The Rainy River District Palliative Care Volunteer Program’s butterfly releases, originally scheduled for tomorrow in Rainy River and Sunday here in Fort Frances, have been postponed because the Monarch butterflies to be released were lost in transit.
“Apparently, Purolator has lost 100 butterflies,” volunteer co-ordinator Jennifer Anderson said this morning.
She was expecting the butterflies, which are ordered from a farm in southern Ontario, to be here today in time for the two weekend events.

Local police officers and Special Olympians will team up once again this Sunday (July 20) for the Ontario Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
The torch run will start at 2 p.m. (rain or shine) at the local OPP detachment, with participants then making their way to Tim Hortons.
Organizer Cst. Guy Beaudry, who’s been a part of the torch run for the past three years, said yesterday this is one of the major fundraising events for the Fort Frances Special Olympians.

Mothers wanting their babies to be the next local celebrity still have a chance to sign them up for the first-annual “Bass Baby Contest,” presented by Sigma Phi Alpha Upsilon in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.
The entry deadline originally was yesterday (July 16), but that has been pushed ahead to tomorrow, a contest spokeswoman said.
“We would really like to see a full lineup of cute babies,” stressed organizer Michelle Cain, noting there still were openings available as of yesterday.

FORT FRANCES—A decision by Shaw Cable to axe direct community programming from Fort Frances and Atikokan, and instead see coverage here conducted out of Kenora and Dryden, has prompted town council to write a letter to the company and encourage local residents to start a petition.
News of the company’s decision, which also has meant the termination of local community programming manager Randy Thoms, prompted Fort Frances Clerk Glenn Treftlin to find out more from Shaw, which had not forewarned the town about the changes.

FORT FRANCES—The Emo Agricultural Research Station is holding its annual open house next Tuesday (July 22), followed by Rainy River District Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s crop tour on Wednesday (July 23).
Anyone interested is invited to come out and see what the research station is up to this summer, and get a first-hand look at the state of the crops.
Attendees will be treated to a variety of farmed crops, as well as get a glimpse of the new reed canary/switchgrass project involving AbitibiBowater, Rainy River Future Development Corp., and a handful of others.

Seven years ago, Aya Sletmoen felt helpless as her father was battling cancer and she could do nothing to relieve his constant, chronic pain suffered after multiple treatments and being in the hospital.
Sletmoen eventually lost her father to cancer and only wishes she had the skills back then to help alleviate at least some of the aches and pains he had when he was alive.
“I’m doing reflexology and body massage for free for people who have cancer,” Sletmoen noted.

To raise some funds for the Muskie girls’ hockey team, the Redline Club is bringing in comedian “Jimmy the Janitor” to stage some tasteful comedy in the Townshend Theatre on Aug. 21.
“Jimmy the Janitor” is a Maritime comedian who performs across Canada and the United States. He regularly appears on such TV stations as CBC and Comedy Central, has a nationally syndicated daily radio show, and also has six CDs and two more on the way.
“Jimmy the Janitor” is not really a janitor but rather was created by Sandy Gillis, a Cape Bretonite with a flair for telling jokes.

To raise some funds for the Muskie girls’ hockey team, the Redline Club is bringing in comedian “Jimmy the Janitor” to stage some tasteful comedy in the Townshend Theatre on Aug. 21.
“Jimmy the Janitor” is a Maritime comedian who performs across Canada and the United States. He regularly appears on such TV stations as CBC and Comedy Central, has a nationally syndicated daily radio show, and also has six CDs and two more on the way.
“Jimmy the Janitor” is not really a janitor but rather was created by Sandy Gillis, a Cape Bretonite with a flair for telling jokes.

With the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship in full swing next week, fans of local singing talent will want to check out “Quest for the Best” and “Kiddie Quest” under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina next Tuesday (July 22).
Dawn Booth, manager at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, said organizers are all ready for the popular contest, judges and sponsors are in place, contestants have confirmed their song choices, and the back-up band, “The Faculty,” is in the process of learning all the songs.

They’re fun, lovable, affectionate, cute—and they bark.
Dubbed “Man’s best friend,” dogs are the perfect pet for not only your family but seniors, too.
At 86 years of age, Verna Roy is a local senior who’s not letting age slow her down. Her small dog (who could be mistaken for a puppy but also is considered a senior by all accounts) keeps her walking twice a day every day.
Roy lives on her own, makes her own meals, and constantly bakes and prepares tasty casseroles for her extended family.
Nothing keeps her from being completely independent.