Fort Frances Times Online Edition - May 31, 2017

Almost 40 people attended a community consultation meeting held May 18 at Atikokan High School to hear more detailed information and provide feedback about the potential amalgamation of Atikokan's public schools into one K-12 facility.

The accommodation review committee, consisting of school, parent, and student reps from North Star and AHS, were present.

Fort Frances, Emo, and Chapple last week received federal and provincial funding through the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund to ensure residents continue to have access to clean water.

The 12th-annual “Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides,” organized by the Fort Frances Voyageur Lions Club, raised $1,000.04 on Sunday.

The local event saw a small but dedicated group of nine pooches and 15 people walk from the Sorting Gap Marina to the base of the overpass, where a rest station was set up for dogs to get a drink, cool off in a pool, and eat a treat.

If you're a Fort Frances Power Corp. customer and you get a phone call threatening to shut off your electricity, ignore it.

It's a scam.

The hope in the conference room was that the event being attended was not going to be the last of its kind.

But it will be a year of crossed fingers and bated breath ahead for the Fort Frances Lakers, who held their annual general meeting Monday at the Super 8 Motel.

A cutline on page C3 of last Wednesday's Times incorrectly stated the 8.79-pound fish defending EWC champs Ted Heyens and Kelvin Caul were holding up was the second-largest in tournament history.

In fact, Rick Thompson and his brother, Darwin, hold the mark for the second-largest fish in EWC history with an 9.18-pounder they caught in 2014.

A total of 286 years of volunteering was recognized at the 2017 Volunteer Service Awards held Friday evening at La Place Rendez-Vous.

Some 21 district volunteers were recognized during the ceremony, although only a handful were there in person.

The Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances was well-represented this year, with nine members being recognized.

The International-Rainy Lake of the Woods Watershed Board has announced its new Water Levels Committee.

The committee consists of co-chairs Col. Samuel L. Calkins and Gail Faveri, Kiley Shebagegit of Emo, Nolan Baratono of International Falls, U.S. Engineering Advisor Scott Jutila, and Canadian engineering advisor Matthew DeWolfe.

Two members of the local fire department have been recognized for their long-time dedication to their calling.

Shortly after 3 p.m. on May 24, members of the Rainy River District OPP responded to Fort Frances High School regarding a report of a possible bomb threat.

Officers attended and conducted an investigation.

As a result of the investigation, a 15-year-old Fort Frances male has been charged with uttering threats to cause death, criminal harassment, and assault.

Lisa Landry (Thunder Bay) and Denis Dohmen (Fort Frances) won the $100 up for grabs on May 31 and June 1, respectively, in the Rainy River District Mutual Aid Association's weekly cash calendar draw.

The fifth-annual dinner for former paper and kraft mill workers here was held Thursday evening upstairs at the Fort Frances Legion under its new name, The Mill Alumni.

About 100 guests attended the social hour and dinner formerly known as the Quarter-Century Oldtimers' Club.

This is the first year the club has gone by its new name—a change made to draw in more members.

The Devlin T.O.P.S. club held its annual “Salad Supper” on Monday and along with enjoying a delicious meal, there were some lucky winners of prizes.

Jenna Gerley took home the door prize while the two grocery hampers were won by Carla Jack and Ruth Stewart.

The 50/50 draw was won by Sylvia McCullen.

The Watten fire department here has been struggling with funding recently and will hold a flea market at the fire hall/community centre there next Saturday (June 10) to help fundraise.

Besides the department's operating costs, Watten also needs money for a new fire rescue truck.

Shortly after 6 p.m. last Thursday, members of the Rainy River District OPP, along with a member of the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) from Fort Frances, conducted a traffic stop and subsequent investigation on Highway 11B in Atikokan.

Officers located and seized a substance suspected to be cocaine.

The Couchiching band office has decided to move forward with implementing a drug-testing policy for its staff, including the chief and council—an idea it has tossed around for the last few months.

Chief Brian Perrault and four councillors were tested first earlier this month, followed by the other two councillors 10 days later.

All the tests came back negative.

Here are the award winners from the 77th Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts, which were presented during the annual “Highlights Concert” held May 9 at the Townshend Theatre:

Drama

Erica Lemelin topped the annual district speech contest last Wednesday evening with her passionate and humourous entry entitled “The Hill.”

Ten students from eight schools delivered their speeches in the Robert Moore School gym to judges, parents, classmates, and community members.

The Emo & District Hospital Auxiliary will be holding its annual “Strawberry Social” next Friday (June 9) from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Emo Health Centre cafeteria.

Admission is $4, with all proceeds going towards their clinic and hospital projects.

Come out for some great strawberry shortcake and a chance to win the door prize.

Three thirds equalled one whole headache for Les Morrison and Oliver Gibbons.

But with their newly-acquired winnings, the pair can purchase a whole truckload of Aspirin—and then some.

Morrison, who hails from Baudette, and his Morson-based partner followed their trio of third-place finishes with their second career title at the 16th-annual Emo Walleye Classic over the weekend.

Grace Petsnick travelled three provinces away to compete for all of 211 seconds.

But she made every one of them count.

Never mind beating the Sight & Sound Wolves.

Right now, just scoring any runs at all against them is proving to be problematic for their Rainy River District Fastball League rivals.

The defending champs have been even better defensively than they have offensively in crafting a 3-0 record to sit in a first-place tie with the Stratton Eagles.

Willem Kirk-Bertens left his home province to ride the Lightning.

The Fort Frances resident was part of the Manitoba Atom 'AAA' Lightning, which finished fourth last weekend at the Regina 'AAA' Hockey Classic.

It was a less than glorious start for the Lightning, who were trounced 14-2 by the 2009 Huskie Prospects.

The only Muskie girls' soccer player guaranteed not to get another tomorrow on the high school field of battle swallowed the pain of what had transpired.

Then, like the true leader she has become, Maggie Jean gave thanks for what she had rather than focus on what she didn't.

It's unorthodox but it's better than nothing.

So goes the thinking of the Borderland Soccer League, which announced this week it will go ahead with a two-team women's division this season that will play every Monday evening.

A best-of-three final then will be held in August to determine a league champ between the La Place Rendez-Vous/Taggs and Al's Racquet Stringing.

The Ontario Volleyball Association will hold its 14U Region 1 tryouts this Sunday at Fort High for boys and girls born from Sept. 1, 2002-Dec. 31, 2003.

A total of 12 girls and nine boys may be invited to attend the OVA Region 1 high-performance centre in North Bay from July 2-7 (boys) and July 17-22 (girls).

A normal night at the Emo Speedway would see plenty of yellow caution flags, causing big leads to dissipate in advance of a restart for the entire field.

But Saturday's almost problem-free round of stock car racing meant those who worked their way to the front of the pack—at least, in the finals—weren't likely going to be caught.

John Dutton was thrilled with the future prospects for his team of mostly younger talent.

Then the NWOSSAA track and field championships rolled around last week in Thunder Bay and suddenly the future instantly manifested itself in the present.

Two perfect 10s helped the Fort Frances Her-icanes stay perfect for the season.

The 'Canes racked up 10 runs on 10 hits in the fourth inning en route to a 17-8 win over the Dawson Tigers in Rainy River District Women's Fastball League action Monday night at VanJura.

The Fort Frances Aquanauts came away from the 2017 Thunderbolts May Grand Prix in Thunder Bay over the weekend with nary a medal, but a 10th-place finish out of 17 teams with 34 points.

The 60-plus member Oakville Aquatic Club finished miles ahead of the field with a first-place total of 6,282—topping the runner-up Thunderbolts (2,000) by more than 4,200 points.

The Lenten project at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton this year was sewing touch quilts for the local Alzheimer Society. The students, cut, sewed, and embellished these quilts to donate them to people struggling with dementia in our area. The Alzheimer Society is absolutely delighted to accept these quilts and distribute them to families who have a loved one with dementia.

Former mill workers Larry Armstrong, Nick Kawulia Sr., Paul Neurinski, Nick Kawulia Jr., and Les Baker took time before the Mill Alumni dinner last Thursday to pose for a group photo.

Seven Oaks has been the place to be recently if you want to see American white pelicans roosting. During breeding season, adults grow an unusual projection—or horn—on the upper mandible near the tip of the bill, as seen here.

“Piston” cooled off his paws while quenching his thirst Sunday afternoon during the annual dog walk here. The water station was set up by his owner, Pam Williams, of local business 4 Your Pets.

Makinnley McCormick of Burriss, centre, had the honour of snaring 2016 Emo Walleye Classic champs Kelvin Caul of Devlin, left, and Ted Heyens of Stratton as her angling mentors during the inaugural “Kids Gone Fishing” event on the waters of the Rainy River on Thursday afternoon. The event kicked off three days of activity at this year's EWC, which wrapped up Saturday.

To the victors go the spoils, as Les Morrison of Baudette, left, and Oliver Gibbons of Morson hoisted aloft the championship trophy this past Saturday at the Emo-La Vallee Arena after claiming their second Emo Walleye Clasic title with a winning haul of 22.03 pounds.

Fort Frances High School First Responder Judy Wu received a 2017 Volunteer Service Award for youth from ministry rep Colleen Moran on Friday evening. Wu was one of three First Responders honoured.

One behalf of Ontario Fire Marshal D. Ross Nichols, Fort Frances Fire Chief Tyler Moffitt, left, presented local firefighter Dave Crichton with an Ontario Fire Services 25-year service medal yesterday at the fire hall.

The Mill Alumni dinner was a time for reminiscing as Herman and Judy Karpinen received a photo of themselves at a high school reunion from an old friend. Judy estimated the photo was taken 15-20 years ago and noted the couple still has the Fort High jackets they were wearing in the picture.

Caitlyn Townson checked out a pot that started a house fire after being left by a stove burner while at the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service's spring open house Saturday morning at the fire hall. Aimed to promote fire safety and emergency preparedness, the event also featured hand-outs, giveaways for kids, and free T-shirts.

Olivia Allen, left, and her friend, Sydney Kellar, proudly showed off Allen's Shar-Pei puppy, “Mr. Ripples" (or "Rippley" for short), before embarking on the "Pet Valu Walk for Dog Guides” here Sunday afternoon.

Myra Mainville (above) steam-cleaned a living room set last week while Anne-Marie Fitzgerald (below left) stocked the kitchen cabinets with donated glassware in the three-bedroom apartment that has been rented for the Iraqi refugee family that is slated to arrive here soon. Pictured below right is the bedroom for the teenaged daughter while her three brothers will share a room with bunk beds.

Gibbons showed off the catch of the day Saturday—a 7.22-pound lunker that easily was the biggest fish of this year's tournament.

Dryden veteran Sarah Benson, left, had to deal with both the ball and oncoming Muskie defender Pasquel Shortreed during the Eagles' 2-1 victory in the NorWOSSA girls' soccer final last Wednesday in Kenora.

Fort Frances Mud Dogs' pitcher Jodie Hood was a second too late applying the tag on Hanna LeDrew of the Fort Frances Angels after a wild pitch in the seventh inning of their Rainy River District Women's Fastball League game last Wednesday at the St. Francis Sports Field. Hood and the Mud Dogs got the last laugh, though, by winning the game 16-7.

Members of the Muskie boys' soccer team were unrestrained in their jubilation over capturing a seventh-straight NorWOSSA crown with a 4-0 victory against the Dryden Eagles in the league final last Wednesday in Kenora. The squad now is in North Bay for the 20-team OFSAA 'AA' tournament that runs tomorrow through Saturday.

Muskie football head coach Mike Cuzzolino delivered his opening address to the roughly 20 players taking part in the first day of the team's spring camp Monday evening at Fort High. The camp will run weekdays from 6-8 p.m. through June 9 as the squad begins preparations for the 2017 WHSFL season starting in September.

SAN FRANCISCO — Nest Labs is adding Google’s facial recognition technology to a high-resolution home-security camera, offering a glimpse of a future in which increasingly intelligent, internet-connected computers can see and understand what’s going on in people’s homes.