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Obituary: Wally Davidson

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Wally Davidson

With heavy hearts, the family of Wallace (Wally) Glen Davidson, announces his passing with his family by his side on Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

Wally was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, great uncle and friend. Born on September 20, 1946 in Atikokan, he was the son of the late Albert Davidson and Doris Fisher.

Wally was the youngest of six children (Bobby, Bruce, Jim, Peggy, and Allan), and spent his younger years growing up on White Street, in Atikokan. Wally married Linda in 1966 and had their first daughter, Shannon, in 1968. While living in Thunder Bay, during Linda’s university years, Wally delivered milk, with Shannon in a milk cart, eating kielbasa, by his side. They later moved to Haarala Lane when their son Blake was born in 1974. Wally worked for the township for many years, starting at the Atikokan Arena driving the Zamboni before moving on to the sewer truck, and then finally moving up to superintendent for numerous years before retiring.

In his younger years, Wally enjoyed playing broomball, hockey, and lob ball. He was an excellent athlete and even in his older years he loved to show off his hand stands in the middle of the coffee table to his grandkids.

The last twenty or so years, Wally spent loving his beautiful wife, Shelley. His adoration for Shelley was obvious to everyone; he loved her more than life itself. Wally and Shelley married in a simple, loving ceremony at Little Falls on September 27, 2014, with immediate family by their side. Their favourite past time was spending time with their children, grandchildren, and precious great grandchildren.

Those who knew Wally, knew he would do anything for them. He was a kind and caring man who expected nothing from anyone, yet would abundantly give to those in need. He will be forever missed.

Wally is survived by his wife, Shelley, his children, Jenn Howie (Jeff), Shannon Davidson-George (Tuffy), Blake Davidson (Alyssa), Jenn Wasney (Justin), grandchildren Erika (Brock), Alex, Cayleigh, Jordyn, Ben, and Sawyer; and great granddaughters Kodi-Jo, Hayden, and Navy, who were the light of his life. He is also survived by his brothers, Bobby and Jim (Nancy); sister Rita; mother-in-law Bev (Brian), sister-in-law Debbie, brothers-in-law Scott and Angus, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Wally was pre-deceased by his parents, brothers Allan, Bruce, and sister Peggy; his first wife Linda; son Cody Wasney; nephew Doug Moffat; and sister in law Cecilia.

Family and friends gathered October 21 for a service held at the Legion in Atikokan.

The post Obituary: Wally Davidson appeared first on Atikokan Progress and Printing.


200 days from Richmond BC to Dominion Beach, Cape Breton

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About noon local time Tuesday, October 18, Mike Ranta paddled into Dominion Beach, Cape Breton, completing his second cross-Canada solo in 200 days, four hours.

About 150 Cape Bretoners, including veterans, Dominion firefighters, and Cape Breton Regional Police, joined his father, Marty, and bother, Kevin, in cheering him in to shore. Cape Breton Drone Services even captured the final leg of the incredible journey on video.

The sight of him, one tiny craft alone on the water, as he paddled first one side and then the other, really drove home the magnitude of his achievement. Following online, it’s easy to forget this is what those lines on the map mean: hours and hours, one paddle stroke at a time, a tiny figure in a huge expanse…

The Cape Breton Post estimates it was four million paddle strokes. (That’s probably reasonable. Richmond B.C. to Dominion Beach Provincial Park is 6,347 km by road; at two metres per paddle stroke, four million strokes will cover 8,000 km.)

He was his effusive self in Dominion, where he shared his admiration for Canada’s veterans, spoke of the tremendous hospitality of Canadians from one end of the nation to the other, and spoke of his love for his steadfast companion, Spitzii. And he even hinted of another trip next year to celebrate Canada’s 150th.

Ranta planned to stay a week in Cape Breton, which would mean a return home late this week or early next.

canoe-routeMike Ranta’s solo paddle route, April 1 – October 18, 2016

Ottawa for Remembrance Day

(October 31)

Mike Ranta had a busy week in Cape Breton, as he decompressed from his epic 200-day cross-country solo.

“It’s been so great here. I couldn’t believe the reception at Dominion Beach, and it’s just kept up like that everywhere I go,” he told us last week.

He has visited several schools, nursing homes, and Legion halls, and plans to continue doing that for the next few weeks as he works his way east. Planning is fluid, but there are a couple of firm targets: Ottawa for Remembrance Day (“I want to lay my wreath.”) and Atikokan for the Kiwanis Santa Claus parade (November 19).

He is assembling the wreath now, with items he collected as he worked his way across the country, and received from friends and supporters in places like the far North and Newfoundland.

“As it came together, it really hit me like a ton of bricks. This was Don Meany’s idea [to collect items for a wreathe], so I know when I lay it he and Joe will be in my mind, and lots of guys I’ve met along the way.”

Brother Kevin’s presence at Dominion Beach was a complete surprise, but they didn’t get much of a chance to visit. He had to fly out that afternoon. James Niro drove Mike’s truck out to Cape Breton, so he is using that to get around now.

His thoughts are also turning to what will come next. He is working on a book about his ultra marathon solos, and already thinking about further trips.

“I’ve got a few irons in the fire, and have started looking at a more northerly route…”

Not surprising, for the man who redrew the map for what a canoe route could look like, and said: “When I’m in a canoe, it’s like being caught between the heavens and the earth.”

 

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Events calendar: November 14 forward

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Monday, Nov. 14

Nov. 14-15 – Outers Wilderness First Aid

Walk & Talk, 1 pm, LFCC

Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC

Council meets 4 pm

Tuesday, Nov. 15

Toddler Story Time, 10:30 am, SunDog

Mom & Me, 10:30 am, Library

Nordic pole walking, 1 pm, LFCC

Artists’ drop-in, 6-8 pm, ANFC

Northwest Catholic DSB meets, 7 pm, 597-2633

AHS Parent Council meets, 7 pm

Wednesday, Nov. 16

Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

NorWest Animal Clinic here, 274-7393

Managing Your Stress Mindfully, 4 week workshop, 6:30 pm, 597-8781 x4

Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC

Moms’ Club, 11 am, SunDog

Zumba, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr

AHS grade 7-8 parent teacher night, 5:30 pm, 597-2703

Legion general meeting, 7 pm

Thursday, Nov. 17

NWOSSA volleyball: Laverendrye vs AHS, 10 am

Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Resistance bands workout, 1 pm, Riverview UC

Community Glee Club, 4 pm, Riverview UC

NWOSSA volleyball: Manitouwadge vs AHS, 6 pm

Friday, Nov. 18

NWOSSA volleyball: Finals, 9:30 am

Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC

Music & Movement for pre-schoolers, 9:45 am, St. Pat’s School

Tai Chi, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr

Chair Yoga, 1 pm, ANFC

Saturday, Nov. 19

Artisans’ Market, 10 am – 7:30 pm, O’Brien St

OPP Stuff-A-Cruiser, 11 am – 4 pm, Foodland

Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade, 6 pm

Sunday, Nov. 20

Open cribbage, 12:45 pm, Legion

Monday, Nov. 21

Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Walk & Talk, 1 pm, LFCC

Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC

Council meets 4 pm

Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Nov. 22 – AES: Irish folk singers Ennis, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Nov. 23 – ACES: Motus O, 6:30 pm, AHS

Nov. 24 – Artisans’ Market, 11 am – 7 pm, O’Brien St

Flu shots, 1 – 4 pm, 597-6871

Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Nov. 25 – Artisans’ Market, 5 – 9 pm, O’Brien St

Plaid Friday, auctions & more, 6-9 pm, downtown

Nov. 26 – ANFC Christmas Bazaar, 1-4 pm

Nov. 27 – Christmas Art Extravaganza, 10 am – 3 pm, AHS (table rentals 597-2703)

Legion children’s Christmas party, 1:30 pm

Old-fashioned community hymn sing, 7 pm, Riverview United Church

Nov. 28 – PD Day, all schools

Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Nov. 30 – NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Long-Term Care Homes Act licensing meeting, 1 pm, AEDC

Friends of Quetico annual meeting, 7:30 pm, Suniah Bldg, Con College

Dec. 1 – AGH Foundation celebration, 7 pm, AGH extended care wing

Dec. 2&3 – Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Dec. 5 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Dec. 7 – Tree-trimming party, special guest, 5;30 pm, Rainbow Ctr

Dec. 12 – Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Dec. 14 – Legion annual dinner and elections

Dec. 19 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Dec. 24 – Jan. 8 – School Christmas holidays

Dec. 27 – Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Dec. 31 – New Year’s eve Bash, featuring Homegrown, Legion Hall

Jan. 22 – AES: Everything Fitz, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Jan. 26 – ACES: Majinx, 6:30 pm, AHS

Jan. 27 – PD Day, all schools

Jan. 28 – Snowarama Ride for Easter Seals

Feb. 6 – AES: Last Train to Nibroc (Manitoba Theatre Ctr), 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Feb. 10 – Candlelight Ski, Little Falls RC

SnoHo 50th anniversary weekend

Feb. 11 – Chocolate Cup, Nordic trails

SnoHo Royalty Pageant

Feb. 20 – SnoHo Family Daty

Feb. 25 – TransCanada Loppet, Little Falls

Feb. 20 – Family Day

Feb. 28 – ACES: Axis Theatre, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Apr. 26 – ACES: TerZetto, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Aug. 4-6 – Atikokan Ladies Fastball Reunion

The post Events calendar: November 14 forward appeared first on Atikokan Progress and Printing.

Obituary: Joyce Cunningham

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Joyce Cunningham

Mrs. Joyce Cunningham, 88, of Atikokan, passed away peacefully with her loving son and daughter-in-law by her side on Sunday, October 30, 2016 at the Atikokan General Hospital.

Joyce was born July 19, 1928 in Port Arthur, Ontario. She was a longtime resident of Atikokan with her husband Harold. Joyce was an avid gardener, loved to fish, knit, crochet, as well as feed the Whiskey Jacks, which would often be found on her window ledge. Joyce especially enjoyed playing cribbage with her son, and is now enjoying a game or two with Nan. Joyce was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church in Atikokan.

Joyce will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 71 years, Harold, of Hogarth Riverview Manor, her children; Bruce (Nancy) of Thunder Bay, Laurene (Don) Grimm of Foremost, AB, Larry (Beverly) of Thunder Bay, Kenneth of Vancouver, Allan (Pamela) of Peachland, BC, and Glenna (Orvil) Dolph of Thunder Bay. She is survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Joyce was pre-deceased by her mother Erie Hann, youngest son Wayne Cunningham, grandson Darren Dolph, brother Ted Rumelhart, and sister Rena Atkinson.

A memorial service was held November 6 at the First Baptist Church, Atikokan, with Rev. David Baxter officiating. Interment will take place at Mountainview Cemetery, Thunder Bay. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation (Box 2490) would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.SargentAndSon.com

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Obituary: Stan Stewart

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Stan Stewart

With great sadness the family of Stanley Robert Stewart, 91, announces his passing on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at the Atikokan General Hospital.

Stan was born on January 20, 1925 near Gladstone, Manitoba, and grew up on the family farm. It was here he met Betty Hanna, who lived on the adjacent farm; they were united in marriage on December 23, 1955. They moved to Atikokan when Stan took a job at Steep Rock, where he worked until the mine closed. He then went to work with Bob Moffatt cutting lines and prospecting. He also spent several years at the pellet plant as well. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and curling.

He leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Betty; children Shelly (Steve), Wendy (Terry), Dale (Sandy), Becky (Robert), Bob (Tracy), and Bonnie (Donnie); grandchildren Bo (Carla), Cassey, Jesse, Tanis (Dave), Ryan (Shongha), Chase, Skye, Gage, Justin, Josh (Janine) and Hannah; great grandchildren Raeya, Emily, Keira, Ryker, Taylor, and Wyatt; sister Isabel Harmon, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Stan was pre-deceased by his parents James and Evelyn Stewart; siblings Arthur, Mary, Kay, Glen and Grace.

Memorial services were held November 8 at Riverview United Church in Atikokan. Cremation has taken place and interment will be at Little Falls Cemetery.

If friends so desire in memoriam donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation (c/o Green Funeral Home, Fort Frances, ON, P9A 3M8). Online condolences may be made in care of www.GreenFuneralHomeFortFrances.com.

The post Obituary: Stan Stewart appeared first on Atikokan Progress and Printing.

Events calendar: November 21 forward

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Monday, Nov. 21

Walk & Talk, 1 pm, LFCC

Community Food Bank 1-2:30 pm

Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC

Council meets 4 pm

Legion Ladies Bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Tuesday, Nov. 22

Toddler Story Time, 10:30 am, SunDog

Mom & Me, 10:30 am, Library

Nordic pole walking, 1 pm, LFCC

Hall walking, 5:30 pm, AHS

Artists’ drop-in, 6-8 pm, ANFC

AES: Irish folk singers Ennis, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Wednesday, Nov. 23

Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC

Moms’ Club, 11 am, SunDog

Zumba, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr

ACES Tea Party, 6 pm, AHS

ACES: Motus O: Alice, 6:30 pm, AHS

Adult game night, Adult Learning Centre, 7 pm, 597-1242

Thursday, Nov. 24

Artisans’ Market, 11 am – 7 pm, O’Brien St

Flu shots, 1 – 4 pm, 597-6871

Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Resistance bands workout, 1 pm, Riverview UC

Community Glee Club, 4 pm, Riverview UC

Hall walking, 5:30 pm, AHS

Friday, Nov. 25

Mom Fitness & Chair Yoga return December 9

Music & Movement for pre-schoolers, 9:45 am, St. Pat’s School

Tai Chi, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr

MPP Bill Mauro open house, 4 – 6 pm, Legion

Artisans’ Market, 5 – 9 pm, O’Brien St

Plaid Friday, auctions & more, 6-9 pm, downtown

Saturday, Nov. 26

ANFC Christmas Bazaar, 1-4 pm

Sunday, Nov. 27

Christmas Art Extravaganza, 10 am – 3 pm, AHS (table rentals 597-2703)

Open cribbage, 12:45 pm, Legion

Legion children’s Christmas party, 1:30 pm

Old-fashioned community hymn sing, 7 pm, Riverview United Church

Monday, Nov. 28

PD Day, all schools

Walk & Talk, 1 pm, LFCC

Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC

Council meets 4 pm

Nov. 30 – NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Long-Term Care Homes Act licensing meeting, 1 pm, AEDC

Friends of Quetico annual meeting, 7:30 pm, Suniah Bldg, Con College

Dec. 1 – AGH Foundation celebration, 7 pm, AGH extended care wing

Dec. 2&3 – Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Dec. 4 – Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Youth Musical Showcase, 7 pm, Legion

Dec. 5 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Dec. 7 – Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Tree-trimming party, special guest, 5;30 pm, Rainbow Ctr

Dec. 9 – Mom Fitness, 9:30 am

ANFC Chair Yoga, 1 pm, ANFC

Dec. 11 – Jingle Bell Rocket Run (UCW fund-raiser), 6:30 pm, Riverview United

Community Christmas Buffet, 4 – 7 pm, Atikokan Hotel

Dec. 12 – Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Dec. 14 – NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Legion annual dinner and elections

Dec. 14&15 – Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Dec. 19 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Dec. 21 – NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Dec. 24 – Jan. 8 – School Christmas holidays

Dec. 27 – Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Dec. 31 – New Year’s eve Bash, featuring Homegrown, Legion Hall

Jan. 22 – AES: Everything Fitz, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Jan. 26 – ACES: Majinx, 6:30 pm, AHS

Jan. 27 – PD Day, all schools

Jan. 28 – Snowarama Ride for Easter Seals

Feb. 6 – AES: Last Train to Nibroc (Manitoba Theatre Ctr), 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Feb. 10 – Candlelight Ski, Little Falls RC

SnoHo 50th anniversary weekend

Feb. 11 – Chocolate Cup, Nordic trails

SnoHo Royalty Pageant

Feb. 20 – SnoHo Family Daty

Feb. 25 – TransCanada Loppet, Little Falls

Feb. 20 – Family Day

Feb. 28 – ACES: Axis Theatre, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Apr. 26 – ACES: TerZetto, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Aug. 4-6 – Atikokan Ladies Fastball Reunion

 

The post Events calendar: November 21 forward appeared first on Atikokan Progress and Printing.

DJ biking across country as he comes to accept Canadian winters

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Deep and dope.

That’s how Montreal DJ JaBig (Jean-Aimé Bigirimana) brands the music mixes that have made him popular at that city’s night clubs, and to the world online. He covers everything from pop to classical in his long form mixes. (Lots of his workis online; Google ‘JaBig’.)

JaBig, now 37, was born in Rwanda and spent his youth there, in Kenya, and in South Africa, before emigrating to Canada in 2003.

As he was making his mark on the Montreal club scene, he came to love everything about his new home. Well, almost everything.

“I didn’t like winter! In winter, I only went out when I had to. My friends all knew where to find me…”

He started biking a few years ago, and took to it immediately. Within a few months, it had become a passion.

“I work nights and pedal days. It occurred to me, as I passed six thousand kilometers: that was like going right across Canada. I could do that…”

JaBig was thirsting for a challenge, and this one grabbed him.

“I started thinking about winter, too. I’m here to stay, so I better conquer this winter business…”

Thus was born the challenge: To pedal across Canada – to all three bordering seas – in winter.

And to make it really interesting: Do it on a fixed-gear bike.

Now that’s the spirit of deep and dope.

“I don’t know for sure if I can do it or not. If I do it and don’t die… well, then I’ll know I can do it,” he said when passing through Atikokan on October 18.

He left Montreal in early January and headed east, covering Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland. He was in Ontario by early June, and has done a grand tour of the province, pedaling down to Windsor and then all the way up the ‘west coast’.

There have been some major bumps in the road. His bike and gear were stolen in Burlington. Then in Espanola, he ended up in the emergency room with some unknown illness (food poisoning?); the main problem was dehydration. A few hours of IV therapy, and a few days of taking it easy, and he was back on the road.

He is funding he trip himself, and stays at hostels or with other bikers he connects with online.

“I don’t camp; I don’t like to sleep outside. I like four solid walls, so if someone comes for me I will have time to pray,” he told us.

People have been wonderful, he said. Over 100 families have opened their homes to him (he stayed with Earle Arnold and Anna Fotheringham here), and the generosity he’s encountered on the road has been at times in overwhelming.

“Canadians are so nice it’s eerie! In Newfoundland, I could hardly stop to catch my breath when someone would pull up and ask if was okay, or if I needed anything.”

He was very impressed with the welcome to Atikokan sign and map at the junction.

“The only thing that is missing is the name of every single person who lives here!”

He was also interested in the story of the Atikokanite paddling across Canada; he’d heard about him several times along the way.

“Paddle across the country?!! Now that’s crazy!”

Arnold, a veteran biker, was astounded JaBig was taking on this trip on a fixed gear bike. It makes hills even more grueling, and the marathon man was feeling that as he crossed over Superior and into the Rainy River District.

As the weather changes, he will switch to snow tires; the cold will mean a change from goggles to a full face mask.

He pedaled out of Winnipeg on Tuesday, and was grateful for a tailwind that got him all the way to Austin, some 135 km west of the Manitoba capital. That’s about 50 km more than his typical day’s ride. He plans to head north once he reaches Vancouver, and eventually work his all the way to Tukyoaktuk.

So how big is Canada? Well, he was about halfway when he reached Atikokan, and put the ride so far in African terms: he’d gone from Cairo to Cape Town. Deep and dope indeed.

The post DJ biking across country as he comes to accept Canadian winters appeared first on Atikokan Progress and Printing.

Obituary: Betty Lafreniere

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Betty Lafreniere

Mrs. Betty Lafreniere, 64, of Atikokan, Ontario passed away November 4, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Thunder Bay after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born on March 20, 1952 in Savant Lake, she was raised in Sioux Lookout and moved to Atikokan where she raised her family. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, James; daughters Norma (Douglas), Tammy (Darrell), Crystal (Shane) and Samantha (Ryan), and Grandchildren Amber, Zachary, Dana, Cameron, Sara and Nolan; siblings Violet, Jean, Ken (Rita), Connie, Barbara, and Mary. She was pre-deceased by her son John, parents Helen and Einar, her sister Lucy, and brothers-in-law Tom, Lloyd, and Michael.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service for family and friends was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd (Anglican) on November 9, with Reverend Ruth Ivall officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial donations be made to the Thunder Bay Cancer Care or St. Joseph’s Foundation. Online condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com

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Student minister for Riverview United

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PHOTO: Susan Girard.  Her son-in-law carved the lovely wooden cross that graces her office wall at Riverview United Church.

Susan Girard, recently retired manager of Atikokan Community Counselling, has launched herself into a second career, and is training to become a full-fledged minister with the United Church of Canada.

Riverview United has accepted her as a student minister, and she is leading worship there twice a month.

“I’m a long way from being a reverend,” she said last week. “But as soon as I started this program, it was so clear [this was what I should be doing] that I almost couldn’t believe it.”

The program is a five-year Masters of Divinity through the Atlantic School of Theology. It is mostly a distance program, but students do spend several weeks on campus in Halifax each summer. Rev. Cheryl Mattson, the pastor at Knox United Church in Kenora, is serving as her education supervisor, and Riverview has once again had to qualify as a learning site with the United Church.

“That was a big, long process, but it all worked out,” said Girard.

Girard came to Atikokan with a Masters of Social Work degree 21 years ago to work with Community Counselling, where she soon became manager. She retired last year, and started exploring the possibility of the ministry.

“I’ve felt pulled to the ministry throughout my life, and when I retired, the door just opened,” she said. “I was being nudged – by [visiting ministers Bob and Myrna Stark] and others. And Garry [her husband] has been my strongest supporter.”

Although this work, like her work with Community Counselling, involves helping people, she sees it as very different.

“As a minister, I am not doing therapy,” she said. “And I can now say to people I am working with, Would you like me to pray for you?”

As a minister, about half her time is spent preparing for worship. Although it is getting a little easier as she gains experience and knowledge, it is the biggest challenge she is facing in the work.

“Standing up in front of a group is not my forte. But I am becoming more comfortable all the time,” she said, adding that it really helps that Riverview has a strong worship committee. These are congregants who work together to make sure worship and other church programs continue even when a minister is not present.

Girard’s birth family was Anglican, and she got involved in a Roman Catholic charismatic movement as a teenager. By the time she arrived here, she was back with the Anglican Church. She got involved with the United Church over a decade ago when she married Garry.

“I have tremendous respect for all of the churches. But for me, the United Church just fits like a glove,” she said.

“I love how welcoming the church strives to be, and how we pray.”

The post Student minister for Riverview United appeared first on Atikokan Progress and Printing.

Community events: November 28 forward

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Donations to the Atikokan Christmas Cheer fund are now being accepted at the TD-Canada Trust branch. Application for a hamper can be made until Deecmber 16; pick up a form at the Child & Family Services office, the ANFC, or the health unit.

Monday, Nov. 28

PD Day, all schools

Faith Lutheran Food Bank, 1-2 pm

Walk & Talk, 1 pm, LFCC

Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC

Council meets 4 pm

Tuesday, Nov. 29

Toddler Story Time, 10:30 am, SunDog

Mom & Me, 10:30 am, Library

Nordic pole walking, 1 pm, LFCC

Hall walking, 5:30 pm, AHS

Artists’ drop-in, 6-8 pm, ANFC

Wednesday, Nov. 30

NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC

Moms’ Club, 11 am, SunDog

Zumba, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr

Long-Term Care Homes Act licensing meeting, 1 pm, AEDC

Friends of Quetico annual meeting, 7:30 pm, Suniah Bldg, Con College

Thursday, Dec. 1

Resistance bands workout, 1 pm, Riverview UC

Community Glee Club, 4 pm, Riverview UC

Hall walking, 5:30 pm, AHS

AGH Foundation celebration of friends, 7 pm, ECW

Friday, Dec. 2

Dec. 2&3 – Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Mom Fitness & Chair Yoga return December 9

Music & Movement for pre-schoolers, 9:45 am, St. Pat’s School

Tai Chi, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr

Saturday, Dec.3

Artisans’ Den, 10 am – 4 pm, O’Brien St.

Northwest Catholic DSB meets in Dryden, 10:30 am

Sunday, Dec. 4

Open cribbage, 12:45 pm, Legion

AtiYouth Musical Showcase, 7 pm, Legion

Monday, Dec. 5

Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Walk & Talk, 1 pm, LFCC

Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC

Council meets 4 pm

Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Dec. 7 – Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Tree-trimming party, special guest, 5;30 pm, Rainbow Ctr

Dec. 8 – Artisans’ Den, 11 am – 7 pm, O’Brien St.

Community Glee Club Christmas concert, 6:30 pm, RUC (Food bank collection)

Dec. 9 – Mom Fitness, 9:30 am

ANFC Chair Yoga, 1 pm, ANFC

Dec. 11 – Jingle Bell Rocket Run (UCW fund-raiser), 6:30 pm, Riverview United

Community Christmas Buffet, 4 – 7 pm, Atikokan Hotel

Dec. 12 – Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Dec. 13 – AHS School Council, 7 pm

Dec. 14 – Christmas Bird Count, 597-2008

NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Legion annual dinner and elections

Dec. 14&15 – Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Dec. 17 – Artisans’ Den, 10 am – 4 pm, O’Brien St.

Dec. 19 – Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Dec. 20 – NorWOSSA: Red Lake at AHS

Dec. 21 – NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Dec. 22 – NorWOSSA: Rainy River at AHS

Artisans’ Den, 11 am – 7 pm, O’Brien St.

Dec. 23 – Last day of school

Dec. 24 – Jan. 8 – School Christmas holidays

Dec. 27 – Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Dec. 31 – New Year’s eve Bash, featuring Homegrown, Legion Hall

Jan. 22 – AES: Everything Fitz, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Jan. 26 – ACES: Majinx, 6:30 pm, AHS

Jan. 27 – PD Day, all schools

Jan. 28 – Snowarama Ride for Easter Seals

Feb. 6 – AES: Last Train to Nibroc (Manitoba Theatre Ctr), 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Feb. 10 – Candlelight Ski, Little Falls RC

SnoHo 50th anniversary weekend

Feb. 11 – Chocolate Cup, Nordic trails

SnoHo Royalty Pageant

Feb. 20 – SnoHo Family Daty

Feb. 25 – TransCanada Loppet, Little Falls

Feb. 20 – Family Day

Feb. 28 – ACES: Axis Theatre, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Apr. 26 – ACES: TerZetto, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Aug. 4-6 – Atikokan Ladies Fastball Reunion

 

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Coming: One public K-12 school

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School Board starts consolidation process in Atikokan

The district school board will consider consolidating North Star School and Atikokan High School.

“Change to the two-school situation in Atikokan will be coming,” said board trustee Mike Lewis last week. “Enrolment continues to decline, and the Ministry keeps clawing back funding for all our empty school spaces – throughout the whole board, not just Atikokan.”

“In Atikokan we are moving to the ‘preliminary’ stage to assess how consolidation should take place, where, and when.”

He went on to say that it would be at least two or three years before a combined Kindergarten to grade 12 school was created here, and that it would only happen after a consultation with parents, the community, and council. It would also have to be approved by the Ministry of Education.

The board’s goal will be to create to create “a single school that would make sense for all the students, and for the delivery of good programs in a school setting suitable for students from early years (junior kindergarten) to grade twelve.”

Last week, trustees asked board managers to develop plans for a consolidation that would include where it should take place (AHS or North Star), what it would cost, and what it might look like (an architect’s concept).

Those plans should be ready for board review early in the new year.

Lewis emphasized that it was ultimately provincial pressure that was driving the process. School grants are designed to force boards to close or consolidate under-used schools. And both AHS and North Star are under-used, per Ministry analysis: North Star operates at less than 60% of capacity, and AHS at less than 30% of capacity (that’s for grades 9-12; for grades 7-8, it is at 66% of capacity).

And the situation is not going to improve. Atikokan school enrolment projections developed for the board last year showed a further ten percent decline between 2014-15 (a total of 338 elementary and secondary students) and 2019-20 (308). (Trustee Lewis last week referred to an updated projection of 280 for 2019-20.)

“The Ministry of Education has put forward a significant financial carrot to force school boards to look into school consolidation. We will be doing that throughout our jurisdiction,” he said.

Last year, the board looked at the school situation in Atikokan and Rainy River, and decided to take action in Rainy River. But its proposal to build a whole new K-12 school in Rainy was rejected by the province. So last week the board resolved to renovate RR High School to house a consolidated K-12 school. That, too, will be subject to Ministry approval.

The board is eligible for nearly $11 million in ‘school condition funding’ for consolidation projects, which should be enough to complete projects in both Atikokan and Rainy River. (But probably not enough to build even one new school.)

If it doesn’t consolidate the schools, then the board will face some long-term financial hardship, according to the analysis it conducted last year. The province is cutting funding that helps boards maintain underused schools, and those cuts will cost the Rainy River Board almost $5 million over the next decade.

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Obituary: Beatrice Gauthier

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Beatrice Gauthier

Beatrice Gauthier, 84, passed away peacefully November 6, 2016 at Atikokan General Hospital Extended Care Wing.

Bea was born November 30, 1931, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to Gertrude and Leslie Moore. When Bea was just fifteen she left Winnipeg to find work in the booming iron mines of Atikokan, where she worked in Steep Rock Iron Mine’s camp kitchen. It was there she met her future husband, Horace Gauthier, a shovel operator, and they were married October 7, 1950.

Bea and Horace built their lives in Atikokan, raising three daughters and sharing a love of music, family, friendship, and community with all who knew them. After her marriage, Bea left the camp kitchens to stay home and raise her family for many years. She returned to work at the Hudson Bay Company department store, where she made lifelong friendships with her many coworkers.

Bea was an active member of the Catholic Church and the choir, where friends and family looked forward to her singing ‘O Holy Night’ annually at Midnight Mass. Her love of singing encouraged her to join the Northernaires where she spent decades entertaining and performing for the community with her beautiful voice. Bea was also an avid seamstress and made clothes and dolls for her children and grandchildren. She was also generous with her time and taught others how to sew. Bea’s other talents included being a wonderful baker, contributing to the Catholic Church bazaar, her love of animals (especially her dogs), and knitting and bunka. She was an active member of Stitch and Bitch for many years, incorporating her love of crafts with camaraderie and friendship.

Bea retired in the 1980s, giving her more time to spend with her children and four grandchildren. She loved preparing meals and baking for her family and spent her retirement years crafting and cooking for those she loved.

Bea was pre-deceased by her parents and her husband, Horace, as well as her brothers-in-law Ted Marlow, Paul Rak, Paul Gauthier, Jean Gauthier, and Jim Gauthier, sister-in-law Angele Gauthier and son-in-law Walter Zagrobelny. She is survived by her sisters Gertie Marlow and Peggy Rak, sister-in-law Mary Gauthier, daughter Leslie Zagrobelny, daughter Sandra (Mike) Gauthier-Poelman, and daughter Lorraine (Chris) Gauthier Stromberg. She will also be missed by her grandchildren Scott Zagrobelny, Alan Gauthier-Poelman, Carly (Darren) Skrenski, and Rory Stromberg, as well as great-grandchildren Page, Nadiya, and Milo Skrenski. Bea has also touched the lives of many others who will miss her.

In memoriam donations can be made to the Extended Care Wing of Atikokan General Hospital or charity of your choice.

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Fastball women keen on August reunion

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Ladies Fastball has a long history in Atikokan, and a group of former players are hoping to host a three-day reunion here August 4-7.

“We have all had thought of it in past few years, and Elaine [Barr] brought it to fruition,” said Debi Douglass, who along with former players Barr and Doreen Mercer started thinking about a reunion, after some fond reminiscing at this summer’s Mud Fling.

For Barr (who lives in Fort Frances), the motivation is that “I actually just really want to play a game of ball,” she laughs.

And play ball they will, as well as share memories and photos over the weekend. Already at least 100 former players have expressed interesting in attending, and while there are a lot more details to be worked out, plans so far include a Friday night (August 4) meet ‘n greet at the Legion, an exhibition game Saturday for all past players, and another Legion get-together that evening, followed by Sunday breakfast and a fun fastball skills contest to wrap the event up.

“We will have to fine tune this, but right now we’re just trying to give people an idea, and encourage them to come out and attend,” said Barr, who was a pitcher here from 1973 to 1975, and again from 1980 for the final decade of the league. (She went on to play competitive slo-pitch in Ottawa.)

Women’s fastball was a going concern for close to four decades, and like all recreation in town, it peaked during the mining boom years. Some remember the sport being played by Atikokan’s women as far back as 1950, and it was certainly a thriving organization by the 1960s and continued into the late 1980s.

Douglass “always had a passion for the game,” she recalled, when she joined as teenager in the mid-1970s. Her mother Donna Meany was one of the original fastball ladies, and that was what sparked Douglass’ initial interest in the game. She played with the league here for about 15 years, as a catcher.

That position, meant “lots of smucks,” she recalls with a laugh.

“It was a hard, competitive game,” said Barr. “We practiced more than we played. And it took some ladies years to actually get on the field, but they would come out and sit on the bench.”

Fastball – as its name would indicate – is the more rigorous of the softball sports, and typically employs a high speed wind-up underhand pitch, which is a challenge to hi).

At one of the more competitive games the women remember, the local tournament team played faced a squad from Dryden. “We played 12 innings to break the tie – and we lost it,” said Barr. “That was an intense game. We were told to hit hard, and it was very intense.”

Mostly though, it was good natured, and just a fun time. “If you weren’t razzing somebody, you weren’t part of the game,” said Barr.

At its peak, the league had at least eight teams of 15-20 players, organizers recall. They played two nights a week, at the White St. ball park, and “we would have crowds,” recalled Mercer, who was probably one of the younger players when she joined in 1963 at only 13 (despite the age requirement of 16). “Back then, people would pay to get into watch the games.”

“The benches were always full of spectators and in those days, everyone lived at the ballpark,” said Barr.

The best of the league would play in out-of-town tournaments in Kakabeka Falls, Thunder Bay, Rainy River, Dryden, Ignace, Red Lake, Fort Frances, and even into Manitoba.

“We had our own bus. Fred Gronski donated an old school bus, and we painted it and put our own nicknames on it,” recalled Barr, adding that one road trip to Red Lake for a tournament turned into a 21-hour drive because they ran out of gas, and spent a lot of time roadside before finally arriving late at night. “We threw our tents up and when we got up the next morning, they cancelled the tournament because we got rained out.”

The Atikokan league also hosted many regional tournaments, primarily at the White Street ballpark but when there were too many teams they used the Don Park ballpark as well.

Some of the Atikokan teams included the Dodge Darts, Atikokan Aces, and Davidson Construction which dominated the league for many years. By the time the league wound down in the late 1980s, it was hard “to scrounge two teams to play,” recalled Douglass.

To relive those memories, the organizers are seeking photographs from the ladies fastball years for a slideshow presentation they would like to show at the Friday evening meet ‘n greet.

Registration forms (deadline will be the end of April) and t-shirts will be available in the New Year as organizers get in gear for the summer event. (Keep an eye out for the upcoming Facebook page as well).  So far, “we’re getting lots of positive feedback,” said Douglass, who added that hopefully people will plan their hometown visits around this weekend (the following weekend is the Mudfling).

The highlight, at least for the organizers, will be a chance to play ball again on the same ball diamond.

“I want to play ball again. We want to have that nostalgic feeling again – even if we have to helped off the field afterward,” jokes Douglass.

For more, or to help out, email Barr at em.barr@hotmail.com or Douglass at debi7@shaw.ca

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Salamanders: An indicator of environmental health

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PHOTO: Corey Hayes building salamander boards at the Fix It Club, with Bruce James looking on.

You’ve heard of canaries in the mine shaft. Salamanders in the bush are playing a similar role here.

As part of the Steep Rock rehab project, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry established a couple of lines salamander boards in the area being reclaimed. The boards are fairly simple wooden structures that mimic a rotting tree log and provide good habitat for salamanders. A line consists of 50 boards spread over a defined area that allow biologists to regularly check salamander populations.

Now, with the help of the Fix-It Club and volunteer Cory Hayes, Quetico Park has established a couple of salamander board lines in the park.

“Salamanders are very sensitive to environmental changes, to pollution. They give us an indication of what is happening on the ground. [Monitoring them in] the Park is ideal for giving us some indication of any changes in the broader landscape, because there is so little activity there,” said biologist Brian Jackson. “This is all part of a province-wide protocol for monitoring salamanders.”

“The lines in the Park will also serve as a control for the Steep Rock rehabilitation,” he added. For instance, if salamander numbers are similar at Steep Rock and in the Park, that would be a strong indication rehab efforts were working.

Jackson and naturalist Susan Bourne were out in the Park last week setting up the boards.

The Blue-spotted salamander is the most common of the amphibian species in this area; the Eastern (a.k.a. red-spotted) newt is also fairly common. (“You sometimes see them in minnow buckets,” said Jackson.

salamander-boards-1Park naturalist Susan Bourne places a salamander board in Quetico Park.

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Obituary: Frank Quinn

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Frank Quinn

Frank Quinn, 89, passed away peacefully in the Atikokan General Hospital on Saturday, November 19, 2016.

Frank had lived in Atikokan for over 60 years, where he ran F.R. Quinn Electric and was a very active member of the community. A man of strong faith, he was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s R.C. Church. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether it be gardening, going for walks fishing, or berry picking. In later years he enjoyed his trips to Hawaii with Elaine.

He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his sons Jim (Carol), Duane, Brian, Michael, Paul, Mark, and John, daughters Daphne (Theodore) Lavoie, Karen, and Nancy Quinn, sister Margaret Andrews, as well as by numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was pre-deceased by his parents, William and Margaret, daughter Faye Peterson, granddaughters Heather and Rosalie Peterson, daughter-in-law Natalie Quinn (nee D’Angelo), sister Verna, the mothers of his children Marie Quinn and Donna Quinn-Perusse, and dear friend Elaine.

A funeral service was held November 24 at the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, Thunder Bay, with Rev. Ciaran Donnelly presiding. The interment will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

As expressions of sympathy, memorials to the charity of your choice would be appreciated. On-line condolences may be made at www.SargentAndSon.com.

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National title for Jackie McCormick and teammates

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The next time you get your hearing checked, know that it’s likely a Canadian champion behind the otoscope.

Jackie McCormick (née Bonot) teamed with her brother Trevor and Thunder Bay’s Kory and Megan Carr to win the Canadian mixed curling title in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia on November 19. The win earned them a berth in the world championships at Champéry, Switzerland in October.

“It’s pretty exciting coming from a little wee town that nobody knows about,” McCormick, who curled third, told the Fort Frances Times. “This is definitely the highlight of my curling career to get to do this with my brother.”

The Bonots, of course, are from Stratton, and McCormick still lives and curls there. She has a long list of curling accomplishments under her belt, including trips to the Scotties in both Ontario and Manitoba, and a couple of Ontario university championships (they were Canadian runners-up in 2003).

But with a young family and a burgeoning audiology practice (she’s been coming monthly to Atikokan for a decade, and operates Fort Frances Enhanced Hearing Centre), she has been limited to regular league curling in Stratton the past few seasons. She did reach the Travellers’ national club championship, curling with Kathy Jackson of Fort Frances, last year.

Not a whole lot was expected from the foursome at the championship; they’d practiced together just once since winning the Northern Ontario title in Fort Frances in March. But they are a tight group. The Carrs were married this summer – Bonot was best man – and Jackie is Trevor’s big sister, and they’ve been curling partners or supporters for decades.

(Young Atikokan curlers may remember Trevor Bonot: He visited North Star School here in the spring of 2012 with Curling Canada’s Rocks and Rings program. The program – and his enthusiasm – gave Junior Rockers curling a big shot in the arm.)

They went 5-1 in pool play, their only loss coming against Saskatchewan’s Brady Scharback, who won the pool. In the championship round they went 3-1, the only loss a walloping at the hands of Ontario’s Wayne Tuck Friday morning (8-3).

In the semi-finals, Bonot’s side pulled out a 5-4 win to even the score with Scharback, while Manitoba’s Braden Calvert upset the undefeated Ontario foursome.

The final was really decided when Bonot hit what was likely the shot of the tournament, an out-turn that took out two Manitoba rocks to score four for Northern Ontario. That came in the fifth end of their 5-2 win. (The format was an eight-end game.)

The championship banner will hang at Port Arthur Curling Club, where Bonot and the Carrs curl now. But McCormick hopes a replica will find its way to Stratton.

And depending on how things go in Switzerland in October, after that your hearing check may be completed by a world champion.

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Naturally Wild! a winner, says EDAC

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PHOTO: Atikokan Economic Development Corp. community development staff Katie Hannon, Garry McKinnon (executive director), and Gord Knowles.

Another economic development award for Atikokan

The Visit Atikokan: Naturally Wild campaign has earned the Atikokan Economic Development Corp. a Marketing Canada Award from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC).

The award was presented at the EDAC annual meeting last month in Saskatoon.

The campaign includes the new Naturally Wild! branding for Atikokan, along with a printed brochure (including a variety of design elements to use with the new brand), a dedicated website (www.VisitAtikokan.com), and a Facebook site (Tourism Atikokan).

“Shout! Media from Thunder Bay did the work on the branding, and it’s gone over very well,” said community development advisor Gord Knowles, who headed up the project. “It always takes a different perspective – someone looking at the community through fresh eyes – to do something like this, and they provided that.”

Knowles did emphasize that nearly all the content – from themes to photographs – were locally generated.

Working with Katie Hannon (and the rest of the AEDC staff – “Everyone here has been very good at taking on things. This has become a lot bigger than we expected,” he said), and funded by the Town, Tourism Northern Ontario, and the AEDC, he was able to put the project together for minimal cost.

Minimal? “Especially when you look at somewhere like Thunder Bay, which has four people working full-time on tourism,” he said.

Local outfitters are supportive; the project dovetails nicely with what they are doing to market the area.

The project is ongoing, and Knowles is hoping the AEDC will be able to hire some students to build the site’s on-line profile next summer.

And while the award was nice, the AEDC has already heard from many of its sister organizations across the country. Atikokan is hardly unique in not having a central tourism office – few small towns do – and this low-cost, economic development driven effort has drawn a lot of attention.

“Really, it’s become something of a model for how to market a small town,” he said.

EDAC is Canada’s national association of economic development professionals, representing every province and territory across Canada with nearly 1,000 members. The Association’s mission is to enhance the professional competence of economic development professionals and ensure placement of qualified people in the field of economic development, to advance economic development as a distinct, recognized, and self governing profession and to contribute to Canada’s well being.

The association received 142 nominations for its 27 Marketing Canada Awards.

Atikokan-Logo-With-Sunset-&

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Events calendar: December 12 forward

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PHOTO: A Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch from the mountains of western North America was a totally unexpected find at the feeders of Betty and Jerry Zajac in the 2015 Christmas bird count. PHOTO BY MICHAEL DAWBER

Donations to the Atikokan Christmas Cheer fund are now being accepted at the TD-Canada Trust branch. Application for a hamper can be made until December 16; pick up a form at the Child & Family Services office, the ANFC, or the health unit.

Monday, Dec. 12

Community Food Bank, 1-2:30 pm

Walk & Talk, 1 pm, LFCC

Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Gentle Yoga, 1:30 – 2 pm, ANFC

Council meets 4 pm

Beaten Path groomers’ meeting, Anthony’s garage, 571 O’Brien St., 7 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Toddler Story Time, 10:30 am, SunDog

Mom & Me, 10:30 am, Library

Nordic pole walking, 1 pm, LFCC

Hall walking, 5:30 pm, AHS

ANFC open house, and artists’ drop-in, 6-8 pm

AHS School Council, 7 pm

Wednesday, Dec. 14

Christmas Bird Count, 597-2008

NorWest Animal Clinic here,274-7393

Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Mom Fitness, 9:30 am, ANFC

Moms’ Club, 11 am, SunDog

Zumba, 11 am, Pioneer Ctr

Legion annual dinner and elections

Thursday, Dec. 15

Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Resistance bands workout, 1 pm, Riverview UC

Hall walking, 5:30 pm, AHS

Gifts in a Jar workshop, 6:30 pm, Library (register 597-4406)

Friday, Dec. 16

Mom Fitness, 9:30 am

Christmas party, noon, SunDog (register 597-1481)

ANFC Chair Yoga, 1 pm, ANFC

Pioneer Club Christmas dinner

Saturday, Dec. 17

Artisans’ Den, 10 am – 4 pm, O’Brien St.

Sunday, Dec. 18

Open cribbage, 12:45 pm, Legion

Community turkey dinner, courtesy Foodland and the Ladies Auxiliary, 4-7 pm, Legion

Monday, Dec. 19

Community food bank, 1 pm

Legion Ladies bingo, doors open 5:45 pm

Dec. 20 – NorWOSSA: Red Lake at AHS

Dec. 21 – NorWest Animal Clinic 274-7393

St. Pat’s Christmas Concert, 1 pm

Family Movie Night, pizza, 5:30 pm, SunDog (register 597-1481)

Dec. 22 – NorWOSSA: Rainy River at AHS

Artisans’ Den, 11 am – 7 pm, O’Brien St.

Community food bank, 1 pm

Dec. 23 – North Star Christmas concert, 1 pm

Last day of school

Dec. 24 – Jan. 8 – School Christmas holidays

Dec. 27 – Faith Lutheran Food Bank 1-2 pm

Dec. 30 – Pioneer Club pot luck

Dec. 31 – New Year’s eve Bash, featuring Homegrown, Legion Hall

Jan. 4 – NorWest Animal Clinic 274-7393

Pioneer Club meets, 2 pm

Jan. 4-5 Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Jan. 10 – Conservation Club election, 7 pm, hatchery

Jan. 17 – Northwest Catholic DSB, 6:30 pm (597-2633)

NorWest Animal Clinic 274-7393

Jan. 18 – NorWest Animal Clinic 274-7393

Jan. 18-19 – Optometrist 1-800-560-8752

Jan. 22 – AES: Everything Fitz, 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Jan. 26 – ACES: Majinx, 6:30 pm, AHS

Jan. 27 – PD Day, all schools

Jan. 28 – Snowarama Ride for Easter Seals

Feb. 6 – AES: Last Train to Nibroc (Manitoba Theatre Ctr), 7:30 pm, St. Pat’s

Feb. 10 – Candlelight Ski, Little Falls RC

SnoHo 50th anniversary weekend

Feb. 11 – Chocolate Cup, Nordic trails

SnoHo Royalty Pageant

Feb. 20 – SnoHo Family Daty

Feb. 25 – TransCanada Loppet, Little Falls

Feb. 20 – Family Day

Feb. 28 – ACES: Axis Theatre, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Apr. 26 – ACES: TerZetto, 6:30 pm, AHS

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

Aug. 4-6 – Atikokan Ladies Fastball Reunion

 

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Obituary Gayle Mackay (Anderson)

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Gayle Mackay (Anderson)

Gayle Mackay (Anderson) passed away peacefully at her home Thursday, November 17, 2016.

Gayle was born June 5, 1941 in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, moving to Atikokan, Ontario as a young child. Later in life she moved to Peachland, BC and spent her final years as a resident of Fernie, BC.

Gayle was a person full of life, loved to laugh, and to be around lifelong friends and family. Gayle could be seen walking her dog, Elmo, that she loved dearly, a close companion for her. Gayle’s other interests were her love of horses, and she also loved drawing, as an artist.

She is survived by her daughters, Debbie (Wade) Heddon, Aaron (Bruce) Jardine, Faye (Leo) Grenier, and Marlene (Les) Craik, her sister Marlis Twerdun, brother Lorimer (Rebecca) Anderson, sister Lorraine (Roger) Bremault, and brother Danny (Lennette Howells) Anderson. She will also be missed by her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Gayle has also touched the lives of many others who will miss her.

Gayle was pre-deceased by her daughter Brenda Clark Fleming, her mother Edythe and step-father Lawrence Anderson, her sister Arlene Gervais, her brother Robin Anderson, and her father Harold Radford.

Donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. On-line condolences may be made at www.CherishedMemoriesFS.com

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Obituary: Henry Gagne

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Henry Gagne

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Henry Joseph Gagne, 85, with his family by his side on November 23, 2016.

Henry was born in St. Anne, Manitoba in 1931. He married Irene Unger and moved to Atikokan in 1955 to start a family. He worked at Caland and Proboard. Henry was a generous, kind-hearted person and enjoyed doing home improvements and took great pride in his vehicles. His most valuable treasure in life was his family and he spent his golden years surrounded by his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Henry is survived by his former wife, friend Irene, four children, Victor, Debbie, Sherry (Vernon), Tammy; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was pre-deceased by his parents and nine siblings.

A funeral will be held at a later date in St. Anne, Manitoba.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society Ontario or Atikokan General Hospital Extended Care Wing.

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