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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 |
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By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
JOHNSTOWN The Summit of the Americas may have been held in Quebec City, but security measures associated with the event were in plain view throughout much of South Grenville.
A co-ordinated effort involving federal and provincial agencies resulted in a significant increase in the number of police and customs officers working in or near border crossings in Quebec and along the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) temporarily bolstered its daytime staff at Johnstown by one-third and increased its nighttime complement to a smaller degree, agency spokesperson Sue Primeau told The Journal. She said everything was back to normal as of Monday. No "significant seizures or incidents" were encountered by customs officials at the Johnstown border crossing last week, according to Primeau. She said traffic was about three per cent higher than usual last Thursday and Friday; the increase may have been due in part to diversion of traffic from the border crossing at Cornwall where protesters gathered and then proceeded to Quebec City.
The agency took those steps to protect its employees and the travelling public, according to Primeau. Part of the agency's mandate is to prevent goods and persons from entering Canada illegally, she noted. She added it is the largest initiative of its kind in her six years with the agency; similar efforts will be made when circumstances warrant, Primeau noted.
Although motorists would not normally see police officers alongside customs officers at border crossings, Primeau indicated the questions being put to travellers remained basically the same as at any other time.
Customs officers made 719 referrals to immigration officials at Johnstown between April 1-21, according to Primeau. The total is slightly higher than normal, she noted.
Rick Farmer, manager of the three immigration points of entry along the St. Lawrence in Ontario, confirmed Tuesday there was an above-normal number of persons who were referred to immigration and who were refused entry. There were various reasons some of those seeking admission to Canada to protest at the summit were turned back, according to Farmer.
However, he added there were no incidents of note to report in connection with the increased activity at crossings in the area.
Residents of South Grenville may have noticed a marked increase in the number of police cars in communities along the seaway. In addition to several RCMP cruisers, OPP vehicles from Ottawa, Hawkesbury, Renfrew and other detachments in Eastern Ontario could also be spotted in the area.
A motorcade of protesters made its way east on Highway 401 Thursday. Although eastbound traffic was slower than usual at the time, police did not report any major problems associated with that initiative.
In addition to summit-related duties, visiting OPP officers also assisted with general traffic enforcement during their stay in the seaway valley.
By Monica Whitney- Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Lorraine Pratt's life is measured by every breath she takes through a plastic tube.
Without this clear tube that carries pure oxygen to her diseased lungs, she will die. So she waits, buoyed by the attention and love of her family and husband Larry, for a lung transplant that will bring a normal life back to her.
Mrs. Pratt, now 60, previously had an active life, working, travelling, walking, and playing golf. In 1995, disaster struck when she was diagnosed with emphysema, a disease that had caused extensive damage to her lungs.
Since 1997, she has been tethered to an oxygen machine 24 hours a day by up to 50 feet of plastic tubing. Her mobility is restricted, and she tires easily.
For the past year and a half, Mrs. Pratt has been on a waiting list to receive a lung transplant. A battery of tests and assessments determined she was a suitable candidate for a transplant, if one were available.
Mr. Pratt carries with him at all times a beeper that will sound when the London Health Sciences Centre in London, Ont. has a compatible lung for her. When the beeper sounds and it's not a wrong number (which has happened three times so far), the Pratts will need to get to London as quickly as possible.
If the lung has been retrieved from a person already deceased, they will meet a plane in either Brockville, Ottawa or Kingston, or a helicopter in another location, and be in London within six hours. If the lung donor is on life support, they may have a little longer to travel to London.
She worries her age is working against her though, and that she might not qualify for a transplant by the time a new lung becomes available.
This week, April 22 to 29, has been proclaimed Organ Donor Awareness Week in Canada by Health Minister Alan Rock. The Pratts are fervently hoping more people will become aware of the importance of organ donation, and let their families and friends know they wish to be donors. They stress organ donation will give someone, like Mrs. Pratt, a second chance at life.
For more information on organ and tissue donation call 1-800-263-2833, or visit the Web site at www.OrganDonationOntario.org.
Mrs. Pratt is upfront about the reason for her illness. From a young age she smoked cigarettes and continued smoking for 35 years. When she finally quit, she enjoyed five years of good health. Her deterioration began in 1994, when she started experiencing breathlessness. In 1997, her condition "hit the wall," as her husband describes the situation.
She spent five weeks at the Ottawa Civic Hospital pulmonary rehabilitation centre, where she learned how to breathe again. Every six months, the James Street West couple travels to London for her check-ups.
"There was a time when I was as stubborn as a mule," Mrs. Pratt said. "Nobody was going to tell me if I could smoke or not smoke." But now, "I wouldn't take a cigarette for all the tea in China."
She is also strongly discouraging her granddaughters, who live across the street, from taking up the habit. "I hope they will never take a cigarette and I don't think they ever will."
Mrs. Pratt's activities are now severely restricted by her plastic lifeline. A longer 50-foot tube allows access to their yard, and a portable canister of oxygen lets her leave the home for up to six hours to enjoy a favourite pastime - boating.
Mr. Pratt modified their bungalow home so his wife of 40 years could continue to live as independently as possible. All kitchen cabinet handles were removed so the tubing would not become snagged, and carpeting was replaced with hardwood flooring to minimize dust in the house. A main-floor closet was converted to accommodate a washer and dryer, to ease the exertion of Mrs. Pratt having to go to the basement to do the laundry.
The traditional-style tub is gone from the bathroom, replaced with a walk-in floor-level shower unit with a seat if Mrs. Pratt needs to rest. A new deck at the back of the house was designed for access to the driveway with minimal steps to negotiate. The family car was replaced with an easy-access van. A comfortable sunroom has everything she needs - television, crochet materials, books, photo albums and treadmill within reach.
A homemaker service and nursing care to check such vitals as blood pressure and circulation has been arranged through the Access Centre for Community Care for Mrs. Pratt. Respite care is offered for Mr. Pratt, who continues contract computer work for various firms after a 37-year career with DuPont in instrumentation.
Despite her oxygen line, Mrs. Pratt must take regular medication: she has three inhalers, takes antibiotics and steroids so potent Mr. Pratt said they "would grow hair on a rock."
The disease "has altered our whole way of life," said Mr. Pratt. "Things are going to get worse before they get better unless she has a transplant."
Mrs. Pratt has been included in a book written by her doctor, Richard Hodder, a professor of medicine at University of Ottawa and chief of the department of critical care at the Ottawa Hospital. "Every Breath I Take, a Guide to Living with COPD," describes some of his patients' struggles and triumphs with the disease. Since the book was published, two of the eleven patients have died, and Mrs. Pratt is the only patient eligible for a transplant.
COPD is described in the book as being a grab-bag term for a collection of diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Three per cent of the population suffers from COPD, at a cost of several billion dollars annually to the health care system. It is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada.
Meanwhile, the Pratts wait for the beeper to sound to tell them it's time for a second chance. Mrs. Pratt has little strength, and she said her nerves are wrecked by the stress of waiting. And there's no guarantee it will ever happen, "because they don't get donors," she said. "It could happen now, next year, or never."
MAYNARD The annual spring amnesty day at the Maynard landfill site will be this Saturday, April 28.
Augusta residents will be able to deposit up to two appliances and four tires free of charge on the one day only.
PRESCOTT The Prescott Farmers Market will begin its 2001 season Tuesday, May 1.
The market, which is located in the municipal parking lot at the corner of King and Centre streets, will be open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Town officials are considering a request to abolish fees for vendors at the market. The request was made by the Downtown Prescott Business Improvement Area. BIA Executive Director Mike Boyles states in a recent letter to the town the removal of the fee would attract more vendors and ultimately draw more people to the market.
Vendors at the market are required to pay a fee of $75 for the season which runs from May until mid-autumn.
The BIA's request was referred to an upcoming committee-of-the-whole meeting.
Boyles suggests waiving vendor fees and implementing new features and activities at the market "...could possibly bring back some life to the downtown area."
PRESCOTT Bring the family out for a home-style breakfast this Sunday, April 29, at the Prescott Royal Canadian Legion.
Each breakfast is a hearty serving of two eggs, toast, home fries, bacon or sausage and all the coffee you can drink. Tickets are available at the door. Breakfast will be served at the Henry Street West branch from 8 to 11 am.
PRESCOTT Parking meter revenues are down compared to returns at this time last year, Town Engineer Clyde Solomon reported to the transportation and environmental services committee Monday.
Net revenue for the first three months of 2001 was $7,844. Money collected from the meters totalled just over $10,000 (after taxes); the cost of commissionaires was just under $2,200 for the same period.
Revenue is about 14.8 per cent lower than last year, according to Solomon. He noted the first three months of the year are the slowest in terms of meter use.
Town officials are considering a Business Improvement Area request to have meters removed. The town is awaiting a BIA response to a draft proposal on how to implement the removal and deal with lost revenue and the cost of enforcing a two-hour free parking regulation.
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Town residents can expect to pay more for paper garbage bags distributed by the municipality.
Members of council who attended a transportation and environmental services committee meeting Monday support having both paper and plastic as options. However, it was noted the cost of buying paper bags is now three times higher than plastic.
It costs the municipality 17 cents to buy plastic bags and 50 cents for each paper bag. Residents are charged $1.25 per bag; the difference is supposed to cover other costs associated with Prescott's waste management service.
Town Engineer Clyde Solomon indicated the town needs to purchase additional paper bags; the order would be for 50,000 units. The committee discussed whether the municipality should dump paper bags in favour of the cheaper plastic ones.
Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead received support from some of her colleagues when she said she would prefer to see both options retained in exchange for a higher-priced paper bag. In noting she prefers using paper bags, Beckstead pointed out a lot of other people prefer them and it was a previous council that made the pitch for paper.
Terry McConnell was on council at the time, and the current councillor and committee chair acknowledged there were and still are reasons to provide residents with both options.
It was noted paper bags can hold more, cut down on odour and keep animals out of the garbage better if the bag is tied properly.
However, there appeared to be consensus among the councillors the price of paper bags will have to be increased, something that may be decided as part of upcoming budget deliberations.
Solomon was asked by the committee to order more paper bags. Based on current sales, it would take more than one year to sell the bags to be ordered.
Solomon said Prescott was the first municipality in North America to provide its residents with both paper and plastic bags. He indicated the current split in terms of sales is 54-46 in favour of paper.
PRESCOTT Mayor Robert Lawn says he is keenly aware of concerns about the condition of Churchill Road.
The mayor told chamber of commerce directors at their April 19 meeting the deteriorating state of the road is "...the most talked-about issue in the community" based on his interaction with town residents, including his door-to-door election campaign last fall.
"Nothing else, absolutely nothing else is on the radar screen," Lawn remarked.
Although he said repairing the road is a priority to council, Lawn noted "...it may not be done in its entirety in 2001."
Town officials discussed the state of Churchill Road and other problem areas during a transportation and environmental services meeting Monday.
One estimate pegs the cost of reconstructing Churchill Road between Edward and Boundary streets (including catch basins and improved drainage) at about $700,000.
Town Engineer Clyde Solomon said the estimated cost of grinding that stretch of the road and resurfacing it is just over $302,000. He referred to that option as "a 10-year fix."
Councillors agreed something has to be done about Churchill as well as portions of King Street. The public works department is expected to report a surplus for the year 2000. However, Solomon noted the reason for the surplus is scheduled work did not get done. Priorities are being set as 2001 budget deliberations proceed.
On another roads-related subject, the committee voted to ask the police services board to allow traffic signals at the St. Lawrence-King intersection to be set at flashing yellow and red during the fall, winter and spring months.
In suggesting the move, Councillor Terry McConnell also questionned the need for green and red signals at night at that intersection.
PRESCOTT A successful assessment appeal by a local company has put a dent in the town's property tax base.
An assessment review board has ruled in favour of Kriska Holdings Limited's appeal of the original assessment of its property at 850 Sophia Street, the former RCA plant which is now being used mainly as a warehouse. The review board determined Kriska is owed a total of $279,737 for 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Nearly $130,000 of the refund is for the education portion of Kriska's property taxes. The municipality's share is just over $150,000.
The town has issued the full refund payment to Kriska. The education portion of that amount will be deducted from Prescott's June 30 payment to the province.
The board concluded Kriska's assessment in each of the three years in question was significantly higher than it should have been. For example, Kriska's original assessment had been pegged at about $3 million in 2000. The revised assessment totals less than $900,000. Instead of having to pay $155,225 in municipal and school board taxes, Kriska's reduced tax bill in 2000 amounts to less than $40,000.
The total tax refund would have exceeded $380,000; however, provincial regulations cap the reduction in a given year. Town Treasurer Laurie Kirkby noted limits imposed by the province prevent municipalities from approving significant commercial tax increases.
Based on last year's rates, the town's commercial tax base totals nearly $700,000. Kirkby acknowledged the Kriska property is one of the largest in town from a taxation perspective.
Town officials say the Kriska refund will be handled as an adjustment to be applied to the town's 2000 financial year and will not be applied directly to this year's expenditure column. The municipality plans on an annual basis to expect adjustments in the form of tax write-offs. Town officials concede Kriska or any other property owner has a right to challenge their assessment.
Even with the Kriska write-off, Kirkby expects the town will be close to break-even when the audited financial statement for 2000 is presented later this spring.
Kriska has also submitted a request for reconsideration of its current assessment which Kirkby reported is just under $2 million. Council may choose to keep that in mind as it sets the town's 2001 budget, she added.
PRESCOTT Town council's first formal budget meeting of 2001 has been rescheduled.
The meeting was to have taken place Monday morning. However, the meeting was postponed until Monday, April 30.
Town officials have indicated the budget may not be finalized until late spring.
ALGONQUIN PUBLIC SCHOOL On Wednesday, April 25, H and S Express, a children's entertainment group, perform at 1:10 pm at the school. Friday, April 27 is the last pizza day of the year.
On Tuesday, May 1, the school will hold its jump rope event from 9:30 to 11:30 am.
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL On Thursday, April 26, our primary, junior and senior choir travel to five schools to show off their talents.
On Friday, April 27, the hot lunch is pizza. Our spirit assembly will also take place Friday in the gym at 1 pm.
The winner of our Easter basket is Betty Buker. A great big thank you to all who sold and bought tickets.
BENSON PUBLIC SCHOOL Four of our students will attend A Young Author's Conference Friday, April 27 at Centennial Road Standard Church in Brockville. The students will be from grades 4 to 6.
CENTENNIAL '67 - NORTH EDWARDSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL After school track and field practices start this week for junior and intermediate students.
On Friday, seven students from Grades 4 to 6 will participate in a Young Author's Conference.
Our Jump Rope for Heart demo team visits more area schools this week. Local celebrities will visit our primary classes to read everyone's favourite stories as we celebrate Canada Book Week.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL This week the hot lunch is hot dogs. There is a PTA meeting Monday at 7 pm.
The Jump Rope Demo Team visited here Tuesday, April 24.
A variety show with participants from Grades 4 to 8 will perform Wednesday, April 25 at 1 pm.
Both junior basketball teams travelled to Smiths Falls Wednesday, April 18 and enjoyed their games.
Congratulations to Mr. Pratt on a successful tournament Saturday at South Grenville District High School. The Junior Boys won the 'B' championship. The junior girls lost a good game to St. Francis Catholic School
MAITLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL Wow! Tuesday, April 24 was an exciting day at Maitland PS. Not only did we have our monthly cupcake sale but all of our students were treated to a performance by the Pierre Vaillancourt Saxophone Quartet. Students were entertained in two separate performances and learned many things about music, performing and saxophones.
Our spring chickens continue to arrive! So far 13 have hatched, and we hope for a few more. The brooder in Mrs. Grant's classroom is getting pretty crowded, so if you are interested in adopting "forever" a chick, contact Mrs. Grant or Mrs. Fenlong at Maitland Public School (348-3436). We hope to find homes for our chicks by the beginning of the week.
There will be a meeting of the Maitland parent council Thursday, April 26 at 7 pm. All interested parents are welcome to attend.
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pizza is available Thursday, April 26 and hamburgers Tuesday, May 1.
A confirmation ceremony will be Thursday, April 26 at 7 pm at St. Mark's The Chess and Checkers Club's last day is Friday, April 27. Trophies will be awarded.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Strategy number three in our All Star Reading Program has been presented to all students and stars have been sent home.
Parents are asked to feature the new strategy "Look at the Book" under their refrigerator magnet and to practise with their children.
In preparation for "Jump Rope for Heart," which takes place in late May, students enjoyed a "Heartbeats" demonstration yesterday at St. Mark.
Pizza is the featured hot lunch this week. and hamburgers will be on the menu next week. A happy May to all.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Water colour artist Rosaleen Carragher-Mallett believes it is never too late to follow your dreams.
And because she never lost sight or gave up, the artist will be exhibiting her works for the first time at the upcoming South Grenville Guild of Fine Art 10th Annual Show and Sale.
In addition to Carragher-Mallett's canvasses with their gentle reminders of her small and rural Prince Edward Island home town, the show will feature the work of 25 local artists.
Painting was always something Carragher-Mallett had a desire to try, but wasn't convinced she could until she viewed another's works at a shop in Merrickville. She was so taken by the paintings, she enrolled in her first art class in 1996 at St. Lawrence College in Brockville. A whole new world opened up to her, she said, and her dream became a reality.
Carragher-Mallett was born and raised on a potato and dairy cattle farm in Kelly's Cross, P.E.I. Her watercolours depict the landscapes, rural scenes and the seacoast of her youth. The old barns, her school house and church, and the small local store all play roles in her paintings. "Faded photographs filled in with memories" form the basis for her artwork, she said.
The artist had been an elementary school teacher in P.E.I. for nine years, until her family moved to Brockville in 1969. She took up a teaching post at St. Mary Catholic High School until her retirement in 1987. Carragher-Mallett and her husband Bill now live in Riverview Heights, just west of Prescott.
Carragher-Mallett said she would like to spend entire days painting, but gives herself a break for her volunteer work at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, where she assists in the office and in the resource library.
The fine art show will be held Friday, May 4 from 7 to 9:30 pm, Saturday, May 5 from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, May 6 from 11 am to 4 pm at MERC Hall in Maitland.
Hundreds of works are expected to be on display, and will include paintings in oil, watercolour and acrylic, as well as sculpture and turned wood. Admission is free, and refreshments will be served.
The South Grenville Guild of Fine Art was formed in 1992, and has since grown to include 35 members. The members meet monthly to exchange artistic views, ideas and interests. Periodic sketching excursions are held and regular critiques take place among the artists.
Each year, the guild donates books on the subject of the visual arts to public venues, such as a local library and the high school.
PRESCOTT The Town of Prescott is being asked to contribute to the Brockville-based effort to recruit physicians to the area.
Ken Law, chairperson of Brockville General Hospital's board of governors, emphasized in his April 17 presentation to town council the doctor shortage is a Leeds-and-Grenville-wide problem. The Ministry of Health has deemed the Brockville area including Prescott, Augusta and a portion of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal to be underserviced when it comes to physicians.
Hospital officials decided last year to spearhead a recruitment program. Financial support is being sought from municipalities, service groups and companies.
The Town of Prescott is being asked to contribute $6,000 each year for the next five years. The amount represents about 10 per cent of the municipal share of recruitment drive funding, according to Law. He described it as "a fairly reasonable weighted average" given the number of Prescott residents who use various services at the hospital.
The cost of maintaining the Leeds and Grenville recruitment drive is between $150,000 and $200,000. Law noted $100,000 is allocated for incentives and $40,000 goes for staffing. The local figures pale in comparison to some communities which have amassed large "war chests," according to Law.
"We're not intending to get into a bidding war because we will not win," he told council.
Law pointed out there is a general shortage of physicians in North America and Europe, and many communities in Ontario are trying to cope with the same problem. In the case of the Brockville area, a recruitment officer has been hired.
The local program has collected data, prepared promotional material and developed contacts as part of its mandate. Law said one of the program's upcoming initiatives will be to target people from the area who are attending medical school. He noted it takes 10 years to create a doctor, and it could take that long for the physician shortage problem to be solved.
Town officials will consider the request as part of their 2001 budget deliberations. Last year, the previous council committed more than $20,000 per year for five years to BGH.
PRESCOTT The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce is forming a committee to see what can be done about the impending closure of the Stockade Barracks restaurant.
The restaurant, which has been offering heritage dining for more than a decade, is scheduled to close this Saturday.
The idea to form a committee was suggested at the April 19 chamber directors meeting by John Morris, who said the closure of Stockade Barracks will be a tremendous loss to Prescott. In noting the need to come up with a plan for use of the property, Morris indicated it will take more than one person to develop and carry out such a plan.
The building dates back to 1810 and is one of the oldest military facilities of its kind left standing in Ontario.
Business owner and former Prescott resident Paul Fortier indicated in a press release last week declining business and the need to focus on other ventures were factors in the decision to close the restaurant.
ROEBUCK The Roebuck Women's Institute held its annual meeting and election of officers for 2001-2002 April 10.
The results are as follows:
President Lyn McCaw; Vice-President Tammy Carew; Secretary Joan Anstead; Treasurer Edith Jenkins; District Delegate Debbie Findlay; Public Relations Gail Salmon; Curator Velma Somerville; Financial Examiners Melba Francis, Mildred Hall.
Convenors of standing committees: Agriculture and Can. Industries Ann Ruigrok; Citizenship and Legislation Margaret Buckler; Education and Cultural Affairs Pam Perrin; Family and Consumer Affairs Donna Hall; International Affairs Cathy Williams; Lobbying Convenor Mildred Hall; Education Co-ordinator Velma Somerville; Social Convenor Melba Francis; Sunshine Convenor Nell Weststrate.
Roebuck W.I. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm. Please come and join our meetings, meet new friends and learn how you can participate in helping to have a healthy, happy community.
PRESCOTT Town council has given its consent to a pair of rezoning requests.
A bylaw approved by council April 17 will add retail pharmacy to the list of permitted uses at the former MDS xray imaging office located at 555 King St. W. The bylaw also changes from commercial to institutional the zoning of vacant lands in front of Wellington House on Edward Street.
No formal objections to either request were received by the town. However, council's decision could still be appealled to the Ontario Municipal Board.
BGH Board Chair Ken Law, commenting on the program aimed at
bringing physicians to Leeds and Grenville
AMALGAMATION CAN WORK: There is feedback to many of the issues we bring forth in our Editor's Notebook each week, especially if we are offering criticism. Two weeks ago, however, we suggested that the stormy waters in Edwardsburgh and Cardinal could be calmed quickly and effectively if there was a better attempt made by the new municipal council to reach a compromise on some of the outstanding issues, instead of resorting to confrontational tactics. We were surprised by the number of people from Cardinal who responded positively to this suggestion. This leads us to believe that although Cardinal residents have been outspoken in their criticism of some of the new council's decisions, many of these critics want to see a more compromising attitude reflected by the councillors, especially those from Edwardsburgh.
With the new council made up of four members from Edwardsburgh, plus the mayor, and with Cardinal being represented by only two councillors, it is easy for Cardinal residents to think that any decision on cost or service sharing be perceived as an Edwardsburgh takeover.
This is where Mayor Dave Dobbie and his council members from Edwardsburgh have to be very sensitive when decisions are made that affect the autonomy that both founding municipalities have enjoyed for over a century. Cardinal residents are willing to accept amalgamation or else they would not have supported it. They are looking for issues to be settled by dialogue and compromise to the point where they cannot be misconstrued as "takeovers" by the larger of the two municipal partners. If there is to be a spirit of compromise, however, Edwardsburgh has to take the initiative. When the new council makes a decision that will have an effect on the people of Cardinal, it should consider carefully that the residents of the former village are full of village pride and would be much more amenable to sharing their facilities than to losing them. No matter how council votes, the new municipality will be known as the Township of Edwardsburgh-Cardinal.
PROTEST A LA CANADIAN: Last weekend's giant protest in Quebec City against the way free trade is going to be adopted in the Americas was pretty much a Canadian-made and Canadian-produced show. The fact that there wasn't too much to protest if you were from Canada or the U.S., and that most of the protestors did not know what they were protesting against, was also typically Canadian. Why do we say the protest was a maple leaf? Let's dissect the demonstration. Highlight of the weekend was "The Fence". It was big and all that concrete and steel mesh made it look tough and menacing... Until a couple dozen kids climbed it and easily flattened a 400-metre stretch. Tough like an Ottawa Senator defenceman.
The police were overly polite and accommodating. At least we think they were as most only spoke French as they laid charges of "sitting" against about 300 college kids from across Canada who were protesting the fact that a college education was too easy to come by in Canada as compared to, let's say, Quebec or Peru or Arkansas. Our prime minister lived up to his reputation as Johhny Poutine when he fed presidents Bush and Fox three course meals of P.E.I. potatoes and declared they were... de t'ree muskajerks!
John A.H. Morris, Managing Editor
As I always do, I packed light.
Weekend trips to Niagara Falls are no exception. In fact, such trips are the stripped-down version of the stripped-down version.
In packing for this past weekend excursion to my hometown, a couple pairs of socks and underwear, and a pair of pants tossed into the gym bag, along with the two T-shirts on my back was all I needed before climbing into my Civic and hitting the road.
To travel light has a plethora of advantages compared to, say, travelling heavy.
First is the obvious time factor. The quicker I can get down to the bare essentials, the quicker I'm packed and on the road.
Shaving off hundredths of a second at this part of the game is akin to a swimmer who takes a razor to his body attempting to do the same. Whereas the difference for him could mean the silver medal instead of the gold, for me, it translates into being ground to a halt in Toronto rush-hour traffic, or not. At 2:45 pm, you've beat the rush; at 2:46, you haven't. And from then on out its bumper to bumper until east of Oakville. Losing precious seconds while packing can literally mean tacking on a minimum of 30 minutes to your travel time.
Next is the distance to carry the luggage versus the colour of the shoes ratio. There is actually very little math involved in the calculation. Since regardless the estimated distance required to haul the luggage - whether it's two feet or 200 feet - I don't need a different pair of shoes to match all my different outfits.
Long, complicated logarithms can be avoided during the calculation process if one remembers to base it upon the assumption that only one outfit is required, and therefore only one of pairs of shoes is needed. In other words, its 1:1.
But like anything that pushes the envelope - whether it's weekend wear that can fit inside a shoe box or being the first person to circumvent the earth in a hot air balloon - danger lies in pushing too hard.
The road trip question is eternal: "Did I pack everything I need to successfully make it? Can I go the distance?" It often surfaces as one is hurling down the highway in their car, cruising past the point of no return, because even if the answer is "No, this time I crossed the line," rush-hour traffic looms. To turn back means certain gridlock, something to be avoided, at all costs, even if it means two days with the same pair of socks and a stain on your jeans.
John A.H. Morris
No Virginia, Prescott does not have an Economic Development Committee. Nor does it have an Economic Development Officer. Nor does it have an economic development budget. A committee was named last year by Mayor Doug Hayes, but when council's term of office expired at the end of November 2000, those committee and board members not put on the new council's renewal list, were automatically out of office. Some councillors say the economic committee appointments were on council's original list of appointments passed in January, but mysteriously disappeared before the approving bylaw was passed. Mayor Robert Lawn said there was never a list of appointments and that the list must have been inadvertently missed.
If Prescott is to check its free fall down the economic ladder of opportunity, it had better form an economic development committee and hopefully appoint a part-time chairman or commissioner soon. We would prefer a commissioner who would be responsible directly to council and not be hobbled by the weight of a committee. Prescott's most successful era of economic development was when Don Irvine was commissioner and he worked on a $1600 budget, half of which was paid by the Chamber of Commerce.
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Another rumour that keeps wafting down from the Park Street Parliamentary Annex is that the town hall renovation bill keeps climbing and that it might reach a million dollars, or about 25 per cent above budget. Mayor Lawn has told members of his council that he is determined to keep the renovation project as the most inexpensive of the town hall proposals, but expensive add-ons keep popping up. The renovation plan won out by a one-vote margin by this council, but already two of these supporters are wavering in favour of another plan that has not as yet come before council.
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Now, let's slip back to the era when municipal affairs were not as weighty as they are today, and life in Prescott was much more relaxed and civilized. We have been trying to find out who owned the first automobile in Prescott, the make, and the year.
So far we have established the first owner to be William Purkis, son of wealthy Prescott lumber, coal and dry good wholesaler, I.D. Purkis. He purchased the home on James St., presently owned by Mrs. Rita Halliday, in 1867. The old stone home was built in 1850 by Francis Portre. Hope councillor Seeley Pillar can find out the year and the make of this first auto. We'll guess it was a 1904.
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Other than horse-drawn sleighs and wagons, the first municipally-owned vehicle in Prescott was the PUC's 1949 truck. In a heady rush of extravagance back in 1920 the PUC voted funds for a bicycle for superintendent Bob Dowsley to help him speed his way along Prescott's streets on his monthly meter-reading rounds. Heard the new Rideau-St. Lawrence PUC commissioners are looking at a new, 28", two-wheeler to speed Bill Lawrence up when he is shifted to meter duty. Foch says it is good exercise, Bill.
* * *
In the "it runs in the family" category this week, we recall that Milton Taylor was PUC manager in 1960. He's the maternal grandfather of present treasurer, Jack Walsh.
The Editor;
It was a pleasure to see Brockville's Tom Wilson featured on CJOH's "Regional Contact" on Saturday, April 21. I am quite sure that most people in our area are well aware of Tom's musical talent and his association with Tom Wilson and His Western All Stars as well as Tom Wilson's Border Blue Grass. These two groups entertain at many functions throughout the area and are well received. They have a CD and cassette tape available. It is entitled "When the Wagon Was New."
After watching this television program, it can be seen that Tom Wilson has another talent. He has been painting for some ten years and his paintings of the Kingston (a passenger ship that travelled the St. Lawrence River), his train engine emerging from the Brockville tunnel, as well as other train depictions were so interesting to see. It would appear, from listening to the conversation between the interviewer and Tom, that a great deal of history of Brockville and the area is known by Tom Wilson.
Congratulations to you, Tom, on your accomplishments and good luck in the future.
Betty Tighe, Prescott
The Editor;
Spring is here and the town is getting a well-deserved clean-up, but one spot that deserves attention is our Health Centre area.
The walkway that provides an entrance to doctor's offices, physio, dental care, VON, BGH lab services and St. John Ambulance is a disgrace. To spend a lot of money on interlocking brick is fine if it is taken care of. Some bricks are disintegrating and winter debris all over is disgusting. A good sweep might take 15 minutes.
How about cleaning up our Health Care Centre!
Betty Elliott, Prescott
The Grenville Christian College admissions office will be hosting an open house on Sunday, April 29 at 2 pm. School tours conducted by students will be available. Entertainment will feature student performances and faculty and current parents of students will be available to discuss curriculum, services and fall admissions.
For more information call the admission office at 345-5521 or log on to their web site at <http://www.grenvillecc.ca.
The deadline for purchasing tickets for the Early Bird for the "Don't Miss the Boat Draw" for Grenville Christian College Scholarship Fund is April 29. The Grenville Christian College Grand Draw benefits the Grenville Christian College Scholarship Fund.
In 1999, the fund provided financial assistance to 60 students attending the college. The Early Bird Draw is for an 18-foot bow rider boat with motor, or $15,000, or a Disney family cruise for four and $5,000. The draw will be broadcast live on CFJR at 8:20 on May 2. Tickets are available from Beach Hardware, The Prescott Journal, Dave Jones, and many other locations in the area.
The Grenville Christian College Grand Draw is one of the college's most successful fundraisers and has sold out the last four years.
The next meeting of the MERC Board is April 30 at 7:30 pm at the MERC Hall. All Maitland residents are welcome.
PRESCOTT The Moscow State Circus will be staging two performances Friday, April 27 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Show times are 5 and 8 pm.
The Moscow State Circus promises to provide a glimpse of the glory of Russia's impressive and important cultural heritage enjoyed by people of all ages and walks of life.
Advance tickets at discounted prices are available at Lane's Smoke Shop, 170 King St. E.
Prescott is one of several scheduled stops the circus will make in Eastern Ontario.
PRESCOTT St. Paul's United Church will host its spring smorgasbord Tuesday, May 1.
Food will be served at 4, 5 and 6 pm. Tickets can be reserved and picked up at the church Wednesday, April 25, Thursday, April 26, Monday, April 30 and Tuesday, May 1 from 9:30 am until noon. Take-out orders will be available but must be ordered by noon May 1.
Call 925-1865 to reserve tickets or for more information.
The Editor;
I have read with disgust and dismay some letters that appeared in our local newspapers concerning the amalgamation and the location of the township hall. Mayor Dave Dobbie seems to be the target of verbal abuse and false accusations. There is an old adage, "It's a thankless job but somebody has to do it." These words have proved true in the year 2001.
If the mudslinging by some constituents continues, there will be little hope of this amalgamation to go forth into the future. How about acting like educated, refined and social citizens, of our respective communities. To put this more plainly, we are all civilized people trying for the same goal, which is unity. Come on people, stop roiling the waters and cast your oars in and pull in the same direction.
It's up to Mayor Dobbie and his councillors to make the decisions. They were elected by the eligible voters of Edwardsburgh Township and Cardinal. Let them do their jobs and stop this petty quibbling and maybe then the constituents will be satisfied with the decisions that are made.
Mayor Dobbie's vision was the purchase of the elevator at Johnstown by Edwardsburgh Township which kept a number of men employed.
Also our taxes are viable; a new fire hall, library and many other accomplishments occurred before Jan. 1, 2001.
In conclusion, Mayor Dobbie is a man with vision, common sense and the wisdom to make the right decisions with the assistance of his councillors. I wish all the very best in their elected jobs.
Margaret E. Sayeau, Johnstown
The Editor;
Edwardsburgh/Cardinal residents, myself included, should buy lots of cheese to go with all the whining we are doing. Where were all of us when back in 2000, we all heard and sat back and let this so-called amalgamation take shape? We all kept score, or did we? If you missed anything, let me fill you in. Our name is Edwardsburgh/Cardinal (C comes before E in the alphabet).
The fire chief goes to Edwardsburgh, to fire hall Edwardsburgh Station No. 1. Cardinal fire chief goes to deputy chief at Cardinal Station No. 2. There are no signs up yet, but then again there probably aren't any extra tax dollars to have them made. Clerk job goes to Edwardsburgh, Cardinal's acting clerk goes the deputy treasurer, and deputy clerk goes to Edwardsburgh.
Keeping score now? Well, there is more. The big one that seems to have us all up in arms is the municipal building goes to Edwardsburgh, thanks to our elected officials, with the vote being 7 to 3. That means if all five councillors from Cardinal would have stuck together the vote would have been tied and then someone with intelligence would have had to come in from the provincial government to make a decision as to where the office should be located.
This person would know that amalgamation is to save money, therefore with one look at the facts that Jim Pakeman presented to the Transition Board, this mediator would have chosen the building which does not cost the taxpayer extra money.
Now as everyone knows, 99 per cent of all the rumours floating around about the amalgamation have come true. Some of them I have heard are the municipal pool and ball fields will be taken over by the Edwardsburgh recreation department. That is if the Cardinal pool even stays open.
Cardinal library moves to Cardinal municipal building after spending $40,000 plus on its renovations and then spend tax dollars to renovate the municipal building to accommodate it. Plus tax dollars to take down the library to widen the corner of Lewis and Dundas to accommodate truck traffic the CASCO.
I hope when they tear down the library they will leave the handicap ramp where it is, so we can have a speed bump to slow all the transports down, so they don't run over our kids going to school, since this is the major route for kids to walk.
This is probably true because real estate for commercial buildings just doesn't seem to sell in Cardinal. Put it all together and it means it is going to get worse instead of better.
The score? Edwardsburgh? Cardinal?
Taxpayers, open up your wallets. The only thing that our new council seemed to really settle quickly was their huge wage increase. No score listed because the question to answer is, is it a takeover or an amalgamation? You the taxpayer decide!
Ed Riddell, Cardinal
CARDINAL St. John's United Church is planning special services and events to mark its 118th anniversary.
On Sunday, April 29, the 10:30 am service will feature guest speaker Rev. Lillian Roberts from Ottawa. The service will include special carillon music and a dedication of the new carillon, which was installed Jan. 1, 2000 at a cost of $28,407.
The 10-year project was spearheaded by the church choir, and paid for through fundraising and donations. Sheila Lawrence will be playing the organ before the service, and she and Lynn Barkley will be playing organ/piano carillon duets.
A musical program at 7:30 pm will feature the Heavenly Harmony Gospel Quartet from Brockville, St. John's own choir and other local talent.
A turkey smorgasbord will be served Thursday, May 3 from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Everyone is welcome.
CARDINAL The annual Cardinal Community Choir spring musical concert will be held Sunday, May 6 at St. Andrew's/St. James Presbyterian Church.
The performance of gospel music, which begins at 7 pm, will feature guest musician Don Morrell of Williamsburg on the saxophone.
CARDINAL The Cardinal Girl Guides are asking for donations of vegetable seeds or plants that will grow to help feed needy people.
The girls expect to be planting on the May long weekend at a plot of land at Earl Riddell's farm on County Road 2 just west of Cardinal. The guides will be maintaining the garden, and then the harvest will be donated to the Brockville food bank. Riddell will be tilling the soil and planting corn to help the guides' efforts.
The project will help the girls earn their gardening badges, and also coincides with school discussions on ways to help in the community, explained guide leader Lori Howell.
Types of seeds or plants that could be used are tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, potatoes and carrots. Anyone wishing to make a donation can contact Howell at 657-1146.
CARDINAL The Cardinal Fish and Game Club junior mud put derby for youth 16 and under will be this Sunday, April 29.
The derby takes place at Sawmill Creek, just east of Cardinal. Hot dogs and drinks will be served to ticket holders; tickets are available for purchase at the event.
Prizes will be awarded at 4 pm. Also at the time, trophies for 2000 fishing and hunting categories will be awarded.
The annual pike derby will be held Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6.
Weigh-in times are from 11:30 am to noon and from 7:30 to 8 pm each day at the Legion boat ramp. Prizes are $100, $75, $50, $30 and $20.
Tickets are available from Mustard's Variety in Iroquois, Rona and Pro Hardware in Cardinal, and from MacEwen in Johnstown.
CARDINAL OPP are investigating an incident Monday night in which youths were reportedly shooting at passing trains.
Officers from the Grenville County detachment were dispatched to an area near County Road 22 and Station Road at about 8:11 pm. Canadian National Railway Police had reported the incident, according to an OPP news release issued Tuesday.
A search of the area located four male youths. Two of the boys were equipped with long-rifled bb guns which were seized by police.
Charges are pending; the investigation continues. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the OPP at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The Editor;
I am writing this letter concerning the joining of Edwardsburgh and Cardinal because I love the environment of Cardinal and I have a lot of friends who live in Edwardsburgh. I go to school with many people who live in that area. Have you wondered why Cardinal joined the Township of Edwardsburgh? If you are reading this letter then you must wonder and care the same as I do.
Why send a petition around concerning the town municipal buildings if council already knew that they were going to have it in Spencerville? I guess the reason the petition went around was to let council know that not everybody agreed with their decision. I don't think that we in Cardinal are ready to lose our municipal building or the historic site of our library (it was our Centennial project). I read in the paper that the municipal transition grant could be used for other things. Some examples could be the parks; some of our playground equipment is in bad shape. I'm sure there are other places to use it and maybe we should think about it before we make any changes that cannot be reversed.
Cardinal, Johnstown and Spencerville are very different towns. I like going to the Spencerville Fair and visiting my friends on their farms. I like swimming on the swim team against Johnstown and visiting family there. I also like the idea of having easy access to the river and camping off the Thousand islands with my family and friends. I enjoy the Labour Day weekend festivities in Cardinal. It is kind of neat to think that now we don't just have Cardinal events to participate in, but we also have the events of Spencerville and Johnstown.
We have to get used to the idea of being one. It's like going to a new school for the first time. You have to get to know the people and spend time there before you are comfortable and learn to know and trust them. You need common goals in order to have something to work towards together in a new community. It takes time and you can't get it done overnight.
Amber Windsor (Cardinal)
Grade 8, St. Joseph's Catholic School, Prescott
Ovila (George) Joseph Séguin, 653 West Street, Prescott, died peacefully at his home Sunday, April 1, 2001. He was 82.
The oldest of 13 children, he was born July 13, 1918 in Ste. Marthe, Quebec, the son of Ovilda Séguin and Josephine (nee Massee), who predeceased him. He married Madeleine Gaetanne Ste Marie Sept. 24, 1949 at Lac-aux-Sables, Quebec.
Mr. Séguin was an active member of St. Mark's Church and was a former member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of the Club Champlain, Brockville. After serving in World War II, Mr. Séguin worked at the Gold Glove factory in Prescott before becoming a skilled carpenter. He continued doing the carpentry work that he so much enjoyed right up to his retirement in 1983, where he was employed with D.C. Snelling Construction. Following his retirement he remained active doing carpentry work for family and friends. He could build and repair most anything and he enjoyed the challenge. Mr. Séguin enjoyed travelling, but he got the most pleasure out of spending time with his family.
Besides his wife Madeleine, to whom he was married for 51 years, Mr. Séguin is survived by daughters, Carole (Mrs. Tom Hare) of Prescott, Suzanne Dodge of Prescott, Danielle (Mrs. Richard Pilon) of Russell and Gaetanne (Mrs. John Hetherington) of Longueuil, Que.; grandchildren, Krista (Mrs. Ryan Carroll), Jennifer and Andrew Hare; Stephanie, Stacey and Kaitlynn Dodge; Josée, Célynne and Sébastien Pilon; and David Hetherington. He is also survived by brothers, Rosaire (Aurore) of Hamilton, Simon (Darlene) of Cornwall and sisters Marguérite (Roland) Bissonnette of Hamilton, Julienne (Pierre) Hubert, Germaine (Gilles) Trudeau and Marie-Jeanne (Tony) Boileau of Prescott and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by one sister, Rita, and her husband Jay Ross; brothers Rene and his wife Rita, Oscar, Maurice and his wife Edwardina. He was also predeceased by a sister and brother at infancy.
A family visitation was held April 3 at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott. A public visitation was held from 9 to 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2001 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mark's Church, Prescott at 11 am.
Father John Appelman and Mr. Seguin's cousin, Father Edouard Séguin of Rigaud, Quebec, officiated. During the funeral mass, a celebration of Mr. Séguin's life was delivered by his four daughters.
Pallbearers were Tom and Andrew Hare, Richard and Sebastien Pilon, John Hetherington and Ryan Carroll. Spring interment will be at St. Mark's Cemetery. Donations were appreciated by the family to the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.
His spirit lives on and always will...
Times he laughs, gave advice, or just listened
Echo in the memories of those whose lives he touches...
And in being so remembered, his legacy will live on.
Goldie Connell, retired elementary school teacher of RR 2 Prescott, died peacefully at her home Friday, April 20, 2001, in her 87th year.
Goldie Albertha Perrin was born on the family farm at Maynard, Ont. July 17, 1914 to Ebin Perrin and the former Elma Ball. She graduated from Prescott High School and Brockville Business College, then attended North Bay Normal School. She began her teaching career in Thornloe in Northern Ont., before returning to Maynard. She taught in Augusta schools, taking short breaks to be married and to raise her children. She retired from Maynard Public School in 1978 where she had been in charge of the library resource centre.
She married Bruce Robert Connell June 29, 1940 at Victoria United Church, Maynard. They lived most of their married life in Maynard and raised their two children, Tom and Linda there. Her family was the most important part of her life.
A faithful member of Victoria United Church, Mrs. Connell taught Sunday School for many years, serving 20 years as superintendent. She was also a choir member, held various positions in the United Church Women, and was on the Board of Stewards and Board of Sessions. Mrs. Connell was the United Church archivist for her church and wrote a history, Victoria United Church, One Hundred and Twenty Five Years of Service 1859-1984, for the church's anniversary celebrations.
The Maynard Women's Institute was one of Mrs. Connell's favourite organizations, and she served in all positions on the executive of the local group, as well as at the district, provincial and national levels. She worked for more than 50 years on the Tweedsmuir history of the Maynard area, and collected a wealth of information on the community.
Mrs. Connell was not content to collect history for the Maynard area only. She compiled approximately 100 scrapbooks of newsclippings on Grenville County which were full of the history of the various communities. These have been placed in the Grenville County Historical Society Archives, which Goldie helped to found. She was a member of the historical society for many years, serving in several positions on the board of directors. She was president of the society when Homewood Museum was established. She assisted many people over the years with their research, and often gave talks to community groups and local schools.
In Dec., 1985, Augusta, Royal Township Number Seven, a history of the township was completed, fulfilling her lifelong dream. She was the driving force behind its completion, writing many of the sections of the book and acting as its editor.
Mrs. Connell was a founding member of the Ruth Evanson Foundation, a fund set up to enable students from South Grenville District High School to further their education.
As well, she served on the Maynard Cemetery Board from 1947 and kept a record of all burials there. She was in charge of the annual memorial service at the cemetery for many years, relinquishing this task only recently.
After her retirement form teaching, Mrs. Connell served on the executive of the Retired Women Teachers of Ontario, Grenville Unit, and was the archivist for this group.
In recognition of her devotion to the preservation of Augusta Township history, Mrs. Connell received the Ontario Bicentennial Medal in 1984. She also received the Award of Merit in 1994 from the Grenville County Historical Society for her efforts in preserving and promoting the history of Grenville County. She wa made Citizen of the Year in 1998 by the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce for her many activities. Over the years, Mrs. Connell served as a wonderful example of teacher, librarian, community leader and historian.
Mrs. Connell is survived by her husband Bruce Connell, son Thomas and wife Doris of Maitland, daughter Linda and her husband Glenn Stewart of Dundas; grandchildren Jennifer, Kathy, Rob, Karen and Valerie; great grandchildren Brendan, Jakob, Cassandra and Megan. She is also survived by her sister Kathleen (Kit) Michea of Kingston and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents; brothers George and Willis, and sister Hazel Jones.
Friends called at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, Sunday, April 22, 2001. The funeral took place at Victoria United Church, Maynard, April 23, with Rev. Mark Arnill officiating. Burial will take place at Maynard Cemetery.
Hilda Marguerite Larmour, a lifelong resident of Prescott and a resident of Wellington House Nursing Home, died at her home Wednesday, April 11, 2001. She was in her 99th year.
She was born May 25, 1902 in Prescott, the youngest daughter of John and Annie King. She was married Feb. 9, 1926 to George Wilfred Larmour at St. John's Anglican Church, Prescott.
Mrs. Larmour is survived by her daughter, Shirley (Mrs. Derek Shenton) of Brockville; her granddaughters, Lynne Israel (Iver) and Laurie Henry (Steve), both of Brockville; grandsons Brian Shenton (Sherri) of Bath and Barry Shenton (Sandra) of Cambridge; thirteen great grandchildren and one niece, Connie Graham of Agincourt.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1977; her parents; her sisters Ella Robarr and May Drake, and by brothers Norman and Alfred King.
Mrs. Larmour enjoyed playing bridge and played the piano at many functions through the years. She especially enjoyed her role as pianist at Wellington Rebekah Lodge well into her nineties. She remained alert and interested in her family, friends, church, community and world events.
While in her eighties, she travelled to Europe, California, Vancouver and Florida.
She was a devout member of St. Paul's United Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years and was active in the UCW, Friendship Circle and Bible Study Group.
Mrs. Larmour was a charter member of the Wellington Rebekah Lodge, Prescott, and proud to receive her 75-year pin.
She was proud of her family and thankful to have such good, faithful friends. She will be missed.
The Rebekahs held a service at Chris Slater Funeral Home April 13, 2001, with members attending from Prescott, Cornwall and Brinston.
Friends and family called at the funeral Home April 13 from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm. Rev. Blair Paterson conducted the funeral service at 11 am Saturday, April 14, at St. Paul's United Church. The choir sang three of her favourite hymns, The Old Rugged Cross, In the Garden and Abide with Me. A touching tribute was given by grandson Brian Shenton. The ladies of the church provided a lovely luncheon in the auditorium following the service.
Pallbearers were grandsons Brian and Barry Shenton, Iver Israel, Steve Henry and great grandsons Jonathan Israel and Alan Shenton. A committal service will be held at a later date at Sandy Hill Cemetery, Prescott.
Donations to Wellington House Palliative Care Program and St. Paul's Roof Fund would be appreciated by the family.
PRESCOTT At the 10th Annual Central Tigers Junior Basketball Tournament 2001 Saturday, the Maynard Public School beat St. Francis 25-19 in the finals to win the boys' 'A'-side championship.
Meanwhile, on the girls' 'A'-side, St. Francis beat Central 29-14 April 21 at South Grenville District High School.
Maynard's boys squad advanced to the 'A'-side by edging out Central 27-21 and drubbing Nationview 41-10 in round-robin play. St. Francis dominated its division, beating Benson 44-13 and Lyn 35-15 to advance. Benson also suffered a 29-24 loss to Lyn.
Central won the 'B'-side final, defeating Lyn 28-21, while Nationview Public School edged out Benson Public School 22-20 in the 'C' final. Central beat Nationview 27-16 in the round robin.
The girls' 'B'-side champs were Maynard, defeating Chimo 34-17. In the 'C' final, Benson drubbed Nationview 27-6.
Round robin
St. Francis went undefeated in its division, defeating Maynard 18-12 and Nationview 29-0. Maynard beat Nationview 45-18.
Central also went undefeated in its division, knocking off Benson 18-6 and Chimo 21-15. Benson beat Chimo 19-7.
Boys leading scorers
In the 'A'-final, Maynard leading scorers were Steven Craig-Rettem with seven and Andrew Wilson with five. St. Francis leading scorers were Coby Hanskins and Chuck Murphy each with four. Central's leading scorers in the 'B' final were Nick Gould with 10 and Josh Parsons with six.
Girls leading scorers
In the 'A'-side final, Central's Jessica Render lead her team with four points, while St. Francis' Amanda Healey had 15 points and Kailyn Leger eight. Maynard's Sara Watt had 20 points in the 'B' final.
The Eastern Ontario Icerays, a 'AAA' minor atom spring hockey team, lost to the St. Lawrence Islanders 4-2 in the final game of the Islanders Easter tournament.
Scoring for the Icerays were Cole Weedmark and Alan Waddell. Weedmark also earned the MVP Award of the game.
The team completed the round robin with a record of 2-0-1.
In the first game, the Icerays played the Casselman Pirates and defeated them 7-4. Scoring for the Icerays were Payton Williams with two, single to Brodie Boulanger, Waddell, Matt Van Delst, Alex Whalen and Weedmark. Drawing assists were Alix Tait with three, Boulanger with two, Chris Tindal, Whalen, Jane Moss, Van Delst and Jordan Barkley.
In game two, the Icerays skated to a 3-3 tie with the Islanders. Scoring for the Icerays were Waddell with two, and Tait. Drawing assists were Tindal, Whalen, Boulanger and Moss. In the last game of the round robin, the Icerays beat the Kingston Beast 9-3. Leading the attack for the Icerays were Weedmark and Tait, both with three goals each. Scoring also were Moss, Waddell and Whelan. Drawing assists were Tait with three, Whalen with three, Tindal with two, Williams, Boulanger, Van Delst, Barkley, Simpson and Moss.
Travis Coughlin and Ryan Swank shared the goaltending duties The Icerays will compete in several more tournaments and exhibition games.
BOSTON South Grenville District High School student Mandy Wallace ran a record-breaking time to beat out an international field in a race held prior to the Boston Marathon in Massachusetts.
Wallace's time of 5:14 knocked 18 seconds off the existing record of 5:32 at the Newton Heartbreak Hill International Youth Race April 16.
Wallace, along with teammate and SGDHS student Susan Knights, who finished a strong 10th with a time of 6:01, competed in a field of 32 runners, whose ages ranged from 15 to 18, in the one-mile race. The youth run was held before 26-mile marathon.
At the start of the race, Wallace jumped to the early lead, with a Japanese runner following her as the pair left the pack behind. About mid-way, the Japanese runner passed Wallace. Wallace stayed close.
And in the final 150 metres, Wallace sprinted to get the win.
Knights said the competition was pretty good, adding the competitors seemed to be a lot older because of their height.
"We ran the race for the experience," Knights said. "It was a good chance to warm up for the [outdoor] track season."
Knights added another reason for competing was to check out the Boston Marathon course.
Knights said she and Wallace plan to compete in the marathon when they turn 21.
Knights said coach Bob Tucker suggested they wait until then before entering the race.
PRESCOTT Track and field at South Grenville District High School is a go.
Despite the withdrawal of the majority of extra-curricular activities at the school since the beginning of the school year due to the ongoing labour dispute between teachers and the provincial government, the high school is fielding a 28-member track and field team for the scaled-down season.
Retired SGDHS teacher Bob Tucker and vice-principal Dave Corney have stepped in to coach the team. Athletes competing in the running and jumping events are being coached by Tucker, while Corney will lend his expertise in the throwing events.
Although the SGDHS numbers are similar to previous years, Tucker said some schools have been hit hard by the dispute, with some teams whittled down to just a few members.
For example, the Bayside high school track and field team, Tucker said, has only nine members and is being coached by a parent.
Tucker, who is teaching one course at Brockville Collegiate Institute, is splitting his time between coaching at the two high schools, in addition to coaching the Brockville Legion Harriers Runners.
Tucker said competitions like the Queens University and Thousand Islands Secondary School meets have not been spared the affects of the dispute either.
He said the Queens meet is down to 40 teams, where 80 teams has been the norm in previous years. And the TISS numbers have dropped by more than half this season.
Although the numbers are down, Corney said he is happy to see the students out, and they seem to be very enthusiastic about the season which starts today at Grenville Christian College.
"The kids seem to back in the swing of things," he said. Corney, who is in his first year at the SGDHS, said the team looks like it will fare quite well this season. But, he added, the overall goal is just for the athletes to enjoy competing.
PRESCOTT A late start to the girls high school soccer season will mean a compressed schedule.
However, at least the girls Giants 'AA' squads didn't suffer the fate of the boys teams: a no-go on the season due to the ongoing dispute between teachers and the provincial government.
"The season was getting off to a slow start," said Ian Ross, a South Grenville District High School teacher and coach of the junior team.
Ross said teams weren't organized until after it looked like there was going to be a season.
"We didn't want to get commitments and then have to let the girls know the season wasn't going to happen," he said. (SGDHS teacher Scott Bard is the senior coach.)
The senior squad is comprised of 28 players, while the juniors have 18 players committed to the month-long season.
It wasn't until just before the Easter break that it looked like there was even going to be a season, when retired high school teacher Peter Bunn agreed to convene the league.
The season lost about three weeks because of the uncertainty, and has been compressed into five weeks so it will be completed by the time EOSSAA and OFSSAA roll around.
A stipulation to the season is that games start after school hours so as not to "infringe" upon other staff members, Ross said. This way if the coaches are also teachers, colleagues will not have to cover for them.
So games, even double headers, have start times of 3:30 pm, unless arrangements are made otherwise, he added.
Despite the reliance on volunteers for the most part to coach teams, Bard said the league is healthy at both levels. In the 'A' division, there are six schools represented, including St. Mary's Catholic High School and Grenville Christian College. Meanwhile, in the 'AA' division, SGDHS's competition includes Brockville Collegiate Institute and Thousand Islands Secondary School.
Schedule
The senior Giants host BCI Thursday, April 26, start time 3:30 pm. The junior Giants host Athens the same day. The game also starts at 3:30.
On Tuesday, May 1, the both Giant teams play North Grenville at home. The seniors have a double header scheduled.