THIS WEEK
Pianists to perform Thursday night
PRESCOTT The third performance of the Fort Town Concert
Association's 2000-2001 season will take place Thursday, Feb.
22 at 8 p.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Prescott.
The piano duo of Claire Ouellet and Sandra Murray will perform
pieces originally written for piano duo or transcribed from the
orchestra repertoire. These musicians have earned a reputation
throughout Canada and abroad for the excellence of their performances.
Call 925-3200 or 925-5050 for concert ticket information.
The concert series is being offered in conjunction with Jeunesses
Musicales of Canada.
World Day of Prayer in Spencerville
SPENCERVILLE A special service will be held Friday,
March 2 in Spencerville to mark World Day of Prayer 2001.
The service will begin at 2 p.m. at the United church in Spencerville.
All local residents are invited to join in this worldwide event.
The annual World Day of Prayer began in the 1920s as an ecumenical
day organized by women in Canada and the United States. This
year's service was written by the women of Samoa, an island nation
in the South Pacific.
The United churches in Spencerville and Roebuck and St. Andrew's
Knox Presbyterian Church in Spencerville are represented in the
service's co-ordinating group. The Women's Inter-Church Council
of Canada co-ordinates the World Day of Prayer nationwide.For
more information, contact Lorraine Cleary at 658-5831.
SGDHS talent show March 7
PRESCOTT The South Grenville District High School Energizers
Club is sponsoring a talent show at the school Wednesday, March
7 from 7 to 9 p.m.
All grade levels will be participating in the entertainment,
which involves signing, acting and dancing, said organizer Lorna
Thain, a Grade 11 student.
Proceeds from the show will support a local charity and extra-curricular
activities within the school. Tickets may be purchased at the
door.
Comedy show
returns to Prescott
PRESCOTT Yuk Yuks popular comedy cabaret will be returning
to Prescott this Saturday, Feb. 24 at the Royal Canadian Legion.
Art Hitsman of the Prescott Kinsmen Club which is sponsoring
the event, said tickets for the show are available by calling
925-1315, or any Kinsmen member. Tickets can also be purchased
at the Legion or at Playit Star.
Doors for the event open at 7:30 p.m. The show starts at 8:30,
to be followed by a DJ.
Town hall users
wonder if they will have to relocate
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Two organizations that cater to young people
are wondering how they will be affected by renovations to town
hall.
Squadron 661 of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and Prescott
Youth for Life have their operations based at the Dibble St.
municipal building, although the latter group has relocated to
King St. for the winter months.
Steve Madden, who chairs the squadron's sponsor committee,
said in an interview he has been told by Mayor Robert Lawn a
final decision has not been made. It is also unknown whether
the squadron would be allowed to remain at town hall while renovations
are carried out this spring and summer.
"It is a big question for us," Madden said.
The Department of National Defence and the Air Cadet League
of Canada oversee the formation and operation of squadrons. The
Prescott squadron is sponsored by Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian
Legion. There are upwards of 70 members between the ages of 12
and 18; squadron members come from as far away as Brockville,
Kemptville and Morrisburg, according to Madden.
The local squadron moved into the municipal building 40 years
ago after fire destroyed the Prescott Armouries on King St. W.
The cadets have been using much of the third floor of the building
for classes and training. Now that the gymnasium at town hall
is no longer available, the cadets have been using a gym at South
Grenville District High School.
Madden said the school could be an ideal location for the
squadron. However, the cost of renting space is higher there
compared to town hall. The squadron is considered a charity and
cannot charge its members entry fees, Madden noted. The squadron
would also need office space to store its gear.
The cadet group has been looking into the possibility of acquiring
space in the basement of the Centre St. federal building which
houses the post office and other government agencies. Madden
said the private firm which oversees the facility on behalf of
the public works department did not give a positive response
when contacted.
The matter has been brought to the attention of Leeds-Grenville
MP Joe Jordan, according to Madden.
Even if the federal building were available, the cadets would
still have to use a gym at another site. Madden said it appears
the squadron may not be able to meet all of its needs at one
site no matter which location is used as a base.
But he also noted the only alternative to having to put up
with varying degrees of inconvenience may be to disband the squadron.
"We certainly are in a pickle," he said.
"It may spell the beginning of the end for the squadron."
Madden said the squadron would like to retain the use of the
third floor of town hall. The squadron is also hoping to find
out whether it has to move some or all of its equipment and other
stored items if a temporary move is in order.
He believes the program has meant a lot to former cadets and
the community as a whole. The squadron teaches respect, discipline
and skills which are not available elsewhere; its loss would
be felt throughout the area, according to Madden.
Prescott Youth for Life, a drop-in centre based on the ground
floor, relocated to a King St. location in late December. The
move was to have been for the winter only.
Laurie Kirkby, a member of the Youth for Life board, asked
about the status of the ground floor location at a recent town
committee meeting.
She was told by council members they do not know what the
final plans will be, although it was suggested the two user groups
would likely have to vacate the premises temporarily.
Youth for Life was asked to submit a report to the town. The
group is a United Way agency that operates a drop-in centre several
nights a week for young people from the ages of eight to 18.
Any more casino gambling will not pay off,
business leaders decide
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Spending additional money on a casino that
will not be coming to Prescott is a gamble that will not pay
off, business leaders in the Fort Town have concluded.
The directors of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce
voted Feb. 15 to return contributions to individuals and businesses;
any expenses incurred would be covered by the chamber, the Prescott
Business Improvement Area (BIA) and the town. The town would
pay half of those costs, with the chamber and BIA splitting the
other half.
Sharon Spychi, chairperson of the Friends of the Casino committee
spearheaded by the chamber in conjunction with the BIA, said
the committee had been informed by Enterprise Canada, the consulting
firm hired by local casino backers that the location of the charity
casino appears to have already been decided. The committee determined
there was no point in going ahead with lobbying efforts at this
time.
"I think everyone should be proud of the effort"
made at the local level, Spychi said.
Chamber of Commerce President Bill Pakeman thanked Spychi
and committee members for the work they did.
Town council agreed earlier this month to match funds raised
by the casino committee to a maximum of $10,000. Casino backers
reportedly came close to raising that much money. The BIA had
pledged $2,500. The Prescott-based Grenville Community Development
Centre pledged $1,000 for the development of a business case,
it was noted at the meeting.
Private contributions are to be returned once all outstanding
invoices have been received. Although they do not expect the
bills to be significant, committee members preferred not to speculate
on how much money would have to be paid.
John Morris, a chamber director, said at the meeting the casino
decision had been made prior to the referendums held in November
in Prescott, Brockville, Leeds and Thousand Islands and Gananoque.
The referendums were held to ensure voters in Leeds and Thousand
Islands the reported victor in the casino sweepstakes
voted in favour of having the casino there, according to Morris.
Leeds and Thousand Islands (formerly Front of Leeds and Lansdowne)
was ranked first in KPMG's initial marketing analysis completed
last spring. Each community voted in favour of a charity casino;
the biggest margin of victory on the "yes" side was
in Prescott.
Chamber directors agreed Premier Mike Harris and Leeds-Grenville
MPP Bob Runciman should be sent a letter expressing the chamber's
disappointment with the way the charity casino issue has been
handled. The BIA has also agreed to do the same.
As for the claim a decision has already been made, corporation
spokesperson Jim Cronin told The Journal Monday a "public"
and "transparent" process is being followed.
"We understand all communities are anxious," he
noted.
Once KPMG has submitted its findings, the corporation and
its board of directors will review them. Cronin said he expects
the consultants will submit their report very soon.
"I'm not going to guess what the report is going to say,"
he noted.
The corporation's recommendation will then be reviewed by
Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Tim Hudak.
Candidate communities will be provided copies of the analysis
once a decision has been made, according to Cronin.
Prescott council will send a letter after the casino decision
has been announced, Mayor Robert Lawn said Monday. In noting
council agrees no additional money should be spent, the mayor
added the town has yet to be told Prescott will not be the location
of the charity casino.
Legion outlines cenotaph relocation plan
PRESCOTT Plans are being finalized to relocate the World
War II Cenotaph and the World War I Memorial, the Royal Canadian
Legion Millennium Committee has reported.
The cenotaph is to be moved from its present location beside
the library on Dibble St. to the grounds of Fort Wellington.
The memorial which now stands at Centennial Park will be moved
to the front lawn of the Fort Wellington Legion Branch 97 property
on Henry St.
Committee representative Ed Greene presented the Legion's
plans to town council at its Monday night meeting. The Legion
is seeking council's consent to proceed with the moves.
The cenotaph is to be moved to a permanent and prominent site
at the fort. The committee has reached an agreement with Parks
Canada to relocate the cenotaph to a site adjacent to the fort's
parking lot, Greene said. Parks Canada has agreed to provide
regular maintenance at the site, he added.
The committee is hoping to have the move completed in time
for a rededication during the July 1 weekend, he added.
Greene told council the committee has yet to obtain "real
estimates" of how much the moves will cost. However, he
noted there are federal and provincial grants available for the
cenotaph relocation project.
D.C. Snelling will be the general contractor for the project,
Greene told council.
One concern the Legion will have to address prior to the move
is the manner in which the cenotaph is anchored. "We can't
do too much until we know how it was installed," Greene
said. "We'll just have to go prodding at it."
As for the World War I monument, it is felt relocating it
to the Legion grounds would give the monument better exposure
to the public. The monument is to be moved with the assistance
of the Coast Guard and then refurbished; lighting and landscaping
will be provided at its new home on Henry St.
"The present condition is that of neglect and if allowed
to continue would lead to serious deterioration that is not in
keeping with the respect for our veterans in which it was erected,"
Branch 97 President Ralph Martin stated in a letter Greene read
to council.
Greene also noted the cenotaph does not have a crack in it
as had been believed. A closer examination revealed discolouration
is the problem, he added.
The Legion is also asking for the assistance of Town Engineer
Clyde Solomon if required, as well as any monetary assistance
that may be available.
Mayor Robert Lawn indicated council would not take long in
providing a response to the Legion's request.
"We will not keep you waiting long, sir," he said
to Greene.
The previous town council offered verbal support for the cenotaph
relocation proposal last fall.
Town council agrees to lease office, meeting space in former
bank building
PRESCOTT Municipal staff will have a place to work when
proposed renovations to town hall begin this spring.
Prescott council agreed Monday to lease the former Bank of
Montreal building at the corner of Edward St. and Churchill Rd.
for temporary office and meeting space. The six-month agreement
would go into effect April 15 at a cost of $1,000 per month plus
utilities. The arrangement could be extended on a month-by-month
basis under the same terms and conditions, according to the motion
approved by council.
Town officials looked at several locations and found the former
bank to be most suitable, Councillor Garry Dewar said. Dewar,
who is also a member of the town hall renovation committee established
recently, noted the facility is fireproof and air conditioned
and should provide enough room for municipal offices and council
meetings. The building also has a vault which will be used by
the municipality.
The town will be the only tenant when the lease begins this
spring; Steve's Golf Academy is the current tenant.
Prescott council has yet to finalize its renovation plans
for the Dibble St. municipal building. However, it appears the
preferred option will see offices remain on the second floor.
Town officials have indicated they expect the project will
go to tender by April and be completed this fall.
The temporary relocation of municipal offices does not include
the public library.
Ogdensburg attacked in military re-enactment
OGDENSBURG Military re-enactors from as far away as
Nova Scotia, Toronto and Southwestern Ontario converged on Ogdensburg
Sunday for the 188th anniversary commemoration of the Feb. 22,
1813 capture of the city by the Prescott garrison.
The re-enactment of the battle took place at Lighthouse Point
in the west end of the city and attracted a small crowd from
both sides of the river. A member of the re-created Canadian
Fencibles said about 100 people took part in the battle, many
making special efforts to travel through severe weather conditions
from Utica and Rome, N.Y.
The Capture of Ogdensburg has been an annual event since 1984.
The battle saw a combined Anglo-Canadian force under the command
of Lieut.-Col. "Red" George Macdonell cross the frozen
St. Lawrence and route the U.S. Garrison under the command of
Major Benjamin Forsyth.
The 20-acre site resounded to the boom of artillery and rattle
of musketry as re-enactors depicted such storied regiments as
the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles, Incorporated Militia
of Upper Canada, Canadian Fencibles and 49th and 89th Regiments
of Foot engaged their modern-day counterparts depicting Forsyth's
Rifles (First U.S. Rifle Regiment), First U.S. Light Artillery
and various militia units.
The original daring early-morning attack on Ogdensburg was
carried out by Macdonell, second in command at Prescott's Fort
Wellington, in direct contravention of orders issued by the then-military
governor of Canada, Sir George Prevost, and was in retaliation
for raids conducted by Forsyth and his men on Brockville and
Gananoque.
Despite the cautious attitude of his superiors, Macdonell
itched for a chance to strike a blow at the foe across the river.
On the morning of Feb. 22, 1813, Macdonell of the Glengarry Light
Infantry set out from Prescott with a force of some 480 regulars
and militia to capture the strong United States military post
at Ogdensburg. Advancing across the ice, Macdonell's force presented
an easy target for the enemy artillery, but after a fierce battle
of about two hours, the American garrison of some 500 men was
routed and Ogdensburg fell.
Sunday's recreation of the capture was the kick-off of the
2001 re-enacting season for most War of 1812 re-enactors.
Chest pains? Don't wait to check it out
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
If Harry Cook could offer any advice for those suffering chest
pains, it would be to seek medical attention right away.
"When you start to have pains, for goodness sake, get
checked out. It's going to get worse," said Cook, who is
on the mend following quadruple bypass surgery at Kingston General
Hospital last October.
A resident of Cardinal, Cook credits the Heart and Stroke
Foundation of Ontario with taking some of the worry out of his
ordeal. The information supplied by the organization was helpful
and supportive, and seminars were well-prepared, he noted.
"They were very good," said Cook, who remains active
in community affairs.
"You knew exactly what was going to happen. Everything
was right on. It took some of the worry out so it wasn't so bad.
They have it down like clockwork. I was grateful for the extra
help (from the foundation)."
It was on a cold, frosty day in 1986 that Cook first noticed
signs of trouble. He couldn't catch his breath, and was diagnosed
with angina after a stay at Brockville General Hospital. Angina,
or a tightness and pressure in the chest, can occur when the
heart muscle is not getting as much oxygen as it needs.
Cook managed well without pain or the use of prescribed nitroglycerin
medication for several years, often shovelling snow or doing
yard work. Then last summer, he was raking in the yard when he
felt chest pains. Within four months he had undergone bypass
surgery.
"I wish I hadn't waited this long, but they said it was
a good job I did go (for help early)," Cook said, noting
he was a little more tired than usual, but his pains were not
severe.
"I'm very lucky. I was healed in three weeks. The hospital
was good."
Even though some of the hospital's recovery instructions may
seem "silly", Mr. Cook said, "follow what they
tell you. Use your common sense. I was very fortunate, I healed
quick."
If he hadn't gone for help when he did, Cook said he may have
suffered a more serious heart attack or stroke.
While Cook is unable to pinpoint exactly what caused his heart
problems, he said he had been a heavy smoker up until about 40
years ago. He was diagnosed with non-insulin dependent diabetes
in 1991, the same year he retired after 31 years as a transport
driver for Phillips Cables.
Cook and his wife, Betty, are now looking forward to enjoying
summer camping again. They have taken many cross-country motor-home
trips in Canada and the United States, but this year, they may
take it a little easier camping at Charleston Lake.
"We don't like to sit around," Cook said, explaining
he walks 40 minutes each day on a treadmill.
Prior to his operation, and his wife's knee surgery last spring,
they couple walked about two miles each day. When he was younger,
Cook enjoyed playing hockey and skating.
Cook, who is now 70, remains active with the Cardinal branch
of the Royal Canadian Legion as second vice president and as
membership chair. He also serves as treasurer for the Riverside
Seniors.
The Cooks also enjoy the company of eight grandchildren, three
great grandchildren and four children: Larry, who lives in South
Carolina, Wendy and Lisa, both of Brockville, and Scott, who
lives in the home next to his parents.
AUGUSTA COUNCIL BRIEFS
Subdivision lots for sale
MAYNARD - Augusta Township council will be listing for sale
four subdivision lots in Domville for $13,500 each.
Reeve George Vail explained at a Feb. 12 meeting of council
the lots were given to the township by the developer, Robert
Kelso, in lieu of paving the road in the subdivision.
With a cost of approximately $64,000 for paving, Vail said
the township would be losing about $15,000, an amount for which
the developer is responsible.
The road is now paved.
The lots have previously been listing for sale by the township
at a higher price.
Library board members appointed
MAYNARD Several people were appointed to the Augusta
Township Public Library Board at council's meeting Feb. 12.
The library board members are Lynda McKittrick, Anne MacMillan,
Lynn Galvin, Jacquie Kelly, Janis Evans, Betty Warren and Bill
Carlyle. Councillor Jane Fullarton and Deputy Reeve Morris Stark
will be the council representatives on the township's library
board.
Augusta dedicated to recycling, report shows
MAYNARD - A year-end waste management report on recycling
in Augusta indicates the township is ahead of other municipalities
in the province for dedication to recycling, Councillor Doug
Barton said at a Feb. 12 council meeting.
The number of vehicles that went into the Maynard landfill
in 2000 totalled 50,597, while 15,270 went to the North Augusta
site, he said.
The total weight of recyclable goods was 488 metric tonnes.
The amount of cardboard and paper is increasing, but this does
not produce any revenue at this time, Barton noted.
About four or five years ago, cardboard was a money maker.
Only aluminum cans and white glass bring in revenue at this time,
he said.
The provincial government should be giving more grants to
large industry to make recyclables profitable again, Barton suggested.
"But we are ahead of the provincial average and the counties
average" for recycling rates, Barton said.
"It's just a case of educating the people that if they
keep throwing it in the dump, it costs us to have it trucked
away.
"If you recycle, you can help reduce those costs, which
are your tax dollars."
Runciman named
economic development and trade minister
TORONTO Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman has accepted
a new position in the provincial cabinet.
The former consumer and commercial relations minister was
sworn in Feb. 8 as economic development and trade minister as
part of a cabinet shuffle. Runciman replaces Al Palladini, who
resigned from cabinet the previous week.
The local Progressive Conservative MPP has now held five different
cabinet posts.
Runciman told The Journal last week he would be meeting early
this week with his predecessor and senior staff to get a better
handle on the challenges he will face in his new position. "I
am just starting the learning process," he said.
The MPP added he is "quite enthused" about the new
job and trying to strengthen the provincial economy and stimulate
trade, something he said he has always seen as a government priority.
However, Runciman acknowledged he is taking over the position
at a time when there is "some consensus" about an impending
slowdown in the economy being signalled by layoffs in the auto
sector.
Runciman assumed the post of consumer and commercial relations
minister following the Conservatives' June 1999 election win.
The MPP said he enjoyed that position, adding there were a number
of achievements in such areas as public access to electronic
government services as well as agencies like the LCBO and the
Beer Store.
Runciman conceded the demands of being a minister and a member
of four legislative committees puts pressure on his time and
the task of representing his constituents.
"It's certainly more difficult when you're in cabinet,"
he said.
But Runciman added he has good people working at the riding
level, and he tries to get out on weekends to meet people and
not lose that personal contact.
Runciman was first elected to the provincial legislature in
1981 and has been re-elected five times. His twentieth anniversary
as the party's local representative was celebrated last Thursday
at the Conservative riding association's annual general meeting.
"It's hard to believe... It seems to have flown by,"
Runciman said.
He added there have been more ups than downs, and the past
20 years have been for the most part very rewarding.
"There is a high degree of job satisfaction in this position,"
stated Runciman, who thanks the people of Leeds-Grenville for
giving him the opportunity to represent them at Queen's Park.
Prior to being elected MPP, Runciman worked for nearly 20
years at what is now the Nitrochem facility in Maitland.
Garden club members
beautify township
ALGONQUIN Augusta Township's Friendly Garden Club continues
to grow strong, mainly due to the healthy nurturing and care
of its members.
Spearheaded by former township librarian Denise Maloney, the
group was originally formed in Aug. 1996 to beautify the grounds
at the new library.
After the library was moved from its portable classroom at
Algonquin Public School to the renovated old schoolhouse just
down the highway in 1995, the self-described "gardening
fanatics" decided to spruce up the property at the new location.
Through volunteer effort and a love of living green things,
the club transformed clay, rocky soil that produced a few shrubs,
to a country oasis admired by library patrons and township visitors.
The 25-member group started from scratch, digging up garden
borders along three sides of the building, and amending the soil
with Henry Streekstra's nutrient mix.
The edging was dug, soaker hoses added, and members donated
their expertise and their own plants from home gardens. A 15-foot
sugar maple millennium tree has been planted, and a plaque will
soon be added.
Marcia Johnstone arranged for a 40-gallon rain barrel to become
home for gold fish to keep the mosquito population in check and
to prevent the rain water from going rancid. Members also share
ideas on various vegetation and colours to ensure the site is
attractive throughout the seasons. A garden trellis has been
fashioned from willow twigs.
The next step is to extend the borders across the front of
the adjacent rink. Ongoing projects include weeding, deadheading,
spring and fall cleanup and amending the soil.
Club members have also donated the majority of plants found
within the library.
Members meet monthly at the library for informal, friendly
meetings, to discuss new projects or share gardening knowledge,
and exchange plants, cuttings and seeds. Trips to various flower
shows, green houses or garden-related outings are often organized.
All meetings are open to the public. The next meeting, to
be held Wednesday, Feb. 21, will feature guest speaker and township
resident Connie Mitchell of Future Releaf, an environmentally
conscious gardening and landscape service. She will be discussing
the use of native shrubs to attract birds.
Club member Laurie Young said they have received many positive
comments on the attractive gardens that have become a real show-stopper.
"When a bunch of people get together who enjoy gardening,
the energy just hits the roof," Young said. "The ideas
just come out."
Many of the members have a garden specialty: Streekstra has
great success with begonias, Maloney has 40 different varieties
of iris in her home garden, and Johnstone has 101 plants inside
her home. But you don't have to be a gardening expect to join,
members say. They're happy to share their knowledge and zest
for green things, if only through a phone call.
For more information on the garden club, contact Johnstone
at 926-2671.
Town asked to support
proposed washroom facility
PRESCOTT Town council has been asked to support in principle
a proposed change room and portable washroom facility to be located
just west of Prescott and south of County Road 2 near Merwin
Lane.
Graham Cudlipp led a delegation of residents of the area and
diving enthusiasts that outlined to town council Monday the group's
proposal to have a facility for scuba divers established on land
owned by the Township of Augusta. Township council offered a
reasonably positive response last week when the group made its
pitch in Augusta, Cudlipp told Prescott council.
"I am hoping it is of interest to Prescott as well,"
he said.
Volunteers would see the facility is secured each night and
that garbage is collected on a regular basis.
Mayor Robert Lawn told Cudlipp his request would be discussed
at the committee level and there would be a response in the near
future. The mayor also indicated he would like to think council
will support the initiative.
Public speaking competition held
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
The Maynard Public School grade 7 and 8 public speaking final
competition was held Thursday, Feb. 15 at the school.
Ten finalists selected from over 140 speakers delivered their
speeches in the gymnasium in front of their grade 7 and 8 classmates,
staff and guests.
Matthew Fox won the gold medal with a speech on the making
of the movie "The Matrix". Geoff Millard was the silver
medalist with his speech "Avalanches" and Colin Thain
won bronze with his speech "Guitars". The winners are
eligible to go on to the Legion Public Speaking Competition which
will be held Feb. 20 in Spencerville.
Public speaking is an important part of the elementary school
curriculum. Students start in grades 1 to 3 with story telling.
Primary students choose a favourite story and tell it to their
classmates.
This gives children their first experience speaking to a large
group of their peers. By Grade 4 students are expected to write
their own speeches to deliver to their class. Speech writing
is taught in class, including how to catch the audience's attention
with a snappy introduction and a thought-provoking conclusion.
Mr. Barrington, who teaches Grade 8 at Maynard school, says
students could choose to write a speech to provide information,
to explain a process or event or simply to entertain.
Many students did extensive research on their topics. Students
were judged on their fluency, speech content, expression, volume,
articulation, poise, eye contact and dependency on cue cards.
Barrington congratulated all of the finalists on their outstanding
efforts.
Club's annual pike derby nets big prizes
JOHNSTOWN The Grenville Fish and Game Club sponsored
another successful pike derby Saturday, with 250 anglers participating
in the event at Elevator Bay, near the Bridgeview Marina.
Derby chairman Mac Peterson said it was a "super, fantastic"
day, with 229 adults and 21 junior fishers registered to take
part in the derby. Anglers travelled from as far away as Cornwall,
Orleans and Gananoque.
There were 63 pike caught, of which 47, including the largest
of the day, were released.
Seven perch were weighed in for the free children's perch
derby, held in conjunction with the pike derby. Each child received
a gift package which contained items from local businesses and
manufacturers. Free hot chocolate was served to children all
day. Curtis Visser won a trophy for a .44 lb. perch.
The temporary fishing village on the ice consisted of about
75 structures, which ranged from a tent to a camper trailer,
Peterson said. The derby boundary limits were from the Johnstown
grain elevator east to the west boundary of Grenville Park.
Prizes of $100 were awarded for the largest fish caught in
each two-hour time period. Winners were Dan Hunt, who won twice,
for fish that weighed in at 6.94 lbs. and 6.82 lbs.; Shawn McCoye,
for a weight of 4.64 lbs.; Glen Robinson, at 12.48 lbs. for the
largest catch of the day; and Brad Gipson, at 6.54 lbs.
Hidden weight prizes were awarded to Blake Sullivan (3.72
lbs.); Tom Wert (3.38 lbs.); Ann Baily (2.5 lbs.) Jim Hodge (4.86
lbs.) and Richard Seguaine (4.24 lbs.)
New public library
opens in Spencerville
SPENCERVILLE Residents of the Spencerville area now
have access to a bigger and better public library.
A large crowd gathered Sunday afternoon to mark the official
opening of the building. The new library is located on Henderson
St. (formerly Victoria) a short distance from Centennial Public
School. The library used to be housed in a small building on
the school property; the new facility measuring 28 feet by 60
feet is at least twice the size of the old one, civic leaders
noted at the opening.
Marie Thomson, the former Edwardsburgh council representative
on the township's library board, said it is nice to see the community
project reach a successful conclusion.
"I am glad it is done," she said. "It's been
a struggle... but it is such an improvement" over the old
library, Thomson added.
The new location was purchased in June 1999 by the Township
of Edwardsburgh. A partnership involving the municipality, its
public library board and the Friends of the Edwardsburgh Library
was formed, according to Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Mayor Dave Dobbie.
In addition to acquiring the property, the township provided
a new foundation, roof, siding and other infrastructure requirements.
The library board and Friends group raised funds for the new
branch through events and donations from groups and individuals.
Both Thomson and Dobbie noted the donation of $20,000 by the
Connell family is what got the project moving.
"It is important for people of all ages to have a library,"
said Ruth Connell, who attended the ceremony and cut the ribbon
to officially open the facility.
"Children have an opportunity to use the library and
gain a lot of knowledge in an enjoyable way," she added.
An estimated $35,000 in donations has been received. Thomson
pegged the total cost of the project at about $125,000, although
she noted a final figure has yet to be determined.
She acknowledged the project has taken longer than expected,
but most of the work was completed prior to the amalgamation
of Edwardsburgh and Cardinal at the beginning of this year. The
new facility is known officially as the Spencerville Branch of
the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library; the other branch is
in Cardinal.
Many people who attended the open house Sunday had good things
to say about the new library and its many features. Librarian
Marva Sothmann said the old facility made it difficult to offer
special programs. The absence of usable space, running water
and washrooms meant that programs would have to be kept short
or held at other facilities such as the Legion.
But that will change at the new library, according to Sothmann.
There are more tables and chairs for people to sit and read.
Storytelling and crafts programs for children will be offered
during the upcoming March Break.
The property's proximity to the school is seen by library
and municipal officials as a major asset.
The mayor said the new library is an example of infrastructure
a community needs for its residents and to entice growth.
"It's great to see a facility like this," Dobbie
stated.
There is still some work to be done at the new library. In
addition to an entrance ramp and other items at the front of
the building, air conditioning is to be installed.
Additional features such as a finished basement may also be
considered down the road, Thomson said.
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