Otto Arndt was born in Germany in 1939 and later came to Canada. He worked for a timber marking crew for the forest service and lived in a cabin in the Hart Highway area. He married Janice Rowan, the girl across the street. At the age of 20 and with two suitcases of his worldly belongings in hand, Bill Bosnich said a big goodbye to his family in northern Ontario and headed west. He got a job at the Canfor Plywood Mill in New Westminster in 1958 and a few years later he met and married Donna MacMillan. The couple moved to Pineview and in 2001 he retired after many years as a carpenter. In their retirement Bill and Donna have been enjoying their volunteer work at the Pineview Hall and by entertaining the community through their involvement with the Forever Young Chorus, the Country Cuzzins and the drama club at the Elder Citizens Recreation Centre.
The Torch River snowmobile club has continued growing in their first season.
The club started operating this winter and already has nearly 40 members.
Melanie Smith is a member of the club and said COVID-19 hasn’t slowed them down.
“We’re so limited on activities with COVID-19,” Smith said. “This is one that we can do. It’s important. Anyone can do it. It’s enjoyed by quite a few people.”
The Torch River Riders recently raised approximately $4,500 from a raffle draw and around $9,500 during an online auction. Money from the fundraisers and membership fees is being used to finish a new warm-up shelter on the trail at Kelsey Lake and purchase signs and a groomer. The shelter is expected to be completed in the next month.
9 & 10 News
January 8, 2021
After a generous gift, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is ready to start work on a nature preserve this spring.
Marty and Valerie Cotanche gave a $1 million gift. This donation finishes the fundraising for the Torch River Ridge Nature Preserve.
The 290-acre property in Antrim County is south of Torch Lake along Torch River and runs to the north side of Skegemog Lake.
The conservancy plans to work on the four miles of trails on the property for the public to enjoy.
This wouldn’t be possible without previous owner Bill Weiss offering the land at a generous sale.
On Jan. 30, the WHO declared the coronavirus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The first confirmed cases of the disease in Italy on Jan. 31. By March, Europe was considered the active centre of the disease. On March 11, the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Public facilities were closed down across east central Saskatchewan. Face-to-face teaching in schools ended. Public events were cancelled. Businesses closed down or found alternate ways to serve their customers. The first case the East Central Recorder could confirm in the region was in Humboldt. The person in question contacted Mayor Rob Muench, who then confirmed with the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
Special to the Record-Eagle/GTRLC
The tallest ridge on the northern shore of Lake Skegemog, seen here from M-72, will be forever protected as part of a nature preserve with hiking trails.
Special to the Record-Eagle/GTRLC
This is one of the existing trails at the new Torch River nature preserve that has been fully funded through a $1 million donation.
Special to the Record-Eagle/GTRLC
TORCH RIVER â A beautiful stretch of shoreline property within the regionâs Chain of Lakes will be forever protected by a local conservation group.
A large donation to nonprofit Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy will be used to preserve a 290-acre tract alongside the Torch River in Antrim County. The land includes 1,700 feet along the riverbank flanked by wetlands and a steep ridge visible from miles away.