Profile This Week - Meet Yuris Zdanovskis - "Aman in love with Rossport" by KAREN PARK One can't help but notice the beauty of the Rossport area as they travel on highway 17 - but to really appreciate it, one should pull into the actual townsite to stop and gaze about them. Rossport is an old town - with a unique history and a maze of scenic islands and bays. But don't let the peaceful surroundings of the town fool you. Rossport is one busy town. Summer months especially. And just one. of the many people who The H.M. 'John C', a 40 foot converted steel tug boat, Yuris attempted to make a go of running the Rossport Inn, but due to a combination of the economy, mass problems and '"'Murphy's Law" he failed to make a go of putting the Inn back on its feet. But that didn't discourage Yuris. He saw the potential of Rossport and he was committed to seeing that again, the town could be the busy area that it once was. Through hard work and intestinal fortitude, Yuris was able to start from scratch, and build up his own menagerie of lies in dock awaiting her passengers. keep busy in this small town, is Yuris Zdanovskis. Yuris has been in Rossport for five years now, having travelled down the North Shore from Thunder Bay. From working in the city for several years in real estate, Yuris soon tired of the hustle and bustle of city life. Having been to Rossport on several occasions as breathers, he decided that this is where he wanted to be. So with little persuasion, he made the initial plunge. tourist services. All considered Yuris has done very well for himself. He now has everything from a charter boat service to a gas station. A coffee shop to a rock shop. And = just about anything else that a tourist could want. It's. all combined under the name of Mac's Service of Rossport and if you don't see what you want - just ask for it. I was able. to persuade Yuris to take a couple of hours out of his hectic schedule to show me - a newcomer to the area - just what he does to promote the area and how he goes about it. The first thing on the agenda was a tour of the area on board of the H.M. 'John- C7840: foot converted steel tug boat complete with kitchen, washroom, running water and sleeping accomoda-, tions for six. Quite the boat for a tour of beautiful Rossport. Accompanied by 'hubby', Yuris, Ned Basher (the new owner of the Rossport Inn) and first mate 'Sir Herbert' (a somewhat large Newfoundland ca- nine, better known to his friends as 'Herbie'), I set out to get an eyeful of the much acclaimed scenery, get a few page taro e mgioyre geet | CLIP & SAVE | COUPON | ! aoe | 1™_OF F ony se 1 BP OFF ayn | | HAMMER LAKE LODGE § FE ering: agae ns as epusleaS vacation! Everything you need to enjoy a great Northern * boats - motors - canoes available * trailer & tenting facilities - full hook-up * housekeeping and overnight cabins * REASONABLE RATES * Everything available - your one-stop shopping centre * groceries * bait&tackle * gift shop available *gasandoil * ice * RESTAURANT * ASK ABOUT OUR DAILY SPECIALS - good homecooked meals at very affordable prices photos and find out a bit about the history of the Rossport area. As Yuris pulled out of the harbour, I was able to view the town through the eyes of a tourist. Set on a sloping hill, the quaint little village faces one of the only natural harbours on the North Shore. With islands galore, and clean blue waters, the people of Rossport indeed own a treasure. Travelling further out into open waters, Yuris and Ned pointed out special features of the area and was able to relate quite visible around Nichol Island, where one can see the old wooden fishing boats from days gone by. Many of the other islands off shore, boast of various plantlife, wildlife and the famed agate rock. Because of the excellent hunting on these islands, Yuris receives a_ large portion of his business from transporting hunters to islands such as Wilson or Simpson, where hunters can pursue some of the finest moose, deer and bear hunting that Rossport harbour houses several boats; among them can be seen an occasional sailing vessel, anchored peacefully in the waters. a bit of history of Rossport. Fishing had always been a way of life for the people of Rossport and evidence of this is is available. He also caters to all breeds of fisherman and is able to show his fishing parties where some of the prize catches of lake trout, Yuris Zdanovskis pauses for a few minutes to enjoy the beautiful view around the Rossport harbour. speckled and rainbow trout can be caught. And if you're not into. hunting, fishing or a peaceful few days of camping or hiking, Yuris can guide you and your party to some of the finest agate deposits on the north shore. Agates have been plentiful in. the area for centuries, because of the volcanic formations on the rocks. As the tour progressed, we wound our way through ° small. channels, over open waters and eventually ended up at one of the most picturesque spots that I have ever witnessed. As you make your way toward Battle © Island, one can spot the beauty of the lighthouse sitting upon the utmost and highest point of the island. Still in full continued on page 7 'BIRTHDAY HAPPY 30th "DJ." You're on the way DOWN now. NOW I Avis Rent-A-Car Island View Shell TERRACE BAY! RENT DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES RESERVE TODAY 825-3268 - featuring home-made bread Hwy. 17 East Terrace Bay Your Host: Ray Brown HAMMER LAKE LODGE 40 miles (60 km) west of Wawa on Highway 17 AVIS