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JOHNSTOWN The winners of the Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public Library Arts Awards have been announced.
Nearly a dozen nominations were received for area individuals and groups who are outstanding in their fields of literature, visual or performing arts. This year's award-winners are author Joy Hewitt Mann, artist Ruth Connell and the Spencerville Legion Pipe Band.
The recipients will be honoured at a reception to be held at Johnstown Community Centre Sunday, Oct. 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. The awards will be presented at 3 p.m. by Ron Cohen, president of the Friends of the National Library. The reception is a time to celebrate the achievements of the recipients, view their work and learn more about them. The reception is open to the public; light refreshments will be served, and there will be no admission fee.
PRESCOTT Registration for the youth dart league at the Prescott Royal Canadian Legion will continue until Oct. 28. The group meets on Saturday mornings at the Henry Street Legion Hall from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for a fun time to learn the game and to improve throwing skills. Participants also learn sportsmanship and team playing, while improving math skills. Adult dart players are welcome to come out to help. There is a small registration fee. For more information, contact youth sports chairman Ross at 926-1037 or call the Legion at 925-2752.
SPENCERVILLE Roebuck United Church will celebrate its 86th anniversary with a concert on Sunday, Oct. 15 at 2:30 p.m.
The concert will feature Restoration, a Christian band from the Upper Ottawa Valley. The 11-member band combines guitars, keyboards, drums, brass and voices in a blend of contemporary and more traditional arrangements of Christian worship and praise. Fellowship and refreshments will be offered after the concert as part of the church's birthday celebrations. A free-will offering will be received; all are welcome.
PRESCOTT The Prescott Kiwanis Club has your Christmas gift giving all wrapped up, with soap box derby kits already available. Club members suggest the kit would make a great gift for a child planning to enter next year's derby. The focus of the derby will be on the novice category so that all age groups will be able to participate. Club president Henry Badmueller is also encouraging more girls to participate in the derby. To purchase a kit, contact Chris Slater at 925-3404 or Badmueller at 925-4410.
By TIM RUHNKE - Journal Staff Writer
MAYNARD The waste pile at the Maynard landfill site cannot be allowed to get much bigger, residents of Augusta township have been told.
A draft plan, which would result in much of the township's household waste being shipped to a transfer station in Brockville, was discussed last Thursday evening at a public meeting held at the Grenville Snowmobile Club. About 40 people attended.
The Township of Augusta is proposing to submit a closing plan to the Ministry of the Environment. The licenced area of the Maynard site is almost full, according to Philippa Smith, senior hydrogeologist with consulting firm WESA (Water and Earth Science Associates).
Seventy per cent of township residents use the Maynard site to dispose of their household garbage. The Maynard landfill also handles all of the township's industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) wastes.
The township is proposing to expand the transfer station at the Maynard site. Residents would place their household garbage in a bin; the contents of the bin would be compacted and shipped to the Brockville transfer station.
Under the township's proposal, all ICI wastes would be taken to the North Augusta site. The residents who take their garbage to that landfill would continue to do so.
Although the long-term plan will result in garbage from Augusta being shipped to a county facility in Edwardsburgh, it may be another 11 years before that site will be accessible to the township.
In response to comments that there is plenty of land available for expansion of the Maynard site, Augusta Reeve Adrian Van Schie explained that the property was not purchased to allow for expansion of the landfill; leachate from the site was contaminating groundwater in the vicinity, and the township was forced to acquire the land as part of an expanded buffer zone around the landfill.
Any application to extend the lifespan of the Maynard site would be very expensive and not cost-effective, according to Smith.
There was a suggestion that the North Augusta landfill could be used for disposal of all household solid waste generated in the township. However, it has been estimated that option would reduce the lifespan of that site by more than two-thirds. The reeve said extending the life of the North Augusta landfill is an "ace-in-the-whole" option available to the township.
Landfill supervisor Greg Trizisky estimates the cost of shipping household waste from the Maynard transfer station to the Brockville transfer station would be between $85,000 and $100,000. The tipping fee for use of the Brockville facility would be in the range of $65 per tonne.
The waste pile at Maynard would be capped with a 0.5-metre layer of suitable clay and 15 cm of topsoil. Gas vents would be placed in the pile.
But some people who attended the meeting appeared unconvinced that the Maynard landfill should be closed. Mary Daw, owner of the Maynard Store, said that dump sites are becoming scarce. She asked why a long-term approach could not be taken with the existing facilities in the township.
"We are kind of overlooking what we've got," Daw said.
As for ongoing waste management, officials emphasized the need for township residents to recycle and compost in an effort to maximize landfill capacity.
A four-day waste audit conducted in August at the Maynard and North Augusta sites indicated that recyclable material accounted for 30 per cent of the waste stream. The audit also found large amounts of organic waste such as grass and kitchen waste.
Smith said at the meeting that Augusta is doing well compared to some of its peers, but there is room for improvement. "Convenience still supersedes conservation," she stated.
Another waste-reduction suggestion made at the meeting was the creation of a special area at the transfer station where people could take discarded items that could be reused. Maynard resident Anne Reaney said she made a similar suggestion to a municipal councillor 12 years ago. Reaney added this sort of thing has been done successfully in other places, and she wonders why it has taken so long for Augusta to come to this conclusion.
Smith and Trizisky noted the provincial environment ministry has until recently restricted such programs at landfill sites.
The public was invited to fill out a survey and comment sheet relating to the proposal and some general waste-management issues. Those forms are to be returned to the township office no later than Oct. 16.
About 15 people attended the waste-management open house that preceded the public meeting.
By TIM RUHNKE - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT The Prescott Library Board members would be comfortable with having the library located in either a new town hall downtown or a renovated municipal building, according to board chairman John Houston.
It was noted in a feasibility study commissioned by the town that the library would require almost 5,900 square feet of interior space on the main floor of a renovated municipal building. A library concept plan which appears in the study includes a 519-square-foot computer area, a 256-square-foot audio/video room and a 256-square-foot reading and study room. The bookshelves would take up more than 2,600 square feet of space. There would also be separate rooms for a work area, archives and librarian's office.
Houston said during a recent interview that town council had asked the board for input. The library board responded with a recommended square footage of about 5,000 based on standards in place at Ontario libraries of a similar size. The engineering firm produced a floor plan based on the suggested square footage, he added.
The board did not necessarily expect it would get what it requested, Houston commented.
The library board does not like the proposed floor plan contained in the feasibility study, according to Houston. It would be difficult to monitor from the main desk what goes on in portions of the bookshelf areas, he said. There are ways of using the space more effectively and eliminating the need to install a chairlift, he added.
However, Houston also said that town officials told the board not to worry about the layout; changes can be made.
The proposal to build a new two-storey town hall on what is now a parking lot at the corner of King Street West and Centre Street includes a library which would not be as large as the one indicated in the feasibility study. Board members were pleased with the proposed layout of the library in the new building, and most staff suggestions were incorporated into a revised plan.
The board has determined that a move to a downtown location would likely lead to increased hours of operation, according to Houston. It is anticipated that the increased exposure the library would receive at the King Street location would lead to an increase in walk-in traffic, he said. Houston believes the library could make adjustments which would enable it to extend operating hours and avoid a hike in staffing costs.
"There's no reason we can't open Wednesday afternoons without further increasing our costs," Houston said.
The hours of operation would likely be the status quo if the library were to be located in a renovated town hall, he said.
Regardless of which option is chosen by town council, Houston and the board maintain there is not enough space in the existing library.
By MONICA WHITNEY - Journal Staff Writer
BROCKVILLE The Ontario government's plan to offer free influenza vaccines to the entire population of the province could see almost 170,000 local and area residents flu-bug-free this winter.
The Ministry of Health under Elizabeth Witmer announced in July that everyone in the province would be eligible for flu vaccination this year. Previously, only those over the age of 65, high-risk people such as those with chronic infections or diseases, emergency service and health-care workers could receive free shots.
Jane Futcher, director of clinical services for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, said the "unprecedented move" by the government will relieve pressures on emergency rooms and hospital beds. Ontario is the only province in Canada to take the step.
While last year's flu season was "relatively easy" in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark, she said, the hard-hit Toronto region was forced to transport flu patients as far as Brockville General Hospital for care.
People most vulnerable to the flu will be targeted first this month in a mass-inoculation scheme. The clinic days and locations will be advertised.
Throughout November and December, the health unit will offer vaccination clinics to the general public at accessible locations in municipalities throughout the three counties. Times and dates will be announced. In the past, those not in a high-risk group were charged $10 for a flu shot.
Family doctors are still available to give the shots, however Futcher said the program is intended to relieve pressure on physicians as well.
The free shots are "an excellent idea," said Prescott doctor G.S. Bhatt. "Studies have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that the benefits far outweigh any minor discomfort you may have (from receiving the shot)."
If a person does get the flu following a shot, he said, "illness is shortened markedly."
There are 168,000 people in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark eligible to receive the vaccine, and Futcher estimates about 110,000 will come forward for the shots.
A shortage of the vaccine is not expected locally because the health unit has already received 60 per cent of its required allotment.
Last year, 33,000 doses of the vaccine were administered in the tri-county area.
It is recommended people receive a flu shot each year, as the make-up of the vaccine changes yearly. World Health Organization experts decide on the components each March according to which viruses are circulating in the South Seas area, Futcher said.
Children between the ages of one and eight who have never had a flu shot will require two shots one month apart, she said. The booster shot is required to ensure the child's immune system is reacting and building antibodies.
Vaccinating youngsters is recommended, Futcher said, because children spread the virus easily. "Kids are like reservoirs they just spread it everywhere."
The flu vaccine is safe, and side effects are few, Futcher explained. The only side effect commonly experienced is soreness and a feeling of heat at the site.
Those with an allergy to eggs are not able to receive the vaccine.
It is estimated the vaccine will prevent the flu in 70 to 80 per cent of healthy adults, Futcher said. For those who do get the flu after being vaccinated, symptoms should not be as long-running or severe.
The vaccine cannot cause the flu because there is no live virus in the vaccine, she said. If a person does get the flu within a few days of receiving the shot, he or she had already been carrying the infection, Futcher explained.
For further information on flu and the to-be-announced immunization locations, visit the web site at www.healthunit.org or call the health unit at 345-5685.
By TIM RUHNKE - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT The cost of replacing water connections as part of the town's sewer rehabilitation project is proving to be much higher than expected.
It had been expected that between 35 and 40 per cent of water service connections would be replaced, according to town engineer Clyde Solomon. But the replacement percentage at the end of August stood at 62 per cent.
Based on the new information, consultants predicted the final cost of water line and service installation would total $700,000 to $750,000. The water portion of the rehabilitation project had been budgeted at $500,000.
There have been numerous lead and galvanized connections that are no longer up to standard and had to be replaced, Solomon said. He noted it was difficult to get an accurate assessment of the problem until crews were able to see it for themselves.
Solomon pointed out that the projected overrun "is not cast in stone." The final amount will depend on how many more connections will be replaced, he noted. Deputy Mayor Craig Worden said the full extent of the cost overrun would not be known until the project has been completed.
The question of who will pay for any overrun associated with the water portion of the rehabilitation project might still have to be answered. The installation would normally be covered as a separate entity by the Prescott PUC.
But Worden pointed out that the passage of Bill 35 may have given the town the responsibility for the water infrastructure costs.
"One way or another, it comes out of the same pocket," Worden said.
Sanitary and storm-sewer work as well as road repairs associated with infrastructure improvements were still under budget as of the end of August, Solomon said. Those areas are being handled through the town's public works budget.
When asked about the status of road repairs associated with the infrastructure project, Solomon said all streets would receive at least a base coat of asphalt by mid- to late November. Weather will determine whether a final coat will be applied to all streets before winter, he added.
Sewer work is expected to be completed by the end of October, according to Solomon.
Worden said he is impressed by the work that has been done to date. The deputy mayor noted that some of the excavated material is being used on low-lying industrial land owned by the town. The municipality is saving money by using the fill, which Worden noted will make the land easier to service.
By TIM RUHNKE - Journal Staff Writer
AUGUSTA George Vail has decided to make a run for the position of reeve in Augusta township.
Vail, who is completing his second term as councillor, indicated in August that he would be seeking a third term on council. However, he had not come to a decision as to which position he would be seeking.
Citing his previous council experience and the fact he has served on all committees, Vail said he has the ideas and the leadership qualities needed to provide township residents the strong voice they need at the municipal and county levels.
"I work hard and I fulfill my commitments," he said.
Vail is the second member of township council who has announced he is hoping to succeed outgoing Reeve Adrian Van Schie. Deputy Reeve John McCrea has also announced his candidacy for reeve.
Vail plans to focus on such issues as waste management, planning and the township's industrial park. Vail would like to see the Maynard landfill site remain open; he does not believe the township has done enough to assess the feasibility of maintaining the landfill beyond next year. Many people are not convinced the Maynard site has to be closed, given the amount of municipal land available, according to Vail.
However, he added that it must be shown that keeping the Maynard site open is feasible; budgetary and environmental factors must be considered, he noted. The impact closing Maynard would have on the North Augusta landfill is also a concern, Vail said.
Vail also said he would like to be proactive when it comes to Augusta's industrial park, which now sits empty. A committee consisting of council representatives and the public could be formed to explore opportunities and attract businesses to the park, he said.
The councillor would also like it to be easier for people to rezone land or obtain a severance. Vail said that residential development would be one way of expanding the municipality's tax base. However, he would not want to see residential development infringe on prime agricultural land or areas in which development is not wanted.
Vail said he supports the agricultural community, adding he would ensure it is represented locally and at the county level. Vail also wants continued upgrading roads and improving ditches in the township.
One of Vail's present municipal duties is recreation. He said the township's recreation system is good, but the municipality could do more and be more proactive when it comes to recreation.
Better municipal services may not necessarily lead to higher taxes, according to Vail. "There may be places where you could cut a bit or move a little from one place to another," he said.
Ratepayers must feel they are getting something for the money they are paying, he added.
"People want to know where their tax dollars are going," Vail said. "We have to show them where their money is being spent."
SPENCERVILLE The Township of Edwardsburgh Public Library received a $1000 donation from the Royal Bank at its regular council meeting recently.
Nancy Sloan of the Royal Bank in Spencerville presented a cheque to Edwardsburgh Reeve Dave Dobbie on Monday, Oct. 2. The money is earmarked for renovations to the township's new library.
JOHNSTOWN A local woman was a Superstar Bingo jackpot winner recently. Charlotte Casselman of RR3 Prescott won a jackpot of $8,333.33 playing Superstar Bingo Sept. 26 at Bingo International near Prescott. Casselman competed for the jackpot against other players through a computer network linking bingo halls across Ontario. She shared a jackpot of $25,000 with two other winners.
SPENCERVILLE Edwardsburgh Coun. Marie Thomson has entered the race for a seat on the new council of the amalgamated Township of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. Thomson will run in the north ward of the new municipality. Friday, Oct. 13 is the closing date for candidates to submit their names for the Nov. 13 elections.
BROCKVILLE The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit offers a Health Action Line for answers to general health questions Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 345-5685.
PRESCOTT Some sitting members of Prescott council are not in any rush to disclose their intentions with respect to the upcoming municipal election.
The deadline for nominations for the Nov. 13 municipal election is Friday afternoon. Four of seven sitting members of town council had made public their election plans as of Tuesday morning; three of the four have indicated they will not be seeking re-election.
Coun. Craig Worden announced last month that he would be running for mayor. Worden has filed his nomination papers, the only person to do so in Prescott as of last Thursday.
Mayor Doug Hayes announced in August that he would not seek re-election. Councillors Michael Berrea and John McAuley have also indicated they would not run in the November election.
"I haven't changed my mind," McAuley said Monday.
As for the other three councillors, none had confirmed as of Tuesday that he or she would definitely be seeking another term on town council.
Coun. Jo-Anne Beckstead said Monday that she had not "come to a 100-per-cent conclusion yet." She and her family had yet to make a final decision, Beckstead added.
Coun. Frank Whiten said Tuesday that he had "more or less" come to a decision. However, he said he would not be in a position to disclose his intentions until the end of this week.
Coun. Evelyn Dales was on vacation and unavailable for comment at press time.
Only two sets of nomination papers had been picked up at town hall as of last Thursday, according to returning officer Andrew Brown. However, that does not necessarily mean there will be a shortage of candidates in Prescott.
In cases in which the number of candidates is equal to or less than the number of vacancies when the nomination period ends, those candidates become acclaimed. Nominations are to be reopened for one day the following Wednesday for any remaining vacancies. This applies to municipal councils and school boards throughout Ontario.
CARDINAL A woman sustained life-threatening injuries in a single-vehicle accident which occurred early Tuesday morning on Highway 401 west of Cardinal, according to the Grenville detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police.
The rollover occurred at approximately 3:20 a.m. Fire departments in Cardinal, Edwardsburgh and Prescott also attended the scene and assisted in extricating the driver from the vehicle.
The woman was transported by air ambulance to Kingston General Hospital. Her name had not been released as of early Tuesday afternoon. Further details were unavailable at press time.
The eastbound lanes and the passing lane of Highway 401 were closed for almost four hours as police investigated the accident. Eastbound traffic was rerouted through Johnstown and Cardinal. A technical traffic collision investigator was called in for assistance.
Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact Const. Holly Howard at the detachment in Prescott (925-4221).
EDWARDSBURGH A 45-year-old man was airlifted to an Ottawa hospital Monday afternoon following an accident at a farm on Brouseville Road, the Grenville detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police reported.
Bruno Roduner was helping his father fill a silo with corn silage at about 3 p.m. when the incident occurred.
Roduner had decided to climb a ladder to get to the top of the silo to even out the corn, according to police. He was 35 to 40 feet up the ladder when he fell to the ground.
Roduner was airlifted to an Ottawa hospital. He sustained lacerations to the head and non-life-threatening injuries. Const. R. Benoit is investigating the accident.
PRESCOTT The Prescott Police Service investigated 60 general incidents between Oct. 1 and Oct. 8.
On Oct. 4, police were called to the Churchill Road area regarding an intoxicated male. The person was arrested and taken to the police station, where he damaged a telephone, according to police. The man was charged with mischief and is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 10.
Prescott police received a complaint Thursday from a young male who said he had been shot with a paintball gun. An officer attended a Massie Drive residence and arrested a youth and seized a CO2 paintball gun. The youth was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon and assault with a weapon. He is scheduled to appear in youth court Nov. 14. The victim was not injured.
Two motor vehicle accidents were investigated during the week.
Police advise area merchants and business people to carefully examine any invoices received in the mail. A local business operator called police after he received what appeared to be an invoice in the amount of $25.52 for an Internet business listing. The bill is similar to ones sent by Bell Canada; upon examination it is noted payment of the solicitation is a confirmation of subscription to the company's service. Consumer beware; take a few moments and carefully review any invoices before paying them.
KINGSTON Crime Stoppers and local police services wish to advise the public of a phone scam currently making the rounds. A person claiming to be a telephone- service technician calls a home and indicates he wants to test the line. The caller states that in order to conduct the test, the person being called must press certain numbers and then hang up.
Do not do this for anyone! If you do, you will be giving the caller full access to your telephone line and he or she will be able to call anywhere in the world. You will end up with the bill. Crime Stoppers encourages people to make family and friends aware of this scam. Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if you have any information for police.
By MONICA WHITNEY - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT South Grenville District High School students are trying to increase the osprey population by providing a nesting platform.
Grade 9 geography students, along with the stewardship councils of Grenville and Leeds counties and DuPont Canada, last Thursday erected the 30-foot-high platform which has a four-square-foot box nest. The site is on land owned by DuPont just east of the plant, between County Road 2 and the river.
Healthy osprey populations are vital to the biodiversity of an area, said Grenville County Stewardship Council co-ordinator Jack Henry. During the 1950s and '60s, osprey populations plummeted in the province due to pollutants such as the insecticide DDT. The pollutants contaminated many waterways and were accumulating in fish, a major food source for ospreys. The poisons often resulted in thin-shelled eggs, he said.
Commonly referred to as a fish hawk, the large brown and white raptor is at the top of the food chain. If the osprey population is healthy, "the rest of the ecosystem is OK too," Henry said.
Osprey generally build their nests in tall, isolated trees close to water. However, many of these natural nesting sites were destroyed with the removal of trees for home construction along waterways.
Ospreys have made a slow recovery in recent years, thanks to the creation of the ideal habitat conditions the special nesting platforms.
Osprey numbers had declined almost to the point of extinction before DDT was banned in Ontario in 1974.
The osprey, a species that is natural to this area, is featured on the back of the Canadian $10 bill.
Along with researching the life cycle of the bird, students Ian Harding and Alice Murray said the class has studied the importance of protecting the hawk for its relationship with the environment. A strong osprey population will also keep other species such as rabbits, fish and rodents in check, they said.
Steve Lauridsen of the environmental affairs division at DuPont said the company gave land for the nesting platform because the company had been looking for ways to enhance wildlife habitat in its wooded areas.
DuPont owns 1,300 acres of land from Highway 401 to the river, about 600 of which are unused wooded areas, Lauridsen added.
PRESCOTT South Grenville District High School is looking to add more honourees to its Wall of Fame and the school is asking for the help of local SGDHS alumni.
The South Grenville District High School Wall of Fame was established during the school's successful 40th anniversary celebrations in July 1998. The seven initial inductees to the Wall of Fame were: Mark Bonneau - Vice President of the Ottawa Senators; Jo Ann Campbell - Vice President of General Electric Corporation; Doug Currier - former member of Canada's Olympic Bobsled team; John Doran Sr. - former Mayor of Brockville; Currie Graham - television and movie actor; Peter Hoy - former member of the Boston Red Sox; and Lora Rigutto - former world class race walker. These seven people were inducted into the SGDHS "Wall of Fame" in a ceremony that marked their accomplishments, both at South Grenville District High School and after graduation from that school.
Former SGDHS Principal, David Dargie, has been asked to head a committee of South Grenville alumni and staff to help pick a new slate of honourees for this year's Wall of Fame induction which will take place at the SGDHS Commencement on Saturday, Nov. 4th.
The South Grenville community is invited to submit nominations for this Wall of Fame using the following criteria: the nominee must be a graduate of SGDHS; the nominee should have an outstanding record of achievement at South Grenville District High School and in their current field of endeavor; the nominee should be exemplary of the "Giant Pride" which would make them a good role model for the school's current students.
Principal Brenda Ramsay said: "I am very pleased that we have established a Wall of Fame committee who will find us some additional honourees for this most important part of our 'Giant Pride'. We invite the members of the South Grenville community to help us find worthy candidates for our Wall of Fame. I am looking forward to welcoming these newest Wall of Fame honourees at our November 4 commencement ceremonies for their induction."
Nominations may be submitted in writing by mail to: SGDHS Wall of Fame Committee, P.O Box 670, 1000 Edward Street, Prescott, Ontario, K0E 1T0; or by fax to: 613-925-2864.
A Spencerville man received a humanitarian award recently presented yearly to "extraordinary individuals for their contribution to funeral service.
Jim Purcell received the Ontario Funeral Service Association (OFSA) Humanitarian Award on Sept. 20 at the Glen House Resort near Gananoque. Recipients of the award have demonstrated extraordinary standards of community service.
"I am extremely honoured and humbled by this award from my peers," Purcell said. "Most funeral directors are greatly involved in community service. To have my efforts singled out for recognition from such a large pool of dedicated volunteers is quite a surprising and very gratifying."
Purcell said that he believes that it is the people who make a difference in a community. He said that the communities are always in need of volunteers, and he encourages people to get involved and share in the experience.
"I enjoy being able to participate in the community," he said, "and I get great satisfaction out of helping other, be it a child, an adult or an organization."
Purcell admits that sometimes it can difficult juggling his various responsibilities, where "the nights and evenings do catch up with him." But that the downside, which includes criticism at times, is far outweighed by the sense of salification that he gets in helping others.
One element of a funeral director's job is "putting out fires." For Purcell, this phrase takes on a literal meaning. He is the chief of the Edwardsburgh Volunteer Fire Department. Purcell joined the department in 1968, and served as captain in 1975. In 1976, Purcell was appointed deputy chief, a post he held until he became chief in 1987.
He is also actively involved with the Leeds and Grenville Fire Chiefs Association and the Eastern Ontario Firefighters' Association. Purcell is a member of the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs. When the Leeds and Grenville fire chiefs hosted a convention for the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs in 1995, Purcell's volunteer work contributed to the convention's success.
In 1980, Purcell was elected village trustee. He has served the Village of Spencerville in this capacity for two decades. During Purcell's mandate, a local sewage and water improvement project was completed. This project enhanced the health and safety of the residents within the community.
In 1967, Purcell joined St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Spencerville. He was ordained as an elder two years later. He has served as Clerk of Session since 1974.
Purcell has volunteered for the church's Sunday school program, Board of Managers and Cemetery Board. He served on the building committee following a fire that completely destroyed the church in 1974. In 1994, he served a one-year term as the moderator of the Presbytery of Seaway, Glengarry. He was the Presbytery's first lay moderator.
Purcell is a member of the Union of Cemetery board, and is the community contact for St. Lawrence O'Toole Cemetery.
In 1991, Purcell became a founding member of the Spencerville and District Optimist Club. He is the current president and volunteers for many of the organization's activities.
From 1974 until 1980, he and his wife Gloria were foster parents to 13 children.
"The easiest way to enrich your life is to volunteer," Purcell said. "I encourage everyone to donate their time and talents to worthwhile causes. The rewards are immeasurable."
When asked how much longer he will continue to participate in the community, Purcell said he will continue as long as he can.
In the early 1970s, Purcell served on the Executive of the Ottawa District Funeral Service Association. He was the association's president in 1974. Purcell has been an OFAS member since purchasing his funeral home in 1967. He has missed only one annual convention since joining the association 33 years ago. He is also a member of the Funeral Service Association of Canada.
Founded in 1883, the OFSA is a professional association of funeral homes and funeral directors. The association provides free information about funerals and bereavement to the public.
Every year, the OFSA awards program honours extraordinary and inspirational members of the association. The 2000 Awards Ceremony took place in Gananoque on Sept. 20.
JOHNSTOWN The tenth annual craft show and sale will take place Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Johnstown Community Centre.
The annual event, which is sponsored by the South Edwardsburgh Recreation Association, features a wide variety of crafts. Wood working, tole painting, sewing, knitting, jewellery, ceramics and stained glass are among the items which will be available at the show.
The show starts at 9:30 a.m. and wraps up at 3 p.m. Lunch will be available.
For more information about the craft show and sale, call Brenda Gauthier at 925-5604.
BENSON PUBLIC: School council members will hold a rummage sale in the school gym on Saturday, Oct. 21.
The hepatitis B clinic will be at the school on Oct. 24. Grade 7 students will participate in the clinic.
Oct. 8 to 14 is Fire Safety Week. The fire department will do a surprise fire evacuation practice run at the school during the week.
Jenny VanAllen will give piano lessons at the school on Friday mornings during school hours. If your child wants to learn to play the piano and is willing to practice every day, call Jenny at 925-1902.
BOUNDARY PUBLIC: Our Fall Fun Fair was a great success. Many thanks to staff and parent volunteers who helped and to the many businesses and parents who donated items for the fair.
On Thursday, Oct. 12, there will be a spirit assembly in the gym at 2:40 p.m.
On Friday, Oct. 13, our athletes will go to a cross-country championship meet at Memorial Park in Brockville. Good luck team!. Also, the hot lunch is hamburgers.
Wednesday, Oct. 18 is picture day at the school. Also, Grade 7 students will receive their first Hepatitis B needle.
CENTENNIAL/NORTH EDWARDSBURGH: The Edwardsburgh Fire Department visited both Centennial '67 and North Edwardsburgh Public Schools to review fire safety, pick up students' poster designs and supervise fire drills.
On Friday, our cross-country team will travel to Brockville to compete in the regional championship.
CENTRAL PUBLIC: Congratu-lations to our senior girls cross-country team for finishing first at Grenville Christian College meet last week. Heidi Reinstra will go for her third gold medal at the championship meet on Friday, Oct. 13. Best of luck also to Kristen Craig, who finished first in the junior girls division.
Tryouts will be held for a senior boys and girls soccer team to go to a tournament in Maynard next week.
The final games for both the junior and senior soccer leagues will be completed this week.
MAITLAND PUBLIC: Go Maitland school! Our cross-country team will compete for the final time on Friday, Oct. 13 at Memorial Hill in Brockville.
Please plan to attend a workshop offered by Tuula Little entitled Working with Your Child and Your Child's Teacher at Maitland Public School on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC: On Friday Oct. 13, group B's hot lunch will be chicken.
On Monday, Oct. 16, interim reports will be sent home.
The inaugural school council meeting took place on Thursday, Sept. 28 with 23 people in attendance. A number of plans were made for the year and an executive was elected. The St. Mark school council for 2000/2001 is Maureen Leonard, chair; Ann Norton, vice-chair; Stacy Zahn, secretary; Cindy McNally, treasurer; Mary Whalen Cleary; Sharon Crozier, Colin Dalrymple; Paul Bernier; Annette Norton; Judy Tait, education representative; Tom Beach, trustee; Brent Laton, community representative; Susan Burt, teacher representative; Judith Martin, principal; Father John Appelman, pastor.
Jane Fullarton
The annual general meeting of the Maitland Education and Recreation Committee was held on Oct. 2 with less than 10 people in attendance.
Year-end reports from programs were presented by the out-going committee heads. When it came time to elect a new executive, only two people expressed any interest in allowing their names to stand. It was decided that an election could not proceed because of the lack of candidates and voters.
The meeting continued with a decision to send one last urgent message to the community. In a letter to be delivered to all Maitland residents, the plight of the MERC committee will be outlined: "MERC Hall closing! All community programs and services cancelled! No, this has not happened yet, but without your help, it will!"
This letter goes on to detail the programs and services delivered or hosted by MERC, including the playgroup, skating rinks, soccer, swim program, Brownies, seniors' luncheons, teen dances, fitness classes, pub nights and dance classes. The hall is also a location for special events such as community meetings, seminars and celebrations.
"The MERC committee relies on many dedicated volunteers to work on and deliver their many programs, and we are grateful for their work and support."
The board is responsible for setting policy, fundraising, administrating programs and maintaining the hall and grounds. Board members have worked hard on your behalf, but we are tired. We need your help. For more information or to help, call Moira Taylor, 348-3140 or Marilyn Cybalski 348-3125 or Suzanne Jensen.
The board is also planning a wine-and-cheese reception on Monday, Oct. 23 at 7:30 at MERC Hall to give residents of Maitland a chance to meet and greet their neighbours and discuss the programs and future of the MERC Organization.
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the annual MERC Volunteer Appreciation Dinner will take place at the MERC Hall. The executive has done their best to get an invitation to all members of the community who have volunteered this year, but if you have been overlooked, please call Moira Taylor at 348-3140 to arrange for your invitation.
By Willy Sieling Heuvel
Tomorrow (Oct. 12) is our next lesson with Henry Vyfvinkel hope you all have your homework done.
There will be a flu clinic at Walker House on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please take note and make an effort to be there!
Quilting classes have started on Thursday afternoons and evenings. Afternoon classes start at 1 p.m.; the evening classes start at 7 p.m. All that is needed is a membership to Walker House.
A Halloween dinner is planned for Saturday, Oct. 28. Mark your calendars or, better yet, call me at 925-5300 for reservations.
Winners at the card tables last week were: Monday bridge: Sam Covey, first; Ted Crosbie, second; Audrey Kingston won the door prize. Tuesday cribbage: high score, Eleanor Gilligan; high score, Sam Covey and Hilda Hutton; second, Mary Reynolds. Wednesday bridge: first, Findlay Hill; second, Jim Campbell; Anne Woods won the door prize. Thursday euchre: not available yet.
PRESCOTT St. Mark's Parish Centre on Edward Street will be the location of two different events later this month.
The parish will host a fall bazaar on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Also, the Catholic Women's League will host a two-day rummage sale on Monday, Oct. 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m to noon. Among the items expected to be on sale include used clean winter clothing, used jewellery, dishes, pots, pans and books.
PRESCOTT Here's a chance support the New to You Store at St. John's Anglican Church and have some fun at the same time. Johnstown resident John Cullen, a political cartoonist and caricaturist, will be at the shop each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon to draw caricatures for a 25-cent donation to the thrift shop.
I, for one, am fed up with a council that is determined to disregard the wishes of those they represent. In the matter of the town hall, the people have rejected a new building on King Street. We cannot afford to lose our only downtown open space and parking lot, nor should we disrupt our market. We cannot afford the resulting higher taxes.
There is another option open to council which will not compromise our financial future for 20 years or more. There is a large, attractive, traditional-appearing stone building for sale for a reasonable price, which should amply house our half-dozen employees. It certainly won't cost over $1 million either for purchase or for renovations, and it comes complete with parking. The corner of Edward and Dibble is a reasonable location. (Move the library elsewhere.)
Take a look, council members, before you add the debt you are contemplating to the debt we are incurring for the sewers! The people of Prescott will find it difficult to afford to live here. If you really want to do something for this town, put some effort into finding new business to employ our unemployed and lower our welfare bill.
J. Follows
Prescott
To the mayor and councillors who are not running for office next year, I say good. It would be better if all but one member would quit.
We have sidewalks that are not fit to walk on, roads that are full of holes, garbage that is laying on the streets, and no money to fix anything, but a new town hall that can put the town in debt for $1 million to $4 million appears to cause no problem.
Yes, Mr. McAuley, you were elected to govern, but it was by the people and you are responsible to the people, not your own ego.
One councillor said to proceed and let history prove us right or wrong. That statement reflects the true attitude of this council: Bend your head and plow forward, then let the people of Prescott pay the burden.
Is it not possible to rent office space a lot cheaper than building a new building that is not needed?
Mr. Whiten, keep fighting, because you are gaining a lot of support.
Sherman Landon
I want to thank and congratulate you Mr. Editor and the Chamber of Commerce as well as all those who have put up such a valiant struggle to oppose the town-hall project. You can rest with a clean conscience that you have done all that was possible.
I have tried not to let my emotions get the better of me during the past few months as the battle has raged between council and those opposed to the project. I too have had some suggestions but being just one person and only a homeowner for less then one year, I was unsure if I should voice them. That was my mistake and I am truly sorry I did not present my views earlier. It is to this end that I am writing now in hopes that maybe council or someone may put them to use if they find them of value.
First, I am a student of history by education and a resident of the Prescott area for all my 29 years. If memory serves me, Mr. Morris (Jack) wrote a wonderful book on Prescott history that contained pictures of the first town hall. This hall was on or very close to the current proposed site for the new town hall. I wondered why such an elegant building was destroyed in the first place. I seem to recall a market was located there as well, similar idea to the one proposed for the new town hall.
The answer, as far as I have been able to determine from documents and old timers' memories, was that the building was allowed to fall into such disrepair that demolition was the only answer. The town then moved into the old high school. This begs the question: Why? Why did the town council at that time not opt for building a new town hall on the site of the old one? The first reason I know was that the property was to be used for parking for a new grocery store located in downtown (currently Stedmans). But secondly and more importantly, I believe the council at the time found that adapting the high school was more financially responsible than building a new town hall and further burdening the town with a high debt load.
Numerous figures have been bantered around during the past several months but one thing that is consistent is the fact that we cannot afford even to renovate the current building in our current financial situation. This brings me to my solution.
The present high school on Edward Street has at least a portion of its second floor utilized by the board of education. Could the town not propose to the board of education to share (possibly rent) the portion used by the board as council chambers and offices? For the library, I propose that its contents could be moved to the high school library. (Some expansion may be required and cost could be shared at significantly less expense than a completely new construction.) I know this may seem odd, but it won't necessarily be permanent.
I also propose that council actively work to lobby the provincial government to place the casino in Prescott. I know about the controversy of problem gambling that some members of council are worried about. However, this casino will be built, the only question is: Where?
Members of our community who may develop some problems resulting from such a establishment will still go to the casino whether it's in Brockville, Gananoque or Front of Leeds and Lansdowne. If we get the casino in Prescott, we as a town can at least designate a portion of the proceeds toward services to help affected gamblers. We would still have to provide these services regardless (but out of our own tax money). Also, a portion of the revenue could be used to establish a town-hall fund.
I hope some of what I said helps. I know it has helped me ease my mind by expressing my opinions and offering my suggestions. I hope council takes some time to consider other options before placing its residents in a 20-year debt situation.
Kevin Badmueller,
Prescott
By JEFF LEE - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT About 275 people were recently treated to the Farmers' Market Customer Appreciation day at the municipal parking lot by the clock tower.
The turnout on Sept. 30 was exceptionally good, said vendor Eli Countryman, who is a part-owner in Countryman Gardens near Prescott. Coffee and cinnamon rolls were available for the shoppers, and there were a number of discounts offered by vendors. Market vendor Elise Castonquay and her band performed.
Countryman said that while business at the market had fluctuated this season, crop production had dropped because of the cold, wet season.
"My sales have been good," Countryman said. "But for the crops, it has been disastrous. I probably lost upwards of $10,000 in crops and I can't make it up. Normally, I would be selling tomatoes and cucumbers, but I lost all that. The tomatoes were just getting going when they froze on me."
He said that everybody was pretty much in the same position in terms of their crops.
Ellie Mason of Iroquois, who along with her husband Ray sells vegetables and crafts, said their sales had been good too, although she also had lost large amounts of crops.
Their vegetable business Pies 'N' Things has been operating for five years at the market. This year was the first year selling crafts, and Mason said it has been successful. The couple's crafts business, called Walk in the Woods, includes hand-painted items such as saws and signs as well as hand-crafted walking canes. Ray Mason took two first-places ribbons at the Spencerville Fair for his canes in the categories woodcarving wildlife and woodcarving domestic. He said sales of his canes have been good.
The market usually opens at the end of April and usually closes by the end of October.
By Vivienne Cudlipp
Volunteer waiters and kitchen staff were kept busy on the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ninety customers made up of bank employees, Journal staff, businesses and local citizens met for breakfast at The Colonel's Inn Bed and Breakfast to help launch the capital fund "Setting Sail for 2000." In total, $450 was raised toward the Heritage Challenge Grant.
We wish to thank the volunteers who gave their time and local businesses Valu-mart, Giant Tiger and Burnbrae Egg Farm who generously donated the food, and to René Shoemaker for his delicious biscuits.
The museum is now closed for the season, but the fundraising will not stop.
Look for the museum table at the SGDHS Craft Sale on Nov. 18.
To the Norton family, the board says thank you for the longest donation so far to "The Mile of Pennies." Keep saving those pennies; every little bit helps.
To everyone who has supported us through donations to the museum or attendance at our fundraising events, we thank you and we look forward to seeing you at the Forwarders' Museum next season.
For information or donations please call 925-2416.
Clara Edith Leizert, 7521 New Dublin Road, RR2 Addison, died
Sept. 30, 2000 at Brockville General Hospital. She was 99.
She was born June 7, 1901 in Colchester, England, to Eden Woods
and Gertrude Mann, who predeceased her. She was also predeceased
by her husband, Herman Edson Leizert, whom she married Dec. 16,
1919, in Shanly, Ont.
Mrs. Leizert is survived by her children, Ida May (Mrs. Joe Doyle), Rose Boyd, Mary (Mrs. Garnet Typhair), Herman (Carol), Charles (Marilyn), David (Ethel), Wayne (Marjorie); and by 25 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sons Edward, Cecil and Maurice, and by her daughter Margaret Shannon.
Mrs. Leizert's hobbies included quilting and needlework, and she worked as a mother and homemaker.
Visitation was held at the Chris Slater Funeral Home Oct. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service was held in the chapel Oct. 3 at 2 p.m., with Rev. Claude Delorme officiating. A committal service and burial followed at Maynard Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Wade Tousignant, Troy Keeler, Mark Workman, Scott Pickard, Barry Robertson and Joey Doyle.
Donations to the Diabetes Association, the Canadian Cancer Society or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
Thomas James McCarthy, Stewart Street, Maynard, died at Brockville General Hospital Sept. 23, 2000. He was 79.
Born June 21, 1921 in London, England, Mr. McCarthy was the son of John McCarthy and Martha Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Maria McCarthy (nee Ham), whom he married in Prescott on April 19, 1978. He was predeceased by his first wife, Ellen McCarthy.
Mr. McCarthy is also survived by his son Denis (wife Susan); granddaughters Jennifer Mc-Carthy and her husband David Little, and Heather McCarthy; a sister, Joan Page; stepchildren John (Carol) Ham, Jantien (Rudolf Roeger), Bernardus (Ria) Ham, Laura (Rene Roberge) and Maria Ham; step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. McCarthy had been employed as a painter in renovation and construction projects.
Visitation was held at Chris Slater Funeral Home Sept. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. A mass of Christian burial was celebrated at St. Mark's Catholic Church Sept. 26 at 11 a.m., with Father J. Appelman officiating. A committal service followed at St. Mark's Cemetery. The pallbearers were David Little, David Cassell, Heather McCarthy, John Ham, Gregory Ham and J.J. Ham.
Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated.
Gertrud Marie Suess of Ottawa died Sept. 22, 2000 at the Ottawa Heart Institute. She was 76.
Born Oct. 27, 1923 in Rehau, Germany, she was the daughter of Christian Rothe-mund and Anna Raithel. Mrs. Suess was married to Arno Suess, whom she wed Aug. 7, 1954 in Rehau.
She is survived by her son, Wilfred Schoedel (Fay) of Australia; her daughter Monica Johnson of Prescott; grandchildren Andrew, Christopher and Melanie of Australia, and Megan and Thomas of Prescott; brothers Egon and Erwin Rothemund of Germany, and companion Erich Nitschmann of Ottawa.
Mrs. Suess was predeceased by her parents and husband. She had worked as a homemaker at home.
Cremation took place at the Cataraqui Crematorium Sept. 25, and a funeral service was held at St. John's Anglican Church the same day at 11 a.m.
A committal service will take place Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Blue Church Cemetery.
The pallbearers were Megan and Tom Johnson, Frank and Rigo Nitschmann, Tracy Miller, Kim Hansen and Stanley Plume.
Donations to the Ottawa Heart Institute and Humane Society would be appreciated.
KINGSTON The unemployment rate in the region that includes South Grenville decreased last month, the Human Resources Development Canada office in Kingston reported.
The rate in the CornwallBrockvilleSmiths Falls area went from 7.2 per cent in August to 6.5 per cent in September. Seasonal declines in the labour market led to the lower unemployment rate, according to a federal government news release. It is not unusual for the labour force to decline as people return to school, the release stated.
Employment levels in most industrial sectors remained steady last month; employment in health-care and social-services sectors increased slightly.
Fewer people were collecting employment insurance (EI) benefits as of the end of last month at the Prescott Human Resources Centre. There were 814 claimants at the end of September; the number of claimants at the end of August was 936. All office areas in the region reported decreases in EI claimants last month.
JOHNSTOWN The 10th annual craft show and sale will take place Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Johnstown Community Centre.
The annual event, which is sponsored by the South Edwardsburgh Recreation Association, features a wide variety of crafts, including woodworking, tole painting, sewing, knitting, jewellery, ceramics and stained glass.
The show will start at 9:30 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.
Lunch will be available.
For more information about the craft show and sale, call Brenda Gauthier at 925-5604.
Dr. G.S. Bhatt, discussing the need for flu shots
PUTTING TRUDEAU IN PERSPECTIVE: There is no doubt that in a political sense the late Pierre E. Trudeau was Canada's renaissance man, a position easy to fill in this land of the bland such as John Turner, Joe Clark, Louis St. Laurent and Wm. Lyon Mackenzie King. It was because he was an accomplished actor, not a great political philosopher, that he touched so many hearts during this brief period of mourning. As we take a sober second look at his contributions to Canada today, we are hard-pressed to find any that are as outstanding as the mammoth national debt that he accumulated with his irresponsible deficit financing.
One of the worst cases of political opportunism we have witnessed this past week has been Prime Minister Jean Chretien's many eulogies on Trudeau's contributions to Canada and the Liberal party and that he wanted to be re-elected so he could carry on this great Liberal philosophy. Chretien hasn't mentioned Trudeau's name in the past 10 years and this sudden outburst of worship only serves to remind us how badly he wants to be re-elected.
***
CORRECTING THAT ERROR: Three weeks ago we took the editorial bored (sic) of the Brockville Recorder and Times to task for waiting until the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce rescinded a motion to select a slate of officers for the forthcoming municipal election, before they criticized the action. Striking back with lightning speed, R&T editor Barry Raison, two weeks later, informed us his scribes had indeed reacted with candour and haste to the Chamber's resolution of August 17 by telling them a week later in their August 24 edition they should abandon the plan to recruit a slate of candidates.
Yes, we erred once in our criticism of the timing of the Brockville newspaper's comments on the Chamber's decision, but Recorder and Times erred twice in publishing similar editorials on two separate occasions. What makes us a tad cranky (and we are now entitled to be a bit crankier) about Brockville giving Prescott's community leaders advice is the fact that the R'nT didn't even have a reporter at the August 17 Chamber meeting. Nor did their anonymous editorial writer call any Chamber directors to ask why they had approved the motion. In fact, we don't think the Brockville newspaper has anyone on its staff smart enough to tell our Chamber of Commerce what it should or should not do.
We're sure editor Barry Raison will correct us if we are wrong on this one, but we don't think we've seen an opinion, pro or con, in the R'nT about Prescott council's decision to build a town hall on the downtown municipal parking lot. Sure they've stuck their necks out by telling the Chamber of Commerce that the town hall decision is council's, and theirs alone, and that no one is entitled to stop them, influence them, or give them advice, but how did they come to that conclusion?
When the majority of people in a community believe their council is making a decision that is not in the best interests of the community, then they have a right to protest, and to try and influence council to change its mind, by any means possible that is within the law.
John Morris
Managing Editor
Tim Ruhnke
It would be fair to say I have been non-partisan throughout much of my life. The reason I cheered for the Conservatives when I was a kid probably had something to do with my Grade 3 classmate who liked the Tories for some reason (her parents, no doubt) and who became my "first kiss" the week of the 1972 federal election.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau led the Liberals to a narrow victory back then, something I may have held against him at the time because it made getting a second kiss that much more difficult. I came to the conclusion many years later that Mr. Trudeau would likely have understood why this seven-year-old boy would not have been a loyal supporter of the cause. It was not until after his death that I began to realize how much I admired Mr. Trudeau's joie de vivre and his vision of a strong federalist country which values its cultural and linguistic differences. The fact that I remember him as being more of an idealist than a politician could explain why so many of us are saddened by his passing; politicians manage governments, but idealists mould nations. I guess my decision to go to Parliament Hill 11 days ago was my way of dealing with the fact that I never made an effort to express to him my gratitude for all the work he did on my behalf.
There was another reason I wanted to make the journey to Ottawa and pay my final respects to Mr. Trudeau. I had passed up the opportunity 21 years earlier to visit former prime minister John Diefenbaker when he lay in state at Parliament Hill. I recall being in the nation's capital to take in the Central Canada Exhibition. Needless to say, this adolescent spent too much time playing rigged games and eating bad food to head downtown before the bus departed.
Most of the television reports I saw painted an accurate picture of what it was like being on Parliament Hill two weekends ago. No one in line was complaining about having to wait upwards of three hours to spend ten seconds or so at Mr. Trudeau's side. The 40-something couple behind me spent part of their "line time" teaching their daughter about the origins of Canada's system of government. The atmosphere in line was far from being sombre; however, that changed once we made our way up the stairs at the entrance to the Centre Block. Two never-ending rows of visitors were greeted by a life-size and life-like portrait of Mr. Trudeau. I told myself to keep my head down and not look forward; I thought I would start crying if I could visualize what was a short distance away. When it was time for my 10 seconds with Mr. Trudeau, I touched a tip of the maple leaf on the flag which covered the casket and said "thank you."
I never got a chance to say hello to Pierre Elliott Trudeau, but I take some satisfaction in knowing I made an effort to say goodbye.
John A.H. Morris
We had mentioned in our diary last spring that Prescott had a bona fide hero in its past that the Fort Town could adopt. This was Lt. Col. "Red George" Macdonell of Glengarry who gained fame for leading the Prescott garrison in the capture of Ogdensburg in 1813, as well as leading a Glengarry regiment in the Battle of the Windmill some 25 years later.
Tourism Prescott made some historical hay with Col. Macdonell this summer by having Dr. Peter Bevan-Baker dress up as the Scottish warrior and serve the town well as the MC at the Highland tattoo in June. We hope both continue to grow and become regular features in Prescott's newest promotion.
***
We also uncovered another bona fide Prescott hero the past couple of weeks as we dug energetically into the history of Maj. James M. 'Bubs' Walsh of the North West Mounted Police who was born in the family home at No. 1 Water S., Prescott, in 1840.
We'll save most of his historical heroics among the Indians of the prairies in the late 1800s for our new history book, but will share this one anecdote as sort of a teaser about what's about to come.
Maj. Walsh (then a NWMP superintendent) had been helping to police the Saskatchewan prairies for a few years when in May, 1897, a Saulteaux chief called Little Child, a true friend of Walsh's, had his small camp of about 15 lodges ransacked by a large band of Assiniboines from the U.S., numbering about 200 lodges.
When Little Child refused to conform to their hunting rules, saying he only obeyed the White Chief at Fort Walsh, about 150 Assiniboines in full war regalia tore down the Saulteaux tepees, shot several of their pack dogs, and sent the small tribe scrambling into the woods.
The Assiniboine chief, Broken Arm, warned Little Child he would cut out Walsh's heart if he dared come into his camp.
Words of these threats got to Walsh almost immediately and he reacted right away by sending out a patrol of 25 constables under Capt. Edwin Allen. About two hours later, at 7 pm, Walsh left the fort with a smaller force and soon caught up with Allen and his patrol.
The two units rode until about three o'clock in the morning before they came upon the large Assiniboine camp. Staying out of sight and hearing range, Walsh saw that his men had breakfast and had thoroughly checked their weapons before he moved them to within 400 yards of the 200-lodge encampment.
One by one the Mounties filed through the tepees on the edge of the camp to the central lodge at the middle of the encampment. Then, Walsh, with ten troopers, went into the chief's tent and grabbed him by the arms before he could get up, then hustled him outside where three other chiefs and about 20 braves had also been rounded up by surprise.
They were shackled immediately and moved out of the camp at a trot to a nearby butte where a breastwork was hastily built. With Broken Arm and his three main chiefs the prisoners of Walsh, the Assiniboine camp was left in a turmoil.
Walsh rode to within 300 yards of the camp so that the minor chiefs and warriors milling about could hear him. He told them his prisoners had to go to Fort Walsh to face a trial. "The law is the chief in Canada", he told them, adding that the prisoners would either go to the fort or die there. Following the plea of the prisoners, horses for each of them were brought out to the butte by four unarmed warriors and the troupe moved out "with their men" riding, but shackled.
After a hard ride of about 15 hours (50 miles) they reached Fort Walsh. Broken Arm was sentenced to six months at hard labour with a ball and chain, and the other chiefs received one, two and three months each. The young braves were sent back to their camp in a couple of days following courtroom warnings not to break the law.
This decisive and heroic action by Maj. Walsh earned him another respected Indian name "The One Who Ties You Up". He was also known as "Sitting Bull's Boss" and "White Forehead". To his many schoolboy and militia friends in Prescott he was always "Bubs" Walsh, a boyhood nickname.
Charlie Burrell, active in municipal politics for more than 20 years, will be a candidate in the November race for office for the new municipality of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
Burrell, currently a councillor for the Village of Cardinal, is seeking election as councillor for the east ward in the new township, "to fulfil the amalgamation process."
As a veteran councillor, and with his many years experience in the construction business, Burrell said he feels he would be an asset to the new council. "I am committed to making amalgamation work and promise I will provide strong representation for the East Ward, plus continuing common-sense monetary policies.
"I feel I've worked successfully with past and present councils to help bring Cardinal's infrastructure above government guidelines," Burrell said. "Cardinal is the envy of surrounding municipalities," due to its state-of-the-art water treatment plant, sewage treatment facility and a new, modern municipal building.
"We're the gem along the St. Lawrence for keeping an up-to-date and modern infrastructure.
"We have a good arena and sports facilities, a modern subdivision and future plans for our waterfront," he added.
Burrell is a life-long resident of Cardinal, and feels he has the knowledge and experience to contribute to everyday council decisions. He has been involved in the construction trade for the past 47 years and self-employed for 35 years. He has been married to Gail for almost 44 years; he is a father of three and grandfather of six children.
"A council is only as good as their supporting staff, and the Cardinal office staff and works department staff are going to be a great asset to this amalgamation," Burrell said.
The highly-skilled works department creates large savings by installing water and sewers and doing general maintenance of all the service facilities, he noted, and the recreation board's careful management of the rink has resulted in profits.
Burrell explained that 90 per cent of the employees in the village have a life-long association with the area, and this has contributed to their expertise and knowledge in their fields.
Council has always been generous in its support of the public library, and expects this will continue after amalgamation. "We have an active Friends of the Library group who work hard, but I don't think they should have to provide all the financing."
Being cost-conscious, he said, Burrell voted along with Cardinal Reeve Larry Dishaw and Counc. Jim Pakeman to use the new village municipal building as the main administrative centre for the amalgamated township.
The Spencerville office will require funding for upgrades, while the Cardinal office is an accommodating facility, complete with wheelchair access, generator backup and basement washroom facilities, Burrell explained.
The village office served as the command centre during the 1998 ice storm. "Virtually, it has everything we need," he said, explaining that he furnace can be converted for propane use.
The $250,000 centre "did not cost the taxpayers one cent," Burrell said, since it was funded through sales of lots in the Prosser subdivision. "It was paid for when the last brick went on it."
Burrell said he would like to see the issue of the municipal office readdressed. "I want people to know that it is costing (money) to upgrade the Spencerville building. To remain in Cardinal it would cost about $5 - the cost of some new keys. So the main factor isn't location, but cost."
CARDINAL The village fire whistle will sound at 7 p.m. today, Wednesday, to signal everyone to practice their fire escape plan from their residences. Everyone is encouraged to take part in this event, planned as part of Fire Prevention Week. The Cardinal fire station will be open following the fire drill for anyone who would like to visit and see the trucks and equipment. The hall will be open from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and fire plan drawings for the children's contest need to be dropped off at this time.
CARDINAL A giant rummage sale will be held Saturday, Oct. 21 at Benson Public School. The fun gets underway at 8:30 a.m., and instruction in how to make a gingerbread house will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. with Kelly Tillo, a confections expert. You can enter your own creation in a contest to held Nov. 18. Donations for the rummage sale can be dropped off Friday, Oct. 20 between noon and 4 p.m. Funds raised will be used to purchase extras for the classrooms such as books, software and other supplies. For more information, call Peggy at 657-1728.
CARDINAL Diabetes education programs will be coming to Cardinal starting Oct. 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. This is a free education program designed for adults with Type 2 diabetes. It includes four weekly sessions. Preregistration is required, and since each session builds on the one before, it is important for participants to attend all four sessions.
The One Step Closer program is sponsored by the Rideau Valley Diabetes Project, and nurses, dietitians and chiropodists will provide information on eating well, exercise, self-monitoring of blood glucose, stress and emotion and preventing complications. Medication, hypoglycemia, foot care and changing behaviour will also be covered.
The Rideau Valley Diabetes Project provides assessment, education and support to residents of Lanark, Leeds and Grenville whose lives are affected by diabetes. This community-based project is dedicated to assisting people in developing their strengths to live healthy, active lives.
To register or for information, call Helen McGuire at 283-8481 or 1-877-321-4500.
PRESCOTT Nominations are now being accepted for the 2000 awards program to select Ontario Junior Citizens of the year.
The program is co-ordinated by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association and recognizes the best of Ontario's young people.
If you know a young person who is a resident of Ontario, aged six to 18, who is involved in worthwhile community service; a special person who is contributing while living with a limitation; a youth who has performed an act of heroism; or any youth who shows a commitment to making life better for others, doing more than is normally expected of someone their age - you can help recognize their contribution.
Nominations will be accepted until Oct. 31. Forms are available at this newspaper, or by calling the OCNA at 905-639-8720, ext. 230. Nominees from previous years who continue their noteworthy endeavours are eligible to be nominated again.
A committee of community newspaper publishers and editors will select the award recipients. Up to 12 individuals and one group will be recipients of an award presented by the Lieutenant Governor during the OCNA convention in April. The Ontario Junior Citizens of the Year receive a plaque citing their accomplishments, a lapel pin, $200 and a portrait. All nominees receive a certificate recognizing their accomplishments.
CARDINAL The Cardinal Sea Cadets are celebrating their first birthday as the commissioned corps 338 Defiant.
The corps was born Oct. 3, 1999 in a military ceremony that marked the breaking away from the Stormont group to stand on its own. First review ceremonies staged in May, 2000 summarized a full training year and a move into promotions.
Cadets confirmed or appointed to new positions this fall are P.O.2 Daniel Toupin, Coxswain; L.C. Richard Coughler, Gunner; A.C. Christopher Riddell, Guard Commander; L.C. Nicole Stewart, Intrepid D.P.O.; and L.C. Samantha Allard, New Entry D.P.O.
The Sea Cadets will be travelling to Kanata's Connaught Ranges on Oct. 20 for a weekend of air rifle, archery and obstacle course training.
Other activities throughout the year will include outdoor adventure and marksmanship training, sailing to attain Canadian Yachting Association certification and camping. Cadets meet weekly in Cardinal for mandatory classroom training exercises, and participate in yearly Remembrance Day and Battle of the Atlantic ceremonies.
The goals of the organization are leadership, citizenship and physical fitness.
Cadets can also take part in summer camps, international exchanges to the United States, Britain, Japan and Norway and deployments on Canadian Coast Guard ships and HMC ships. Competitions involving swimming, first aid, drill, band and seamanship are held between corps, which are divided into flotillas. Cardinal is a member of the Rideau flotilla, which takes in six corps between Kingston, Ottawa and Cornwall.
Youths between the ages of 12 and 18 inclusive are eligible to become sea cadets. All expenses for the program for training, courses and uniforms are funded by the Department of National Defence. The Cardinal Branch of the Navy League of Canada provides funding for additional training aids, local equipment, insurance, and is responsible for recruiting cadets and officers. Carol Coughler is the president of the Navy League, while Nancy Toupin is Secretary.
Officers for the local corps are Lt. (N) Charmaine Barton, Supply Officer Debbie Jessome, Administrative Officer Lt. Commander Steven Lear, and Training Officer Lt. (N) Pierre Lefebvre of Valleyfield, Que.
The Navy League will be holding elections for the 2000-2001 training year this Thursday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Cardinal Resource Centre, New Street. Positions available are president, vice president, secretary, public relations, fundraising and treasurer.
The cadet training year runs from September to June.
MAITLAND Two area schools had a strong showing at the Grenville Christian College school invitational cross meet on Thursday, Oct. 5.
Centennial '67 North Edwardsburgh public schools tied for third place overall with Prince of Wales public school. Oxford on the Rideau finished first, while Lyn-Tincap public school took second.
On the individual front, two Central Public School athletes ran to first-place finishes. Heidi Reinstra, 12, won the 2.4 ilometre senior girls race, while Kristen Craig, 11, took first in the junior girls race.
Craig said the 2.0-kilometre race was "pretty hard." She said that she was so happy with her first place finish. When asked if the cool wet weather was a factor in the race, she said it she enjoys wet conditions.
"It's fun," she said. "I splash in all the puddles."
More than 1000 students from 16 elementary schools competed in the meet, held at the school. It had been scheduled for Wednesday but because of rain, was bumped to Thursday. Only Maynard Public School had to pull out of the meet because of the change. Catholic schools didn't not compete because of the cancellation of extra-curricular sports, although Eva Beattie, an organizer of the meet, said that some students did compete as independents. James Elmhirst for example, a student at St. Francis Catholic school, who won the peewee boys race.
Team results
In the peewee girls division, Maitland Public School's team took second place, followed by Centennial '67 North Edwardsburgh public schools. Oxford on the Rideau took first.
Meanwhile, Centennial '67 North Edwardsburgh public schools' team won the peewee division, followed by Maitland Public School, and then LynTincap. Both the peewee girls and boys ran a 1.5-kilometre race.
Centennial '67 North Edwardsburgh's team took third in the junior girls division. Prince of Wales public school took first, while Oxford on the Rideau won second place.
The junior boys winners were Lyn-Tincap, first; Prince of Whales, second; and Oxford on Rideau, third. The junior boys ran 2.4-kilometres.
Central Public School's team took first in the senior division, with Westminster finishing second and Vanier third. The senior girls distance was 2.4 Kilometres.
In the senior division, LynTincap took first, Oxford on Rideau second and Commonwealth third.
The winner of the first coaches' run was Scott Moore of Prince of Wales public school.
About 20 coaches, teacher and parents competed in the 2.4 Kilometre run. Next Friday, Oct. 13 the LGESAA cross-country championship meet will be held at Memorial Park in Brockville.
PRESCOTT In a game that provided both the South Grenville Rangers and the Gananoque Islanders with a number of power plays, it was the Islanders who were able to make the most of the situation and take the win Saturday night at the Cardinal Community Centre.
The visiting Islanders dropped the Rangers 4-1. With a penalty filled first period, both teams had opportunities to capitalize on the power play, at least in the short-term; the advantage was often negated by penalties of their own. The high volume of penalties in the first half of the game kept both teams' goalies busy, but they appeared up to the task.
The first goal, however, was scored shorthanded by Gananoque's Andrew Dickson at 16:05. It was the only goal of the period.
In the second at 8:57, and at even strength, Gananoque's Geoff Jackson scored his team's second goal of the night. By now the chippy play had settled down a bit, but not before both teams had five-on-three chances on which neither team could capitalize. At the end of two periods, Gananoque had a 2-0 lead.
At 6:23 in the third, Gananoque would again get on the scoreboard by a goal from Andrew Dickson, his second of the game.
Finally, with just over a minute left on the clock, Ryan Matte scored the Rangers' only goal of the night. But it was too little too late.
The Rangers had gotten in a hole they weren't able to dig themselves out of. Gananoque didn't let up and in the dying seconds of the game and were rewarded with a buzzer-beater goal.
South Grenville lost 7-2 to Brockville Sunday night. The game was held in Brockville.
PRESCOTT The ladies' closing 18-hole winners were as follows: BLM Low Net trophy winners was Bonnie Labranche; the Stephenson Senior trophy was won by Dale Duncan.
The Alexander Low Gross trophy was won by Dale Duncan; and the Stead Memorial Putting trophy was won by Betty Frantz, Joan Graham and Audrey Moore.
The Low Gross for 'A' flight was Lorna Roberston. 'B' flight was Heather MacKay-Kelso.
Winner of the 'C' flight was Joan Salmon, and the 'D' flight winner was Candy Lamacchia. Low Net for 'A' flight was Nancy Dye. 'B' flight was Ruth Taylor. 'C' flight was Joan Graham, and 'D' flight was Elsie Grimsqaard.
The tournament was followed by a steak dinner barbequed by Bob Lockett and Neil Coulter, both members of the Board of Directors.
The Pat Kirkby Memorial nine-hole champion was Marg Stitt, who shot a 54 on the day. Meanwhile the closing was won by Joan Switzer with a 53, and low net was a Marg Stitt was 40.
Other nine-hole winners were Mary Baker, Helen Donn, Olga Brougham, Betty Morrell, Pauline Johnson and Helen Jordan.
The longest putt of the day was by Joan Switzer.
Volunteers are being sought for the 29th annual Midget AA tournament and the 3rd annual Bantam AA tournament in Prescott and Cardinal, respectively. Anyone interested in joining our committees or just helping with the the Midget AA tournament should call Lorne Raycroft at 925-5576 or Joan McKinnon at 925-2347. For the Bantam AA tournament, call Carolyn Mason at 657-3581.
By JEFF LEE - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Drive by South Grenville District High School on Tuesdays and Thursdays and you might notice soccer players engaged in a little friendly competition.
No, extra-curricular activities haven't started up again at the high school. Rather, students have started up their own after-school soccer league.
Three SGDHS students Matt Moore, Alex Hermens, both in Grade 12 and Adam Turnbull, who is in Grade 11, all had the similar idea to start a league and approached Principal Brenda Ramsay with the proposal.
Moore said the reason why they wanted to start a league was pretty simple: "We just really wanted to play soccer."
And so did about 80 other students. The organizers were given permission to advertise the league and post sign-up sheets throughout the school. The league, which has been running for a few weeks now, has four teams, comprised of about 60 male and 20 female players.
The organizers so far have been able to operate the league at no cost to the students. Initially, they thought they might have to charge a small fee to get soccer balls because they were not able to use the schools. But Prescott and District Minor Soccer Association kicked in the use of their soccer balls. Hermens said that the Prescott Gunners organization also offered the use of its equipment, but the equipment is kept at another field, so the arrangements weren't feasible.
Turnball said that they are still trying to get jerseys for the teams. He said that they approached Ramsay with the request to use school jerseys, but were told no; however, Ramsay said they could use the school's pinnies.
According to the organizers, the pinnies are in poor shape so they are exploring other options for outfitting the teams. They have so far been able to run the league at no cost to the students, and would like to keep it that way. If you are interested in helping out, call Alex Hermens at 658-2114.
PRESCOTT Non-curlers' bonspiel had a chance to take to the ice recently at the Prescott Curling Centre on Henry Street West.
Fifty-four "non curlers" first learned the rules and the techniques of the game from more experienced curlers, then were able to apply their newly acquired knowledge to one four-end game.
Dave Millard, a media-relations specialists with the Prescott Curling Club, which hosted the bonspiel, said this event always generates a lot of interest.
Millard said on Friday, Sept. 29, the night before the bonspiel he received a call from residents in Ogdensburg who wanted to participate in the bonspiel.
Millard said he expected a few non-curlers would have some sore muscles in the legs and in the arms.
Al Durant, who had curled a few times in the past, said he was enjoying the day. "It's going pretty good," he said.
Durant said that they were given good instructions on how to curl and that the instructors have been patient with them.
The regular season started Oct. 9.
Oct. 15 is Little Rocks/Junior Family Day at the Prescott Curling Centre on Henry Street.
From Oct. 24 to 28 is the Opening Mixed Bonspiel at the club.
The Charlie McFarlane Memorial Golf Tournament was held September 13 at the Prescott Golf Club. The annual Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce event, which was named in honour of Joe's father, Charles McFarlane, attracted a field of 156. The foursome of Janice and Dale Kingston, Gord Williams and Ray Young shot an 18-hole score of eight under par, the low round of the best-ball tournament.