Making a stop on Fifth Street East, Kayne Shaw of the Fort Frances Fire Brigade tossed a tree into a trailer, as Leo Arrigo and Dan DeGagne looked on, during the bridge’s annual pick-up on Saturday. Residents who had their trees collected are encouraged to give a donation to the brigade. If they didn’t already, they still can make one at the fire hall.

Muskies Kayla Lauzon (#15) and Emma Elliott (#5) couldn't block this shot from the Dryden Eagles during their NorWOSSA showdown here yesterday. Fort High was swept to remain winless on the season (0-5).

Valerie Larson, left, and Bridget Dobransky were busy decorating the window at Betty’s on Scott Street to promote the upcoming VALA variety show entitled “The Wacky River Cruise.” The show is scheduled to run Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. and again Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre. Tickets are available at Betty’s.

Princess Stephanee (a.k.a. Kim Redford), left, “Blanche” (Karon Kaminski), and Babs Spielberg (Barb Duguay) were spotted at Shaw Cable yesterday promoting their upcoming VALA variety show, which will run Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. and again Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre.

Fort Frances Museum assistant Katie Urban hung a painting by Millie Eide Gladu last week in preparation for a new exhibit, “Millie Eide Gladu, a retrospective,” which will feature works by the local artisit until Feb. 8. Gladu was an active member of the arts community in Fort Frances from the 1950s until her passing in 1993.

Muskie senior girls’ volleyball coach Duane Roen demonstrated how (and how not) to handle a volleyball during a serve to Sian Donald, Kayla Windego, and Lauren Gurski at practice Monday evening. All four Muskie court teams were back in NorWOSSA action yesterday in Kenora after a lengthy holiday layoff.

Lauren Miller (right) readied a serve as she and the rest of the Muskie senior girls’ volleyball team practised yesterday in preparation for today’s showdown against the host Kenora Broncos. Today’s games will be the first NorWOSSA action for the four Muskie court teams since the holiday layoff.

Proud parents Pat and Dana Cross of Fort Frances posed for a photo with their daughter, Blaire Avery Cross, who was born Thursday, Jan. 3 at 8:39 a.m. at La Verendrye Hospital. Blaire, who weighed in at seven pounds, one oz., was the first baby born here in 2008 and she received gifts from several local buisnesses. Proud big sisters are Molly and Piper.

Sherin Hagen, left, president of the local Alzheimer Society, and Mayor Roy Avis raised the flag Friday to signal January as “Alzheimer Awareness Month” in the Town of Fort Frances. The Alzheimer Society has various fundraisers planned in the near future, including the third-annual “Chefs’ Charitable Dinner and Auction” on Sunday, Jan. 20 at the Adventure Inn here.

After shovelling off his deck a few weeks ago at his home on Second Street East, someone suggested to Ralph Wolff that he should build a slide. So he did—complete with an Olympic theme to boot!