| 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 - The general membership of Grenville Community Development Centre (GCDC) will vote next week on a proposal to move GCDC's offices from Prescott to Kemptville.
A general meeting will take place Thursday, Feb. 14 at 10 am in the council chamber of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council chamber in Spencerville.
GCDC's board of directors voted Jan. 10 to purchase a suitable property in North Grenville. The date of the general meeting was set by the board Monday.
Prescott has been home to the federally-funded GCDC since its creation in 1990. The centre assists companies and small businesses and promotes job creation and economic development in Grenville County through a number of programs and initiatives.
In announcing the general meeting, board chairperson Sheila Pratt stated in a news release past and present boards have sought the most-cost effective location in the Grenville coverage area. A special committee was formed to investigate properties and recommend the best sites available to meet the needs of GCDC clients at the most affordable price, according to Pratt.
The board made a decision at the end of that selection process; office space in Kemptville would be purchased largely through financing from the corporation's earnings fund and a small self-mortgage payable over a three-year period, according to Pratt. The centre would not have to make rent or mortgage payments after three years, giving GCDC more than $14,000 per year in additional funds to be put into community programs and services.
"The matter before the board and subsequently the members pertains to a sound business decision that means additional monies can annually be reinvested into client services," Pratt stated.
Although a majority of the board members who attended the Jan. 10 meeting voted in favour of the proposed move, a majority of GCDC's general members must also ratify the proposal to satisfy the necessary amendments to its bylaws and letters patent. There were 25 general members as of Nov. 28, according to a resolution approved by the board. Voting at the general meeting will reportedly be limited to anyone who was a GCDC member 30 days before the date of that meeting.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn is a member of GCDC, as is his wife and former Prescott mayor Sandra Lawn. Mrs. Lawn told The Journal Monday she was extremely disappointed by the board's initial decision, but was pleased to hear the question would be put to the membership.
She said the demise of the South Grenville Economic Development Commission two years ago was a blow to the Prescott area. The area needs agencies like GCDC at a time when there is "...more work to do in the south," according to Mrs. Lawn. Being the community in greatest need was a criterion in establishing the agency that evolved into GCDC, she noted.
Mr. Lawn also indicated he was pleased the subject would be dealt with by the general membership.
Former mayor Sandra Lawn
PRESCOTT - South Grenville District High School was the scene of an occupation last weekend.
Approximately 30 members of the Brockville Rifles the army reserve regiment that serves South Grenville - took part in Exercise Trillium Wolf. Units throughout eastern and northern Ontario participated in the exercise.
Second-Lieutenant Scott Costen, the Rifles' public affairs officer, told The Journal there were three thrusts to the exercise: practise vital point security, work on winter warfare skills and recruit new members.
In the case of the Rifles, the vital point is a water treatment facility (the high school). In response to a potential threat to the local water supply, the regiment secured and guarded the site.
The perimeter was secured beginning late Friday. Soldiers guarded two checkpoints, patrolled the grounds and took up positions at an observation post and base camp until Sunday.
Gale-force winds made conditions less than ideal late Friday as the exercise began. However, Costen noted reserve and regular army personnel must be able to contend with weather conditions.
"The wind is not a deterrent to us," he said.
One of the benefits of conducting a public exercise is to increase the regiment's visibility in the communities it serves. Costen pointed out the unit would be called upon to respond in case of a real emergency such as the ice storm of 1998.
Many of the regiment's members live in South Grenville. Among them is Rifleman Jessie Bush of Spencerville, 19. She and her brother John, 17, enlisted last year.
"It's something different and new," Jessie said. "I love it."
She added she plans to stay with the regiment as she considers taking the plunge and joining the regular force.
Rifleman Kyle Bucking of Domville is also one of several current or former students of the high school who took part in the exercise. "It's good to be in an area where you know what's happening," Bucking said in reference to the exercise locale. Bucking, who signed up with the Rifles last March, said he has always had an interest in serving his country.
Applicants must be at least 16, a Canadian citizen or landed immigrant, and have a minimum of 15 Ontario high school credits.
The reserve unit offers guaranteed year-round part-time employment, as well as guaranteed full-time employment for those who attend training in July and August. Dental and medical benefits are also provided, as is a gratuity or severance package after 10 years of service.
Members are also eligible for an education reimbursement of up to 50 per cent of university tuition (maximum $2,000) for up to four years. Some college programs also qualify for the reimbursement.
Successful reservists should be physically fit, mentally tough and be able to work together as a team, according to Costen. Some members of the regiment have served in peacekeeping missions overseas.
All participants in the exercise were assessed; lessons learned at operations such as Exercise Trillium Wolf could prove to be valuable in the event of a real emergency, Costen noted.
For more information about the Brockville Rifles, call (613) 342-2755.
PRESCOTT - This year's edition of the Fort Town Frost Festival will be a mix of tried and true traditions, plus some new features expected to warm the hearts and hands of participants, says festival organizer Mike Boyles.
The annual Frost Festival is intended to chase away the winter blahs and bring a little mid-season fun to Prescott, Boyles said. "Everything will go off like clockwork," he said of the lineup of events, set for Thursday, Feb. 14 to Sunday, Feb. 17. "It's shaping up to be one of the best ever."
Kids will have a chance to win prizes in a snowman contest. Participants are asked to build a snowman in their front yard. Judging will be Sunday, Feb. 17. Call 925-4324 to enter the contest by leaving your name and address.
Bring the whole family to the Fort Wellington hill on any day of the festival for sledding and tobogganing excitement.
Scheduled events kick-off Feb. 14 with a Valentine tea and bake sale at St. Paul's United Church Hall. The United Church Ladies Guild will host the event from 11 am to 1:30 pm.
Free skating will be offered to pre-schoolers at the community centre Feb. 15 from 10:30 to 11:30 am, and free public skating will run from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.
The Royal Canadian Legion on Henry Street will be the scene of a Labatt's Wing Night Feb. 15 with 1950s and '60s entertainment by Keith Johnson. Doors open at 5:30 for wings, and the music begins at 7 pm. Everyone is welcome.
Feb. 16 opens with the Randy Kroone Memorial Mixed Sno-Pitch Tournament at the RCA Ball Park. All proceeds go to CNIB. To enter a team, contact Art at 925-1315.
The always-popular lumberjack, chainsaw and obstacle course will be held this year at Beach Home Hardware. Registration is at 9 am Feb. 16 in front of the store. There will be prizes for the various events, including chain sawing, nail driving and cross-cut sawing.
Come and meet Gloria and Bam Bam, the stars of Walt Disney's movie Snow Dogs, in front of The Gift Lane Feb. 16 between 11 am and 1 pm. Free hay rides will be offered from the clock tower from noon to 2 pm. Enjoy a hot roast beef dinner at the Odd Fellows Hall from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Call Ann Thompson at 925-3857 or Bob Wardrop at 925-2076 for tickets. Free public skating will be offered again Feb. 16 from 7 to 8:30 pm.
Start the day off right Feb. 17 with a hot breakfast at Legion Branch 97 from 8 to 11 am. Bacon, ham, eggs, home fries juice and coffee are on the menu.
The Prescott Golf Club will be open for soup and sandwiches from 1 to 3 pm Feb. 17 during the dog sled run. There will be free rides for kids after the run, time permitting. Free public skating will take place at the community centre from 2 to 3:20 pm.
The Frost Festival Finale is scheduled for Feb. 17 at 7 pm. Bring the family and friends to the town waterfront area, just east of the marina, to witness a huge bonfire with more than 100 Christmas trees. Hot chocolate will be served. The event is being supervised by Prescott firefighters.
For more information on the Frost Festival, contact 925-2812.
Festival organizer Mike Boyles
BROCKVILLE The 19th annual 30-Hour Telethon for Palliative Care Services in Leeds and Grenville is set for this weekend.
The telethon, which will be broadcast live from the Brockville Arts Centre, begins Friday, Feb. 8 at 6 pm and runs through Saturday, Feb. 9.
The telethon will air on Cogeco Community Television. CFJR Radio will simulcast the telethon beginning Saturday at 3 pm. At least 30 different entertainment acts are scheduled to appear. The public is invited to visit the arts centre during the telethon; admission is free.
To make a donation, call (613) 342-6604.
PRESCOTT A pair of four-legged movie stars will pay a visit to Prescott next weekend.
Gloria and Bam-Bam, two of the huskies appearing in the Disney movie Snow Dogs, will make an appearance Saturday, Feb. 16 from 11 am to 1 pm at The Gift Lane on King Street West. The dogs will be accompanied by their owners, Mike Pinfold and Carol Broadhurst of Kortar Kennels in Kemptville.
In addition to meeting the dogs, the public can ask the kennel operators questions about huskies and other breeds, according to Gift Lane owner Jane Burton.
PRESCOTT The town will issue interim tax bills by the end of this week, council was told Monday.
Council voted to approve a bylaw to provide for an interim tax levy for 2002. Property tax bills based on 50 per cent of last year's taxes and will be due and payable on or before March 1.
Councillor and finance committee chair Jim French said the town now has a debit machine and tele-banking as payment options.
"We still accept cash or cheques," French remarked.
PRESCOTT Town council is planning to start its meetings a half hour earlier.
Prescott council meets every first and third Monday of the month beginning at 7:30 pm. Those meetings are preceded at 7 pm by a more informal committee-of-the-whole meeting. However, there have been times when a committee-of-the-whole meeting ends a few minutes after it starts; this leads to what Mayor Robert Lawn called the embarrassing position of having to sit around and wait for the 7:30 meeting.
The town is now proposing to start council meetings at 7 pm beginning in March. Councillors would be given a few minutes at the start of each meeting to review materials and prepare for issues to be discussed later on in the meeting.
Prescott council and committee-of-the-whole meetings are held at the health centre on King Street West.
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - The new president of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce is confident good things will happen once civic leaders can overcome setbacks and focus on the future.
"Pick yourself up and get on," Pat Dewar said in an interview. "Life is not always fair."
The chamber president, who with her husband Paul operates Dewar's Inn on the River on County Road 2, served as vice-president in 2001. Bill Pakeman served as president last year.
One of the first issues facing Dewar and the chamber this year is the proposed relocation of Grenville Community Development Centre from Prescott to Kemptville. In addition to protesting the decision made in January by the GCDC board of directors, the chamber has asked its members to write letters to government officials, including Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan.
"It would be a real shame to see GCDC move out of Prescott," Dewar said. "We need positive things to happen... There's nothing positive about losing GCDC."
Dewar went on to say she had yet to hear justification for moving the federally-funded centre. She would like to know how relocating GCDC will put the agency in a better position for the future. Its presence continues to mean a lot to Prescott at a time when the community needs the support of agencies like GCDC, Dewar noted.
As for the municipal landscape, Dewar supports the amalgamation of municipalities in South Grenville; having the entire county become one municipality would be going too far, she added. Communities along the seaway have more in common with their neighbours to the east and west rather than to the north, according to Dewar.
Although she is a strong believer in working closely with other chambers and economic development agencies in the region, Dewar acknowledged the need to look out for the interests of the local business community. "Yes, we do have to protect our identity," she said. "But we should also join together and market the area as a region... We can't accomplish everything on our own."
Closer to home, Dewar also believes Prescott should have an economic development officer or tourism co-ordinator. The town funds Tourism Prescott, a volunteer organization which promotes the area through a number of initiatives and partnerships with other groups. Dewar, a former president of Tourism Prescott, said volunteers continue to do a very good job; however, the effort to promote the area would be enhanced if a professional were hired to focus his or her attention on that job.
Dewar is concerned about the ongoing saga of what to do about Prescott's municipal offices and public library. The current council is now going over ground covered by the previous council; other town business is not being tended to because of the impasse, according to the chamber president.
"As long as they're bogged down, it will hurt Prescott," she said.
As for the Prescott-based chamber, Dewar noted there is an increased emphasis on giving back to the community. The chamber, in co-operation with St. Mark's parish in Prescott, is now running a monthly bingo. Proceeds will go to community events and projects.
PRESCOTT - Two public meetings involving an economic development strategic plan for the region will take place early next week in Prescott.
The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, in conjunction with the separated municipalities of Prescott, Brockville and Gananoque, will conduct sectoral discussion sessions. Six focus group discussions are aimed at gathering input from the community as well as business and industry representation.
The public/community focus group will meet Monday, Feb. 11 from 4 pm to 6 pm at Grenville Community Development Centre (GCDC), 197 Water St. GCDC will also host a tourism focus group meeting Tuesday, Feb. 12 from 9 am to 11 am.
These discussions will serve as the primary input for a regional economic development strategic plan for the region.
Four other focus groups involving manufacturing, agriculture, retail/commercial and high-tech will conduct public meetings next week in Elizabethtown-Kitley and Athens. For more information, call the united counties office at (613) 342-3840, extension 347 or e-mail uclg@ recorder.ca.
Project partners include Industry Canada, the Government of Ontario, Grenville Community Development Centre and 1000 Islands Community Development Centre.
By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer
LEEDS/GRENVILLE - For the time being, paramedics in Leeds and Grenville no longer face disciplinary action and possible suspensions or dismissal for refusing to take mandatory flu shots.
The land ambulance sub-committee decided last week to hold off discipline and suspension of workers until several issues are reviewed, Leeds-Grenville Joint Services Committee Chairman Mark Pergunas says.
"We didn't feel at this point, at least, suspensions were necessarily productive," he says. "We are seeking more information from the Ministry of Health to determine what sanctions we can impose and what sanctions we might be subjected to."
Paramedics that do not provide proof they have taken the shots will have a letter placed in their file.
"We're happy with the land ambulance sub-committee decision," says Steve Hampton, designated spokesperson for Leeds-Grenville CUPE Local 4440.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn, who attended the sub-committee meeting with the mayors of Gananoque and Brockville, also seems content with the decision.
"I appreciate the broad view of the situation and I am pleased with the direction things are moving," he says.
According to a CUPE release, paramedics do not necessarily oppose the vaccination itself, but they do oppose infringement of their Charter rights through "forced" vaccination.
"It has to do with individual choice, and the right to life, liberty and secuirty of the person," says Hampton, citing Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"We have the right to autonomy of the body and to decide what gets put into that body."
Hampton also argues that paramedics are being singled out, saying "doctors and nurses and everyone else" aren't required to take flu shots.
"We do accept (the paramedics') position that there appears to be some systemic discrimination where doctors and nurses aren't under the same obligation," Pergunas says.
"However, there is a legislative requirement. We are trying to take an even-handed approach to this."
An amendment to the Ambulance Service Communicable Disease Standard in 2000 impacted the Ambulance Act and made the flu shots mandatory for paramedics.
"All of us paramedics are getting thrown into a bad light," Hampton says.
"The majority of us have complied; we just stood up for those with very strong philosophical objections."
PRESCOTT - A sign of the times can now be found downtown.
Signs indicating free two-hour parking were posted last week. The two-hour limit, which applies to areas where parking meters used to be, is in effect Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. Portions of King, Centre, George, Henry, Edward and Water streets are affected, as is the municipal lot at King and Centre streets.
Prescott council voted several months ago to have the meters removed on a trial basis. The BIA had requested the move in a bid to attract more shoppers downtown.
The back row of the municipal lot is no longer a popular spot to park. Signs indicating permit parking is in effect in the back row were erected several weeks ago. Permits cost $30 per month (or $70 for three months) and are being sold at the municipal office on Edward Street.
No permits had been sold as of last Friday, according to Town CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown.
The fine for parking beyond the two-hour limit is $10. That amount increases to $15 if the ticket is not paid within seven days.
Town officials have indicated the intent of the bylaw is not to discourage motorists from making more than one stop during business hours each weekday in the downtown area.
PRESCOTT - Central Public School celebrated its 50th birthday Thursday with presentations from two former teachers.
Sandra Shouldice and June Blair took students through the history of the school, which officially opened Jan. 31, 1952.
"We are on a mission," Shouldice said during a presentation to the senior students. "We wanted to tell you and inspire you that Central Public School has a tremendous history."
Shouldice, who taught every grade during her tenure at Central from 1966 to 1998, reviewed as far back as 1867, when the Prescott Academy was built. The academy was later called Prescott Public School and was built on the same site as the current school.
A fire in 1932 destroyed Prescott Public School and a new school was immediately built from insurance money received for the blaze - $30,000 for the building and $1,500 for books.
"They slapped up a building in which the windows were rattly and the floors were creaky," Shouldice said. "However, by the 1950s, Prescott was coming alive with construction and the DuPont plant. There was great incentive for the school board to build a new school.
"When it was built (costing $245,000), it was the cat's meow. It was really something."
Blair told the children about a typical day for a student in the 1950s, talking about music, television and even the movie theatre that used to exist in Prescott. Blair retired last June after teaching "basically the primary grades" since 1986.
At the end of their presentation, the teachers urged students to talk to their parents about Central and search for any items that illustrate the school's past.
"We would love it if anyone would share memorabilia or photos from the school's history for a display we would have during Education Week," Shouldice said. "We have been able to find out so much about the school's past from former teachers and students; we are hoping the (current students) will make that connection."
Central plans to have an open house in May to celebrate its birthday with the community. A definite date has not yet been determined.
PRESCOTT - The man credited with modernizing the Olympic Games and setting them on a sound financial footing will be the guest speaker at the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce annual Awards Night Banquet, Monday, March 4 at St. Mark's Parish Centre.
Richard W. 'Dick' Pound, director and executive committee member of the Canadian Olympic Association, former vice-president of the International Olympic Committee, and a former Olympic athlete himself, will be the featured speaker at the event.
Mr. Pound was first appointed to the IOC as the Canadian representative in 1978 and has served on the IOC executive board since 1983, also serving as vice-president from 1987 to 1991, and from 1996 to 2000. Since 1999 he has served as chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency set up by the IOC.
He rose to prominence on the International Olympic Committee through his marketing ability and understanding of the commercial opportunities available to the Olympics and how this potential income could be funnelled into the IOC coffers.
Starting in 1983 he took control of television contract negotiations and then became responsible for all Olympic commercial matters including television, marketing, sponsorships and licensing. This culminated in his being named chair of the co-ordination committee for the 1996 games in Atlanta, the most financially successful Olympics in the history of the event.
Mr. Pound represented Canada as a swimmer in the 1960 Olympics and in the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Australia where he won a gold, two silver and a bronze medal. In 1996 he was awarded the Canadian Olympic Order's gold medal.
As well as his Olympic committee responsibilities, Mr. Pound is a senior partner in the prestigious law firm of Stikeman Elliott in Montreal where he is a recognized tax expert as well as the editor and author of several national tax publications.
He received his B. Comm (Hon.) degree from McGill University in 1962 and his BA (Hon.) from Sir George Williams University the next year. In 1964 he received his Chartered Accountant designation from McGill, and his Bachelor of Civil Law (Hon.) in 1967.
He is a member of the bar in both Ontario and Quebec and was named Queen's Counsel in 1971 and a member of the Order of Canada in 1992.
He has honourary doctorates from University of Windsor and the U.S. Sports Academy and in 2000 he was named a Fellow of the Chartered Accountants of Quebec.
Mr. Pound, who will be attending the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, later this month, will speak about his role and that of Canadian athletes in Olympic sports.
PRESCOTT - Tickets will soon be on sale for the annual Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce annual Awards Night and Banquet at St. Mark's Parish Centre, Monday, March 4.
This will be the 42nd year for the event which features the presentation of the Chamber's Community Service Award, Connie Dickey Memorial Youth Award and the Corporate Service Award.
Tickets for the evening which will include the popular Silent Auction introduced at last year's event, will be $25. They will be made available to Chamber members first and then will go on sale to the public.
Sales will be limited to 200 tickets and because of the popularity of the guest speaker, Chamber members are urged to place their orders early as a sellout is expected.
The evening will get under way with a reception from 6:30 to 7:30, dinner from 7:30 to 8:30, followed by the guest speaker and then the award presentations.
PRESCOTT - The president of FAI Canada Development Corporation is making another pitch to have the town consider locating its municipal offices and public library in the north end of Prescott.
Christopher Serrie states in a Feb. 2 e-mail to The Journal he has offered to put up the money to provide the facility at the FAI development south Highway 401 and east of the Ontario Provincial Police detachment.
"The location would clearly signal to the other surrounding communities that Prescott is serious about its future and its people," Serrie writes.
A commercial development that includes a grocery store, fast-food restaurant and a new and bigger location for the existing Canadian Tire outlet to the south is slated for the north-end property. Serrie first proposed the town hall/arena/ice rink concept last summer.
Prescott council is now reviewing at least three other options, all of which are in or near downtown.
"All the money the town was considering spending on all the other proposals can be saved for other projects," Serrie says of his proposal. He also notes "...a portion of the rent (at FAI) would go to provide ownership to the town so they would own the entire facility after a period of time."
Serrie indicates there are benefits to having the public library near South Grenville District High School. As for the ice rink, Serrie says "hockey players could play their game while the other members in the family either shop, rest or attend the library to complete their homework assignments."
Serrie notes he has been concerned about recent newspaper articles, including those reporting the proposed move of Grenville Community Development Centre from Prescott to North Grenville (Kemptville). He believes the FAI site offers a solution that would enable council to make "...a positive decision for the future of the town."
"Show the world you're serious about your future and it will build on the excitement," Serrie writes.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn does not dispute the significance of the FAI project to the town's future.
"Certainly, that development is very important to this community," the mayor said Monday.
However, Lawn noted the proposal was ruled out by council as it went through a lengthy list of options. Distance from the downtown area and the majority of town residents factored into the decision.
PRESCOTT - Town council has decided to hold off seeking expressions of interest for the redevelopment of the Dibble Street municipal building.
Council had indicated a willingness last fall to advertise the property which houses the public library and until last spring had been home to municipal offices.
Councillor Terry McConnell said at a committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday the town never followed through with requesting expressions of interest. In noting an information package had been put together, McConnell said advertising the property may lead to someone who wants to preserve the building to come forward.
However, other members of council indicated they do not favour such a move at this time. Mayor Robert Lawn pointed out renovating the Dibble Street building is one of the options still being considered by council as the future home of municipal offices and the library. By seeking expressions of interest, Lawn argued, the community would see that as a sign council is no longer considering that property. "Residents should feel this is still an option," the mayor said.
Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead said she would be in favour of seeking expressions of interest once council makes a decision on the town hall issue. Advertising the property before that decision is made would be like putting the cart before the horse and may end up wasting people's time, according to Beckstead.
Councillor Nancy McFarland said it would be appropriate to assess interest in the property if and when it is no longer an option for municipal offices and the library.
In the end, a motion to seek expressions of interest was not introduced later that night at the council meeting.
Lawn noted during the committee-of-the-whole meeting he had done an analysis of remaining options. One of the renovation proposals for the Dibble Street building is $500,000 less than the next least expensive option, according to the mayor. He went on to state he believes council is getting close to making a decision.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - A business venture that started with an original bank loan of $2,500 has grown in 25 years to become a major international company and a local success story.
When Trudy Van Stralen walked into the Bank of Montreal in 1977, she went armed with a business plan and her vision to begin Hilltop Wools at her family's farm just north of Prescott. With her eldest son Wouter (who was then 11) along for support and encouragement, she obtained the loan - and was even asked by the bank manager if she required more money.
That first home retail shop specialized in natural dyed fleece from the family's own sheep, dyed handspun yarn, dye products, books, spinning wheels, weaving looms and lessons in spinning, colour blending and knitting.
Hard work, perseverance, discipline and strong family support has brought that same small business to include offices, warehouses and a design studio in Prescott, Brockville and Ogdensburg, N.Y.
Van Stralen, her husband Jan and their son Dave now manage an international importing and exporting business known as Louet Sales that, among other things, supplies 800 North American retail stores with their spinning and weaving equipment and yarns.
In 1989, the Van Stralens purchased Louet Sales, a Holland-based company of which they were customers. Product lines expanded, and the family developed three lines of knitting yarn: Euroflax Linen, Gems Merino 100 per cent Worsted Spun Wool, and Elements Pure Lambswool.
The company also sells spinning, weaving and carding equipment and supplies, is an exclusive distributor for Gaywool dyes, owns and produces Meadows Wool Wash, is a distributor for knitting software for sizing patterns and developing knitting patterns, and sells natural dyes and knitting crocheting patterns. Other natural fibers include mohair, silks, alpaca and llama.
Euroflax and Merino are custom spun exclusively in factories in Belgium and England.
Part of the company's success is due to supplying superior quality products to an extensive dealer network, Van Stralen said. They developed a niche market, and always stayed with high quality; their yarns and fibers are considered unparalleled in ease of use, texture, colour and quality, she added.
Louet Sales employs eight permanent staff, including a graphic designer and office and warehouse staff. Several part-time knitters are employed.
Family support has also played a huge role in the success of the company. In the early years, even though the four young children always came first, Van Stralen said they were eager to help and participate in the business, whether it was with collecting dyeing materials, spreading and drying the wool or helping prepare wood for the fires that would heat the huge cauldrons to dye the wool. Spinning, dyeing and weaving became part of the natural rhythm of life at the family's farm.
Until five years ago, her husband Jan worked as a mechanical engineer at Casco in Cardinal. After his regular work week, he would put an equal amount of time into the family business, and used vacation time to help his wife at trade and craft shows.
Jan Van Stralen was the behind-the-scenes worker and support, she said. "If I came up with an idea, he would develop it. His mathematical mind would work things out." Jan developed an electronic weaving loom with a computer program, which, Trudy noted, is now the best loom on the market.
The couple continues to attend large conferences and weaving shows, retail and wholesale knitting and textile shows and sheep and wool festivals, where "people come flocking in to buy patterns."
Van Stralen attributes a major growth spurt in the company to her son Dave becoming manager of the business in 1995. He left a position as a captain in the air force join the firm. Van Stralen credits him with having young and fresh ideas, and is "the force behind" the company.
The Van Stralens' daughter, Judy, a pediatrician in Kingston, often models for the covers of knitting pattern brochures and advertisements. Their daughter Claudia lives in North Carolina.
Over the years, Van Stralen has taught college workshops throughout Canada and the United States on dyeing using natural fibers and colours. She developed what she calls unusual and exotic colours from flowers and plants, and continues to be in demand as a teacher.
In 1993, Van Stralen wrote her own book - Indigo, Madder and Marigold, a Portfolio of Colours from Natural Dyes. In the full-colour book, she shares her techniques and secrets for natural dyeing of fibers, yarns and fabrics. The book is dedicated to the memory of her son Wouter, who was killed in a tragic car accident in 1984, just after starting his second year of university studying veterinary medicine. It was Wouter who gave Van Stralen the inspiration to persevere with the writing of the book and to continue to develop the company, she said.
Besides family involvement, Van Stralen said long, hard hours, discipline and organization are key to running a successful business. "If something needs to be done, it gets done," she said. "If you want to run a business, you have to have the goal and motivation and put the time in."
Judy Van Stralen
PRESCOTT - Information reported to police by a member of the public resulted in an arrest. On Feb. 2, OPP received a complaint involving impaired driving; the pick-up truck in question had been eastbound on Highway 401 and exited at the Edward Street interchange. Police stopped the vehicle on Churchill Road in Prescott. The driver failed the roadside screening device test and was taken to the detachment. Raymond E. Brown, 42, of Brockville, was charged with driving while exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit (over 80). He was also issued a ticket for having liquor other than at a residence, according to an OPP news release.
EDWARDSBURGH - A 35-year-old man was arrested Jan. 29 following a routine traffic stop on Highway 416. Constable Ferland of the Grenville County OPP stopped a vehicle that made an illegal u-turn just north of Highway 401. The officer discovered the driver was in breach of a recognizance issued in Toronto. The man was arrested and later released on $1,500 bail; he is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 15. The passenger in the vehicle was allowed to carry on with the vehicle.
EDWARDSBURGH - A truck driver who didn't pull over for police was ticketed Jan. 31. OPP Sergeant Francis observed a tractor trailer without tail lights westbound on Highway 401 near the Highway 416 interchange. The driver of the rig did not stop right away when the emergency lights were activated on the police car. When the truck did pull over, the 48-year-old male driver from Mirabel, Quebec was issued a warning about the tail lights and a ticket for failing to stop at the nearest edge of the roadway for an emergency vehicle.
AUGUSTA - OPP are investigating a daytime break-in that occurred Jan. 30 at a County Road 15 residence. The property owner made the discovery upon returning from work. Cash, jewellery and electronics are among the items stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Large at 925-4221 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
GRENVILLE - Senior Constable Ozon, traffic officer with the local OPP detachment, issued 84 tickets this past month for speeding, including four notices to appear in court for offences involving speeds of more than 50 kilometres above the posted limit. He also issued two seat belt and six other Highway Traffic Act tickets.
PRESCOTT - The Prescott Police Service investigated 41 general incidents and three motor vehicle accidents between Jan. 27 and Feb. 3.
Two attempted car thefts were investigated Jan. 27 by town police. One incident occurred at a VanKoughnet Street residence; the other took place at a residence on George Street. Both cars a 2000 Hyundai and a 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo were damaged. Police believe the two incidents are related.
Anyone with information on these or other occurrences is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Town police also report local businesses and residences may be called in connection with upcoming appearances by Garden Bros. Circus at the Cornwall Civic Complex. The Police Retirees of Ontario Inc., which is hosting the appearances, is selling tickets and/or soliciting project support.
By Judith MacLean
The cadets of 661 Lt. W.F. Sharpe Squadron started February with National Summer Training Course interviews on the 2nd. Exertion team practices are on the 2nd and 16th. First Aid Team tryouts were held on the 3rd.
Training continued on the 5th with a regular training night, to be followed on the 10th with our Range Team competing in the area competition in Kingston. Good luck, team!
The First Aid Team will start its practices here in Prescott on the 10th. Our squadron has been invited to a dance in Cornwall sponsored by their squadron.
The 17th will see those cadets who are interested on their way to Calabogie for a day of skiing. The 19th is the CO's Parade. The band is scheduled to meet on the evening of the 21st for a practice.
The First Aid Competition will be held on the 23rd. Good luck, team! Our month ends on the 26th with regular training.
Please remember Air Cadets is open to all youth ages 12-18. We meet weekly on Tuesday evenings in Gym C at South Grenville District High School. You can contact us at 925-0246 or by e-mail at 661_air@cadets.net.
PRESCOTT - Life is full of choices, and local educators are trying to make young adults aware of their career options.
South Grenville District High School hosted its annual career day Jan. 17. Many employers and government agencies were represented at the event held in the school's large gymnasium.
Dave Jackson, quality assurance manager at Nitrochem in Maitland, noted a high number of workers in certain trades will soon be retiring. By attending career day, Jackson said, the company can describe the duties of millwrights and other workers to local students who are considering their futures.
"We'd rather hire from the community," he said.
Other organizations represented at the event included the Canadian Armed Forces, Canada Coast Guard and Ontario Provincial Police.
Career day also featured displays made by Grade 12 and OAC co-operative education students who were completing their first semester job placements. Jessica Summers, who worked as a teaching assistant at St. Joseph Catholic School in Prescott, said she thought working in the classroom would be hard. Although she acknowledged there are challenges associated with classroom work, Summers added the placement reinforced her desire to pursue teaching as a career.
The co-op program hosted a breakfast for participating employers Jan. 18 at the Prescott Golf Club. Prescott Police Chief Rick Bowie, a long-time participant in co-op, noted employers also benefit from co-op; it produces a pool of prospective employees.
Megan Clifford, who did her co-op placement at Benson Public School in Cardinal, said her time in the classroom was enjoyable. She noted co-op proved to be a valuable experience that strengthened her interest in teaching.
"I want to help make a difference in a child's life," Clifford said.
The high school will host a major career fair in May for secondary students throughout the region.
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Passport to Prosperity has returned for a second year of matching students and employers.
The awareness campaign is funded by the province and presented in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark by the Upper Canada Learning Centre, a not-for-profit organization.
Claire Winchester, the centre's executive director, said much of the first year was spent introducing the program to chambers of commerce and other groups in the region. She said the goal is to make as many employers as possible aware there are many different ways they can participate in co-operative education.
A steering committee consisting of representatives from school boards and chambers of commerce oversees the Passport to Prosperity program. Teams of principals, vice-principals and teachers from public and Catholic high schools in the region facilitate communication between schools and employers.
For more information on Passport to Prosperity, call the learning centre at (613) 932-3590.
By Raquel Johnston
PRESCOTT - The co-operative education (co-op) program at South Grenville District High School is where Grade 12 and OAC students get placed in a work setting in which they have an interest. Students are given 68 days to spend 186 hours at that placement.
Jill Montgomery, a teacher of the co-op program, says co-op is about students who want experience in a career they would like to pursue. Montgomery said she thinks the students benefit a great deal from the course. She noted she sees the students grow, as in having more confidence in what they want to do. They also have a chance to see if this career is what they want to do. If it is not, than they have saved themselves time and money before going off to college to do what they end up not liking afterwards.
Michelle Arthurs, a Grade 12 student working at Boundary Street Public School, said she benefited a lot from the course. She went into the program with a few options on what she wanted to do, but no certainty about any of them. Now she would like to be a teacher in early childhood education. She learned a lot about herself through co-op and also about the job.
John Bush, a Grade 12 student working at Riverside Pontiac Buick GMC as an apprentice mechanic, says the co-op program helped him as well because he has more experience and has learned a lot about repairing vehicles.
Co-op students spend the first two weeks in school learning how to write resumes and cover letters and about interviews, small group activities, safety and getting prepared for their placement. They are then interviewed and working at their placement. Every third Wednesday they have an "in-school day" in which they hand in journals and assignments, some of which is based on their placement. Every week the students fill out log sheets. They must get their supervisor to sign the log sheet and they hand one of these in every week.
Bush says co-op is much better than regular schooling because you can do a job you enjoy.
Montgomery notes the co-op program is where you earn credits not only at school, but at a job. She says this is a benefit for many students because some are not as good at the schooling than they are with working on a job. Co-op gives students hands-on experience which allows them to excel in school.
The students' marks are based on their log sheets, assignments, work done in two weeks at the beginning of the semester, and their evaluation at their placement. Any incomplete work will result in a failing grade. There are no exams for the course, only a final assignment in which students make a bulletin board of their placement with pictures and information.
Co-op is a course in which you can see if you really want to pursue a certain career for the rest of your life. It gives students experience and perhaps confidence. Many students achieved what they had wanted out of co-op and leave with a better perspective on their future.
Raquel Johnston, a Grade 12 student at South Grenville District High School, recently completed a half-semester co-op placement at The Journal. Her writing credits include archives and the 2001 Year in Review.
By Marnie Lippiatt
Bridge lessons will be held Thursday afternoons starting tomorrow (Feb. 7) at 1 o'clock. The lessons are free to members. Please call 925-5300 to register.
The all men's breakfast is set for Friday, Feb. 15 at 9:30. Members are encouraged to invite a friend or neighbour to come as their guest. Bring your suggestions for new activities at Walker House. Included in the price of breakfast is a bottomless coffee cup.
Board members are reminded of the board meeting Thursday morning at 10 o'clock.
There are a few seats left on our bus trip to Magog. A deposit is required now to assure your seat. The final payment would be appreciated by the last week in March.
Card game winners: Monday bridge 1st, Margaret Nesbitt; 2nd, Ron Shannon; door prize, Kitty Wormington. Tuesday night cribbage high hand, Pete Lowry and Jean Annable; high score, Jeannine Marion; second, Eleanor Gilligan; third, Mary Reynolds. Thursday bridge and euchre snowed out.
PRESCOTT A roast beef dinner will be held Saturday, Feb. 16 at Friendship Hall, 454 Henry St. W.
Dinner will be served at 4:30 pm and 6 pm. Take-out orders will be available.
For tickets, call 925-2076, 925-4784 or 925-4957. Proceeds will go to the U.N. Pilgrimage for Youth.
PRESCOTT A Valentine luncheon and bake sale will take place Thursday, Feb. 14 from 11 am to 1:30 pm at St. Paul's United Church, corner of Dibble and George streets.
CORRECTION
An article in last week's paper indicated property owners who seek reconsideration of their assessment have until April 2 to file an appeal. Ontario's Municipal Property Assessment Corporation advises the deadline is Dec. 31.
Sandra Shouldice, referring to the modern construction
of Central Public School 50 years ago
WE HAVE A PULSE: Opponents of the proposed move of Grenville Community Development Centre may or may not be happy to hear the proposal will be put to a vote of the general membership. On the one hand, there is an opportunity for supporters of keeping GCDC in Prescott to make their case directly to members before a vote is held an option that was not available prior to the Jan. 10 decision by the GCDC board of directors to move the offices from Prescott to North Grenville (Kemptville). The community will finally get to hear the board justify its decision and present its research.
However, it appears there cannot be any further attempts to "stack" the membership in favour of one side or the other when the vote takes place Feb. 14. If you are not already a member of GCDC, you cannot become one and have voting privileges by next Thursday when the vote is scheduled to be held at the municipal building in Spencerville. Any chance of being added to the voters list evaporated a week after the board made its decision and days after that decision was made public.
Perhaps wiping out any real chance of boosting membership prior to a vote of this magnitude is the fair way to handle the situation. Once again, though, there are opponents of the decision who openly wonder if the timing of the decision and subsequent general membership meeting were meant to maximize the odds in favour of moving GCDC to Kemptville.
That may not be fair, but the fact is civic leaders in the Prescott area have taken the GCDC board's decision personally and, for the most part, are willing to fight to keep the centre in the Fort Town. If folks in these parts accepted the decision and did nothing to try and reverse it, South Grenville would be in big trouble!
FOOD BANK PROSPECTS: The chances of re-establishing a food bank to serve the needs of South Grenville appear promising given the excellent turnout at a recent information meeting held in Prescott. A cross-section of individuals and groups came forward to assess the problem and seek ways of solving it. There was a healthy mix of optimism and realism at the meeting the desire to run with the idea was tempered by the realization a successful food bank requires plenty of resources and commitment from volunteers.
As a steering committee continues its preliminary work, all three communities in South Grenville can expect to be called upon to offer their support. The drive to get a food bank off the ground is off to a good start, but the journey has just begun.
Tim Ruhnke
Jon Kuiperij
It seems the days of the "Super Bore" are in the past. Sunday's National Football League championship game between the New England Patriots and St. Louis Rams was an absolute classic, coming down to the last seconds to determine a winner.
The Patriots, of course, came out on top, 20-17, with a 48-yard field goal by the seemingly unflappable Adam Vinatieri. The victory capped an improbable run by the Pats, who were significant underdogs in playoff wins over Pittsburgh and the Rams.
After a trend in the late '80s and early '90s that saw extreme dominance by the National Football Conference translate to blowouts in the Super Bowl, the last few years have treated viewers to much more than just expensive and original commercials.
Maybe it's a good thing the Buffalo Bills aren't in the big game anymore these days - I am a Bills supporter, actually, but it was getting ridiculous; even I'll admit that.
The term "destiny" was used constantly throughout New England's post-season push, as many seemed convinced it was the year of the Patriot, what with the tragic events of last September and the nationalism that ensued.
Even New England's colours - red, white and blue - seemed the perfect fit, although that doesn't explain a victory over St. Louis, a two-touchdown favourite.
Then again, there didn't seem to be any explanation for a controversial New England win over Oakland in four inches of snow, with a 45-yard Vinatieri field goal tying the contest with seconds left and another successful kick in overtime to win it. And there was hardly any logic behind the Patriots' triumph in Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers, to win the American Football Conference championship.
The predictable clichés flowed out of the Patriot locker room after their Super Bowl win - "no one gave us any respect," "we believed in each other" and "we won it as a team" seemed the most prevalent.
For once, however, those tired phrases seemed appropriate. Hardly anyone did give New England any respect, even though the team won the AFC East and finished the year on a nine-game winning streak. The Patriots certainly appeared to believe in each other and in their quarterback Tom Brady, who at 24 years of age became the youngest starting pivot to win an NFL title.
And they definitely won it as a team; a squad lacking of true superstars worked together to form a mistake-free offence, a point-scoring defence and a dependable special teams unit. The solidarity the Patriots showed by being introduced as a team before the game, rather than as individuals, spoke volumes for the value of putting personal agendas aside in favour of the team.
John A.H. Morris
Our recently published book, Morrises' History of Prescott: 1800-2000, has succeeded in bringing back many old memories among its readers, and informing many residents of the wonderful history the town has witnessed. For some it has made the world considerably smaller.
This past weekend brought an e-mail from Elizabeth Murdoch (former Liz Johnston of Prescott) telling us her brother Eric had given her a copy for Christmas and how much they had enjoyed reading it and reminiscing about the many people from Prescott who were mentioned in the book.
She relates that a friend from Salmon Arm, B.C., where she now lives, was looking at the book with she and her brother and remarked there was a man in Salmon Arm who was originally from Prescott.
"We asked him who that might be," she wrote, "not expecting it to be anyone we would know."
He replied it was Mr. Frattura, and Eric asked him if it was Joe Frattura, and said it was.
"The result was that Eric phoned him and had a good chat, and a couple of days later the three of us went for a long lunch and back to his house to look at pictures and to reminisce some more.
"It was wonderful and all because of your book!"
Liz informs us that Joe is now 88 years old, sees and hears well and has a keen memory. Since he graduated from old PHS and Queen's University he has taught high school English, French and Music. His wife, also a high school teacher, died about four years ago. They have lived in Salmon Arm most of their married life.
Joe Frattura is the son of Prescott's well-known bandmaster, Joe Frattura Sr., who also played solo trumpet in the Prescott Citizens Band. He was leader from 1912 until his retirement in 1940, the longest-serving leader the band ever had in its 100-year history.
Mr. Frattura and his wife and family moved to Prescott from Smiths Falls in 1912 and operated an ice cream parlour on King Street. It was located where Jim and Belle Pelehos operated Everyman's Smoke Shop until a few years ago. Joe Frattura Jr. became an accomplished clarinet player and was also an outstanding high school athlete and hockey player.
Liz reported that among his Prescott "treasures" was a list of over 100 nicknames of Prescott people. We will try to obtain a copy of these names for a future column.
*****
The Jan. 17 fire at the Royal Bank on King Street turned up an unexpected cache of Prescott memorabilia in the attic of their next-door neighbours, the Mary-Kay Shoppe. To check that the fire hadn't spread to their "almost detached" three-story building, owners Rudy and Janny Roeger checked the second and third stories above the women's wear shop.
In the third story attic Rudy came across several boxes of letters, booklets, militia publications and other printed materials once the property of a former building owner, W.A. Bennett, back in the 1870s. Mr. Bennett was first a lieutenant and then a captain of No. 1 Company, 56th Battalion, Lisgar Rifles. Capt. Bennett was the commanding officer of the Prescott Company (No. 1) of this militia unit, and most of the military correspondence was between himself and Lt. Col H.D. Jessup of Prescott who commanded the entire regiment.
Rudy and Janny have lent us this interesting collection of Prescott memorabilia with the assurance that it would be placed on permanent loan to the Grenville County Historical Society. The Roegers want to make sure these pieces of our history remain in Prescott.
Of particular interest in this collection is a copy of a small booklet containing the "Constitution and By-Laws of the South Grenville Liberal Conservative Association". This is the first time we have come across the Liberal Conservative party in South Grenville, but we are guessing that it is what was known as the Conservative party because at that time liberals were referred to as "Reform".
The booklet, printed in 1874 in Ottawa, lists the following poll chairmen, secretaries and treasurers of the three South Grenville municipalities:
Prescott: East Ward - Wm. Ellis, John Robinson, S.T. Boyd; South Ward - Joseph Hanes, John Francis, W.R. Walsh; West Ward - George Brenning, Henry Daniels, George Labatt.
Augusta: No. 1, Brundages' Corners- Edward Reynolds, R. Simpson, T. Kelly; No. 2, Knapps School House - Capt. Chadwick, W. Knapp, Jos. Raycroft; No. 3, Guy's Corners - A. Garrett, Jas. Reynolds, W. Hall; No. 4, Maitland - A. Pearson, W.H. Oaks, Wm. Bain;
No. 5, Town Hall - Chas. Wood, B. Hannah, William Irvine; No. 6, N. Augusta, John Langstaff, George Withworth, J. Aspinwall.
Edwardsburgh: No. 1, Port Elgin- John McArthur, J.C. Irvine; No. 2, Johnstown- Richard Baker, Abraham Newman, Francis Whitley; No. 3, Wexford- Wm. John Fraser, Alexander Shaver, Wm. McGannon; No. 4, Spencerville- Wm. Stitt, Joseph Stitt, Andrew Bennett; No. 5, Ventnor- John McGury, George Cook, John McAuley; No. 6, Wallis' Corners- Wm. Clark, John Wylie.
Serving on the executive were John Satchell, J.F. Harper, James Flinn, Hamilton Sherwood and John Stitt. Member of the House of Commons at that time was Dr. Wm. H. Brouse, a Liberal, who served Grenville South from 1872 to 1878. Member of the Legislative Assembly from 1873 to 1880 was Liberal Christopher Fraser.
The Editor;
We have all seen the movie "Dumb and Dummer;" it leaves me to believe the main characters in that movie would do a better job of running our town than our present local government.
Imagine if these ego-tripping people decided what's best for the town rather than just seeing their names in the local paper every week!
A new town hall? Give me a break! How can one justify spending $200,000 to $300,000 for each of the seven persons working in the town hall? Let's not forget you need a meeting hall for the big crowds; renting would be cheaper how often does a large group of people meet anyway?
The taxpayer is already looking at extra costs for clearing the garbage away from the proposed shopping mall site. Now that was a prime example of foresight!
And it's getting pretty bad when the police force is turned down by OPP because someone hired an officer whose credibility is questionable. Now the town will have to come up with modern equipment and better training more cost!
The 'new' problem of the train whistles is going to be solved by our councillors and mayor. Isn't that special! An old problem that should have been seriously addressed years ago! How about the clock tower, bonging away at all hours! That's noise pollution too!
Hey, with all this poor planning, our councillors should be in Ottawa running the country; they are as adept at not making decisions as our federal government!
So, what's next? A pay raise, complete with increased taxes and future debt?
Why not plan sensibly for the future, with a multi-purpose building that would house the town hall, fire and police services and library? Put the town's money to work instead of wasting it on fruitless surveys and needs studies; get to work instead of debating.
Or perhaps Jim Carrey and the Three Stooges would be interested in running our town! They might get something done.
E. LeBlanc, Prescott
The Editor;
Re: Online group created for South Grenville alumni newspaper article, Wednesday, Jan. 30
I was very glad to read that some South Grenville DHS alumni had created a discussion group for former classmates and friends. Mr. Cooper was correct in stating that the old school Web site was costly to maintain and the site itself did require a lot of help and input from a number of people.
So that Prescott residents and former student graduates know, our school does have a school Web site. It can be viewed at http://www.ucdsb.on.ca/sgdhs.
In keeping with our school history and tradition of innovative computer technology programs, the Web site requires an updated browser and a Macromedia Flash 5 plug-in. This Web site was designed by a current student and is maintained by current member(s) of our teaching staff.
Our school Web site group would welcome input, information, site content and help from school alumni.
Our goal is to build an impressive school Web site for both the students, community, alumni and staff. We look forward to hearing from interested community members.
Thank you for an informative article.
Kevin Gray
Computer Technology Team Leader, SGDHS
Ryan Murdock
It was time to leave North Korea. In the departure lounge of the airport we met a Belgian who lives in Pyongyang. He oversees UN food aid in the country.
Several times during our stay we had tried to get one of the pins with the picture of the Leader that every North Korean must wear. We didn't have any luck. The Belgian told us it is impossible for foreigners to get these inside North Korea. It's one of two taboos that cannot be breached.
Citizens are given a certain number of pins and they are strictly accounted for. However, there is apparently a black market for such pins in China, along the North Korean border. Starving Koreans who manage to escape the country overland try to sell their pins for food. The current rate is $25 U.S.
The other unbreakable taboo is sexual relations between North Korean women and foreign men. The foreign man is deported immediately; the Korean woman is shot.
The Belgian also told us the people close to the top know that all the dogma, Juche philosophy and propaganda is a lie, but no one ever shows this in public.
They may confide in a husband or wife but publicly everyone pretends to believe. Insiders fall out of favour easily and are often shot.
Unlike in the former U.S.S.R. and other communist countries, there are no dissident groups in North Korea. Control is absolute. Transgressors are dealt with swiftly and harshly.
Finally, the Belgian told us that the regime continues to survive despite widespread starvation because the rest of the world wants it to remain just above water. South Korea doesn't want the North to collapse because it would be flooded with refugees that would destroy its growing economy.
The U.S. wants to uphold the status quo because they need an enemy to justify massive military spending. The biggest donor of food aid to North Korea is America, though the regime doesn't acknowledge this. They explain away the bags of U.S.-stamped rice as guilt payment for damage caused during the Korean War.
We were glad to leave. Everyone was worn out from the pressure and the relentless propaganda.
Back in Beijing we went from the airport directly to a restaurant. We ordered heaps of food and fountains of beer, and it all came to about $2 each. \When the food came we shoved our faces into it and grunted and slurped like pigs. Nobody spoke until it was finished. After a week of starvation in North Korea this was a feast of Bacchanalian proportions.
We walked down the Sanlitun Bar Street and had dessert in a sidewalk cafe. The night was bustling with activity. It felt great to be there.
Walking down the street I felt elated and free. People were laughing, music boomed from nearby bars, girls wore short skirts. I never expected China to feel like the land of freedom. It was such a contrast. I wanted to sit here all night and soak up the atmosphere, watch the girls.
I didn't realize until then how dull and grey North Korea had been, how lifeless. Everything was subdued and in a state of constant tension. On the streets nobody smiled, and there were no pretty girls. Beijing was pulsing with life energy.
I'll think twice before I ever again criticize China. It can't be transformed overnight, but the pace of change is accelerating. You can feel electricity in the air; a thirst for life. China has faults, but I've learned there are worse places in the world.
People interested in North Korea should read North Korea Through the Looking Glass by Kongdan and Oh, published by the Brookings Institute.
It's the best book about the country. There are very few books on the subject as information from inside is scarce, and this book is mainly based on interviews with defectors. It was recommended to me by the head of UN food aid in Pyongyang.
***
Editor's Note: This is the tenth in a series of columns written by Prescott native Ryan Murdock, who now resides in Tokyo. Murdock, who graduated South Grenville District High School in 1991, is the son of Sandy Murdock and Sharon Ford. His travels include a three-month solo journey through all seven Central American countries. He is writing about his experiences in Japan, China and North Korea.
The Editor;
We have all seen the movie "Dumb and Dummer;" it leaves me to believe the main characters in that movie would do a better job of running our town than our present local government.
Imagine if these ego-tripping people decided what's best for the town rather than just seeing their names in the local paper every week!
A new town hall? Give me a break! How can one justify spending $200,000 to $300,000 for each of the seven persons working in the town hall? Let's not forget you need a meeting hall for the big crowds; renting would be cheaper how often does a large group of people meet anyway?
The taxpayer is already looking at extra costs for clearing the garbage away from the proposed shopping mall site. Now that was a prime example of foresight!
And it's getting pretty bad when the police force is turned down by OPP because someone hired an officer whose credibility is questionable. Now the town will have to come up with modern equipment and better training more cost!
The 'new' problem of the train whistles is going to be solved by our councillors and mayor. Isn't that special! An old problem that should have been seriously addressed years ago! How about the clock tower, bonging away at all hours! That's noise pollution too!
Hey, with all this poor planning, our councillors should be in Ottawa running the country; they are as adept at not making decisions as our federal government!
So, what's next? A pay raise, complete with increased taxes and future debt?
Why not plan sensibly for the future, with a multi-purpose building that would house the town hall, fire and police services and library? Put the town's money to work instead of wasting it on fruitless surveys and needs studies; get to work instead of debating.
Or perhaps Jim Carrey and the Three Stooges would be interested in running our town! They might get something done.
E. LeBlanc, Prescott
The Editor;
Re: Online group created for South Grenville alumni newspaper article, Wednesday, Jan. 30
I was very glad to read that some South Grenville DHS alumni had created a discussion group for former classmates and friends. Mr. Cooper was correct in stating that the old school Web site was costly to maintain and the site itself did require a lot of help and input from a number of people.
So that Prescott residents and former student graduates know, our school does have a school Web site. It can be viewed at http://www.ucdsb.on.ca/sgdhs.
In keeping with our school history and tradition of innovative computer technology programs, the Web site requires an updated browser and a Macromedia Flash 5 plug-in. This Web site was designed by a current student and is maintained by current member(s) of our teaching staff.
Our school Web site group would welcome input, information, site content and help from school alumni.
Our goal is to build an impressive school Web site for both the students, community, alumni and staff. We look forward to hearing from interested community members.
Thank you for an informative article.
Kevin Gray
Computer Technology Team Leader, SGDHS
Ryan Murdock
It was time to leave North Korea. In the departure lounge of the airport we met a Belgian who lives in Pyongyang. He oversees UN food aid in the country.
Several times during our stay we had tried to get one of the pins with the picture of the Leader that every North Korean must wear. We didn't have any luck. The Belgian told us it is impossible for foreigners to get these inside North Korea. It's one of two taboos that cannot be breached.
Citizens are given a certain number of pins and they are strictly accounted for. However, there is apparently a black market for such pins in China, along the North Korean border. Starving Koreans who manage to escape the country overland try to sell their pins for food. The current rate is $25 U.S.
The other unbreakable taboo is sexual relations between North Korean women and foreign men. The foreign man is deported immediately; the Korean woman is shot.
The Belgian also told us the people close to the top know that all the dogma, Juche philosophy and propaganda is a lie, but no one ever shows this in public.
They may confide in a husband or wife but publicly everyone pretends to believe. Insiders fall out of favour easily and are often shot.
Unlike in the former U.S.S.R. and other communist countries, there are no dissident groups in North Korea. Control is absolute. Transgressors are dealt with swiftly and harshly.
Finally, the Belgian told us that the regime continues to survive despite widespread starvation because the rest of the world wants it to remain just above water. South Korea doesn't want the North to collapse because it would be flooded with refugees that would destroy its growing economy.
The U.S. wants to uphold the status quo because they need an enemy to justify massive military spending. The biggest donor of food aid to North Korea is America, though the regime doesn't acknowledge this. They explain away the bags of U.S.-stamped rice as guilt payment for damage caused during the Korean War.
We were glad to leave. Everyone was worn out from the pressure and the relentless propaganda.
Back in Beijing we went from the airport directly to a restaurant. We ordered heaps of food and fountains of beer, and it all came to about $2 each. \When the food came we shoved our faces into it and grunted and slurped like pigs. Nobody spoke until it was finished. After a week of starvation in North Korea this was a feast of Bacchanalian proportions.
We walked down the Sanlitun Bar Street and had dessert in a sidewalk cafe. The night was bustling with activity. It felt great to be there.
Walking down the street I felt elated and free. People were laughing, music boomed from nearby bars, girls wore short skirts. I never expected China to feel like the land of freedom. It was such a contrast. I wanted to sit here all night and soak up the atmosphere, watch the girls.
I didn't realize until then how dull and grey North Korea had been, how lifeless. Everything was subdued and in a state of constant tension. On the streets nobody smiled, and there were no pretty girls. Beijing was pulsing with life energy.
I'll think twice before I ever again criticize China. It can't be transformed overnight, but the pace of change is accelerating. You can feel electricity in the air; a thirst for life. China has faults, but I've learned there are worse places in the world.
People interested in North Korea should read North Korea Through the Looking Glass by Kongdan and Oh, published by the Brookings Institute.
It's the best book about the country. There are very few books on the subject as information from inside is scarce, and this book is mainly based on interviews with defectors. It was recommended to me by the head of UN food aid in Pyongyang.
***
Editor's Note: This is the tenth in a series of columns written by Prescott native Ryan Murdock, who now resides in Tokyo. Murdock, who graduated South Grenville District High School in 1991, is the son of Sandy Murdock and Sharon Ford. His travels include a three-month solo journey through all seven Central American countries. He is writing about his experiences in Japan, China and North Korea.
By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer
EDWARDSBURGH/CARDINAL - Waste Services Incorporated (WSI) of Brockville has received a ten year contract for curbside collection of recyclables and solid waste in the township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
Municipal council approved WSI's tender at its meeting Monday night in Spencerville.
"I think its a pretty good deal," Mayor David Dobbie said, noting the contract will not see any increase over the ten year term.
Canadian Waste Services, which currently handles blue box recycling pickup in the village of Cardinal on a month-to-month basis, also submitted a completed tender. R.W. Tomlinson submitted a tender on the collection of solid waste but did not express any interest in the collection of recyclables.
The municipality had looked into the possibility of doing its own curbside collection, but it was determined a private contractor would be much more economical.
"We really can't compete," Public Works Manager Lawrence Rooney said. "When you factor in the trucking and disposal costs, it doesn't make economic sense."
The township will pay WSI $3,938.62 a week for solid waste disposal and pickup throughout Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. Canadian Waste Services had asked for $5,500 a week for the first five years of the contract, and $6,200 a week for the final five years.
WSI is to collect only garbage and refuse that is placed in the appropriate Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal trash bags or that have the appropriate garbage label affixed. The garbage collected must be disposed of at an approved landfill site.
WSI will receive $2,994.88 once every two weeks for collection of recyclables in the township; Canadian Waste Services' bid was $4,280 for the first half of the contract and $4,708 for the last half.
Recyclables include newspapers and magazines, clear and coloured glass bottles and jars, plastic containers, food and drink cans, boxboard and corrugated cardboard.
With the curbside collection contract in place, Dobbie said the next step is for consultants to determine when the Pittston landfill site might be closed. The site will likely be full by the end of next month, Dobbie said.
"We have to order the (township) garbage bags," he added. "We also need to educate the residents on what garbage to put out and when."
Rooney said the Cardinal dump is projected to have eight to 18 years left, "depending on usage." The dump will stay open to be used for disposal of large waste, such as furniture, tires, refrigerators and stoves.
CARDINAL It might be lights out for twilight baseball in Cardinal this year.
The infield lights at the Cardinal baseball diamond must be replaced before Hydro One will supply any power to them. The recreation facilities committee of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal recently determined replacement of the lights would cost $25,000.
"That's a hell of a lot of money," Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Mayor David Dobbie said at council's meeting Monday night.
Recreation facilities committee chairman Bill Sloan was uncertain why the cost would be so high, suggesting new poles and wiring might account for the majority of the expense.
Township Recreation Director Mike Spencer will be asked to prepare a report for council explaining the cost of repairing the lights.
According to Sloan, the lights were only used approximately seven times last year and there is no guarantee anyone would want to use them this season.
"Maybe the lights aren't being used right now, but if you want to entice people to play ball you have to have the lights," Dobbie said.
JOHNSTOWN Bob Hennessy is the new general manager of the Port of Prescott.
Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council approved the appointment of Hennessy to the position at its meeting Monday night in Spencerville.
Hennessy had worked at the Port of Hamilton since 1973, serving as general manager for approximately ten years. He began his new position with the Port of Prescott this week.
"We look forward to working with you," Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal Mayor David Dobbie said to Hennessy at the meeting.
Council also approved the extension of the employment contract of Ray Robusky to the end of this month. Robusky has served as general manager on an interim basis since the township purchased the port in October of 2000.
"There will be a one month overlap to allow Ray to show (Bob) the ropes," Dobbie said.
CARDINAL The 1st Cardinal Girl Guides will serve a ham and casserole dinner this Thursday, Feb. 7 from 4 to 7 pm. The dinner will take place at the Cardinal Legion Branch 105. Take-outs are available; tickets can be purchased at the door.
All proceeds will help support the Girl Guide trip to Toronto in July. The Guides will be spending four days touring sites in the city, and taking in the endangered species museum and a live theatre production. For more information, contact 657-1146.
CARDINAL Plenty of sweet treats are expected to be available at a Valentine's Day Bake Sale, set for this Saturday, Feb. 9. The 1st Cardinal Scouts will be hosting the sale from 10 am to 5 pm at Village Square Mall. Tickets can also be purchased at the mall to win a basket of Valentine goodies. The winning ticket will be drawn the same day.
Proceeds from the sale will help purchase new uniforms and badges for the 14 Beavers, six Cubs and 14 Scouts now enrolled in the Cardinal unit. Funds will also be used to purchase new camping equipment and craft supplies.
The scouting movement in Cardinal is enjoying a revival, with membership now double from previous years, reported Sandy Leggo of the Scout unit. The unit also has a number of new leaders involved. For more information on the bake sale, call 657-3570.
CARDINAL New members are always welcome to join the Junior Stamp Club that meets monthly at the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library, Cardinal Branch.
The next meeting is set for Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 7 pm. Participants learn about trading and collecting postage stamps. For more information, call John Dugan at 657-1081.
CARDINAL A shrove Tuesday supper will be served at St. Paul's Anglican Church, John Street, Cardinal, next Tuesday, February 12. The meal will be served from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Take-outs are available; call 657-3400. Pre-schoolers eat free.
Marjorie Ellen Drummond (formerly Fairbairn) died Sunday, Jan. 27, 2002, at the age of 95. She had been a resident of Wellington House Nursing Home in Prescott.
Mrs. Drummond was born Nov. 15, 1906, the eldest daughter of Almon and Cora Fairbairn. She married Willis Drummond and lived on a farm in the Spencerville-Roebuck area for her entire married life. In later years, she lived at the Maples in Spencerville before moving to Mayfield Retirement Home in Prescott, and finally to Wellington House.
She is survived by two daughters: June Cameron of Lethbridge, Alberta and Corrine Selleck of Prescott; and a younger sister, Ruth Vincent of Brockville. She is lovingly remembered by grandchildren Stephen (Kim) Cameron, Mark (Donna) Cameron, and Tami (Steve) Keiver, all of Lethbridge, and Harry (Lori) Selleck of Maitland, and Lorie (Ritchie) Pitt of Shanly. She will be sadly missed by great grandchildren Nicole, David, Jacqueline, Scotty, Travis and Brettney, all of Lethbridge; Brandon, Colton and Ashton of Maitland, and Joshua and Jarrett of Shanly.
She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews: Lois Dore, George (Marilyn) Drummond, Doug Robertson, Bob (Barb) Montgomery, John (Irene) Montgomery, Ross (Marilyn) Robertson, Billie (Evelyne) Robertson, Lorraine (Gerry) Templeton and Myrna (Art) Garrison; and step-nieces Fern (Jim) Yeldon, Joyce (Ken) Gray and Faye (Dave) Currie.
Mrs. Drummond was predeceased by her husband Willis in 1981; two sisters: Mary Robertson and Lora Kirby, and two nephews: Doug Drummond and Jack Robertson.
She was a member of the Spencerville United Church, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Roebuck Women's Institute, and she was the last remaining charter member of the Roebuck Senior Citizens. She was a school teacher for many years in surrounding secondary schools.
Visitation was held at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Purcell Chapel, Spencerville, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2002. The funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 30 at Spencerville United Church, with Rev. Patricia Swann officiating. Richard Woodland assisted.
Pallbearers were Harry and Brandon Selleck, Ritchie Pitt, Gerry Templeton, John Montgomery and Doug Robertson. Honourary pallbearers were Bob Montgomery, George Drummond, Bob Bell, Charles (Bud) Warner, James Whitley, Mick McGuire and Ernie Bennett. Special honourary pallbearers were Colton and Ashton Selleck and Joshua and Jarrett Pitt. A reception was held in the hall of the United Church following the service.
Spring interment will be at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Spencerville. Memorial donations to Wellington House Nursing Home or Spencerville United Church would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.
GANANOQUE - The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) is searching for approximately 350 employees for its Thousand Island Charity Casino in Gananoque now under construction.
A job fair to recruit staff for the charity casino will take place Friday, Feb. 22 from 1 to 6 pm and Saturday, Feb. 23 from 8 am to 6 pm. Spanning three central locations, the job fair begins at the Boulevard Cinema at 175 St. Lawrence St. All participants must then proceed to the Arthur Child Heritage Centre, then to the Gananoque Boat Lines building.
Participants should bring copies of their resume to the fair and may apply for a maximum of two positions. Participants may attend any time during the time allotted and should expect to spend up to three hours depending on volume.
Information about the positions available will be distributed at the job fair. Candidates will view an orientation video, attend an information session, submit their resumes and participate in a five-minute mini-interview.
Given the anticipated response, only those candidates being considered for a formal second interview will be contacted.
Most contacts are expected to be made within 60 days of the job fair.
Anyone unable to attend the job fair is still eligible to apply for a position. Following the fair, applications will be accepted at the temporary charity casino office at 280 Main Street.
The job fair will recruit about 350 people - to fill approximately 160 full-time and 190 part-time positions. The charity casino is expected to open early this summer.
OTTAWA - Owners of breeding livestock in Leeds and Grenville, Lanark County, Northumberland, Ottawa-Carleton and Parry Sound who were forced to sell all or part of their herd in 2001 because of drought conditions will be eligible for a one-year tax deferral on 2001 income from these sales.
The announcement of the additional designations in Ontario was made Feb. 4 by Lyle Vanclief, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The additional designations were made after reviewing precipitation levels, soil moisture and forage yield for the 2001 growing season, and provides a management option to breeding livestock owners who were forced to sell all or part of their herd due to drought conditions affecting feed or water supplies.
"This tax deferral offers more farmers who choose to sell cattle a real tax saving on the income received from the sale of livestock and will allow them to use these savings when restocking their herds in the spring," Vanclief said. "It's another way the federal government is helping Canadian farmers overcome the challenges presented by the weather last year."
The deferral allows eligible producers in designated areas to defer income tax on the sale of breeding livestock for one year to help replenish breeding stock in the following year. In the case of consecutive years of drought designation, producers may defer sales income to the first year in which the area is no longer designated.
To defer income, the breeding herd must have been reduced by at least 15 per cent. Thirty per cent of income from net sales can be deferred if the breeding herd has been reduced by at least 15 per cent, but less than 30 per cent. Where the herd has been reduced by 30 per cent or more, 90 per cent of income from net sales can be deferred.
Eligibility for deferral was made on the advice of Vanclief to Paul Martin, minister of finance.
Eligible producers will be able to request this deferral when filing their 2001 income tax returns. Livestock producers are advised to contact their local Canada Customs and Revenue Agency Tax Services Office for details on the income tax provisions.
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - The Lung Association encourages local businesses to brighten their offices and support the association by ordering delivery of tulips.
Businesses throughout Leeds and Grenville are being approached by the Lung Association throughout February to solicit orders and make delivery arrangements as part of the Breath of Spring Tulip Campaign.
Bunches of tulips will be delivered Feb. 28. To place an order, contact The Lung Association at 345-1034, or visit the Web site at www.on.lung.ca to find out more about the campaign.
The Lung Association is among Canada's oldest charitable health organizations, established in 1900 to help control the spread of tuberculosis. Today, the association raises funds to support lung disease research and to maintain health programs across the province to educate and help millions of Ontarians to breathe easier.
By Jon Kuiperij - Journal Staff Writer
NORTH AUGUSTA - A local brother and sister posted top-10 finishes in last weekend's North American Long-Track Speed Skating Championships in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Twelve-year-old Braeden Elliott and 17-year-old Kendra Elliott of North Augusta placed sixth and eighth respectively in their divisions. The two, who skate out of Ottawa for the Gloucester Concords, will compete in the Canadian championships this weekend in Sault Ste. Marie.
"It's pretty exciting," Kendra said before departing for Wisconsin Thursday. "My goal is to just finish my races. I don't really care where I place - I'm just happy to be going. If I can get personal bests, that'd be awesome."
Kendra finished fourth in the intermediate division at last month's provincial championships in Ottawa to qualify for the events; Braeden, a student at Maynard Public School, finished second in the midget class.
"The provincial championships were our first competition in long-track," says Kendra, who began skating four years ago with the Mission Racers in British Columbia. "It is one big step I didn't think I'd do so soon."
The South Grenville District High School student says she was inspired to speed skate by her brother.
"Braeden started skating two years before me, and it looked interesting so I decided to try it," Kendra says. "I'm really proud of my brother. He's doing awesome, and I think he'll take it as far as he can."
The Elliott family moved to Ontario from British Columbia last August. In her first year at South Grenville, Kendra already has the support of the students, made evident by a sign of encouragement in front of the school last week.
"It's a nice boost from the school," she says. "Back in B.C. you don't get recognition like that, so it's nice to have the school support."
The siblings tried long-track skating this year after several years in short-track competition. Kendra says she enjoys the longer laps (400 m in long track as opposed to 111 m in short), noting there are more differences than just the length of the track.
"You have to have more momentum with long-track," she says. "You need power more than just speed."
With the Olympics set to go later this month in Salt Lake City, Utah, Kendra will have her eyes on several Canadian skaters.
"I met Catriona Le May Doan and Jeremy Wotherspoon at the Olympic site in Calgary during summer training," she says. "I also know Alanna Kraus - she's from Abbottsford, which was kind of the sister city to Mission."
Le May Doan will carry the flag for Canada during the opening ceremonies, something Elliott is happy about.
"That's a big thing - that's awesome," she says. "This year there has been a lot more coverage and advertising for speed skating.
"Even McDonald's has speed skaters on their french fry packages," she laughs.
CARDINAL - The South Grenville junior "B" Rangers have no room for error anymore.
With three games remaining in the season, South Grenville sits six points behind the Athens Aeros for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Rideau Division. The Rangers need to win their three remaining games and hope Athens loses its three remaining contests; if the teams finish in a tie, South Grenville will qualify for the post-season by virtue of their head-to-head record against Athens.
The biggest obstacle for the Rangers will likely be the Brockville Tikis, who they host Saturday in Cardinal at 7:15 pm. The Tikis have knocked off South Grenville in four of the teams' five meetings this season and are in a battle for first in the Rideau Division with Westport. However, Brockville has been struggling of late, losing four of its past five games.
South Grenville will then play Athens and Gananoque next weekend to close out the regular season. The Rangers have taken three of five games against the Aeros this year and have split five contests with the Islanders, going 2-2-1.
"We can win two out of those three games, for sure," Ranger forward Derek June says. "If we can beat Brockville, that would be good."
The Rangers were blown out by the red-hot Westport Rideaus Friday night, 12-2.
"That was a big shot (to our playoff hopes)," says June, who scored both South Grenville goals.
"We barely had two lines, and I think they had four lines. Lately there has been a lack of commitment (to our team)."
RIDEAU DIVISION GP W L T PTS
Brockville 40 28 12 0 58
Westport 41 27 12 2 58
Gananoque 41 14 24 3 32
Athens 41 12 28 1 27
South Grenville 41 9 30 2 21
* Teams losing in overtime receive one point
SMITHS FALLS - Several South Grenville Rangers made an impact at the Rideau St. Lawrence Junior "B" Hockey League all-star games Saturday in Smiths Falls.
The Rangers sent three players to the veterans' game and three more to the propects contest. South Grenville rookies Derek June, Dustin Swan and Peter Veltkamp each scored once as the Rideau Division prospects beat the St. Lawrence all-stars 9-7. June added three helpers for a four-point evening. Swan also had an assist.
"It was pretty fast, and it was good," June says about his first all-star experience in junior "B" hockey. "It was a lot of fun."
June and Swan skated on a line with Bobby McMillan of the Athens Aeros; the three played together several years ago with the Rideau St. Lawrence Kings.
The Rideau Division team found itself behind 4-0 in the first period before rallying for the victory.
"We didn't start off too well," June laughs. "I thought we were in for a long haul."
The 17-year-old Maynard resident says he expects to be back with the Rangers next season and is optimistic the team will improve.
"We've got a young team," he says. "If most of us come back, we could be pretty good."
South Grenville goaltender Alex Last was flawless in his one period of action in the veterans' game, backstopping the Rideau Division to a 4-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Last picked up the win as the Rideau squad knocked off the St. Lawrence Division 10-5. Andrew Hare, a South Grenville forward, notched two assists.
Ranger captain Lucas Spencer also played for the Rideau veterans' team.
PRESCOTT - The South Grenville peewee "B" Rangers posted a 1-1-1 record in recent league action.
South Grenville visited Kingston Township Sunday and came away with a 2-1 victory.
Josh Joudoin and Micheal Froom tallied for the Rangers with Nathaniel Hayes, Andrew Wilson, Matt Deeks and Kyle McDougald collecting assists. Kevin Beach picked up the win in goal.
The Rangers travelled to Smiths Falls last Friday and fell 4-3 to the Bears. Wesley Polite, Joudoin and Deeks were the goal scorers for South Grenville.
Sam Whitley, Stephen Joudoin, Josh Joudoin, Joshua Whelan, Braden Dukelow and Deeks had helpers. Netminder Kurtis Merkley took the loss.
South Grenville and Kingston Loyalist skated to a 5-5 draw Jan. 29 in Prescott. Deeks recorded a hat trick with Polite and Froom rounding out the scoring.
Josh Joudoin, McDougald, Whitley, Dukelow and Froom had assists with Beach in goal for the tie.
The Rangers hosted Kingston last night in Prescott. The team is on its home ice again Tuesday night when they welcome the Brockville Warriors for a 7:30 start.
PRESCOTT - The South Grenville bantam #1 Rangers outshot their opponents in a road game on the weekend but couldn't come up with the victory.
The Rangers fell 6-2 to Smiths Falls Saturday.
Adam Dixon and Ryan O'Brien scored for South Grenville.
Will Minish, Matt Dougherty, Dan Meppelder and Mike Armstrong added assists.
The Rangers split a pair of games the previous weekend against Brockville squads.
South Grenville knocked off Brockville #1 7-5 Jan. 26 in Brockville.
Jason Taylor and O'Brien each tallied twice for South Grenville; Justin Halladay Dixon and Armstrong rounded out the scoring.
Dougherty, Meppelder, Minish, Armstrong and Dixon picked up assists; Matt Saunders recorded the victory in goal.
The following day the Rangers were edged 4-3 by Brockville #2 in Prescott.
Brockville scored in the last minute of play to break a 3-3 deadlock and take the win.
Armstrong had two goals and Tyler Halladay added one for South Grenville.
PRESCOTT - A Prescott rink claimed the championship at the men's invitational bonspiel last weekend in Prescott.
The team, skipped by Tom McClelland, won all three of its games to win the "A" title and the Putman Trophy. Steve Bissonnette (vice), Ambrose Arcand (second), Dave Millward (lead) and McClelland defeated a Gananoque entry 6-5 in the championship game of the bonspiel, held Saturday at the Prescott Curling Club.
"We were up two going home and had the hammer, so I just knocked one of their rocks out of the rings on my final shot," McClelland says.
"We won that game in the middle of the game."
McClelland's rink beat Brockville 12-8 and Perth 9-5 earlier in the day.
The team, which curls together regularly Monday nights, has been together for five or six years, McClelland says.
Ken Gillespie's Prescott rink finished second in the "C" division.
A team from the RA Centre took the "B" title with a Smiths Falls squad winning the "C" championship.
CARDINAL - The South Grenville 730 Truck Stop bantam "C" Rangers continued their strong season with two wins and a tie in their past four games.
The Rangers played host to Brockville Monday night in Cardinal and skated to a 3-3 tie with the Warriors.
Wesley McFarlane, Matthew Hayes and Kurtis Summers scored to give South Grenville a 3-1 lead, but Brockville rallied for the draw.
South Grenville travelled to Kingston Jan. 30 and downed the Cougars 4-2.
Nathan Smail, David Wallace, David Code and McFarlane scored for the Rangers, who scored twice in the third period for the victory.
The bantams were in Brockville Jan. 28 for a game with the Warriors.
The game was tied 1-1 after one period and 3-3 after two frames, but Brockville scored three unanswered goals in the final stanza for a 6-3 triumph. Smail, McFarlane and Code scored for the Rangers.
South Grenville visited Westport Jan. 26 and edged the North Leeds Stars 3-2. Johnathan Baldwin, Logan Gillard and Hayes notched the Ranger markers.
PRESCOTT - The Prescott Curling Club will be the site of a Little Rocks bonspiel Sunday.
Ten teams, including two from Prescott, will play three games each at the event.
A colour guard and bagpipe music, to be played by Amanda Bush, will escort the teams onto the ice for their first games at 9 am.
The next contests are scheduled for 10:30 with lunch and the final games to follow.
Organizer Mike Morris says the bonspiel, much like the Little Rocks program itself, is intended to be fun and not terribly competitive.
"We don't want to push them at the Little Rocks stage," he says. "It's more about having fun at their age."
The Little Rocks program is for children age six to 12, Morris says. The curlers will use 22-pound rocks, half the weight of a standard curling stone.
Cathy Poole, Carrie Smit, Tobias Barkley and Mallory Gilson comprise one of the local rinks, with Trevor Madden, Allison DeDekker, Caitlyn Moulton and Katie Morrell forming the other.
Teams from Brockville, Ottawa, Cornwall, Russell and Navan will also participate.
PRESCOTT - Tickets are still available for Saturday's Valentine's Dance at the Prescott Golf Club.
"We're selling more and more all the time," says Thom Miller, president of the club. "We're certainly not sold out, but the demand has increased."
As of last Friday, Miller estimated 60 or 70 tickets were unsold. Organizers hope for 150 people to attend; Miller is still optimistic the dance will sell out.
Long-time blues singer Ila Vann will provide the entertainment at the dance, which runs from 8 pm to midnight at the club on Boundary Street.
Vann has sung professionally for more than 55 years and had the number-one hit in Europe in 1975 titled "Can't Help Loving That Man."
Tickets must be purchased in advance. For more information, call Thom Miller at the golf club at 925-5006.
CARDINAL - The South Grenville midget house Rangers fell just short of the "B" championship at their tournament in Cardinal last Saturday.
South Grenville dropped a 5-4 decision to Sandy Hill in double overtime in the "B" final. After a scoreless four-on-four extra session, the two teams played three-on-three and Sandy Hill scored to win the game and take the "B" title.
Mark Jenkins scored twice in the loss with David Thornhill and Kory Brontmire adding singles.
Steve Ford had two assists; Jason Desrosiers, David DeDekker, Kyle Bosley and Daryl Millar chipped in with one helper each.
The Rangers reached the "B" title game with a shootout victory over the Kanata Keggers. Bosley scored twice and Jenkins added another in regulation as the teams were tied 3-3 after three periods.
Jenkins and Desrosiers scored in the shootout to lift South Grenville to a 5-4 win.
Ryan Sloan, Bosley and Desrosiers had assists in the victory.
In their first game, the Rangers fell 3-1 to Gananoque. Thornhill scored the South Grenville marker with assists from Chris Seary and Millar.
Goaltenders Steve Daub and Dan Adams played well for the Rangers throughout the day, according to South Grenville coach Joe James.
Kemptville beat Pembroke 8-2 in the "A" final of the tournament.