work, first at Atikokan General Hospital (10 years), then at the Mink Lake Ranger Camp.
Over the years, trips to Hawaii were enjoyed with her new partner Frank, and trips to visit family were special times for her.
Earlier this year, Elaine received her 50-year pin as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Ladies Auxiliary; she also served over 45 years with the Catholic Women’s League. In recent years, she enjoyed her weekly outings to the Pioneer Centre.
Through the ups and downs in her life, Elaine’s love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were her main priority.
She is survived by son Richard (Holly) Broomfield; grandsons Dave (Tyme) (great-grandchildren Calissa, Cate and Becca); Derek (Erica); Richard (Kendall) (great-grandchildren Kamryn and Reece); and Ryan.
Daughter Sandra (Pat) Armstrong; grandsons Darren, Scott, and Brian (Trish).
Daughter Janice (Ron) Niro; grandchildren Jill (Rob), and Ryan (Sara).
Daughter Dianne (John) Williams; grandchildren Mindy (Naman) Budhdeo (great-grandchildren Tate and Sloane); Tyler (Taylor), Erin (Cory) Gouliquer (great-grandson Miles).
Also surviving are her partner, Frank Quinn, special cousin Lenora Gustafson, and many nieces and nephews.
Elaine was pre-deceased by infant daughter Brenda, son Wayne, and sisters Stella, Muriel, Marguerite, Mary, Dean, Irene, Gen, Evelyn, and Lynette.
Funeral services were held at St. Patrick’s Church, Atikokan, Friday, August 26, with Father Chinonso Alaribe officiating. Internment was at Little Falls Cemetery, Atikokan.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations made to the AGH Foundation, or the the charity of your choice.
Forever loved,
Always in our hearts
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Drone videos provide a unique view of Atikokan
Drone operators are providing a new perspective on Atikokan and favourite scenic spots.
Nick Palmai and Dave White have both shared aerial videos throughout the summer which are available to the public to enjoy.
Palmai, a second year Confederation College marketing student, has covered several events this summer and recently compiled a synopsis of aerial views covering Outers, Canada Day, the Mudfling and Bass Classic, and scenery such as Little Falls.
White, a long time photographer, used his drone to provide a bird’s eye view of a trip up the Atikokan River; the results are fresh look at the town’s lifeblood. White has also filmed the Steep Rock area, Hematite (Plateau Lake) area, Calm Lake, Highland Lake, Strawhat Lake, the Caland and Errington mines, Little Falls, the Bass Classic and even the rare Trumpeter Swans at Hardy Dam.
While many still associate the word drone with sinister military surveillance, drones – usually small airborne devices with several propellers, capable of hovering – the appeal for Atikokan drone owners is not surveillance but rather recording and celebrating events and scenery.
And for White, the new hobby takes photography to a whole new level, and gets him thinking about the possibilities to explore and photograph previously inaccessible places.
“I would like to have flown these areas, but I can’t afford it, so the drone is the next best thing,” he said. “Next I want to get a submarine [drone]. I don’t know if they have them yet, but if they do, I’ll find one…”
Since his first purchase in January, White now has two drones: he started with the standard DJI Phantom 3 2.7 kilobyte (the same model Palmai uses) before purchasing a higher-end one that takes higher quality pictures and videos (4 kilobyte).
The basic camera-equipped drone costs close to $700, while the higher quality devices can cost close to $5,000.
Palmai bought his in June.
“I watch lots of ‘YouTubers’ and one does a lot of drone videos and I thought that was cool. I [wanted to] try it out,” said Palmai, who worked this summer at the Library.
The devices are equipped with wireless transmitters and send their camera images to mobile devices (smart phone or tablet). The operator uses a controller with two joysticks, allowing her/him to manoeuvre the unit up and down, side-to-side, backwards, and 360 degree spins. The basic model has a range of over 800 metres, a flight time (battery life) of 25 minutes, a maximum speed of 16 metres per second (almost 60 km/hr), a maximum ascent of 5 metres/second and descent of 3 m/s.
Windy conditions present some challenges, but the drones have stabilizing properties to keep the camera steady.
Operators are legally required, for safety reasons, to keep their drone within sight at all times, to detect hazards that are out of the view of the camera. Airplanes, power lines, and structures can be hazards.
Transport Canada governs the use of unmanned aerial devices such as drones, and violations of restrictions can result in up to $25,000 in fines and/or jail time. Transport Canada prohibits flying the devices higher than 90 metres, or closer than 150 metres from people, animals, structures or vehicles; in populated areas or near large groups of people; near vehicles, or within restricted areas such as airports, military bases, prisons and forest fires, or anywhere it could interfere with first responders.
The devices utilize GPS information to navigate, and will not even operate within close proximity to the Atikokan airport. If the drone encounters the restricted area it will automatically return to its most recent launch location, as it also does when the battery is low or it loses its connection to the operator, to prevent crashing.
The guidelines are really about common sense and respect, said both White and Palmai, who avoid filming private property or identifying people in their videos.
The drone has elicited some curiosity, said Palmai, especially at one of the first events where he used. At the Nym Lake landing during the Outers’ return in June, someone heard the nuzzling noise of the drone propellers and thought it was a swarm of bees. Typically, the only audio the drone camera picks up is the sound of wind, so both White and Palmai add background music to their videos.
Both make their videos freely available to the public via upload to YouTube and FaceBook. The work they have put into filming and editing the videos has been of value in tourism promotion.
White has also helped cottage owners promote their property for sale with some aerial footage.
Filming and editing the videos is a lot of work. To create the five-minute Atikokan River video, White covered a lot of ground, to film the river in from several locations (Highland Park, Steep Rock, Legion Point, Little Falls and downtown).
“The next video is going to be all lowlands, all the marshlands I can find. I want to do an aerial video of the areas I used to canoe,” said White, who hopes to capture rare footage of the slow-flying Great Blue Heron.
Drones can be flown in temperatures as cold as zero degrees, and Palmai is eager to see how the device operates in the winter. He said he is now hooked on the gadget and hopes to purchase a higher quality one down the road.
To view White’s work, go to ‘David White’s Drone Videos’ on Facebook. Both men’s videos are also available on the ‘Tourism Atikokan’ FaceBook page.
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Events calendar September 19 forward
Monday, Sept. 19
Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm
Diabetes Type 2 tune-up class, 1 pm, FHT Zuke Rd.
Council meets, 4 pm
Tuesday, Sept. 20
Toddler Story Time, 10:30 am, SunDog
Nordic pole walking, 1 pm, LFCC
Artists’ drop-in, 6-8 pm, ANFC
Legion Ladies meet
Wednesday, Sept. 21
Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Moms’ Club, 11 am, SunDog
Zumba, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr
Thursday, Sept. 22
Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Service for Mike Lambert, 11 am, Legion
Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm
Resistance bands workout, 1 pm, Riverview UC
Outers overnight trip
ANFC annual meeting, 5 pm
Women for Sobriety, 6 pm, Shelter of Hope
Friday, Sept. 23
Music & Movement for pre-schoolers, 9:45 am, SunDog
Tai Chi, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr
Concert: Great Plains, Riverview United, 597-3368
Saturday, Sept. 24
Garden Market, Lorraine’s Garden Centre, 10 am – 2 pm
50th anniversary: Henry & Mary Mason, Come & go tea, 1-4 pm, Legion
Monday, Sept. 26
Faith Lutheran Food Bank, 1-2 pm
Pre-diabetes class, 1 pm, FHT Zuke Rd.
Council meets, 4 pm
Legion Ladies bingo, 5:45 pm
Atikokan Curling annual meeting, 6:30 pm, LFRC
Sept. 27 – Court sports Pelican Falls at AHS
Outers double overnight
Sept. 29 – Celebration of Life, Doris Gosselin, 11:30 am,Legion
Sept. 30 – PD Day, all schools
Pink Day, 10 am, Voyageur Mall
Oct. 1 – Taste of Atikokan, AGH Foundation event, Legion
Oct. 3 -5 – Firearms safety course, W. Docking (597-4564), G. Parker (597-2826)
Oct. 4: Court sports QE II at AHS
Oct. 5 – Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Kiwanis Apple Days, 9 am – 5 pm, Foodland lot (delivery 598-0648)
Court sports Red Lake at AHS
Oct. 6 – Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Kiwanis Apple Days, 9 am – 5 pm, Foodland lot (delivery 598-0648)
Shelter of Hope dinner, auction, magic show, 6 pm, La Place Rendezvous, FF
Oct. 7 – Annual Steak Supper, Legion, 5-7 pm
Oct. 10 – Thanksgiving Day
AES: Canadian country singer Terri Clark, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Oct. 12 – Conservation club meets, 7 pm, hatchery
Oct. 30 – PD Day, all schools
Nov. 9 – Conservation club meets, 7 pm, hatchery
Nov. 22 – AES: Irish folk singers Ennis, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Nov. 28 – PD Day, all schools
Dec. 24 – Jan. 8 – School Christmas holidays
Jan. 22 – AES: Everything Fitz, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Jan. 27 – PD Day, all schools
Feb. 6 – AES: Last Train to Nibroc (Manitoba Theatre Ctr), 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Feb. 20 – Family Day
Mar. 7 – AES: Confessions of a Red-headed Coffee Shop Girl, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Mar. 11 – 19 – March Break
Apr. 14 – Good Friday
Apr. 24 – AES: Folk quintet Union Duke, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
May 2 – Rainy River DSB meets, AHS
May 22 – Victoria Day
June 9 – PD Day, all schools
June 17 – Northwest Catholic DSB meets, St. Pat’s
June 22 – Last day of school
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Shelter to host fund-raiser, sexual assault awareness training
The Shelter of Hope will hold a fund-raising dinner and auction, with a special guest magician, at La Place Rendezvous in Fort Frances on Thursday, October 6.
Winnipeg magician and entertainer Alex J. Hamm won’t be putting on a formal show; instead, he will move around the hall performing for, and kibitzing with, small groups. He’s proven very popular at these types of events, with a resume that includes work at many Fortune 500 Company events and the TLC show Say Yes to the Dress.
The auction should be just as exciting, with a broad selection of items, including a gold and diamond tennis bracelet.
Dinner (7 pm) will be your choice of roast medallions of pork with mushroom marsala demi-glaze or Mediterranean lemon herb chicken breast. Tickets are $75 each (597-2868 ext 4, or dkroocmo@shaw.ca), and all proceeds will benefit Women’s Shelter of Hope, and sexual assault awareness training.
Awareness training
The event comes at the mid-point of a special two-day sexual assault awareness training session being staged by the Shelter, in partnership with Victim Services of the Rainy River District, and the Kenora Sexual Assault Centre. It’s also being held at La Place Rendezvous. (The dinner is a fully separate event; you don’t have to be in the training session to attend.)
Sue Montgomery, an award-winning justice reporter, will be the keynote speaker at the two-day tarining session. She is a co-founder of the Twitter hashtag #BeenRapedNeverReported, which has generated an outpouring of stories from women over the past two years. Her hope is that this growing awareness of the scope of male sexual violence will help change the narrative.
The training – which will include a certificate of completion – is designed to assist anyone in a helping profession, from counsellors and social workers, to legal officials, doctors, and clergy – understand the realities of sexual assault, and the breadth of reactions of victims.
It will also explore cutting-edge efforts to address the problem, such as the safe bar programs in Washington, DC and the YWCA’s efforts to end cyberviolence. You’ll also learn about the growing call to make sexual assault awareness training a part of the Smart Serve alcohol server program.
Contact Sue of Donna Kroocmo at the Shelter for details on registering for the session, which is open to all (597-2868 ext 4, or dkroocmo@shaw.ca)
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Obituary: Armin Fritz Latell
On August 21, 2016 It is with heavy hearts our family announces that Armin Latell, 67, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
Armin will be deeply missed by his wife of 47 years, Debbie (née Nephin); sons Robert, Steven (Tracy); granddaughters Allison and Sarah; daughter Joy; grandsons Zack and Ethan and their father Jeff; brother Zieg, nephew Travis; and the entire Nephin family.
Armin was predeceased by his father Fritz and mother Elsa. A Celebration of Life was held in Winnipeg August 26.
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Obituary: John Ferguson (Fergy) Wilson
With unwavering faith, dignity, and spirit, Fergy left this world to be with his Lord and Saviour on August 13, 2016. Fergy was born in Toronto, January 4, 1940 and is survived by his wife Mary (Greer), daughter Melanie, son Sean (Shannon), and grandchildren Cary and Ruth.
Raised in Dauphin, Manitoba, and Toronto, he received a degree in forestry from the University of Toronto and in 1968 began working in Quetico Provincial Park. During his time at Quetico, Fergy started to study for the priesthood in the Anglican Church of Canada. Although he loved working where he could be immersed in nature, Fergy grew more and more certain that God wanted him to be a full-time priest. In 1983, Fergy left one ministry for another and fully committed himself to the Lord, leaving Atikokan and his beloved Quetico to study at the University of Manitoba. He graduated with his Masters of Divinity (MDiv) and was ordained May 22, 1986.
Fergy went on to serve at St. Alban’s Cathedral in Kenora, Ontario. Most of his pastoral care was ‘on the street’ ministering to people where they were and on their own terms, reflecting his passion to minister to a congregation, and to be one-on-one council to those in spiritual need.
In 1995, an invitation from Correctional Services Canada (CSC) led Fergy to become a chaplain in the federal prison system at the Regional Treatment Centre, a psychiatric facility within Kingston Penitentiary. There he ministered to staff and inmates alike until his retirement in the spring of 2013. While with CSC he set up a web page ‘Have Robe Will Travel’ and sent out inspirational ‘Thots for the Week’ email messages to readers coast to coast and abroad. His final thot: “In the end it’s not the years of your life that count. It’s the life in your years,” (Abraham Lincoln), reflects how Fergy chose to live his life.
From 1996 to 2014 Fergy and Mary cruised every two years. Throughout all the cruises, he was constantly in awe of the majesty of God’s creation and was so thankful to have met many beautiful people, many of whom are now fast friends.
Fergy’s earthly remains have been cremated and his ashes will be interred in Thunder Bay next summer.
A celebration of Fergy’s life with Holy Communion will be held Friday September 23 at Christ Church Cataraqui, 990 Sydenham Road, Kingston, with reception following.
Those who wish to make a donation in memory of Fergy, may do so to Hospice Kingston (36 Barrie St., Kingston, ON K7L 3J7); the Friends of Quetico Park (PO #29127, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6P9); or to the charity of your choice.
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Obituary: Curtis Lee Human
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Curtis Lee Human, 54, on August 26, 2016, after a brief illness, in Edmonton, Alberta.
Curtis was born in Morden, Manitoba, April 15, 1962, to Gary and Evelyn Human. In 1967 they moved to Atikokan where Curtis completed school and enjoyed the Outers program (1978-79). In 1981 Curtis’ first child, was born. In February 1982, family in tow, Curtis moved west to work in the mines, his son being born in Fernie in 1985.
For the last few years, Curtis and Keri Jo lived in Drayton Valley, Alberta. Curtis had a love of animals and of the outdoors. He always had at least two pets, usually a few more, and when going to the animal shelter, the animals definitely knew it was their lucky day. Curtis loved being in the wilderness, whether hunting, snowmobiling or four-wheeling, he was always on the go. For the last few years, Curtis enjoyed one of his father’s favourite things, golfing. JAG is smiling now! If you needed a hand you could just give Curt a call and he would help you with anything. To Curtis, family was most important.
He leaves behind his loving wife Keri Jo, daughter Karen (Darin) Jensen, son Christopher, grandchildren, Mikayla, Nathan, Hailex and Ashlyn, mother Ev Human, sisters Brenda (Miles) Buckrell and Jodi (Byron), as well as many nieces and nephews, and other loving relatives.
Curtis was predeceased by his father, Gary Human, as well as a number of other loving relatives. At Curt’s request he has been cremated and there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation or to a charity of your choice.
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Obituary: John David McCallum
It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of John David McCallum, 51, with his family by his side on August 30, 2016 at the age of 51 from ALS.
David was born in Fort William on March 27, 1965, the son of Brian and Maxine McCallum. David was raised and educated in Atikokan and participated in all sporting activities including golf, curling, hockey and darts.
He worked at Atikokan Forest Products at Sapawe for 25 years and upon closing of the mill moved to Estevan, Saskatchewan to work as a heavy equipment operator. He was currently working at Miller Group in highway maintenance at the onset of his illness.
His pride and joy was his cabin at Calm Lake where he spent all his time and efforts for the past 25 years. He enjoyed the fishing and snowmobiling and especially the great people on the lake system.
David is survived by his Mom and Dad, brother Brian (Corrine), niece Casi (Lukas), nephew Adam; sister Val (Terry), nephew Jordan (Katie), great niece Brielle, nephew Josh (Leah); sister Sue (Wade). Also aunts Barbara (Ted) of Oakville; Jean of Australia; Margaret of Thunder Bay and Peter (Georgina) of Thunder Bay as well as numerous cousins and great friends.
A memorial service was held at Legion Branch #145, Atikokan, September 3.
Honorary pallbearers were Corina Anderson, Ric Kitzul, Jordan and Josh Stus, and Casi and Adam McCallum.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Atikokan General Hospital, George Jeffrey’s Children’s Foundation, or the ALS Society would be greatly appreciated.
Online condolences may be made in care of www.GreenFuneralHomeFortFrances.com.
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Remembering an Atikokan institution: Lee’s Steak Grill Dine and Dance
Atikokan’s original Chinese restaurant, the former Can Am restaurant on Main Street, is being demolished, and its demise has elicited many memories for generations of Atikokanites – but none more so than cousins Kam Lee and Maureen Knowles, whose family were its original owners.
In the early years it was renowned for the sweet and sour sauce Kam’s mom Chan Fung Lee made; it simmered all day long on the stove. “Everything was done from scratch,” recalled Kam. To this day, some people still talk about that sauce. There was no written recipe; she kept the method all in her head.
Throughout the years the shop always offered traditional Western fare as well, and was known for its steak and hot sandwich dinners and fries. “My husband still raves about the hot beef sandwiches and the large peas,” recalled Susan Bryk, who has compiled a listing of businesses throughout Atikokan’s history.
“[Customers] also really liked [Mrs. Lee’s] turkey and the dressing she made,” recalled Anna Talbot, who worked there as a waitress from 1955 to 1962. During the town’s mining heyday, the restaurant cooked three turkeys each day, and had one employee strictly devoted to turning potatoes into French fries.
The Lee family, who opened ‘Lee’s Steak Grill Dine and Dance’ at 110 Main St. W. in 1951, had all come from China, and many worked as cooks in Winnipeg before moving to Atikokan.
“They had heard of Atikokan, and that there was no Chinese restaurant there, so the brothers and uncles all got together and started the restaurant,” said Kam, whose uncle, Tom, was the first owner before brothers Harry Lee (Kam’s father) and Peter Lee Owen (Maureen’s father), took over in 1954. They had a bunkhouse relocated from the west end of Main St. (now M&C Motors) to the back part of the existing building, as a family residence.
Throughout the 18 years the Lee family ran the business, they often hired other family members who had recently emigrated from China. (After immigrating, Harry Lee returned to China, married Chan Fung Lee and returned to Atikokan in 1952.) Kam arrived here with his grandmother in 1958.
Chan Fung Lee, a nurse in China and Malaysia, made her escape from Communist China with the help of brother-in-law Peter, through a letter he sent to her requesting she pick up a “valuable parcel” in Hong Kong, 100 miles away. She was able to clear China customs, and from there boarded a ship sailing for San Francesco and made her way to Atikokan.
“It was a culture shock for her, for sure,” said Kam of her arrival in Atikokan, a railroad town with muddy streets. She, husband Harry, and Peter were all cooks. Peter also did the bookkeeping, the “hiring and firing and throwing out the drunks,” says daughter Maureen.
The origins of the restaurant building itself are not clear, but it seemed it had previously served as a restaurant because the horseshoe-shaped booths and adjoining dance hall were already in existence. These were later converted into two dining rooms, and the Lees quickly discovered that to avoid having customers ‘dine and dash’ they had to close one of the doors so there was only one way to enter and exit.
“There were too many escapees,” recalls Kam.
During the dredging of Steep Rock, the town’s population reached 7,000, a young 7,000, and business boomed. Many workers dropped off their lunch pails and the restaurant made their lunches for them.
The dance hall hosted many weddings and banquets; the venue, good food, and good service mad it popular. Martha and Pete Romanson had their wedding reception there with a roast beef dinner, in September, 1951. “It was the only place in town you could have a nice dinner,” said Martha.
Lee’s was usually the only restaurant open after the bars closed at 2 am. There was nothing like a big meal to help sober up – at least for the more for the civilly inebriated.
Juke boxes were in vogue then, and the restaurant had one large one, and a smaller one in each booth (along with a coat hanger). “You should have seen the quarters [that were taken out of that machine at the end of the day],” said Kam. “You’d get three songs for a quarter and it played all the hit songs. They were 45 records.” (The juke box machine supplier and the restaurant would split the profits.)
Long hours
Anna Talbot remembers how at age 17, the job kept her busy and also provided some newfound independence.
“It was long hours (sometimes from 6 am to 6 pm), but we were young and full of energy, and you couldn’t ask for a better boss,” in Harry and Peter, she said. Two years later her younger sister Marie joined her on the staff. “Whenever Harry asked my sister and me to work longer hours, he’d say ‘You don’t have to, I’m just asking.”
The owners made sure the waitresses always had time for a meal. Talbot enjoyed her job there – and the bonus was that it gave the girls a break from household chores.
“It was nice to get out of the house. We didn’t have to wash the floors on our hands and knees anymore,” she recalled with a chuckle.
Marianne Henze also worked there in the early 1960’s. She recalled that porterhouse steaks were a $1.00 and when waitresses worked nights, the police would drive them home.
Kam grew up living on the premises of a thriving restaurant business, yet neither his dad nor Maureen’s dad were ever home before 6 pm, and “never took holidays. My dad was a good guy; I just wish I could have spent more time with him,” said Kam, of Harry, who died of a heart attack in November, 1965.
Peter continued to operate the shop with sister-in-law Chan Fung until 1969, when business took a downturn. “People weren’t going out as much,” said Kam. Mrs Lee and Peter sold the business that year, and she moved to Toronto, where she lived for another 40 years. Peter and his family moved to Winnipeg in 1970. In earlier years several other Lee family members moved to Fort Frances and Thunder Bay, and worked as cooks or started their own restaurants, said Kam.
In fact, in its first two decades, the restaurant was a starting place for several newly emigrated Lee family members who moved on to start their own restaurants.
During the 1960s the restaurant was something of a ‘teen hangout’. “They would nurse a coke and sit all day,” jokes Maureen.
Bryk can attest to that: “One person would order a pop and ten of us would sit there and talk, and then when we were done, we’d go over to Sinclair’s Restaurant and do the same thing.” In later years, teens would divide their time between the Chinese Restaurant and Burky’s pool hall in the Sunset Square Mall.
Lee’s later became the HO-HO Restaurant, owned by the Au family from 1969 to 1982, the Kim-Vi under owners Du and Vi Tuan and Kim Nguyen (1982-86), the Can-Am under owners W. Phoung and Linda Phan until 2000 and owners Julia Tang and Randall Lu until the restaurant closed in 2005.
The building, which went back to the Town, is now being demolished, a process that should be completed in the next few weeks, said the Town’s chief building official Graham Warburton. Work by Stan Bates (Construction has been slowed by the removal of asbestos and other hazardous materials contained in both the siding and the boilers inside the building.)
Like so many of the businesses from the booming Steep Rock days, it will live on now only in memory…
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Events calendar: September 26 forward
Monday, Sept. 26
Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm
Pre-diabetes class, 1 pm, FHT Zuke Rd.
Council meetings: 3 pm (closed), 3:55 (court of revision), 4 pm (reg.)
Legion Ladies bingo, 5:45 pm
Atikokan Curling annual meeting, 6:30 pm, LFRC
Tuesday, Sept. 27
Toddler Story Time, 10:30 am, SunDog
Court sports Pelican Falls at AHS
Nordic pole walking, 1 pm, LFCC
Outers double overnight
Artists’ drop-in, 6-8 pm, ANFC
Wednesday, Sept. 28
Moms’ Club, 11 am, SunDog
Zumba, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr
College Info Tour, 12:30 – 2 pm, AHS
You + Me = Play, 6:30 pm, Library
Thursday, Sept. 29
Celebration of Life, Doris Gosselin, 11:30 am, Legion
Resistance bands workout, 1 pm, Riverview UC
Community Glee Club, 4 pm, Riverview UC
Women for Sobriety, 6 pm, Shelter of Hope
Friday, Sept. 30
PD Day, all schools
Pink Day, 10 am, Voyageur Mall
Tai Chi, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr
Friends of the Museum flea market, 1-4 pm
Next week: GPS map & compass course, Adult Learning Ctr., 597-1242
Saturday, Oct. 1
Friends of the Museum flea market, 10 am – 1 pm
Taste of Atikokan, AGH Foundation dinner, Legion
Monday, Oct. 3
University Info Program, 10:15 – 11:30 am, AHS
Community Food Bank 1-2:30 pm
Council meets 4 pm
Susan Bourne dance registration, 5:30 – 7 pm, Bartsch’s Income Tax, Main St.
Firearms safety course, W. Docking (597-4564), G. Parker (597-2826)
Oct. 4: Court sports QE II at AHS
Oct. 5 – Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Kiwanis Apple Days, 9 am – 5 pm, Foodland lot (delivery 598-0648)
Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC
Court sports Red Lake at AHS
Oct. 6 – Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Kiwanis Apple Days, 9 am – 5 pm, Foodland lot (delivery 598-0648)
Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm
Shelter of Hope dinner, auction, magic show, 6 pm, La Place Rendezvous, FF
Emily Martin dance registration, 6 – 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Oct. 7 – Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC
Chair Yoga, 1 pm, ANFC
Annual Steak Supper, Legion, 5-7 pm
Oct. 10 – Thanksgiving Day
AES: Canadian country singer Terri Clark, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Oct. 12 – Conservation club meets, 7 pm, hatchery
Oct. 17 – Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC
Oct. 30 – PD Day, all schools
Nov. 9 – Conservation club meets, 7 pm, hatchery
Nov. 22 – AES: Irish folk singers Ennis, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Nov. 28 – PD Day, all schools
Dec. 24 – Jan. 8 – School Christmas holidays
Jan. 22 – AES: Everything Fitz, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Jan. 27 – PD Day, all schools
Feb. 6 – AES: Last Train to Nibroc (Manitoba Theatre Ctr), 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Feb. 20 – Family Day
Mar. 7 – AES: Confessions of a Red-headed Coffee Shop Girl, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Mar. 11 – 19 – March Break
Apr. 14 – Good Friday
Apr. 24 – AES: Folk quintet Union Duke, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
May 2 – Rainy River DSB meets, AHS
May 22 – Victoria Day
June 9 – PD Day, all schools
June 17 – Northwest Catholic DSB meets, St. Pat’s
June 22 – Last day of school
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Lifetime achievement award for Max Clement
Max Clement: log driver, tankman, mechanic, trucker, entrepreneur, firefighter
But – first, last, and always – a trapper
Max Clement was honoured at the 2016 Trappers’ Rendezvous in Thunder Bay August 27 with the Ontario Fur Managers Association’s Charlie Brindley Memorial Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.
“I decided to go because it was in Thunder Bay,” he said last week. “I didn’t know a thing about this – when I heard them start to describe the winner, I thought: He’s been trapping as long as I have…”
A lifetime on a trap line has fostered a deep love and respect for nature, a feeling that glows strongly in him to this day.
“This past winter I didn’t set a trap… and that’s the first time in all the years.”
“All the years” has got to mean close to eighty of them. Clement, 90, remembers going out on the trap line with his father, and figures he was no more than nine or ten years old when he started. By the time he was 14 he was doing a man’s job in the logging industry, and tending traps on his own.
Except for a few years when for World War II service, trapping has been a part of every day of his life. Albert Clement – father to Max and siblings Don, Marj, and Maxine – was a homesteader in the Rainy River District, and trapping the homestead was just part of the deal.
He was operating a general store in North Branch about the time Max arrived, but lost it during the Depression. The homestead, a small farm, a few cattle, and some chickens, had to be relied upon for the basics for life. Albert worked summers as a guide and boat taxi operator on Lake of the Woods (the tourists were about the only people around with money), and the boys alternated between helping him there, and helping out at home. Winters meant trapping and hunting.
“When you come from a farm, the working day is from dawn to dark,” said Max.
It was during those days he first got involved with trappers’ organizations. The forerunner to the Ontario Fur Managers Association was being promoted as a trapper-owned fur auction house by a man named Gilbert Clement (no relation to Max’s family).
“We heard about this trapper-owned set-up in North Bay, and Dad said that with a name like that we’d better give it a try,” said Max.
After the war, he and brother Don bought a trap line in Flanders; it’s part of the line he and son Albert (and more and more, Wray) work to this day. [CORRECTION: Max bought his own trap line north of Atikokan when Don started his own family int he 1950s] Most years, it’s a labour of love – fur prices barely cover the cost of traps, equipment, and fuel, let alone the hours spent on the line and preparing furs for auction.
But it’s not something any of them are willing to give up. Although he wasn’t actively trapping this past winter, Max still regularly spends time at his trapper cabin on Marmion Lake.
(Oh, and fresh off a round of 18 holes at Little Falls with golfing buddy Ray Laquerre one day last week, Max said his decision not to set a trap this winter had as much to do with poor fur prices as anything.)
Log driver
About 1940, Max was working with a J. A. Mathieu crew reclaiming stray logs when a man on the main log drive was injured. The foreman called down for someone who could stand on a log (in the water), and 14-year-old Max fit the bill. He spent the next few summers on log drives on Rainy Lake, Lake of the Woods, and most points between.
He was always handy with tools and engines, so in the service he qualified for training as a diesel mechanic (specializing in tanks, of course). He was preparing to ship out to Manchuria as a Sherman tank operator in August, 1945, when the bomb ended the war.
Back home, Karl Anderson, who was boss on those log drives before the war, hired Max for the main garage of O & M Pulp and Paper in Flanders.
“I remember that garage – it was so smoky in there. I worked there about half a winter and I’d had enough. I went to tell Anderson I was quitting, but before I could, he told me he had a new gator coming in and that he wanted me to run it.”
That was more like it for Clement. He spent five years as a camp foreman, running steel gators with diesel engines on log drives; routes from Wahgita Bay to Fort Frances and 85 miles down the Turtle River stand out in his memories.
“In the winters we’d pick up the [freshly-cut] wood in the bush and drop it on the ice; in the summers we’d drive the logs to the mill. We tested a lot of new machinery, too, during that time,” he said.
In 1950, he bought a truck and started hauling as a contractor; he designed his own mechanical system for loading and unloading. It was a good business, and gave him a freedom as his own boss that he loved.
“I paid for that truck in, I think, 31 or 32 days,” he said.
He was on his second truck when he got on with the Department of Highways, which had started building the road to Shebandowan. In summer he hauled gravel, in winter the load was wood.
Through it all, most evenings and weekends were devoted to trapping. Except when he was leading a boxing club; he had up to 35 young men training with him, staging regular Saturday night events at Blackhawk Hall, and occasional big time cards at the Memorial Arena in Fort Frances.
“I had a lot of fun with that for four or five years there…”
By the mid-1950s he was courting Louise, and that took up much of his free time (after work and trapping, of course). She was from Swan River, Manitoba. As that grew more serious, Atikokan began to look better and better as a place to settle with a family.
“I decided: I’m going to find something to do here and stay here.”
In 1955 he launched a second business, a service station on Main Street, to go along with his trucking enterprise. He later moved his business to the end of Main on Burns Street, as a Husky station and garage.
Life as a family man was challenging; he’d finish up at work, then go out trapping, then be stretching and hanging pelts until midnight. “Louise did a great job raising the kids,” he said.
After ten years he’d had about enough of the long hours in the shop, and jumped at a chance to run the main garage at Caland Ore. He has fond memories of the 16 years he spent there.
“It was a great place to work: the people were great [he mentioned Roger Machura and Shirley Wiens] , and we always had lots to do,” he said.
It was a Ford shop – Caland had 37 Ford trucks on the property – and Clement is most definitely a Ford guy. (He also has fond memories of a classic 1955 Monarch he bought new. It was specially built to mark Ford’s 50th year, and featured “lots of chrome, with a big gold lion [figure] on the hood and gold crowns on the door locks”. It turned heads from Swan River to Texas.)
He worked right to the end at Caland, and then spent his final few regular working years with Ontario Hydro, part of the crew building the generating station here. Of course, he didn’t really retire at that point; no regular job meant he just had more time for the true labour of his life.
Now, the trap line is in good hands – but don’t be surprised if you hear next winter that Max has been out setting a few traps. It gets in the blood, and never lets go.
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Obituary: Priscilla Kay Ballard
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Priscilla Kay Ballard (née Fedorak) on September 4 2016, at Thunder Bay Regional Health and Science Centre with her children and sister by her side.
She born August 4, 1967 to Zorro and Carolyn Fedorak. She lived in Fort Frances most her life where her friends knew her as a hardworking waitress and loving mother. She had a passion for music in her life and always had a good tune blaring, especially when she was getting ready to go out on the town. Priscilla also lived in Atikokan, Ontario for many years, and most recently worked at the Atikokan Hotel. She made many friends in Atikokan and always had a big smile to greet her customers and fellow staff every day.
Priscilla was a giver. She gave to those who needed even if she was without herself. She loved animals and always took in stray cats from the dump or any animal that was lucky enough to make it to her doorstep. She loved life and just enjoying it with the company of friends and family around her.
One of Priscilla’s most valuable accomplishments were her five children. She was one to go without so her children could have more than they needed, whether it was another new top for the girls or new duvet for Tana. She always made sure her children had money in their pockets.
Priscilla leaves behind her sons Joseph Fedorak, Logan Ballard, daughters Tana Ballard, Taylor Steele, and Chandlor Steele, granddaughter Sarah Fedorak, and her loving dogs Ava and Jane.
She was predeceased by her sister Crystal Fedorak, cousin Susan Fedorak and father Zorro Fedorak. Also surviving are her grandmother Lela Ballard, mother Carolyn Fedorak, sister Petrina Carlson, and niece Chelsea Carlson.
A celebration of Priscilla’s life was held September 9 at Green Funeral Home, Fort Frances, with Pastor Sean Ward officiating. Honourary pallbearers were Calvin Morrisseau, Galen Lemieux, Patrick Lemieux, Jordan Marsh, Joe Johnson, Brian Lethbridge, Brittney Smith, and Peggy Atatise.
If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to the Tamarack House. 984 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 7C7. Online condolences may be made in care of www.GreenFuneralHomeFortFrances.com.
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Obituary: Katherine ‘Kate’ McGuigan
Katherine Isabel McGuigan (née Cox) died on September 2, 2016 at the age of 61.
Kate was raised in Atikokan, Ontario and graduated nursing in 1975 and continued her career at Kelowna General Hospital for over 25 years. Kate retired in 2002 and devoted her time to volunteering in the community. Kate loved camping with Syd and spending time with her yorkies, she also enjoyed crafts and quilting.
Kate fought a courageous battle with ALS and passed away with family and friends by her side. Throughout her journey with ALS, Kate was cared for by her loving husband and a compassionate team of caregivers.
She is survived by her husband Sydney McGuigan; brothers Dan Cox of Fernie, Grant (Julie) Cox of Kelowna; nephews Brad (Lindsay) Cox of Fernie, Jeff Cox of Kelowna, Andrew Cox of Fernie; niece Chelsea (Garth) Vatkin of Kelowna; step children Shelley Schwate of Red Deer, Brenda Sobolewski of Red Deer, Neil (Sam) Buss of Penticton, Craig Wittenberg of Penticton and Curtis Wittenberg of Kelowna.
A funeral service was held September 8 at Springfield Funeral Home, Kelowna BC. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the ALS Society of Canada (www.als.ca). Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.SpringfieldFuneralHome.com.
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Obituary: Dympna Teresa Kozachenko
With great sadness the family announces the passing of Dympna Teresa Kozachenko, 91, in Edmonton after a brief illness on September 1, 2016.
Born September 2, 1924, Dympna met her beloved husband Stan in England during WWII and they were married on September 10, 1946. The couple came to Canada on a troop ship in January of 1947 and settled in Northwestern Ontario where they raised their two daughters.
She was a very strong and independent lady, who raised her daughters to be like her. When something caught her fancy she had a wicked giggle/laugh that was infectious. She was greatly known for her feistiness.
After her daughter Wendy retired from the Canadian Air Force, she relocated with Wendy to Edmonton to be closer to her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughters Gail (Chris) Sanders of Edson, Alberta, and Wendy Kozachenko Sgt (Ret) of Edmonton, grandchildren Shari (Jeff) Tymo of Edmonton, and Robert (Heidi) Sanders of Edson, and five great-grandchildren (the light of Bopcha’s life) Aaron Tymo, Sydney Tymo, Declan Sanders, Fynn Sanders, and Kellyn Sanders. Dympna will also be remembered by her sister Gertie Matthews of London, England, sister-in-law Kathleen Mohan of Northern Ireland, brother-in-law Joseph (Bev) Kozachenko of Burriss Twp, sisters-in-law Vicki Dlugosz of Wainwright, Alberta and Judy Kozachenko of Fort Frances, well as numerous nieces, nephews, other family and many dear friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Stan, her parents (of Northern Ireland), two brothers and two sisters (also of Northern Ireland).
A graveside service will be held Wednesday, September 14, (1 pm) at the Stratton Roman Catholic Cemetery with Rev.Allen Lapay officiating. Memorial Donations are gratefully accepted to the Alzheimer’s Society or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.MemoriesFuneral.com
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KidSport is working in Atikokan
“So ALL kids can play.”
That’s the motto of KidSport, and they really mean it.
Atikokan has had a KidSport chapter since 2008, and last year it provided 41 cash grants worth a total of $7,500 to help cover registration and equipment costs for youngsters in everything from Outers to figure skating. And it helped dozens of other families with loans of new and good used equipment.
Applying for assistance is confidential; application forms (one page, with clear guidelines) will be available at most booths at the fall and winter registration tomorrow and Wednesday evenings (6:30 – 8 pm, Little Falls). Families relying on Ontario Works or ODSP qualify automatically for support; it’s almost automatic for those with a family income under $40,000. And families with incomes above that but facing other financial burdens can and do qualify too.
“It comes down to this: We don’t want financial considerations to block a child’s participation,” said chair Tammy Faykes. “We just want all the kids to be able to play.”
The KidSport application has to be made at the time of enrolment. The activities covered include hockey, ringette, figure skating, cross-country skiing, Taekwondo, Junior golf, junior curling, municipal swimming lessons, Outers, and NorWOSSA sports. A child is eligible for up to $500 in funding per year, to cover registration and equipment costs. (KidSport does not cover travel or lodging expenses.)
KidSport Atikokan works closely with Canadian Tire’s Jump Start, a similar program that will help cover the costs of Scouts or Guides.
“Anyone seeking help with those fees can contact me,” said Faykes. “There is an on-line application process that I am familiar with and we can do together.”
The organization serves Seine River and Lac La Croix residents as well, as long as they are participating in an Atikokan-based activity.
KidSport’s equipment swap is open to all – there are no qualifications. The chapter has two full storage rooms of good used and new equipment available for loan; contact any of the board members (pictured) for details. Visit the health unit office in the mall, 8;30 am – 4:30 pm weekdays, to access this.
New this year is a skate lending program for young children; KidSport now has a small collection of bob skates (double-bladed) for kids up to four years old learning to skate. They are available for weekend or other other occasional use.
Finally, KidSport works closely with the Town’s transporta-tion program, and if getting to the arena or other activity centre is an issue, can help families with that .
The program is funded through a variety of corporate and private donations, and also engages in some fund-raising (it is the beneficiary of the Nevada ticket program at Atikokan Newstand).
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Events Calendar: October 3 forward
Monday, Oct. 3
University Info Program, 10:15 – 11:30 am, AHS
Community Food Bank 1-2:30 pm
Council meets 4 pm
Susan Bourne dance registration, 5:30 – 7 pm, Bartsch’s Income Tax, Main St.
Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm
Firearms safety course, W. Docking (597-4564), G. Parker (597-2826)
Tuesday, Oct. 4
Court sports QE II at AHS
Toddler Story Time, 10:30 am, SunDog
Nordic pole walking, 1 pm, LFCC
MIAW relax-in, 6-8 pm, register 597-2724
Artists’ drop-in, 6-8 pm, ANFC
Wednesday, Oct. 5
World Teachers’ Day
Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Kiwanis Apple Days, 9 am – 5 pm, Foodland lot (delivery 598-0648)
Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC
Court sports Red Lake at AHS
Moms’ Club, 11 am, SunDog
Zumba, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr
MIAW barbecue, noon – 3 pm, register 597-2724
You + Me = Play, 6:30 pm, Library
Thursday, Oct. 6
Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Kiwanis Apple Days, 9 am – 5 pm, Foodland lot (delivery 598-0648)
Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm
Resistance bands workout, 1 pm, Riverview UC
Community Glee Club, 4 pm, Riverview UC
Women for Sobriety, 6 pm, Shelter of Hope
Shelter of Hope dinner, auction, magic show, 6 pm, La Place Rendezvous, FF
Emily Martin dance registration, 6 – 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Friday, Oct. 7
Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC
Tai Chi, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr
Chair Yoga, 1 pm, ANFC
Annual Steak Supper, Legion, 5-7 pm
Monday, Oct. 10
Thanksgiving Day
AES: Canadian country singer Terri Clark, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Oct. 11 – Mom & Me, 10:30 am, Library
Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm
Council meets 4 pm
Witch wreath craft, Library, register 597-4406
Oct. 12 – Flanders Rd. North closed, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Fire Prevention Week open house, Fire hall, 6 pm
You + Me = Play, 6:30 pm, Library
Conservation club meets, 7 pm, hatchery
Oct. 13 – Flanders Rd. North closed, 8:30 am – 4 pm
Moose lecture, Park naturalist Susan Bourne, 7 pm, Library
Oct. 14 – Teen Movie Night: Ghostbusters, Library, register 597-4406
Oct. 17 – Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC
Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm
Oct. 19 – Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
Oct. 20 – Optometrist visits, 1-800-560-8752
100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, wine & cheese, 7 pm, Museum
Oct. 21 – Legal clinic annual meeting, 7;30 pm, Métis Hall, FF
Oct. 26 – Mental illness info session, 6 pm, register 597-8781 ext 4
Oct. 30 – PD Day, all schools
Nov. 9 – Conservation club meets, 7 pm, hatchery
Nov. 14 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm
Nov. 22 – AES: Irish folk singers Ennis, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Nov. 28 – PD Day, all schools
Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm
Dec. 5 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm
Dec. 19 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm
Dec. 24 – Jan. 8 – School Christmas holidays
Jan. 22 – AES: Everything Fitz, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Jan. 27 – PD Day, all schools
Feb. 6 – AES: Last Train to Nibroc (Manitoba Theatre Ctr), 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Feb. 20 – Family Day
Mar. 7 – AES: Confessions of a Red-headed Coffee Shop Girl, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
Mar. 11 – 19 – March Break
Apr. 14 – Good Friday
Apr. 24 – AES: Folk quintet Union Duke, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s
May 2 – Rainy River DSB meets, AHS
May 22 – Victoria Day
June 9 – PD Day, all schools
June 17 – Northwest Catholic DSB meets, St. Pat’s
June 22 – Last day of school
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