2006, like every year, had more than its share of ups and downs here.
The woes facing the forestry industry certainly continued to cast a pall over communities across the region during the past 12 months as mills closed and thousands of jobs were lost. The tourism industry also suffered, affected by everything from a higher Canadian dollar to confusion over the pending U.S. passport requirement.
Then a furor erupted in November when Sunrise Meat and Greensides Store were shut down abruptly by the province for having uninspected meat on their premises.
Even Mother Nature tried her best to bring us down. Drought conditions left district farmers pleading for aid and the International Rainy Lake Board of Control having to drastically cut the outflow from Rainy Lake.
As well, this year was one of the busiest on record for MNR fire crews as the lack of rainfall, coupled with a heat wave in July and August, left the bush tinder dry for most of the summer. And the lack of snow so far this winter may make the situation even worse come springtime.
Still, it wasn’t all doom and gloom in 2006. The deal that saw Riverside take over ownership of Rainycrest Home for the Aged finally was cemented this fall while the $12.5-million Phase IV renovations at La Verendrye Hospital were unveiled back in June.
Meanwhile, mill union members are scheduled to vote Jan. 9 on a tentative agreement with Abitibi-Consolidated that could see the company invest millions in a hog fuel boiler here.
Long-overdue renovations at the Fort Frances Museum continue while a fundraising drive for a new library here is slated to formally kick off in a few short weeks. Out in the district, the new handi-van is up and running, the Cranberry Peatlands Interpretive Trail officially opened in July, plans for an abattoir continue to progress, and the mood is bullish over mining prospects.
Fort Frances also shone earlier this year in hosting the Ontario Scott Tournament of Hearts in February as well as the all-Ontario boys’ high school hockey championship a month later—a tribute to the hard work of the respective organizing committees and volunteers.
The most amazing story of 2006, however, occurred on Oct. 20 when district resident Bill Michl ran the 60 miles between Rainy River and Fort Frances to kick off the “Just Imagine” fundraising campaign for a CT Scanner at La Verendrye Hospital.
Thanks to his incredible feat, some $824,000 already has been raised for the $1.5-million unit. Equally important, it provided a stirring reminder of what can be accomplished when people put their hearts and minds into something.
That attitude must prevail to overcome the challenges 2007 is sure to bring.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
