Fort Frances Jr. Sabres’ defenceman Mario Boivin, foreground, and the rest of his teammates were put through a hard skating and conditioning practice at the Ice for Kids Arena this morning in preparation for the second half of the SIJHL season, which kicks off for them this Friday and Saturday on the road against the first-place Fort William North Stars.

Under the watchful eye of his “supervisor” and grandson, Trey Beninger (not pictured), Murray Beninger Sr. spent his afternoon yesterday clearing snow from his Front Street residence. Borderland received a dump of more than 25 cm (over nine inches) of the white stuff over the weekend to go on top of an already heavy accumulation of snow so far this winter.

Robert Moore senior kindergarten student Sierra Happy unbundled from her snow suit early this morning on the first day back to school following two weeks of Christmas vacation.

Chantal Wall, left, and Gina King took the “plunge” together into Sand Bay during the Voyageur Lions Club’s annual “Polar Plunge” on New Year’s Day. A record number of participants took part this year, with about $15,000 being raised. See more photos online at: http://www.fftimes.com/image/tid/103

Alan Zucchiatti drew the Kiwanis Club’s “Trip of the Month” winner for January this morning at International Travel Services as fellow Kiwanian Irene Laing looked on. Kevin Busch of Fort Frances will be heading to San Diego—a trip valued at $2,500. The club sold all of its “Trip of the Month” draw tickets prior to Christmas.