Kids reading club via library
Here is one for the kids from the local library.
That is, the ‘Kids Winter Reading Club’ will continue until Friday, March 19, according to the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library.
…[read more]Good nation of local radio
It came as good news to hear — a mere month after being unceremoniously ousted by Country 104.3 after 30 plus years in the air chair — that good guy Jeff McNeice has a new gig on rival local radio station Country 105.5.
At any rate, the forced, short-lived exile of McNeice brought two things to mind. As in, what was Country 104.3 thinking when it moved on from McNeice and, the restless hands of time have yet to pass by a local radio nation of announcers.
…[read more]New gig for Jeff McNeice
Well, that didn’t take long. A popular local radio announcer of more than 30 years will return to the air waves next week.
…[read more]Follow the rules
Okay, so maybe it isn’t the news we wanted to hear — that the January 23 southern Ontario lock down date relative to COVID-19 now applies to northern Ontario.
…[read more]Virtual blues mini series
Ten years and counting.
As in, the year 2020 was the 10th anniversary of the Sault Blues Society.
And with 2021 now into its infant stages, the Sault Blues Society has a special mini series planned that is slated to begin this week.
…[read more]Searchmont ski snippets
Perhaps the best-known ski resort in the Sault area is located in the community of Searchmont.
Over the years the resort has changed ownership many times and has often experienced the threat of closure on a number of occasions.
At any rate, following are a smattering of Searchmont Ski Resort snippets via the Sault public library.
…[read more]Feature: Odd Job Jacks
Odd Job Jacks owner Kurtis McDermid may not be aware of this but being a pretty actively involved member of our community who volunteers for local causes a fair amount, I have actually been a fan of what he and his business are all about for quite a few years.
You see, a couple of years ago, I took part in the Downtown Association’s annual ‘Spring Clean’ event where volunteers take part in tidying up downtown.
And at the time, a generous company had donated its time, resources and labour to help with this big task — and that company was Odd Job Jacks.
…[read more]Time for action is now: Ford
Sault Business Matters has received the following statement from Ontario Premier Doug Ford imploring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to “take action and secure our borders.”
…[read more]RIP, Uncle Joe
Italian soccer has lost one of its biggest, best and most ardent supporters.
And our family has lost a real character and such a good person.
My uncle Joe DeSimone passed away the other day at the good, old age of 89.
A simple man and an Italian immigrant, he loved to cook for family and take care of all of us, albeit in a manner that was, um, gruff and grouchy at times.
…[read more]Steel City sessions sign-up
Steel City Sports — which operates basketball and volleyball clubs for the youth of Sault Ste. Marie –will continue to provide active training in 2021.
According to Jeff Giovanatti, who is one of the directors for Steel City Sports, the new sessions are slated to begin on Monday, January 18.
Steel City Sports runs its basketball and volleyball camps and sessions in gymnasium space at the old Tech building on Wellington St. E. in the Sault’s downtown area.
…[read more]Angry Joe rocks Reggie’s
Joltin’ Joe Della Savia returned to the stage in a big way on the weekend and rocked it at Reggie’s Place Tavern in the Sault’s downtown.
The current rendition of Angry Joe and the Growlers, featuring the always-entertaining Della Savia as lead singer, along with fellow guitarists Ron McLean and Marcel VanLandeghem and drummer Chuck Gassi, stole the show at Reggie’s with an array of well-performed classic hits from the 1960s and 1970s.
…[read more]A favourite teacher, coach
There were a few teachers from my elementary school days, first at Holy Angel, then at St. Mark, who will always be ultimate favourites of mine.
And one of them, Mr. Larry McNally, happened to be my teacher at both Holy Angel and St. Mark.
He was also my softball coach at both schools.
I loved him as a teacher and a coach. And my fondness for him carried on when I became an adult and got to know him even more.
…[read more]Good news for the railway
Ho, ho, ho.
Sault member of provincial parliament Ross Romano has delivered an early Christmas present to 43 employees of Huron Central Railway.
That is, via Romano and the Ontario government, Huron Central will continue its rail service between the Sault and Sudbury until at least June 30, 2021 as it works towards a long-term solution.
…[read more]Downtown Association boss
There is a new man for the downtown.
Salvatore Marchese is moving from Toronto to the Sault to take over as the new manager of the Downtown Association.
…[read more]Let it snow at the Museum
The Sault Ste. Marie Museum and ‘Bon Soo Winter Carnivale’ are teaming up for an innovative community exhibition.
…[read more]Big addition to downtown
What a boost this is for our fair city — especially a core area that is in growing stages of a much-needed comeback.
A venerable building in the Sault’s downtown has been turned into a multi-purpose store with the new Queenstown Drug Mart as the flagship of what can be termed a major new investment by local entrepreneur Joseph Greco and his partners.
…[read more]Steel City Sports, Giving Hearts
Steel City Sports has partnered with local group ‘Giving Hearts’ to collect non-perishable items as a means of helping to support local food banks and shelters in the Sault.
…[read more]‘Tis the season at Broers
The cozy, comfy, intimate wine bar that is Broers Jansen is all decorated for the Christmas season.
A popular, people-friendly establishment, located in the Sault’s downtown , Broers Jansen is a local, family-owned-and-operated small business that defines inimitable.
…[read more]Feature: KC Security Services
I had a chance to connect with the on-the-go owner of KC Security Services, Daniel Laprade, via telephone recently.
And like the owner himself, our conversation was reassuring and friendly, having known each other for years through our other roles in the community and by often seeing him working at many community events.
For someone so young, Daniel has quickly become a much respected and leader in the local security services scene.
…[read more]Hoping for you, Bon Soo
Organizers of the venerable Bon Soo Winter Carnival are hopefully cautious of hosting the annual event in 2021.
To that end, they have decided on Feb. 5-15 as the dates that the Bon Soo Winter Carnival will be staged, with the ‘Machine Shop Co.’ on Huron Street as a primary location for many of the events.
…[read more]Holiday treats via Museum
Attention residents of Sault Ste. Marie: You can ‘wrap up’ your holiday baking and support our local Museum at the same time.
…[read more]Feature: The Whisky Barrel
A recent Friday the 13th seemed like a good day as any to stop by The Whisky Barrel to have a chat with one half of the duo that owns this welcome addition to downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
Since it was a vacation day for me from my “day” job, I even got to treat myself to a drink while we chatted, a rye and coke in case you are wondering.
When I arrived, the exuberant and personable Dunbar Thompson, co-owner of the Whisky Barrel, was working alone and chatting with a first time visitor. And while I sat at the bar waiting to chat, I was able to witness why people quickly become fans of the vibe offered at the Whisky Barrel.
…[read more]Jim McAuley, such a nice man
He defined kindness and generosity with a trademark, friendly smile and the warmest of hearts.
A much respected, benevolent gentleman who was well known and well liked, he shunned the limelight even though he was so active in the community as a businessman, volunteer and philanthropist.
He had a love for dogs and a soft heart for the less fortunate and he gave so much in so many ways and asked for nothing in return.
…[read more]Feature: Marc Capancioni
It was during a break in the morning that I spoke to the easy going Marc Capancioni, mortgage agent at the local Centum Mortgage Brokers office here in Sault Ste. Marie.
Our chat began with a bit of a catch up about his recent new status as a first time Dad to a sweet little girl named Emmie who just turned 10 weeks old.
Marc said he and his wife are really enjoying being first time parents and have been blessed with a good sleeper who is super cute from the photos I’ve seen.
…[read more]Reggie’s revving up karaoke
The karaoke machine is returning to Reggie’s Place Tavern in the Sault’s downtown.
Randy Lapossie, who along with his wife Kylie took over operation of Reggie’s Downtown on September 1 of this year, confirmed that karaoke will be a Thursday feature from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. beginning this week.
…[read more]Feature: Arturo Ristorante
For the past 35 years, the Comegna family has been bringing incredible Italian cuisine to Sault Ste. Marie — first at their location on Gore Street and since 2002, at their current spot, 515 Queen Street East.
The founder of Arturo Ristorante, Arturo Comegna, well known in the local food scene, laid a strong foundation for success for his two sons, Thomas and Chris, who took ownership in April of 2011.
Both Thomas and Chris, despite their relative youth, have been involved in the business for the past twenty years, having learned at a young age, from their dad.
…[read more]Croatian community history
Za nase Hravatske prijatlje:
The Sault’s Croatian community has a long, gritty and vibrant history.
To be sure, the first Croatian immigrants arrived in the Sault area in the early 1900s.
…[read more]Feature: Void Vinyl
I don’t know about you, but I can tell you that at 18 years old, I was no where near being ready to own my own vinyl records/café/street wear clothing shop — or any business for that matter.
But for Nathan Wilding, his love of vinyl and the opportunity to open a pretty cool spot in the Sault’s downtown was something he felt driven to do.
Thus, Void Vinyl came into being.
…[read more]Bennardo open on Saturdays
Sault Business Matters has received a notice from Bennardo Jewellers relative to extended business hours and the Christmas shopping season.
…[read more]History, magic of Gros Cap
It is somewhat of a hidden treasure on the west side outskirts of the Sault, at the end Prince Township. From the archives of the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, here is an historic look at Gros Cap.
…[read more]Nominate a local visionary
Strive Young Professionals Group of the Sault has confirmed the fourth Algoma Visionary Awards and the first virtual event, which is slated to take place on January 15, 2021.
…[read more]It’s still around, downtown
Circa 1952 — as per the above photo — it was known as S.S. Kresge Co., a department store located at 626 Queen Street East in the Sault’s downtown. Later, it was a department store called Jupiter. And now …
…[read more]Friends, neighbours voting
It is presidential election day across the United States of America as our friends and neighbours south of the border are casting their ballots.
…[read more]Support the Bushplane Centre
Sault Business Matters has received the following information from the good folks at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
That is, they are pleased to announce that with the assistance of Algoma Public Health, there will be six weekends of local small business vendors being featured at the local Bushplane Centre.
See below for more details.
…[read more]Feature: Marcel’s Automotive
It was a Friday evening when I spoke to the no nonsense, honest, and friendly Marcel Lamoureux via telephone.
In the background I could hear the sound of a child laughing and after what had been an emotionally challenging week hearing about the loss of a close friend’s son as a result of a car accident, the sound of laughter was a welcome one.
Advertising sales can be tough at times so it was a nice surprise when I stopped in to Marcel’s Automotive to speak to them about possibly advertising on Sault Business Matters knowing that they were relatively new to their current location at 61 Queen Street East, formerly occupied by Advance Transmission.
…[read more]St. Mary’s helps St. Vincent
Students from a Grade 12 religion class at St. Mary’s College have completed a community service project that resulted in a donation to the St. Vincent Place men’s shelter.
The student group from the Sault’s Catholic high school was called SMC Action — and it organized a clothing drive.
St. Mary’s teacher Robby Calvano noted that he gave his students “the opportunity to do something good for our community and they ran with it.”
…[read more]Supporting small business is key
Sault Business Matters has received the following editorial opinion from Terry Sheehan, member of parliament for Sault Ste. Marie.
…[read more]FBFM wellness bags giveaway
Fit Bodies Fit Minds has put together wellness bags which include a number of health and wellness items valued up to $175.00!
Included in the bags are items and discounts from various local businesses in Sault Ste. Marie.
Each bag is a little a different (and a surprise!) but includes items that will compliment your home workouts, contribute to your overall health and well being, and also might add to your wardrobe!
Fit Bodies Fit Minds wants to help our community during these trying times and give away 3 bags!!! 3 bags = 3 winners! To enter the giveaway:
…[read more]45 years ago this month …
October is a month of significance for me.
I was born in October of 1952 and will soon turn 68.
And in October of 1975 — 45 years ago — I began my media career as a $3 an hour, part time sportscaster at local radio station CKCY.
I was hired in a rather unusual manner. That is, CKCY news and sports director Paul Leonard gave me the job over several glasses of draught beer at the Algoma Hotel, which was located beside Memorial Gardens, across from the radio station, in the Sault’s downtown.
…[read more]Feature: Big Lake Cabin
It is fair to say that the personable and happy go lucky Jon Young is in many ways a big part of why Big Lake Cabin in just over a year has quickly become a Sault favourite in the local dining scene.
The friendly, funny, kind, caring and generous Jon is often the face you see welcoming you to what is sure to be a pleasant dining experience.
Big Lake Cabin opened in August of 2019 and has truly brought a fresh new vibe to the Sault’s downtown dining experience with an innovative and creative menu that is changed up frequently to take advantage of what is in season but also what is seasonally appropriate.
…[read more]Big bucks spent on the Gardens
In what is being termed a collaborative effort, the City of Sault Ste. Marie and the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League have teamed up to spend more than $1,000,000 towards upgrading GFL Memorial Gardens.
According to a press release issued today by the Greyhounds, the OHL team and the City of Sault Ste. Marie “have made the most upgrades in the history of the Home of the Hounds this off season … in total, over $1,000,000 worth of enhancements were made inside the facility to improve fan experience and users safety.”
…[read more]Small business week
” … This year more than ever, we all have to focus on the needs and survival our small businesses … ” — Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.
…[read more]All new Hockey North Show
There will be significant changes to the Hockey North Show when the well established program returns to the airwaves in mid November for its annual 25 week gig.
For one, the Hockey North Show with Randy Russon and Brad Coccimiglio is moving to a new radio home, Eagle 95.1 — on line via www.eagleradio951.com — from its former ESPN 1400 spot.
As well, the Hockey North Show will be broadcast live on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. (as opposed to Tuesdays) and as a bonus, all editions will be recorded and archived on www.eagleradio951.com as well as the Eagle 95.1 Facebook page for replay on demand.
…[read more]On line local shopping
The local Chamber of Commerce has teamed with AlgomaMarketplace.com to introduce a newer expanded online local shopping experience.
Fall into winter at Mane St.
Krista Nolan, who owns and operates Mane Street Cafe in the Sault’s downtown, has outlined plans for her neat, tidy and comfortable little eatery as fall heads towards winter.
Besides offering $5 pints of draught beer and $7 glasses of seven ounce wine, Nolan tells Sault Business Matters that she plans “to keep a storefront patio of some sort through most of the winter.”
…[read more]Happy Thanksgiving!
It is a day that is specifically set aside to be thankful.
Across Ontario, families are gathering, in respectful numbers we hope, to observe the Thanksgiving Day holiday.
In the Sault, we have much to be thankful for in terms of COVID-19 numbers being relatively low in comparison to the rest of the province, especially the Greater Toronto and Ottawa areas.
…[read more]Downtown could use these
Our downtown is an area that our City politicians and so called leaders have neglected for far too long.
It is a good thing that there are so many resilient small business owners who have invested in the downtown but the downtown needs more judging by the many vacancies in buildings along Queen from Pim Street to Bruce Street.
Soon we will have a drug store at the corner of Queen and Bruce and that is very encouraging! Additionally I have a list of other businesses that would be welcome additions to our downtown.
…[read more]Jacobs teams with Turco
This has Sault Ste. Marie pride and stardom written all over it.
That is, Kingsville Brewing Company has confirmed a partnership with Canadian and world curling icons, the Team Jacobs rink from the Sault.
The other side of the Sault connection is 45-year old Marty Turco, who is a part owner of Kingsville Brewing and a former National Hockey League and Canadian Olympic standout goalie of many years who also backstopped the University of Michigan Wolverines to a pair of national championships.
…[read more]Good healthy breakfast and …
Hello again! I am writing to say how much I enjoy your website in particular the many positive articles which are about the downtown area where I dwell with my wife and our family.
On this topic I wish to give a compliment to the very nice and clean restaurants that Sault Ste. Marie has that choose to serve a very healthy breakfast of which is an important way to begin each of the days.
…[read more]Best ever for Big Blue Box
Sault Business Matters has received the following press release from the good folks at St. Vincent Place, which is located on Albert St. E. in the Sault’s downtown.
…[read more]The boards are back in town
Broers Jansen, the quaint, popular wine bar that is located beside the Museum in the Sault’s downtown, is well known for its $5 glasses of a variety of red and white wines.
As well, Broers Jansen has become locally famous for its own version of a charcuterie board.
With its own blend of meats, cheeses, home made bread, roasted almonds and other treats, the Broers Jansen version of a charcuterie board is called a “bro-cuterie” board.
…[read more]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]This is happening today
This is another opportunity to support local.
Sault Ste. Marie Museum, in tandem with the local Downtown Association, is holding what is being called a Culture Days Fall Market.
The event is slated for today from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The fall market, outdoor event will be held behind the museum’s 690 Queen Street East location.
…[read more]Kudos to Claudio and PUC
The local Public Utilities Commission received an award in the category of worker safety during a recent “virtual” annual meeting and Ontario Electrical Safety awards event.
…[read more]