Atown

The Friends of the Fort Frances Museum will be holding a Garden Tour fundraiser from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. Participants will visit six delightful local gardens around town and see the flowers, fruits and veggies that local gardeners have cultivated this year. Garden passports at $20 per person and available at Lowey’s Greenhouse until Tuesday, June 30. Physical distancing protocols will be in place, and designated viewing times will be provided to each participant. Please provide your own mask and transportation.
Borderland Pride, along with Thunder Pride, will be hosting a virtual Townhall Meeting on rural 2SLGBTIQ+ issues on Thursday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m. CDT. Ministers Bardish Chagger and Patty Hadju, as well as Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski will be in attendance to discuss issues facing 2SLGBTIQ+ people in rural and northern communities, such as those in Northwestern Ontario. For more information and to register, visit Borderland Pride or Thunder Bay Pride’s Facebook page.
Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty#3, will be shaving his COVID-19 pandemic locks. He has decided to shave to raise money for charity (TBD) and he hopes to raise $10,000. He is challenging others to participate and fundraise for the shaving of their locks as a contribution to a cause. The date for the “shave” is June 19, 2020 and will be Facebook live streamed; Time to be announced closer to the day. Visit GoFundMe page to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/ogichidaa-kavanaugh-shave-for-a-cause.
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help the family of Diane and Brian Major of Morson, who lost their home and all belongings in a house fire on Sunday. To help out, go to https://gf.me/u/x7zpfh.See their story in yesterday’s edition of the Times.
The Fort Frances Public Library now offers curbside pick-up. Place your chosen items on hold by calling 274-9879, Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or e-mail ffpltc@gmail.com. When your item is ready, you’ll be contacted. Pick-up is available from 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call from your car for parking lot delivery. Please return borrowed items to the drop box during regular library hours, to prevent a backlog of work for library staff.
The United Native Friendship Centre is running its Breakfast Buddies for Kids program every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. starting May 12 at their Circle of Life Centre at 616 Mowat Ave. Hop on your bikes, scooters or skateboards or take a walk with your family and visit them on those days for a nutritious brown bag breakfast to go.
The Valley Adult Learning Association is offering a variety of free online courses for adults age 19 or older. The courses are available in live format or independent learning modules, and technology supports may be available for those who meet criteria. For more information or course descriptions call Barb or Kim at 274-3553, or email vala@jam21.net
Seven Generations Education Institute has organized a free online light yoga class for students, staff and community members. Everyone is welcome! All skill levels can participate. The sessions are Thursdays at noon. Email Andrea Sweigard at andreas@7generations.org for the online meeting link and instructions.
The NWHU is holding a public access teleconference each Wednesday at 3 p.m. through GoMeeting. Join from a computer, smartphone or tablet. No microphone is required. The public are free to ask questions. Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Ian Gemmill is present at each session to provide answers. Find a link to the meeting on the NWHU website, at https://www.nwhu.on.ca/covid19/Pages/public-sessions.aspx.
The Fort Frances Public Library will be posting online storytime videos on their Facebook page every Wednesday. Join Miss Sam as she shares storytime with you over the internet.
Community Living Fort Frances and District Open Air Art Studio will be sharing Online Art Studio projects for kids and families to create at home using common household materials. See their Facebook page for the most recent project and instructions.
Fort Frances Rocks is a Facebook community designated for people in and around Fort Frances to paint, hide, discover and share unique and fun rock art. Check out the page for some guidelines for taking part in painting you own rocks or finding other contributors rocks in the community.
A Friendly Voice is a phoneline for adults aged 55+, who feel lonely and isolated, so they can have a conversation with someone who understands. Residents of Ontario can call 1-855-892-9991.
Anishinaabemodaa – Waking up Ojibwe – is a partnership between Seven Generations Institute, SayitFirst and the Rainy River District School Board. Their Facebook page posts videos and other resources to give First Nations kids, a way to hear and learn their own language.
The Fort Frances EarlyON Child and Family Centre has been posting fun craft and activity ideas on their Facebook page, that families can do at home.
The Emo EarlyON Child and Family Centre is placing craft kits outside the centre each week. Check them out on Facebook to see what’s new.