Welcome wagon holds first event

By Jack Elliott Correspondent A Welcome to Rainy River social was held on Friday evening, Oct 26, at 7:00 pm at the Rainy River Activity Depot. A mix of about two dozen residents, both long term and ‘Recently Returned’ got to know each other better along with the services available in the community. This evening was the first of several steps activities planned by the Welcome to Rainy River Committee. Mayor Debbie Ewald, Rainy River Legion President, Gerry Marchuk, Chamber of Commerce President, Susan Carpenter and Welcome to Rainy River chair, Marilyn McAlister, welcomed the guests. Recently Returned residents George and Carol Pratt have purchased a home along the Rainy and expressed their pleasure at again being part of the community after several years absence summering at the lake and wintering in the southern U.S. “We are glad to be back home and look forward to a winter of curling,” enthused Carol, recounting their earlier long time residence in the community. “I think Rainy River will see big changes in the coming years,” she added, relating her conversations with other former and perhaps future residents of the area and their desire to escape from the general pressures and explosive housing costs being experienced in many urban and industrial centres. Jessie Bodarchuk, who with husband John relocated to Dawson Township from Fort Frances a couple years back, welcomed the opportunity to meet other residents. “It’s easy to assume you know everyone in a small community,” she reflected, but appreciated this sort of gathering to help get a better knowledge of the community and its residents.