Temagami Dry is finally back where it belongs...the municipality of Temagami.
The official handover of the Temagami Dry trademark was part of Saturday's events hosted by the Temagami Community Market.
See: Temagami taking a big gulp of the Temagami Dry brand
And: Temagami may get its own taste of Temagami Dry
Mayor Dan O’Mara and his council welcomed Raymond Fortier, owner of Cochrane-based Fortier Beverages, for the historic occasion at the municipality's iconic train station.
“It gives me great pleasure to be here today to pass on the trademark of Temagami Dry Ginger Ale to the people and the Municipality of Temagami,” said Fortier. "It is fitting that Temagami should possess this iconic trademark since the Temagami Dry trademark uniquely matches the Town name."
The popular soft drink was first bottled on Oak St. in North Bay by MacDonald and Sons Ltd. in 1919.
"As I recall, the company was owned by Jack Shaw,” noted Fortier. “The name Temagami Dry was thought to be more exciting than ‘North Bay Dry Ginger Ale."
Fortier Beverages has produced Temagami Dry Ginger Ale since 1979, after acquiring the franchise from the DeLuca family of South Porcupine.
“I would like to thank Dan O’Mara for his persistence and wisdom to see the potential of this trademark to assist the Town of Temagami in a new venture,” Fortier concluded. “You have a beautiful town to be proud of and I wish you the best of luck.”
Temagami also welcomed Anthony Rota, MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming and Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing to participate in the occasion.
“Congratulations to the Municipality of Temagami, the new trademark owner of Temagami Dry," said Rota. "Both have a unique mystique, which makes them the perfect match.”
“This is a great project of the Municipality of Temagami, one that will keep the Temagami Dry Ginger Ale trademark right where it belongs," added Fedeli. "Hopefully, this branding can be used to increase economic development for the region.”
Mayor O’Mara noted, “We asked for the input from our citizens and received a resounding 'yes.' We also received some offered comments that Council will review as we work through the different economic development possibilities owning the Temagami Dry trademark could make possible. I would also like to offer a special thank-you to those who stepped up and donated the funds to acquire this trademark.”
“Council, with the assistance of staff, continues to work hard to ensure a bright future for the municipality” noted O’Mara. “We value the public input and the process to acquire the Temagami Dry trademark. It's an example of what can be done when we, as a community, work together.”
