As more and more Fort High alumni arrive in town for the Millennium Reunion this weekend, committee co-chair Mark Kowalchuk reflected on how the event has been designed to be a truly community event.
“It’s a community event in that it impacts everyone,” he said. “People should see this as a great opportunity to welcome old friends and classmates–we want people to leave this thing with great memories.”
Kowalchuk noted several activities are planned to get reunion-goers out and about the community–especially for those who haven’t been here in 40 or more years.
“With the ‘Decade Rooms’ and the high school tour, people will get into the new facility [at Westfort],” he remarked. “With our 10-km walk [from St. Jude’s on Friday morning], people get to see the waterfront.
“The Manitou Mounds are a world-class facility, and with the golf tournament, some people might only remember the nine holes at the Point and now we have Kitchen Creek.
“[All] this is geared to showing people what we have and to get people who already live here to appreciate it,” he stressed.
“The kayak and canoe paddle started with the 1994 reunion, where people said they really liked the lake,” Kowalchuk added. “Although we looked at a power boat tour, kayaks and canoeing were the easiest way to get people out there.”
Local merchants also should benefit from the reunion. Alumni will be given an “early thank you” when they pick up their kit at check-in, which will include coupons redeemable at local businesses.
The grab bag also includes a key fob, coffee mug, and other goodies.
Alumni also can expect to receive “a special gift” at the wine-and-cheese reception Saturday night.
Reunion activities begin with the check-in Thursday from 6-11 p.m. at the Fort Frances Curling Club. Reunion-goers also will have a chance to do a little catching up during a social there until 1 a.m.
Free shuttle service will be available starting at midnight.
But things will really heat up Friday with a slew of activities planned.
Golfers should be at Kitchen Creek by 8 a.m. for the 9 a.m. shotgun-start while those heading out to the Manitou Mounds should catch the bus by 8:30 a.m. at the new high school.
Those wanting a little early-morning exercise can drop by 1335 Idylwild Dr. at 8:30 a.m. to paddle a kayak or canoe with Rainy Lake Boatworks. Or head over to St. Jude’s Gourmet Coffee (335 Nelson St.) to take part in the 10-km walk around the town.
The focus then switches to Fort High around 10 a.m., where those who haven’t already done so yet can check in. Alumni also will be encouraged to take a tour of the new school.
While they’re at it, there can drop by the various “Decade Rooms” decorated to reflect the ’20s through the ’90s, or see roadsters from many eras at the “Vehicle Show & Shine.”
At 10:30 a.m., reunion-goers will be treated to a reading by former Fort Frances resident Beatrice Fines, whose book, “Neighbours,” recently was published.
Then at 2 p.m., a tour of local residents’ gardens departs from the high school. Others may opt to enter the horseshoe tourney at Pither’s Point Park at 3 p.m.
Activities at FFHS will conclude at 4 p.m. on Friday, leaving people’s schedules open until 7 p.m., when a wine-and-cheese reception is slated at the Memorial Sports Centre.
Opening ceremonies also will happen there at 9 p.m., after which alumni can mix and mingle until 1 a.m. A shuttle service once again will be offered starting at midnight.
Things get going early Saturday with a 7 a.m. breakfast at St. Mary’s Church. Free tickets for the breakfast, which is sponsored by the Town of Fort Frances and the Rainy River Future Development Corp., must be picked up at the check-ins on Thursday and Friday.
A reunion parade forms at the old Fort High on First Street East at 10:30 a.m. and will proceed down Scott Street by 11. Decade luncheons will follow at 12:30 p.m., with alumni from the ’20s-’30s going to La Place Rendez-Vous; those from the ’40s-’50s to the curling club; the ’60s at the Red Dog Inn; and those from the ’70s-’90s at the arena.
Former Muskie cheerleaders and football players then can get together for a reunion of their own at the curling club at 2 p.m. while others can catch the official opening of Lions Millennium Park on Second Street East.
Then reunion-goers can put on their dancing shoes for the Saturday evening dinner/dance at the arena starting at 5:30 p.m., where the “Bands that Rocked Fort High” will be reunited once again, keeping the music playing until past 1 p.m.
Free shuttle service begins at midnight.
On Sunday, a 10 a.m. church service at Knox United will see the dedication of the John Leishman Memorial Window. Following that is an 11:30 a.m. church service at Pither’s Point, after which everyone will get a chance to say their good-byes at a family barbecue there.
In related news, Kowalchuk wanted to stress the importance of volunteers to the reunion.
“This has never been a one-person operation. Back when we started three years ago, it was maybe a dozen people,” he noted. “And now, each of the decade groups have about 10 people each.
“And [Monday], people just showed up out of nowhere and helped out filling grab bags and helping out,” Kowalchuk enthused.
Volunteers also played a big part decorating the arena for Friday’s opening ceremonies.