All posts by Randy Russon
Fall market vendors
The resolve was evident in the number of people who took part as supporters and vendors.
To be sure, it was a nice local feeling as part of a (sort of) nice fall day in the Sault’s downtown.
That is, in partnership with the local Downtown Association, the Sault Ste. Marie Museum held what it called a Culture Days Fall Market.
…[read more]Missing high school hoopla
If there is a participation or experience that I miss at this time of year it is being a community volunteer as a basketball coach.
…[read more]Reggie’s off to a good start
It is an old bar with a new beginning.
Reggie’s Place Tavern recently re-opened in the Sault’s downtown under new management.
The husband and wife tandem of Randy Lapossie and Kylie Lapossie opened the doors to Reggie’s on September 1 as the new operators after the iconic downtown bar had been closed for most of the past three years.
…[read more]Here’s to you, Ron Irwin
Sault Ste. Marie has recognized a long-time local politician by renaming City Hall as the Ronald A. Irwin Civic Centre.
…[read more]Boosting the downtown
There is collective effort being made to sustain and maintain business.
Any good city needs a thriving downtown and the Sault is no exception.
Issues remain — issues that might be resolved with more police presence at night and more support from local government — but the Sault’s downtown has businesses new and old that are more than doing their part to keep the area going.
…[read more]High school football in U.P.
High school football will not be played in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario this fall relative to COVID-19.
But it will be played throughout Michigan, including the Upper Peninsula.
Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive order that allows for the resumption of all fall high school sports across the Great Lakes state.
…[read more]Return of Reggie’s downtown
Spruced up on the inside and outside but with the same iconic look, Reggie’s Place Tavern is set to re-open for business on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
With new operators Randy and Kylie Lapossie at the helm, Reggie’s Place Tavern — located just past March Street on Queen Street E. in the Sault’s downtown– has has been getting ready for its September 1 re-opening for the past month or so.
It will mark a new chapter for the local watering hole which had become a popular gathering place for folks of all ages and many walks of life for well over 25 years under previous operator Reggie Daigle.
…[read more]RIP, Mark Desmoulin
He had the warm, friendly smile. He gave the warm, friendly hello.
It did not matter where or when I saw him. It did not matter if it was morning, afternoon, or evening, on a given day of the week, month, or year.
What mattered is that Mark Desmoulin was a kind kid with a good heart and an infectious smile.
And what is heartbreaking and sad is that after years of struggling with drug addiction, Mark passed away recently at the young age of 37.
…[read more]The lake, on line, with Eagle
My wife and I and our dog just returned from a nice, relaxing, three day, three night excursion to Birchland Cottages in Iron Bridge, about 65 miles east of the Sault.
Besides the well maintained, clean and cozy cottage that we rented on splendid Clear Lake, there were other factors that contributed to the reclining, unwinding, days and nights.
There were daily barbecues, walks on roads of the wooded property, nights at the fire pit, cold beer and … classic hits music with crystal clear reception via the on line version of Sault radio station Eagle 95.1.
…[read more]Reggie’s is re-opening
An iconic downtown bar is poised to push the re-start button on Sept. 1.
With new operator Randy Lapossie at the helm, Reggie’s Place Tavern — located just past March Street on Queen Street E. in the Sault’s downtown– has a sign on one of its front windows that is signalling the Sept. 1 re-opening.
It will mark a new chapter for the local watering hole which had become a popular gathering place for folks of all ages and many walks of life for well over 25 years under previous operator Reggie Daigle.
…[read more]Patience, safety and health
As junior hockey leagues across Ontario have later start dates for the 2020-2021 season on their respective, proposed agendas, the province is intent on putting students and teachers back in the classroom on time, in September.
…[read more]We lost two good ones
Two smiling faces recently departed their loved ones as friendly, affable folks who were simply known as good people.
Marilyn Jones (nee McCauley) and Richard Nystedt were both known for their infectious smiles and kind words.
They came from different walks of life and made their own separate ways that included links to the community and to local sports.
…[read more]Museum trivia night
This looms as a fun opportunity to support the Sault Ste. Marie Museum while showing off your trivia skills.
And maybe even learn something new about Canadian and local art, media, music and sports history.
To that end, the local Museum, along with OutSpoken Brewing, will be hosting a pair of Tuesday evening trivia nights — on August 11 and 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
…[read more]All good at Grocer 4 Good
The tidy little grocery store at 133 Gore Street in the Sault’s downtown area recently resumed regular Monday to Friday hours.
Grocer 4 Good has re-opened following a shutdown relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.
And president and founder Lisa Vezeau-Allen, who is also a Ward 2 city councilor, relayed to Sault Business Matters that Grocer 4 Good is now in operation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
An ability development program that was spearheaded by Vezeau-Allen and operates as a non profit model, the modest, 900 square foot Grocer 4 Good store originally opened late last fall.
…[read more]Marty & Kelly on Mane St.
Multiple patio bars have become a nice — and welcome — addition to downtown Queen Street in the Sault. And one of the more popular patio bars is located outside Mane St. Cafe and Social House.
…[read more]Look what we found downtown!
Another patio bar has popped up in the Sault’s downtown.
And this one features wine, local beer on tap and street treats a la Broers Jansen.
Located in front of Broers Jansen wine bar, right next to the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, the patio bar includes both a hot dog stand and a cheese curd cove.
…[read more]Cheers to Northern Superior
Having continued to service the local beer industry through delivery and its retail store through the earlier phases of the COVID-19 crisis, Northern Superior Brewing is moving into the next stage of operation.
Trevor Zachary, who is the general manager of Northern Superior Brewing, has outlined the next phase of reopening to Sault Business Matters.
Zachary confirmed that as of noon on Friday of this week, the indoor tap room at Northern Superior Brewing will again be open to the public.
…[read more]IDA opening in Queenstown
The locally owned and operated IDA Drug Mart string of stores will soon be setting up a new shop in the Sault’s downtown, Sault Business Matters has confirmed.
…[read more]CKCY: My first media job
It was circa 1975 and between beers at the Purple Lantern, I studied Journalism at Sault College.
Classmates included David Gazer and Joe Petrolo and I mention them because all three of us managed to land part-time jobs at CKCY Radio while still “studying” at Sault College.
Gazer and Petrolo, with their booming, CKLW-Windsor-style voices, worked as late night newscasters at CKCY while I was the weekend sportscaster.
Thus began my media career, which is now at 45 years and counting.
…[read more]Downtown patio bars aplenty
It is patio bar season.
And as we head towards the end of June and are poised to welcome July, the weather outlook is for plenty of warmth and sunshine.
As for the patio bars, there are many to choose from, particularly in the Sault’s downtown.
Making our rounds on Thursday of this week, Mane St. Cafe was a popular spot at its Queen Street E. location, between East and Brock streets.
A feature of Mane St. Cafe is the roll-up canopy that overhangs the neat and tidy patio bar.
…[read more]First service at First Baptist
Service resumed at First Baptist Church of Sault Ste. Marie on Sunday.
Along with other places of worship, the venerable downtown church had been closed under order from the Ontario government due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jack DeVries, who is the pastor of First Baptist Church, told Sault Business Matters that “our opening went very smooth.
…[read more]Cheers to local beers
I like beer.
In fact, it has been a preferred liquid refreshment of mine since, um, I was in Grade 12 at venerable Sir James Dunn Collegiate in the Sault.
The brands of beer on my select list are not as numerous as they once were.
And now, as I support local more than ever before, the products of Northern Superior Brewing and OutSpoken Brewing are my top choices, where available.
…[read more]Whoa, oh listen to the Eagle
” … what the people need is a way to make them smile … it ain’t so hard to do if you know how … gotta get a message, get it on through … woah, oh listen to the music …” — from the 1970s classic hit ‘Listen to the Music’ by the Doobie Brothers.
…[read more]May we be okay in May
We seem to be getting past first base. As in flattening the curve from the 100 mile an hour fastball that COVID-19 threw at the world. Doug Ford, the province’s stand-up, no-nonsense premier, has lauded Ontario residents for stepping up to the plate when called upon. And in Sault Ste. Marie, team work has been evident.
…[read more]Supporting one another
There is irony in the following words. That is, as we maintain separation while practicing social distance, we need to be members of a team by sticking together.
…[read more]Remote property tax relief
Relative and sensitive to the COVID-19 crisis, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government is deferring $15 million in property taxes for residents and businesses in areas of northern Ontario that are located outside municipal boundaries.
…[read more]Radio newscaster flashback
I have worked in the local radio business as a sportscaster, on and off, since 1975. And besides the “good sports” who I have worked alongside, there has also been a memorable cast of news hounds who I shared a microphone with at 920 CKCY, YES-FM et al.
…[read more]$420,800 for social services
The Ontario government, via the Sault’s member of provincial parliament Ross Romano, is coming through with the tidy sum of $420,800 for the city’s social services.
…[read more]Ford to release the facts
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has confirmed that he has instructed government health officials to release projection numbers on where the province is headed relative to the coronavirus pandemic.
…[read more]Doug Ford shows leadership
It is no longer just a campaign slogan. Flexing strength and the ability to govern and work with others as a true leader, Ontario Premier Doug Ford is showing that he really is “for the people.”
…[read more]Ford commends Trudeau
As we are in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis that is affecting all of us, it is truly inspiring when government leaders from different political parties are publicly supportive of one another.
…[read more]No cash at Mackinac Bridge
Located about 50 miles south of the Michigan Sault, the Mackinac Bridge Authority will no longer accept cash at its toll booths until further notice. The new measure takes effect this Saturday amid concerns of the coronavirus, Sault Business Matters has confirmed.
…[read more]College, university combo
There is good news out there relative to education, in this case post secondary schooling throughout northern Ontario, including Algoma University and Sault College.
…[read more]We see a sign of spring
As the weekend forecast is for warmer temperatures and a melting of snow, Monday will bring another sign of spring to the Twin Sault area.
…[read more]City councilors to talk it up
Local radio station Eagle 95.1 is ready to talk the talk. Twin Sault Talk will make its debut on Eagle 95.1 this Sunday at noon and Sault Business Matters has confirmed who the guests on the first show will be.
…[read more]Twin Sault Talk ready to air
A new, local content, talk radio show that has been in the works for several weeks is slated to hit the airwaves on Sunday, March 1 at noon, Sault Business Matters has confirmed.
…[read more]Tasting events at Broers
First, the whisky. Later, the wine. Broers Jansen, located in the Sault’s downtown, is planning a series of tasting events.
…[read more]Eagle-eyed weather nerd
Jim Lehocky remembers being six years old and seeing his first severe storm. From that day on, Lehocky — who is now the staff meteorologist for Sault radio station Eagle 95.1 — aspired to be a weather man.
…[read more]This is for you, Nick Caruso
Every so often in life, comes a person of unassuming and selfless nature who, despite being on the quiet side, nonetheless makes an immediate and everlasting impact.
…[read more]$10k for Y via Little Caesars
Locally-owned-and-operated Little Caesars of Sault, Ontario has helped to kick off the YMCA’s strong kids campaign with a donation of $10,000.
…[read more]Looming on local radio
It’s been about two decades since a local news talk show aired on a Sault radio station. But that is about to change, Sault Business Matters has confirmed.
…[read more]Huron Broadcasting, 1978
I was recently forwarded a photocopy of an old program from 1978 that featured a number of advertisements promoting Huron Broadcasting, which was in existence as a Sault media powerhouse circa 1976 to 1990.
…[read more]Try a wood-fired calzone or …
Checked out, for the first time, the relatively new Steamfitters Lounge, which is located in the Machine Shop building on Huron St. in the Sault’s west end.
…[read more]Short, downtown wish list
I have been writing and speaking the praises of the Sault’s downtown for a few years now. And as more business comes to the downtown — especially in the food and beverage industry — methinks there is room for at least a couple more.
…[read more]Optimism for 2020
As the Sault settles into a new year and a new decade, a certain sense of watchful sureness surrounds this northern Ontario city.
…[read more]Croat community in mourning
The Sault’s Croatian community is mourning the passing of a lovable, well-liked countryman. Stipe Saric, better known as Pipa, passed away recently after a short battle with cancer.
…[read more]New downtown boss search
The Downtown Association has started a search for a new executive director. The process begins following today’s confirmation that current executive director Josh Ingram has announced his intention to step down from his role effective December 19 of this year.
…[read more]Light Eh! is on tap
A new craft beer is now being poured in a number of local establishments. As just one example, Mane St. Co., which is located in the Sault’s downtown, began carrying Kingsville Light Eh! earlier this week.
…[read more]Two big events downtown
Up first is Moonlight Magic. Then comes the Santa Claus Parade. Both events are slated for the Sault’s downtown this week.
…[read more]Seen, been on the local scene
Being a writer, my mind often drifts to the past while living in the moment. And often what happens in the present makes me think — and want to write — about the past.
…[read more]Let it snow, let it snow
To be sure, snow is a four letter word. But it doesn’t have to be a swear word if you accept it and deal with it and make what you can of it.
…[read more]Taste of the downtown
Anyone who says there is no place to go in the Sault’s downtown clearly has not been down here for a while. Here’s the scoop on how many places there are to eat and drink.
…[read more]Sheehan holds Sault seat
Running on his record — and running a clean campaign — was more than enough for Terry Sheehan to retain his seat in the House of Commons as the Liberal member of parliament for the Sault.
…[read more]