MANITOULIN TRADE AN ENORMOUS SUCCESS

On Friday afternoon, on a perfect chilly sunny May day, Frank Reynolds, who has been the spearhead, negotiator and forwarding personality of the Manitoulin Trade Fair for many years, stood in front of the big ice rink in Little Current, with Mary Nelder and Louise McKeen of Lambac, Mike Brown, Brent St. Denis, Dawn Madahbee, and so many others, as we heard the opening speeches for the Fair. About 100 people gathered for this Greeting.

I was in friendly competition with Frank Reynolds, because I came from New York City to attend this marvelous Fair. But Frank, and his wife, Connie, who have done an amazing job throughtout the years, had driven up from Florida. So I lost in the Far Away Game.

“This marks nineteen years of the rebirth of the Manitoulin Trade Fair, our ninth show,” said Frank, to, really, his adoring public. Frank’s outgoing personality, drive and focus to make Manitoulin’s economic life grow, has been a force throughout the years. Even I know this, being on Manitoulin for eighteen years. I met Frank long ago, and he gave me my first Manitoulin Silver Dollar.

“We’re grateful to Dan Mahdabee and the Waubetek Board of Directors who’ve supported us since the inception, with money, ideas and a First Nation perspective as we strive to run a true Manitoulin/La Cloche show which reflects the dual nature of both our economy and culture,” said Frank.

“There were sixteen in staff for the show, wearing lovely beige hats and tee shirts. They were helpful, smiling, and one staff member returned a lost little girl to her mother. The NEMI Volunteer Rec Center and Public Works Staff, and the NEMI Volunteer Fire Fighters Association all did their part,” said Frank.

On Friday night, the ice hockey arena and curling rink were buzzing with interested people enjoying the wares and decor of the 160 booths. I was so impressed how everything was topnotch, professional, and the air simply hummed with conversation and laughter.

Frank said that advertising for the Trade Fair has run over $60,000 in media aadvertising, print, TV, flyers, posters, and billboards.

On Saturday, the Fair was crowded all day. I bet 5,000 ice creams were dished out, as people enjoyed viewing the Fair, buying items, and talking to the many exhibitors who purvey services for people living on Manitoulin. One man I spoke to who has a cottage here, told me, “I got my heating and water problems solved here at the Fair. They’re coming to work for me next week,”

At Wind ‘N Wave, Brian standing by kayaks and canoes reminded me they’ve been in business on Manitoulin in Kagawong for ten years now. So many other success stories for Manitoulin enhanced my listening day here. I was happy to greet hundreds of people, and loved it that they heard my CBC Radio North interview with the elegant Markus Schwabe, inviting everyone to come to the Fair. Pilot Saul Cartman flew his plane in from Sudbury, as did his colleagues from Timmins and North Bay.

Driving in, seeing the parking lot full, and people smiling and chatting as they enter, was fabulous.

Frank summed it up to us, so importantly, later: “Our children have gone south to earn a living. We want to keep our young people here on Manitoulin, in Sudbury and Northern Ontario, and for them to earn a good living. By sharing what we know and what we have to offer here, more opportunities abound for us.”

I was so glad to be a Sponsor again of the Trade Fair.. When I offered copies of The Sudbury Star to people at the front door, each eagerly took a copy, and smiled at me. What could be better!