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Ornament series honours legendary miner
Tribute to Sandy McIntyre in pewter

Posted By Kate McLaren, The Daily Press

Jennie Doucet, membership and events co-ordinator with the Timmins Chamber of Commerce, display s the chamber s 2010 pewter ornament, depicting local legend Sandy McIntyre, founder of the McIntyre Gold Mine. The ornament is the ninth in the collection and available at the Chamber s Tourism Information Centre or Shania Twain Centre. (KATE MCLAREN The Daily Press)

Christmas has come early for local collectors of Timmins memorabilia with the release of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce's 2010 pewter ornament.

Although past ornaments have featured local landmarks like the Hollinger House, the McIntyre Arena, and The Daily Press and CKGB building, this year the chamber's tourism and community outreach committee took a new approach, with the ornament depicting Sandy McIntyre, one of the founding fathers of Timmins.

"With the City of Timmins celebrating a number of important centennial anniversaries, our committee felt it was the right time to pay tribute to the people who were instrumental in laying the foundation for Timmins to become what it is today," said Claude J. Gagnon, committee chairman.

The committee hopes this ornament to be the first in a series dedicated to historical figures who played an integral role in the history of Timmins.

Sandy McIntyre, chosen in recognition of his contributions to the local mining industry, first staked the claims for the McIntyre Gold Mine in 1909. The McIntyre mine was operational between 1912 and 1988, and became Canada's third-largest producer of gold.

McIntyre was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame in January 2010.

This year's ornament is the ninth in the collection. Last year, in honour of the 100th anniversary of the Porcupine Mining Camp, the ornament depicted a pewter miner's helmet.

Each year, the committee selects a symbol that is significant to the Timmins community.

The gift-boxed ornaments are available at the Chamber's Tourism Information Centre, and the Shania Twain Centre for $10.95 plus tax. Ornaments from previous years are also available for purchase.

The Tourism Information Centre's summer hours, beginning June 21 are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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