The season of "Hope" is upon us

The first Christmas lights sparkled to life on our street last Sunday evening. Circling around the branches of the trees in the yard, the bright white miniature lights marked the beginning of the Christmas Season.
Television ratings noted that Canadians were watching the results of the US election in numbers as great as they watched the Canadian election. Polls had noted that if Canadians had voted in the US presidential election, over 80% would have chosen Barack Obama.
Obama’s campaign of “Hope” has inspired people around the world. In a time of world wide economic turmoil and growing unemployment, his campaign and his stature and style have lifted the spirit of not only Americans but people in all nations. He has given everyone a reason to hope.
Adversity does give hope. Turmoil does provide opportunities.
Christmas has always provided hope.
Walking along Scott Street, many of the stores had already converted to a Christmas décor. Wal-Mart was playing Christmas music in the store. Even at the last day of the “Farmer’s Market” traditional “Christmas Cake” was being offered for sale.
The Legion Auxiliary held their annual pre-Remembrance Day tea and bake sale. Signs of Christmas are everywhere.
In many of the communities surrounding us, much of the economy does not look good. Paper mills and sawmills have been shuttered waiting for a revival of the American economy. Some paper mills have closed for good. Wood harvesting has declined.
The loud blasts of steam being released last week announced the pressure testing of the new boiler in Fort Frances. The blue exterior walls of the plant are being finished. The number of construction workers on the project continues to draw down. The plant should begin operation in January, which will reduce the costs of producing paper in Fort Frances. The investment by AbitibiBowater gives us reason to cheer for the future of our community and district.
The optimism of retailers remains strong. Just walk through the stores and you will discover the racks and shelves are full. With the change in the relationship of the Canadian Dollar to its US counterpart, many are seeing shoppers back into the stores. September and October have been two strong months.
The Fort Frances Santa Claus parade is set to go on November 29, Holly Days in Emo fall on that weekend and Rainy River’s Parade of Lights is the following weekend.
The season of hope is here.

–Jim Cumming,
Publisher