Editorials

There was a special atmosphere at La Place Rendez-Vous on Sunday night as people from across the district gathered in support of the fourth-annual Community Benefit Dinner.

John McTaggart could not have summed it up better here Monday morning as he joined Jim Krag and Wayne Woods to announce the “Care Close to Home” fundraising campaign had topped its $3.5-million goal.

In just over six months, to boot.

Arguably the biggest Minnesota Viking fan in Fort Frances, my father-in-law, who shall remain nameless to spare him from having to admit in public that a Dallas Cowboy fan is, in fact, his son-in-law, could barely sit still from his prime vantage point on the couch—Viking cap firmly planted on his head.

Economic development dominated the all-candidates’ forum here prior to the municipal election in November, and it’s clear from Mayor Glenn Witherspoon’s annual New Year’s outlook that it will continue to be the buzzword in 2001.

From the green timber swamps of southwestern Ontario to the tidal estuaries of the maritimes, a new field guide is being used by landowners across Eastern Canada.

Ducks Unlimited, along with conservation agency partners, have recently completed the guide, which is designed to assist landowners in the important task of using nest boxes on their property.

Riverside Foundation’s “Care Close to Home” campaign was the official charity of choice during the 2000 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship and with events such as Buy-a-Band-aid to Support Care Close to Home and a Cream Pie throw with local celebrities, the three days netted over $2,500.00

Twice this summer the community has come together to show the rest of North America that not only is the Rainy River district a great place to live, but a great place to come and visit.

Hundreds of residents volunteered and played host to people who came to the Fort Frances High School’s Millennium Reunion in early July.

The Ontario government is providing $8 million a year for 30 new child and adolescent mental health beds to help children and teenagers at five Toronto hospitals, Health and Long-Term Care minister Elizabeth Witmer announced last week.

The Great Ontario Salmon Hunt, the largest fishing derby in the world and one of the province’s major tourism events, has received $100,000 from the Ontario government to boost its development and marketing strength, Tourism minister Cam Jackson announced Saturday.

Environment Canada deployed a new weather buoy last week on the Lake of the Woods, one of the busiest lakes in Ontario for recreational boating, in an effort to improve the health and safety of Ontario’s boaters and sailors.