District

A local “Relay for Life” team has orchestrated a new fundraising scheme that residents in town just might find themselves a part of.
Called “You’ve Been Gnomed,” the fundraiser sees a garden gnome moved from yard to yard—only by paying a removal fee.

Resiliency is described as a combination of skills and positive attributes that people gain from their life experiences and relationships.
These attributes help them solve problems, cope with challenges, and bounce back from disappointments.
Parents can help their children develop attributes that enable them to be resilient and that will help them throughout their lives.

Although final figures still are being tallied, some early totals are now in from this year’s Ducks Unlimited banquet, which took place Friday night at La Place Rendez-Vous.
Local DU treasurer Chris Wielinga said $12,830 was raised during the silent and live auctions, which was down from the $15,300 raised last year.

St. Patrick’s in Emo will be holding its annual spring tea and bazaar this Saturday (May 12) from 1-3 p.m. in the church basement.
Admission is $3 at the door.
There will be a good variety of perennials and local bedding plants for sale, along with baking, draws, and more.
This event is sponsored by the St. Patrick’s C.W.L. and all are welcome.

FORT FRANCES—The Rainy River Valley Agricultural Society is planning to start up a tail-gate flea market once a month at the fair grounds in Emo.
“The fair grounds sit there empty for most of the year, so we were thinking up other ways to utilize the area,” explained fair board director Marie Whiting.

The Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Service responded to a house fire on the 200 block of Elizabeth Street West in the early hours yesterday.
Upon their arrival, open flames and heavy smoke were observed.
The fire quickly was brought under control by firefighters, with most fire damage being isolated to the kitchen area.

Local MPP Sarah Campbell is asking Tourism and Culture minister Michael Chan to explain the reasons for his decision to close Ontario Travel Information Centres in Fort Frances, Rainy River, and Kenora.
Speaking in Question Period yesterday, Campbell asked the minister to explain his decision in light of newly-released numbers that do not support his story.

The Rainy River District Festival of the Performing Arts will wrap up its 2012 event with the annual “highlights” concert this Sunday (May 6).
Slated to start at 2 p.m. at the Townshend Theatre, the concert will feature some of this year’s star performances from the three weeks the festival ran in April.
Rose Bowl winners also will be honoured Sunday.

The Fort Frances branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association, along with other partners as well as a local group called Am-Pm Health (Artists Musicians-Promote Mental Health), are planning events in conjunction with Mental Health Week (May 7-13).

An appeal made by former sales barn manager Russel Richards was dismissed by the Ontario Court of Appeal last month, agreeing with the judge’s decision to dismiss his original claim at a Dec. 29, 2010 trial.
Richards had raised two grounds of appeal after losing a suit against the Rainy River Cattleman’s Association for damages for breach of a written contract for services.