shania.funurl.com

More Shania fans staying longer in the city

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The Daily Press
August 13, 2007
Scott Paradis

The Shania Twain fan convention's final farewell isn't the goodbye it used to be.

Twainiacs attending the convention arrived at the Days Inn Sunday morning for the annual farewell breakfast.

But that morning only one couple had confirmed that they would be leaving immediately after the breakfast. The remaining fans were expected to stay in Timmins for the rest of the morning, day, or even much of next week.

"A trend has developed," said Tracy Hautanen, Shania Twain Centre facility manager. "People are arriving earlier and staying later. So our weekend event has turned into a week's vacation for some of them."

Much of the participants of the Shania Twain fan convention are repeat visitors. Some have been to Timmins for the convention several times in a row and swear they'll be back again, likely even next year.

But the excitement of a return visit isn't exclusive to veteran fan-convention participants.

"A lot of the new people are already saying they want to come back because of the friends they've made," said Hautanen.

One of those newcomers is Marsha Makela, of Silver Spring, Md. She drove from her home town all the way to Timmins, stopping for a night's rest only in Sudbury.

She drove through Pennsylvania, through New York and into Canada through Niagara Falls.

En route to Timmins, she said she fell in love with the country, the scenery, wildlife and outdoors.

"I got a little spooked by the moose (crossing) signs and the 'don't feed the bears' signs," she said. "It hit me then that I was really in Timmins."

Makela said she will definitely be back to Timmins, likely again for the fan convention.

She said she has enjoyed the city and the convention itself alike.

"I just loved it," she said. "It's nice being around a bunch of people who are extremely nice and who share a common interest.

"I haven't had a smile on my face this many days in a row for a long time."

Perry Knight, of Portage, Man., also arrived to the convention for his first time.

Knight said he had heard about the convention some time ago, however, he could never get the time off to join in the festivities. Except, that is, for this year.

"It's been great," he said. "It''s great to meet new friends with the same interest."

Knight said he found the Shania Twain Centre building impressive and said he would definitely consider coming back again next year.

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