Rainy River Record

The Annual Rainy River Christmas Extravaganza, run by the Best Start Hub and Recreation Board, had plenty of fun things to do at the Rec. Centre Saturday!

Jonathan Jonassen was one of the many who enjoyed the Riverview Elementry School Tea on Friday. He is seen here enjoying some cheesecake!

Hundreds attended the Rainy River Hospital Auxiliary Christmas bazaar this past Sunday in Rainy River. Many enjoyed tea and goodies and some were even lucky enough to win a prize or two! Above, Aux. member Bev Langner, left, sells Vivian Hartnell a ticket on a gift basket.

Baby Blake Hancharyk was busy teaching kids like Brody Johnson, right, about empathy Monday as part of the Roots of Empathy Program.

Justin Wagner, the new Rainy River Youth Recreation Programmer, will take families and groups of kids out on bird walks in and around Rainy River. As part of a grant the Library and Rec. Bd. received they purchased the contents for bird watching kits seen here. A check list of local birds, binoculars, a bird guide and fandexes for easy identification of birds. The bird walks and borrowing of the kits are absolutely free of charge. Call Justin at 852-4446 for more information or to book a bird walk.

Last week Pam Ivall donated this massive jar of pennies to the Locum House project. Nurse Practioner Nicole Therrien said that they have raised over a $1,000 in donated pennies thus far. Ivall's jar is estimated to have 16,000 pennies, or $160 in it. It weighs about 102 lbs. at this point and Therrien said she hopes the public will help fill it right up. It is on display at the RR clinic where people can add their contributions during weekdays.

Work to clean up the CN Hotel site began last week. Crews had to contend with a great deal of rubble and several feet of water/sewage in the basement, as they loaded up the former hotel and hauled it away. The 100+ year old business burned down on Sept. 10th. A cause for the fire was never determined.

Sturgeon Creek School student Morgan Gibson received some lessons on how to deliver a rock from former men's world curling champ Reid Carruthers during a clinic at the Stratton Curling Club on Thursday afternoon. Carruthers, who plays second for Jeff Stoughton's rink, was joined by two-time Canadian junior curling champ Kaitlyn Lawes as they gave pointers to curlers of all skill levels and ages over the course of the day.
--Lucas Punkari photo

The Rainy River High School Senior Girls Owls basketball team defeated Marathon twice (55-29 and 39-20) on Thursday to win the NWOSAA title and earn a trip to the All Ontarios in Chatham, Ont. this week! Back row, l. to r., Victoria Clifford, Jessica Haw, Emily Whetzel, Myan Miller, Maria Vandenbrand and Coach Rebecca Tolen. Fr. row, l. to r., Hailey Desserre, Shauna Moen, Skylar Arpin and Megan Armstrong.

Local Red Hat Society members Dawn Jarvis and Linda Budreau escorted OPP Commissioner and keynote speaker Chris Lewis to and from the podium Friday evening during the “Hats Off to Seniors” gala at