Augusta reeve expects higher taxes and prosperity to mingle
in 2001
MAYNARD Homeowners in Augusta Township may see an increase
in their taxes in 2001, but Reeve George Vail expects this to
be coupled with improved services and prosperity for the people.
In a New Year's Day message, Vail said a reassessment of industrial
taxes from the provincial level, down through the counties and
the municipalities, could affect residential rates.
The spin-off from industries getting a break, he said, may
be new industries moving into Augusta, and retaining the ones
that are here.
Downloaded services, such as the land ambulance service now
being managed by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville,
will also contribute to increased taxes, Vail said.
He feels, however, that better service will be provided in
the case of the ambulance issue being handled at the local level.
"Truly, people realize, if we want to maintain or improve
services it will cost more," Vail said. "On the good
side, it will be better in the long run. The money has to come
from some place if responsibilities are turned over to us.
"People know its inevitable and I want people to be prepared."
The reeve does not expect amalgamation to be in the forefront
this year.
"As far as Augusta is concerned, it is not an item. It
has to benefit the residents of this township, otherwise I have
no need for concern over it. Amalgamation is on the back burner,
but we don't close the door to things."
Vail would like to see co-operation and shared services between
neighbouring municipalities continue.
Road maintenance, fire, policing, equipment and personnel
are areas of co-operation that can be shared, he said. "We
help one another out now and I'm willing to continue. We have
a good system."
Vail said he's looking forward to being Augusta's official
representative on counties council, which holds its inaugural
meeting Jan. 10. He has already been appointed to the St. Lawrence
Lodge committee, and expects further appointments at the first
meeting.
"I'm looking forward to the coming year," Vail said.
"I want us to be really proactive in trying to bring business
to Augusta Township and really be there for the people. I hope
for a prosperous 2001 for everyone."
Edwardsburgh and Cardinal officially join
By Jeff Lee - Journal Staff Writer
SPENCERVILLE The mayor of the new municipality of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
expects hardships along the way as both the council and staff
learn the ropes, but he is confident that the meshing of the
township and village will be a success.
"I would think that there are going to be some rocky
roads for the next three to six months," said Dave Dobbie
Tuesday morning at the swearing in of the council of the amalgamated
township and village. "But I'm sure the staff and the council
will be able to overcome [the difficulties] and be able to mesh
the two former municipalities into one.
Dobbie said this change in mind set might be the biggest challenge
facing the new municipality but that he is confident it will
happen.
This isn't the first time the township and the village were
one. Prior to 1878 and the incorporation of the Village of Cardinal,
Cardinal was part of the Township of Edwardsburgh. The incorporation
severed the township's political link with the village, states
the Edwardsburgh Township History, published by the Edwardsburgh
Historians. However, the village continued to have close ties
with the township since many township residents were employed
by the Edwardsburgh Starch Company and many other village businesses
the book states The two municipalities are once again sharing
both economic and political ties.
In the lead-up to the amalgamation, the council-elect met
with both municipal councils to discuss political issues affecting
their municipalities. At the Edwardsburgh meeting, the council-elect
decided to employ a committee system rather than a committee-of-the-whole
format. The township has used this system for many years, Dobbie
said, with a good deal of success.
Committees such as the Roads Committee will be established
consisting of three councillors along with residents of the municipality.
The original deadline of Dec. 29 has passed for residents to
be part of committees; however, because the municipality didn't
get the necessary numbers needed to fill the committees, people
can still respond either by correspondence or by phone if they
wish to sit on a committee.
"The committee system, in my opinion works very well,"
Dobbie said. "Any issues that come to the floor for a certain
committee are of course diverted to that committee. And they
have the opportunity to make recommendations to council, and
in most cases council accepts the recommendations. This means
our council meetings are more fluid."
The council will discuss the committees at its next regularly
scheduled meeting, Dobbie said.
The council consists of four veterans of municipal government:
Mayor Dave Dobbie, and councillors Peter Martin, Bill Sloan and
Marie Thomson. The three "rookies" are Dan McDonald,
Peggy Taylor and Frank Noccey, although Noccey has sat on both
the former
Township of Edwardsburgh Planning Committee and the Committee
of Adjustment.
Dobbie said the process of meshing Edwardsburgh and the village
is going to be a learning experience for the entire council.
The whole amalgamation process is new for each and every one
of us," he said.
He said he expects that the staff of the newly-formed municipality
will also have to learn as it goes about the day-to-day operation
of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
The Transition Board, which consisted of both councils and
wrapped up at the end of December, has put together the township
structure, Dobbie said.
"It's not perfect," he said. "And I'm sure
that the new council will modify parts of the structure that
they put together..."
First baby of 2001
born to local couple
OTTAWA - The first baby of 2001 in this area was born in Ottawa
to Tammy and Richard Grima, who reside on a large farm between
Cardinal and Johnstown.
Ashton Richard Lee Grima made his debut Jan. 1 at 12:30 a.m.
after almost 48 hours of labour. He weighed six pounds, three
ounces.
"He's safe and sound. He's like a miracle," said
new mom Tammy from her hospital room Tuesday morning, with the
tiny baby gurgling close by. "He is sweet."
The couple had planned to have the baby at Ottawa Hospital
following prenatal care by an obstetrician/gynecologist in that
city and by Dr. Bhatt in Prescott.
The new family expected to return home Tuesday afternoon,
where dad Richard manages a 32-head purebred Charolais beef cattle
farm. A pony named Buddy that came as a Christmas gift also awaits
its new little rider.
"It's been pretty exciting for us," Richard said,
noting the family has gained wide media attention for the New
Year's birth. "It'll just be nice to have them home."
While the newspaper, television and radio exposure was at
times stressful and upsetting, Richard said the hospital staff
were "out of this world, super people."
The Grimas own Tropical Exposure tanning studio and hair salon
on King St. W. in Prescott, and Tammy also works part-time at
the Royal Bank in Prescott. Right up until the birth of her son,
she had been working at her mother Carol Kirkby's Village Pantry
store in Spencerville.
"Tammy's a pretty active woman," her husband said.
"Now she'll be able to enjoy her son and have a relaxing
time hopefully.
"It's just been a whirl-wind of year for us," he
said, explaining they were married in July after living together
for more than seven years.
Traffic on St. Lawrence Seaway decreased slightly
last year, management group reports
PRESCOTT The St. Lawrence Seaway continues to be a vital
transportation link for industry and agriculture in North America.
The 2000 shipping season, the 42nd in the history of the seaway,
ended Dec. 26 as the last ship passed through the St. Lambert
Lock near Montreal. Guy Véronneau, president of the St.
Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, stated in the release
the 2000 season's results are similar to those of the previous
year in terms of commodity movement and revenues.
Traffic on the Montreal/Lake Ontario section of the seaway
totalled 36 million tonnes this past season, a decrease of 1.3
per cent from the 1999 total.
"We have maintained the healthy level of traffic typical
of the last five years, despite low water levels in the Great
Lakes and reduced grain shipments," Véronneau stated.
Cargo traffic on the Welland Canal totalled an estimated 37
million tonnes during the 2000 season, a decrease of 1.5 per
cent from the previous year's total.
The leading commodity to pass through the Great Lakes/St.
Lawrence Seaway System in 2000 was steel; 4.6 million metric
tonnes of it passed through the system, an increase of 18.3 per
cent over last year.The volume of grain shipments decreased by
6.2 per cent in 2000. Commodities associated with the steel industry
declined by approximately one per cent.
In terms of overall results, the corporation surpassed its
business plan targets for the third consecutive year.
The St. Lawrence Seaway includes 15 locks and connecting channels.
Maintenance of the system's infrastructure is carried out during
annual winter closures.
The 2001 navigation season is scheduled to begin March 23;
this would be the earliest opening date on record. The 2000 season
opened March 27 and continued for 275 days.
Although the seaway is closed, the Port of Montreal and the
St. Lawrence River remain open during the winter.
Town police report quiet holiday season
PRESCOTT The Prescott Police Service investigated a
total of 110 general incidents between Dec. 18 and Jan. 1, but
things appeared to be relatively quiet during this past holiday
season.
Town police stopped an additional 720 vehicles during that
period as part of the Festive RIDE campaign. No impaired driving-related
charges or licence suspensions resulted from those RIDE checks.
Prescott police received a report Dec. 23 from a woman who
said her client and credit cards were stolen and $1,800 had been
removed from various accounts. The investigation is continuing.
Two break-ins occurred on Dec. 28 and/or Dec. 29 at Fort Town
Floor Fashions and Hollywood Hits on Water St. In the latter
case, a Play Station unit and 27 games with a combined value
of more than $1,500 were taken. The break-ins remain under investigation
by town police.
Anyone with information about these and any other offences
is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Divers take the New Year's Day plunge
PRESCOTT A New Year's Day tradition made quite a splash
again this year in Prescott.
Divers from both sides of the international border gathered
at the municipal dock near Sea'N Sky Scuba to take the plunge
and explore the bottom of the St. Lawrence.
The annual polar bear dive has been held for several years
and continues to attract participants from throughout Ontario
and elsewhere.
Derrick Clark, a year-round diver from Ottawa, made the return
trip to Prescott Monday. Clark found his 35-minute dive so enjoyable
he wanted to do a second dive.
"For this time of year it's mild," Clark said of
the air temperature (-9°C) and relatively light winds which
compare favourably to past dives.
He said there was more ice on the river at the dock area and
upstream than there has been on New Year's Day in past years.
The water temperature near the shore was at the freezing mark.
Clark said the dive is a challenge in terms of a diver's equipment.
His colleague, Abdul Southam, said the event showed that he has
to work on his diving equipment.
But Southam added he enjoyed his dive, which was his first
in Prescott at this time of year. He also noted that Kevin Benish
and the folks at Sea'N Sky were quite helpful and supportive.
Divers were treated to a sauna and dinner.
Southam noted that divers in this stretch of the St. Lawrence
have access to shipwrecks as well as various fish species and
numerous objects at the bottom of the seaway.
Clark said he plans to return next year and continue to make
the New Year's Day dive a tradition.
Local Odd Fellows, Rebekahs donate medical
equipment for use in Eastern Europe
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT The end of an era in the Prescott area will
provide some relief to youngsters in other countries.
The Odd Fellows and Rebekah lodges based in Prescott are taking
much-needed medical equipment they are no longer lending to local
residents and donating it to a Brockville-based group which will
send it to Ukraine and Belarus for use by children.
The Odd Fellows and Rebekahs formed a cancer, polio and tuberculosis
group in the mid-1930s, according to Loans Cupboard Chairman
Howie Countryman. Bingos and euchre nights were held, with the
proceeds going towards the purchase of crutches, wheelchairs
and other items many families could not afford to obtain on their
own. "We loaned it to people free of charge," Countryman
noted.
But some of the equipment is showing signs of age and is no
longer suitable for use locally. The lodges do not plan to replace
the equipment and have opted to discontinue the equipment loan
service.
Instead of throwing it away, Countryman got in touch with
Karen and Steve Henderson of Brockville, who are involved in
Canadian Aid for Chernobyl and the effort to assist children
who live in Ukraine and Belarus in the former Soviet Union. The
equipment is still of use over there, and Karen "just about
flipped" when she heard how much would be donated by the
lodges, Countryman said. "They need everything" over
there, he added.
Five hospital beds and about 35 walkers were among the items
donated by the Odd Fellows and Rebekahs. There were an estimated
40 to 50 pairs of crutches and at least 10 commodes. Four pick-up
truck loads were gathered Dec. 11 at the Henry St. W. hall and
taken to Kriska Transportation, which has agreed to store the
items and eventually ship containers to Europe.
Countryman, who with the help of assistant Robert Reid have
been handling the loans cupboard for more than a decade, is asking
anyone who still has borrowed equipment and is no longer using
it to return it to him; the number to call is 925-4569. He estimated
there may be enough items left to fill another pick-up truck.
Any additional items will be added to the shipment expected
to go out sometime in February, according to Countryman.
Those items still needed by local residents do not have to
be returned, he said. "If it's still in use, keep it."
Retailers report solid sales this holiday
season
PRESCOTT The holiday season appears to have been a successful
one for local retailers.
Merchants contact by The Journal indicated sales were
at or above those of last Christmas.
Wilf Peters reported a "very busy" season at his
three stores in downtown Prescott. Peters said sales were "way
ahead" of last year for just about everything satellite
dishes, big-screen TVs, appliances and other big-ticket items.
Business continued to be strong throughout the holidays, according
to Peters. "It was just as busy after Christmas," he
said.
Angie Astleford, manager of Biba on King St. W., said business
was good this holiday season and compared favourably to the previous
year.
"A lot of people stayed in town to shop," she said.
Astleford added some customers made note of the fact they
had gone to places like Ottawa and did not find much difference
there in terms of prices.
The one disappointment came Christmas Eve a Sunday
which Astleford said was a bust in terms of sales; there was
no last-minute rush. She said Saturday, Dec. 23 was the biggest
day of the season. The store also did well Boxing Day, she added.
Jane Burton's first holiday season as operator of The Gift
Lane in downtown Prescott was a good one. She said she was not
sure what to expect going into the season, but sales were better
than she expected.
Burton said some customers were surprised that merchants would
refer shoppers to neighbouring stores.
Although the holiday season for many retailers begins in early
November, Burton noted the upswing began with the Light Up the
Night parade Nov. 24. It was if someone flipped a switch and
the Christmas spirit began, she remarked. The holiday season
accounts for 40 per cent of The Gift Lane's total business for
the year, according to Burton.
In noting she found the busy season to be tiring but fun,
Burton added she continues to be impressed and overwhelmed by
the people in this community who have offered their support since
she took over the store last spring.
Mayor emphasizes need for co-operation
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT The value of working together to improve life
in Prescott cannot be overlooked, according to Mayor Robert Lawn.
In a year-end interview conducted Dec. 30, the mayor outlined
his objectives for the new council which is entering the second
month of its three-year mandate. Instead of focusing on specific
issues with which council must deal in the months ahead, Lawn
talked about the ways in which he hopes the town will try to
meet the needs of the community.
The mayor said that everybody has been disappointed by the
economic downturn and job losses Prescott experienced in recent
years. "But I think every community believes tomorrow is
going to be a better day," he added.
"I'm hoping we can help to improve the outlook for our
community," Lawn said. "My general feeling is people
are a little bit up."
The mayor said the new council continues to familiarize itself
with the issues and is not quite ready to develop the "team
focus" for which he is hoping. "We are still in a 'getting
to know you' phase," Lawn said.
Lawn said one of his goals is to improve communications between
council and the electorate. The town has begun to advertise on
a monthly basis dates and times of various council and committee
meetings.
The mayor is offering to meet with individuals and groups
and is hoping other council members will also try to be accessible
to the public. Lawn is considering a regular event such as a
mayor's breakfast as part of an effort to open those communication
lines which he notes go both ways.
Co-operation involving Prescott and its immediate neighbours
is something Lawn plans to work on in the months to come. "To
me, that's how we are going to survive: working as a larger geographic
group," the mayor said. Communities are interdependent on
one another and cannot afford to operate in isolation, according
to the mayor.
Lawn also noted the need for co-operation between the town
and various community organizations and service clubs, as well
as among council members and municipal staff.
The mayor said it may not be as easy to do as it sounds, but
better communication and co-operation is a foundation on which
the town should be based. Although he acknowledged there are
a number of challenging issues facing council, Lawn is upbeat
about the town's prospects.
No one injured as Boxing Day fire guts house
PRESCOTT A Boxing Day fire that caused extensive damage
to a house in Prescott has been ruled an accident.
More than 20 firefighters responded to the call that went
out at about 12:30 p.m Dec. 26. Thick smoke was billowing out
of a building at 357 West St.; flames destroyed much of the centre
and upper level of the home.
No one was home at the time of the incident. The two adult
occupants, a woman and man in their 20s, had left the house earlier
that morning. Her three young children were not at home that
morning.
No firefighters were injured. Air paks were used extensively
because of the thick smoke inside the house.
Portions of the main level of the house were spared from major
structural damage; however, smoke damage was extensive.
The fire originated in the downstairs stairwell, according
to Fire Chief Bill Lawrence. Although he maintains the fire was
accidental, Lawrence said he could not confirm with certainty
the actual cause of the blaze.
Firefighters doused the flames and managed to get rid of most
of the smoke within an hour of their arrival, but residual smoke
and the threat of hot spots between walls made it important for
firefighters to remain on the scene and monitor the situation
throughout the afternoon and evening. Aside from a couple of
hot spots that had to be doused later in the afternoon, Lawrence
said there were no additional problems with respect to the state
of the building.
An ambulance was dispatched to the house that evening after
the woman who lives there returned and complained of chest pains,
the fire chief said. The victims of the fire were able to make
temporary living arrangements.
Estimates pegged damage to be in the range of $75,000. The
homeowner is insured. Lawrence indicated the structure may have
been left in tact, but a fair amount of rebuilding would be required.
Walls would have to be replaced.
Winter festival expected
to be bigger and better than ever
SPENCERVILLE With a healthy dose of winter weather,
the third annual Spencerville and District Winter Festival should
be bigger and better than its two previous editions the chairman
festival committee says.
"Last year we probably had the worst winter conditions
for a festival - freezing temperatures and no snow," said
Larry Dempsey. "But the festival was still bigger than the
[previous] year."
Dempsey said that if the wintery weather continues, he expects
this year to be the best year yet for the festival, which will
run from Jan. 19 to Jan. 21.
While most of the activity for the three-day festival will
occur on the fair grounds in Spencerville, a number of events
will be held at the Spencerville Mill, including a Christmas
tree bonfire on Friday. Also on Friday, between 5 to 11 p.m.,
there will be musical entertainment held in the mill as well
as ice skating. Christmas trees can be dropped off at the mill
until Jan. 19.
On Saturday, a fundraising breakfast for the new Spencerville
library will be from 9 to 11 a.m.at the Drummond Building. Then
Sunday, a brunch will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., also at
the Drummond Building.
Some form of entertainment will accompany both breakfasts;
however, Dempsey said that times and dates are still finalized
for the performances as well as other festival events.
On Saturday, a mid-distance dog sled race will be held. Dempsey
expects anywhere from 15 to 40 teams will compete in the 18-mile
race, which will start from the grandstand and loop around to
Limerick and back. Also, there will be a lumberjack competition.
In the evening from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m., there will be a dinner
and dance. Tickets can be purchased at the Village Pantry or
the municipal building, both in Spencerville.
On both Saturday and Sunday, throughout most of the day, there
will be horse-drawn sleigh rides.
On Sunday, the South Nation River will be converted into a
drag strip for snowmobile races, with drivers from Quebec, Southern
Ontario and the U.S. expected to go head-to-head with local racers.
The races will be held at the mill.
Also on Sunday, there will be a hockey game between the OPP
and the Edwardsburgh Volunteer Fire Department and a five-kilometre
Fun Race as well as a mutt sled race, which is open to all dogs
35 pounds and up.
First luncheon of year set for next week
The first Seniors' Luncheon of the new year will be held on
Jan. 10 at the MERC Hall. This month's luncheon will be catered
by the volunteers and the menu will include chicken pot pie,
cole slaw and carrot cake. The entertainment will be provided
by a quartet from the Brockville Lady Barbershoppers.
The Seniors' Luncheon is an excellent opportunity for area
seniors to have an outing where they will meet neighbours and
friends. The luncheon is from noon to 1:30 p.m. Call Cheryl Battams
at 342-3693 to confirm your attendance.
The Augusta Public Library is looking for volunteers to help
in a number of areas. The Friends of the Library need new members
to be able to continue their work. The Friends volunteer at the
library and help run special events such as the recent used book
sale.
The Friends have held many fundraising events over the years
to help purchase enhancements for the library. If you have a
little extra time to give to your community consider becoming
a Friend of the Augusta Public Library. Call the library at 926-2449
for more information.
The Augusta Library is also looking for young volunteers to
act as helpers with its computers. The library now has five computers
with Internet access for use by patrons. Student volunteers are
needed to help library patrons if problems arise while they are
using the computers.
Students with excellent computer skills could provide help
with searches on the Internet, and could provide technical support.
Students who volunteer at the library could earn hours toward
the secondary school requirement for community volunteer service.
Call the Augusta Public Library if you can help.
Johannes Vanderspank, 72, of Iroquois
Johannes Henricus (John) Vanderspank, RR 2 Iroquois, died
Dec. 10, 2000 at Winchester and District Memorial Hospital following
a three-month illness. He was 72.
He was born August 10, 1928 in Schyndel, the Netherlands,
the son of Johnannes Vanderspank, who died in 1983, and Johanna
Van Eyndhoven, who died in 1974.
A resident at his last home for the past three years. Mr.
Vanderspank had also resided in Metcalfe, Balderson and Cardinal.
He had been retired as a real estate agent, farmer and merchant.
Mr. Vanderspank was a member of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church,
Cardinal.
He married Rosalina (Rose) Gelissen Oct. 22, 1952 in Ottawa.
Mr. Vanderspank is survived by his sons John (Geraldine) of
Ferguson Falls, and Bill of RR 2 Iroquois; daughter Rosemary
(Ronald) Crawford of RR 2 Iroquois; brothers Piet (Jacqueline)
of Vanier, Harry (Jet) Jos, Mies, Theo (Gonny), Chris, Toon (Ria),
all of Holland; sisters Petra (Bill) Vanden Tillaart of Metcalfe,
Marie, Jo (Jan) Vermeer, Riek (Hank) Simons, all of Holland;
and sister-in-law Jo Vanderspank of Holland. He was a brother-in-law
to Mary (Bert) Vandenberg of Stittsville.
Mr. Vanderspank was a grandfather to John Gerald, Amanda,
Brandi, Jamie, Matthew and Cody Vanderspank, and Jason and Leslie
Crawford. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by an infant daughter, Betty; brothers
Cor and Wim, and a sister Joke Vanderspank.
Mr. Vanderspank immigrated to Canada in Feb. 1951. He enjoyed
fishing, golfing and curling. He spent many years camping with
his foster children. He was a foster parent to 60 children over
a period of 21 years. He started out as a milkman in Ottawa,
worked as a farmer in Metcalfe, then as a merchant in Balderson.
From there he moved to Iroquois as a farmer and then on to Cardinal
as a merchant. He was very proud of becoming a real estate agent
where he remained until his retirement in 1995. He spent his
retirement gardening, golfing and curling.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home,
Iroquois, Dec. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral
was held Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Cardinal,
with Father Bill Powell officiating. Interment was at Sacred
Heart Cemetery, Cardinal.
The honourary pallbearers were Carl Gilmer, Gerald Wynands,
Martin Pepers. Active pallbearers were Paul Brunet, Hans Vanderspank,
Jamie Vanderspank, Ronald Crawford, Jason Crawford and Leslie
Crawford.
Orville Bernard, 103, of Prescott
Orville Bernard of Prescott and formerly of Spencerville,
who experienced life in three centuries, died Wednesday, Dec.
13, 2000. He was 103.
Mr. Bernard was born April 4, 1897 on a small farm in Quebec's
Eastern Townships, one of eight children. He left home at the
age of 12 to work on farms in the area for 50 cents per day,
room and board included. In 1923 he, his wife Hester Smith, whom
he married in 1921, and their five children moved to Renfrew
to make a fresh start. They later had five more children.
He worked for local farmers before moving to North Gower in
1942. By 1945 the family had saved $500, enough for a down payment
on their own 100-acre-farm northwest of Spencerville. The farm
was later passed to Mr. Bernard's son Ronald, and is now operated
by his grandson Tim Bernard.
Mr. Bernard had milked 18 cows when he was farming; today,
his grandson milks 40 and their farm has expanded to 300 acres.
After retirement at the age of 65, Mr. Bernard built a bungalow
and stayed on the farm for a few years after his wife died in
1978. He lived with two daughters in Kemptville before returning
to the farm to live with his son until 1998, when he moved into
his 70-year-old daughter Bernice MacDonald's home in Prescott.
Mr. Bernard was the loving father of Glen Smith of Kemptville,
Ralph (Rene) of Renfrew, Orville Jr. (Reta) of Brockville, Ronald
(Isabel) of Spencerville, Corrine Pigeon of North Gower, Viola
Perrin (John) of Prescott, Bernice MacDonald of Prescott and
Delta Grant (Mansel) of Cardinal.
He was the father-in-law of John Sauve of Perth and Willis
Brown of Prescott. He had 40 grandchildren, 77 great grandchildren,
25 great, great grandchildren and one great, great, great grandchild.
He was predeceased by daughters Mildred Sauve and Vivian Brown,
son-in-laws Horace Cryderman and Gordon Cunning and daughter-in-law
Joyce Bernard.
Visitation was held at the Grant Brown Funeral Home, Purcell
Chapel, Spencerville, on Thursday, Dec. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. and
from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service was held in the chapel Dec.
15 at 1 p.m. Interment took place at Roselawn Memorial Gardens
in Maitland.
Memorial donations to the charity of your choice would be
gratefully acknowledged.
In a newspaper article written about Mr. Bernard when he was
102, he had credited "a combination of hard work and living
a good, clean life" as the reasons for his long, healthy
life. He was witness to a century full of change and was happy
he was healthy heading into the next one. "I'm thankful
I'm still going and still able to navigate on my own," he
had said. "I worked hard all my life but didn't abuse myself.
I guess that's why I've lived so long.
"We never know what the good Lord has planned for us.
I'll just have to wait and see."
MacEwen increases presence in Prescott
PRESCOTT The MacEwen Petroleum sign is now a fixture
in the north end of Prescott.
The company built a new service station and convenience store
at the intersection of Edward St. and Irvine St. The business
opened Nov. 9 and is being run by proprietor Gail Barton.
It is not the first time a gas station has been located at
that site. MacEwen purchased the property earlier this year and
created "a bright new look for this Edward St. corner,"
Barton said.
The new MacEwen outlet is the only service station in town
that now sells diesel. The business is also set up to allow customers
to pay at the pump if they so desire.
Hill-Court Convenience store offers a variety of snack and
grocery items and includes a coffee nook. Wide selections of
video, DVD and Play Station rentals are also available.
The business employs two full-time and five part-time staff.
"We're local people who have lived in the community a very
long time" and who can offer friendly service, Barton said.
She also pointed out that MacEwen is a family business based
in Eastern Ontario that also has outlets in Quebec and New York.
Although she indicated things are going well at the new MacEwen
outlet, Barton noted there were a couple of minor glitches when
the business opened. Computer problems meant that gas was being
pumped more slowly than usual; a debit machine at the pumps also
malfunctioned. Those problems have since been corrected.
Drivers should be prepared for changing conditions
SOUTH GRENVILLE Motorists should be prepared for changing
road and weather conditions this winter, according to the Ministry
of Transportation.
Drivers should plan ahead by checking weather forecasts and
road condition reports before they leave. The toll-free number
to call for road condition information in Eastern Ontario is
1-877-401-8777. Information is also accessible on the ministry's
web site: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english. If a storm is expected,
drivers may want to consider delaying their start time or cancelling
the trip. Motorists should give themselves extra time to get
to their destination if a storm is expected or road conditions
are in question.
Keeping a vehicle in good mechanical condition is advised.
It is also recommended that motorists should top up the gas tank
on a regular basis; they should also have in the vehicle a blanket,
an extra heavy coat, high-energy food items and hot beverages.
Motorists who get stranded should try to stay calm and remain
in the vehicle. The ministry also notes lighting a small candle
inside the vehicle can warm the interior by as much as 4.5°C.
Windows should be kept open slightly to allow fresh air to
enter the vehicle. Run the engine sparingly.
The ministry also suggests inexperienced winter drivers or
those who need to brush up on their skills consider taking an
advanced driver course that teaches emergency driving techniques.
|
