Many made party possible

Dear Editor,
With the Rainy River Centennial Homecoming over and most of the cleanup completed it’s time to take a breath and reflect.
During the past days, I’ve received many ‘pats on the back’ and other expressions of appreciation for a ‘job well done’ and like everyone else, it’s a very nice feeling to be appreciated, but then again the tasks I undertook were what I was hired, paid for, and was expected to complete. However, there are a host of individuals out there who made their contribution on a purely voluntary basis and without their unselfish contribution, what turned out as a roaring success, would have been a disaster.
Many deserve our collective recognition and thanks for the thousands and thousands of volunteer hours, but in particular, this community owes a special vote of thanks to Gordon Armstrong. Gord spearheaded this whole Centennial effort from the very start, and received not one red cent for his tremendous contribution. Gord, thank you.
I hesitate to mention others who helped, because I know I will miss generous contributors who simply pitched in, again and again, when there was a task to be undertaken, but I must mention the staff of the Town of Rainy River in the office and in public works, for putting up cheerfully with my pestering and unending demands. Also the summer student crew I drove mercilessly in the big last minute rush and the aftermath. It is impossible to over-appreciate some one doing the garbage and plugged toilet patrol.
Finally, I would like to thank my family. Without the help of my son Mark in writing, editing, printing and distributing the Centennial News, it simply would not have happened. He had 20 minutes warning before the task was foisted on him. To my wife Norma, the Pearl of the Orient, thank you delivering me oft needed doses of support and advice.
Now what? Well in just 5 weeks we put up the Big Tent again for the Giant Pumpkin Festival, September 18 and the Rainy River Walleye Tournament the following week. The party ain’t over yet- or the need for you wonderful volunteers.
Sincerely
Jack Elliott,
Centennial Assistant Coordinator.