4-H’ers and friends were playing Jeopardy, making friendship bracelets, and competing in rodeo games at the western-themed “4-H Discovery Day” in Barwick on Saturday.
The purpose was to allow 4-H’ers to meet and to bring in new members. And the 37 youths attending, included nine from Dryden, obviously were enjoying themselves.
“4-H is wonderful because it is about learning,” enthused Marianne Fallis, 4-H volunteer specialist and liaison for Region 1 (Northern Ontario).

The gala affair held at Knox United Church in Emo on the weekend was touted as a “tea fit for a queen.” It definitely was that—and much, much more.
Since it was the 100th anniversary of Mother’s Day this year, the organizing committee went all out to create a Victorian atmosphere of which Queen Victoria herself would have been proud.
The Victorian period was an era defined by excessive decorative embellishments, extravagant floral arrangements, and exuberant frilly, feminine fashions.

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is set to run from July 20-26 this year and Adam Armit, the director of nighttime entertainment, could not be more excited about the shows he has lined up.
Armit said the budget for nighttime entertainment this year is bigger than ever—and it shows.
“Monday night will, as always, be the MuchMusic Dance Party for the younger demographic,” noted Armit, “with Tuesday again being used for ‘Quest for the Best’ and Wednesday for ‘Battle of the Bands,’ which takes care of the high school age.”

Trevor Barker is certainly headed to Broadway—well, maybe not right away, but he’s definitely on the right track.
The 20-year-old local resident captured both the Piano and Vocal Rose Bowls on Saturday night for this year’s Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts.
It’s a task that’s not routinely attempted, let alone achieved.
“It was a nice surprise, although it was quite a lot of work,” he remarked. “So much practice every week and a lot of guidance from my teachers.”

WATERLOO, Ont.—“Parker” the dog has been singing to “The Young and the Restless” theme for years, but last night, the Waterloo, Ont. pet got his biggest reception yet.
The Old English sheepdog howled his way into the hearts of viewers as part of the Stupid Pet Tricks segment on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Parker’s owner, 30-year-old Robin Walsh, said the former rescue dog has been singing the theme song for the soap opera since he was a pup.

LOS ANGELES—Parvati Shallow was the last woman standing on “Survivor: Micronesia—Fans vs. Favourites.”
The 25-year-old boxer and charity organizer from Los Angeles outwitted, outlasted, and outplayed her competitors—both “favourite” former castaways and “fan” contestants—to claim the title of “Sole Survivor” and the CBS reality show’s $1 million prize during yesterday’s live finale.
She previously came in sixth place on “Survivor: Cook Islands.”

TORONTO—An Ontario man who captured the million-dollar first prize at a poker tournament in Barcelona on the weekend says his only goal was to win enough cash to put his granddaughter through university.
Jack Hinchey of Oshawa said his 10-year-old granddaughter, Victoria, was on his mind throughout the competition, where he faced off against some of the best poker players in the world.
After winning the World Poker Crown, Hinchey came home last night and was greeted by friends and family.

At the first-annual Barwick gun and hobby show held Saturday, organizer Scott Stafford already was booking tables for next year before the day was out.
“The first Saturday in May works into the circuit so that will be our weekend,” he noted.
With almost 600 people (not counting exhibitors or children) coming from northern Minnesota, and as far away as North Bay and London, Ont. and Moose Horn, Man., Stafford said their attendance expectations for the show were more than doubled.

With the Emo Walleye Classic less than a month away, everything is set to go for the fishing tournament’s fourth-annual “Walleyedol” singing competition.
This year’s contest will take place only on Friday, May 30, which is a slight change from previous years.
In the past, the contest has stretched over two nights, with the second night being the final for the top competitors.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s 20th-annual Home and Leisure Show on Friday and Saturday at the Memorial Sports Centre proved to be another success this year, with more vendors and people attending.
“It was really successful,” enthused Chamber director Dawn Booth. “The exhibitors were all really pleased with the show, as were all the people that came through the doors.
“We heard nothing but positive comments so we were very pleased,” she added.