Spencerville Fair opens Thursday
Annual event marks 146th year with four days of fun and
excitement for all ages
SPENCERVILLE The Biggest Little Fair in Eastern Ontario
is just around the corner.
The 146th Spencerville Fair opens this Thursday, Sept. 6.
The four-day event presented by the Spencerville Agricultural
Society will once again offer a wide variety of activities and
events for people of all ages.
The 2000 edition of the fair drew great numbers, and event
organizers are hoping to build on last year's success and the
long-standing tradition of the fair.
Many volunteers in the community have put a lot of time and
effort into continuing the tradition that has made the Spencerville
Fair one of the top events of its kind in the region.
The midway and other general fair attractions begin Thursday.
There is no admission charge that day.
The holstein show organized by the Grenville Holstein Club
begins at 6:30 pm.
Judging of the 4-H Club Shows begins Friday, Sept. 7 at 10
am. A pet show featuring youngsters and their animals also starts
at 10 am at the community centre. Friday's pony and horse show
begins at noon. The big mammoth pumpkin weigh-in is set for 7
pm at the Drummond Building.
The community centre is the place to be Friday night. The
second annual Little Sir and Little Miss Spencerville Fair Pageant
will take place at 7 pm. It will be followed at 8 pm by the Shania
Twin Tribute Show and the Spencerville Fair Ambassador Competition.
Light and heavy horse shows kick off Saturday activities Sept.
8. The shows begin at 9:30 am.
The fair parade forms at Centennial '67 Public School. All
entries should be on site by 9:30 am to be judged. The parade
will leave the school at about 10:30 am and head for the fairgrounds.
The Spencerville Pipe Band and Brockville Lions Steel Band will
perform following the parade.
Sheep, goat, jersey and purebred beef cattle shows are scheduled
for the late morning and early afternoon hours.
The baby show begins at 1 pm at town hall. The opening ceremonies
will take place at 1:30 pm. Brian Coburn, Ontario's minister
of agriculture, food and rural affairs, is scheduled to attend
the opening.
The official kick-off will be followed by horse races at the
grandstand. It had been incorrectly noted in last week's paper
the races would be held Saturday night as part of the horse show.
Battle of the Bands, a new event featuring local musicians,
will begin at about 2 pm at the community centre.
The Saturday Night Horse Show at the Drummond Building starts
at 7:30 pm. The other big event of the night, a teen dance, begins
at 9 pm.
The Spencerville Fair Western Game Show will begin Sunday,
Sept. 10 at noon at the Drummond Building. The grandstand is
the place to be for a smashing event at 1 pm when the demolition
derby shifts into drive.
Agricultural, home craft and culinary exhibits will be on
display from Friday until Sunday at 4 pm.
A weekend bracelet good for all events can be purchased in
stores and at the fair gate.
Pay-one-price midway tickets will be available Thursday and
Sunday.
There will be admission fees for the Friday night show and
pageant, as well as the horse show and teen dance on Saturday
night.
A full schedule of Spencerville Fair events appears in this
week's Journal.
Teachers will be available for extra-curricular
activities
PRESCOTT Teachers at South Grenville District High
School are once again willing and able to participate in extra-curricular
activities.
The Upper Canada District School Board and District 26 of
the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation (OSSTF) have
agreed on a new workload and staffing agreement for 2001-2002.
School board trustees voted unanimously last Wednesday to
ratify the deal. Although an overwhelming majority of teachers
who voted last Thursday were also in favour, the percentage of
members who accepted the agreement was unavailable.
Teachers withdrew from extra-curricular service last year,
citing increased demands on their time resulting from provincial
legislation. But a redistribution of teachers' work reduces classroom
workload and enables them to devote more time to clubs, athletics
and other activities.
Teachers had been required to spend six and two-thirds of
eight classes per day on classroom work. The new deal reduces
that amount to six of eight classes.
"We fully expect that this will solve the core problems,"
District OSSTF President Greg McGillis stated in a joint news
release. "I hear that many teachers are looking forward
to having the time for extra-curricular activities again and
we should have most activities running again in a few weeks,"
McGillis added.
Board Chairperson Joan Hodge commended both sides for coming
up with "innovative solutions to problems that were not
of our making but that we take the responsibility for fixing."
Hodge, South Grenville's representative on the board of trustees,
indicated in the news release part of the goal of providing the
best possible education is "...ensuring our teachers are
able to deliver the best and widest array of programs, including
extra-curricular activities."
Some of those activities were offered at high schools in the
district last year because of the efforts of students and volunteers.
The high school athletic calendar was hit hard by the absence
of school teams, most of which are coached by teachers.
Officer believed he had reasonable grounds
to use force, according to SIU
MAYNARD There are no reasonable grounds to suggest an
officer with the Grenville County detachment of the Ontario Provincial
Police committed a criminal offence in connection with a July
incident that resulted in the death of a local man, the director
of the province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has determined.
Peter A. Tinsley stated in an Aug. 27 news release there were
reasonable grounds for the officer to use force when confronted
by a wounded man who had a rifle. Fred Kirkey, 33, had fired
three shots at a house on County Road 26 and shot himself in
the chest before police arrived on the morning of July 23.
Kirkey was still alive and armed when two officers and a cadet
arrived, according to the SIU. He lifted his rifle and fired
directly at one of the officers as they were trying to negotiate
with him and get him to put down the weapon, the news release
stated. The other officer returned fire and shot Kirkey, who
later that morning was pronounced dead at Brockville General
Hospital.
A post-mortem concluded his death was caused by massive blood
loss caused by the first wound from the rifle bullet.
SIU personnel arrived at the shooting scene later that day
and began their investigation. More than 15 civilian witnesses
were interviewed; investigators reviewed police notes and communication
tapes, and gathered forensic evidence. Five spent cartridges
from the rifle and one from the officer's handgun were located.
Tinsley indicated it was reasonable for the officer under
the circumstances to believe the use of force was necessary to
preserve the lives of people in the vicinity, including the officer's
life. "Accordingly, the involved officer's action in shooting
Mr. Kirkey was legally justified under the provisions of section
25 of the Criminal Code," Tinsley stated.
Neither the OPP nor SIU have identified the officers involved
in the shooting.
Some emergency personnel were advised July 23 they were responding
to an attempted suicide. Kirkey's former common-law wife lived
at the residence where the shooting occurred. He was scheduled
to be sentenced later that day in connection with an impaired
driving conviction.
THIS WEEK
Bus safety program hits the road Sunday
PRESCOTT Both local school boards have teamed up with
school bus operators to offer a bus safety program for first-time
riders enrolled in junior and senior kindergarten.
The education and awareness program will be presented at Central
Public School Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1 pm. The hour-long program
includes a video presentation, a short school bus ride with demonstrations
on safe waiting, loading, riding and unloading procedures, and
refreshments for the kids.
For more information, call Sharon at the Upper Canada District
School Board (1-800-818-3679) or Grace at the Catholic District
School Board of Eastern Ontario (1-800-443-4562, ext. 213).
Air cadets to hold information session
PRESCOTT An information and recruiting session for those
interested in joining the local air cadet squadron will be presented
Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 pm at the Royal Canadian Legion on Henry
Street.
The 661 Lt. W.F. Sharpe Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air
Cadets is open to all youth age 12 to 18. The goal of the organization
is to promote good citizenship, leadership and physical fitness.
No membership fees or dues are required by the cadets. Training,
uniforms and equipment are provided by the Canadian Armed Forces.
Regular cadet meetings are held each Tuesday evening at South
Grenville District High School. For more information, contact
925-0246.
Present and future grandmothers invited
ROEBUCK The Roebuck Women's Institute will host a "Pot
Luck Grandmothers' Night" on Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 6 pm at
the Roebuck Hall.
The first meeting of the season will begin with a lovely dinner,
followed by a short meeting and entertainment. It's a time to
meet old friends and make new ones.
Fish and game club hosts benefit clay shoot
MAYNARD A benefit clay shoot will be held for a four-year-old
boy who is awaiting a liver transplant.
The clay shoot is being hosted by the Grenville Fish and Game
Club. The two-day event will be held Sunday, Sept. 9 and Sunday,
Sept. 16. The start time on both days is 9 am. It will be held
at the club on Campbell Road North.
The 75-clay event categories are teal, trap and doubles. Participants
may enter twice on either Sunday. There will be prizes for first,
second and third place in each category. The club will make a
donation for every person registered.
The event will be held rain or shine. A canteen will be available.
For more information about the benefit clay shoot for Matthew
Topping, call 925-3408.
Elementary schools
receive bottled water as new equipment is installed
SOUTH GRENVILLE Students and staff at several elementary
schools in Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal found bottled water
awaiting their return to class this week.
The Upper Canada School Board (UCDSB) is supplying bottled
water to 49 of its schools that use well water.
New chlorination systems are being installed at each of those
schools as part of new provincial legislation.
The new systems should be in place by the end of September,
according to Colin Vickers, UCDSB superintendent of education,
planning and operations.
"We are providing bottled water as a proactive step as
our plant staff work to set up and calibrate our new water treatment
and distribution systems," he stated in a news release.
Each new system includes a chlorinator as well as holding
tanks and plumbing needed to support the system.
The province has announced the Upper Canada board would receive
an additional $1 million for the project, which amounts to about
$22,500 per site. Installation costs range from $30,000 to $60,000
per school, according to the board.
UCDSB Chairperson Joan Hodge told The Journal earlier
this summer the board welcomes the additional funding.
In noting there will be ongoing costs for treatment and monitoring,
Hodge indicated the board would consider making a pitch for more
funding to cover installation and maintenance of the systems.
The Upper Canada public board has more schools using well
water than any other district board in the Province of Ontario.
Prior to the implementation of higher standards by the province,
the board had for several years been using a private engineering
firm to test well water; testing parameters exceeded safe drinking
water standards, according to the board.
Bottled water was provided to South Edwardsburg Public School
in Johnstown near the end of this past school year after a slightly
elevated level of lead was found in a water sample. Subsequent
tests have not indicated the presence of elevated lead levels.
Marathon of Hope is still going strong
The annual Terry Fox Run takes place Sunday, Sept. 16
PRESCOTT The spirit of a true Canadian hero continues
to live on as the annual Terry Fox Run approaches.
The fundraiser for cancer research will take place Sunday,
Sept. 16. The Prescott-area event begins at noon and will be
based at Knapp's Yamaha at the corner of County Road 18 and McIntosh
Road.
The Terry Fox Run is in its 21st year. Nearly $300 million
has been raised worldwide since Terry Fox began his Marathon
of Hope in 1980.
The 21-year-old man who lost most of his right leg to bone
cancer set out to run across Canada to raise awareness as well
as money for cancer research. Fox was 143 days and nearly 5,400
kilometres into his journey when it was cut short; he learned
his primary cancer had spread to his lungs.
Terry Fox died in June 1981, and people in thousands of communities
across the world are trying to finish what he started.
Sharon Spychi, organizer of the Terry Fox Run in Prescott,
said it is heartwarming to see people of all ages participating
in the annual event. The 2000 edition of the local run attracted
more than 70 participants who raised more than $8,700.
"Every year this run just keeps blowing my mind,"
she said.
The Prescott Terry Fox Run has generated a total of just over
$89,000 in its 19 years.
The theme of this year's event is "Every 1 Makes a Difference."
Although it is called a run, many participants walk the course.
People may also choose to ride a bike, roller blade or use some
way to complete some or all of the route.
An added feature this year is a draw for one of several Beanie
Babies Spychi has acquired. They are named "Issy" in
honour of Terry Fox Run founder Isadore Sharp's son Christopher,
who died of cancer. Those who participate in the local run or
who serve as volunteers will be eligible for the draw.
Like most who get involved in the annual run, Spychi has lost
family and friends to cancer. "The list grows longer every
year," she said.
People continue to support the event because they know how
important it is to find a cure, she noted.
Refreshments will be available at Knapp's for run participants.
A life-size cardboard poster of Terry Fox will appear at banks
in Prescott. Pledge sheets will be available at a number of locations
in the area.
For more information about the Terry Fox Run, call 925-5700
or the Terry Fox Foundation at 1-888-TFOXRUN (836-9786).
Friendship Hall will
be site of Prescott police hearing
PRESCOTT A public hearing to consider a request to disband
the Prescott Police Service will take place Thursday, Sept. 20
at the Friendship Hall, 454 Henry St. W.
The Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Service (OCCOPS)
hearing will begin at 2 pm. The Town of Prescott has asked to
abolish the existing municipal police department and enter into
an agreement with the Ontario Provincial Police.
In order to grant the request, OCCOPS must conduct a public
hearing and determine proposed changes to policing in Prescott
would provide an adequate level of service if implemented. The
commission is also to determine whether severance arrangements
have been made with employees whose jobs would be terminated
by the changes.
Town council voted Jan. 2 to pursue an OPP contract. If the
proposal is approved by OCCOPS, the transition to municipal OPP
service is expected to take place later this year.
Scout program registration
set for next week
PRESCOTT Registration for participants in beaver, cub
and scout programs in Prescott will take place Thursday, Sept.
13. Sign-up is at St. Paul's United Church at Dibble and George
streets.
The beaver program is open to all children ages five to seven,
who take part in weekly crafts and games and a special monthly
outing.
Cubs is open to all children ages seven to 11 interested in
fun and friendship. Cubs enjoy doing work to earn badges. Outdoor
activities include camping and hiking.
The scout program is available for youth ages 11 to 14. Scouts
enjoy activities such as camping, hiking and soap box derby car
and 18-wheeler races.
There is a registration fee plus small weekly dues for each
section.
For more information on the 7th Prescott Scout programs, contact
Jennifer Florio at 925-5431.
Prescott woman dies
in crash
SOUTH DUNDAS A Prescott woman was killed Friday afternoon
in a single-vehicle accident that occurred east of Winchester
Springs.
Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry OPP reported a 1993 Pontiac
Sunbird driven by Lillian Shaver, 54, was eastbound on Winchester
Springs Road at about 3:30 pm. The car left the roadway in an
area where the surface of the road changes from pavement to gravel;
the vehicle ended up in the south ditch. Shaver sustained fatal
injuries as a result of the crash.
An OPP technical traffic investigator is assisting with the
investigation.
Car and tractor-trailer
collide
EDWARDSBURGH Two people were sent to hospital Monday
evening following a two-vehicle collision in the westbound lanes
of Highway 401 east of Prescott.
Grenville County OPP reported a car travelling southbound
on Highway 416 attempted to merge with traffic on the 401 just
after 6 pm. The car pulled into the path of a tractor-trailer
which struck the car and pushed it sideways until both vehicles
entered the median, according to a police news release issued
late Monday. The car rolled twice and came to rest on its roof
in the median.
The driver of the car, a 57-year-old Scarborough man, sustained
serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to Brockville
General Hospital. A 53-year-old female passenger received minor
injuries and was also taken to hospital. The 54-year-old driver
of the tractor-trailer received minor injuries but was not transported
to hospital. OPP, Leeds-Grenville EMS and the Prescott Fire Department
responded to the accident call.
Westbound and eastbound traffic was reduced to one lane for
approximately one hour. Traffic was also diverted through Prescott.
The driver of the car was charged with careless driving. Alcohol
was not a factor in the collision. Constable Jason Butcher is
the investigating officer.
United Way campaign
begins next week
BROCKVILLE The United Way of Leeds and Grenville will
kick off its annual campaign Wednesday, Sept. 12 at CJ's Banquet
Hall in Brockville.
The 7:30 to 9 am breakfast will focus on this year's campaign
theme: "Big Community, Bigger Heart." The breakfast
meeting will be of interest to campaign teams and community builders.
Fundraising dollars raised in the community stays in Leeds
and Grenville, helping the 26 non-profit agencies that are currently
supported under the United Way's funding umbrella. Last year,
more than 23,000 people in Leeds and Grenville benefitted from
the programs offered by these agencies. The goal for the 44th
annual Leeds and Grenville campaign is $650,000.
A number of United Way fund raising projects have been planned
for the fall. The First Per Cent Club Art Gala will be Wednesday,
Sept. 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. To be held at the Brockville Yacht
Club, guests will be able to view a selection of art donated
by local artists and the McShane Institute, which includes work
by members of the Group of Seven.
Tickets must obtained in advance. Each couple will have an
opportunity to select a piece of art valued at greater than the
price of their ticket.
The colours of autumn can be enjoyed during a three-hour scenic
tour of the 1000 Islands Sunday, Sept. 23 from 1 to 4 pm. Revenue
from all 350 tickets sold will go the United way campaign, courtesy
of Gananoque Boat Lines Ltd. There will be reduced costs for
this special cruise for families, groups and clubs.
Tickets for the breakfast, art gala or boat cruise can be
purchased at the United Way resource centre at 42 George St.,
Brockville, or by calling 342-8889.
A golf tournament hosted by SCI will be held Sept. 29 at the
Prescott Golf Club, with proceeds going to the United Way. Call
Janice Kingston at 498-3508 for more information or to register.
Fire damages farm house
VENTNOR An older farm house on Campbell Road just north
of Ventnor sustained severe damage in a fire Monday late afternoon.
Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Fire Stations 1 and 2 were called to
the scene at about 4:45 pm, Fire Chief Jim Purcell reported.
The fire started in a storage shed attached to the rear of
the one-and-a-half storey frame home, Purcell said. Severe damage
was caused mainly to the upstairs of the private residence. No
one was at home at the time.
Purcell could not speculate on the cause of the blaze or estimate
the amount of damage. An ambulance was on the scene; however,
Purcell said there were no injuries and its services were not
required.
Firefighters remained on the scene until about 10:30 pm.
Police also responded to the fire call. Foul play is not suspected,
according to an OPP news release.
Area club takes part
in annual plowing school
Submitted by Crystal Throop
ROEBUCK The fourth and fifth regular meetings of the
Grenville 4-H Plowing Club were held on Saturday, Aug. 18 in
conjunction with the Antique Wheels in Motion Harvest Days show
and demonstration at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Campbell,
5875 County Road 18, south of Roebuck.
Along with the Leeds Plowing Club and its leaders, Sam and
Brenda Dunster, the plowing school commenced with the 22 members
present drawing for their lands. The Grenville members were then
given a crossword puzzle, and all members received an official
IPM scorecard needed to judge their own plowing. Both activities
were designed by youth leader Crystal Throop.
Also present were IPM judge Mel McGuire, who provided the
official marks at the end of the day. Coaches Brian Maitland,
Allan Wilson, Herb Dangerfield, Garry Throop, Sam Dunster and
Murray Haggett, and IPM judge Allen Hills were available to help
with any problems incurred.
Taking turns, the members proceeded to complete their opening
split and the crown of their land before stopping for lunch at
the show's canteen. Leader Barb Maitland informed the members
of the details of the next meeting. Each year, the Rotary Club
generously provides a barbecue to a chosen 4-H club. In return,
the club is asked to demonstrate what it does, meaning hydraulic
and antique plowing. The barbecue was held Tuesday, Aug. 28 at
the farm of Brian and Barb Maitland, 661 Maitland Rd., Easton
Corners.
Other business at hand was the Lanark Plowing Match Aug. 25
in Balderson. Approximately four or five members competed successfully
in the youth hydraulic class.
The members then returned to the field to complete their lands
and their scorecards, which were handed in. The senior and junior
member with the closest score to the official will be presented
4-H merchandise at the barbecue. Also, medallions donated by
the Throop family in memory of Howard Throop will be given to
those who participated.
The last order of business was to present both IPM judges
with gifts for their willingness to help the club whenever possible.
The club also acknowledges Mr. and Mrs. Campbell for generously
hosting the plowing school.
OPP NOTES
Six injured in accident
EDWARDSBURGH Six people were injured in a three-vehicle
collision Saturday afternoon on Highway 401 east of Johnstown.
Grenville County OPP reported a car was westbound at about
3:50 pm when it left the roadway, crossed the grass median and
entered the eastbound lanes. The car collided with an eastbound
car; a subsequent collision occurred with a second eastbound
vehicle.
All three drivers and two passengers were transported to Brockville
General Hospital; two of the drivers were admitted with serious
injuries. An air ambulance transported a female passenger of
the second eastbound vehicle to Ottawa General Hospital.
The eastbound lanes of the 401 were closed for several hours.
Eastbound traffic was rerouted on Highway 16, County Road 2 and
Shanly Road.
The OPP are continuing the investigation.
Tools taken from home
EDWARDSBURGH Grenville County OPP officers were called
to a Frederick Street residence on the afternoon of Aug. 31.
Someone had entered the residence sometime between Aug. 10 and
Aug. 31 and removed a quantity of hand tools.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Rick
Foley at the detachment (925-4221) or the Perth Communications
Centre at 1-888-310-1122.
Arrest made following pursuit and foot chase
EDWARSDBURGH Officers were on routine patrol on County
Road 21 Sept. 1 at about 7:50 am when they observed a westbound
vehicle travelling in excess of the posted speed limit. A police
pursuit ensued, followed by a short foot chase. The driver was
apprehended and charged with impaired driving, failing to stop
for police, driving while disqualified and other Highway Traffic
Act offences.
OPP Constable George Duke is the investigating officer.
Spencerville
Fair ambassador pageant attracts six contestants
SPENCERVILLE The popular Spencerville Fair ambassador
competition, to be held this Friday, Sept. 7, offers a new twist
from the traditional queen pageant.
For the first time, both male and female competitors will
be vying for the title of Spencerville Fair Ambassador. Five
women and one man have entered the pageant taking place at the
community centre. The event is being held in conjunction with
the Little Sir and Little Miss Spencerville Fair Pageant beginning
at 7 pm, and the Shania Twin Tribute Show.
Contestants will be interviewed by a panel of three judges
before going on stage to introduce themselves and then answer
an impromptu question. Competitors will be judged on the interview
as well as community involvement, question response, poise and
personality.
The successful candidate will be eager and willing to learn
about his or her community and share his or her enthusiasm for
the fair with others. The winner represents the Spencerville
Agricultural Society for the duration of the fair, attends the
Ontario Agricultural Sociaety convention in February, and takes
parts in the Ambassador of the Fairs competition at the Canadian
National Exhibition next August.
The competitors are:
Melissa Henderson, 17, has lived at a Ventnor dairy farm her
entire life with her parents Karen and Steven, and her two brothers,
Ben and Michael. She is currently attending South Grenville District
High School, where she is a member of the student council and
secretary of Ontario Students Against Impaired Driving.
Melissa has been involved in brownies, guides and 4-H clubs,
and has attended a dance school for a number of years. She has
assisted with vacation bible schools and clubs and Sunday schools
in the Shanly, Spencerville and Johnstown areas for several years,
has been active in babysitting and tutoring a child with hearing
difficulties.
She has also helped her parents with fundraising and hosting
children from Belarus through the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl
program for seven years.
Melissa worked at a food service business in Kemptville this
past summer, and is now beginning a second season working in
the canteen part time at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre.
She enjoys painting, sketching, swimming, tubing, dancing,
boating, spending time with family and friends and attending
church. Melissa hopes to become a marine biologist. She is sponsored
by Nation Masonic Lodge.
Marissa Carver is the daughter of Barb and Dave Carver, and
she has a younger brother, Frankie. The family resides in Heckston,
and Marissa, 17, is currently a Grade 12 student at South Grenville
District High School, where she is involved in tutoring, Spirit
of Giving and student council.
An enthusiastic skater, Marissa has been a Canskate teacher
since she was 12. Marissa is also an avid soccer player, having
played for recreation and competition. She was voted most sportsmanship
player for the South Grenville junior team last year.
Marissa has volunteered with the Spencerville Public Library
garden tour for three years, and this past summer she was employed
as an activity leader at Rideau Hill Camp near Osgoode. She has
also been employed at a fast-food outlet in Kemptville and at
the Spencerville arena in the canteen. She is certified in first
aid and CPR.
Marissa is hoping for a career involving children, such as
in teaching or social work. She would also like to continue in
sports and athletics. Other interests include the Internet, movies,
friends, drama and babysitting. She is sponsored by the Edwardsburgh
Lions Club.
Brooke Hunter is 17 and attends South Grenville District High
School, where she is a member of Spirit of Giving and Ontario
Students Against Impaired Driving. Her hobbies include horseback
riding, volleyball, soccer and swimming. She also enjoys designing
and constructing Internet web pages and is an avid reader. Brooke
is an aspiring writer, and some of her work has been published
on an online magazine for girls.
Other interests include information technology, fashion, public
speaking, studying Canadian history and Greek mythology, singing
and acting. She participated in a three-month educational exchange
to Nantes, France, where she lived with a French family and attended
a local school.
Brooke has been employed at Angelo's Restaurant and in the
canteen at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre. She also cooks
at her family's maple sugar bush pancake restaurant, and acts
as an tour guide.
She is involved in 4-H clubs and is a member of the Spencerville
Stars Octagon Club. Brooke has been on the directing committee
for three years for the Spencerville and District Winter Carnival
and is a long-time competitor in Royal Canadian Legion public
speaking contests.
Brooke hopes to pursue a career in journalism and liberal
arts, as well as become a professional singer. She is sponsored
by the Spencerville and District Optimist Club.
Karen Van Ryswyk is 18 and is completing her OAC year at South
Grenville District High School. She is the daughter of Peter
and Jenny Van Ryswyk, and she is sponsored by the Spencerville
Mill Foundation.
Karen's hobbies include painting and doing woodwork, and she
enjoys working with children and meeting new people. An active
community volunteer, she has been a Sunday school teacher at
her church. Karen is also co-president of Hilife, the high school
Christian club, and is a school engergizer.
Last year, she was involved with organizing Operation Christmas
Child, which assists children in developing countries. Karen
has also been a volunteer camp counsellor.
Future aspirations include becoming a teacher and working
with children who have learning disabilities.
Julie Crawford, 17, is the daughter of Diana Filewod and Barrie
Crawford and lives at Stones Corners in Augusta Township. She
is currently enrolled in both Grade 12 and OAC-level courses
at South Grenville District High School. At school, Julie is
involved in the energizers, the drama club, Youth Assisting Planet
Preservation and Students Against Violence Everywhere.
Julie is an executive member of several 4-H clubs and a member
of the Temperance Lake Pony Club. Her interests include drawing,
painting and writing.
She has been a volunteer at the 2000 Montreal Massacre Candlelight
Vigil and at the Prescott Forwarders' Museum. Julie was involved
with the 2000 Take Back the Night event, a walk and ceremony
protesing violence against women. She has also been a volunteer
at the 2001 Canadian Blood Services blood donor drive at her
high school.
Julie is currently employed as a cash attendant and baker
at the Prescott Ultramar, as a stable hand at Renroc farm and
as a full time groom for a combine driver.
Iain MacPherson, 18, is the son of Cathy and Graham MacPherson,
and a brother to Lindsay, Leslie and Annie-Laurie. The family
lives on Rooney Road, Edwardsburgh Township.
A graduate of St. Mary Catholic High School in Brockville,
Iain also attended St. Joseph and St. Mark elementary schools
in Prescott. He is currently taking a year off from school, and
is employed at the Prescott Golf Club. He has completed 200 hours
as a co-operative education student at the Racer's Edge Pro Shop
in Brockville. Iain is a Level III referee for South Grenvile
Minor Hockey in winter.
He plans to attend Algonquin College in the fall of 2002,
and hopes to pursue a career in firefighting. Iain enjoys music
and is a drummer in a local band. His sponsor is K.E. Bush Construction
Ltd.
Chamber to host golf tourneyTravel centre
remains open until Thanksgiving Day
PRESCOTT The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce
will present its annual golf tournament Wednesday, Sept. 12,
at the Prescott Golf Club. There will be a shotgun/scramble start
at 12:30 pm, and the 18-hole event will be followed by a dinner
and awards presentation at 6 pm.
Special prizes this year will include $10,000 cash for a hole-in-one
sponsored by Irving H. Miller Ltd. and Halifax Insurance, and
a second ace will net $2500 worth of golf equipment from Sheridan
Investments. There will also be two closest to the hole prizes.
Chamber CEO Mike Boyles advises there will be a prize for everyone
participating in the event. Cost of the tournament will be $35
for club members and $60 for non-members. Reservations can be
made by contacting Allan Norton at 925-4244 and cart rentals
can be reserved by contacting Thom Miller at 925-5006. The tournament
is open to the public, but priority will be given to Chamber
members.
JOHNSTOWN The Ontario Travel Information Centre in Johnstown
will remain open this season until Thanksgiving Day, Oct. 8,
for the first time.
Supervisor Sandra Robertson said traditionally the centre
on Highway 16 just north of County Road 2 would close Labour
Day.
"Now that's really good news for the area," Robertson
said. Being open an additional five weeks means area businesses
and tourist attractions gain extra exposure, she said.
"It can't help but benefit. It could be very good for
Prescott and area." Travellers often ask centre staff for
lists of accommodation, dining, shopping and tourist sites in
the area, Robertson noted.
Besides an assortment of provincial road maps, pamphlets and
brochures, there are a number of reports available to local residents
and travellers. The provincial parks vacancy report, fall colours
report and bird migration report can be accessed at the travel
centre.
Centre hours are seven days a week, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Call
925-3346.
The Ontario travel centre at Hill Island will continue to
be open until Thanksgiving.
Extended hours
means good news
for tourism and business,
supervisor says
Local company
gives new look to tourism
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
JOHNSTOWN Chuck Arthurs decided to take a look around,
and what he saw has evolved into a unique venture that is going
places.
Mr. Arthurs and his wife Donna own and operate C360View.com,
a company that makes use of technology to promote businesses
and the communities in which they are located. C360 features
360-degree panoramic views of local attractions and historic
sites, a tourism tool that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Mr. Arthurs was a paramedic in the Prescott area for more
than 20 years. He came up with the idea of panoramic views while
he was on disability leave.
Using a digital camera, Mr. Arthurs takes 25 to 35 shots of
a particular object or area. He splices together those images
using computer software; the finished product offers more detail
and perspective than still shots one might come across on a Website.
Mr. Arthurs said in an interview he always had an interest
in photography, although he never really acted on it until two
years ago when he purchased a digital camera. He did not have
much of a background in computers, so he taught himself to put
together the materials needed to make the site a reality.
"I carry the camera with me everywhere I go," he
said.
When he selects a local community in Leeds and Grenville to
spotlight, the couple approaches businesses to see if they would
sponsor the panoramic tour of that community. Tour sponsors receive
a special page of their own, multiple listings throughout the
C360 site and a link to their own Websites.
A tour sponsor's page can have interior or exterior 360-degree
photos or tours of its business. Site sponsors also receive 500
business cards to promote their featured pages. By maintaining
the site and sponsor pages, Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs build working
relationships and develop friendships with their clients.
C360 also offers its clients a one in ten chance of winning
a vacation package.
The C360 site also offers a wide variety of other features;
everything from a currency converter and weather links to free
classified ads and television listings is just a click away.
Visitors to the site can at no charge register their own sites
on 34 different search engines.
"The potential of this is totally unlimited down the
road," he said.
Prescott, Brockville and Cardinal are now being featured on
the C360 site. Mr. Arthurs said the basic goal is to provide
20 to 30 scenes for each community. The company is in the process
of profiling other communities in Leeds and Grenville. He and
his wife are talking to businesses on a daily basis.
Mr. Arthurs said he enjoyed being a paramedic, but he was
always away from home. He is now able to plan his own time and
see more of the family. The late hours he will spend at his home-based
business does not feel like work, he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs said they did not know what to expect
when they decided to take the plunge and open their own business,
but they have been encouraged by the initial response to their
promotional package. They have even begun to train their daughters.
Although C360 is focused on Eastern Ontario, the couple would
like to expand the service and create a cross-Canada site. They
are not ruling out the possibility of franchising their idea,
according to Mrs. Arthurs.
In terms of competition, the only similar site C360 has come
across is based in Australia.
For more information, visit www.C360view.com or call (613)
925-3401.
Local company gives new look to tourism
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
JOHNSTOWN Chuck Arthurs decided to take a look around,
and what he saw has evolved into a unique venture that is going
places.
Mr. Arthurs and his wife Donna own and operate C360View.com,
a company that makes use of technology to promote businesses
and the communities in which they are located. C360 features
360-degree panoramic views of local attractions and historic
sites, a tourism tool that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven
days a week.
Mr. Arthurs was a paramedic in the Prescott area for more
than 20 years. He came up with the idea of panoramic views while
he was on disability leave.
Using a digital camera, Mr. Arthurs takes 25 to 35 shots of
a particular object or area. He splices together those images
using computer software; the finished product offers more detail
and perspective than still shots one might come across on a Website.
Mr. Arthurs said in an interview he always had an interest
in photography, although he never really acted on it until two
years ago when he purchased a digital camera. He did not have
much of a background in computers, so he taught himself to put
together the materials needed to make the site a reality.
"I carry the camera with me everywhere I go," he
said.
When he selects a local community in Leeds and Grenville to
spotlight, the couple approaches businesses to see if they would
sponsor the panoramic tour of that community. Tour sponsors receive
a special page of their own, multiple listings throughout the
C360 site and a link to their own Websites.
A tour sponsor's page can have interior or exterior 360-degree
photos or tours of its business. Site sponsors also receive 500
business cards to promote their featured pages. By maintaining
the site and sponsor pages, Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs build working
relationships and develop friendships with their clients.
C360 also offers its clients a one in ten chance of winning
a vacation package.
The C360 site also offers a wide variety of other features;
everything from a currency converter and weather links to free
classified ads and television listings is just a click away.
Visitors to the site can at no charge register their own sites
on 34 different search engines.
"The potential of this is totally unlimited down the
road," he said.
Prescott, Brockville and Cardinal are now being featured on
the C360 site. Mr. Arthurs said the basic goal is to provide
20 to 30 scenes for each community. The company is in the process
of profiling other communities in Leeds and Grenville. He and
his wife are talking to businesses on a daily basis.
Mr. Arthurs said he enjoyed being a paramedic, but he was
always away from home. He is now able to plan his own time and
see more of the family. The late hours he will spend at his home-based
business does not feel like work, he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthurs said they did not know what to expect
when they decided to take the plunge and open their own business,
but they have been encouraged by the initial response to their
promotional package. They have even begun to train their daughters.
Although C360 is focused on Eastern Ontario, the couple would
like to expand the service and create a cross-Canada site. They
are not ruling out the possibility of franchising their idea,
according to Mrs. Arthurs.
In terms of competition, the only similar site C360 has come
across is based in Australia.
For more information, visit www.C360view.com or call (613)
925-3401.
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