May 22, 1958
Page 1 & 12

Locals

Mr. Alfred Coderre of Emo, Ont., wishes to announce the engagement of his eldest daughter, Shirley Marlene, to Mr. Franklin Jack Pierce, son of Mr and Mrs. Charles Pierce of Sioux Lookout, Ont., the wedding to take place on June 14 at Riverview United Church, Atikokan.

*****

Mr and Mrs Revell Blunderfield and their two children, Hancock Blvd., are leaving Atikokan shortly to take up residence in Winnipeg where Mr. Blunderfield will be employed. He has accepted a new post with the insurance firm which he has represented in Atikokan. Mr and Mrs Blunderfield have lived in Atikokan for the past 11 years. For 9 ½ years Mr. Blunderfield was employed at Steep Rock Iron Mines, leaving to go into the insurance business

*****

Mrs. Donald DeBenedet and her two daughters, all from Marathon, Ont., were visiting at the home of Mr and Mrs J. W. Hampton during last week. Arriving Monday, May 12, Mrs. DeBenedet who is a sister of Mrs. Hampton, stayed until Sunday, May 18, when she left by car with her two daughters for her home in Marathon,

*****

OPP constable John Bromilow, formerly stationed in Atikokan now stationed at Emo, Ont., is here visiting for a couple of days with his wife.

*****

OPP Constable J. W. Medland is planning to leave for Toronto Thursday, May 22, for his holidays. He hopes to spend a month at the home of his parents in Toronto, Mr and Mrs P.G. Medland.

*****

Mr and Mrs Ira Melong and daughter, Debbie, arrived last week to visit Ira’s parents, Mr and Mrs Dave Melong, Hancock Blvd. Ira left on Monday for Montreal, where he will make final arrangements to fly to Brussels, Belgium, where he has been transferred by his firm. He expects to be away from six months to a year. As soon as he finds accommodation, he will be joined by his family.

*****

Weekend visitors at the home of Mr and Mrs Dave Wright of Hncock Blvd., were Mrs. Wright’s two brothers and their wives. Mr and Mrs Ted Sanders of Roblin, Man., and Mr and Mrs Jack Sanders of innipeg. they also visited with Mr and Mrs. W. W. Sanders afamily of Maple Crescent.

*****

A surprise baby shower was held at the home of Mr and Mrs Frank Vigh in honour of their infant son Jody John. Many lovely gifts were presented by the following; Mrs. Marie Stamler, Mrs. G. Ringuis, Mrs G. Cox, Mrs. L. Praymayer, Mrs. T. Olson, Mrs F. Stamler, Mrs. D. Dixon, Mrs. R. Hansen and Mrs Jackie.

*****

The Stork Club

To Mr and Mrs Albert DesGagne, May 15, a son Marcel Rodger, 6 lb 2 ¼ oz
To Mr and Mrs Walter Muzyka, May 15, a son Robert Vicky, 7 lb 5 ¼ oz
To Mr and Mrs Meluis King, May 15, a daughter, 3 lb 15 ½ oz
To Mr and Mrs Wilhelm Jackel, May 16, a son 8 lb
To Mr and Mrs Howard Weins, May 16, a son Kimberly Aaron, 9 lb 9 ¼ oz
To Mr and Mrs Arthur LaPlante, May 19, twin girls, 6 lb 2 oz and 6 lb 6 oz
To Mr and Mrs Norman Kipnis, Parral Chih, Mexico, May 10, a son, Christopher Michael, 6 lb 4 oz
To Mr and Mrs William Richards, a boy, 6 lb 13 ½ oz
To Mr and Mrs. James Else, a boy, 7 lb 6 ¼ oz

August 23 1956
Page 5

No Explanation For Wreck….Coroner’s Jury

Fort William – A coroner’s jury inquiring into the death of CNR engineer D. J. Shaw in a two train collision July 31 near Huronian stated Thursday,Aug. 16, there was no explanation for his apparent disregard of stop signals.

Medical evidence indicated the engineer’s death was due to multiple injuries, including a severed aorta (main heart artery) and destruction of the brain.

Shaw was engineer on a west-bound freight which collided with an eastbound ore train in the early morning of July 31. Two other men, R. C. Sturrock, fireman, and D.G. Gray, trainman, were also killed.

Provincial pathologist A. E. Allin testified traces of carbon monoxide were negligible in blood tests of the three deceased. There was no indication of drinking.

The jury’s verdict:

“That D. J. Shaw, the deceased person, came to his death at 3:30 o’clock in the forenoon of July 31, at Huronian, and that death was caused by multiple injuries, a severed aorta and brain destruction suffered when the locomotive on which he was engineer was in collision with another locomotive, when for unexplained (words missing here)

His board went out of order at the time and he heard of the accident 40 minutes later. The collision took place a mile west of the west end siding, derailing four diesel units and 26 cars.

Wilfred Moran, conductor and Eino Ranta, rear trainman on the freight were both in the caboose and neither could see the signals because of a curve in the tracks.

First indication of the accident they received was a sudden jarring. He estimated that the train’s speed at the time at 35 miles per hour, much greater than would ordinarily be called for in the case of a close meet.

Engineer of the eastbound, Joseph Legros, said his train was travelling at 10-15 miles per hour when fireman Donald Johnston drew his attention to the glare of approaching lights as they were rounding a curve west of Huronian.

When trainman George Toderash warned of another train on the main line the engineer set the brakes and all got clear. Legros said he had been prepared to go into the siding at Huronian.

Others testifying included fireman Johnston and trainman Toderash, and provincial police corporals Ken Wilson and Roy George, reasons he apparently went through double red stop signals.”

Nine witnesses were heard by the jury in the inquest conducted by Dr. B. C. Hariman, coroner, and Crown Attorney P.V Ibbetson, Q. C.

CNR dispatcher B. W. Boreyko said lights on the central traffic control board in Port Arthur indicated the west bound freight was approaching Conmee, just west of the Lakehead, when he went on duty at 11 p.m.

He explained lights on the board show where trains are and that levers and code control the signals along the line. The collision trains were about 100 miles apart when Boreyko came on duty he said.

A close meet was scheduled for Huronian, he said, where the westbound freight had double red stop signal on the main line. The eastbound ore train was to go into Huronian siding.

June 7 1956
Page 1

Around The Town
With Dot Berry
Barbara Sumner
Florence Ransome

Garth Mitchell of Leishman’s Pharmacy Limited is attending a course in photography at the Eastman Kodak plant at Rochester N. Y.

*****

A dinner was arranged a the Hotel Steep Rock on Monday,June 4, the occasion being Gladys Edmonston’s birthday.

*****

Mrs. C. Virtue and Joan left Atikokan Wednesday evening for Neepawa, Man., where Mr. And Mrs. C. Virtue will make their permanent home.

*****

Penny Lee Childerhose celebrated her birthday on Saturday, June 2 at the Hotel Steep Rock with eight guests present.

*****

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Sinclair celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary on Wednesday, May 30. They were married in Winnipeg on May 30, 1931 and have made their home in Atikokan for the past six years. They have three children; Mrs. Wm. Harrison of Atikokan; Mrs. G. McTaggart of Fort Frances, and Jim, at home, and two grandchildren. To help celebrate the event about 30 of their friends surprised them with a party and presented them with an outdoor lounging chair and a deck chair to match. The family presented their parents with a gift of silver.

*****

The Stork Club

To Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shane on May 30, a son, Michael James. Wt 8 lb 1 oz

To Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Pollard, June 3, a daughter. Wt. 6 lb 11 ¼ oz

June 7 1956
Page 1

Building Charge Dismissed

A local resident was given “the benefit of the doubt” Friday, June 1, in Atikokan magistrate’s court, and had a charge of violating the building by-laws dismissed.

The man was charged with building a three-room dwelling on the same lot as his house, using a building permit taken out for the erection of a garage.

Building inspector R. B. Mathison testified he issued a building permit to the man for the building of a garage,April 16. He inspected the building April 24 and found the building had not been constructed to allow for double garage doors, and that the interior had been divided into what appeared to be three rooms.

The building measured approximately 20 x 18, while two of the inside partitioned “rooms” measured around 8 x 10, with the third, 10 x 18. He said at the time he inspected the building it could not possibly be used as a garage.

Accused testified he had installed double doors after the date of Mr. Mathison’s visit. All that has been required,he said, was to remove two sheets of plywood and several two-by-fours from the framework of the building.

He said he also intended to build a ramp up to the building, which is constructed on blocks and is raised above ground level, to allow a car to enter. He said it was not meant to be a dwelling and the partition beams had been intended to support the roof.

Magistrate F. C. Cornwall, in dismissing the charge commented that he was giving the man “the benefit of the doubt.” He said the construction of the building was unusual for a garage and suggested the man should have explained any unusual aspects of his building when obtaining the permit.

“It is just this sort of incident that leaves doubt in the minds of the building inspector and the local council as to whether they should issue building permits to the next person that applies,” Mr Cornwall said.

May 17 1956
Page 1

Proposal to Change Dominion Day Draws Rebuff from Atikokan C.o.C.

Can you imagine celebration Christmas on a day other than Dec. 25? Or New Year’s Day being observed on a different date than Jan. 1?

The fact that such changes might occur served as the main reason why the Atikokan Chamber of Commerce decided Thursday evening, May 10, to reject a request from the Three Rivers, Que., Chamber of Commerce for support of a resolution advanced b the Quebec body.

The resolution dealt with Dominion Day, which is observed on July 1. The Three Rivers chamber is seeking support of outside chambers to its resolution that observance of Dominion Day be switched so that the holiday falls on the first Monday closest to July 1. This year, for instance, Dominion Day would be observed on July 2 if the Three Rivers resolution became acceptable to the Federal government.

The Three Rivers chamber, in urging the change, said that Monday is a much more convenient time for a holiday since it helps extend the weekend.

No sooner had the Three Rivers resolution been read than chamber member J.D. Hamer leaped to his feet.

“The practice of making holidays fall on dates to suit our own ends is not good,” remarked Mr. Hamer. “The next thing we know they’ll be wanting to change the dates of Christmas and New Year’s just to make matters more convenient.”

Chamber president J. McTaggart agreed.

“If Dominion Day is going to have any meaning, it should be on July 1,” he said. “Dominion Day has to have a special significance, especially for our new Canadians.”

The chamber unanimously supported a resolution by J. A. Johnston, seconded by Mr. Hamer, that Dominion Day be left the way it is.

May 27 1954
Page 1

Around The Town
with Mrs. Dot Berry
Mrs. Florence Ransome
Mrs. Pam Kipnis

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Roxburgh received a lovely gift from their fellow members of the Goodwill Association on Saturday, May 15 at a dance held at Steep Rock. Bill has accepted a position at Black Lake and they will be making their home in Thetford Mines. Mr. and Mrs. Roxburgh and family will be leaving Atikokan on June 15.

*****

Eighteen ladies surprised Violet Wiens with a miscellaneous baby shower in honour of her new baby, Valerie May, at the home of Mrs. William Bruce on Thursday, May 20. After several amusing games and a presentation of a purse of money, the guests were served a delicious lunch. Hostesses were: Mrs. W. Bruce, Mrs. Phill, Mrs. Maude Robinson and Mrs. Lorretta Machala.

*****

Herb Williams is leaving Atikokan on May 28. He will spend a short time with his parents in Fort Frances before taking a position elsewhere.

*****

Mrs. Elsa Pedersen, who has spent the past year in her native country, Denmark, returned to Atikokan last Sunday. While away Mrs. Pedersen also visited Rome, the Isle of Capri and other European spots.

*****

The Stork Club

To Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Montigny, a son, Philip Eugene, May 20. Weight 7 lbs 13 3/4 oz
To Mr. and Mrs. Wm. May, a daughter, May 25. Weight 7 lbs 5 ½ oz

June 28, 1951
Page 1

Oratorical Honours to Gail Youngberg

Gail Youngberg, speaking on “Our Flag,” captured top honours Thursday, June 21, in the annual oratorical contest sponsored by the Atikokan Women’s Institute.  Second place went to Dane MacCarthy with a talk on British Columbia and third place was won by Michael Reid for a talk on making a model airplane.

Prizes were awarded by Mrs. J. Munn, president of the Women’s Institute.  Thirty-three contestants from Grades Seven and Eight took part in the contest.  Judges were Mrs. R. Macrae, I.J.Kilpatrick and W.R. Waldie.  Vernon Bone and Eddie Chaba were chairmen for the contest.

Honourable mention was given to David Benedict, Sandra Hansen and Beverley LeBarron.

March 10 1955 – Mark Street School Education Week March 10 1955 Page 3 Mark Street School Education Week

Mark Street School Education Week
March 10 1955
Page 3

Mark Street School Education Week

The Atikokan Highway
Janice Cannon, Grade 7

Atikokan is no longer the desolate mining town it was formerly. It is now connected with the Lakehaead by a new highway. This highway was offically opened in August 1954 by Premier Frost. The highway, though not paved, is well constructed and it is hoped that it will be paved in a few years.

Through the opening of our new highway the tourist trade has been further developed, and tourists are enabled to view from their cars the beautiful Canadian countryside, which surrounds Atikokan. Foods are much cheaper now that the highway is through and they can be transported by trucks to Atikokan from the Lakehead. The highway with its reduction in prices, its connection to Port Arthur and the Trans Canada Highway is a great asset to the people of Atikokan.

*****

The Schoolboy Patrols
Theresa Wright, Grade 7

Since Feb. 14 children have been crossing the busiest street corners safely. Why? Before nine in the morning, at noon, and after four the Schoolboy Patrols are on duty. There are eight from each school, numbering sixteen in all, and they work in shifts of four a week. The patrols direct the children across the street safely after the traffic has gone by. The Schoolboy Patrols, on the whole, are doing a great job and service for the community.

*****

School
Don Joskow, Grade 7

Sitting in your desk,
Don’t wait till four.
The teacher won’t let you
Make a break for the door.

Looking so innocent not doing your work,
Behind you each moment
the teacher might lurk.
Teachers are clever, you must be too,
If you don’t watch your step,
they’ll frown at you.
*****

Winter Sports
Pam Adey, Grade 3, Rm. 6

I like skating
The stars are bright
I like going
Every night.
I like skating
It’s so fast
I like skating
But I’m always last.

I like skating
Every day
I like skating
All the way.

I like playing
In the snow
I like playing
You should know.

Sports are nice
They’re healthful too
They’re especially nice
When I’m with you.

*****

Winter Time
Gordon Flatt, Grade 5

Winter is going,
So let’s have some fun.
In the yard when it is snowing,
after our work is done.

Making a snowman is great,
And rolling in the snow,
Having fun before it is too late
Let’s give our pals an outdoor show.

Playing war in snow forts,
And sliding down the hill,
Games of all sorts,
Not a minute to be still.

We know the approaching
season is spring.
The trees will be green,
Not a snowflake will be seen,
We are anxious to hear the birds sing.

*****

Education Week
Cheryl Campbell, Grade 5

Everyday we go to school,
Does your progress make others drool?
Up in the nineties you must go.
Can’t afford to fail you know.
And if you get below fifty every time,
Then it wouldn’t be worth a dime.
I mostly prefer arithmetic,
or spelling, if I could pick,
Now would I take language or physic.

Work as busy as a bee,
Every letter as neat as a Christmas tree,
Early in your work you should strive,
Keep yourself as busy as a hive.

*****

Kittens
Rita Nault, Age 9, Grade 4

I have three little kittens,
One is white with black dots,
One is brown with white spots,
Black and white is the other
And do they get into mischief?
OH BROTHER!

*****

Spring
Jimmy Goodfellow, Grade 4, Rm 8

Spring is on the way,
So we must put away our sleigh
Tulips are sprouting, trees are in bud,
Old man winter had gone out with a thud.

We hike through the woods
and observe with glee,
The babbling brooks and the honey bee.
All the birds and animals are playing about
It’s springtime now they are trying to shout.

*****

Spring
Dianne O’Kronneg, Age 10, Grade 4, Rm 8

Spring is here
Let’s sing our song of cheer,
Robin red breast,
Will soon be making her nest.
The birds are humming
Bees are coming,
Leaves are getting green,
Grass is nearly seen.
Flowers are pushing through the ground,
North wind isn’t making a sound.
Rivers are thawing out,
Birds are flying about
We will be planning our gardens soon
I like to hear the robin’s tune.

*****

The Snow
Corrine Briggs, Age 6, Grade 1, Rm 9

I see the snow
Blow and blow and blow
Where does it go?

*****

Lone Dog
Laurie Cannon, Grade 3, Rm 6

Lone dog, wandering on a cold night
Lone dog, freezing
What a heartbreaking sight.
Lone dog, have you no home
Lone dog, lone dog, oh so alone.

*****

Down on the farm
Nelson Lesack, Grade 3

Down on the farm are many things to see
Down on the farm it’s lots of fun to be
Down on the farm, oh goodness gracious me
Down on the farm is where I want to be.

*****

My Sister Pat
Linda Brewer, Grade 3, Rm 1

I have a little sister whose name is Pat
She was chasing a pussy cat.
She chased it around and around a tree
An now the pussy cat belongs to me.

*****

The Snowflake
Douglas Miller, Grade 3, Rm 1

While watching out my window,
I saw the snowflake fall
Evening came with its shadows
Supper, came my mother’s call.

*****

My Skating Rink
John Samways, Grade 2

One day Mother and I were skating. Just as I came along she fell and hurt her head. Of course she cracked the ice. Then we had to go home.

*****

My Sister
Joann McLeod, Grade 2

I have a real nice sister,
Who is kind and nice to me
I hope she never leaves us
Because she’s nice you see.

*****

The Circus
Maureen Falkner, Grade 2

I love to go to the circus
And watch the funny clown.
I bought a big balloon
And it bobs up and down.

*****

A Little Poem
Jackie Greer, Room 1

My teacher told me to write a poem
On Tuesday night when I go home.
I thought of winter, I thought of spring,
I thought of birds that could sing.
I thought until I was near dead
The mother called out “time for bed”

*****

Skating
Linda Stay, Grade 2

I like to skate upon the ice,
And sing a merry song.
It really is a lot of fun
And we skate hard and long.

*****

My Sister
Vern Hicks, Age 6, Grade 1, Rm 9

We have a new baby girl.
She hasn’t much hair.
She’s cute when she’s asleep.
Her name is Claudia.

*****

My Rabbit
Bobby Danco, Age 6, Grand 1, Rm 9

I have a pet rabbit. He always wants to hop away. He can’t because he’s locked in a cage.

*****

My Dog
David Olchewecki, Age 6, Grade 1, Rm 9

We have a big collie.
He always runs after me.
He bit me once.
My dad hit him but he just sat up and put out his paw.

*****

Spring
Billy Johnston, Grade 4

Spring is coming
The birds will soon be here,
And the snow is melting
For the upcoming year.

The birds, bees, and butterflies
All around the house.
A dog comes out to smell the air
And also a little mouse.

*****

Spring
Erin Harrison, Grade 4

What does spring bring to your mind?
Mother Nature’s very kind,
The leaves come back upon the trees
Flowers, birds and bumble bees.

*****

My Kite
Gladys Hallick, Grade 3

One day I flew my red and yellow kite
It went so far up it went out of sight.
It soared far far across the sky,
Until the string broke and I began to cry.

Jessica Smith

April 19, 2010

Springtime is about a month ahead of schedule, and rapidly warming temperatures may have repercussions on spring spawning and the food supply for animals that have wakened or returned north unseasonably early.

With this spring seeing the warmest water temperatures and earliest ice melt since Atikokan MNR biologist Brian Jackson began monitoring temperatures in the Atikokan River in 1993, the walleye are preparing to spawn before ice would typically be off the lakes. While it may mean good news for opening weekend fishing, because the walleye will have completed spawning and be more active, it may not be as good for this year’s crop of young fry.

“It’s so early, it’s so warm out there, and it’s so unusual, that we’re wondering, ‘How is this going to affect the spawn? Are the males and females going to be ripe at the same time and on the spawning beds at the same time?” said Jackson. The Sportsmen’s Conservation Club has already caught some ripe female Walleye and discovered some eggs late last week, he said.

This year, the ice was off the river March 22 and would typically be gone about April 15 (early to even mid-May on the lakes), and although the ice left only a few days later than this year in 2000, Jackson said the water is warming much more quickly this year, where water temperatures are already averaging about 7°-8°C, compared to the more typical 3°C.

The northern pike, which also spawn in the spring, may have difficulty if the lake levels are low. While walleye and suckers spawn in rocky areas, the pike head to the flooded spring wetland areas to lay eggs, usually on top of the previous year’s vegetation, such as cat tails or flooded grass.

“In years like this where you don’t end up with wetland areas being flooded, they’re having trouble finding places to lay their eggs so they lay them in habitat that is not as good. If they can’t get up [to the wetlands] they lay it in more muddy areas and the eggs tend to suffocate and not nearly as many hatch,” he said.

However, typically a long, warm summer is good for fish health because the younger fish put on more weight and are more robust heading into the winter, he added. If the spawn is successful, there could be a bumper crop like occurred after the early spring of 1998. “We saw a really good, strong year with lots of fish in future years that came from it,” said Jackson.

Bass typically spawn in June when water temperatures are about 15°C, so may also spawn early, while lake trout and white fish  spawn in the fall so those eggs will likely hatch early, provided there is enough there is enough moisture in the spawning areas.

The opening of walleye fishing season this year (mid-May) should be a marked difference from recent springs where the lake ice melted quite close to the open of the season and the fish were either in the midst of, or just finished, spawning and were sluggish and close to the spawning areas because temperatures were still cool.

Wildlife

And fish aren’t the only ones a little confused this spring. Some wildlife, vegetation and insects are governed by daylight hours and others by temperature, “so some things are reacting to the temperature, and others are not reacting as fast as the temperature change, for instance, the food supply.” So while some birds have returned early to nest because it is so warm, “the insects they need to feed their young aren’t responding as fast,” said Jackson. “The two things that drive annual events are temperature and partly daylight.” (Swallows for example, are “keyed into” daylight and show up on pretty much the same day each spring, regardless of temperature.)

Black bears are governed by temperatures, so while they emerged from hibernation last month they are now suffering from a time lag while their food supply (grasses and other vegetation) hasn’t greened up as fast.

Warm temperatures are also likely to cause heat stress on gestating moose and could affect calf mortality, a problem that has already been a concern in this area, said Jackson. “The cow has to carry the calf for a certain gestation period, but all of a sudden it warms up and they don’t want to walk around as much or feed because it’s hotter, yet they still have their winter coats on.”

MNR studies in recent years have shown declining moose populations in this part of the province including Quetico Park, he said.

April 12, 2010

Mike McKinnon

Seven young women will participate in the second edition of the Miss Mudfling pageant.

Well-received last year, the Miss Mudfling event added an extra fun element to the weekend 4×4 drag races. Cathy Barnard, Amber Hayes and Barb Jackson are organizing the competition this year.

The participants are all grade 10, 11 and 12 students at AHS, and all heard favourable reviews from last year’s crew of 12 participants.

Like last year, the event will kick off with a popular vote, which will  be small factor in the list of judging criteria. (To vote, fill out the ballot in today’s paper (page 5 – copies are not acceptable) and drop it off at Home Hardware, Carrie’s Corner, D&L Grocery or White Otter Inn.)

There first task as contestants was to come up with a slogan for this year’s event. Chelsea Thorson’s creation – ‘Go DIG or go home’ – has gotten the nod in that department. You’ll be seeing that with all the advertising and promotion for the August 7-8 Mudfling.

Other tasks they must complete include four hours of volunteer service with a senior (not a relative), attendance at the June 5 Mudfling fund-raising dance “creatively dressed [as] the ideal Miss Atikokan Mudfling” complete with sash, selling 30 dance tickets (15 for the fund-raiser, 15 for the Mudfling weekend dance), and decoration of a Mudfling flatbed trailer that will be used (beginning July 2) to promote the Mudfling.

Finally, the participants will be involved in the Mudfling itself; winners will be announced on the Saturday of the big event, and Miss Mudfling and the two runners-up will present the driver trophies on Sunday.

• Haylee Foy – If there’s no mud flyin’, you better keep tryin’!

This Grade 11 student works at the Newstand. She thoroughly enjoyed designing a 20-page rap magazine as a school project, and that has her interested in graphic/website design as a career. She’s played on the school volleyball and basketball teams (and Atikokan Ringette for a couple of seasons), and is very busy this year with Outers. She’s active at Faith Lutheran Church, where she teaches Sunday School and was involved in the Vacation Bible School.

She likes the Atikokan Mudfling – but they’re not her first. “When I was a kid, I was living in Valley View, Alberta, and we regularly went to the local mudflings there,” she says

• Chelsea Thorson – Go DIG or go home!

Chelsea is a grade 12 student, who has been accepted into Lakehead University’s science program and is considering nursing as a career. The wilderness First Aid and CPR courses she took for Outers last year encouraged her interest in that area (teaching is also a possibility for this honour roll student).

Over the past few years she has volunteered with the TD-Canada Trust Green and Clean program, the Terry Fox Run, and as a ringette scorekeeper. She works summers at Quetico North, and is also an avid athlete (volleyball, basketball, soccer) and outdoors person (hunting, fishing, camping and four-wheeling).

• Riley Lesnick Boyd – If it ain’t runnin’, It ain’t muddin’!

This grade 12 student is headed into the Canadian Forces; she will start with the Reserves come September, when she turns 18. Riley was in the Air Cadets here for four years, and is keen on everything military, from the travel to the skills, hardware and camaraderie.

You may know her from the pool, where she is a regular lifeguard (she has NLS lifeguard designation, Bronze Medallion and Cross certificates, and all levels of CPR) and lesson instructor. Riley is also an animal lover (she has three dogs) and has volunteered at, and worked for, the Thunder Bay Humane Society.

• Allysa McEvoy – Call up a buddy. Let’s start getting’ muddy

Another honour roll student (grade 10), Allyssa is considering engineering as a career. She’s already got a good deal of hands-on experience: she built a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower engine, an exercise that fascinated here and came “pretty naturally”. She’s very comfortable in the auto shop, and is just now working on getting her licence (she turned 16 in January).

She’s also keen about Guitar Hero, enjoys gardening, and likes to help out where she can.

• Dakota Jordan – Jack it up! Rev it up! Mudd it up!

Not the youngest participant (she turned 16 March 27, two days before Taylor Veran), Dakota is a grade 10 student and another athlete. She was a leader on the junior basketball and volleyball teams this season, and attended the Legion’s Peace Gardens sports camp. She is working getting her NLS lifeguard papers (she already has her Bronze Cross).

Dakota says she’s a bit of an “outdoor freak” who even enjoyed some recent service time brushing trails. She’s always enjoyed going to ‘the bogs’, and participating in Miss Mudfling is a nice way of doing that.

• Taylor Veran – A Little Dirt Don’t Hurt

Taylor, a grade 10 student, is a lover of animals, both big ones (she has lots of riding experience) and little ones (her dog, Wiggles). She lists veterinarian as a career goal.

Last summer she worked at the ANFC, where she was involved in the kids’ programs and “cooked a lot of fish!”. She also volunteered at the Bass Classic, and has also served the Sno-Ho Club and Atikokan Community Fellowship. Taylor’s list of favourite activities includes badminton, skiing, and camping.

• Allyson Durand – If it ain’t flyin’, you ain’t tryin’!

Alyson’s AHS days are coming to a close this year, and she’s planning on the culinary arts program at Confederation College. Part of her interest in food preparation came from a stint as a co-op student in the kitchen at AHS.

Like all these young women, she leads a hectic extra-curricular life: sports (ringette, basketball and volleyball), Air Cadets (four years), and St. Pat’s Church choir. Her summers have always included a camp experience or two – she’s been to the Peace Garden camp three times, a couple of ringette camps and Air Cadet camps.

“I’m very much an outdoor girl,” she says – and that includes fishing, hiking, kayaking and waterskiing