| The
Prescott Journal is published weekly by St. Lawrence Printing Co. Ltd., 231 King Street West, Prescott, Ontario, K0E 1T0, (613) 925-4265 - fax (613) 925-3472, e-mail journal@stlawrenceprinting.on.ca |
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - A steering committee has been formed to establish a food bank in South Grenville.
The committee was created at the conclusion of an information meeting held last Thursday night at St. John's Anglican Church. Approximately 50 people many of whom were representing service clubs, church groups and municipalities attended the session.
The meeting was organized by Rev. Blair Paterson, president of the Prescott Ministerial Association. Paterson explained the association has been running a food voucher program that began with $10,000 donated by the Kinsmen Club of Prescott and the holiday season Spirit of Giving Campaign. There is now less than $2,000 in the bank and that will not go far given the current demand for food vouchers, he noted.
Although Paterson said local clergy believe there is a need for a food bank, it should be up to the community to assess the need and decide how to respond.
As of Jan. 24, the association has issued 24 food vouchers in January. Rev. John Reynolds of the House of Lazarus, an organization that operates a food bank in the Dundas county community of South Mountain, said 47 users of the food bank have a Prescott postal code; there are also clients from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
The consensus at the meeting was a food bank is needed, and that it should serve residents of Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. It was suggested a broad-based community group should be formed to operate the food bank as opposed to an existing service club or church.
A list of items needed to make a food bank become a reality was compiled. In addition to seed money, a strategic plan and a building, a food bank requires shelving, office equipment and a sorting area. The ability to collect non-perishable food items and raise money will also be critical to the success of the facility.
Reynolds said the food bank will need a co-ordinator and a large group of committed volunteers. The possibility of acquiring provincial and federal assistance through Ontario Works and Human Resources Development Canada will be explored.
Reynolds went on to indicate a food bank becomes an important resource for the people who need to use it. Volunteers must be aware of that as well as the need to enable clients to maintain their dignity.
"There's a lot more to working in a food bank than passing out food," Reynolds said.
Organizers chose Sept. 1 as a target date for opening the facility. Paterson and Reynolds volunteered to serve on a newly formed steering committee that will contact municipal councils and government agencies during the next few weeks.
Others who agreed at the meeting to serve on the committee are Neil Dufour, Jen Wyman, Pat Gillis, Janice Reynolds, Heather MacKay-Kelso and Garry Dewar.
Paterson said he was encouraged by the turnout at the meeting. The response confirmed there are people in the community willing to offer their help, he added.
There are tentative plans to hold another public meeting Feb. 21 at the health centre in Prescott, at which time the steering committee can report its preliminary findings. It was also suggested meetings be held in Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
PRESCOTT - Do not be alarmed if soldiers take up positions on Edward Street this weekend.
The Fort Town will be the site of a military exercise involving members of the Brockville Rifles reserve regiment. "Exercise Trillium Wolf" is to begin late Friday night and end sometime Sunday.
The exercise will focus on South Grenville District High School, which will be classified as a "vital point." Captain Curtis Smith said Monday the site is to be secured and guarded by the army reservists. The exercise is part of a training program designed to ensure army reservists are ready in the event they are called upon to support local agencies in times of crisis.
Civilians will be permitted to observe the "Brocks" in action; liaison officers and recruiters will be on hand. The public is invited to observe the action at the high school Saturday from noon to 6 pm. Smith said there may also be opportunities for civilians to act as role players during the exercise, although details had not been finalized at press time.
The Prescott mission will also provide an opportunity for regiment members to practise winter warfare skills and survival techniques.
A similar exercise was held last November in Brockville.
Although the Rifles are based in Brockville, some members of the army reserve unit live in South Grenville. Smith said the Prescott area has been good to the regiment, and the unit is hoping to recruit more members from this community.
For more information about the exercise, contact Captain Smith at 342-2755.
PRESCOTT - The ongoing saga of the town's municipal building and public library may be returning to its roots.
By the conclusion of a lively and lengthy discussion at the end of a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night, the concept of constructing a new building on the municipal parking lot property at the corner of King and Centre streets had re-emerged as an option some council members appeared willing to consider.
Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead asked CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown to dig up the plans made during the term of the previous council. This followed yet another discussion on the future of town hall and the many options being considered by a council that admits is having difficulty reaching a consensus.
The one new element to Monday's debate was the news that the town's application for SuperBuild infrastructure funding to renovate the library at 360 Dibble St. W. had been turned down by the province. SuperBuild indicated many funding applications demonstrated strong local support and community partnerships. However, the current phase of the program has been extended due to overwhelming interest; the municipality can submit additional information to support its application. It was also noted council did not proceed with its plans to renovate the building; without that decision, the application will not proceed.
Council members also discussed a report by Brown on the possibility of acquiring the federal building on Centre Street and using the second floor as a library. Brown said the building is in good condition and has been well-maintained. However, the original roof from 1965 is blistering and will at some point need to be replaced.
Even with rental income from the post office and possibly Human Resources Development Canada, the town could still lose more than $100,000 per year. Brown recommended the federal building be removed from further consideration based on the town's financial analysis.
In an attempt to see if consensus could be reached, council members discussed the options still on the table and how to proceed. Those options include renovating 360 Dibble, renovating the hardware store adjacent to the parking lot and constructing a new building on the former Daniels' Hotel property.
Councillor Seeley Pillar criticized fellow Councillor Terry McConnell for pursuing without council's consent the idea of renovating the hardware store beside the parking lot and using it for municipal offices and the library. Although he kept saying he was not trying to defame McConnell or start an argument, Pillar said McConnell had a conflict of interest when he approached Councillor Jim French, owner of the store, and discussed the possibility of having the town purchase the property.
McConnell defended his actions by saying he was trying to come up with a compromise solution to the town hall problem. McConnell and other members of council reiterated many of the points that have been made at previous meetings.
Beckstead said she did not want to sit there any more and argue about town hall. Decisions have to be made and it may be time to "look for some outside help" if council cannot resolve its differences, she added.
In suggesting the parking lot site, Beckstead noted the plan developed during the previous term of council could be reviewed to deal with concerns about the estimated $1.5-million cost.
Although he has some concerns about the site and the potential loss of parking, Councillor Garry Dewar said he would be willing to consider the option. Dewar indicated he is not advocating the demolition of the Dibble Street building; he believes there is interest in the building. The councillor also said a good job could be done to renovate the hardware store, but the building may not be the best option if it is meant to serve the town for another 40 years.
Councillor Nancy McFarland said renovating the Dibble Street building is her first choice; however, McFarland added she is open to change.
Mayor Robert Lawn said he has not heard anything to convince him renovating the municipal building is not a viable option. In noting the project could be done for less than $1 million, Lawn said heritage plays an important role in Prescott's reputation. The Dibble Street building is part of the community's history and will remain a very good building for years to come.
Councillor French, who has declared a conflict of interest on the subject of town hall, left the meeting at the beginning of the debate.
Additional information on the parking lot plan and financial considerations associated with it is expected to be distributed to council in time for its meeting next Monday.
PRESCOTT - The most recent success story of the Leeds and Grenville Physician Recruitment Task Force hopes to make Prescott part of his long-term plan for practising medicine.
Dr. John Davies joined the Prescott Family Medical Association this month. He will work in association with doctors Gunn Bhatt, George Kellam and Anne Jaworski at the medical centre, and is one of seven doctors recently attracted to this area by the recruitment task force.
A general practitioner, Dr. Davies is now accepting patients at the King Street West medical centre. Until he has a full complement of patients, which could be as many as 3,000 people, Dr. Davies will be helping to ease the burden of the other physicians, he said in an interview.
A graduate of the medical school at the University of Saskatchewan, Davies completed his residency at McGill in Montreal in 1999. Since then, he has fulfilled locums, or temporary assignments, in Northern Ontario and in Ottawa, and has practised emergency medicine in Southern Ontario. He expects to continue to reside near Cornwall until his wife Nina has completed her residency in general surgery at McGill.
Dr. Davies said he had been looking for a location to open his own practice when he discovered the physician recruitment program. The river and the history of the area were major drawing cards for him, Dr. Davies noted, adding he has an appreciation for Canadian history.
The doctor has also44 found the people in the Prescott area to be fairly well educated, articulate and pleasant, all of which are attributes he expects will make his job easier. The area is also close to major centres such as Montreal and Ottawa, where he can continue to get a cosmopolitan experience.
While Dr. Davies builds up his own practice here and takes up some of the slack of the other physicians, he said he will also be getting acclimatized to how things work in this area, and getting a feel for the local medical culture.
The Brockville area is one of 112 communities in Ontario that has been designated by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as being underserviced by physicians. The task force was formed about 18 months ago, and continues to seek funding from municipalities and businesses in the counties to assist with incentives and related recruitment expenses.
PRESCOTT Nominations are being sought for three awards presented annually by the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce.
The awards recognize business achievement, community service and the outstanding contribution of local youth in the Prescott area.
The 2001 business of the year award went to 730 Truck Stop and owner Bob Lodge. Tom Carr was recognized last year for his long-time commitment to minor soccer in the Prescott area. Emma Parrott received the 2001 Connie Dickey Youth Award.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, Feb. 22. This year's awards banquet will be held March 4.
Nominations can be sent to the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce Awards Committee, Box 2000, Prescott K0E 1T0.
For more information on the Chamber of Commerce awards, contact Mike Boyles at 925-4324 or Pat Dewar at 925-3228.
JOHNSTOWN - Spring may still be about seven weeks away, but try telling that to Mother Nature.
As the temperature continued to soar above the freezing mark Monday, Keith Adams saw a robin in the back yard of his home just west of Grenville Park.
Adams, who has lived in Johnstown for more than 50 years, indicated it was by far the earliest he could recall seeing a robin in any year.
He also noted there is usually about a foot of ice on Johnstown Bay near his home at this time of year. As of Monday, there was no ice.
"We never thought it would happen," Adams said.
Temperatures were expected to return at least temporarily to more seasonal values by the middle of this week.
PRESCOTT - Town officials have begun 2002 budget deliberations by noting a revenue shortfall caused by a decrease in property assessment.
The reduction in assessment would mean a property tax revenue decrease of $53,000 if last year's tax rates were applied. Councillor and finance committee chairman Jim French said Monday at a committee-of-the-whole meeting the town would be looking at a tax increase of about two per cent just to break even.
Approximately half of Prescott's $3.3 million in tax revenue comes from residential property taxes.
Prescott council has already approved pay increases to town staff and created the new administrative position of community services director.
Town officials have noted the municipal budget process is still at a preliminary stage.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - The new rector of St. John's Anglican in Prescott has a mission to make the church a functional and useful resource to the community with the parishioners sharing their talents.
Rev. Michael Pollesel took over as rector of St. John's this month, but he is also determined to not be its sole minister; the entire congregation will be ministers with active roles to make the church strong and viable.
"I'm here to be with them (the parishioners), not tell them what to do," Rev. Pollesel said. Members "will come to recognize they too have a role or part to play in ministry. We are all ministers." His intent is to involve the congregation in situations where they feel comfortable bringing their gifts and talents to improve church and community activities.
Examples of sharing gifts could be reading prayers at services, playing musical instruments, helping to lead in worship, visiting shut-ins, or working with community endeavours, such as the proposed food bank, he explained.
Rev. Pollesel replaces Rev. Gerry Ring, who retired in September after 11 years of service at St. John's.
"Church isn't a consumer thing where we come and get something and leave," Pollesel said. "Being a Christian means you're part of the whole thing - not like a filling station where you get pumped up and leave." Rev. Pollesel described church as being similar to a pot luck supper in which "we all bring something and we share."
Churches in general need to look at all their attributes "and figure out ways to put resources to the best use and not become museum pieces," Rev. Pollesel said. He explained it is necessary for church properties to be more functional and useful "and not be places from which people stay away."
Church spaces usually sit vacant 80 per cent of the time, and "that's not good stewardship," he said, adding churches need to be useable and accessible to the community.
"Stewardship means taking care - taking care of ourselves as individuals and the world around us," environmentally and socially. "We have to look at what we have and plan how to use it properly. We all get comfortable doing routine kinds of things; it becomes familiar, and it can become a rut going down the same path." Rev. Pollesel noted he hopes St. John's can look at the positive and good things it is doing in the community, "and see if we can be doing better." He plans to speak with various people within Prescott and find out what its needs are.
Rev. Pollesel's position at St. John's is part time. He resides in Oxford Station, and is also stewardship education co-ordinator for the Diocese of Ontario. Financial difficulties currently being experienced at St. John's are not uncommon with other churches, and St. John's could not afford a full-time minister, he said.
"We're all sort of in the same boat," Rev. Pollesel said. With declining and aging membership, "it's more of a struggle. Formal religion does not play as big a role in people's lives as it did" from the 1950s to 1970s.
There may be some apprehension and even some anger on the part of parishioners regarding the new system, Rev. Pollesel said. However, he explained not having clergy reside in a church-owned residence allows a minister the opportunity to look after himself, and frees the congregation of the responsibilities of care-taking. The church's Dibble Street West rectory was recently sold.
Rev. Pollesel expects to set up regular office hours of about one day per week, and establish a toll-free phone number from his home. "My intent is to be available as possible." His wife Gini Pollesel is a human resources consultant for Health Canada, and the couple has two sons and three daughters, ranging in age from 15 to 21.
He received a Master of Divinity from Trinity College at University of Toronto, and was ordained for the Diocese of Toronto, where he served for 13 years. Rev. Pollesel ministered at St. Thomas in Belleville for six years, and has been involved as the education co-ordinator for almost three years. He is currently working on a doctorate in ministry.
A celebration of the new minister will take place Sunday, Feb. 3 at 4 pm. Bishop Peter Mason and visiting clergy will be attending; there will be no 10:30 am service that day. A pot luck reception will follow the service.
BROCKVILLE - Leeds and Grenville is number one in Ontario when it comes to rabies, according to the district health unit.
Fifty-three confirmed cases of rabies were reported in 2001. There were 47 cases of mid-Atlantic strain raccoon rabies last year, two of which involved skunks. There were also six cases of bat strain rabies, all of which were found in bats.
The health unit, which also covers Lanark county, reported 41 people received post-exposure treatment last year because of their contact with potentially rabid animals.
Most of the rabies incidents occurred to the north and west of Brockville. However, one confirmed case of raccoon rabies was reported last June in the area of County Road 44 and Highway 16 north of Johnstown.
The first case of raccoon rabies in Leeds and Grenville was reported in 1999. This strain of the infectious viral disease of the nervous system is believed to have come from northern New York. Thirty-six of 40 rabies cases in 2000 involved raccoons; the other five were bats. Those 40 cases led to 47 people requiring post-exposure treatment.
Raccoon vaccine baits were air dropped and placed by hand throughout sections of Eastern Ontario last year. More than 11,000 raccoons and skunks were vaccinated in the Brockville area as part of trap, vaccinate and release operations supervised by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The ministry and health unit remind the public not to trap and relocate wildlife. Not only is it against the law, but relocating animals may lead to the spread of the disease.
Dogs and cats are to be vaccinated, and children should be warned to stay away from wild animals or stray pets. Medical attention should be sought if bites or scratches occur; incidents should be reported to the health unit.
The most recent case of rabies in the tri-county area was reported last week.
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - Most of the service providers associated with the Access Centre for Community Care in Lanark, Leeds and Grenville have accepted contract extensions, according to an access centre news release issued Friday.
The access centre oversees home care services and placement to long-term care facilities funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Contracts for those services are awarded to other community health care agencies and are monitored by the access centre. Current contracts for nursing and homemaking/personal care services expire at the end of March.
The access centre announced ParaMed Health Services chose not to accept a contract extension offer. Plans are being made to transfer affected clients to the other service providers that have agreed to contract extensions. They include Comcare Health Services, Bayshore Health Care and the Canadian Red Cross Society.
Case managers at the access centre will contact clients once plans are finalized; the transfer will take place with as little disruption to clients as possible, according to the news release.
The access centre also oversees therapy services. Contract extensions which take effect July 1 have been accepted by Comcare Health Services, CommuniCare Therapy and Ottawa-Carleton Occupational Therapy Services.
SPENCERVILLE Criminal charges will not be laid in connection with an incident that occurred Jan. 20 at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.
Three male youths had indicated they were confronted by a man in a washroom at the arena. The man allegedly grabbed one of the boys and told him to get into a stall. The boys, aged 10 and 11, left the washroom and reported the incident to their coach and police. An atom hockey tournament was being held that day in the arena.
OPP investigated the incident and located the man. An OPP news release issued Jan. 25 stated the man is a 48-year-old member of a community living program who was taking part in a supervised outing at the time of the incident. It was determined there was no intent to harm the youth, according to police. The investigation has been completed.
In a news release issued the day after the incident, police gave a description of the man and asked anyone with information to contact authorities.
PRESCOTT - Joe Jordan is not happy with the controversy surrounding the proposed move of Grenville Community Development Centre (GCDC) from Prescott to Kemptville.
Although the Leeds-Grenville MP said he is reluctant to take sides, he did indicate his own frustration with the current situation.
GCDC's board of directors voted earlier this month to purchase a property in North Grenville and move the centre from Prescott to that location.
Civic leaders in Prescott are trying to have the GCDC decision reversed.
"I can sympathize with Prescott's position," Jordan told The Journal Thursday. GCDC has been based in Prescott since it was founded more than a decade ago.
However, the Liberal MP is apprehensive about intervening. He pointed out the board of directors is a public body representing community stakeholders. However, Jordan noted there may be some question as to whether the board has the authority to make such a decision. There may also be an issue with respect to whether the centre can purchase or own land.
The bylaws of the federally-funded corporation are being reviewed to clarify the situation, according to the MP.
"I want to make sure proper procedures were followed," he said.
GCDC is to prepare a business case and submit it to Industry Canada, GCDC chairperson Sheila Pratt said in a recent interview. Pratt was unavailable for comment earlier this week.
It is expected Prescott's concerns about the decision will be discussed at an emergency board meeting this morning (Wednesday), according to unnamed sources.
Jordan hopes the process will slow down and officials will "calm down" before any additional damage is done to relations between different sections of the county. The success of a community development corporation like GCDC is due in part to co-operation among its stakeholders, he remarked.
"That seems to have broken down in this case," the MP said. "This kind of a thing is very unsettling."
Jordan noted he represents Prescott and Kemptville and has no formal role in the process to determine the outcome of the GCDC proposal.
PRESCOTT - Jamie and Charleigh McFarlane are being honoured for knowing what to do in an emergency.
The brother and sister have been nominated for the Junior Citizen of the Year Award. The award is presented annually by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNA), of which The Prescott Journal is a member.
The McFarlanes' quick action in dealing with a house fire on James Street West in Prescott one morning last September sparked the nomination. Charleigh, 7, saw smoke coming out of an upper-floor window of the house across the street and told her brother Jamie, 11. After telling his mother Jenny about the smoke, Jamie ran across the street and banged on doors and windows; he also yelled for anyone inside to get out of the building. No one was home at the time. Jenny called 9-1-1 to report the fire.
The nomination was submitted by Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn, who presented a Junior Citizen certificate to the McFarlanes last week at the municipal building. The mayor said the children set a good example for their peers by being responsible and trying to help other people in their neighbourhood.
"We thought it was pretty special," Lawn said.
The mayor made the nomination after consulting Fire Chief Bill Lawrence and Police Chief Rick Bowie. Lawrence referred to the youngsters as "heroes" who deserve to be commended for their actions which prevented the fire from becoming more serious.
The two nominees were surprised by the honour. Jamie said he didn't think what they did was such a big deal; other youngsters would have probably done the same thing had they been in that situation, he added. Charleigh indicated it was nice to receive the certificate.
Junior Citizen nominations from across the province are being judged this week. The successful finalists will be notified by the end of the first week of February. The awards ceremony will take place April 12 at the OCNA Spring Convention in Toronto.
PRESCOTT - The town's planning and development committee is considering a request to lease the former Daniels' Hotel property for use as a park and parking lot.
The request was made earlier this month by the Business Improvement Area (BIA). Prescott council agreed at its Jan. 21 meeting to refer the matter to the planning committee.
The vacant lot on King Street West is for sale. Some municipal and business leaders have complained about the condition of the vacant lot.
Councillor and committee chairman Garry Dewar said the BIA would like to see the property cleaned up; a strip of grass could be placed along the King Street side of the lot, he noted.
Dewar, who attended the BIA meeting at which the subject was discussed, also pointed out parking spaces on the south side of Water Street will be lost once the vacant lot facing the river is developed.
Support for referring the matter to the planning committee was not unanimous. Councillor Seeley Pillar, who has advocated using the property for a new town hall and public library, said he could not understand how the "learned" members of the BIA could make such a suggestion.
Dewar said the BIA's request has nothing to do with the town hall issue. He added a park and parking lot would take a back seat if council decided to put a new municipal building there.
The former hotel site is one of a number of options being considered as a location for Prescott's municipal offices and library.
EDWARDSBURGH - A garage on Froom Road was the scene of two break-ins, according to Grenville County OPP. One occurred sometime during the week of Jan. 25; the other took place during the overnight hours of Jan. 25-26. A list of stolen items totalling more than $5,000 includes various power, air and hand tools as well as larger equipment used in vehicle repair and restoration. It appears two culprits may have been involved in the second break-in; a canvas has not turned up any leads. Constables Foley and Boutilier are investigating the incidents. Anyone with information is asked to call the local detachment at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
MAITLAND - Charges are pending against the 17-year-old male driver of a vehicle that rolled over Jan. 23 on County Road 2 between Sharpe's Lane and Maitland. Constable Foley was attempting to stop the vehicle for speeding at about 10:20 pm when it left the roadway and rolled. The driver and the two occupants were not injured. The driver was arrested at the scene and later released. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Grenville County OPP.
PRESCOTT - Grenville County OPP officers have received a few calls about telephone solicitation associated with a hockey game called "Battle of the Badges." This is a legitimate hockey game set for Feb. 27 in Prescott, according to the OPP. Police officers and firefighters from the area will play in a game to be refereed by former Toronto Maple Leaf Eddie Shack. The phone solicitation is being conducted by Xentel DM Incorporated. A portion of ticket sales will support Prevention Awareness for Life, parents against drugs and the police and firefighters fund in New York City.
EDWARDSBURGH - Members of the Grenville County OPP were called to assist with a police pursuit involving a van on Highway 401 at about midnight Tuesday. OPP officers deployed a spike belt on Highway 416 at the County 20 exit north of Spencerville. The vehicle being pursued was stopped shortly after the tires deflated. The driver was arrested. Brockville city police are conducting the investigation.
By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Thanks to a recently formed on-line community group, former students of South Grenville District High School now have a way of catching up with old friends.
Former SGDHS students Carl Young and John Eastwood have teamed up to form the group, called "SGDHS Alumni," on MSN Messenger Service.
"Microsoft offers discussion groups, which can be open or by invitation only," says Young, who attended SGDHS in the early 1960's.
"Ours is open to anyone who attended Prescott High School, Cardinal High School or South Grenville."
The group, formed earlier this month, had attracted 123 members as of Thursday.
Susen Kaylo, assistant librarian at the Prescott Public Library, co-manages the alumni group with Eastwood and Young.
"I think it's a great idea to have a place where former South Grenville students can get together and catch up," Eastwood says.
"It seems to be going over very well. We have been getting a lot of complimentary comments."
Eastwood says the idea of a SGDHS alumni group was born after he posted his name on www.classmates.com, a commercial Web site that covers all of North America.
Young contacted him shortly after; the two hadn't heard from each other in 40 years, Eastwood says.
"One thing led to another, and we realized the high school's old Web site - www.sgdhs.net - is now defunct," says Eastwood, who now lives near Montreal. "It got me thinking that there should be some way for old students to keep in touch."
Ralph Cooper, who ran www.sgdhs.net in the past, says lack of interest and lack of funding are the main reasons the site closed down this year.
"If a stronger interest in a www.sgdhs.net Web site was demonstrated, I may consider re-opening the project," Cooper says.
"However, such a task would require contributions from internal school organizations, alumni, and some sort of sponsorship since the school's budget no longer accomodates the web site design and hosting costs."
Young urges current South Grenville students to re-create and maintain a web site to keep alumni informed about goings-on at the school.
In the meantime, Eastwood and Young have used classmates.com and the e-mail directory on The Prescott Journal's Web site (www.prescottjournal.com) to track down other former students.
"John and myself are very appreciative of what The Journal has been able to do," says Young, a resident of Corner Brook, Newfoundland. "A lot of the alumni also appreciate the opportunity to read The Journal on-line."
Anyone interested in becoming a member of the SGDHS alumni MSN community is encouraged to send an e-mail to John Eastwood at john.eastwood@sympatico.ca, Carl Young at cryoung1@hotmail.com, or Susen Kaylo at ladyhawke_00@hotmail.com.
For more information, go to the group's Web site: communities.msn.ca/southgrenvillehighschoolalumni.
MAITLAND - Grenville Christian College will be giving away $575,000 in prizes until June 20 in its 2002 Super Lotta Grand Draw - the largest fundraiser of the year at the school.
The university preparatory school near Maitland has been running the fundraiser since 1986, and this is the first year participants will have the incredible odds of one in five of winning, said draw manager Teresa Jansman. "This makes the Super Lotta Grand Draw the most winnable draw in Ontario," she said.
The draw was officially launched Jan. 11. Among the prizes are a dream home in Gananoque valued at $230,000 and seven early bird vacation draws. One early bird draw of $5,000 has already been won by a long-time GCC supporter, Wolfe Mielke. The last early bird draw for $10,000 will be May 2.
Proceeds from the Super Lotta provide financial aid to Ontario students who would flourish academically, culturally and spiritually in the atmosphere at GCC, explained Jansman. Although GCC is governed by the Ministry of Education, it does not receive any government support, she said. "It is our mission to make our program affordable to those young people who would prosper at our school."
Last year, more than 50 students were given financial assistance to attend the school.
Currently in grades 7 to OAC, 130 students are boarders, and 76 are day students. The school has an enrollment of 307 students from the Junior Kindergarten to OAC level.
The winner of the grand prize will have a choice of the dream home at valued at $230,000; a 2002 Jaguar XK8 and $25,000 cash; a hot wheels combo with a 2002 Chevy Avalanche, Mercedes SLK 320 Sport and a Harley Davidson FatBoy; a 2002 Chevrolet Trail Blazer plus gas for a year and $100,000 cash; or a 2002 Hummer SUV.
The dream home is currently under construction and can be viewed in Rocky Acres Estates at 60 Garfield St., Gananoque.
More than 2,500 prizes will also be given away, including watch sets, digital cameras, luggage sets, radios, CD players and binoculars.
Tickets can be purchased individually, and there are discounts on multiple ticket purchases. Call 1-800-268-3253 or 341-9329 for 24-hour express ticket sales. A total of 12,500 tickets will be sold. Any winning tickets of early bird draws go back in the pot for more chances to win.
PRESCOTT - Town council has approved another set of appointments to public committees.
The Prescott Library Board consists of Mary Johnston, John Houston, Christine Endicott, Evelyn Dales, Gavin Robertson and Karen Paterson. Councillor Seeley Pillar serves as the town's representative.
The board of the Prescott Youth Centre includes Robyn Demeule, Judy Roberts, Josh Rutter, Laurie Stoddard and town representatives Laurie Kirkby and Councillor Nancy McFarland.
Other committees and boards appointed by council on an annual basis deal with Walker House, Tourism Prescott, economic development, Forwarders' Museum and property standards.
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - The Heart and Stroke Foundation is hoping to "Paint the Town Red" with the help of restaurants and businesses in the region.
Area residents are being invited to purchase hearts at $2 apiece and posting them at participating locations.
The goal of the program is to raise $1 million in Ontario for life-saving heart and stroke research.
Paint the Town Red runs until Feb. 14.
For more information about the program or participating locations, contact the Brockville-area officer of the Heart and Stroke Foundation at 345-6183.
PRESCOTT - Town police investigated 51 general incidents and one motor vehicle accident between Jan. 20 and Jan. 26.
Two shoplifting incidents were investigated, but no charges were laid. Police report it was a very quiet week.
Anyone with information on criminal activity in town is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
KEMPTVILLE Former counties warden Don Cameron has announced he will seek the nomination as the provincial Liberal candidate in the riding of Leeds-Grenville.
Cameron, a former mayor of North Grenville, was the Liberal candidate in the 1999 provincial election. Long-time Progressive Conservative MPP Bob Runciman was re-elected by a 6,000-vote margin; Cameron placed second.
"It is time for change in Leeds and Grenville which has been a 'one party state' for about 70 years," Cameron stated in a news release.
He is pledging to restore the province's commitment to farms and rural communities and fight to bring new jobs to the region. Cameron noted one of the Tories' legacies is a tax system that is unworkable.
AUGUSTA An Algonquin area family has been left homeless as a result of a freak accident at the home last Thursday evening.
A total of 35 Augusta Township firefighters were called to the Sixth Concession home just west of County Road 15 at about 7 pm, said Fire Captain Ed Finucan. The frame bungalow home, the residence of Alan and Caroline Bos, was the scene of the fire. The blaze took about an hour to knock down, but firefighters stayed on the scene until about 11 pm to watch for hot spots, Finucan reported.
The cause of the fire was likely a kerosene lamp that had tipped over in the living room, Finucan said. The lamp was not lit, but the fuel had dripped down through the floor and into a basement pot light, which sparked the fire. "It's unusual, but it just happened the light was right under it," Finucan said.
Alan Bos was home at the time of the fire with his young daughter, while Mrs. Bos was at work, the captain reported. The home is insured.
Damage is estimated at more than $75,000. The fire was mainly contained within the living room, although smoke damage was extensive throughout the house. No injuries were reported.
AUGUSTA Quick action on the part of a Blue Church Road dairy farmer saved more serious damage in a fire Monday evening, reported Augusta Fire Chief Lorne Dougherty.
Both Augusta and Prescott fire departments were called to 2425 Blue Church Road at about 6 pm. The fire began in a box cattle feeder in the barn. However, the homeowner was able to quickly snuff out the blaze with a fire extinguisher, Dougherty said. The services of the departments were not required.
The fire chief suspected the fire was caused by a malfunctioning electrical motor in the automatic feeder.
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE A revised series of prenatal classes is now being offered by the Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit.
The seven classes include updated videos, posters, high-quality overheads and teaching aids. Subjects include pregnancy, birth experience, breast feeding and newborn care.
Public health nurses encourage clients to register and begin classes prior to their 20th week of pregnancy.
"Early prenatal education can have a positive impact on the health of the expectant couple and their baby," stated Carolin Kaemmer, public health nurse and lactation consultant at the health unit office in Brockville.
Classes are available in Prescott, Brockville, Kemptville and several other communities in the three counties.
For more information, call the health unit at 345-5685.
The Web site address is www.healthunit.org.
SOUTH GRENVILLE Commercial and property owners in Ontario who would like to apply for a vacant property rebate must do so by Feb. 28. The application must include a description of the vacant portion of the property and how long it has been vacant. Rebate applications are to be submitted to the municipal office in the community in which the property is located.
The deadline to appeal this year's property assessment is April 2. The cost to appeal is $50 for a residential property and $125 for a commercial or industrial property. For more information, contact the Ontario Property Assessment Corporation in Brockville at 342-8242.
Property owners can make requests for reconsideration of their assessment. This is a more informal process in which the owner is not required to pay an application fee. However, the April 2 assessment appeal deadline also applies to these cases.
St. John's Rector Rev. Michael Pollesel, on the role of the church in the community
THE NEVER-ENDING STORY: As much as people are sick and tired of reading about, talking about and reporting the seemingly endless debate over what to do about Prescott's municipal building and public library, there are one or two developments worth noting. Now that it appears the town's application for SuperBuild funding to renovate the library will not be approved, municipal leaders can get past the uncertainty of not knowing the outcome of the funding request. If the library is as important to the community as some council members have been suggesting, now is the time to come up with a plan to commit to upgrading the existing facility or come up with a viable alternative. The municipal offices were relocated for a reason, and the library cannot stay at 360 Dibble indefinitely while the rest of the building is being given a minimal amount of care and attention.
The fact the previous council's proposal to put up a new building on the parking lot site has re-emerged as an option may astound those who were hoping it was dead and buried. It may also be a sign of the extent to which council will consider any and all options in a desperate attempt to resolve a nagging concern that continues to eat away at this council. As much as councillors keep saying they want to find a solution that will meet the needs of staff and taxpayers, they are making it difficult to come up with a solution every time a new suggestion arises.
Being thorough is one thing, but going back and talking about options that have been discussed months and years earlier seems to be doing more harm than good.
INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED: It is about time the Ministry of Transportation does something to improve public safety at the interchange of highways 401 and 416. There have been too many serious accidents and near misses at that relatively new interchange the past couple of years. The main problems at the interchange are the merge lanes on the westbound 401 and the median to the west of the interchange. The second merge lane on the southbound 416 is unnecessary and should be removed. Changes were made to the interchange where northbound traffic on Highway 416 merges with the busy westbound Queensway in Ottawa.
The Journal received a call recently from a researcher at a major daily newspaper. She indicated she had been asked to put together information about the interchange and the many accidents that have occurred there.
If the ministry has plans to improve the interchange, we hope those plans will be made public as soon as possible.
Tim Ruhnke
One of the challenges of writing an article of local interest is trying to include as much interesting material as possible. Unfortunately, there are occasions in which a lot of the "good stuff" cannot be written for one reason or another at least, not in the news article. The editorial or op/ed page is often the place where writers can go beyond the normal boundaries of reporting.
This is definitely the case with the recent decision by the board of directors of Grenville Community Development Centre (GCDC) to move the organization's offices from Prescott to North Grenville. GCDC issued a fairly brief news release, and board chairperson Sheila Pratt indicated she could not at that time release too much additional information on the subject. The reporter is then left with having to use the release and any on-the-record comments garnered from interviews, plus any background information to describe the centre and what it does.
The material that ends up not getting reported the first time around is, as expected, much "juicier" than the relatively dry stuff included in the article. However, the apparent willingness on the part of local officials to oppose and even protest the decision suggests there will be stuff to report in the coming weeks.
As much as some community leaders are very upset about the prospect of losing GCDC and the premise the deck may have been "stacked" against the Prescott area on this one, they are reluctant to blast away and express their true feelings because of the damage that may cause in terms of relations between the north and the south. However, the folks in North Grenville must realize the loss of GCDC will not be taken lightly by the community that nurtured the centre and has gained a lot from the office and the people who work there.
***
When I heard recently Wendy's would not be coming to Prescott after all, I was reminded of one of the reasons that fast-food chain would have been a welcomed addition to the community. Dave Thomas was, by all accounts, a decent man whose persona on those hundreds of commercials was not an act. The subtle charm that came across in those ads gave many of us a positive view of Wendy's and a reason to seek out one of its restaurants. It is also the reason many of us were actually saddened to hear of Dave's death earlier this month. The man was at the helm of a multi-billion-dollar burger chain, but he was still considered a nice guy.
We hope Wendy's will make it to the Fort Town some day, but it's too bad Dave Thomas won't be around to see it happen.
The sport of road hockey, sometimes called ball hockey because a tennis ball replaces the puck, although prevalent year-round in all Canadian towns, villages and cities, has not been around that long. Certainly not long enough to be considered an Olympic sport and is certainly such a recent phenomenon that we can't even remember playing it other than in the winter.
In fact, back in the 1940s when the winter supply of les pommes de route had dwindled to those left behind by the engines that pulled Jimmy Reid's ash and garbage wagon, old Mr. Johnston's ash conveyance and Geordie Bradley's milk wagon, the sport hit an all-time low in popularity in Prescott.
We had the old arena, situated where the Leo Boivin Community Centre now stands, where there was public skating almost every evening and on Sunday afternoons at 10 cents for children and 25 for adults. It was natural ice back then and we have to wonder if it was colder then because we seem to have always had ice from Christmas until the end of March when the old arena was always packed with over 1000 fans for both junior and senior Citizen Shield playoff games.
And this brings back memories of the pre-Zamboni days of sweeping and scraping the ice surface (No Virginia, they never flooded between periods). Every game there was an "ice crew" led by Dodey Kirkey that used to scrape the ice between periods. Regulars on Dodey's crew were Ralph and Ed McCargar, with the fourth spot taken on a sporadic basis (depending on whether or not they were playing that night) by Jimmie Wert, Norm Fortier, Monk Hanna, Chick, Hall or Carroll Kirkby.
They used hand-made wood scrapers with a strip of metal covering the blade. Each man took a quarter of the surface (measured the long way) and, propelled on his skates, scraped the snow into a single row. This done, all four men would put their scrapers together with about a four-inch overlap on each one, and then push the snow half the length of the ice where they would swing to the north and shove it through a set of doors right off the ice surface from where it would be shovelled into the back yard. They would then do the same thing with the second half of the row of snow and with each of the remaining three rows.
Among those who managed the arena, which meant making ice, keeping fires stoked in the two dressing rooms, and boiling wieners and steaming hot dog buns were Charlie Fortier, Howard McCrady, George Wiles, Len Urquhart and the infamous Jimmy Woodward of Cornwall who also coached and managed Prescott's 1945-46-47 Eastern Ontario championship junior hockey team.
The first natural ice hockey rink each season, depending on how wet the fall had been and how early the snow flew, was the CPR pond, a long, narrow stretch of ice between old Highway 2 and the CPR tracks that started about the foot of Boundary Street and ran east a couple hundred feet. Another natural outdoor rink that froze over most falls were the fields behind Elliott's Lumber yard where the former RCA building now stands.
Both Prescott Public School and St. Mark's Separate School had large outdoor rinks maintained mostly by parents. These produced constant territorial fights between boys and girls as to when hockey could be played. The town maintained a large rink on Henry Street where the curling rink now stands, which was also maintained by Charlie Fortier, who then took over ice making duties at the curling rink when it opened in 1948.
Throughout the war years and up until about 1950 the federal government paid for the operation of an outdoor rink on the DLD property approximately where the Coast Guard parking lot is today. It was operated by a DLD employee Ernest 'Hap' Spencer who had lots of volunteer assistance from downtown rink rats including Leo Boivin, Prescott's NHL Hall of Fame member who lived across the street. Hockey was not allowed on the DLD rink, but for a number of years in the '30s and '40s a group of teens kept a large rink shovelled off most of the winter on the St. Lawrence in front of Ward's old ice house in the west end. There was no territorial dispute about hockey on this rink which boasted dawn to dusk shinny which produced a bunch of Citizen Shield junior, intermediate and senior hockey teams.
Several dads maintained backyard rinks for their kids in those days, but the most famous of these was, by far, the one Bob Thompson maintained for his hockey playing sons Don, Marvin (Pucky), Junior, Garry and Billy, on James Street East, just behind the old arena.
Another east end family which grew up on Russell Street that had the CPR pond, the Fort Wellington moats, the St. Lawrence, the Thompson rink and the town arena within a slap shot of home were the Kirkbys, and for about 20 years there always seemed to be a Kirkby on a midget, junior or senior Prescott hockey team. Included in this great sports-minded and talented sports family were Lorne, Ken, Art, Chick, Don, Bern, Hall and Carroll.
Today's street hockey couldn't hold a pomme de route to yesterday's shinny squads.
The Editor;
The recent passing of Peter Gzowski has made me realize that the group of the people, whom I have come to appreciate over the years, is beginning to dwindle. John Morris has been in that group for many years. You see, John arrived in Kemptville as the editor of the Kemptville Advance when I went to high school there.
In my opinion, he was one of the coolest guys to ever hit the area. I seem to remember that when he first arrived in town, he drove a red MG. This was later replaced with a British racing green Jaguar sedan, which I think he acquired on his honeymoon in Europe. He married one of my teachers, Miss Fulton, who was strict but also cool. In a competition, she could stare down the best of us, and she sure knew how to teach algebra.
John wore a coonskin coat in the winter, and was known to wear a tuxedo with shorts in warm weather. He was the man about town in Kemptville!
Sometime in the late '60s, John gave me a lesson in cool, and in gentlemanship. My wife and I were attending a cocktail party in Ogdensburg. We were speaking with John and Beth when my wife asked me to get her a pack of cigarettes. I returned and handed her the unopened pack. John quietly took the package, unwrapped it, opened it, handed her a cigarette, and then lit it. I learned a small lesson in how to treat a lady.
Among other things, John is a good newspaperman, an author and of late, I think, a bit of a curmudgeon.
Although we have never been close friends, we have been acquaintances for many years. John, I appreciate knowing you.
Lawrence E. Levere - RR1 Cardinal
Curmudgeon's Note: Thanks, Lawrence. Your cheque is in the mail!
On the last day we visited the DMZ. Accompanied by four military guides, we passed through triple rows of electric fence and drove into Panmunjom. We stopped at the building where the Korean War armistice was signed. Here's a sample of the propaganda we heard:
* "The U.S. came here hiding behind the flag of the United Nations, with their South Korean puppet stooges and their 15 satellite countries."
* "Notice that the UN flag is all faded and yellow, but the DPRK flag is still bright and fresh."
* "This is a copy of the armistice agreement. We regard it as nothing more than a worthless piece of paper."
* "Here we can see first hand the suffering and anguish of the Korean people over their divided Fatherland."
For the North Korean people, the Korean War and the Japanese occupation (1925-1945) are very much current events. It's a constant topic of films and books, newspaper stories and propaganda. For them it happened yesterday.
This obsessive hatred and resentment is deliberately kept at a slow boil by the regime. If the people are kept in constant fear, believing enemies surround them on all sides, they are less likely to realize the very regime that claims to be protecting them is the worst enemy of all.
Near the line the soldiers told us to pair up. We were supposed to march in two organized columns to show our dignity and respect. As we walked across the parking lot in the hot sun someone began to whistle the song from Bridge on the River Kwai. It quickly spread through our ranks until we were all whistling loudly. The Korean soldiers just looked at us with puzzled expressions. They didn't get it. Luckily, they hadn't seen the movie.
The border was over a small rise. Three-storey buildings shrouded in tinted glass and bristling with video cameras and microphones faced each other across the no-man's land. The line is at this point a little strip of concrete about a foot wide and two inches high. Five rectangular blue buildings are divided precisely in half by the 38th parallel. The one in the centre is the famous "truce building," where meetings are occasionally held between the two sides and through which all messages between North and South pass.
North Korean soldiers were standing at attention around the truce building and at the edge of the line. They were with us "for our safety." Those same soldiers told us we'd be shot if we stepped across the border. They wouldn't say by whom, just that "you'll be shot."
The South Korean soldiers were visibly upset at seeing us in the North. While we were inside the building they were sticking their faces right up against the window; staring at us and sending radio messages. They used binoculars to see us better from five feet away and later one came with a camera to take our pictures. It was very tense.
Sitting around the table, the North Korean officer told us about Kim Jong-Il's visit to Panmunjom. He said that when the Dear Leader was inspecting the site, a cloud of thick fog came down to blanket the area. The Leader could see the DMZ but his enemies couldn't see him. When he left the area the fog mysteriously lifted.
Manuel said, "Do you mean to say that Kim Jong-Il generates his own fog?"
The soldier said, "Yes." He wasn't smiling.
Then again, they also believe that Kim Jong-Il invented the Internet.
***
Editor's Note: This is the ninth in a series of columns written by Prescott native Ryan Murdock, who now resides in Tokyo. He is writing about his experiences in Japan, China and North Korea.
The Augusta Township Library Board is entering the last phase of its millennium project. The library board has been fundraising for the project since Jan. 1999. The project includes the automation of the library card catalogue, eventually enabling patrons to access the collection from their homes, as well as enabling library staff to catalogue and check out books more quickly.
The project also included the purchase of additional computers and Internet access for free use by library patrons. The final stage of the project is publicity. The library is now offering five computer work stations with free Internet access for its patrons and wants to be the information centre for all residents of Augusta Township. Librarian Eleanor Denny hopes to have the automated system fully functional by April.
To encourage all residents of Augusta to visit the library, the library board is sending a library card to every household in Augusta. The card will be the plastic credit card type that will be necessary for use with the new system. All patrons of the library will need a new card after automation and this mailing will be an invitation to all residents to visit the library and activate their new card.
Members of the six Augusta recreation groups - Algonquin, Domville, Maitland, Maynard, North Augusta and Roebuck - met last week to discuss the application to the SuperBuild Fund. Ten months after applying for the funds, the recreation groups have received notice from Super Build that their application to build or upgrade washroom facilities at each of their locations has been declined.
The groups were invited to apply for round two of the funding on the basis they each raise 60 per cent of the funds and SuperBuild would provide 40 per cent of the funds if the project is approved.
Super Build has received applications totaling $1.1 billion for the $300 million it has to spend over three years. It was decided at the meeting not to proceed with the application process as many of the groups are small and are already hard pressed to raise money to fund existing programs.
We are pleased to be able to offer bridge lessons this winter. Sam Covey will be teaching on Thursday afternoons at 1 o'clock. The first lesson will be next week (Feb. 7). Lessons will be free to members. Please call 925-5300 for a spot. Sam will use a combination of lessons and actual game situations during the eight-week program.
Today is the last day to reserve for dinner Saturday night. We still have a few places left.
Men: mark your calendars. We will be having an all-men's breakfast Feb. 15. We will also need help with preparations and clean-up. Please sign up if you are interested. We will be looking for some programs that are of particular interest to men; suggestions are welcome.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st, Ron Shannon; 2nd, Kitty Wormington; door prize, Valerie Schulz. Tuesday night cribbage high hand, Jeannine Marion; high score, Jeannine Marion; second, Bea Hemsley; third, Louie Bocsy. Thursday bridge 1st, Valerie Schulz; 2nd, Jim Campbell. Thursday night euchre 1st, Mary Reynolds; 2nd, Pete Lowry; 3rd, Hilda Hutton; door prize, Hugh Evely.
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL The French Immersion meeting will take place tonight (Wednesday, Jan. 30) at 7 o'clock in the gym.
Friday, Feb. 1 is a PA Day, so there are no classes for students. Staff will be involved in various workshops.
Our Grade 6 students will be going to "école de neige" (winter camp) Feb. 6, 7 and 8. They will participate in various outdoor activities.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL Grade 8 students had a visitor Monday: Sir John A. Macdonald (Brian Porter).
The hot lunch this week is chicken nuggets.
Friday, Feb. 1 is a PA Day. Some students will participate in a babysitting course sponsored by the Red Cross.
CARDINAL - Members of the Cardinal Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 are being encouraged to continue a successful track record that has spanned 75 years in the community.
That was the message to invited guests at the branch's special 75th anniversary dinner and dance Saturday night at the Legion.
Guest speaker Ron Goodwin, District G zone commander, congratulated the Legion on its proud past, its vigourous present and a promising future. He also congratulated the current executive for its endeavours and in recently obtaining a Trillium grant to install wheelchair accessible washrooms at the branch.
Goodwin also stressed the need for current members to recruit new volunteers in order to continue the Legion's community work. "We'll accommodate them; we'll listen to them," Goodwin said. "Just imagine the results, comrades."
Current Legion President Ken Sorrenti urged members to develop fresh fundraising ideas so the branch would stay a viable community service. At one time, he noted, the branch could operate on bar revenues. With an increased social awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, the Legion turned to Bingo proceeds, which brings in about $36,000 year to operate the hall, Sorrenti said.
Property tax exemptions have eased some of the operational costs, and the Legion hopes to pursue an exemption from school board taxes, Sorrenti explained.
A new committee composed of Legion executive members, the Ladies Auxiliary and the Riverside Seniors has been formed to look at revenue-generating ideas. Sorrenti encouraged all members to attend the general meetings and provide input. "To survive, we must come up with new ideas."
The Legion is also looking at further plans to celebrate its 75th anniversary. One such idea is the painting of a 12-by-20-foot wall mural inside the hall "that will last forever." The mural, expected to cost $10,000, would represent past wars, and faces in the mural would depict actual Cardinal veterans, he noted.
A number of past executive members were honoured with a certificate of appreciation at the dinner. Those recognized were: Mike Adams, Steve Adams, Ben Allard, Muriel Allard, Allen Amell, Scott Barton, Brenda Bass, Tom Beatson, Eleanor Beatson, Nancy Bicker, Dorothy Cameron, Len Carrier, Mel Cassidy, Bernadette Cheetam, Betty Cook, Harry Cook, Yvonne Crawford, Dwayne Crawford, Kim Crawford, Mert Crawford, Lois Dawe, Steve Deschamps, Wally Douglas, Roy Douglas, Shelly Douglas, Ron Earl, Marge Fairfield, Penny Fairfield, Audrey Farmer, John Gilligan, Mary Gilligan, Ann Gladstone, Peter Graham, Ray Hall, Ruth Hooke, Sandra Hughes, Patty Hutchcroft, Dorothy Irving, Sarah Janes, Louise Jodoin, Steve Kavanaugh, Joanne Kavanaugh, George Kavanaugh, Marj Kempffer, Chris Kempffer, Lee MacDonald, David MacDonald, Joyce Magee, Huck Magee, John Marin, Marge Mason, Gail McDonald, Robert McDonald, Joy McGarry, Joyce Menard, Cecile Millar, John Millard, David Millard, Marlene Moore, Kim Moore, Sally O'Brien, Bernard Patrick, Eileen Patrick, Keitha Patterson, Grace Patterson, Gerald Peters, Carol Pidgeon, Dominique Reid, William Richardson, Marusha Runa, Cheryl Shaver, Norma Sherman, Tom Smail, Betty Smith, Ron Smith, Ken Sorrenti, Toby Summerfield, Bev Toupin, Rhea Tousant, Jack Urquhart, Delaine Walter, Mona Williams, Garfield Wright, Freda Wright.
History
Following World War I, the Great War Veterans' Association was formed in Cardinal. This association continued until 1927, when the Legion in Canada was organized. The local veterans re-organized to become Branch 105, and officially started June 27, 1927. William Amell was the first president.
The committees have been struck for this year. After the meeting on Jan. 7, some councillors stayed behind to give input into who would be on what committee and to "gab," I suspect. I don't make a point of staying after a meeting to "gab," but when I returned to the council chambers to get my things I realized what they were discussing and decided to give some input.
I suggested Chris Kempffer be placed on the Economic Development Committee and was in support of the suggestion to ask Sharon Mathieu to be on a committee as well. When I left I was under the impression Mr. Kempffer and Ms. Mathieu had been listed and that the matter would be discussed at some committee before being brought to council. I was wrong.
Council decided to reduce the numbers of committee members by moving from two representatives from each ward to one. I agreed with this; however, in light of the end result brought forward at the Jan. 21 meeting, I now see the error in my judgment.
I thought the reasoning behind the ward system was so that there would be equal representation for each of the "larger" communities within the township: Cardinal, Johnstown and Spencerville. It could not have been designed for equal representation between the two former municipalities because Cardinal would have less than one-third interest as it is in a ward comprised of Cardinal and Edwardsburgh.
I believed that reverting to one member from each ward would not reduce the interests of Cardinal further because I was beginning to feel my fellow councillors were seeing there is a difference in that community and their ways should be considered before making changes - especially after their comments regarding the presentation given by Ms. Mathieu. I was wrong.
At the council meeting Jan. 21, I noted Mr. Kempffer was not on the Economic Development Committee and stated I was under the impression he would be there as a result of the Jan. 7 gathering. Mayor Dobbie advised he could not recall who was written down where. Fair enough.
What I failed to realize until writing this article is that Cardinal representation is missing from another important committee, the Public Liaison Committee.
I believe council should be making an effort to have both former municipalities represented at the committee level. Having members from the former Edwardsburgh making decisions which affect the former Village of Cardinal is wrong because they don't know the village and can't understand the way it will be affected without having someone from Cardinal there to share ideas with them.
Ms. Mathieu is a case in point: Her presentation to council gave the Cardinal viewpoint and so impressed the members from former Edwardsburgh they wanted to have her on a committee.
She did not apply to be on a committee, and to the best of my knowledge, did not replace someone who did apply to be on that committee.
I know I am seen as a "pro-Cardinal" activist. I'm sure my fellow councillors are sick of having me voice my disagreements and concerns on issues such as waste management, nutrient treatment, the location of the municipal hall, or committee membership. The fact is I disagree with a lot of things they agree upon.
I also agree with a lot of things they agree upon. I do not see myself as pro-Cardinal, but as acting in what I believe are the best interests of the whole of the township.
We have two major employers in the village of Cardinal and not one person from that village is on the Economic Development Committee (other than Councillor MacDonald). I think that is wrong.
If this council truly has an interest in the whole of the township, then excluding the Village of Cardinal from committee membership in what is supposed to be an amalgamated township of the village and the former Township of Edwardsburgh is not indicative of concern for the interests of Cardinal.
The truth is that people will not always agree. Some will disagree and just "go with the flow." Some will disagree and state their opposition.
I'd rather work with people who will state their opposition because that provides information and alternate paradigms.
Committees should be selected so as to ensure varied views are represented. Excluding people from the Village of Cardinal excludes that culture. It results in an unbalanced decision-making process within the township. This is a dangerous road to be on. Unbalanced decisions are uninformed decisions and uninformed decisions are not wise decisions. Sometimes informed decisions are not wise either, but the odds are better.
There are committees where Cardinal representation is probably not needed. The village is not affected by the Fenceviewers Committee. My argument is for fair representation of all the interests of the township at the committee level and having one councillor on each committee does not result in fair representation when there are citizens of a greater number from one of the two former municipalities.
Peggy Taylor is a councillor for Ward One and may be reached at (613) 657-1728 or e-mail: peggytaylor@ripnet.com.
SPENCERVILLE - Bonnie Dudley realizes it could have been a lot worse.
The Spencerville resident says she was in the back room of her home doing laundry the morning of Jan. 15 when she heard a loud "bang" outside.
"I looked through the side window to see if something had got hit outside," she says. "I couldn't see anything so I thought it just might have been snow falling off the roof."
However, when she opened the front door, Dudley saw a half-ton truck resting against her porch.
The Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Township 1996 Dodge Dakota had rolled, unattended, down Spencer Street before hitting the porch. Township Recreation Director Mike Spencer had left the vehicle running in park while he went into a store.
"It was a problem with the transmission linkage," Spencer says. "We had it fixed the next day."
The township will pay for repair to the porch. The estimated cost is less than $500, according to clerk/treasurer Russell Trivett.
"I'm just happy it happened when it did," Dudley
says. "An hour later and the kids might have been walking
home from school for lunch."
Virginia Ferguson of Chesterville died gracefully Thursday, Jan. 17, 2002 at the Winchester District Memorial Hospital. She was 78.
She was the beloved wife of the late Rev. L.M. Ferguson; loving mother to Robert (Anne Marie Leger) and Shauna (Alan Lummiss); and grandmother of Heather and Maureen Ferguson and Justin and Megan Lummiss.
Mrs. Ferguson graduated as an Associate with Honors from the Ontario College of Art and had worked as a commercial artist, illustrating music books, Sunday school papers and many school textbooks.
A former resident of Toronto, Cape Breton, Spencerville and Chesterville, she conducted private art classes and began the art program at North Dundas District High School, where she taught until her retirement in the 1980s. Mrs. Ferguson was an avid painter and many of her works adorn churches, institutions and homes in eastern Ontario.
The funeral was held Sunday afternoon (Jan. 20) at Trinity United Church, Chesterville, and was officiated by Rev. Doug Carnegie, who was assisted by Rev. Sandy MacPherson, Rev. Carol Poley-Delisle and Rev. Janet Evans.
Pall bearers were Douglas Elliott, Justin Lummiss, David Malcomson, John McMillan, Richard Woodland and David Woods.
Honorary pall bearers Hilda Belsher, Margaret Casselman, Ina Brownell-Poole and Miriam Woodland also assisted in the service. Musical selections were contributed by the members of the Morewood United and Trinity United Church choirs, friend Doug Warren and piper John Yourt.
Memorial donations to the Trinity United Church, Winchester District Memorial Hospital and the Cancer Society are gratefully acknowledged.
Audrey Harrington of RR 1 Cardinal died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002, at Winchester and District Memorial Hospital at the age of 52.
She was born March 8, 1949 in Holland and moved to Canada with her family shortly after she was born. Her parents were Tunis Vermey and Johanna Vermey, who predeceased her. She married Carl Harrington July 18, 1970 in Brockville. She had been employed as an executive assistant at SCI in Brockville (formerly Brock Telecom) for 34 years. Her main interests were home and family and crocheting.
Mrs. Harrington is survived by her husband Carl; son David of Prescott; and Lisa at home. She will be sadly missed by several nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Cardinal, Monday, Jan. 21, where the funeral took place Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 11 am. Rev. Jack Urquhart officiated. Interment was at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland.
The pall bearers were John McMillen, John MacMillan, Dean MacMillan, Bob Arnott, John Muilwyk and Brian Empey.
Donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Olive Allin of Sarnia, Ontario died Saturday, Jan. 19, 2002 at Sarnia General Hospital. She was 86.
She was born April 1, 1915 in Montreal, Quebec, the daughter of Samson Elliott and Elizabeth Bell. She married John Allin in July 1955 in Montreal.
A resident of Sarnia for the past four years, Mrs. Allin had also lived at RR 2 Iroquois for 26 years and in Montreal. She worked as a homemaker and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of St. John's United Church in Cardinal.
She is survived by her stepson Edward (Janet) Allin of Sarnia; stepdaughter Lillian Harrisson (Bernie Pelletier) of Morrisburg; and 12 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband John; stepson John Allin Jr.; and stepdaughter Norma Madden.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Cardinal, Tuesday, Jan. 22, where the funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 1 pm. Rev. Arlyce Schiebout officiated. Interment was at St. John's Riverside Cemetery, Cardinal.
The pall bearers were Lance, Blair and Darrell Allin, Michael Harrisson, Dorothy Cote and Donna Harrisson.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Louis Patrick Rooney, a life-long resident of Iroquois, died Sunday, Jan. 20, 2002 at Winchester and District Memorial Hospital. He was 48.
He was born Aug. 9, 1953 in Brockville to Frank Rooney and Margaret Mitten. He married Audrey Rooney (nee Merkley) Oct. 11, 1975 at St. Cecilia's RC Church, Iroquois.
Mr. Rooney was the owner of Rooney Feeds Ltd. in Iroquois and South Gower, and was a partner in Tri-County Protein in Winchester. He was a member of Ottawa Feed and Grain dealers, and of St. Cecilia's Church.
He is survived by his father Frank Rooney (Carol Daisley) of Iroquois; his wife Audrey; sons Jason (Erinn) of Etobicoke and Spencer at home; brothers Michael (Nancy) of Calgary and Edward (Nancy) of Caledon East; sisters Rosann (Kevin) Mullins of Manotick, Mary (Barry) Lemoine of Orleans, Colleen Rooney of Toronto and Caroline (Ray) of Iroquois. He was the son-in-law of Barb and Leo Merkley of RR 2 Iroquois; the uncle to 16 nieces and nephews and brother-in-law to Kenny (Margaret) Merkley of Kingston and Margie of Keswick.
He was predeceased by his mother Margaret.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, Tuesday, Jan. 22. The funeral was held at St. Cecilia's Church, Iroquois, Thursday, Jan. 24 at 11 am, with Father Hibert officiating. Cremation took place.
The pall bearers were Troy McMillan, Aaron Banford, Sheldon Tryon, Jamie Hartle, Jason Crawford and Sean Sears. Honourary pall bearers were Jay Merkley, Ray Hunter, Perry Smail, Andrew Droppo, John Vanderspank and Karen Merkley.
Memorial donations may be made the Canadian Food Grain Bank.
PRESCOTT Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving (OSAID) is not currently fundraising through candy sales in town, a former director of the organization and a Prescott resident has noted.
Beverley Toye contacted The Journal, explaining a number of candy dispensers with the name Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) were currently set up in some Prescott and Cardinal businesses. SADD has not existed as a provincial organization since 1989, Toye said.
OSAID is a registered Canadian charity; Canadian Youth Against Impaired Driving (CYAID) is a registered Canadian charity of which OSAID-Inc. is a member, Toye explained.
Toye was a teacher at South Grenville District High School for 27 of her 32 teaching years, and was an OSAID staff adviser at the school from 1986. In 1989, she was elected to the OSAID board of directors and held the volunteer position for 10 years. She continues to give presentations to schools or other groups on behalf of OSAID.
"Merchants in town in all good faith have put them (the candy displays) on their counters," Toye said, but she is hoping to clarify SADD in not connected to OSAID.
In an effort to find out more about the candy displays and SADD, Toye said she contacted the two phone numbers listed on the displays. One call reached a recording stating the number was not in service.
The second number reached a voice mail message. However, she said her several calls and requests for a return call have not been answered.
A call to one of the phone numbers by The Journal did achieve some results. The voice mail message at the number indicated the organization was "Canada Wide Fundraising - the official fundraiser for SADD and Canadian Association of the Blind."
The call was returned by a man who identified himself as Hendrick Kempenaar, who said Students Against Drinking and Driving (SADD) was formed earlier this month and is based in Kingston. He said the group has three founding members who have filed for a charitable registration number, although the number has yet to be granted from the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.
Kempenaar said the group has distributed the display boxes selling chocolate to businesses from Cornwall to Brockville. Any funds raised through the displays will be used to set up a network of information and counselling for students affected by drinking and driving, Kempenaar said.
"I don't know what this is," Toye said. "I just know what it isn't. As to what it is or who it is, I don't know. I'm not telling people what to do. I'm more concerned the good name of OSAID be protected.
"I have no opinion (on SADD); I only know what it's not."
OSAID strives for the reduction and elimination of alcohol and other drug-related injuries and deaths with a focus on impaired driving, Toye said. Members are responsible youths who feel strongly about the impaired driving issue.
"I hope all of you will continue to support the hard-working and committed youth of this area who try to save lives by working to drive the drunks off the road," Toye said.
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - The Ministry of the Environment has decided to extend consultation on potential changes to Ontario's Drinking Water Protection Regulation.
The regulation, which was approved early last year, outlines treatment and sampling responsibilities for all communal water systems including trailer parks, seasonal parks and tourist operations.
Concerns about the possibility some businesses and parks may be forced to close because the regulation is too stringent and costly are being acknowledged by the province, according to a news release issued by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.
"I am pleased the Ministry of the Environment has listened to these concerns and has decided to embark on another round of consultations," Runciman stated. "We all want the same thing safe water," he added.
The consultation will begin this month. "We want to consult with these owners and operators to find the most feasible ways to meet the requirements of our regulation," stated Environment Minister Elizabeth Witmer.
The ministry is also proposing to extend the deadline for new water treatment regulations. The proposed deadline in July 1, 2003; the current deadline is Dec. 31, 2002.
All other requirements of the regulation, including testing and sampling measures, remain in effect.
For more information on the drinking water regulation, call the ministry at 1-800-565-4923 or visit www.ene.gov.on.ca.
DENVER - A hockey career that began in local arenas more than 30 years ago was punctuated last week with the achievement of an NHL milestone.
Cardinal native Todd Gill played his 1,000th NHL game Jan. 21 as his Colorado Avalanche downed the Buffalo Sabres 3-2.
He is only the 171st player in NHL history to accomplish such longevity.
Gill, 36, was honoured for the achievement before the game with a recap of his career on the video scoreboard and a presentation from the NHL.
The six-foot, 180-pound defenseman flew his parents, Sheldon and Ann, in from Cardinal for the game.
"Obviously, we're very, very proud of Todd and his accomplishments," says Sheldon. "He's done quite well, really. It could've been a lot sooner had it not been for injuries the past few years."
Ann wrote a poem a week before the game reviewing Todd's life and career, which Sheldon read to Todd and his Colorado teammates as part of a post-game celebration at a Denver restaurant.
"All of Todd's teammates were there; all of them except for Joe Sakic," Sheldon says. "Sakic apologized that he couldn't make it because of the flu."
Sheldon says his son was flattered by the show of support and respect from the Avalanche players, especially considering it is Todd's first season with Colorado.
"Naturally, Todd was very pleased," Sheldon says. "He was always well-liked, no matter where he played."
Gill served as captain of the San Jose Sharks during his two-year stint there from 1996-98. He also was an assistant captain during the later years of his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team he was drafted by in 1984 and played with until 1996.
Gill's best season statistically was 1992-93 when he scored 11 goals and added 32 assists for 43 points in 69 games.
That year the Maple Leafs upset the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, a memory Gill lists as one of his greatest in hockey.
Gill also has played for the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and Red Wings in his career.
Although the Avalanche and Red Wings have combined to win four Stanley Cups since 1996, Gill has yet to sip champagne from the trophy.
He has three assists in 35 games with Colorado this season after signing as a free agent last August.
CARDINAL - Tyler Colligan overcame a lot to win a bronze medal at last weekend's Bank of Montreal Junior National championships in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Not only was it the first national competition experience for the 16-year-old Cardinal resident, but he skated on a broken leg.
"I have a stress fracture in my fibula," Colligan says. "It didn't have too much effect on me though. The doctor advised me not to skate on it so I was taking a risk."
Colligan won the bronze medal in juvenile pairs with partner Talia Fedor. The two have only skated together for six months.
"Some of the pairs there had been together for several years," Colligan says. "We actually had two first placings from the judges and the top four were pretty close.
"I knew we could do well, and we skated really well. I just wanted to have fun and get some experience."
Colligan wasn't intimidated by the crowds and video scoreboard at Mile One Stadium.
"It was different than what I expected," he says. "It was really nice, especially going out there to receive our medals."
Colligan also competed in novice men's singles, finishing 12th.
"I wasn't disappointed," he says. "I did what I wanted to do. I was a little out of energy after my long program."
The South Grenville District High School student says he will take four to six weeks off to let his leg heal. Colligan hopes to build on his recent success by making it to the Canadian championships next year in junior men's singles.
"I'm moving up one class next year," he says. "I also want to go back to the junior nationals in pre-novice pairs."
Colligan, who began skating with the Cardinal Figure Skating Club when he was nine years old, has been part of the Nepean Skating Club for the past four years.
He and Fedor qualified for the junior nationals by winning the Eastern Ontario Sectional juvenile pairs championship last November.
PRESCOTT - Eighteen rinks will compete in a men's invitational bonspiel this weekend at the Prescott Curling Club.
"It's a great tournament that goes back 20 or 30 years," says organizer Tom McClelland, who is running the invitational for the fourth year.
McClelland says teams from "all over the place" will participate, including squads from Ottawa, Perth, Cornwall and Kingston, as well as a Prescott rink.
Action begins Friday night with three draws, scheduled for 5 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm.
Curling then resumes Saturday morning at 8 am and runs until 8 pm.
The winners of the invitational will be decided by points accumulated throughout the three games each team will play.
"Teams will be divided into 'A', 'B' and 'C' divisions after their first game, based on their points," McClelland says.
"The top six will go in the 'A', the next six in the 'B' and the bottom six in the 'C'. That way, if you're a weak team, you won't get waxed all the time."
More than $4,000 worth of prizes will be on the line, McClelland says, including a satellite dish, DVD players, computer monitors, clothing, tools and four tickets to an upcoming Ottawa Senators game.
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The bantam and midget "AA/AAA" tournaments may still be nearly two months away but the planning is well under way.
No teams have been finalized for the competitions, but it is expected many of the teams from last year will return.
"So far we're in good shape," says Tracy Swan, president of the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association (SGMHA) and director of publicity for the bantam and midget tournaments. "It's usually mostly returning players and teams because of the hospitality of Prescott and Cardinal. It's a fun weekend for them."
Swan says teams from Massachusetts, Oakville, Markham, London, St. Louis, Buffalo and Kitchener have expressed interest in playing in the midget tournament, while squads from North Bay, Binghamton, Ontario East, Bonnecastle and even California are considering the bantam competition.
Both tournaments will be held the weekend of March 22-24, with the bantams at the Cardinal and District Community Centre and the midgets at the Leo Boivin Community Centre in Prescott. Originally, the bantam tournament was to be held at the beginning of March but had to be rescheduled to ensure a full field of 16 teams.
"With all the teams that are in playoff contention, no one could commit," says Swan, adding only two teams were confident they could compete in early March. "We wanted to get rid of the congestion and make it easier for volunteers by having the tournaments on two different weekends, but it wouldn't work."
Swan says the organizing committees are still looking for volunteers to help with "everything involved," from overseeing the door to time-keeping to helping with hospitality rooms for scouts and coaches. Four midget teams will likely need billeting, he adds.
"All of the monies collected at these tournaments comes back to the SGMHA and is used for all teams within the organization, from initiation to midget," he says. "These tournaments, together, bring between $16,000 and $20,000 to the SGMHA."
According to Swan, the tournaments, combined with the bingos the association put on throughout the year, lower the cost of registration by approximately $95 per child.
LENNOXVILLE, QUE. - A local rink walked away from last weekend's Royal Victoria Jubilee curling finals with the "B" championship.
The team of skip Dan Cook, vice Mark Moulton, second Al Norton and lead Ian Bridger knocked off a Lennoxville squad 8-3 in eight ends to take the "B" trophy.
The rink curls out of the Prescott Curling Club.
"I looked on the trophy and we're the only Prescott team on there," Cook says. "The guys just played exceptional."
Bridger adds, "It was a lot of fun. The ice (in Lennoxville) was very similar to ours (in Prescott); the speed was similar, which isn't always the case."
The rink won four games in a row after dropping its opening game, an extra-end heartbreaker to a Sherbrooke team that ended up winning the "A" championship.
Jean Langevin, the Sherbrooke skip, barely slid his final shot between two guards to take out Cook's stone and win 7-5.
"It makes us wonder a little bit, what could've been," Bridger says.
Cook recalls after winning the "B" championship, his teammates were saying "if we had just won that first game...
"To me, I went down there hoping to win a game or two, with it being our first time in the event," Cook says.
Bridger wasn't surprised by the team's success.
"It was pretty much what I expected," he says."We had been playing well lately and I thought we'd do well."
After its opening-round loss Friday night, Cook's rink beat North Hatley 7-6, Glenmore 8-5 and Offerman 8-2 in six ends to reach the "B" final.
The team reached the Royal Victoria Jubilee finals by winning the Centre 27 Playdowns in Prescott earlier this month.
CARDINAL - Technically, the South Grenville junior "B" Rangers are still alive, but they definitely have their work cut out for them.
With four games remaining in the regular season, the Rangers find themselves six points behind Athens for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Rideau Division.
In order to qualify for the post-season, South Grenville will need to go at least 3-0-1 in its remaining games and hope the Aeros self-destruct. The Rangers do hold the tie-breaker in head-to-head play this season, three wins to two; the teams meet one more time this year.
"I think we can pull it off," says Ranger forward Dustin Swan, "if we play to the potential that we have. We can do anything if we meet our potential."
South Grenville managed to collect one point in two games last weekend. The Rangers hosted Ganaoque Saturday night in Cardinal and skated to a 2-2 draw with the Islanders.
"We played very strong that game, and I thought we had the win," Swan says.
The Rangers pulled goaltender Alex Last for an extra attacker in the last minute of overtime in an effort to gain the extra point.
"I think it was a smart coaching decision," says Swan. "We already had the one point (for a regulation tie) and Gananoque is far enough ahead of us that it didn't matter if they beat us."
Tyler McLeod opened the scoring for South Grenville six minutes into the first period, but the Islanders rallied to tie it before the end of the opening frame. Tyler Shanks gave the Rangers the lead again with 4:31 remaining in the second; Gananoque tied the game for good less than a minute-and-a-half later.
The following afternoon South Grenville visited the division-leading Brockville Tikis. Andrew Hare got the Rangers off to an early start, scoring ten seconds into the game. After the Tikis tied the game, Peter Veltkamp scored to give South Grenville a 2-1 lead. However, Brockville scored four unanswered goals to beat the Rangers 5-2 and snap a four-game losing streak.
South Grenville will face each of its division opponents once more to close out the season. The Rangers' only action this weekend will be Friday when they travel to Westport. The Rideaus are red-hot, having surged to within four points of Brockville for the division lead, and have defeated South Grenville in four of the teams' five matchups this season.
CARDINAL - The South Grenville atom "B" Rangers welcomed their neighbours from across the border for an exhibition game Saturday morning in Cardinal.
South Grenville skated to a 1-1 draw with a squirt "A" team from Massena, N.Y. Kenny Polite and Michael Allen provided strong goaltending for the Rangers. Hank Heykoop had the lone South Grenville goal with Nick Francica drawing an assist.
The Rangers posted two road victories in action last week. South Grenville travelled to Morrisburg Wednesday and beat the first-place Lions 3-1. Zach Stitt, Kyle Lavery and Francica scored for the Rangers; Kristian Knapp had an assist.
The following night South Grenville edged the Kemptville Panthers 2-1 in Kemptville. Jamie McFarlane and Knapp were the Ranger goal scorers. Lavery and Stitt recorded helpers.
Rideau - St. Lawrence Junior "B" Hockey League Standings
RIDEAU DIVISION GP W L T PTS
Brockville 40 28 12 0 58
Westport 39 25 12 2 54
Gananoque 39 13 23 3 30
Athens 40 12 27 1 27
South Grenville 40 9 29 2 21
* Teams losing in overtime receive one point
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The South Grenville peewee "B" Rangers went 0-2-1 in three league games last week.
The Rangers hosted Athens Jan. 21 in Spencerville and skated to a 4-4 draw with the Aeros. Sam Whitley, Joshua Whelan, Stephen Joudoin and Kyle McDougald bulged the twine for South Grenville. Micheal Froom had two assists with Matt Deeks and Dustin Curry adding helpers. Kurtis Merkley recorded the tie in goal.
The next night, the Rangers travelled to Brockville and were edged 5-4 by the Warriors. Josh Joudoin, Stephen Joudoin, Andrew Wilson and Deeks had the South Grenville markers. Froom once again had two assists; Zack Van Allen, Josh Joudoin, Deeks, Curry and McDougald helped set up a goal each.
Kevin Beach took the loss in net.
The Rangers played their third game in three days Jan. 23 and lost 4-1 to the Kingston City Cougars in Kingston. Josh Joudoin scored with assists from Deeks and Van Allen.
South Grenville played last night in Prescott against Loyalist. The Rangers travel to Smiths Falls this Friday to take on the Bears and visit Kingston Township Sunday.
SPENCERVILLE - The Rideau St. Lawrence minor peewee Kings improved their season record to 19-9-3 with two wins in their last three league games.
The Kings hosted Gloucester Wednesday in Spencerville and jumped out to a three-goal lead before holding on for a 3-2 win.
Rideau St. Lawrence blanked the Seaway Valley Rapids 11-0 Saturday in Spencerville. Graham Peters posted the shutout; Matt Lajoie scored four times for the Kings. Steve Craig-Pettem and Kyle Atkins both scored twice for Rideau St. Lawrence.
Things got tougher for the Kings the following day in Brockville as they faced the league-leading Kingston Predators. Rideau St. Lawrence fell 5-3 despite a pair of goals from Sam Coyne.