6 - NORTH STAR ◆ Wednesday March 30, 2005 Business Expansion and Retention Team gearing up to attract new and old customers to area businesses again this summer

BY SARAH BISSONETTE nesses before the Vic- brochure is being made However, there’s no doubt that empty open by mid-summer. North Star Staff toria Day long week- available with dates, stores, whether along James Street or Mr. Cardy said the while mall retail- end, May 21 to 23. locations and other per- in the Parry Sound Mall, is not good for ers say they haven’t felt the affects of PARRY SOUND – The Parry Sound Upwards of two sem- tinent information for other businesses operating in the vicin- empty stores yet, it could put a damper Business Retention and Expansion inars will be held for visitors and others. ity. That is because people are less on business. Team (BRET) is gearing up for a busy employees at the Parry “A nyone coming likely to shop where there is less choice. Although BRET’s mandate is to keep business season by continuing on with Sound High School, on through Town, or Since the New Year, three corporate and expand businesses here by bringing the tactics that have been successfully a voluntary participa- through the Town office businesses closed its doors in the mall - in new and repeat customers - not nec- creating repeat customers. tion basis, with or Chamber, can get the Saan department store, Joggers and essarily to bring in new businesses as “Hopefully, we will see an increase in another two slated for information,” said Mr. Next Step, a shoe store. such - Mr. Cardy said his team would be tourists this summer, an increase in the business people. Cardy. While Mr. Cardy is in negotiations willing to help new businesses with boating public and the camping public,” “The reason it is One event planned with three potential new businesses to things like explaining the area’s demo- said BRET chair Bob Cardy, adding that being done in May for this summer is the fill the space, only one new store may be graphics. business have also been taking cus- before the long week- Day celebra- tomer care seminars. end, is so a businesses BRET chair Bob Cardy. tions on July 1. Notice “If people have a happy experience in summer staff can be trained in cus- of those events, including local busi- a town, then they will come back. I think tomer service at no cost to anyone,” said nesses hours of operation, will not only Remote Control club hosting that has paid dividends over the last few Mr. Cardy. be advertised locally, but on the radio in years. We have been getting more The seminar leader has not yet been Muskoka as well. repeat customers.” chosen, but there is some discussion On James Street, there will be events another fun night on April 9 with Canadore College to fill the role. mainly for children, while other events Training seminars Seminar leaders can be funded by for all ages will also take place, includ- BY EVELYN MOORE The first step for a successful sum- business associations in the area includ- ing fireworks. On Easter weekend we had warm, mer, regardless if it is sunny or rainy, is ing the Parry Sound Chamber of Com- BRET has also renewed its partner- News from sunny weather. It was just perfect for all getting customer service workers ready merce, the Community Business and ship with Country to the travellers and all the church activi- for the season. Development Centre and the Downtown advertise in Ports Magazine, and other ties. BRET will hold a minimum of four Business Association. publications, to help spark people’s McKELLAR customer-care seminars for local busi- To help attract people here an events interest in the region. The next Remote Control fun night is at the McKellar Community Centre on Monday, April 9, starting at 7 p.m. at 12 noon, followed at 12:45 p.m. with euchre and carpet bowling. Euchre win- Country jam sessions are back on Tuesday Saturday cards ners on March 24 were as follows: Gene Cards are played every Saturday Francis; George Heatherington; and for $10, just give Louise a call at 389 was extremely cold and snowy, a good night at the Near North Club House. Greta Bennett. 2478. time was had by all. The results for last week are: high lady, Colin Thomas won for most lone News from Also if you would like to donate any Jean Hayward would like to express Barb Savile; low lady, Karen Thompson; hands. Carpet bowling winners were good quality clothing, you may bring it her sincere thanks to all who have sent high man, Frank Wager; low man, Maria Fedcchak, David Stuart, Vivian to the hall any Tuesday between 9:30 cards, flowers and gifts during her Archie McMurphy. Lone hand, Frank Smith and Margaret Hutchinson. WHITESTONE a.m. and 2 p.m. recent illness. Jean is feeling much bet- Wager and the 50/50 draw winner was The Sunshine Club will be hosting a Joanie and Jim Riply along with Carl ter and getting stronger each day. also Frank Wager. regular euchre tournament and silent & ARDBEG and Marsha Murphy went on a two-day Food for Thought: No one ceased auction at the Community Centre on snowmobile trip up to the North Chan- scaling the ladder of success for lack of Wilf Crawford remembered April 21, starting at 10 a.m. The cost is $8 nel a couple of weeks ago. Although it another rung. Sympathy of the community goes out and includes lunch. Everyone is wel- BY DOT ELLIOTT AND LOUISE WOODS to Wilf Crawford, who passed away at come. home on Friday, March 25 after a Please confirm attendance by April 14 While the snow is slowly disappear- lengthy illness. by calling Allan at 774-9213 or Margaret ing, and most are happy to see the end March snowmobile mishaps The potluck supper and the presen- at 389-1264. of winter, it has been a wonderful sea- tation of the trip to Sri Lanka will be son of snowmobiling and our trails have BY SARAH BISSONETTE Georgian Bay when he hit a pressure held at the McKellar Community Centre New members welcome been groomed regularly and kept in tip- North Star Staff crack on Byng Inlet, south of Geroux on Sunday, April 3. The supper is at 5:30 New members are welcome at bid top shape. Lighthouse, which sent the machine p.m. If anyone just wishes to come out euchre on Wednesday and at euchre Country Music is back jamming on PARRY SOUND – The Britt Fire into the air. for the presentation, it will begin at 7 and carpet bowling on Thursday. The Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Everyone Department responded to two snow- “When he was driving there was a p.m. Everyone is welcome. cost for membership is $5 and the cost is invited out, and if you play an instru- mobile accidents during March break. lot of white, then I just saw the sled in for each meeting is only $3, and includes ment feel free to bring it along. One was fatal, while the latter escaped the air, so I was really scared,” said Mr. Sunshine Club refreshments on Wednesday and lunch Ardbeg Community Club is planning with a few broken bones and cuts to the Payerl youngest son Shawn. The McKellar Sunshine Club has bid on Thursday. their annual good used-clothing sale face. The snowmobile, landed on Mr. Pay- euchre each Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the “Many people will walk in and out of along with the Trunk Sale on May 7, In the later afternoon of March 16, erl, whose helmet had fallen off, leaving McKellar Community Centre. Winners your life, but only true friends will leave from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parry Sound businessman Dan Payerl him unconscious and bleeding from on March 23 were as follows: Ralph footprints in your heart.” If you would like to bring your garage and his two teenage sons Curtis, 16, and cuts on his face. Beaty; Colin Thomas; and Bill Brillon. If you have any news to report, please sale items to the hall and rent a space Shawn, 14, were heading back across continued on page 16 Thursday meetings start with lunch call 389-2625.

We will be into production by Mid-April 2005 to produce the N Provincial Park News Tabloids (8 Separate Publications with over 143,000 Circulation!)

• O • Oastler Lake Provincial Park • Grundy Lake Provincial Park • Sturgeon Bay Provincial Park T • Six Mile Lake Provincial Park • The Massasauga Provincial Park I • • Arrowhead Provincial Park Reach thousands of potential customers with your ad strategically placed on the back of one or all of the park maps. C PLEASE NOTE: We are limited to a specific number of ads on the maps and they WILL BE SOLD ON A FIRST COME BASIS. Contact your ‘Star’ Special Promotions consultant E (705) 746-2104 • Fax: (705) 746-8369 email: [email protected]