Prescott pride shines at Harbour Days events
PRESCOTT - Harbour Days made quite a splash this year. The
annual three-day Victoria Day weekend festival was deemed a big
success by lead organizer Mike Boyles.
"There seemed to be a lot more people around," he
told The Journal Monday.
Boyles said it would be difficult to provide an accurate estimate
of how many people attended Harbour Days. However, he did note
there were about 700 children at the various kids' day activities
held Monday at the waterfront.
Sunshine and above-average temperatures, especially on Sunday
and Monday, helped make this year's festival a success. "We
had fantastic weather all the way through," Boyles said.
Harbour Days ended on a high note as kids and their families
flocked to the amphitheatre area. Activities included a teddy
bear picnic, petting zoo and pony rides and free boat rides.
Mayor Robert Lawn said he was delighted to see so many people
attend the various Harbour Days events. "This place is a
people place," the mayor said Monday at the marina. Lawn
also said it is nice to see a day in which children are "front
and centre."
He added it is a great feeling to know Prescott has a sense
of community that visitors can see for themselves at events such
as Harbour Days. "That is what being a small community is
all about," Lawn said.
Sunday is usually "our quiet day," according to
Boyles. But hundreds of people turned out to listen to the Parr
Christie Singers and the Brockville Lions Steel Band at the Kinsmen
Outdoor Theatre. There was a good turnout at the breakfast and
barbecue hosted by Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion. An
outdoor service was conducted by St. John's Anglican Church,
followed by the blessing of the harbour by Reverend Gerry Ring.
Sunday also marked the official opening of the 2001 season
at Fort Wellington. The national historic site featured settlers
dressed in period costumes, the firing of a cannon and other
special activities.
The opening of harbour Days coincided with the end of the
Downtown BIA Sail Days. Boyles said there appeared to be a lot
of shoppers both downtown and in the business area in the north
end of town.
"I think the merchants did big, big business," he
said.
One of the goals of Harbour Days and the other events lined
up this summer is to bring people into Prescott, Boyles noted.
Several members of one group who attended the steel band performance
indicated they had never been to Prescott before.
Boyles also pointed out there is free admission to events
at the outdoor theatre and kids' day, even though Tourism Prescott
and other backers of the events incur costs. Boyles added Harbour
Days could not have been a success without the effort made by
the volunteers and other supporters of the various events and
activities.
Boyles is hopeful the success of the Victoria Day weekend
is a good sign heading into the rest of the tourist season.
"We must be doing something right," he remarked.
As for building on the success of this year's Harbour Days,
Boyles said organizers are starting to talk about what to do
next year. He encouraged groups and businesses with suggestions
to come forward.
Local electricity rate hikes proposed
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities (RSL) is proposing
rate adjustments which would see customers in Prescott and Cardinal
pay more.
However, a Hydro One rate increase that takes effect next
week ensures most Ontarians will be paying more for their electricity.
RSL has submitted proposed rate adjustments to the Ontario
Energy Board.
Rideau St. Lawrence was formed last fall when local utilities
in four communities Prescott, Cardinal, South Dundas and
Westport were amalgamated to form a new corporation. Canadian
Niagara Power Company also has a stake in the new utility.
It was agreed prior to amalgamation that rates would be harmonized
in all four communities.
The end result is a proposed increase of 6.2 per cent in Cardinal
and 5.1 per cent in Prescott. Rates would decrease by 0.7 per
cent in South Dundas and 5.8 per cent in Westport.
John Walsh, CEO of Rideau St. Lawrence, told The Journal
Friday there are two parts to the adjustment of rates. In
addition to combining rates in the four communities, there is
also the issue of the financial return to shareholders. RSL is
overseen by a board of directors which includes representatives
from each municipal stakeholder.
The average residence in Prescott using 1,000 kilowatt hours
of electricity per month pays $79. If the RSL application is
approved, the average monthly bill would eventually increase
by about $4. The rate adjustments would be phased in during a
three-year period.
The public has 14 calendar days to file notices with respect
to the application. Walsh does not expect any rate increase would
be approved and implemented before the end of June.
The RSL application deals with the distribution costs and
not the price it pays the supplier of the electricity. Hydro
One rate increases associated with the retirement of the debt
incurred by the former Ontario Hydro take effect June 1. Walsh
noted customers in South Dundas and Westport will still be paying
more than before because any reduction from RSL would be offset
by the Hydro One hike which RSL passes on directly to the consumer.
He added it is a coincidence the RSL rate adjustments are
being sought at a time when the Hydro One hike is to take effect.
Musical Ride headlines big show at fort
PRESCOTT June 1 is shaping up to be another big day
in the Fort Town this spring.
On the heels of the successful Harbour Days, Prescott will
be hosting an appearance by the world-famous RCMP Musical Ride.
The show at Fort Wellington will also include music and the annual
Naval Gun Run.
The entertainment begins at 5 pm with a performance by the
Brockville Lions Steel Band. The gun run will follow at 6:45
pm when the colour party of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97 and
the Spencerville Pipe Band lead the Canadian Navy-Maritime Atlantic
Forces onto the fort field.
A 40-member team will re-enact military procedures used during
the Boer War. The team will use ropes and pulleys to disassemble
and transport a 900-kg cannon and gun carriage from ship to shore;
the unit will then be reassembled and fired.
The gun run will be followed at 7:30 pm by the musical ride
which consists of 32 horses and riders performing cavalry drills
choreographed to music. The RCMP ride was founded in 1876 by
what was then known as the North West Mounted Police and has
become a Canadian icon known around the world.
Unlike recent performances in other communities in Leeds and
Grenville, admission to the musical ride and other events at
the fort that evening is free; donations will be accepted.
The musical ride is being presented by Tourism Prescott in
conjunction with several partners: the Toronto Dominion Bank,
Prescott Rotary Club, Fort Wellington National Historic Site,
Prescott Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97, Prescott Lions Club
and the Town of Prescott.
The Rotary Club will be selling refreshments at the event.
For more information, call Fort Wellington at 925-2896.
THIS WEEK
Friends of the Library to be re-established
PRESCOTT The Prescott Public Library is resurrecting
its friends group after several years in an effort to improve
the library facilities, services and operations.
The first meeting of the Friends of the Library will be this
Thursday, May 24, at the Dibble Street West library. Anyone interested
in volunteering for the library and brainstorming on fundraising
ideas is welcome to attend. The meeting begins at 6:30 pm.
For more information, contact the Prescott library at 925-4340.
Public meeting June 6 on subdivision plan
ALGONQUIN The 60-lot subdivision proposal in Algonquin
will be the topic of a public meeting taking place Wednesday,
June 6, at the Augusta Public Library in Algonquin.
An information session and open house is scheduled from 4
to 7 pm for those interested in learning more about the proposal.
The meeting portion will begin at 7 pm.
Written or oral presentations either in support of or in opposition
to the proposed plan can be made at the meeting.
The subdivision is located on Lot 29, concession 5 in the
village. The residential building lots will be in excess of one
acre, and will be serviced by privately-owned well and sewage
disposal systems. Entrance roads to the area will be from Algonquin
Road on the south side, and from County Road 15 on the north
side.
Smoking in bed
has its risks
PRESCOTT Fire officials hope a recent incident will
serve as a wake-up call to smokers.
Firefighters responded to a call last Wednesday at about 11:50
pm. A mattress in an apartment at 183 King St. W. had caught
fire.
Residents of the building got out safely; no one was injured.
Prescott Fire Prevention Officer Brent Norton reminds the
public of the dangers associated with smoking in bed. He also
noted the importance of having an operational smoke alarm, as
well as checking and replacing batteries on a regular basis.
Firefighters found one of the smoke detectors in the vicinity
of the fire did not have a battery.
The fire caused minimal damage, according to Norton.
Fun and entertainment at Cardinal Legion
CARDINAL Bring the kids to the Royal Canadian Legion
in Cardinal this Saturday, May 26 to meet the Bashers.
This event will be a stopover on the group's trip to Toronto
from Ottawa.
The Bashers are part of the special-events team at Variety,
and will have clowns and old-model cars to show off. The event
begins at 11 am.
Community volunteer feels at home in French Immersion classroom
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
There's not much that could drive Rocky away from his "Kriska
Kids" at Boundary Street Public School in Prescott.
Roch Allen, a Prescott resident and truck driver for Kriska
Transportation, visits the French Immersion students each Friday
at the school, volunteering his time in the classroom. Nicknamed
Rocky by the students who have become a second family to him,
Allen insists there could be no better way to spend his time
than by helping them with French language skills.
A native of Richmond, Quebec, Allen starting volunteering
at Boundary when it became the French Immersion centre for South
Grenville in Sept., 1999. Each Friday, he visits the Grade 5
and 6 classes, encouraging the students' use of French through
casual conversation. Together, they play map and sports games,
talk about road safety and various aspects or truck driving,
the importance of education and staying away from drugs.
"I force the education and talk against drugs, too,"
Allen said. He added he lets the students know "even as
a truck driver," they need to learn math, geography, computer
and language skills. "Everything is important."
The students are encouraged to speak in French as much as
possible, with responses given by Allen in French and English
for full understanding.
Allen explained he was Kriska's first French-speaking truck
driver when he started working for the company eight years ago,
and does most of the runs to and from Quebec. He arranged his
work schedule so he could be with the students weekly. "It's
worth the (loss of) money for me to be with the kids," Allen
said.
"I'll do everything to be off work for the kids. I could
work on Fridays, but I would rather be here. I love it - I would
like to get involved more with the kids."
Allen has four children and five grandchildren of his own,
but is not able to see them often. He explained the Boundary
students are like his family, so the more students who join the
program, the more he will make himself available.
French Immersion started its first year with 16 students,
who are now nearing the end of Grade 6. The second class of 30
students will soon finish Grade 5. Already, 44 students have
registered for the third intake starting in September, and a
waiting list has started.
"I'll split myself in three," Allen said in explaining
how he'll cope with the high numbers in three separate grades.
"I don't want to quit the kids. I can't leave them because
I want to see them graduate. I'll be there. Really, they are
my kids. It doesn't matter if they're mine or not, we're all
friends."
Allen also collects toys from other truck drivers to give
to the children at CHEO at Christmas. Last year, there were 72
children who had to spend Christmas in hospital, and Allen was
happy to bring them a little joy. "The more I can do for
kids the better it is."
French Immersion teacher Jillian Wainwright said Allen's presence
in the classroom has been a huge benefit to the students.
He is able to reinforce oral French language skills through
various activities, she said, while giving the students exposure
to a different accent and ways of speaking. "It's good they
hear somebody else speaking French other than me."
The students have little opportunity to use the language outside
the classroom in their everyday lives, Wainwright explained,
so this helps broaden their experience and language development.
"It's good for them to be able to interact in a conversation
with him.
"The kids love him," Wainwright said. "They're
very upset if he doesn't come on a Friday."
But Allen's commitment to the students doesn't end on Fridays.
He attends their open houses, special events and concerts, and
already has a Christmas surprise planned for them.
His wife, June, bakes special treats for the classes. And,
he's lined up some Kriska trucks to be washed at the Grade 5's
upcoming car wash so they can earn extra money for their class.
"He's wonderful," Wainwright said. "They see
that interest. It makes them feel very good about themselves,
because there's somebody so interested in what they're learning."
McCully Road conditions debated
MAYNARD The condition of McCully Road in Augusta continues
to be a source of aggravation for homeowners.
Henry Arbeau, a resident of the road for 23 years, told council
at its meeting May 14 that while McCully Road is a dustbowl,
the township is using an excessive amount of calcium to deal
with the problem.
In an ironic situation, Reeve George Vail pointed out another
long-time resident of the road had approached council just last
month asking for additional applications of calcium to deal with
the severe dust situation.
"The calcium is just unbelievable," Arbeau said,
noting for years he had an agreement with the roads department
to not have the chemical spread on the road in front of his house.
However, he said the roads crews are now applying it in heavy
amounts at the end of his driveway.
"We're watching our friends and relatives die everyday
from cancers and all kinds of diseases." Arbeau said that
while calcium may not be a cancer-causing agent, he wonders about
its effect on the environment and on ground water.
"It would be nice to stop putting this poison on our
roads," Arbeau said. "It's a little bit excessive."
Arbeau said he would prefer to see the road left in a rough condition
and ungraded to slow down the traffic on the straight stretch
of road.
Deputy Reeve Morris Stark, who is also chair of the roads
committee, commented the township would then receive complaints
the road is too rough.
"So what do we do, just poison everybody to death? In
the meantime maybe they'll stop complaining," Arbeau commented.
"It's kind of a situation where you're between a rock
and a hard place," Vail said, adding various people who
live on the road are all asking for different things. "You're
damned if you do and damned if you don't."
Council did not discuss the issue any further at the meeting.
Chamber pushes for development committee appointments
PRESCOTT Some directors of the Prescott and District
Chamber of Commerce are calling on town officials to place more
emphasis on economic development.
Members of council were once again put on the defensive at
the May 16 directors' meeting. Council had yet to approve a list
of local economic development committee members as it had done
for other municipal appointees to various boards and committees.
Mayor Robert Lawn had indicated at the April directors' meeting
the names had been inadvertently left off the final list approved
by council at the beginning of this year.
That point was reiterated last week by Councillor Garry Dewar.
Chamber director and development committee member Wilf Peters
reiterated his concerns about the oversight and went on to suggest
he and other people in town are unhappy with what he called the
"secretive" way decisions were being made by the town.
Peters went on to state tenders for the town hall renovation
project had gone out without council's approval.
Councillor Jim French indicated he did not realize the tender
had gone out. French noted he had seen the list of contractors
compiled as part of a pre-qualification process initiated by
the town. The councillor added it does not mean council will
necessarily accept any of the bids submitted.
As for the issue of the appointment list, French said he and
Dewar would guarantee the matter would be addressed. The subject
was to be discussed at last night's council meeting.
SCHOOL SCENE
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL Friday, May 25, the hot
lunch is hot dogs. On Saturday, May 26, Boundary is having their
community breakfast, yard sale and bake sale. Breakfast is being
served at 8 am. Come out and join us!
On Monday, May 28, five of our students took top honours for
their artwork with the Upper Canada District School Board. There
will be a special presentation at Brockville Collegiate Institute
at 12:45 pm. Their work will be framed and hung at our local
hospitals. Congratulations to Krista, Cody, Joel, Jessie and
Celene.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL The hot lunch this week is hot
dogs.
All money pledged for the Jump Rope for Heart must be handed
in on Friday, May 25.
On Wednesday, May 16, Mr. Pratt and Mrs. Blair took their
students tree planting at Dr. Peter Tripp's Farm.
MAITLAND PUBLIC SCHOOL On Thursday, May 24, Mrs. Bell
and Mrs. Kellar's classes are visiting Upper Canada Village for
the day. On Friday, May 25, our budding performing artists get
to strut their stuff at 12:45 pm in our talent show. Parents
are welcome to attend.
Mrs. Fenlong and Mrs. Grant's classes are going to Upper Canada
Village Tuesday, May 29. Wednesday, May 30 is our annual Mayfest
night. Come out and join the fun!
OPP NEWS
ATV taken from residence
EDWARDSBURGH Grenville County OPP are investigating
the theft of a four-wheeler from a Pittston Road residence. The
blue 1992 Suzuki 300 with black fenders/runners and a rear rack
fitted with a piece of plywood to make a bench seat was stolen
during the overnight period of May 18-19. Anyone with information
is asked to contact the investigating officer, Constable Jason
Butcher, at the detachment (925-4221) or call Crime Stoppers
at 1-800-222-8477.
Fire destroys stolen vehicle
AUGUSTA OPP officers were called May 16 to the Polite
sand and gravel pit on County Road 18. A 1985 GMC 4X4 reported
stolen in North Grenville the previous day was found at the pit;
the truck had been destroyed by fire. Anyone with information
is asked to contact Constable Rick Foley or Crime Stoppers.
Pickup truck stolen
SPENCERVILLE A grey 1999 GMC pickup truck was stolen
from a Spencer Street residence late May 16 or early May 17,
according to Grenville County OPP. The truck has a black cab
with "Hubbard & Co." on the cab and on the rear
of the vehicle. Constable Chuck Doran is the investigating officer;
he can be reached at the Prescott detachment. Anyone with information
on this theft can also call Crime Stoppers.
Tractor-trailer units targeted
EDWARDSBURGH Police are investigating a case of mischief
and attempted theft involving three tractor-trailer units parked
at Angelo's Restaurant on County Road 44. The incidents occurred
sometime between May 18-21. Contact Constable George Duke at
Grenville County OPP or call Crime Stoppers with any information
relating to this case.
Driver charged at customs
JOHNSTOWN A 37-year-old Ottawa man was charged with
failing to provide a breath sample as a result of an incident
May 21 at the international bridge. OPP officers were called
after a customs inspector stopped a vehicle travelling in an
erratic manner. The man is to appear May 25 in Brockville court;
he was also served notice of a 90-day administrative driver's
licence suspension.
Carpentry students
build porch for mill
SPENCERVILLE The Spencerville Mill has replaced its
two-year old "platform" with a replica 1905 porch.
Twenty-six Algonquin College heritage carpentry students completed
the project at the mill at the end of April. Using traditional
building techniques, the students built the 12' x 14' white pine
timber porch. The students built the frame on site before hoisting
it into place.
Pat Murphy, an instructor with the carpentry program, said
the types of construction techniques to build the porch were
similiar to the ones used in the late 1800s.
Bruce Hopson, the mill's operations manager, said the new
porch will enhance the overall look of the mill.
Murphy said although the large number of students is a little
high for the size of the project, it does allow students some
hands-on experience. It is also a necessary component of the
curriculum.
He said working in a controlled environment like this "quasi-classroom"
setting also allows for a review of the safety procedures and
highlights things the students learned during the program.
The program has done work at various heritage sites throughout
the area, including Watson's Mill in Manotick and Upper Canada
Village in Morrisburg.
With the completion of several major projects at the mill,
this season is shaping up to be one of the busiest yet.
The Spencerville Mill Farmers' Market is set to open June
23, and will run throughout the season Saturdays from 8 am to
noon on the mill property. The market is open to local farmers
and artisans; the mill is still seeking vendors. There is no
fee to register.
For more information, call John De Jong at 658-5508.
WALKER HOUSE NEWS -
By Willy Sieling Heuvel
Walker House was the very lucky recipient of a donation of
a weaving loom from Howard Cleary, in memory of his wife Doris
E. Cleary (Runnels). We would like to acknowledge Jacquie and
Howard for their generous donation. It will be used by the weaving
group for many years to come.
Reservations for tickets for the BBQ June 2 must be in by
Tuesday, May 29, so meat etc. can be bought. The BBQ starts at
5:30 pm.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st,
Joyce Nesbitt; 2nd, Findley Hill; I won the door prize. Tuesday
cribbage high hand, Hilda Hutton and Bea Hemsley; high
score, Mary Reynolds; 2nd, Jean Annable; 3rd, Myrtle Shahan.
Wednesday evening bridge 1st, Andy Britnell; 2nd, Eleanor
Gilligan; Charlie Steiner won the door prize. Thursday evening
euchre 1st, Jeannine Marion; 2nd, Eleanor Gilligan and
Jean Annable; 3rd, Alice Crowder; Helen Barr won the door prize.
Quilting is finished for the season and will start again in
the fall. Hats off to Elsie Lawrence.
Little cars make for big fun at annual Soap Box Derby
PRESCOTT George Street was the scene of plenty of action
Monday morning as the annual Soap Box Derby hit the road running.
Twenty-nine youngsters took part in the event presented by
the Kiwanis Club of Prescott. Spectators lined the George Street
course from Dibble to Henry streets to cheer on the racers, many
of whom had spent a lot of time and effort getting their cars
ready for the big day.
This year's derby consisted of two classes: Kit and Hobby.
Mathew Robbin placed first in the Kit class, followed by Travis
Keck in second and Patrick Greene in third. The consolation winner
was Curtis Washburn; Justin Perry placed second, and Chris Rice
came in third.
The winner of the Hobby class was Tatyana Antonow; second
place went to Tony Florio, with Zack Fleming coming in third.
The consolation winner in Hobby class was Chris Hoogwerf, followed
by Lucas Denneboom in second and Kenny Polite in third.
All participants received a bag of prizes donated by local
merchants.
The theft was a cut
above the rest
AUGUSTA Crime Stoppers Kingston and District and the
Grenville County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police
are seeking the public's assistance in solving a theft from a
residential garage on Johnston Road.
At some point during the last week of April, a person or persons
entered the garage and removed a Noma 18-horsepower lawn mower,
Stihl saw and Black and Decker skill saw.
Police would also like to speak to two suspicious-looking
males seen driving an old black Ford truck in the area at the
time of the incident.
Anyone who has information about this theft or any other criminal
activity is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Callers do not have to identify themselves, and their information
could make them eligible for cash rewards.
Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display or any other
form of caller identification.
|
