Elisabeth Heslop
Residents and visitors alike, wanting a memento of Fort Frances’ history, now can purchase something that’s purely local.
Local artist Vi Plumridge, well-known for her paintings of historical buildings and sites, recently started a business called Sites & Scenes of Borderland.
Plumridge’s “complete line of souvenirs”—from bookmarks to coasters, mugs, and notepads—all feature some of her artwork, whether one of her historical prints or a photo from her garden.
“There wasn’t anything else with scenes of the town on it except at the Sorting Gap Marina [during the bass tournament],” noted Plumridge.
She already sells copies of her prints the usual way (for hanging on the wall), so she decided to branch out and provide some genuine home-grown souvenirs.
Plumridge’s wares can be purchased at Betty’s on Scott Street. They also are available at the Fine Line Art Gallery on Mowat Avenue.
Betty’s co-owner Doug Anderson said the new souvenirs are a hit.
“The coasters have been really popular, especially the ones with the [Pither’s] Point [Park] pavilion on them,” he noted.
“This is pretty amazing stuff that she’s done,” he added.
Anderson also said they are selling T-shirts and bags that have some of Plumridge’s prints on them.
