Upcoming Events in Fort Frances...

Join us for the 2nd Harmony of Nations Music Festival happening next week in Fort Frances under the big tent at the Sorting Gap Marina, July 17th & 18th.  Visit www.harmonyofnations.ca for more information and details.

Then following the Festival, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship will be held July 23-25th at the same location. Visit www.canadianbass.com for more information... 

Quest for the Best - July 23 - Sorting Gap Marina, under the Events Tent
in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship.  Visit www.fortfranceschamber.com or call 274-5773 for more information

FORT FRANCES VS DRYDEN !!! REMEMBER TO VOTE LOTS !!!!!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE

CLICK THIS LINK TO VOTE!!!

http://www.kraftcelebrationtour.ca/en/

FREE Customer Service Workshop

FF Chamber is moving....

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce is relocating its office to the second floor of the Northern Lights Credit Union building.

The opening date for the new location is September 1, 2012.  If you need to contact the Chamber in the meantime, you can do so at 807-274-5773 and leave a message as staff are in and out of the office during the course of moving to the new location.

Fort Frances Photo Blog

Fort Frances now has a Photo Blog. Click on the link below to visit and check out the wonderful pictures of Fort Frances.  Each photo has a brief description...


http://fortfrancesontariocanada.blogspot.ca/  


If you would like to share your photos of Fort Frances... send them to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce via email


thefort@fortfranceschamber.com

Quest for the Best - July 26th !!!

Jessica Whalen at Quest for the Best
Photo courtesy of FF Times

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce and 93.1 The Border, in conjunction with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, announce that Quest for the Best will held on July 26th, at 7:30 pm, in the Fort Frances Memorial Arena.

Both organizations are proud to provide a venue to showcase the best performers that the Rainy River District has to offer. The live music and song styling's of Quest participants are sure to provide an evening of entertainment that the entire family can enjoy.  And, back by popular demand, will the VIP section which will be bigger and better than ever!

Singers.... warm up your vocal cords, find a song to share, and get ready for Quest for the Best.

Tickets for this year's Quest are on sale now at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce office or Canadian Tire.  Get yours now for only $15 each or a VIP table that seats 8 persons right up front, with drink service and snacks.  The cost for VIP seating is $180 per table.  To book your VIP table, call the Chamber office at 807.274.5773

For more information please contact Sarah Hallikas at the Chamber Office 807-274-5773 or email info@fortfranceschamber.com

See you at QUEST FOR THE BEST !!!

Home Show 2012

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Annual Home & Leisure Show will be held this weekend at the Fort Frances Memorial Sports Centre.

Friday, May 11th ~ 4pm - 9pm
Saturday, May 12th ~ 9am - 4pm

The Strongman Competition will also be held at the event...

Volunteers Needed....

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Business Awards

By Duane Hicks/Fort Frances Times Ltd.
http://www.fftimes.com/node/249426

Gillons’ Insurance was named Business of the Year (16+ employees) during the 16th-annual Bell Business Awards banquet last night at the Adventure Inn.  Also nominated for that award were Ainsworth, Fort Frances Times, and Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc.

Betty’s of Fort Frances, meanwhile, captured the Business of the Year award (1-15 employees).  Other nominees for that honour included:  Chown and Botsford Dentistry, Emo Feed Service, Lakeland Personnel, Simplicity Professional Hair and Body Care, and The UPS Store.

Jeff Savage of BDO Canada LP was named Employee of the Year.  The others nominees were Brenda Allan (CIBC), Anne-Marie Armstrong (Métis Nation of Ontario), Heather DeGagne (Shoppers Drug Mart), Duane Hicks (Fort Frances Times), Judy Kielczewski (Betty’s), Tana Mann (CIBC), and Linda Meadwell (93.1 The Border).  This year’s Business Woman of the Year Award went to Erin Wood of Simplicity Professional Hair and Body Care.

Also in the running were Shanda DeGagne-Begin (Leon DeGagne Ltd.), Lillian Gerley (The UPS Store), Lisa Jodoin (Scentsy), Kathy Judson (Re/Max Realty), and Cecile Lavigne (Squeek E Kleen).

Nick Beyak of Sunset Country Ford Sales Ltd. was named Entrepreneur of the Year.  The other nominees included Dean Bethune and Todd Bruyere (Saulteaux Consulting & Engineering), Travis Glowasky (Studio Gibbous), Dawn Gustafson (LifeTime Smiles Preventive Oral Health Care), Naicatchewenin Development Corp., and Erin Wood (Simplicity Professional Hair and Body Care).

Gaby Hanzuk (Special Olympics) was honoured with the Tony Beyak Memorial Volunteer of the Year Award.  Chad Canfield, Rochelle Mosbeck, and Joelle Paull were the other nominees.

The Customer Service Award (Individual) was presented to Laurie Webb-Brown of Tim Hortons.  Also nominated were: Andrea Avis (Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre), Nisa Blase (Dairy Queen), Krista Kellar (Citi Financial), Steve Lenart (Bell Alliant), Sandra McNay (Masquerade Rentals), and John Pierce (Fort Frances Times).

The Fort Frances Dental Centre, meanwhile, was honoured with the Customer Service Award (Business) over Boston Pizza, Sunset Country Ford Sales Ltd., and Webb’s Wholesale.

The Safety Award (Business or Individual) went to the Town of Fort Frances over Leon DeGagne Ltd. and Lakewood Tire.

The Town of Fort Frances Accessibility Award was granted to Riverside Health Care Facilities, Inc. over the Rainy River District School Board.

The Small Business Trainer of the Year Award went to M.L. Caron Electric.  Other nominees in that category were ACO Electric, Ryan Mason Contracting, Rusty Myers Flying Service, and World of Water.

 SKS Unlimited (Steve Sinclair) took home the Home-Based Business Award, which was given out for the first time this year.  Also nominated for that award were: It’s All in the Details (Stephanie Logan), Inga Design (Inga Friesen), Kirtsy’s Intergalactic Daycare Service (Kirsty Sinclair), Scentsy (Connie Hendrickson), and Scentsy (Lisa Jodoin).

In addition, Tannis Drysdale was honoured with the James Paul Award was this year.  This is a rare award, which is given to individuals or businesses for their outstanding contribution and years of dedication to the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce.

More than 150 people attended the gala, which was emceed by Dr. Bruce Lidkea of Lidkea Optometry, the 2011 Business of the Year (1-15 employees).

Dave Ashworth, of Musik by Dave, provided musical entertainment, including a song about event sponsors sung to the tune of Dr. Hook’s “The Cover of the Rolling Stone.”

Simeon Nussbaumer, manager of field services for Bell Alliant, also shared a few words of support for the annual event.

So You Think You Can Cook?

Get Your Soup On !!!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
11:30 am to 2:00 pm
Royal Canadian Legion
Branch 29 Fort Frances



Sponsored by: Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce - Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre - Riverside Healthcare Facilities Inc. - Valley Diabetes Education Centre.


SOUP RULES:

1. Soup must be precooked and include 3 of the 4 food groups.
   (Canada's Food Guide Food Groups: Vegetables and Fruit, Grain Products, Milk & Alternatives, Meat & Alternatives)
   
2. You must provide 4 gallons of soup.
   
3. Food Safety as per Northwestern Health Unit regulations:
   Soup must be prepared in an inspected kitchen (contact Brian Norris, Public Health Inspector if you have specific questions... (807) 274-9827.
   The venue will be available March 27th, if you do not have access to an inspected kitchen.
   
4. Burners will be provided to all chefs.
   
5. Set up:  Wednesday, March 28 starting at 9:00 a.m., must be ready by 11:15 a.m.
6. Ladles, bowls, spoons, buns, and beverages will be provided.
   
7. Complete and submit the registration form by March 16th to participate.

Register soon.... Limited Space!!!

Registration Form:
Name:
Organization:
Phone #:
E-Mail:
Soup Name:


Submit by email or fax to:
Email: t.wood@rhcf.on.ca
Fax: (807) 274-4838

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING !!!

***The proceeds from this event will be donated to local Food Banks***

Nutrition information has never been more accessible that right now; millions of Canadians have ready and easy access to the Internet and other forms of social media.  But not all the information is credible; myths and misinformation abound.  Nutrition Month 2012 is dedicated to busting up popular food and nutrition myths by bringing truths to Canadians from dietitians, the food and nutrition experts.

16th Annual Business Awards

Photo Courtesy of FF Times

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce's 16th Annual Business Awards Banquet, sponsored by Bell Canada, will be held on Thursday, February 23rd, 2012 at the Adventure Inn in Fort Frances.  Cocktails are to start at 6 pm, with dinner to follow at 6:30 pm.  Tickets are available at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce office and the Rainy River Future Development office, and cost $45 each.

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will recognize businesses, organizations and individuals for outstanding business achievement and the contributions made to the economic growth and prosperity of the Rainy River District.  Any business in the Rainy River District is eligible to be nominated.

Categories and Sponsors are as follows:

Business of the Year 1-15 Employees (Bell)
Business of the Year 16+ Employees (Bell)
Presented to a business who demonstrates a continued passion for excellence, shows growth and profitability and acts as a role model for other businesses.


Employee of the Year (The Westend Weekly)
Presented to an employee who shows outstanding merit in the performance of their duties and who exhibits a positive and supportive attitude both within their workplace and outside the workplace while representing their company.


Business Woman of the Year (Business Women's Network)
Pesented to business or professional woman from the Rainy River District who is committed to the growth and development of themselves, their business and the community.


Entrepreneur of the Year (Rainy River Future Development Corporation)
Presented to an entrepreneur who has demonstrated innovation, vision, and business growth.  The nominee may have founded a business, purchased an existing one and turned it around, or diversified a business.  The nominees must have been established in the Rainy River District for at least one year.


Home Based Business (ML Caron Electric)
This award honours a home operated business that consistently shows excellence and quality.  They will have established strong relationships with their customers and conduct their business as a business, not a hobby, and operate the business as a primary or secondary source of income.  They must have been in business for a least one year and show potential for future growth.


Customer Service Award Business (TD Bank)
Customer Service Award Individual (Good Impressions Printing)
Presented to a business and individual who has raised customer service to new standards of excellence by consistently providing high-quality customer services and continually exceeding customer expectations.


Volunteer of the Year/Tony Beyak Memorial (Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce)
Presented to an individual who has volunteered their time, efforts, knowledge or resources to the quality of life in the Rainy River District.  This award will recognize extraordinary leadership, innovation, and creativity.  The nominee must have provided significant support to the volunteer activities of the community. (Nominations must include a detailed explanation of experience, volunteer groups, clubs, and associations belonged to, duration for each, and reasoning for the nomination).


Safety Award Business or Individual (Ainsworth)
Recipients must have demonstrated a noticeable difference in safety performance either in the workplace or in the community; and an active commitment to, and participant in improving safety, either in the workplace, in the community, or both.


Small Business Trainer of the Year (NCDS)
Presented to a business of 15 employees or less, who consistently hires unskilled or under skilled workers, who mentor and provide work oriented education and training or apprenticeship opportunities to their employees.


Accessibility Award
This award serves to recognize outstanding accomplishments and efforts made to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities within Fort Frances and to recognize initiatives that serve to reduce barriers, both social and physical, for people with disabilities.


Accessibility Awareness
An individual, group or business that has demonstrated an ability to promote the awareness of accessibility in the community.


Architechural Improvement to Accessibility
An organization, group or business that has removed barriers that prevent people form using their services through renovation, improvement, etc.


Volunteer Access
An individual, group, or business that demonstrates and promotes the volunteer contributions of people with disabilities.


Community Access (Town of Fort Frances)
An individual, group, or business that demonstrates and promotes the inclusion of people with disabilities in leisure, recreational services, as learners or in the workplace.

Rainy River Resources Luncheon

Representatives from Rainy River Resources spoke to a crowd of approximately 40 people at the Adventure Inn during a mining luncheon that was sponsored by the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Fort Frances, and the Rainy River Future Development Corporation.



The meeting, which was open to all business, both members and non-members, featured Kyle Stanfield (P. Eng., Director of Enviroment and Sustainability) and Garrett MacDonald, (MBA, P. Eng., Vice-President, Operations), Rainy River Resources, who gave presentations on an overview of the project and their recent assessment results. 

http://www.rainyriverresources.com/

Rainy River Resources Luncheon

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Fort Frances is hosting a luncheon on December 12, 2011 at the Adventure Inn from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Luncheon is open to all businesses, both chamber members and non – Chamber members.

The meeting will feature Kyle Stanfield (P.Eng., Director of Environment and Sustainability) and Garett Macdonald, (MBA, P.Eng., Vice President, Operations) from Rainy River Resources, who will give a presentation on an overview of the project and their recent assessment results.

The Luncheon with Rainy River Resources is open to all businesses, both members and nonmembers.

Cost to attend, which includes appetizers, is $18 for members and $20 for nonmembers.  If you are interested in attending you must RSVP by December 8, 2011, for more information please contact Chamber Manager Anthony Mason at 274-5773. 

Fort Frances Chamber AGM

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual general membership meeting Thursday, Dec. 1 from 4-6:30 p.m. at La Place Rendez-Vous.   It is open to all businesses, both Chamber members and non-Chamber members.

The meeting will feature a guest speaker from Osisko Mining, who will give an overview of the project and seek feedback/comments.

The meeting also will include a financial report and message from Chamber president Mark Caron.
Appetizers will be served, and there is no cost to attend as the Town of Fort Frances and Rainy River Future Development Corp. are sponsoring the event.

If you are interested in attending, contact Anthony Mason at 274-5773 by Friday (Nov. 25).

54th Annual Parade of Lights

The 54th Annual Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, November 26th, 2011 downtown Scott Street, Fort Frances commencing at 4:30 pm.

The theme for this year’s parade is “A Festival of Trees,” with individuals and groups encouraged to enter floats.

Prizes will be awarded for best church or school group ($75), best non-profit organization ($75), best business ($75), best recreational ($75), and best decorated individual ($25).

The parade will start on the 800 block of Scott Street, near the Memorial Sports Centre, and proceed west down Scott Street before disbanding at Mowat Avenue.   The parade lineup will start at 3 p.m., with float judging starting at 3:45.  The parade then will get rolling ay 4:30 p.m. sharp.

The local Salvation Army will be collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations, so parade-goers are encouraged to be generous. In addition, Canada Post once again will be collecting children’s letters to Santa.

2011 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship

The 2011 Fort Frances Canadian Bass Tournament kicks off this week with competition starting on Thursday and running through to Saturday.

In the event this year, are 102 teams who are vying for approximately $103,000 dollars in prize money.

On Wednesday, the annual Parade of Boats will start at 5 pm from the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau, and proceed down Scott Street towards the Memorial Sports Centre.  Later that evening, the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce’s “Quest for the Best” singing competition will start at 7 p.m. and will have new and returning contestants singing their way to win the grand prize of $1000.

Competition then starts early Thursday morning with boat launches starting at 5 am, and weigh-ins starting at 3 pm.  This will continue through to Friday and Saturday.  Angler awards presentation will be held on Saturday night at 7 pm… where this year’s Champions will be crowned.  Again, this year, the event is being held at the Fort Frances Memorial Sports Centre, Ice for Kids arena.

During the 3-day competition, there will be supper meals catered as follows:

Thursday………… “Chicken n Ribs” dinner by Todd Moxham of Cater 2 U for $13

Friday……………. “Flopping Fresh Fish” dinner by the Fort Frances Lakers for $13

Saturday………… “Steak Fry” by the Kiwansis Club of Fort Frances for $15

The Entertainment lineup for the weekend is:

Friday…………….Kartune Kriminals and Bed of Roses starting at 9 pm (age of majority)

Saturday…………Thinking of Pinky starting at 9 pm (age of majority)

For more information, visit www.canadianbass.com

Good Luck to all Anglers in this year’s competition!

Quest for the Best - July 20th

Quest for the Best organizers have taken out all the stops in their advertising campaign this year. Far beyond the usual newspaper and radio advertisements, ‘live’ advertising is new to the line-up. On Thursday, July 14, Quest for the Best had a table set up at the weekly Market Thursday to sell tickets for the upcoming July 20^th show. Not only did passers-by get to peruse the wonderful produce, art, jewelry, and crafts that are available downtown every Thursday, all of Scott Street was treated to a free day-long concert, featuring the talented locals that will be competing in this year’s Quest for the Best.

Throughout the day, competitors stopped by the market and sang several of their favourite songs, on a sound system donated for the day by Sight & Sound. Some of the contestants even brought their own guitars and played their whole set.

To find out more about this year’s competitors, check the display window at Betty’s of Fort Frances on Scott Street. It features all of this year’s contestants, and info on their musical background.

Tickets to this year’s Quest are $15, and are available at Canadian Tire, Betty’s, and the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce. VIP tables are also available.

For more information, contact:

Anthony Mason

Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce

(807)-274-5773

thefort@fortfranceschamber.com