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JOHNSTOWN A Family Fun Day will be held this Saturday, July 15 at the Johnstown Community Centre in support of the Edwardsburgh Public Library Renovation Fund. The event is being organized by the Spencerville and District Winter Carnival committee.
The day's events will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a giant garage sale in the parking lot of the community centre. Coffee and donuts, then later hot dogs and hamburgers, will be available.
The fun day will include games and entertainment for children. Starting in mid-afternoon, a Battle of the Bands will begin.
The public pool will be open for swimming in the afternoon. Baseball and volleyball are also planned, and the day will be topped off by a chicken dinner. For more information, call Deb McKinstry at 658-2220.
PRESCOTT Fort Wellington will be the site of an antique car show Sunday, July 16 hosted by the St. Lawrence Valley Car Club on the fort's sprawling lawn.
The 13th annual show will feature hundreds of antique vehicles from around the area, including the Ottawa Valley, Eastern Quebec and northern New York State.
The show is free for spectators and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vehicle owners who want to have their vehicles judged must be registered by noon to compete for the numerous class trophies. There will be door prizes throughout the show, dash plaques for all vehicles registered, and the club will present Best of Show and People's Choice awards at the end of the day.
This day offers an opportunity for families to enjoy the splendour of the St. Lawrence River, picnic on the grounds of Fort Wellington, explore historic Prescott and see some of the finest vehicles that have been lovingly preserved by antique car lovers for all to see.
Join the St. Lawrence Valley Car Club as it hosts this annual event in Prescott. For more information, contact Mike Baril at 925-3751 or Paul Francis at 925-2170.
PRESCOTT The 2000 Sunday Summer Concerts at the Prescott Kinsmen Amphitheatre are under way.
The schedule is: Brockville Concert Band this Sunday, July 16; the Carm Aubé Band of Cornwall on July 23; and the local area's Daeladen Dixie Consort on July 30. All July concerts will begin at 7 p.m.
All of the concerts are free to spectators, which is possible due to the donations of supporting organizations as well as private donors, organizer Norm Fortier said. Anyone who wishes to contribute can speak to Fortier at the bandshell.
By NEVIL HUNT - For The Journal
PRESCOTT -- Prescott councillors appear ready to roll the dice and put the casino question to the public.
Four councillors and Mayor Doug Hayes were present to listen to public concerns at a Monday night meeting. Now that the formality of that meeting has passed, council will vote next Monday whether or not to put a referendum question on the Nov. 13 municipal election ballot.
If the council votes in favour of the referendum question, voters will be asked if they support the establishment of a casino in Prescott.
If 50 per cent of the votes cast choose the "Yes" option, council may then choose to notify the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLGC) which will then conduct business case and site selection studies.
A draft referendum question read: "Our municipality is considering a new charity casino to be operated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation. Do you approve of a charity casino in our municipality?"
Prescott council would need to re-zone land, if necessary, and agree to revenue sharing that would see five per cent of gross revenues from the slot machines land in the town's coffers.
The OLGC plans to put one casino in eastern Ontario, and Prescott is one of four municipalities under consideration -- along with the Front of Leeds and Lansdowne, Gananoque, and Brockville. The main criteria to be considered are the cost of establishing the casino and the viability of the casino.
Monday's meeting drew just 16 people to the public gallery. Only one person spoke in direct opposition to the casino referendum question.
"Maybe it's time to evaluate what happens to a community that gets a casino. Not just the economic, but the social cost," said Cliff Redman, a counsellor with Tri-County Addiction Services. "I don't believe the public or this council has adequate information."
Redman suggested council delay any attempt to land a casino until the province's upcoming three-year moratorium is over, and communities with casinos have been able to assess the effect.
Hayes replied that the question will be up to the voters.
"This is giving voters the right to decide if they want that kind of venue in their town limits," he said.
In 1998, Prescott came within days of signing a casino agreement with a private firm. The land just east of Sandra Lawn Harbour was the odds-on favourite for the casino development. Not so in 2000.
The land next to the harbour has already been zoned for a destination hotel, and Ontario regulations state that a casino must be a stand-alone entity. Once the hotel is built, there will be no room for the casino.
"The casino will need five to eight acres, including parking," said Prescott clerk administrator Andy Brown.
The Rideau-Carleton Raceway slots, just south of Ottawa, have been in operation since Feb. 18. The casino-horse track combination has attracted 535,000 customers in that time -- more than 3,900 each day. Initial revenue figures have not been released.
Brown said a Prescott-based casino would be allowed to have up to 450 slot machines and up to 60 gaming tables, although he expects a lot less would actually be located here.
The mayor touched on job creation during the meeting, making a comparison with the casino planned in 1998.
"My understanding is that the number of jobs could be as high as 300," he said. "That's directly related to the casino, not including services like cleaning."
For now, it's wait and see in Prescott.
"I made it clear that I was for it last time (in 1998)," said Hayes, although he wouldn't say how he would vote next Monday.
None of the councillors present were willing to commit themselves, or even guess how next Monday's vote may go.
"I wouldn't want to speak for anyone else," said Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead. "I think it will be an emotional issue."
PRESCOTT -- A June survey carried of the property and business owners and managers in Prescott's downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) shows that council's decision to build a new town hall in the municipal parking lot is vastly unpopular, and that the majority of those surveyed think the issue should be left for the next council to deal with in 2001.
In answer to the question: "Should a new town hall be a priority for this council?"; 55 said No and 22 said Yes.
The numbers were almost the same for the question: "If possible, would you prefer to let the next council deal with this issue?". A total of 50 persons said they would prefer to hold the town hall issue over for the next council, while 20 approved the action of the present council.
Comments by those who want the issue dealt with by the next council included:
-- "this council should not commit the next council to any major debt with only a few months left in their term",
-- "project needs much more study, council has done too little planning",
-- "wait for amalgamation",
-- "sidewalks and new industry are priorities",
For those who answered Yes as to whether the new town hall should be a priority of the present council, the comments were not as positive. Some of these were:
-- "completing the construction should not be a priority, but planning a solution should be a priority",
-- "council started doing the right thing, but now we want to know more about the project",
In answer to the question: "If we build a new building, should it be in the downtown?", 39 said Yes and 38 answered No, but this was where the similarity ended.
When the survey asked for location preference, the following replies were given:
Of the 39 who voted for a downtown location, the vote was split as follows:
A total of 86 businesses were surveyed and the only question to which all responded was whether a downtown location would help business. This drew Yes from 27 respondents, No from 33, and 26 were Not Sure.
There was almost complete agreement, however, when asked if the loss of the parking lot would hurt business, with an overwhelming 74 saying Yes, just 5 saying No, and 5 saying Not Sure.
There seemed to be considerable confusion on the question of whether or not the town hall plans explained to date included a new library. In answer to this question, 59 said they were Not Sure, 13 said Yes, and 12 said No.
When questioned whether a library should be part of a town hall complex, 34 answered Yes, 33 said No, and 14 replied that they were Not Sure. There seemed to be more agreement among the respondents to this question than to any of the others. These included: "great location now" (9); "not necessary to be part of a new complex" (8); "why do they have to be attached?" (2); "use the high school library" (2).
There was strong support in the BIA for repairing the existing building (40 Yes, 10 No), while the vote was 37-3 in favour of relocating on a temporary basis until a final decision is made. Asked that if new facilities are required, should council build a new building, 11 said Yes, while 21 said No.
While 20 respondents said their decision would be based on cost, other comments included:
Results of the survey were presented to the BIA executive at their July 11 meeting, where it was decided to send a copy to each member of council.
PRESCOTT Fort Town councillors gave themselves a pay raise as they passed their budget last week.
Council approved a 2.5 per-cent increase in their honorariums, which they say will give them only $60 extra in pay.
For the past seven years, councillors have been paid $3,400 a year and the mayor $7,000, plus benefits and travel expenses.
Deputy Mayor Jo-Anne Beckstead said Prescott councillors' pay is one of the lowest in Eastern Ontario, "even lower than Cardinal's," despite the twice-monthly council meetings and frequent committee meetings.
Coun. Frank Whiten noted that councillors had not had an increase in at least seven years. Coun. John McAuley said the timing was right to increase the honorariums because a municipal election will be held in November. This way, he said, voters will decide whether the current council deserves the higher pay.
PRESCOTT Fort Wellington National Historic Site is presenting the 2000 season of Shadows of the Fort.
The history of Fort Wellington comes to life in a series of historical vignettes portraying the ups and downs of life in early 19th century Canada. Military, cultural and Canadian history combine to create an entertaining look into life during the 1800s.
Two shows will be offered each Thursday night from July 13 to Aug. 24, at 7:30 and 9:15 p.m.
Tickets should be reserved in advance; a limited number of visitors is taken on each walk. To reserve or for more information, call 925-2896.
SPENCERVILLE A group home in the Township of Edwardsburgh is currently in the final stages of being licensed to two new operators, council heard recently.
The group home on Glen Smail Road was under the operation of Garry Adams, but Esther Aitken and Kerri Tristran have applied to the Ministry of Community and Social Services for a licence to operate the home for teenaged girls.
Aitken spoke to council to inform it that the two partners were in the process of getting a licence to operate the home.
Aitken said they have met with a number of Children's Aid Societies, which have stated that a need does exist in the area.
She said that they have also met with or been in contact with local residents to discuss the changes that have taken place so far at the home and any plans for the home.
There are two other homes are operating in the township.
Jane Fullarton
Augusta Township is looking for ways to improve recycling at its landfill site.
The Maynard landfill site is expected to reach its capacity within the next year. Greg Trisinsky, supervisor of the Augusta landfill sites says that increased waste diversion is essential to Augusta's waste management strategy.
In November of 1999, the minister of the environment announced the formation of the Waste Diversion Organization (WDO), including members from the provincial and municipal governments, industry, the LCBO, and the Recycling Council. The WDO has $14.5 million in funding to achieve their goal of finding sustainable funding to support blue box programs and other waste diversion initiatives that will eventually reduce the volume of waste going to landfill sites by 50 per cent.
Augusta Township has been approved for a $10,000 grant to perform a waste audit to determine the level of recyclable material being disposed of in the landfill, and to complete a backyard composting study.
The value of recycled goods depends on the market for those goods. Currently only steel, which includes tin cans and metal lids from jars, makes a profit for the recycling organization. Clear glass is another recyclable for which there is a steady market, so the Maynard landfill will begin sorting glass into coloured and clear. The PET plastic bottles also have a good market. Residents can help the recycling effort by bringing all of their recyclable goods to either the recycling depots or the recycling areas at the landfill sites. Clean all cans and bottles thoroughly. Collapse all boxes so that they take less room in the container. Separate clear glass bottles in a bag from coloured glass when using the remote depots. Try not to break the glass as this makes it more dangerous to sort. When using the recycling depot at the Maynard landfill, place coloured and clear glass in the appropriate container without bagging it. Recycle metal lids from jars with tin cans. For your own safety wear closed shoes, not sandals when using the landfill.
Three local residents were honoured by the Ontario Government this week for outstanding achievement.
Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Hilary Weston presented 2000 Community Action Awards to John and Elaine McClintock at a special ceremony in the main lobby of the legislature building in Toronto.
A 2000 Senior Achievement Award was presented to Doris Stewart in a similar ceremony later in the week.
Receptions in the Lieutenant Governor's Suite followed both events.
The 2000 Community Access Award recognizes the achievements of people with or without disabilities who have made a significant contribution to promoting access and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities, or who have shown commitment and dedication to developing the potential of people with disabilities and improving their quality of life.
The McClintocks were honoured for their efforts to promote more accessibility for the handicapped. They have helped the City of Brockville in designing renovations to local facilities to provide better access to the disabled.
They act as consultants to builders and they have lobbied government to be more aware of the needs of the handicapped on the issue of access.
The 2000 Senior Achievement Award presented to Stewart recognizes outstanding seniors, who after age 65 have made significant contributions to their communities.
She has been a tireless volunteer for a number of organizations such as the Brockville Museum, the Shepherd's Centre and Operation Harvest Sharing.
Mainly she chooses to work quietly in the background, although she has served on a number of executives over the years. She brightened the lives of children from Belarus by providing dolls and homemade clothing. She has been knitting goods for the Salvation Army for over 30 years and also provides mittens for children attending the food bank.
Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman offered his congratulations to the award winners.
"I am always pleased when such deserving people receive this type of recognition," he said. "Often volunteers tend to shun the spotlight but I still believe it's important the work of these people be acknowledged."
PRESCOTT More than 100 young people from across Canada will be hired over the next three months for short-term internships in developing countries.
Some of Canada's young website designers, database builders and other information technology specialists and trainers will soon be putting their skills to the test in some 63 countries across the globe. Internships typically last four to six months.
For more information about the program and on how to apply, visit the NetCorps website at www.netcorps-cyberjeunes.org.
ELIZABETHTOWN Crime Stoppers in co-operation with the Leeds detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police are asking for the public's assistance in solving a break, enter and theft in Elizabethtown Township.
During the day of June 26, thieves broken into a home on County Road 6.
The thieves gained entry to the attached garage and from there were able to break the connecting door to the house.
Once inside, the thieves had free run of the house and opened cupboards and containers and left the freezer open after removing some of its contents. A hockey bag was emptied of its equipment and the bag was used to haul away some of the stolen goods.
Some of the items taken were a computer with monitor and printer, a CD player, 50 Disney movie videos, a camcorder and a VCR, canned goods and meat.
If you have any information regarding this break, enter and theft or any other crime, call Crime Stoppers. You never have to give your name and your information could make you eligible for a cash reward.
Call Crime Stoppers toll free 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display.
MAITLAND Why do artists devote so much of their time and energy to creating their works?
Two artists who were among those featured in a show at the MERC Hall recently say the answer is simple: They love what they do.
Bill Fowler has been painting for more than 50 years. Fowler, who switched his focus to watercolours about five years ago, had both water colour and oil paintings on display.
"You get a certain luminosity in the water colours that you can't get in oils," Fowler said.
Fowler paints both traditional and abstract works. Recently, following the re-reading of the Canterbury Tales, he was inspired to paint an abstract piece which incorporated characters from the novel within a pastel coloured forest. He said the older generation tends to like the tradition pieces while the younger generation likes the more abstract works.
Helen Fenton's chosen medium is clay. Fenton, who began her art in 1983, moulds the material into various pieces of stoneware, including vases and plaques.
"I do it [the pottery] because I love it," she says. "I seem to like pattern and a lot of detail in my pottery, [although] I am a minimalist person," referring to her less decorative style of dress and furnishing of her home. "When it comes to my art, I'm more into details."
Her art includes celtic-like pieces. For example, one piece is in the form of a cross with swirling patterns decorating the cross.
"I like to put in patterns and I like to create textures that you would see in primitive style pottery," she says.
Perhaps primitive-like in style, Fowler pieces evoke a feeling of playfulness. Among the pieces on display were her vases often formed by folding one end over the other, like a burrito, covered in flowered patterns.
The guild was formed in 1992 by a small group of area artists. As well as creating art, members have donated books to various libraries to foster the appreciation and development of art in South Grenville.
By MONICA WHITNEY - Journal Staff Writer
JOHNSTOWN A new Johnstown entrepreneur is fishing for big profits and a rewarding career with his new aquaculture project designed to feed the Asian appetite in Toronto.
Ken Durand Jr. and his partners have set up a large-scale commercial fish farm operation which, Durand says, will bring returns in the long term on a large capital investment.
Called Eastern Tilapia, the business raises the tilapia fish from fry to a selling weight of one and a half pounds (0.7 kilograms). The fish will be hauled live to Toronto and sold in grocery superstores. The final product sells for $23 per kilogram.
"And it's worth every bit of it," Durand says.
The tilapia fish is not native to this area, and Durand's original brood stock comes directly from the Nile River in Egypt.
Tilapia fish are a staple to the Asian diet and culture, Durand said. The fish looks like a bass and is better tasting that walleye, he explained. It is also known as St. Pater's fish.
Eastern Tilapia is run by Durand, along with partners Philip Burton, his uncle, and his mother Barbara Durand. The company's 350-acre location on Frederick Street in Johnstown is rented from John Fahrngruber, who is also a partner.
Durand expects it will be 10 years before he sees any substantial profits that won't have to go directly back into the business. However, he says he's looking at "the long road."
In the meantime, "It's a fun job. I'm working with a living product. I find that very enjoyable," he said.
It takes nine months to raise the fry to market weight, and the partners' first live-haul shipment to Toronto on an 18-wheeler transport will be made in January 2001.
Eastern Tilapia currently has 70,000 fish in various-sized recirculation-hatchery tanks, where wastes are treated and removed. Liquid oxygen is injected into the water, and the fish are fed a diet prepared by an animal food producer from Tavistock. The water must remain at 30 degrees Celsius.
The largest tanks are fashioned from harvester silo rings, and each provides an aquarium for 9,000 fish with 55,000 litres of water. The rings are 22 feet in diameter.
The fish from one tank approximately 4,500 kilograms of fish be sold every two weeks.
Each month, Durand travels to Northern Tilapia in Lindsay, Ont. for 18,000 more live fish. They are transported in oxygen tanks secured in his pick-up truck.
Durand worked at this fish farm for five years until October 1999. This business is in partnership with Sir Sanford Fleming College in Lindsay, where Durand graduated from the aquaculture technician program. College staff brought the original stock 3,000 males and females from Egypt to start the business.
The large Toronto tilapia market is currently served mainly by U.S. producers, Durand said. The product "sells easily in Toronto," but eventually, he hopes to break into the U.S., Montreal and Ottawa markets, he said.
Actual fishing at the farm site is by invitation only because of the risk of disease and germs, Durand explained. He said he spends 10 to 12 hours a day working at such details as ensuring water quality and temperature, production plans, marketing, transportation of the fish, and construction and renovation of buildings.
The project has received support from Human Resource Development Canada's Self-Employment Assistance program, managed through the Grenville Community Development Centre.
PRESCOTT This Saturday, have your car, boat or minivan washed at the "Hire-A-Student" car wash, presented by the Human Resource Centre for Students in Prescott.
Local students will be washing cars at the South Grenville District High School parking lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There is no set charge for the car wash, but donations will be accepted.
Children of all ages are invited to step back into the past to take part in a nation wide celebration. Fort Wellington National Historic Site in Prescott invites children of all ages to the annual Children's Heritage Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will include children's mock battles, games and crafts from the 1800's, and a scavenger hunt. The Fort's Royal Artillery Crew will be firing the canon at 12:30 and will be looking to enlist some soldiers to assist them. Children should be prepared to attend the fort's school house, as school will be in session at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. A blacksmith will be on site all day demonstrating this skilful trade and making useful tools. The Fort Henry Duty Band will be on site from 12 noon till 2 p.m. providing entertaining music from the 1800s. While participating in the special activities, visitors will be able to view the original fort furnished to the period of 1846.
Children's Heritage Day is part of Canada's Parks Day, an annual celebration of our natural and cultural heritage. Admission is free for children. For more information contact the fort at 925-2896.
A Morrisburg resident won $25,000 at the Prescott Bingo International on County Road 2 on July 4. Marjorie Hunt was the lucky winner in the Superstar Bingo event against thousands of others playing at approximately 177 participating halls across Ontario through a computer network. First introduced in March 1997, Superstar Bingo is a joint effort of charities, bingo hall operators and the Ontario Lottery Corporation. The Johnstown South Edwardsburg Recreation Association was the represented charity in this event.
Fort Wellington National Historic Site is seeking responsible and enthusiastic young people, ages 7 to 14, for its Heritage Day Camp. Children play the role of living at the fort in the 1840s. Each child is responsible for furnishing his or her own period costume. Sessions will run July 31 to Aug. 4, and Aug. 8 to 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An information meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 14, at 7 p.m. at the Visitor Reception Centre. For more information, call Christine Brooks at 925-2896.
PRESCOTT -- Following events in Walkerton, the Ontario Ministry of Health water testing laboratories have been busy with private well owners' requests for test results.
Unlike rural areas inland, Prescott counts on the St. Lawrence River for its water. The vast volume of water that passes the town contains some unwanted chemicals, but at such low levels that they fall well below provincial standards.
The problems encountered in Walkerton stemmed from E. coli 0157, a strain of E. coli found in animals. Any E. coli found in the St. Lawrence is from human sources and is easily treated and made safe at the Public Utilities Commission's (PUC) Corrine Street treatment plant.
Keith Kelso is the chief operator at the plant, which is tucked away behind the tennis courts on the western side -- the upstream side -- of Prescott, and pumps its water as far north as Hwy. 401.
The plant first adds chlorine dioxide to water as it's drawn from the river. "That initially kills the bacteria in the water," Kelso said. Aluminum sulphate, a coagulant, is then added. It encourages small particles of dirt or dust to join together to form larger particles, making them big enough that the filters can take them out.
The filtering process forces the water through anthracite which removes particles and takes out the chlorine dioxide and aluminum sulphate that was added earlier. Sodium hypochloride is then added, raising the chlorine level in the water and making it safe to store and drink.
It's a far different system than the one in place when Kelso started with the PUC in 1983.
"They had a big pipe and they had screens attached to stop any big lumps from reaching the pumps and damaging them," he said. "Then they added lots of chlorine and sent it to town."
With his snappy tan workshirt and pants, and his steel-toed boots, he could easily be mistaken for a strictly blue-collar worker. But Kelso spends plenty of his time in front of computer screens, where cartoon pumps move cartoon water into cartoon water towers.
Far from computer games, the information can tell Kelso how all aspects of the water's voyage through the plant is progressing. Chlorination activity, storage capacities, pump volumes and real-time measurements of the water's chlorine level and turbidity (suspended matter) are all at his fingertips. If anything goes wrong, Kelso will know.
But what if something goes wrong after quitting time? "The system will call the phone in the building," Kelso said. "If no one answers it calls the police station, and they know who's on-call."
The plant's output is tested continually for chlorine and fluoride, and every three months it's tested for 152 different substances. Results are measured against a provincial document -- Ontario Drinking Water Objectives -- what Kelso calls "our little bible around here".
The most recent results show heavy metals, turbidity and trihalomethanes (TTM) far below the maximum acceptable levels.
"Taste and odour are the things we can't control," Kelso said. The cause is blue-green algae in the St. Lawrence. "When the water warms up the blooms (of algae) die and it makes the water smell."
Granular activated charcoal could help control the taste and smell of Prescott's water, but the cost is high for what is really an aesthetic issue rather than a health issue.
So how much water do the people of Prescott use in a day? "Yesterday was a bit light for this time of year," he said. "We put out 2,695 cubic meters of water." That's 2.7 million litres, or 590,000 gallons. Kelso seems comfortable with the big numbers and the big responsibility.
"People ask what I do, and I say 'You know how when you turn on your tap and water magically appears? Well, I'm the magician'."
By NEVIL HUNT - For The Journal
MAYNARD - Augusta Township Deputy Reeve John McCrea wants council and municipal staff to be prepared for possible federal infrastructure funding that could help prevent any future problems with the area's water.
In his opening remarks at the Monday council meeting, McCrea, who was acting for Reeve Adrian Van Schie, said he has heard a federal initiative to be announced in September will allow municipalities up to two thirds funding for projects.
"I'm worried about our water," said McCrea. "Several communities along the front of the township have septic systems in close proximity to the water supply. I'd like to look at methods to ensure those folks aren't caught off guard like in Walkerton."
McCrea suggested a plan of pumping out septics on a scheduled basis, and having wells tested regularly. "I hope council would consider ways to tap into infrastructure money and find out what's going on," McCrea said.
"If the pie's going to be split up in September, I would just as soon get a piece of it, because when it's gone, it's gone," he said. "The hints are out there, and we should be prepared."
Coun. Doug Barton suggested a long-term goal of expanding the town water supply from Prescott to River View Heights in Augusta "would solve the problem forever. It certainly wouldn't hinder the Town of Prescott."
Coun. George Vail noted in such a scheme, sewage services should be added as well.
"One step at a time," answered Barton.
MAYNARD - Despite opposition from some Augusta councillors to halt train whistles in the township, municipal staff have been asked to investigate the requirements and costs associated with the suggestion.
Deputy Reeve John McCrea requested (at the regular meeting of council Monday evening) further information regarding stopping train whistles. McCrea was filling in for Reeve Adrian Van Schie.
"My personal opinion is I would not do away with train whistles," said Coun. George Vail. "For the sake of stopping a whistle, that just wouldn't sit right with me. If those wig wags (gates) aren't working, the lights mean nothing."
Coun. Doug Barton relayed a personal experience at the Blue Church Road crossing where inpatient drivers were skirting around the lowered gates instead of waiting for the train. "If it hadn't been for the whistle, somebody would have been killed," Barton said. "You don't want a tragedy, and a whistle could save that. I would rather put up with the inconvenience (of the whistle.)"
"I'm not prepared to reject it out of hand without further information," McCrea said.
However, Vail said, "You can bring back all the information you want. I'm not going to vote for it."
Within Augusta Township's jurisdiction are the railway crossings at Merwin Lane and Campbell Road.
PRESCOTT -- "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" may have been the last book purchased this year by the Prescott Public Library.
Prescott Council cut the library's budget by more than $1,800 at its July 4 meeting. New book purchases are now on hold, possibly until March of 2001.
The budget cut wasn't as much as council had first discussed, but head librarian Jane McGuire said the shortfall was still a surprise.
"We got an increase last year so we could bring the book (purchases) back up," she said. "Now we've cancelled all the books we had on order."
McGuire will be looking for donations to help keep the library's collection up-to-date.
"We plan to write to service clubs and businesses and solicit donations," she said.
It may take months to get the campaign off the ground. "Most of the clubs are on summer schedules, so we'll send letters out in August for their first meetings in September," McGuire said. In recent years, service clubs and businesses have donated about $1,500 annually to the library.
McGuire said the library's hours won't be affected by the budget cut and that the library's two community-access computers will still be available for use.
By JEFF LEE - Journal Staff Writer
SPENCERVILLE The Spencerville Mill foundation is negotiating with the Township of Edwardsburgh to allow for a farmers' market, says the Mill's vice chair.
Bill Woodhead says the foundation would like the market to set up on the property but first must get the Township's permission because the mill is zoned residential.
The venture for the mill, says secretary Bruce Hopson, is not to raise funds, rather the Foundation would like to make the facility available for community-oriented events like a farmers' market.
Hopson says there are 12 people in a one-mile radius of the mill that are interested in a farmers' market, adding that those involved have been encouraged to form a self-regulatory group, and would sell only local produce and products.
"This is so they can maintain their own standards," Hopson says.
The plan also includes using the mill itself during inclement weather.
Hopson said that if the mill gets the approval from the township, the first year is to be used as an "experiment," and will be evaluated at a later date.
Katie Weststrate, whose summer duties include giving guided tours of the mill that range from "five minutes to 30 minutes" depending upon individual interests, says she is hoping more people will visit the mill and park this season.
She says people can learn about the its significance, both in terms of the past and present to Spencerville and the surrounding area.
"When people come to visit, they can understand the cause [of restoring the mill] and the importance of the mill to the community," Weststrate says.
A mill in one form or another has been part of the community since 1811, when Peleg Spencer built a saw mill on the South Nation River.
The history of mills here have included two fires, with the building standing today gutted by a second in 1886.
As the foundation's restoration project has progressed, including the addition of new roof, installation of windows, some pointing work and major work in landscaping done last year, the mill has reached a level where people can use its facilities.
"We are in a much better position to do programs for younger children," says Hopson, adding kids from eight to 80 can enjoy the mill.
The park now has eight picnic tables, six of which were built by the Seaway High School.
As well as a number of bird houses, including the Peterson bluebird design, swallow boxes and finch boxes, the additions are welcome.
Dave Ratcliffe, who is one of six employees working at the mill under a provincial government workers' program, along with Larry Sargent, built the other two picnic tables. Trees have been planted in the park, and there are also a number of garbage cans for picnickers.
Hopson and Weststrate are currently working on developing programs to take advantage of the improvements to date.
One of Weststrate's programs is to have the township's library program, Wilderness Bound Adventure Found, visit the mill twice during the summer.
Another activity planned is a fishing derby to be held on Saturday, July 29.
And with the park up and running, its inauguration will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26. Also, the South Grenville Fine Arts Guild will again use the mill during the Spencerville Fair, which runs Sept. 8, 9 and 10.
The mill's hours of operation are Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Sundays hours run from 1:30 to 4 p.m.
For more information, call 658-5885 or visit the web site at www.spencerville-mill.cyberus.ca.
PRESCOTT - Long time Prescott native Charles Frederick McCrady died peacefully July 2, 2000 in the Palliative Care Unit of St. Vincent de Paul Hospital, Brockville, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Mr. McCrady is survived by his loving wife Jean (nee Slater), brother Gordon McCrady of Brockville, sons Sean and his fiancé Erica Baker of Brockville and Mark and his wife Becky Williams of Sydenham. He is also survived by grandchildren McKenzie and Mitchell.
Mr. McCrady contributed an enormous amount of time to the community throughout his life. In his early adulthood he joined the ranks of the Auxiliary Police Force in Prescott and worked his way to Inspector before retiring in 1980. Mr. McCrady nurtured a passion for sports that he kept alive through his activities in minor baseball and hockey.
As a coach, Mr. McCrady stressed the fundamentals, whether in baseball or hockey, knowing that good athletes knew the basics.
He also developed potential in many local referees. Using his professional approach and near miss at making the NHL, Mr. McCrady produced commendable referees in the three local rinks for 20 years. Whether it be as a coach or referee-in-chief, Mr. McCrady touched the lives of all who worked with him.
Mr. McCrady also contributed to St. John's Anglican Church. He was an active member of the choir up until his illness, served as church Warden on the Parish Council and participated in the renovation project in the past years.
He worked locally his entire life. After starting out at R.C.A. he joined DuPont in Maitland for the next 37 years.
Mr. McCrady leaves behind numerous memories of an extraordinary life. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and mentor for many in the local community. He will be dearly missed.
Friends and family were received at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, July 3 and 4. The funeral service was held July 5, 2000 at St. John's Anglican Church, Prescott, with Rev. Gerald Ring officiating. Interment followed at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, Maitland.
Pall bearers were Allan and John Slater, Scott McCrady, Gary Alcock, Gary Molson and dear friend Henry Fischer.
PRESCOTT - Gerald Francis Shanahan, a resident of Wellington House in Prescott, died June 30, 2000. He was 79.
Mr. Shanahan was born March 14, 1920 in Edwardsburgh Township to Patrick Shanahan and Mary O'Brien, who predeceased him.
He is survived by a brother, Jack (Theresa) Shanahan; a sister, Loretta (Jim) Crowbar; his dear friend Marion Ward, and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Shanahan was predeceased by brothers, Wilfred, Emmett, Earl and Ken; and his sisters, Marie Erwin, Catherine McKeever, Colletta Fisher, Theresa Black and Irene Lally.
Mr. Shanahan had owned and operated his own farm.
Visitation was held at the Chris Slater Funeral Home, Prescott, July 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Mark's Catholic Church July 4, 2000 at 11 a.m. A Committal Service followed at St. Mark's Cemetery.
The pall bearers were Joe MacDonald, Ron Hough, Mike Shanahan, Bruno Roduner, Jim MacDonald and Henry Fischer. Honourary pall bearers were Clifford Scott, Walter Roduner, Joe Burke and Dick Van Allen.
Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to Wellington House Palliative Care would be appreciated.
BRINSTON - Dudley Smail of Brinston died at Winchester Hospital July 5, 2000 following a brief illness. He was 86.
He was born Oct. 28, 1913 in Brinston to Albert Smail and Maude Smail (nee Coons), who predeceased him. Mr. Smail was also predeceased by his wife, Jean Smail (nee Marcellus), whom he married May 18, 1948.
Mr. Smail was a retired farmer and a lifetime resident of Brinston. He was a member of Brinston United Church and I.O.O.F. Connaught Lodge No. 440, Brinston.
Mr. Smail is survived by his son, Clarke Smail of Brinston; his daughters, Barbara (John) MacMillan of Cardinal, Brenda (Rodger) Allen of Brinston, Beverly Smail of Brinston, Bernadette (Norman) MacMillan of Limoges and Bonnie (Randy) Thompson of Brinston; and a brother, Will (Evelyn) Smail of Brinston.
He was also predeceased by a daughter, Elizabeth; a son, Clay; sisters, Jean Payne and Greta Reid; and by brothers Orville and Harry. Mr. Smail will be sadly missed by grandchildren Tim (Robyn) MacMillan, Steven MacMillan, Kim (Richard) Holmes, Jeff (Missy) Allen, Jamie Allen, Samantha (Kurtis) Watson, Shaun MacMillan, Christopher Thompson; and by great grandchildren Katie, David and Tyler MacMillan and Clayton and Bryson Allen.
Mr. Smail had been a very conscientious and dedicated caretaker of the Sprucehaven Cemetery in Brinston for the past 26 years. He enjoyed picking strawberries for all his family and friends. He was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and had a great love for children. Mr. Smail loved to eat ice cream and he enjoyed spending time with his family, whether it was at home or at the cottage.
Friends and family called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Iroquois, July 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service was held at the Brinston United Church July 7, 2000 at 11 a.m., with Rev. Bob Fillier officiating. Interment took place at Sprucehaven Cemetery, Brinston.
The pall bearers were Tim MacMillan, Steven MacMillan, Richard Holmes, Jeff Allen, Jamie Allen, Kurtis Watson, Shaun MacMillan and Christopher Thompson.
Donations to Sprucehaven Cemetery would be appreciated.
SPENCERVILLE Edna Martha Hunter (nee Prichard) of RR 4 Spencerville, died at St. Lawrence Lodge, Brockville, July 6, 2000. She was 83.
Mrs. Hunter was born in Redan on Nov. 20, 1916, the daughter of the late Milford and Myrtle (Dixon) Prichard. She married Carl Hunter Oct. 4, 1941, and started her life as a farmer's wife. She joined the Spencerville United Church, where she became an active member with the UCW, Seaway Valley Presbytery and a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Hunter enjoyed competing in the Spencerville Fair and was the recipient of three Spencerville Fair Bake Queen titles.
Mrs. Hunter was the beloved wife of Carl Hunter, who predeceased her; the loving mother of Ann Frennette (Martial) and John Hunter (Marlene), all of RR 4 Spencerville; dear grandmother of Bonnie Loker (Donald), Rick Frennette and Angela, Chad and Brooke Hunter; and great grandmother of Bradley and Katie Loker.
She is also survived by sisters Dorothy Davis of Brockville and Beth Cullen of Lennoxville, Que. Mrs. Hunter is sadly missed by several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Hunter was predeceased by her brother Wallace Prichard.
Visitation was held at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Purcell Chapel, Spencerville, July 7 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service was held July 8 at the Spencerville United Church, with Doug Warren officiating.
Interment was at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Cemetery, Spencerville.
The pall bearers were Howard Cleary, Germain Couture, Andy Lawrence, Bill Lawrence, Doug Lawrence and Harold McBryde. Memorial donations to the Spencerville United Church or St. Lawrence Lodge would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.
Keith Kelso, chief operator at the Public Utilities Commission water plant
NEVIL HUNT
Over dinner, I revealed to my step-daughter that I had been asked to write my first column, and that I was still trying to decide on a topic.
Nine-year-olds don't have problems deciding. There was no hesitation.
"Write about how great I am," said Heather.
Nine-year-olds don't know how to spell conceit, nor should they have to.
Heather is so great because she can fall asleep in 94 seconds. In our van. On a bumpy road. She can play the piano and she learns a new song each week and commits it to memory with no discernable effort.
Heather is so great because she finally understands sarcasm and pulls a great face whenever I am silly enough to use it on her. She plays soccer and she scored her first goal this year.
Heather is so great because she has the best hair in the world - black and shiny and forever neat. She recently declared "I don't like hollow chocolate", and donated all her leftover Easter candy to me.
Heather is so great because my mess usually pales before her mess, and that means I can frequently pretend not to have noticed all my stuff laying about on unauthorized horizontal surfaces. Heather also puts up with my music even though the Ramones sound nothing like N'Sync.
Heather is so great because she improved almost all her marks as the recently-ended school year went on, finally scoring her first "A". She can can kick a soccer ball equally well with either foot. She can be just as goofy as me - and that's pretty darn goofy.
Heather is so great because she has chosen to try something new, without prompting, and will play hockey this fall instead of going back to figure skating lessons. She can rollerskate and she's brave enough to try skateboarding. She likes to wash my car, even though I spend the whole time outside in a lawn chair, watching. She is a beautiful kid and she doesn't believe it when her mother or I tell her so.
Heather is so great because she has an imagination beyond anyone's grasp and she makes wonderful use of it. She has adapted to living in two different homes, with different step-parents and with a brother and sister she sees half the days of her life. From this mixture she has seven grandparents and more cousins than any adult memory could recall, and yet she keeps track of them all, as well as each one's favourite flavour of ice cream. Heather is so great because she wanted me to write about how great she is.
John Morris, Publisher
The 5pm deadline on Monday for letters to the editor passed this week with no sight of Mayor Doug Hayes' promised letter in defence of council's decision to build a new Prescott town hall on the downtown municipal parking lot, and to inform our readers about the reasoning behind all of council's decisions on this project which, he says, the Prescott Journal refuses to print. Sorry Mr. Mayor, but we have printed every figure you have released to us in our news coverage on the town hall question. What we haven't done is support you or your council on this decision in our opinion pieces in either our Editorial or Fort Town Diary columns. Nor are we obliged to support your decision, Mr. Mayor, no more than we expect you to promote or recommend our objections to your council.
And if you, as head of council and its spokesman on this issue, are so concerned about the fairness of The Journal, then why did you give the Brockville newspaper an "exclusive" story on the fact that you were going to write us a letter in defence of your council, but neglected to tell anyone associated with The Journal of your intentions. However, while you were giving out "exclusives" you should have told the Recorder and Times reporter what facts and figures we were ignoring regarding the proposed town hall and asked him why the R&T had not published what we had not?
Would it perhaps be because you have not released any information on the cost of refurbishing the old building, cost of a new town hall, cost of a new library, cost of demolishing the old town hall, etc., etc. If these are the facts you are accusing us of withholding, then give them to us and we will gladly publish them.
In the meantime, Mayor Doug, thanks for the front page publicity you gave us in the Recorder and Times. Looking forward to your letter. Please submit it before 5pm on a Monday as a text file in Word Perfect or Microsoft Word, or send it in the body of an e-mail to: journal@stlawrenceprinting.on.ca. (Andrew will know what this all means.)
John A.H. Morris
July is well underway and instead of pulling up onions, new carrots and radishes from our virtual garden, the extremely cold and wet spring and summer we have been experiencing in Eastern Ontario seems to have produced more Thorns than Roses for the usual mid-July harvest. Here's what this season has produced so far:
ROSES: To Dan Throop and Sharon Spychi and their committee who organized the highly successful citizens' meeting at the Kinsmen Outdoor Amphitheatre to hear speeches about the options being discussed about the proposed new town hall. Rose petals to all the 500 participants who attended the meeting.
ROSES: To all local citizens, clubs and businesses who pitched in to help Mike Boyles stage another successful "Shakespeare In The Park" performance at the Fort Field last Friday night. A bouquet also goes to Norm Fortier who has organized this summer's free Sunday night music concerts at the Amphitheatre.
THORNS: To the Ontario government for putting milkweed on the noxious weed list and ordering land owners and municipalities to destroy them, while leaving golden rod, the plague of all hay fever sufferers, to grow unchecked throughout Ontario. Our gripe about milkweed is that we were raised during World War II when it was a valuable crop. It was a patriotic treat for pupils at Chesterville Public School to get out of class for half a day to walk the banks of the nearby Nation River and pick the pods off milkweed plants. The contents of these gooey pods was used to stuff life jackets for Canadian sailors. As little "soldiers of the soil" we were told that the goo on our hands and fingers was for a good cause we would probably save a sailor's life.
ROSES: To finance chair JoAnne Beckstead and members of the Prescott Council (and ghost writer Andrew Brown) who budgeted 2000 expenditures very wisely, especially in light of the costs that the province has unloaded on the town. The 5.2 per cent increase Prescott homeowners will have to pay on their taxes this year will mean about another $60 in taxes, including education taxes. The modest 2.5 per cent increase in their honourariums is also in keeping with their miserly ways. Councillors received $3,400 last year, while the mayor received $7,400. The total cost to Prescott taxpayers (before this 2.5 per cent increase) was $27,400. By comparison, Augusta's reeve received $6,400, deputy reeve $5,765, and councillors $5,125 for a total of $27,540.
THORNS: To federal Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark whose inaction over the past 18 months has allowed the Canadian Alliance Party to attract a large number of former Tory supporters, including the majority of provincial Tories. The federal PC party's only area of support in Canada now is in the Maritimes and that hold is very tenuous. We're probably looking at a spring federal election which we'll call in order of finish: Alliance (minority government), Liberals, NDP, Pcs.
THORNS: To the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation who ranked Prescott as their third choice of four Eastern Ontario municipalities who are on record as being in line for the region's one available charity casino. In their list of rules and regulations by which municipalities must abide, it ways the site selection is yet to be held. Nothing like giving their pre-referendum favourite a little nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
ROSES: To all those blue-lipped little tadpoles taking swimming lessons at municipal swimming pools in Prescott, Johnstown and Cardinal who have been shivering their way through the first week of lessons. They can share this bouquet with their hardy instructors.
THORNS: To Prescott council for deciding to build a new town hall on the downtown municipal parking lot and then not be willing to admit they made the wrong choice when the majority of townspeople and business groups expressed their opposition.
ROSES: A big, big bouquet to any local service club who will organize a work-bee to clean up the beach at Kelly's Bay.
THORNS: To the contractors refurbishing the Edward Street bridge over Highway 401 who seem to have a life-long contract on what should have been a summer's job, about three years ago. Our final sprig of hawthorn to Cornwall Sand and Gravel who have put our main tourist attraction, Fort Wellington, at an inconvenient disadvantage for having VanKoughnet Street and the Dibble Street intersection torn up most of the summer. Time for the councillor in charge to have a talk with these lads.
By MONICA WHITNEY - Journal Staff Writer
CARDINAL - A group of village residents are determined to have a local swim team this season, and are prepared to go great lengths to achieve the goal.
About 20 parents and their children filled the council chambers July 4, after they had heard the popular swim team program, known as the Sea Sharks, had been cancelled this year.
Louise Bonvie, a Cardinal parent who spoke on behalf of the delegation, told councillors they had received information Cardinal's recreation committee had decided to sink the team because of a staffing shortage at the pool.
"We don't agree with the decision," Bonvie told the councillors. She stressed the importance of organized sports for village children, and proposed concerned parent volunteers could supervise pool practices and at swim meet events, through its own committee.
The group is not asking for financial support from the municipality, Bonvie explained, as the Sea Sharks team is already "generously funded" by community service groups and through its own fund raising events. The parents are asking for council's consent for use of the pool for the team's daily one-hour practices, one day of pool use for its swim-a-thon, and one day for a swim meet, Bonvie said.
Reeve Larry Dishaw stressed "all council certainly agrees the swim team has been an asset to the community" and has a good reputation in Cardinal. Council has maintained an "interest in the youth of our community and what they represent," Dishaw told the delegation at its regular meeting.
The municipality advertised for pool staff this spring, but was only able to attract four qualified instructors for the season. "We were somewhat disappointed by the response," Dishaw said. Attempts for help from neighbouring municipal pools were unsuccessful as well, the Reeve said. An enticement of 40 cents more pay per hour than that offered at other nearby pools also "proved fruitless," he said.
"The recreation committee has gone to great lengths to study" all the elements regarding the team, Dishaw said. In regards to the recently passed budget, "I can assure you there was no drop in terms of cutbacks. The financial issues are always what they have been. We have not declined or dropped any programs."
"We definitely want everyone to understand (the decision to cut the swim team) has been solely a staffing issue," said councillor Jim Pakeman and a recreation committee member. "We are disheartened to not have a swim club. We're very fortunate to even have a pool open this year," Pakeman said, noting that the pool supervisor already "has her hands full" with swimming lessons and recreational swims, and that no additional burdens could be placed on the current pool staff.
He suggested "council would be most willing to hire another lifeguard," and then "perhaps the program could be reinstated. It could possibly happen with one more."
Councillor Joe Scott stressed the importance of pool instructors to have proper qualifications, as council's main concerns are the safety of the children and the instructors. "It's a question of safety and qualifications. It purely boils down to that," Scott said.
Four lifeguards was the "bare essential" to have the pool open at all, Scott said. "Hopefully we can work together. This council is not against the swim team. It's not fair to the kids. It seems like a money-grab everywhere. It's just getting out of hand and it's not fair to our children." Scott explained that "legislation and regulations have gone crazy even in our own playgrounds," where municipal play areas are no longer deemed safe for children.
"If we can find a solution and everyone can live with that, I'll be the happiest guy in this room," Scott said. "I hope we can find a solution and make it a good summer."
One member in the delegation, Marie Tousant, said the Sea Sharks is what encourages the children to join swim lessons and work harder. "They're not on the streets. They're not causing problems. They're at the pool," Toupin said. "If you take that away from them you're not going to have near as many sign up for lessons."
"This is something all our children want," said another parent.
Delegation member Karen Davy said her son will be taking the National Life Saving course exams July 14, and would be available for hire at the pool shortly. Council asked for a copy of his resume.
In past years, the Sea Sharks have usually finished the season in the top three, and just last year, the team attracted more than 50 swimmers. The swim team has a large number of participants at the weekend meets, which take place at other area pools. Weekday practices involve work on strokes, relay, sprints, timed swims, starts and turns. Any child up to the age of 16 who can swim one length of the pool is eligible to participate.
The Cardinal swim team has been going strong since about 1948, when a section of the old canal adjacent to what is now the Legion parking lot was sectioned off into three pools. Qualified instructors provided lessons, and swim teams soon evolved.
CARDINAL - The staff of the Cardinal pool is already into a busy swimming season, with 80 people signed up for the current session of lessons.
The pool offers lessons for Aquatots, Aquaquest levels one to 12, Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross and Aqua Adults. Aquafit, water aerobics for adults, will run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 beginning July 18. The lower levels have a maximum of six participants, while higher levels have 10 swimmers.
Lessons run Monday to Friday in the morning.
Family and individual season and 30-day passes are available, or swimmers can pay as they go.
The second session for lessons begins July 24 until August 11, and the final session runs from August 14 to September 1.
Edwardsburgh residents are able to use the pool at the same cost as Cardinal residents, as arranged under the amalgamation agreement between the two municipalities.
The 25-metre main swimming pool sports a diving board and slide, while the smaller wading pool for younger swimmers has a water depth of between 30 and 90 centimetres.
Both pools are attended by pool supervisor Amanda Simpson, and instructor lifeguards Billie Jodoin, Dave Van Der Meer and Diana Simpson.
Swim schedule
Public swimming is offered Monday to Friday from 1:30 to 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Family swims, where children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older, are Monday to Friday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. One lane will be reserved for adults swimming laps on Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
An exclusive adult/senior swim with one lane reserved for laps will be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
CARDINAL - The local public library will be receiving two new computer stations, thanks to a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Library Initiative program, through the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation.
Cardinal librarian Margaret Ann Gaylord said the library's application was approved for funding of $8,896. The program recognizes the key role public libraries play in providing public access to the internet and electronic information.
Gaylord said she will be ordering one stand-alone work station in French, and one in English, as well as a network accessory kit and laser printer. Any costs for installation, wiring or furniture will be paid for through a small library reserve and funds raised by an active Friends of the Library group, she said.
Library staff will be attending training sessions, and Gaylord hopes to have the new equipment up and running by the end of the summer or early fall.
The library currently has one internet station, and the new computers are "going to be loaded to the hilt," Gaylord said.
Public library hours are Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., and 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
CARDINAL - Participation in the village's bloom competition is growing, with more than 100 homes and businesses now registered in the local gardening contest, says committee member Marj Kempffer. The Cardinal in Bloom Committee was hoping for a high level of participation to earn five blooms in the national competition. Cardinal is representing all of Ontario against other villages for its population size across Canada. The village has a one in eight chance of winning the nationals. Participants are able to win prizes, including a patio set, Muskoka chairs, a garden arbour, garden bench and special prizes for the best use of a red and white colour scheme. Judging takes place the weekend of Aug. 12 to 14.
CARDINAL - All Royal Canadian Legions within the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville will be exempt from paying county taxes for 10 years, Cardinal council was informed at its July 4 meeting. The counties council passed the motion at its June 15 meeting, and the required bylaw will be presented to counties council July 20. The tax exemption will include the Cardinal Legion Branch 105.
CARDINAL - Village council supported a resolution at the July 4 meeting from the Windsor council that endorses the Municipal Action Plan - Protecting Our Water, as announced by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. The Action Plan is intended to be a province-wide strategy for the maintenance and enhancement of the quality of ground and surface water.
CARDINAL - Benson Public School's top money-maker is moving on to new pursuits.
Mandy Walsh, the volunteer coordinator of the schools fundraising committee for the past 10 years, has retired from the position that raised about $6,000 a year for school projects and special events and trips.
"I was the quiet person behind the scenes to get the ball rolling and then relied on other people for help," Walsh said.
Walsh helped organize such projects as craft and bake sales, Christmas events, the hot lunch program and chocolate bar and cookie dough sales.
Walsh said she'll remain on the parent council and help out with some projects, but will now focus her energies on her home day care business.
Her own three children have all attended Benson, and Walsh herself is a graduate of the school. "I think it's a good school with lots of heart," Walsh said in explaining her dedication to volunteer work.
"The teachers put in a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and effort," she said. "It's a great school."
MORRISBURG - The Upper Canada Playhouse is offering its summer theatre school again this year for young aspiring actors and actresses or kids looking for a fun and creative way to spend two weeks. Running weekday mornings from July 31 to Aug. 11, with a performance on Saturday morning, Aug. 12, the school will provide exciting experiences for children age 8 to 14. Courses will be given by a certified teacher who has specialized in drama instruction for young people. Students will be engaged in a variety of workshops designed to help them explore the many different aspects of drama. Opportunities to tour the theatre, perform on stage, and meet the people who work behind the scenes will instill a greater appreciation and understanding of the world of professional theatre. For more information or registration forms contact the Playhouse at 543-3713.
CARDINAL - Grade 6 Benson Public School teacher Richard Woodland has retired from the teaching profession after 32 years.
A native of the Spencerville area, Woodland began his career at a school in London, Ont., and still retains strong friendships with the teachers from that first year. "I've made good friends no matter where I've gone," he said. "I've found a lot of enjoyment in it for all of the 32 years.
"I've always enjoyed children. I love the close contact with them."
Woodland taught the next seven years at Commonwealth school in Brockville, and then went on to Centennial '67 in Spencerville for 20 years. The last four were spent at Benson. He has taught all grades, he said, with an emphasis on the intermediate division.
Woodland credits his parents, Art and Miriam Woodland, with setting him on the right track throughout his life. "My parents gave me good values and work ethics, and that's helped me out a long the way," he said.
Also Benson's computer instructor to the various grades, Woodland noted he expected to be retired from teaching before computers became a stronghold in schools. Now, he says, "If I didn't have a computer I'd feel like I'm missing part of my body."
Woodland hopes to spend more time gardening on his three and a half acre property between Spencerville and Roebuck with his wife Mary during his retirement. He also has two daughters. Allison is a funeral director in Ottawa, and Meredith will be attending Queen's University in the Fall.
He expects to be involved in the Woodland family's catering and barbecue business, and helping at his brother's Canadian Tire store in Kanata.
CARDINAL Grenville County OPP were called July 3, 6 and 7 to investigate separate incidents of vandalism at Benson Public School.
A window was vandalized at the rear of the school, and other windows were smashed in the south doors to the school.
Police were also called to investigate vandalism to the bathrooms located at the Legion Park sometime overnight July 5.
Minor damage was done to the exterior of the building.
Anyone with information in these incidents is asked to contact Grenville OPP Const. Tara Samis, Holly Howard, Rob Powers, or Steve Tavares, at 925-4221.
By JEFF LEE - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT For Graham Cudlipp, president of the Prescott Tennis Club, crossing the threshold of the clubhouse was like being transported back to circa 1988, when the club thrived, with membership topping 80.
"Walking in here was like walking into a time warp, back to the 80s," he said.
Notices for an upcoming tournament still advertised a 1988 tournament and dusty trophies mysteriously end around the same year.
Today, with membership down to just 10, and the clubhouse and courts in need of repair, Cudlipp says it is time to rebuild.
"The goal is to rejuvenate the club by getting more members, especially the youth members," he says. "We are trying to get back to those days."
Danny Duperron, member of the executive board, says that back then, if someone was interested in playing doubles, all they had to do was show up.
"On men's doubles night, it was nothing if 30 or 40 people showed up to play," he said. "You didn't have to worry about finding a partner either."
The club has had some success this year with its doubles tennis - Twelve people hit the courts in doubles play on the first two Saturdays in June, and more recently, five players took advantage of the 9:30 a.m. ladies doubles' time on Wednesday morning of last week. But attracting both young and old back to the game of tennis may mean competing against time, days' gone by and the numerous choices of today's leisure activities.
"What has happened is that there has been a demographic shift. The baby boomers are getting older and they are playing golf," Cudlipp says, adding that there has also been a decrease in the population base in the area.
Many have taken up golf, he says, because the sport is easier on the body than tennis.
Another reason Cudlipp says he thinks clubs like the one in Prescott are struggling is that tennis is not the popular sport it once was. It lacks the personalities of 20 years ago, he says. He adds that although there are tennis players today that generate some excitement, few can match the star power of Jimmy Conners, Bjorn Borg or John McEnroe.
Michelle King, director of health, fitness and recreation at the Brockville YMCA, says that the lower numbers are seen right across the board, particularly in rural communities.
At the YMCA, there are between 40 and 60 tennis players, numbers which she says are low but have held steady for the last four years.
King cites the difficulty in finding certified instructors who are can teach children during the day as one of the challenges facing rural communities, although there are a number of certified instructors in the area who teach adult tennis in the evenings.
Another reason for tennis' low numbers is there are just more choices for children, and adults today, King says, choices that may have not been available 10 to 15 years ago. And she adds, as with all sports, there is a cyclical element, with its peaks and valleys in popularity.
Also, with tennis, King says, unlike like a number of other sports, it takes practice and commitment to become proficient at.
"You have to do a lot of drills," adding that where as for soccer, for example, the learning curve is much steeper, resulting in a quicker return on one's invested time.
Public hours
In order to reach out to new players, the Prescott club has introduced public hours - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 3 to 5 p.m. Members of the board of directors will be on hand during those times to open up the courts and help out when needed.
Other weekly activities include doubles on Saturday mornings, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and ladies' doubles on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
Another component of the rebuilding process, is the racket donation program. So far, the club has had a racket donated, and it is available during the public hours.
Cudlipp says that as more people take advantage of the public hours, he hopes that they will decide to become members, which allows them greater access to the club and courts. Their membership dollars, and guest fees, would also help fund the club.
With membership dropping off, the club itself has begun to show the effects of the lack of enthusiasm for the sport.
The lights were knocked down in a wind storm and the courts are cracked, with the majority being to the rubberized top layer.
On Friday, July 14, however, the two towers at the west-end of the courts will have lights mounted, which allow courts one and two to be played on during the evenings.
Cudlipp says they also want to resurface the courts as soon as possible, before the deterioration requires more extensive repair work. Already, a larger-sized hole has formed along the fence, near the south-east corner. Cudlipp says it will be repaired by Doug Snelling.
Cudlipp sees the process of rejuvenating the tennis club as going beyond just having a place to play tennis, rather the club adds to the overall quality of life in the town, and it also has economic spinoffs.
The town already has an excellent 18-hole golf course, a concert series and a medical centre and, Cudlipp says, the tennis club is just one more drawing card for the town.
Lanes Smoke Shop beat Beck's Construction 5-0 in Under 6 (junior tyke) action Saturday, July 8. Jesse Boyd and Emily Colwell each scored a pair, while Nicholas Scott netted a single.
Tichborne Auto Supply did some damage to Hometown Heating, with Tichborne taking the 11-1 win. Tobias Barkley was on fire, scoring seven of 11 goals. Tichborne teammate Payton Marriner scored three, while John Wood netted one. Scoring for Hometown Heating was Mike Pilla with one.
Playit Star beat Tropical Pool Service, 6-2. Alex Stephenson and Nathan Peters each scored three goals. For Tropical Pool Service, Luke Severson and Andrew Moulton each scored one.
In other action, Grenville Fish and Game beat the Prescott Chiros, 3-0. Three players each scored a goal in Grenville's win. They were Josh Haymen, Joey Sargent and Justin Noccey.
In second game action Saturday, Tichborne Auto Supply beat Brent Scott Insurance 4-0. Payton Marriner scored two, while John Wood and Tobias Barkley each scored one goal.
Lanes Smoke Shop beat Tropical Pool Service 7-0. Nicholas Scott and Matthew Boyd each scored two goals, while singles went to Samantha Heykoop, Emily Colwell and Jesse Boyd.
Playit Star beat Grenville Fish and Game 3-1. Alex Stephenson scored two for Playit and Emily Tobin score one. Rebecca Fillion scored one for the Fish and Game.
The Prescott Chiros beat Beck's Construction 3-0. Cody Knapp scored two, while Spencer Merkley scored one.
Under 8 (senior tyke)
Playit Star beat Johnstown Duty Free 3-1 on Wednesday, July 5. Scott Stephenson scored two for Playit Star. Jordan Calke picked up the single. For Duty Free, Jonathon Baker scored one.
D.B.L. Computing beat the Colour Pallette 2-0. Scoring for D.B.L. Ryan VanStralen and Matthew Barkley each scored one goal for D.B.L.
The S.L.P. Printing Devils played Grenville Pharmacy to a 2-2 tie. Mathew Suatac and David Suatac scored for the Devils. Rick Champagne picked up both goals for the Pharmacy.
The Windmill Web Spiders beat Freer Electric 3-1. Scoring for the Spiders were Curtis Lavery, Cody Patenaud and Haden Servage.
Under 10 (atom)
Becker's beat Prescott Kiwanis 3-0 on Wednesday, July 5. Scoring for Becker's were Andrew Bernard, Brock Murphy and Sam Brown.
Bank of Montreal beat Splash Well Drilling 4-2. Scoring for the Bank of Montreal were Jordan Grootjans with two and Reilly Grootjans and Trent Blanchette each had one.
Beach Home Hardware beat Hansen's Cavity Kickers 5-0. Kristian Knapp scored four of five goals, while Payton Williams netted a single.
Royal Bank beat Mac's 3-0. Brandon Spencer scored two, while Hank Heykoop scored the single.
It was a 3-3 tie for the Prescott Kinsmen and the TD Bank. Torrin Marcynuk scored three for the Kinsmen. Colin Grant scored two and Jessica Rupert scored one for TD.
Kriska Transport beat Prophet's Trophies 4-2. Scoring for Kriska were Daniel Norton with two, Alanna Lesenba with one and Chris Noonan with one. Curtis Biccum scored two for Prophet's.
Under 12 (mosquito)
D.W.J. Plumbing beat Tech Can Titans 8-0 on Wednesday, July 5. Mark Wynands scored three for D.W.J. Plumbing. Singles went to Jordan Dunlop, Jacob Casselman, Dennis Molson, Carrie Patterson and Jennifer Lamoureux.
In other action, the Shriners tied Delphi Solutions 4-4. Scoring for Delphi were Chad Hyland and Adam Kelly, both with two. Scoring for the Shriners were Clayton Dunnington with three, and Dustin Curry with one.
Seaway Valley Pharmacy tied Giant Tiger 3-3. Scoring for Seaway, with singles, were Chris Farrell, Jamie Cote and Joel Jodoin. Scoring Giant Tiger, with singles, were Melissa Beckstead, Nick Gould and Nick Francica.
Under 16 (peewee)
Playit Star beat Watermark Printing 1-0. Mike Todd scored for Playit Star on Tuesday, July 4.
Kriska beat Nitrochem 7-0. Kurt Latimer scored three for Kriska, while teammates Tyler Byrd and Cory Van Hyning each scored two.
On Thursday, July 6, Gateway Packaging beat Watermark Printing 7-1. Scoring for Gateway were John MacIntosh with four, Dave Wallace, Ryan Davy and Aaron Lavallee each had singles.
Playit Star beat Nitrochem 8-0. Scoring were David Code with three, Mike Todd with two, Ryan Elliott, Wes McFarlane and Robin Rivet-Crowe, each with singles.
The Under-girls Prescott Gunners lost to the Ottawa Internationals 4-1 in the Ottawa-Carleton Soccer league.
In the Monday, July 3 game, Gunners' Francis King scored the lone goal for her team.
For the Under-13 boys Prescott Gunners, Perth was able to take the 2-1 win in Monday's game.
Scoring for the Gunners' was Jacob McGuire with one.
For the Under-11 boys Prescott Gunners, Thursday's game played to a 1-1 tie. Gunners' Kyle Lavery scored the lone goal for his team.
SHANLY The students at North Edwardsburgh Public School should be in great shape as well as feeling proud of their accomplishment this year.
Running around the school yard during a recess every day, weather permitting, the students covered 12,754 Kilometres, well beyond North Edwardsburgh Public School Kilometre Club's original goal of running the equivalent distance across Canada, 6,602 Kilometres, which they set for themselves at the beginning of the year.
By Nov. 15, that goal had been trampled upon by the pounding of running shoes, so they set their sights further, to cover as much equivalent distance through Europe as they could before the final bell to end the school year. With two laps of the school yard equalling one Kilometre, the students donned their running shoes as spring hit the area, and through their efforts travelled a total of 12,754 Kilometres. By running so many Kilometres, they would have covered the distance equivalent to not only running across Canada but also through three European countries - Ireland, Scotland and England.
Eleven students actually ran more than 200 Kilometres each during the year. But all students not only gained better physical fitness but also a true sense of pride for their accomplishments.
The school would like to thank the many local businesses who donated prizes and to congratulated all the students at the school.
BROCKVILLE-Dale Planck of Homer, NY became the first three-time 358 Modified winner this season with his second straight victory on Friday night at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
Planck started 20th in a strong field of 23 modifieds and worked his way through the pack. He took the lead on lap 24 just before the final caution came out with a pass on the outside of turns three and four to get around teenage sensation Frank Caprara of Watertown, NY.
Planck was then flawless on the final restart to take the victory in front of Caprara, Brockville's Stephane LaFrance, Chris Jones of Demorestville and Jeff Sykes of Edwards, NY.
It like 15 year old Kyle Wilson of Joyceville would capture his first Sportsman feature. Wilson led the first 15 laps of the 20 lap event. However, the youngster couldn t hold off defending track champion Randy Gaudet of North Augusta. Gaudet after numerous tries down on the inside, went around Wilson on the outside of turn 3 with 5 laps remaining and cruised to victory >from there. Wilson was second with Lance Willix of Theresa, NY rounding out the top 3.
Renfrew s Todd Fletcher took over the top spot on lap 3 and dominated the rest of the way for his second Pro Stock win of 2000. Fletcher was a full straightaway ahead of Mark Therrien of Alexandria and Brockville s Randy Earl at the checkered flag.
Terry McCullough of Kingston took over the Novice points lead with an 10 lap victory edging former points leader Todd Raabe of Pembroke at the finish line. John Mulder of Spencerville had his best run of the year finishing third.
The BOS will return to action on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. with the 200 lap enduro which was rained out on Father s Day. There will be a regular show with action in all four divisions next Friday night at 7:30.
PRESCOTT The Prescott Lawn Bowling Club hosted the annual Rose Bowl Ladies Triple Tournament on Wednesday, July 5.
Teams that competed in the tournament came from the following lawn bowling clubs: Ottawa, Elmdale, Goulbourn, Brockville and the host club Prescott.
The trophy winner was the Prescott team with lead Susie Locke, vice Ruby Simpson and skip Marie Simpson.
The Two Game High winner was the Prescott team with lead Blanche Heger, vice Clare Marchand and skip Irene St. John. The One Game High winner was the Brockville team with lead Kathy Loughrey, Vice Enid Howell and skip Lena Locke. On Saturday, July 15, the Prescott Club will be the host for the Loyalist Days MP tournament, a mixed pairs tournament. The Fort Town LP tournament is scheduled to be hosted by the Prescott Lawn Bowling Club on Saturday, 29, July 2000, and is a ladies pairs tournament.
The Prescott Lawn Bowling Club is in urgent need of new members and invite young and old to their greens to try their potential skills and hopefully become a new member. The club, located on Dibble Street West, has been providing first class facilities since 1890. They will hold open houses on Thursday, July 13; Monday, July 17; Thursday, July 20; and Monday, July 24. Open houses will start at 6:30 p.m. There have been weekly Euchres games held for the last two winters, just to pay off operating expenses, but unless we are able to attract new members to our lawn bowling club, the future does not look too bright. For more information, call Denzil or Susie Locke at 925-2746 or e-mail locke@recorder.ca