Cup cat nearly out of the bag

In the department of world’s worst-kept secrets, the Fort Frances Lakers’ potential to host the 2015 Dudley Hewitt Cup quickly is reaching the status of all-time worst.
While the team technically is complying with the SIJHL’s wish to let the league make the official announcement at its annual general meeting this Saturday in Fort Frances (why ever would they hold it here?), Lakers’ brass are not exactly keeping their lips sealed on the matter.
Broad hints came at the Lakers’ annual general meeting back on June 25, with team president Milt Strachan calling it a “favourable” scenario that the tournament deciding the Central Canadian junior ‘A’ champion would take place here.
Then there was this message issued from the team’s Twitter account on Sunday: “Big news for the #Lakers organization will come from the #SIJHL AGM next week and be announced July 12. #letsgetready”
The suspense is killing me, or maybe not.
Get the dustpan out. Odds are, Fort Frances will be having guests next spring.
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Best of luck to David Ducasse of Fort Frances at the Special Olympics Canada 2014 Summer Games in Vancouver, which kicked off yesterday with opening ceremonies.
Ducasse will be looking to literally strike gold as he tests his prowess against the best in the country in the five-pin bowling event, which starts today and runs through the end of the Games on Sunday.
The local alley ace has participated in three Special Olympics Ontario Provincial Spring Games, so he has plenty of experience when it comes to high-stakes competition.
Here’s hoping the perfect games start pouring in for Ducasse on Canada’s West Coast, which is no stranger to pouring (at least when it comes to its weather).
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Don’t forget the “Right to Play” youth-adult beach volleyball tournament at the Point Park courts this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.
Six-10 teams will vie for the title but the real focal point of the event, sponsored by the Gizhewaadiziwin Health Centre, is getting families or just different generations out for some good exercise, fresh air, and a ton of fun.
For more info or to register, contact Amy-Wilson Hands at 270-0165, on Facebook at Amy Wilson-Hands), or via e-mail at momma_wils@hotmail.com
At only $5/person, it’s a wonderful way to spend a summer day because, as we know, those soon will be in the rearview mirror faster than you can say Gizhewaadiziwin.
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The 14th-annual “Castin’ for Cash,” the first major bass tournament in Rainy River District, goes this Friday and Saturday (July 11-12) at Lake Despair Lodge.
The rules meeting is set for tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.
A field of 57 teams will take off in search of monster bass at 7:30 a.m. each day, with the weigh-ins starting at 3:30 p.m.
Lake Despair Lodge owner and tournament organizer Bill Godin said things are coming together well for the weekend, although at the time he said it Monday, he was dealing with a power outage thanks to a short but intense thunderstorm that blasted through the area.
Bryan Gustafson and Jamie Bruce are the defending champs after reeling in a total of 30.72 pounds last year.
Good luck to the anglers—and here’s hoping the weather and the fishing are both spectacular for you.