A look back at 2005 Renovations, vandalism, the town’s future and sports topped the list of stories

January
Thunder Bay Telephone announced that it will make wireless high speed internet available in Rainy River.
Guy Arpin of Rainy River caught 10+ pound walleye on the Rainy River. It was 31 inches long and 20 inches around.
Grey Goose/Grey Hound announced intentions to reduce bus service in the region. They also stopped allowing freight to be shipped between Winnipeg and Rainy River due to more stringent restrictions at the US border.
MNR looking at regulating ice fishing shacks in region.
Canada Customs began checking everyone’s identification every time they crossed.
The Rainy River District Board of Education announced that it will spend $1 million replacing the heating system and installing air conditioning at Rainy River High School.
Local relief efforts were undertaken for victims of the Tsunami.
Larry Johnson of Gameland was the big winner in the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Rain(y)deer Bucks Christmas promotion. He won $225 in gift certificates.
Lake of the Woods Council gave permission for the Morson Bass Tournament to be held at the government dock this year. Previously it had been held at Buena Vista Resort.
It was announced that there will be no winter carnival in Rainy River this year.

February
Stratton Reeve Gary Gamsby will head the Rainy River District Municipal Association this year.
Stratton School, Our Lady of the Way, won a provincial Active Schools Trophy for being exceptionally active and were recognized on television for their efforts.
Donna Ivall-skip, Janet Schaaf-third, Janet Wolanicki-second and Barb Legiehn-lead won the annual RR Ladies Curling Bonspiel.
The Borderland Orchestra held a special concert at the RR Rec. Centre to raise money for the Reach for the Stars Program.
The RR Evangelical Covenant Church announced plans to build a new church in Rainy River. The purchased the land just west of the Town Garage yard on Hwy. 11.
A group of local ladies decided to turn their hobby into a charitable effort. The local quilters group made small quilts for children in need in Cuba.
The Town of Rainy River was charged for violations at the local water treatment plant.
Over $3,000 was raised locally for Tsunami relief efforts.
The Gavel Racing team of Stratton continued to have a great season, bringing home a lot of hardware from Brandon races.
Town Council debated reducing council from six to four councillors.
Karen Usiski of Rainy River was named Caregiver of they Year in Minnesota. She works at Lakewood Health Center in Baudette.
CN has increased train speeds through Rainy River.
High speed internet went on line in RR.
Baudette phone numbers were pulled from Bell Canada’s directory in an effort to save money.
Skip Trevor Bonot, Third-Bryan Bonot, Second-Terry Lee and Lead Rick Bonot of Stratton won the 48th Annual RR Men’s Curling Bonspiel.
The international bridge was damaged by a logging truck on the Canadian side.

March
Kelsey Jonassen and Madison Boisvert figure skate their way to provincials.
Shantelle Davidson tried out for Canadian Idol.
RRHS Mixed Curling Team Giselle Bonot-skip, Dayna Seguin-Second, Danielle Abraham-Alt., Jeremy Bonhome-lead and Kam Kuzyk-third went four and one in Fort Frances to capture silver at the NORWOSSA championships.
Nancy Miller won the Morson Ice Fishing Derby.
Fort and Emo teams win RR Men’s Hockey Tournament.
The Town of RR was fined $7,000 for infractions at the local water treatment plant. Several of the charges were withdrawn.
Parents and the Mayor discussed the future of Rainy River High School as it faces a continued declining enrollment.
Jarod McQuaker wins the prestigious DeGagne Award at the annual 4–H banquet.
Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre architecture wins regional award.
OPP Staff Sgt. Hugh Dennis announces his retirement after 34 years on the force.
Many had fun at the 2nd Annual Lions Club Family Fish Derby.
Dave “Ziggy” Seguin-skip, Cathy Seguin-third, Cory Larocque-second and Shona Nordberg-lead won the annual Rainy River Mixed Curling Bonspiel.
Legion Ladies Aux. honoured several members for years of service and made two of them life members. Vivian Hartnell and Ev Nelson were named Life Members, Olga Sirman received her 40 year service pin, Mary and Sharon Marmus received their 25 year service pin.
Local Just for Kix dancers brought home gold from a competition in Fargo.
Buzz Miniely and Alphonse Langlais qualified to go to the National Legion Cribbage Championships. It is believed they are the first ones to accomplish this from the RR Legion.

April
Eugene Lacroix of Wilson Creek, succumbed to injuries sustained when he was severely burned while attempting to feed an outdoor wood stove.
Angie Lee of Stratton is a member of a Thunder Bay Mixed Curling team that will go to the National Championships.
The Rainy River opened on April 3, 2005.
RRHS students return from trip to Italy and France.
Jonassen/Boisvert place 10th and 11th at figure skating provincials.
Jeanie Hartnell’s 6th St. home was consumed by fire. Fortunately no one was injured.
Plans to make all Canadians and Americans entering the US have a passport were announced.
Bergland businesses change hands as Karen Sepers takes over grocery store and Jody Fisk-Jolicouer and Gerry Fisk take over café.
Councillor Larry Armstrong resigns after more than 13 years in office.
Matt Godin of RR wins the Dane Wood Memorial Award.
RR Fire Dept. saved the Bill Hagarty home from fire.
Over 1,300 head of cattle sold at annual sale in Stratton.
SCAP students raise more than $8,600 for famine relief.

May
Mayor Glen Armstrong took Rainy River’s fight for funding for sewer upgrades to the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association meeting. He was also featured on television regarding the issue.
Shauna McInerney of Rainy River, Ontario. was selected for inclusion in the 2005 edition of “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges” from Bemidji State University.
The Junior Girls Doubles team of Chantel Heyens and Hillary Hansen won Silver at the NWOSSA Championships at Manitouwadge, Ontario.
Rainy River Future Development Corporation submitted funding applications for high-speed internet towers in Bergland and Morson.
219 years of experience were honoured at the CNR retirement banquet. Dennis Brown, Carl Peters, Rene Nordberg, O.J. Nault, Brian O’Connell and Garry Tetu retired.
CNR employees opt not to strike in wake of a last minute deal.
US customs begins checking I.D.’s regularly.
Locals do well at 1st Annual Manitoba Open Tae Kwon Do Championships. Kerry Zub, Shannon Jonassen, Instructor Chris Pollard and John Jonasson returned with some impressive hardware.

June
Marty Johnston, Ethan Swentik and Ben Miller kicked butt at the provincial chess championships.
WW II veteran, Wilf Henrickson of RR, inspected the 144 Corps of Sea Cadets.
Brittany Jasper and Joel Ashworth were named senior RRHS athletes of the year.
Dustin Mowe of RRHS received the principal’s award for leadership.
Riverview School Principal Bob Derkson and Mrs. Pentney (teacher), had the honour of presenting Kathryn Clifford and Derek Lauzon with their medals for winning their respective grade levels at the district track meet.
Lindsey Westover of Rainy River won the Knights of Columbus regional free throw championships.
MTO announced that the Ontario side of the International Car Bridge would be one lane for the summer as it undergoes maintenance and a paint job.
Failure on the town’s part of file a final report on the Trillium Foundation grant received for the RR centennial in 2004 could affect the community’s ability to get future grants; of which the local library has applied for one.
Hannam Park Beach was posted as unsafe to swim due to high bacteria counts.
LoW Council passed its 2005 budget with no tax increases.
RRHS held graduation ceremonies.
Local groups put extra efforts into revitalizing Canada Day this year.
Riverview elementary school students travelled to a fully functioning one room school in Harris Hill to experience what school life was like a century ago.
The Ont. Gov’t. announced the Atikokan Coal Fired Electricity Gen. Station will close in 2007 to reduce pollution.

July
More than a million Rainy River Bucks were doled out in a local shopping program to reward those who spend locally. Bucks holders used them to bid on fabulous prizes on Canada Day.
Ground was broken for another new church in RR. The Good News Fellowship Church will have a new home on Railroad Ave.
Kyle Fileccia raised $484 and had his head shaved bald in RR’s annual Cuts for Cancer.
Lifelong resident and highly respected businessman Robert Stamler passed away.
RR Customs facilities has been identified as needing more space, but officials are not optimistic that the expansion will happen any time soon due to the cost.
FedNor will provide $300,000 for the Morson/Bergland broadband tower project.
Trillium Foundation officials have said that they would be willing to look at the Library’s grant application after all.
Local band Counting Zero took second place at Fort Frances annual Battle of the Bands.
Former RR man, Bill Godin (now of Lake Despair) and partner Norm Lindsay took second in the Fort Frances Bass Tourney.
MNR identified great potential for wind farming here.
West Nile Virus found in area birds.
Third Annual Beaver Boat Race was a success.
Stratton played host to the RR Dist. Fastball All Star game.
A very emotional Veterans’ Tea was held by the RR Legion Auxiliary as part of the Year of the Veteran.
Don Gall’s slowpitch team won the annual RR Railroad Daze ball tournament.

August
Greg Beller of RR was drafted by the New York Rangers.
Passenger bus service may be eliminated all together through RR if the bus company gets its way.
115 people at the annual United Church Bible Camp had their summer fun cut short when a flu like virus outbreak hit the camp.
The first annual RR Music Festival was a huge success.
RR Public Library, RR Toy Library and the American Federation of Musicians hosted a special family concert in the park featuring “Jim and I”.
Work is progressing well on a new nine hole addition to Oak Harbor Golf Course.
US senator Norm Coleman held a series of public consultations with border residents on the proposal to make all Canadians and Americans have a passport to get into the US.
Kayla Lauzon, Ashley Nordin, Ashley Richardson and Sierra Woolsey all ran for Emo Fair Queen.
RR’s men’s fastball team finished 13-0 to win the league play.
RRHS was broken into and severely damaged by vandal(s).
Dean Wiersema was sworn in to fill the vacancy on council left by Larry Armstrong who resigned earlier in the year.
Extreme unicyclist Joel Burgess, 16, of Sarnia, wowed locals with his cycling talents. He was in town visiting his grandpa Don Fraser.
Second annual Bergland Family Fun Day was a huge success!
Kayla Lauzon wins Emo Fair Queen title.
RR lost to Fort Frances in the Dist. Fastball playoffs.
Jason and Oliver Gibbins win the Morson Bass tourney.

September
Construction of a nine hole golf course in Morson is well underway with the driving range set to open.
Lakehead University Voyageurs visited RR.
RR Legion Royals win the annual RR Labour Day Fast Ball tourney.
Lawrence Larson brought in a 3.57 lb. giant radish from his garden.
It’s official! Bus Service will end in RR on Nov. 15th.
Don Cronk shattered old records at the RR Giant Pumpkin Festival with a 945 monster this year.
Local CIBC staff members worked at raising awareness about Breast Cancer by holding a freewill bbq and selling several “pink ribbon” products in the bank to raise money for the cause. They also participated in the annual Run/Walk for the Cure.
Steve Ballan and Doug McBride won the RRWT.

October
Chamber and RRFDC hosted public sessions on the future of the community.
Danika Diebel, Nolan Short and Jenna Jarvis, all grade 4 students at Riverview School in Rainy River did well at the Cross Country meet at Cross Roads School in Devlin.
Rec. Bd. and Chamber plan to host NHL Oldtimers Nov. 23rd.
Rec. Bd. begins construction of a fitness room in the community centre.
RR featured on Global T.V. as part of a series on Young St.

November
Daycare program Best Start looked at for local schools as a way of ensuring vitality of the schools.
RR Town Council held a public meeting on downsizing the local government.
Stratton’s Andrew Friesen goes to the State Cross Country meet and finishes in top half of pack.
RRHS First Responders program recognized for excellence by the school board.
RRHS received a new high tech sign with an electronic message board on it.
Council votes to downsize from 7-5.
Big Grassy’s Dakota Andy has qualified for the Aboriginal Summer Games.
NHL All Stars left town star-struck.
RR Fire Dept. was called to RRHS for a chemical spill after a shelf in a storage room collapsed.
Sioux Lookout wins the RR Rec. Bd. Earlybird Hockey Tourney.
Local men Pat Giles and Jerry Galusha returned from doing relief work in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

December
Town sells Koeneman Lumber building to Marty Kreger who plans to open a business there.
Same four candidates to seek Thunder Bay-Rainy River riding in Jan. 23rd federal election.
RR Fire Dept. will get a new fire truck from Santa! Council approved purchasing a used 2001 truck.
RR Public Library received approval of their Trillium Grant to improve the library and family literacy.
Mark and Mirriam Mast of RR returned from doing mission and relief work in Guatemala.
20 Salvation Army Christmas hampers arrived in RR thanks to the efforts of volunteers Joe Kaliska and Tom Irvine and the staff of MNDM in RR.