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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 |
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE - A province-wide celebration of heritage and culture that included Prescott and South Grenville was a huge success, according to the local organizer.
Graham Cudlipp of Prescott, who is a member of the Brockville-Thousand Islands Doors Open Ontario program, said many people were drawn to the area on the weekend in a discovery of community heritage that will eventually help the area become better known as a tourist destination.
The inaugural year of Doors Open allowed people to tour at no cost private homes, commercial buildings, courthouses, churches, gardens, natural heritage and other sites of historic and architectural merit not normally open to the public.
Twelve heritage sites in Prescott and area opened their doors on the weekend; in all, 45 sites were open within Leeds and Grenville.
The numbers of people who toured the local sites certainly picked up on Sunday - the second day of the event - as word spread of the event. The Battle of the Windmill site east of Prescott experienced three times as many visitors as normal for a weekend; 200 people toured Wiser Hall and 150 people saw the Canada Coast Guard operations, which are rarely open to the public.
The Blue Church west of Prescott also reported high numbers of visitors, with more than 100 people seeing the inside of the 157-year-old church on Sunday alone, Cudlipp said.
Other sites in this area open were the Forwarders' Museum, Fort Wellington, Colonel's Inn, Blue Heron Inn, Homewood Museum and St. Andrew's, St. John's and St. Mark's churches. Many of the sites were staffed by volunteers in period costume.
The weekend proved to be "fabulous" for a first-time event and it was great to be part of a successful movement, he added. The City of Brockville had the foresight to be involved in the concept, Cudlipp said, and other Leeds and Grenville communities were fortunate to be able to join in.
Cudlipp noted he would love to the see numerous historic sites in this area promoted on a larger scale, since the region has the potential to become a tourist destination, rather than a stop over between Toronto and Montreal and Ottawa.
There is a great variety of historically-significant sites within an easy drive of Prescott, he said.
The Doors Open weekend was certainly worthwhile, Bob and Marlene Hutchcroft of Iroquois said Saturday during a tour of the Prescott Coast Guard Base. They planned to visit as many sites as possible that day in Prescott and Brockville.
The couple also noted the tours were informative and the guides helpful, and it was great to have a chance to see and understand more about the history of the area.
A highlight of the Coast Guard tour was the boat house built about 1908 and still featuring the original stained-glass windows and decorative metal siding.
Rick Pankhurst and Elaine Adams, who live near the Blue Church, had never had an opportunity to see inside the church before, and they were pleased with the amount of history they were able to uncover. They also planned to spend the day touring sites.
Cudlipp hopes Doors Open will become an annual event.
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - Approval of the Town of Prescott's 2002 budget has been delayed.
The municipal budget and property tax levies were to have been voted on by council at its meeting Monday night. However, council decided to defer the budget to next Monday's committee-of-the-whole meeting and postpone final approval until the June 17 council meeting.
Although council has tentatively agreed on an overall municipal tax increase of 2.36 per cent, the final increases to be applied to residential, commercial and industrial ratepayers have yet to be determined.
Town officials noted Monday there had been difficulties with obtaining information from the provincial finance ministry as well as a photocopier breakdown earlier that day at the municipal office. Although Councillor and finance committee chair Jim French said he had hoped the budget would be approved that night, he agreed to postpone a decision until all the information can be made available to council members.
One area in which council is seeking more detail is tax ratios. The tax burden on each area will be affected by council's decision on how much it will reduce the rate paid by industrial land owners. For example, residential ratepayers may face an average increase of about five per cent based on current projections. That could mean an average tax bill increase in the range of $60.
French also noted the town's auditor may present a final report for 2001 at Monday's committee meeting.
Council is planning to use proceeds from the sale of the former PUC to Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities to fund proposed renovations to the Dibble Street municipal building. The proposed reconstruction of Churchill Road would be funded through debenture.
In terms of the proposed operating budget, most departments will be granted small increases. French noted the budget does not call for layoffs or service cuts. However, new spending is also limited.
Water and sewer rates are expected to increase as part of 2002 budget deliberations, although it will be up to council to decide the extent of those increases.
In a budget-related move, council approved a motion to express its concern about spending increases by the Leeds and Grenville joint services committee of which Prescott is a member. Town officials have been expressing concern about the manner in which the county-based committee has dealt with its 2002 budget. Ambulance and welfare services are among the responsibilities of the joint services committee.
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
MAITLAND - Former South Grenville District High School principal Dave Dargie has been appointed headmaster of Grenville Christian College (GCC).
The appointment will be effective July 1, it was announced last week.
Ken MacNeil, who for the past two years has served as interim headmaster, will retire later this month. MacNeil has worked at the university preparatory school for 23 years. Dargie will be the fifth headmaster and the first chosen from outside the GCC community.
Kenneth McArthur, chairman of the board, stated in a letter to parents he is confident Dargie is committed to GCC's vision and founding principles and will be able to lead and sustain the school's growth in the coming years.
Dargie, whose career as an educator began in 1968 as an English teacher at a Niagara Falls high school, has for the past two years been working as a recruiter of Canadian students for the State University of New York at Potsdam.
"I decided it was not enough," he told The Journal. "I really missed the overall flow of school life."
GCC is an independent Christian school founded in 1969. Approximately 300 boarding and day students are enrolled in grades JK through OAC. The school has a faculty and staff of about 100.
In acknowledging the appointment is for a term of five years, Dargie indicated a sufficient amount of time is needed to assess the situation and make adjustments deemed to be in the best interests of the school.
"I've been known for being a change agent," he said.
One of Dargie's goals is to increase enrolment; GCC has a capacity of 400 students. The new headmaster wants to ensure GCC's place as the leading independent Christian school in Eastern Ontario if not all of Ontario.
In noting the importance of bringing about change in a co-operative manner, Dargie said GCC should "...celebrate the past and embrace the future."
The new headmaster added he is looking forward to what he described as the most exciting phase of his career. "This is a very special school," Dargie said. "This is a second chance for me."
John Morris, publisher of The Prescott Journal, announces the appointment of David Dickenson to the position of general reporter responsible for sports coverage.
Dickenson, a Brockville native, is a student of the Print Journalism program at Algonquin College in Ottawa and has studied at Carleton University.
Anyone seeking sports coverage should contact Dickenson at 925-4265.
PRESCOTT - The town is seeking expressions of interest to manage the construction stage of renovations to the Dibble Street municipal building.
The town is advertising the project which council approved last month. Interested companies or individuals have until June 14 to submit profiles and estimated fees or fee structures.
The town has set a budget figure of $800,000 for renovations, according to a resolution approved by council.
PRESCOTT - Town council has approved an agreement that would allow TELUS Mobility to erect a telecommunications tower north of the public works yard.
Council gave third and final reading Monday night to a bylaw that sets out terms of a five-year agreement with three five-year extensions. Under the terms of the deal, the town would receive $5,000 per year for the first term of the contract.
A bylaw amendment approved by council Monday would allow the town to reserve the right to cancel the contract after five years, as long as it gives notice of six months. In noting the company may be putting $1 million into the cellular tower, Councillor Garry Dewar said he does not want to commit the town to a 20-year agreement.
The municipal land needed for the tower represents about 15 per cent of the land in the town's industrial park area. Town Clerk/CAO Andrew Brown noted the area to be used for the tower is the least desirable portion of the industrial area.
PRESCOTT - Town council has agreed to allow a used car dealership to park vehicles on the south side of King Street East despite objections from the superintendent of Fort Wellington.
However, some members of council indicated they may reconsider the arrangement next year.
Herb Willer Car Sales was granted permission Monday night to use town-owned land adjacent to the roadway to display four vehicles. In return for using the land from the beginning of May until the end of September, Willer maintains the area around the vehicles.
This is not the first year the town has permitted the business to use the 20-foot strip of land that is part of the road allowance. In noting the arrangement has continued for several years, Councillor Garry Dewar said Willer keeps the area around the cars clean and tidy. Other members of council indicated they saw no reason to renew the deal this year.
However, in a letter received by the town earlier that day, Parks Canada Area Superintendent Pam Buell asked council to reconsider granting permission. Buell stated she had received two phone calls in the past week to complain about the presence of parked vehicles on the south side of King Street. "I believe that the vehicles present a visual intrusion into the park that is completely incongruous with the appearance that we have worked so hard to maintain and present to the public," the letter reads.
Buell added vans, cars and flags seem more unacceptable given plans in the works to expand the waterfront walkway and add more features to the open space area extending east along the St. Lawrence to the municipal line.
Mayor Robert Lawn noted at the meeting council may take a different approach if the issue were to arise again next year.
PRESCOTT - Prescott police arrested Christine Moreau-Mash of Cardinal May 29 and charged her with fraud and theft over $5,000 in connection with a Prescott business. A police department news release did not name the business at which the accused was employed in 2000. She is scheduled to appear in court June 28.
In all, town police investigated 81 general incidents and seven motor vehicle accidents between May 26 and June 2. One of those accidents occurred late last Thursday afternoon. A southbound pick-up truck on George Street was making a left turn on a green light at the King Street intersection when it struck a pedestrian trying to cross King Street. The pedestrian, Ada Burton, sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Brockville General Hospital where she was treated and released that evening. Albert Palmer, of RR3 Prescott, was charged with the Highway Traffic Act offence of failing to yield to a pedestrian.
The theft of a silver Kenwood CD player and a white Street Beat amplifier from a St. Lawrence Street residence was reported to police May 28. No forced entry to the residence was found; the estimated value of the stolen items is $200.
Another residential break and enter was reported May 30. A Sony play station, Dream Cast game and several DVDs were taken from a home on Dibble Street East. The estimated value of those items is $640; the investigation is ongoing.
Town police issued six tickets last week for dogs running at large.
Anyone with information regarding these or other offences in town is asked to call the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
PRESCOTT - Town police have obtained a new set of wheels.
With the financial support of the Prescott Lions Club, the municipal police service has launched a new bicycle patrol. Constables Mike Ostrander and Rob Prophet have volunteered to serve with the new unit.
"We are very enthused about this," Acting Chief Bryan Somerville said.
The concept was developed by Sergeant Garry Sluytman, who explained the patrol is another way for police to get into the community and meet different people. "We just wanted to do it," the sergeant said.
Having an officer ride the bike while wearing a helmet also sets a good example for youngsters, according to Somerville.
Although the public can expect to see the police bike patrol from time to time just about anywhere in Prescott, the unit may be more visible in the downtown and harbour area. The bike is equipped to handle night duty.
The Lions Club donated approximately $1,000 for the Giant 18-speed bicycle, related equipment and the special clothing worn by bike patrol officers. Somerville, who also belongs to the Lions Club, noted club members participate in weekly bingos and the annual mushroom compost sale to raise money which is then distributed to numerous causes and activities.
When the police bike is on patrol, another on-duty officer will still have access to a cruiser. "The public will be pleased to see someone on a bike...who will talk to them," Sluytman said.
Weather permitting, bike patrols will likely continue into October.
Somerville expects the new program will be successful given the interest shown by the officers and the Prescott Police Services Board.
PRESCOTT An evening of old-time gospel music will be presented Thursday, June 20 at 7:30 pm at St. John's Anglican Church, corner of Centre and James streets.
Tom Wilson and Border Bluegrass will be featured at the event.
A strawberry social is included. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - Members of the 661 Lt. W.F. Sharpe Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets were applauded for the past year's efforts and accomplishments at the 45th annual review and change of command parade, held Saturday afternoon at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.
The Lord Strathcona Medal - the highest award that can be bestowed upon a cadet in recognition of exemplary performance in physical and military training - was presented to Flight Sergeant Eric Delorme. The medal recognizes a cadet who has qualified with distinction through the training program over a minimum of three years as a cadet, and who has also completed summer training. The recipient is recognized by peers and supervisors as exemplifying the model cadet, and has achieved a gold level of physical fitness proficiency.
The Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence was awarded to Catherine MacLean. A cadet receiving the medal of excellence has been recognized as having enhanced the cadet unit through co-operation with superiors, peers and subordinates; has demonstrated comradeship; promoted goodwill, harmony and morale within the unit; has assisted fellow members and enhanced the image of the organization in the community.
Reviewing Officer Richard Donaldson, past president of the Ontario Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada, said judging by the inspection and parade conduct, it was evident they had worked hard to make the day special.
The future holds many favourable opportunities for those in the program, Donaldson noted, adding cadet training is a sound basis of leadership. The officer also hoped some type of community help would be forthcoming to provide the squadron with a permanent headquarters.
Air Cadet League of Canada Director Major General (Ret) William Paisley, said the Prescott cadets should be proud of their excellent display, and the squadron is "well recognized throughout Ontario as being a top-notch squadron."
He made particular note of parents, thanking them for their encouragement and support of their young people and "the best youth development program in the world."
Rev. Gerry Ring, chairman of the squadron sponsoring committee, also made a plea to the public to assist in obtaining a permanent headquarters for the group which is a "vital part of the community." The squadron has been without a base since the Dibble Street West municipal building closed a year ago. The group has been renting space at South Grenville District High School at high rental fees and is without proper storage areas, he said.
A double change of command ceremony was held as part of the regular review. Captain Douglas Fraser, a former 661 squadron cadet and deputy commanding officer and supply, training and safety officer, will take over the commanding officer post from Captain Donald Loker, who held the position since 1999.
Joshua Couture will take over as squadron warrant officer from Lisa Barker, who is leaving the unit to attend university. Couture joined the organization in 1996. He was a founding member of the squadron band and is active in the exertion team. Last year, he was awarded the Legion medal of excellence, and has received the community service and outstanding leadership award.
Other awards presented at the annual review were: Top NCM/WO Award - Lisa Barker; Top Cadet Instructor - Robert Demers; 661 Sqn Pilots - J. Baker; 661 Sqn. SWO - L. Barker; 661 Sqn. CO - D. Loker.
Awards presented at the parent/cadet dinner May 14 were: Best 1st Year Cadet - W. McIlveen; Best 2nd Year Cadet - A MacLean; Best 3rd Year Cadet - J. Demers and M. Gibson; Top Proficiency Award - C. Hennessy; First Aid Award (Emergency) - W. McIlveen; First Aid Award (Standard) - C. MacLean; Annual Curling Award - C. MacLean, M. Curran and C. Washburn; Most Improved Bandsman - N. Doherty; Community Service - J. Couture and T. Couperus; Junior Cadet Marksman - M. Bailey; Top Marksman - R. Harding; Administration - S. Laird; Flying Scholarship - J. Baker.
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Bookmarks to benefit Brockville General Hospital and St. Vincent de Paul Hospital will be sold later next week.
This year's bookmarks, which feature a picture of Hardy Park, will be available Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 at TD Canada Trust and the post office in Cardinal. They will also be on sale June 14 at Village Square Mall. Volunteers will also be selling bookmarks Friday, June 14 at all three banks in Prescott as well as the post office, Doyle's, Beach Home Hardware, Valu-mart, Canadian Tire and Giant Tiger.
PRESCOTT - Terry McConnell is Prescott's new deputy mayor.
The councillor was appointed to the position Monday.
The appointment is in effect from June 1 to Nov. 30 of this year.
McConnell succeeds Councillor Jim French. Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead has also served as deputy mayor during the current term of Prescott council.
PRESCOTT - The sights and sounds of bagpipes and Celtic music will grace downtown Prescott and Fort Wellington Saturday, June 15.
The third annual Highland Tattoo will feature four bands. Scheduled to appear are the South Glengarry Highlanders, Sons of Scotland, Highland Mist Pipes and Drums, Brockville Pipe Band and Celtic singers Boru's Harp, who will perform at the fort beginning at 1 pm.
The bands will gather at Centennial Park in the west end of Prescott and march east on King Street to the fort beginning at about 1:30 pm. The parade will be greeted by town and fort officials at about 2 pm.
Each band will perform individually at the fort field prior to the mass bands tattoo after 4 pm.
Admission is free; donations will be accepted. The Rotary Club will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks in the parking lot area.
The tattoo is presented by Tourism Prescott in conjunction with numerous community partners.
"Be sure to attend... It will be great," stated Mike Boyles, executive director of Tourism Prescott.
For more information about the Highland Tattoo, call 925-1861.
The Prescott event will follow on the heels of the Brockville Celtic Festival which begins this Friday night and continues through Sunday at St. Lawrence Park and other sites in the city.
EDWARDSBURGH - The annual garden tour presented by the Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public Library will take place this Saturday, June 8.
Five homes in the township are being featured in this year's tour, which runs from 9 am to 3 pm. Visitors can go from one garden to another at their own pace.
The sites include 32 Mary St. (Pat and Chuck Lemaire) in Johnstown, 27 Centre St. (Sherrye Emery) in Spencerville, 1323 Jordan Road (Michelle and Richard McGuire), 419 County Road 21 (Arlene and David Bruce) east of Shanly and 2377 Totem Ranch Rd. W. (John and Loree Burley).
A plant sale being held in conjunction with the tour will take place Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm at the Lions Den on County Road 44 four kilometres south of Spencerville. A large selection of perennials and bedding plants will be available.
A three o'clock tea will also be served that afternoon. Host gardeners will be acknowledged and door prizes will be given to garden tour participants at the tea.
Proceeds will go to the Spencerville branch of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library.
For tour tickets or more information, contact the library in Spencerville (658-5575) or the Edwardsburgh Lions Hall on the day of the tour.
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is asking the public to pitch in as part of an effort to monitor the spread of West Nile virus.
The virus is a mosquito-borne disease that has caused several deaths in the United States. Cases of West Nile have been reported in New York state and central and southwestern Ontario; there have been no confirmed cases in Leeds and Grenville. Although the virus usually causes only mild illness in humans, the effects may be more severe if a person is over the age of 50, is very young or has a compromised immune system.
Mosquitoes acquire West Nile by feeding on infected birds and then passing the virus onto humans through bites.
Crows are part of a family that is more susceptible to the virus than other species of birds.
Anyone who sees a dead crow in the tri-county area is asked to report it to the health unit at 1-800-660-5853 during office hours or (613) 345-5685 at any time. Health unit staff will assess the dead crow's condition during initial contact; some dead birds may be suitable for laboratory analysis, according to a health unit news release.
As a precaution, the health unit recommends dead birds be disposed of by double bagging them and placing carcasses in a regular garbage disposal system or burying the bags with a minimum of two feet of soil cover.
Rubber gloves should be worn when handling or disposing of dead birds.
CENTENNIAL '67/NORTH EDWARDSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL: Several junior students attended the Roots conference June 4.
Bike rodeos are being held courtesy of the local Ontario Provincial Police detachment and Spencerville and District Optimists June 4 at Centennial and June 6 at NEPS.
NEPS hosts an invitational track and field meet today.
Our top track and field athletes compete in the championship meet Friday at TISS.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL: Grades 6, 7 and 8 students will participate in a ceramics class June 6.
Nineteen students have qualified to go to the track and field championships Friday.
Several junior and intermediate students will be participating in an enrichment conference in Brockville called Roots.
Students from rooms 1, 4, and 12 will be travelling to Cornwall June 5 to go bowling and to Aultsville Theatre for lunch and the Touring Players performance.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL: It is incredible June is here! The St. Mark School community welcomes Mrs. Kathy Laushway, who has been appointed principal for Sept. 2002. Mrs. Laushway will replace Mrs. Martin, who is retiring.
All three of our parishes have now celebrated First Holy Communion, and that phase in our year has been a joyful experience.
St. Mark students are busily practising for the school concert scheduled for Thursday, June 6 at 7 pm at St. Mark Parish Centre. Parents are invited to "drop in" at the thank you book fair to "buy one get one free."
Chris Nihmey and Craig Carson, authors of "A Quarter Past Three," will visit the Grade 2 and 3 classes today (June 5).
On Monday, June 10, our Grade 3 students will travel to Upper Canada Village.
We began our final Star Strategy Monday, June 3 ("Try It Again").
The hot lunch is pizza this week and chicken chunks next week.
GRENVILLE COUNTY - The Grenville County 4-H Association will host its second annual Family Fun Day Saturday, June 30 at the ball park in Eastons Corners east of Jasper.
All current members, leaders, sponsors and their families are invited to take part in the festivities from 11 am to 3:30 pm.
The Senior Member Organizational Committee has been planning and fundraising for this event since the new year. The day's events include three-pitch baseball for all ages, numerous rounds of tug-of-war and a pot luck meal.
Plates and cutlery will be provided; those who attend are asked to bring their own beverages.
For more information, contact committee President Crystal Throop at 658-5391.
SPENCERVILLE - More than 150 people flocked to the Spencerville United Church last Wednesday night as the local Optimist Club awarded a member of the community its annual Volunteer of the Year award during the year-end banquet.
Ruth Bass of Spencerville was this year's recipient of the award for her work with numerous youth events in the community.
"Ruth really has had her hand in everything in the community," explained club member Jim Purcell. "She's so humble and such a giver, if she would have known about the award we would have been hard pressed to get her here."
Bass' involvement includes work with the Girl Guides, Pathfinders, Spencerville Fair Board, and the church in the community to name just a few, and is always busy trying to help out in the community.
"There really is no one who can compare to Ruth," added member Gloria Purcell. "She has done so much for the youth of the community, and deserves the award more than anyone I can think of."
An overwhelmed Bass explained, "I don't do volunteering to get things to get recognized like this. It's just something I do, and has been since I got here."
The night featured a dinner, Chinese auction and CFJR's Bruce Wylie as guest speaker to help raise money for the clubs efforts toward helping the youth.
PRESCOTT - School may seem like a chore for some, but for two of the 14 graduates this year at the Prescott campus of T.R. Leger School of Adult Alternative and Continuing Education, it's much more.
"Leger is here for students who have yet to complete high school, or wish to improve on previous high school skills can earn credits on a program created specifically for the needs of each individual student, explained Leger teacher Brenda Whiteford. "We have students from 16 to 60 here, and everyone seems to progress."
The Leger school at South Grenville District High School is run by the Upper Canada District School Board and offers options to their students so they can adapt to the rigors of school again while working around their busy schedules. Courses include full time studies, part time studies and correspondence in a variety of courses, that can also be fast tracked to finish earlier. Courses run during the regular school year of September to June, with some summer school courses available.
"I worked at Newells for 25 years before it closed," explained student Margaret Mallon. "I had part of Grade 9, but these days education is much more important to becoming part of the work world, and coming back I'm pretty proud of what I've accomplished."
Fellow student Laura Merkley added, "I only did a little of my Grade 9 year at Seaway, but now that I've come back and finished it's given me something to be proud of."
The students at T.R. Leger from Prescott, Brockville, Kemptville and Gananoque had their graduation at the Brockville Arts Centre Thursday, with Merkley receiving bursaries from the Prescott Lions Club and Prescott Rotary Club and Mallon receiving an award from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation for her high academic achievement.
Other awards given were the T.R Leger Staff Award, and Prescott Rotary Club bursary to Christina Biscope, and the Prescott Student Council Award to Joyce Doherty.
AUGUSTA - Police are seeking witnesses to a collision that occurred June 1 at 5:30 pm on County Road 2 just west of Blue Church Road. A westbound red Plymouth Acclaim was signalling and slowing to make a left turn when it was struck from behind by what is believed to be an older dark-coloured larger vehicle similar to an Oldsmobile Delta 88. The Acclaim was turned 180 degrees by the force of the impact; the female driver escaped serious injury. The other vehicle proceeded westbound; it likely has substantial front-end damage and red paint marks. Constable Foley is the investigating officer. Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP detachment in Prescott at 925-4221.
AUGUSTA - A local man sustained serious injuries in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident on the evening of June 1. The ATV being driven by Kelly Marshall, 38, of RR2 Brockville was travelling in a ditch beside Bisseltown Road just west of County Road 15. He became airborne when passing over a raised area, according to a news release; the ATV then flipped and ejected the driver. Marshall was transported by ambulance to Brockville General Hospital; his injuries included a broken hip. The investigation by Constable Doran is continuing.
EDWARDSBURGH A rented cube van went up in flames Saturday on Highway 401 just east of Prescott at the former CP overpass. One of the westbound lanes was closed to traffic early Saturday afternoon as local firefighters dealt with the fire. The driver lives in London; no one was injured.
AUGUSTA A 17-year-old male from Brockville faces a number of charges as a result of an accident that took place May 29 at about 4:24 am. A vehicle left the roadway on County Road 2 near DuPont. The driver, the lone occupant in the vehicle, sustained minor injuries. Among the charges laid are impaired driving, taking a motor vehicle without consent and two other Highway Traffic Act offences. Constable T. Johnston is the investigating officer.
EDWARDSBURGH Constable Large of the Grenville County OPP detachment requested a breath sample from a driver in Spencerville May 27 at about 9:20 pm. The roadside screening device registered a fail, according to a police news release. Morris Bukacz, 42, of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Township, was arrested and charged with operating a motor vehicle while exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit. The accused was released on a promise to appear in court June 21.
AUGUSTA In response to a traffic complaint involving a pair of Corvettes on Highway 401 eastbound, police have charged two men with dangerous driving. The two drivers Vincent Gasparro, 23, of Thornhill and Kenneth Gordon, 60, of Manotick were issued court summonses. Speeds of 180 and 142 kilometres an hour respectively were registered by the OPP. The incident occurred May 30 just after 1 pm.
By Karie Neddo
The Krazy Krafters from Roebuck and Grenville County have been extremely busy with their leaders: Debbie Connell, Pam Somerville and Darlene Dillabough.
Each week the 4-H meetings have been held at the Roebuck Community Hall. The meetings have evolved around crafts. We have been honoured to have special guests at each meeting to share with us their art.
On May 16, Deborah Brown demonstrated how to do stencilling. Each club member was able to design and stencil his or her very own T-shirt.
On May 23, Barb Gilmer and Carol Workman from Flower World in Prescott demonstrated and taught us how to make bows. The bows will go on the 4-H club's plant on achievement day.
On May 30, Linda Holmes demonstrated and taught us all on how to make our own beeswax candles.
On behalf of the 4-H club, we want to express our appreciation to these special guests for sharing and teaching us about their works of art.
PRESCOTT - The Prescott Human Resource Centre of Canada for Students is open for another season.
The centre, located above the post office on Centre Street, assists businesses and youth with their summer employment needs. In addition to job postings, the centre offers support services for students looking for work.
Amelia Mayer is the student employment officer at the Prescott office.
For more information, call 925-2508.
SOUTH GRENVILLE Self-employed individuals and their spouses are reminded their deadline to file 2001 income tax returns is June 15.
Those who owe tax for 2001 were to pay the balance owing by April 30 even with the June 15 filing deadline in place, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency notes in a news release. For more information, call the agency's toll-free service at 1-800-959-8281.
PRESCOTT - St. Mark's Catholic Women's League will host a spaghetti dinner Sunday, June 16 at 5 pm at the parish centre.
Tickets are available after Saturday evening and Sunday morning masses. For more information, call Carolyn Wilson at 925-4387.
Ruth Bass, who received the Spencerville Optimist Volunteer of the Year award
WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY: The inaugural edition of Doors Open proved to be a fairly positive experience in the Prescott area. The program invites the public to take a closer look at historic buildings and attractions, many of which are not normally open to the public. Although the dozen local participating sites reported varying degrees of response this past Saturday and Sunday, the bottom line is many people who live here or elsewhere took the time to visit some of the more unique places which add to the charm and appeal of the Prescott area.
The one thing organizers of Doors Open should keep in mind is there can be too much of a good thing. The Prescott area has an abundance of historic buildings and interesting properties and sites, but the public may grow tired of too many visits to the same attractions in any given year.
Doors Open comes on the heels of a great tradition the Grenville County Historical Society started years ago. There are also garden tours being offered this Saturday in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal as part of a fundraiser for the public library in Spencerville. As long as the various groups and programs work together instead of as separate units, the heritage value of Prescott will not be threatened by overexposure.
Whether Doors Open becomes an annual or occasional part of the local scene remains to be seen. Early returns suggest the concept has succeeded in promoting our heritage to tourists and local residents. Doors Open could become an important addition to the tourism season, and South Grenville would be foolish not to take advantage of this opportunity that plays right into this area's strength: its history.
LET THEM GO AT IT: Whether former finance minister Paul Martin was fired by Prime Minister Jean Chrétien or the two came to a mutual agreement does not really matter in the grand scheme of things. The real issue of interest to many Canadians is what appears to be the leadership race that may finally emerge from behind closed Liberal caucus doors.
The national media has been playing up this split and the seemingly inevitable leadership showdown for a long time, and recent events have given the pundits more fodder with which to speculate on the political future of Mr. Chrétien and others in the federal cabinet (and one or two who are no longer there).
Chrétien won three consecutive elections and formed three majority governments. Mr. Martin is a well-respected leader whose work in the finance portfolio has been solid and relatively hassle-free - unlike some of his colleagues. A showdown between these two men could make for great viewing, just like the western finals in both the NHL and NBA this season. Too bad the winners of those showdowns will probably go on to face uncompetitive rivals when it really counts.
Tim Ruhnke
Now that Jon the Leaf fanatic has headed for what hopefully will be greener pastures, the role of office hockey fanatic is now being played by Dave the Oiler guy. As much as there was the occasional double-teaming last week when Dave and yours truly took aim at Jon's fondness for the blue and white, I would like to note for the record the Oilers didn't even make it to the playoffs this season. Leaf supporters should be put in their place, but at least Toronto qualified for the post season and won two series. The Oilers scratched and clawed their way into the playoffs five straight years, but 92 points could not cut it this season in a very competitive western conference. It would have been okay to give the Oilers a couple of extra home dates before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, but there's always next year!
Back in the days when I despised the Oilers, the main reason was Wayne Gretzky. As I may have mentioned in a previous column, my Grade 13 high school yearbook stated my goal in life was to never hear the name Gretzky. That was nearly 20 years ago, and my respect for the Great One has eaten away at some (but not all) of the hostility.
Dave the Oiler fan tells me he was never that big on Gretzky, which goes to show you fanatics have their lucid moments. Mind you, Jon the Leaf fanatic is not that big on Curtis Joesph... but Jon never let me forget the time I suggested Darcy Tucker is the definition of mediocre. (Even with the goon-like garbage, I must admit Tucker had a fairly good year.)
I can still remember the night Darryl Sittler scored 10 points in one game, and when the Leafs were up 3-2 against Los Angeles in the conference finals before Toronto and the media got Gretzky mad enough to almost single-handedly come back and snatch a Stanley Cup berth away from the Leafs. I cheered for TO in those days and, for the most part, I would be happy to see Toronto do well in the future. I'm just not prepared to elevate the Maple Leafs to the status of God's team.
In welcoming Dave to the fold, I take some comfort knowing my new colleague is a supporter of yet another half-decent Canadian-based NHL team that, like the Leafs, doesn't have what it takes to make a truly serious run at the cup. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
John A.H. Morris
Couldn't let this week's Diary go by without commenting on the confusion that reigns presently in the Liberal government in Ottawa and amongst party supporters throughout Canada, all brought on by Prime Minister Jean Chretien's firing of finance minister and pretender to his throne, Paul Martin.
At first blush it seems that Martin, because he has been stripped of the most powerful ministry in the nation and relegated to the back benches of parliament, is the big loser in the Chretien-Martin conflict. We think, instead, that he is the big winner and that by forcing Chretien to fire him from cabinet has made this increasingly odious prime minister cut off his nose to spite his face.
By cutting Martin the slack that wasn't openly available to him as a cabinet minister, Chretien has given him the freedom as a back bencher to campaign more openly than ever for a Liberal party leadership review and for a subsequent leadership convention. Chretien has just bestowed his party's crown and jewels upon Paul Martin and his followers. He will be thoroughly thumped should he contest the party leadership once again, and anyone he anoints as his successor will be an instant loser.
Just how thin the ranks of the Chretien camp are at present was made clear on the weekend when the prime minister had to pull John Manley's name out of the hat once again to succeed Martin as finance minister. Manley has been Chretien's "go to" guy recently using him to bring stability to the Department of Industry, Foreign Affairs, and most recently as Deputy Prime Minister, a post he will retain along with finance. Leadership hopefuls Sheila Copps and Allan Rock had better keep their ambitions subdued or else Manley will be called upon to add their portfolios to his collection of ministries.
*****
One of the minor dramas playing on the same bill as this main parliamentary feature is "The Lost Conservatives" featuring Joe Clark. With the Liberals in such disarray and with Chretien's popularity at its lowest ebb in history, it is going to be interesting to see how Clark uses these weapons tossed his way to build up the fortunes of the Progressive Conservatives.
With his propensity to re-act rather than to act, Clark is likely to procrastinate until next year's proposed Liberal leadership review before he realizes there is a severe split in the Liberal ranks which offers him a chance to stage a Tory party renewal. Clark, of course, thinks of a split in the Tory party loyalty as six for and six against. If Clark can't use this serious rift in Liberal fortunes to restore the Progressive Conservative Party to respectable numbers, then he should step down and recommend the Tories join forces with the Alliance.
*****
As it seems at present the only way Jean Chretien can keep Paul Martin from becoming the next Liberal Party leader and prime minister will be for him to cancel next year's leadership review and call an election instead. We would not be surprised to see him try to do this because like most egomaniacs he has little idea how big an embarrassment he has become in Canada as well as internationally.
*****
Congratulations to the staff at Fort Wellington and thanks for the honour they have bestowed on Prescott in earning the title as "Ontario's Most Outstanding Tourist Attraction".
Our town council, chamber of commerce and downtown business improvement area as well as every citizen of Prescott should do everything they can to promote Fort Wellington and Prescott as a good place to live and a great place to visit. We have earned the bragging rights for our main tourist attraction, so now we have to start doing the bragging. The best way to start this bragging is to visit Fort Wellington. Probably fewer than 20 per cent of our population has toured the Fort in recent years which speaks volumes about the doldrums and apathy that seem to have been plaguing our town in recent years.
*****
Small pieces of our historical puzzle seem to appear every couple of weeks. One of the latest is the name of the 1830-40s era tavern and inn that forms the Water Street portion of the Journal-St. Lawrence Printing property. Known as the Glasgow-Smyth building, it was called The Dolphin when it was a tavern prior to its being divided into four separate residences at the turn of the 20th century. That's 1900 for those who only know the metric system of counting centuries.
The Editor;
I would like to tell you about an experience I've had with the post office.
On May 29, I stopped at Giant Tiger when I noticed a mailbox out in front. Silly me, I though they would sell stamps. No, they just have the mailbox, but if I wanted stamps I could go up the street one block to Beckers and purchase stamps. I did this thinking they would have a mailbox seeing as how they sell stamps. No, they told me that I had to go back to Giant Tiger to mail them.
I took my concern to the post office in Prescott and told them my problem, and I was told the mailbox was just there because it was easier for the people on Churchill Road to mail letters from there. I wanted to use my husband's favourite saying and tell the guy to give his head a shake because as far as I'm concerned this situation just does not make any sense.
What I think they should do is instead of paying whoever it is that thinks up where to place them, we just do a poll and ask people if they want them in front of a store that sells postal products.
Kathleen Robinson
The Editor;
Let's keep our parks and streets clean!
I believe it is each citizen's responsibility to "clean up" after their dogs who use the park for their daily walk. How can we possibly expect the visitors and tourists to our town to feel positive about Prescott unless each of us ensures that it is an inviting environment.
Especially now that summer is approaching, how can we invite people to spend time in our parks, to bring their lunch to the park and to enjoy relaxation when one has to be so careful about where one sits or steps.
Let's make a concerted effort to take responsibility for cleaning up after our own animals, lest we may find signs saying "No animals permitted in the park."
Pia Thompson
Dog Owner, Prescott
PRESCOTT - The Child & Youth Wellness Centre of Leeds & Grenville has received full accreditation from Children's Mental Health Ontario.
The wellness centre, which has offices in Prescott and other communities in the united counties, was formed in 1996 after the restructuring and amalgamation of children's mental health services in Eastern Ontario. The centre provides a wide range of treatment and prevention programs for children, youth and families. Staff deal with approximately 1,100 clients each year.
The four-year accreditation will be presented later this week in Brockville.
The wellness centre office in Prescott is located in the Moran-Hooker Trade Centre on Water Street.
Jane Fullarton
Registration for the Maitland Summer Park Program and the Maitland Backyard Pool Program will be held Wednesday, June 12 from 6 to 8 pm at the MERC Hall.
Shannon Flawn, this year's park supervisor, predicts a fun-filled program featuring, music, dinosaurs, geography, sports, games, arts and crafts, special guests and local hikes for children ages 4 to 11.
The program will run from 9 to noon and from 1 to 4 pm Monday to Friday, July 1 to 19 and Aug. 12 to 30 at the Maitland hall and grounds.
For more information call Shannon Flawn, park supervisor at 348-3859 or Moira Taylor, MERC president, at 348-3140.
Swimming lessons will be offered in two sessions: July 1 to 12 and July 29 to Aug. 9. For more information, call Tina at 348-1894 or e-mail atchison@recorder.ca.
There will be a youth dance Friday, June 7 for students in grades 5 - 8. These dances are very popular with our teens and well-attended, and new parent volunteers are needed to help supervise.
If you can help with the dances, call Susan at 348-3088 or Cindy at 348-1760.
The Maitland Seniors' Luncheon, sponsored by VON. Community Support Program, will be held June 12 beginning at noon.
The menu is a cold plate, dessert, coffee and tea. Admission can be paid at the door. Entertainment will be by a musical group from Prescott, called Old Spice.
Call 342-3693 to confirm your attendance. Transportation is available by calling the VON at 342-3693.
BROCKVILLE - Artisans from the Prescott area will be among the vendors taking part in Quiltfest 2002 later this month at the Brockville Country Club, 1548 County Road 2 West.
The sixth edition of the show presented by the Thousand Islands Quilt Guild will feature exhibits of spectacular bed quilts, wall hangings, mini-quilts and wearable art. Quiltfest opens Friday, June 14 from 6 to 9 pm and continues Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm.
The CBC Quilt, which consists of blocks from radio listeners across the country, will also be on display. A certified quilt appraiser will be on hand to evaluate quilts for a fee.
Admission can be paid at the door.
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
CARDINAL - The Cardinal Navy League and officers, staff and cadets of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps 338 Defiant celebrated the past year's achievements during its third annual review Sunday afternoon at the community centre.
The event included the cadets' dynamic and static displays, speeches, awards presentations, corps reforms and advance in review order. The Stormont sea cadet band provided the music for the review.
Reviewing Officer Commander William Lundy congratulated the corps on its successes, noting he witnessed a high calibre of work, preparation and dedication. Lundy added he was impressed with the cadet's displays and the obvious high level of community and parental support to the corps.
Lundy is a curriculum services computer and science resource teacher with the Hastings-Prince Edward District School Board in Belleville. He joined HMCS Ontario in 1982 as first aid instructor and public affairs officer, and has also served in other administrative and training positions. He has performed a number of special projects for the cadet movement, including writing the general training course training plan and standards for tall ships training.
Awards presented at the review included: Best Dressed Cadet - A. Mustard; Kiwanis Leadership - N. Stewart; Best on Exercise - D. Lewis; Captains Prize - C. Engelhart; Military Merit at Leadership Abilities - S. Mustard; Best First Year Cadet - J. Jodoin; Best Second Year Cadet - B. Toupin; Best Third Year Cadet - C. Riddell; Best Senior Hand - N. Stewart; Proficiency in Knots - R. Coughler; Cadet Spirit Award - B. Jodoin; Most Athletic Cadet - J. Jodoin; Sailing Proficiency - R. Coughler; Top Marksman - D. Toupin; Outstanding Leadership in Community Service - R. Coughler; Best Dressed at Annual - J. Jodoin.
Best Overall Attendance awards were presented to R. Coughler, M. Fawcett, B. Jodoin, A. Mustard, C. Riddell, N. Stewart, D. Toupin and B. Toupin.
Training events for the cadets this year included range competition, change of command, flotilla competition weekend, first aid training weekend, provincial swim competition, car wash and tag day fundraisers, promotions night, Caring for Canada through Cardinal in Bloom, sail training weekend, a five-day sail and Remembrance Day activities.
The Editor;
In response to the article in your paper of May 29 ("Township office restructured"):
Councillor Peggy Taylor stated people have suggested it is more than coincidence Donna Gladstone and Julie Stewart worked in the Cardinal office before amalgamation. She was certainly correct there; I bet the majority of Cardinal citizens were just waiting for the other shoe to fall before these jobs would become redundant.
I also believe if these two girls lived in the Spencerville area they would still have their jobs.
I do not wish to offend Cardinal's councillors, but I feel that if they are trying to save us taxpayers some money, we could get rid of these two councillors too. I know they must try to do their best for the village, but with so many of Dobbie's "friends" around, their hands are tied.
I don't know how other people in the former village of Cardinal feel, but when I read newspaper articles and they refer to us as the former village of Cardinal, I see red.
If Mr. Dobbie has his way (which it seems he always does) I suppose in the near future the word Cardinal will no longer appear on any maps.
Well, folks, get ready for the next take-away, removal, down-sizing etc. (Or whatever they want to call it) that our illustrious council decides to do.
They usually wait until they figure the smoke has cleared and then start up again so it shouldn't be too long.
The worst thing that could ever have happened to our village is to have joined forces with Edwardsburgh. We should have sat back like Prescott and waited, but there is no use crying over spilled milk because we sure got ourselves into a bucket full in more ways than milk.
Dwayne & Melva Comstock, Cardinal
SPENCERVILLE - At the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council meeting Monday night, Frank Noccey brought up concerns about electrical safety inspections of public buildings in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal will likely cost the township as many have minor hazards that must be brought up to regulation.
The arena, public works garage, fire hall, library, water tower and ball park were the noted buildings that needed to be addressed.
Many of the hazards were as minor as the identification of breakers and panel controls. Some of the more costly areas include the arena, which has a ground fault and no ground fault detector and could cost up to $2,000 to fix. The fire hall is another building which could cost the township an estimated at $500-$1,000.
SPENCERVILLE - The annual Cardinal In Bloom festival has asked for money from the Port of Prescott to help fund the event.
The council did not have the money budgeted to give, and decided Monday to hold off for a policy to be established before making a decision on the matter.
Cardinal In Bloom has already received $2,500 this year from the Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
No money was given from the Port of Prescott last year.
Charles A. Coville, a former Prescott resident, died at Kingston General Hospital Wednesday, April 3, 2002. He was 69.
Born in Algonquin June 25, 1932, he was the son of the late Charles H. Coville and the late Edith M. Briant.
He was raised and educated in Algonquin, attending Union Grove School. He also attended Brockville Collegiate Institute and was a graduate of New Castle Bridge New Brunswick Bible College.
He married the former Marjorie Johnston Aug. 30, 1952 at the Charleville Pentecostal Church and they resided in Prescott for many years. While in Prescott, Mr. Coville worked as a sales representative for an insurance company. He also owned and operated an orange juice business, serving clients in both Canada and the United States. He also sold Swipe cleaning products. The couple moved from Prescott to Kingston where he was employed at Canada Bread until he retired in 1988.
Mr. Coville was a very dedicated and active member of his church. Throughout his life he attended Charleville (now Maynard) Pentecostal Church, where he held the positions of service leader, Sunday school superintendent, church board member and board trustee. After moving to Kingston, he and his wife were affiliated with the New Life Centre.
Mr. Coville is survived by his beloved wife Marjorie of Kingston, his loving daughter Shelley and her husband Blair Haines of Simcoe, and his dear grandchildren Blair Jr. and Erik Haines. He will be fondly remembered by his brothers and sisters, Clarence Coville and his wife Pearl of Smiths Falls, Duane Coville and his wife Jennie of Brockville, Sheila Grice and her husband Bud of Harrowsmith, Lorraine McIlvenna and her husband Bud of Athens and Elaine and her husband Bruce McKenna of Kingston. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Family and friends paid their respects at the Irvine Funeral Home and Chapel, Brockville, Friday April 5. A ceremony in celebration of his life was held in the funeral home chapel April 6 at 11:30 am. Pastor Don David Hanscom of Kingston officiated. A reception followed in the Maynard Pentecostal Church hall. Interment took place at Maynard Cemetery.
In remembrance, donations to the Parkinson's Society, the New Life Centre, Kingston, or the Maynard Pentecostal Church Sunday School will be gratefully acknowledged by the Coville family.
Mary Drew, RR 1 Iroquois, died suddenly at her home Monday, May 27, 2002. She was 65.
She was born Oct. 26, 1936 in Glen Robertson, the daughter of James Drew and Maud Drew (nee Harland). A resident of Iroquois for the past 35 years, she has also lived in Brockville and Middleville. She was a member of the Rowena Full Gospel Businessman Fellowship and had worked as a homemaker.
Mary Drew is survived by her children, Jim Stiles of Kinburn, Gord Stiles of Prescott, Wayne Stiles (Ann Sine) of Arnprior, Maude (Michael) Fraser of White Lake, Dale of Quyon, Quebec and Margaret Brewster of Brockville; her brothers and sisters Elsie Blackburn of Perth, Charlotte Lesway of Renfrew, Jean Pulvier of Winnipeg, Les Drew of Perth and Ian Drew of Lanark; and 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was a dear friend of Claude and Helen Bretzke.
She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters and by her parents.
A graveside funeral service was held at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg, Thursday, May 30, 2002 at 1 pm, with Rev. Marcel Charette officiating. Arrangements were entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Wiliamsburg.
The pallbearers were Jim Stiles, Wayne Stiles, Dean Lavigne and Michael Fraser.
As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
CARDINAL - The Cardinal Fish and Game Club is looking for continued support of its activities. Memberships can be purchased directly from John Dugan Sr. at 657-1081, or from Bayview Convenience in Johnstown, Mustard's Variety in Iroquois, and Pro Hardware and Rona Hardware in Cardinal.
The club is also searching for its large, year-long pike trophy. The trophy is almost two feet high. If anyone knows the whereabouts of the trophy, contact Dugan. "Hopefully, it will show up," he said.
CARDINAL - Junior Cardinal Stamp Club members will get together for their last meeting before breaking for the summer Wednesday, June 12. The club will meet at the library in Cardinal, beginning at 7 pm.
Organizer John Dugan Sr. noted several significant donations of stamps had been given to the club from residents of Prescott, New Wexford and England.
PRESCOTT - After receiving offers from schools up and down the American east coast, South Grenville District High School runner Mandy Wallace has made one school very happy in deciding to accept a full scholarship from the University of Southeastern Louisiana.
Wallace, who's been one of the regions premier athletes in track and field, was relieved to get the decision out of the way to focus on enjoying her last months as a local.
"It's been pretty stressful," explained Wallace. But I am very excited about the experience, everyone's been great in letting me make my own choice and Southeastern Louisiana had what I was looking for as a school: good academics, warm weather, good coaches and a new culture to experience as well."
The Grade 12 student has been recruited pretty heavily for her expertise in 800-metre, 1500-metre, 3000-metre races as well as cross-country running, receiving regular calls from schools offering scholarships.
"The NCAA allows each school to call a recruit once a week so I was getting calls every week," shrugged Wallace. "I took official visits to the University of Buffalo, University of South Carolina, University of Connecticut, University of Tennessee, and Southeastern Louisiana, and was sure until the last visit (to Southeastern Louisiana) that Buffalo was my choice."
"It was the hardest thing I've ever done to tell the other schools my decision. I was crying, I thought I had led them on for such a long time, but they let me know I understood."
Wallace hopes to be a key piece in the rebuilding of Southeastern Louisiana's program which boasts new new coaches with solid reputations, according to Mandy's coach, Robert Tucker.
"It was a very good decision for Mandy," explained Tucker. "What I wanted for Mandy was to get the education she wants at a program where there was a recognized coach, with a stable program that would allow for her to progress as a student and an athlete."
"They're rebuilding, and bringing in people from around the world," summed up Wallace. "When I was on my visit there I met some girls from Kenya, and other places, so that'll be a neat cultural experience next year, but there are others I know from track in this area who are in school nearby so I won't be alone."
With the decision out of the way, Wallace is left to concentrate on the remainder of the track season and before leaving for Louisiana in July or August to get adjusted before classes start in the fall.
"Right now I can finish the track year, and spend time with my family, friends and other aspects of the area I know I take for granted, before the culture shock," states Wallace. "But I'm just not sure I'll miss the snow."
ROCKLAND- The South Grenville District High School boys rugby team, faced its toughest competition of the year Thursday in Rockland at EOSSA, after rolling over its opponents throughout the regular season.
In their first year of high school rugby the Giants finished an impressive fourth in Eastern Ontario, putting on strong performances all day defeating North Dundas in their opener, before losing to the first seeded Napanee team, and a fresh Opeongo team in their next two matchups.
"We did extremely well on the season," commented coach Ted Southin. "It was our first year, and we represented the school well, with close games in the tournament despite what the scores may indicate."
In their first game the Giants defeated North Dundas by a score of 10-3, matching up extremely well.
"Fullback Drew Magee made a game saving tackle against North Dundas," explained coach Shawn Saunders. "If it wasn't for the nice open field tackle by Magee, then the score would be tied and we may not have made it to the next step of EOSSA."
South Grenville played the first-seeded team out of Napanee in the next game, battling them until late in the game Napanee used their exceptional ball movement to score on the Giants.
"Napanee was just such a crisp team," said Southin. They're a team of mostly seniors, who have played club rugby, as well as high school rugby since Grade 9, and are going to the Ontario Finals this year. "They made all the other clubs look unorganized, and there's no reason that can't be us next year."
In the third place game, South Grenville ran out of gas, losing to the team from Opeongo by a score of 5-0.
"It was anyone's game throughout," explained Southin. "Our boys were a little tired and worn down by the finish, and Opeongo was able to capitalize as they were fresher."
The coaches were extremely pleased with the year all round. Being the first year for rugby at South Grenville, no one really knew what to expect with many of the players learning the game as they went along.
"Next year we're only going to lose about six guys, and about 75 per cent of our girls team will be back as they were Grade 10s," commented Saunders. "We'll be getting a strong core from a great bunch of kids coming back next year. A lot were thinking about possibly playing summer club ball and coming back next year with an even better grasp for the game."
Southin added, "These guys will be so much better with a year experience under their belts; we learned how important ball movement is at higher levels, and these kids pick the game up so quickly."
PRESCOTT- During the Northeast Regional Track and Field Meet at SGDHS last Tuesday, Maynard Public School finished in the top spot overall with the other local school Centennial '67 finishing fifth.
Centennial '67 and Maynard public school athletes in the Northeast Region took advantage of the good weather to lead their schools with numerous top six finishes in the meet, including Erica Kamenz of Centennial '67 being named the top senior girl of the meet.
Other notable finishes include:
Dustin Curry, fourth, 60-metres, sixth, 200-metres, and fourth, triple jump; Kyle Easterbrook, third, 200-metres, and 800-metres; Matt Leeder, first in 800-metres, and 1,500-metres; Kristian Knapp, fourth in long jump, and fifth in 100-metres; Matt Cockshott, third in high jump, second in long jump, and triple jump; Braedon Eliott, fifth in long jump and third in 400-metres; Clayton Dunnington, fourth, 400-metres; Fletcher Wehmeyer, sixth, 800-metres, Mike Thomas, fourth, 1,500-metres, Cory Alkerson, second, shot put; Kyle Lavery, fifth, triple jump; Jordan Daw, fourth, shot put; and 4x100-metre relay team, third.
Senior Boys
Steve Craig-Pettem, third, 800-metres, fifth, 400-metres, and second in triple jump; Andrew McCaw, second in high jump; Anthony Raspa, third, high jump, and fourth in triple jump; Scott Baker, fifth, 1,500-metres; David Brooks, third 100-metres, Brennan Barret, first, 400-metres, Jeff Connell, fifth, shot put; Corbin Stone, sixth, 400-metres, and 4x100-metre relay team, first.
Junior Girls
Jamie Froats, first, 60-metres, second, 100-metres and long jump; Jessica Rupert, third 100-metres first, 200-metres and triple jump; Niki Donaldson, third, 200-metres and 800-metres; Katie McKinley, fifth, high jump; Rachel Reindorf, fifth, shot put; Jenn Dixon, sixth, triple jump; Sheila King, fifth, 1,500-metres; Krysten Jensen, second, 1,500-metres; Ashley Dunnington, fifth, 400-metres; Melissa Jenkins, second, 400-metres; and 4x100-metre relay team, first.
Senior Girls
Hannah Wickman, fourth, 60-metres; Jamie Grimes, third, 200-metres and first, 400-metres; Dana Sheridan, fifth, 200-metres; Michelle Mills, sixth, 800-metres; Alison White, fifth, high jump; Jessica Crawford, third, 400-metres, and fourth, 1,500-metres, Jackie Meppelder, fifth, 1,500-metres; Sara Watt, fourth, triple jump; Kaitlyn Ashby, third, shot put; and 4x100-metre relay team, second.
Centennial '67
Junior Boys
Michael Kirby, fifth, shot put; and Hank Heykoop, third, 1,500-metres, and fifth, 800-metres and 400-metres.
Senior Boys
Justin Carrierre, third, 400-metres, and first, 100-metres, and 200-metres; Josh Smith, fourth, 200-metres; James Corrigall, second, Long jump, sixth, 1,500-metres; Sean Dobbie, fourth, shot put; and Ryan Killick, third, triple jump, and second, shot put.
Junior Girls
Mackenzie Liska, fifth, 100-metres, third, 100-metres, triple jump; Jessica Whiselle, fourth, 60-metres, fifth, long jump; Brittany Patchaude, sixth, 100-metres, second, shot put; Ainsley Keleman, sixth, 400-metres, 800-metres; Zoe Kamenz, first, shot put; Liz Hooper, fourth, triple jump; and 4x100-metre relay team, second.
Senior Girls
Erica Kamenz, first, 60-metres, long jump, high jump; Jenn Seary, second, 100-metres, third, 60-metres, triple jump, and 4x100-metre relay team, third.
OTTAWA- The track and field team at South Grenville District High School continued its successful season with strong finishes with three athletes involved in the East Regionals at the Terry Fox Athletic Centre in Ottawa.
"The team had a great day," said coach Norrie Spence. "Everyone did well, and we got chances to work on skills and still compete in the events."
Led by Mandy Wallace's runs in the junior girls 800-metre, 1,500-metre and 3,000-metre races, she ensured her school had at least one representative in the Ontario Championships (OFSSA) in Belleville this Thursday to Saturday.
Wallace qualified for OFSSA in all three events, but withdrew her name from the 800-metre race there, as her coach felt three events would be too much to focus on with already having to run three races between the 1,500-metre and 3,000-metre races for which she also qualified.
In the 1,500-metres Wallace finished second with a time of 4:47.
"Mandy was beaten by the girl that has had Mandy's number in previous races," explained Spence. "The two were neck and neck until the last 50 metres when the other girl pulled ahead."
In the 800-metre race the coach ran a speed workout with Wallace, holding her back for most of the race, to allow her to work on her final kick. Wallace still managed to capture third place and qualify, before withdrawing from the event at OFSSA.
She ran a comfortable run in the 3,000-metre race to finish second while ensuring not to overexert herself, still putting up a very respectable time of 10:55 ensuring another chance for the school this weekend.
Heidi Reinstra withdrew from the 1,500-metre race to focus on speed races and the move paid off as she was able to take three seconds off her personal best in the midget girls 400-metre race to finish a very respectable twelfth.
"Heidi did well," said Spence. "She is continuing her work on speed and aerobic base to compete next year and is improving all the time."
Erin Heibein continued her strong season in finishing seventh in the junior girls long jump, with a personal best jump of 4.82 metres while jumping during a sudden downpour in the afternoon.
"All the top girls in the event jumped personal bests, one even improved by 30 centimetres," said Spence. "Erin would have had to jump 5.10 to qualify.
"She was a little disappointed, but she's getting close, her personal best was improved by eight centimetres, and is approaching five metre jumps."
The focus now switches to OFSSA at the Bay of Quinte Centennial Track in Belleville June 7-9, where Wallace will compete in the 1500-metre and 3,000-metre races.
"Most of the people at OFSSA are track club kids like Mandy," explained Spence. "Its a pretty elite competition and top six finishes in both the 1,500 and 3,000-metres wouldn't be out of the question."
PRESCOTT - A four on four beach volleyball league will be taking place throughout the summer at Centennial Park in Prescott.
The league starts June 10, with Mondays hosting league play for $15, while Fridays are for recreation at $5.
For information call 498-2111 or 498-6716.
PRESCOTT - The soccer fields at SGDHS were packed on a nightly basis last week, as the PDSA got into full swing with action in the five divisions.
Under-16
Southport defeated Watermark printing 1-0, with Nicholas Maggio scoring the lone marker.
Hartley Sports defeated Canadian Tire 2-1. Scoring for Hartley was Chad Hyland, and Josh Jodoin. David Code replied for Canadian Tire.
Kriska defeated United by a score of 3-1, scoring for Kriska was Allan Robertson with three, while Brittany Orr replied for United.
Kriska and Watermark Printing, tied 3-3, Kriska scorers were Robertson with two, and Nicole King with one. Aaron Lavelley, Joel Joudoin, and Joel Haystead scored for Watermark.
Hartley Sports defeated United, with goals from Josh Joudoin, Hyland, and Dedekker, while Logan Gillard marked two for United.
Under-12
Grenville Castings beat DWJ Plumbing 4-0, with three by Alanna Lesenba, and a single by Jamie Graham.
Star Security beat Hansen's Kavity Kickers 8-0, with a hat trick from Curtis Biccum, Cody Hache and Carrie Calhoun with two, and Robert Watson with a single.
Seaway Valley Pharmacy defeated Freer Electric 4-2, Bobby Kimmerly scored three for Seaway, and Tim Johnston added one. Scoring for Freer was Michael Jollymore, and Janet Greenhorne.
Beach Home Hardware defeated Kriska 6-1, with goals from Torin Marcynuk (2), Ryan Armstrong (2), Mike Thomas and Genevieve Blackburn. Nick Francica scored for Kriska.
The Shriners beat Giant Tiger 4-1, with goals from Jessica Rupert (2), Hank Haykoop and Nick Shanahan with singles. Trevor Madden scored for Giant Tiger.
Beach Home Hardware beat Giant Tiger 5-1, with goals from Armstrong (3), Thomas and Maceynuk. Scoring for Giant Tiger was Justin Darymple.
Shriners beat Freer Electric 2-1, with goals from Joshua Perrin, and Haykoop. Paul Roode scored for Freer.
Star Security beat Seaway Valley Pharmacy 6-2, with goals from Hache (3), Biccum (2), and Daniel Norton. James King scored both for Seaway.
DWJ Plumbing beat Hansen's Kavity Kickers 4-1. Scoring for DWJ was Brock Murphy (3), and Kenny Byrd. Michael Marchand scored for Hansen's
Kriska beat Grenville Castings 6-5, with goals from Megan Colwell (3), Francica (2) and Trent Blanchette. Scoring for Grenville was Lesenba(2), Lea-anne Naphan, Kyle Warren and Shawn Secord.
Under-10
Colour Pallette and Kiwanis tied three all. Scorers for Colour were Robbie Deer(2), and John Jackson. Ryan Van Stralen scored three for Kiwanis.
Beckers beat Kinsmen 4-2, with goals from David Suatac (2), and Matthew Suatac. Scoring for Kinsmen was Ronnie Harrison.
Splash defeated Danani Flooring 4-2, with goals from Devon Lebrun (2), and Bradley Loker. Scoring for Danani was Mitchell Grant and Tyson Lefebvre.
Everton and Grenville Pharmacy tied 2-2, with Phillip Biccum and Dillon Stoddard scoring for Everton, and Chad McAuley and Matthew Barkley for Grenville.
Seaway Physiotherapy beat Macs 6-1, with goals from Sean Perrin (3), Trent Corney and Rhys Larry. Corey Wilson scored for Macs.
TD Canada Trust defeated Royal Bank 2-1, with goals from Troy Armstrong (2). Ben Hutton scored for Royal Bank.
Splash beat Beckers 7-3, with from Lebrun(4), Michael Lawless (2), and Scott Stephenson. Scoring for Beckers was Coleman Colpitts and Matthew Suatac.
Kinsmen defeated Everton 4-2, with goals from Harrison(2), Ian King, and Michael Tracey.
Seaway Physiotherapy beat Grenville Pharmacy 3-1, with goals by Larry, Perrin and Corney. Kaci Carter scored for Grenville.
Macs beat Royal Bank 4-3 with goals from Joshua Pitt (3), Corey Wilson. Braedon Smith (2) and Hutton scored for Royal Bank.
TD Canada Trust beat Colour Pallette 3-2, with goals from Troy Merkley (3). John Jackson(2) scored for Colour.
Danani Flooring beat Kiwanis 3-2, with goals from Cody Patenaude(2), and Grant. Rick Champagne, and Van Stralen scored for Kiwanis.
Under-8
Compendium Group Inc. beat Windmill Web Spiders 4-2, with goals from Joey Sargent (2), Broyden Stufco, and Spencer Lee. Emily Colwell and Madelon Hunt scored for Windmill.
SLP Printers Devils and Lanes tied 3-3. Scoring for SLP was Payton Marriner (2), and Nickolas Heykoop, while Jesse Boyd (2) and Matthew Boyd scord for Lanes.
Prescott IDA beat Tropical Pools 2-1, with goals from Cory Knapp (2). Justin Carroll scored for Tropical.
M.T.J.B. beat Playit Star 1-0, with a goal from Devin Johnston.
Hometown Heating and Prophet's Trophies, tied 1-1. Kelsee Carmichael scored for Hometown, and Chris Hendricks scored for Prophets.
Playit Star beat Hometown Heating 4-0, with goals from Tyson Bertand (3), and Alex Stephenson.
Lanes beat Prophet's Trophies 2-1, with goals from Boyd (2). Colton Gilson scored for Prophet's.
SLP Printers Devils beat Compendium Group Inc. 2-1, with goals from Marriner (2). Scoring for Compendium ws Joey Sargent.
Windmill Web Spiders and Prescott IDA tied at 2-2. Trevor Moore and Knapp scored for Prescott IDA, while Colwell scored both for Windmill.
M.T.J.B shutout Tropical Pools 3-0, with goals from Dylan Dorey, Brett Van Stralen, and Devon Degray.
Under-6
Prescott Chiros beat Brent Scott Insurance 6-0, with goals from John Lawless (5), and Holden James.
Star Security beat Ticbourne Auto Supply 1-0, with a goal from Alisha Malcolmnson.
Chevron Construction beat Grenville Fish & Game 3-0, with goals from Curtis Ross (2), and Jesse Kennedy.
Beck's Construction beat Playit Star 3-0, with goals from Emma Dukelow, Rachel Short, and Scott Servage.
Star Security beat Playit Star 3-2, with goals from Malcolmnson (3). Kyle Coligan (2) scored for Playit.
Beck's Construction and Chevron Construction tied 2-2. Ross scored both for Chevron, while Dukelow and Lucas McBride scored for Beck's.
Brent Scott Insurance beat Ticbourne Auto Supply 8-0, with all goals scored by Cameron Smith.
Prescott Chiros beat Grenville Fish & Game Club 4-1, with goals from Lawless (3), and Holden James. Julie Barton scored for Grenville.