Group to welcome newcomers to RR

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

One of the recent off shoots of Rainy River’s Strategic Planning process is the Welcome to Rainy River group. Currently composed of Marilyn McAlister, chair, Jeannette Armstrong, Norma Elliott, and Lou Ricci, the group is hosting a social for those folks who have moved into the community over the past couple of years.
Quite a number of new residents have moved to Rainy River recently with a quick count listing over two dozen homes with new owners over the last two years. In a small community like Rainy River it is easy to assume everyone knows everyone and every service available, but in fact some of our best community attributes are also amongst our best-kept secrets. Welcome To Rainy River will do their best to detail the fine points of the community.
“Welcome to Rainy River is open to anyone,” states McAlister, encouraging other community citizens to join and help support the work of the group.
“We want to help our local businesses and organizations welcome new residents,” she added, detailing the group’s plans to participate in providing ‘Welcome Baskets’ to future newcomers. These baskets will contain not only information packages on the Town, businesses and services offered, but also a selection of gifts that may include some merchandise or coupons from Rainy’s commercial sector.
Welcome to Rainy River will be working with the Town and Chamber of Commerce as well as canvassing local establishments for any items they would like to contribute, plus suggestions on how to enhance the program.
If you want to help with Welcome to Rainy River please contact Marilyn McAlister at 807-852-3979. Or if you would like your business card included in the Welcome packages, please leave a supply of them for Marilyn at the Town office.
The Welcome to Rainy River social is being held on Friday evening, Oct 26, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Rainy River Activity Depot. Invitations are in the mail and we look forward to meeting our recently new neighbours there states McAlister.