Community Christmas party just around the corner

Christmas is a coming and a sure sign of that is the annual Devlin/La Vallee Christmas party—an event that always proves to be a crowd-pleaser.
This year’s party will be held Sunday, Dec. 8 beginning at 2 p.m. with outdoor activities, weather permitting (or should I say snow permitting). Kids of all ages are encouraged to bring toboggans and any other outdoor “stuff” they may wish to partake in.
You also can bet there will be many a card game played indoors during the afternoon, with gallons of coffee consumed.
Then at 5 p.m., a potluck dinner will be served. The food is always top of the line as everyone brings there favourite dish.
The only complaint I’ve ever heard come out of the food line is that the plates should be bigger. Oh well, there’s always enough food for seconds and thirds.
After the meal, a sing-song will take place with many traditional and favourite Christmas tunes. Then to put a smile on everyone’s face, jolly ol’ St. Nick will make an appearance.
High school students can volunteer at this event to put towards their 40 hours of community service needed to graduate.
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I’d like to congratulate two people on their recent retirements, the first being Sis Steele, who has been employed at Rainycrest Home for the Aged in Fort Frances for about 17 years.
Her last day of employment was Nov. 19.
Also, happy retirement to Allan McCormick. Although Al doesn’t live in Devlin, he has long-time connections to many family and friends here in our community and Al spent some of his childhood in Burriss.
Al has worked at the Fort Frances Jail for 24 years as a correctional officer. He was honoured with a going-away party at La Place Rendez-Vous, with all his children, many co-workers, and friends on hand.
Congratulations, Sis and Al, on your well-deserved retirements from your community. Here’s hoping you both find time to do all the things we say we will do when we retire.
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A young local person is about to start an exciting new career in Florida. Amber Hughes, a registered nurse, will be leaving for Gainesville this weekend, where she will be employed at the Regional Medical Center.
Amber, the daughter of Irwin and Elaine Hughes, graduated in May from Hibbing College. She also had an opportunity to nurse at the trauma center in Daytona, Fla., but felt she would like the medical surgical floor better.
Congratulations and best of luck on your new career move!
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The Crossroads Tornado volleyball players will be competing in the regional elementary school championships this Saturday (Nov. 30) at Fort Frances High School.
Spectators would be appreciated.
In other news, the Crossroads Christmas concert is slated Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. The last day of school for all students is Friday, Dec. 20.
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A livestock medicines course will be held Thursday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Emo Inn. Call Gary Sliworsky at the OMAF office in Emo for more info.
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The Rainy River Federation of Agriculture will hold its next meeting Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the Morley municipal office.
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This Friday (Nov. 29), there will be a “Tribute to Elvis” at the Barwick Hall. The dance starts hopping at 8 p.m. and runs through until 1 a.m. Age of majority is required.
The music will be live, featuring tunes from the ’50s all night. Admission is $5 if you’re dressed in a ’50s costume or $6 without.
This event is sponsored by Chapel Recreation as a fundraiser to purchase kitchen equipment. So dig out your blue suede shoes and dance on down there Friday night!
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The La Vallee centennial committee is working on a history book and asking people to have their family history in by Jan. 15 at the latest!
Some things of interest to be included are names of fathers and mothers (including maiden name), when and where they were born, when they died, names, birthdates, and birthplaces of children, occupations, schools attended, and whether they served in the armed forces.
Any comments or stories of interest of earlier days, including recollections and stories told to you, also are welcome. Pictures of your ancestors or their activities will be returned.
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Robin’s 2¢:
Last weekend, a group of friends went deer hunting and decided to pair off for the day. That evening, one of the hunters returned alone, staggering under the weight of an eight-point buck.
“Where is Shawn?” the other hunters asked.
Shawn’s hunting partner, Steve, replied, “Shawn had a stroke of some kind. He’s a couple of miles back up the trail.”
The other hunters gasped and one guy asked, “You left Shawn laying out there and carried the deer back?”
“It was a tough call,” nodded the hunter. “But I figured that nobody would steal Shawn.”