Fall back this Sunday
Daylight Savings Time ends early Sunday morning. Remember
to turn back clocks, watches and other timepieces by one hour
before calling it a night Saturday.
Halloween party set for Johnstown
JOHNSTOWN The South Edwardsburgh Recreation Association
will host a Halloween party Saturday, Oct. 27 from 1 pm to 3
pm at the Johnstown Community Centre on Sutton Drive.
Halloween crafts and a costume parade will be among the activities
taking place at the party. Refreshments will be provided.
There is an admission fee; door prizes will be awarded.
Give a loonie and help the United Way
PRESCOTT The United Way of Leeds and Grenville is launching
a new fundraiser this week.
The Canadian Tire and valu-mart stores are participating in
"Loonie Days" Thursday, Oct. 25, Friday, Oct. 26 and
Saturday, Oct. 27. Customers will be asked if they would like
to top up their purchases with a loonie which would then be donated
to the United Way.
This year's campaign goal is $650,000. Proceeds from Loonie
Days will benefit the 19 agencies supporting youth and children
in Leeds and Grenville under the United Way's funding umbrella.
Parish centre hosts bazaar, rummage sale
PRESCOTT St. Mark's will present its fall bazaar Saturday,
Oct. 27 from 10 am to 2 pm at the parish centre at the corner
of Edward and James streets.
A fall rummage sale will take place at the parish centre Monday,
Oct. 29 and Tuesday, Oct. 30. The centre will be open from 6
pm to 8:30 pm Monday and 10 am to noon Tuesday.
Remembrance Tea will be served Nov. 7
PRESCOTT Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion will
present its annual Remembrance Tea, Bake and Craft Sale Wednesday,
Nov. 7 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Legion Hall on Henry Street.
The luncheon will include soup, sandwiches and squares, as
well as tea or coffee. There will also be a draw for prizes.
Tickets will be sold at the door.
The event is being hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary of Branch
97.
Premier's decision to step down draws mixed
reaction
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Friends and foes of Ontario Premier Mike
Harris seem to agree on one thing his actions have had
a huge impact on the current state of the province.
Harris, who led the Progressive Conservatives to victory in
1995 and again in 1999, announced his resignation last Tuesday.
He will continue to serve as premier until the party conducts
a leadership convention expected in the spring.
The premier's announcement came as a surprise to Leeds-Grenville
MPP and Economic Development and Trade Minister Bob Runciman.
The news came as a shock and disappointment, Runciman told The
Journal. Both were first elected to the legislature in 1981.
"I was counting on him taking the party through the next
race," Runciman said.
The MPP noted he and the premier had talked on many occasions
in recent months, but there was "never a hint" that
his friend would soon be leaving.
Runciman credits Harris with turning Ontario around and saving
the province in ways.
The premier has made difficult decisions and withstood the
slings and arrows, according to the MPP.
Harris has had to put up with more abuse than any other political
leader of his time, Runciman said.
"I can understand his readiness to step down," he
added.
Bill Pakeman, president of the Prescott and District Chamber
of Commerce, acknowledged Harris could not be all things to all
people.
But Pakeman noted Harris became premier at a time when the
province's fiscal policy "was out of control."
The small business sector in Ontario is better off now because
of improved fiscal policies initiated by the Harris government,
according to Pakeman.
Although there have been "some pretty serious cuts"
to certain government services along the way, Pakeman believes
Ontario is better off overall thanks to Mike Harris.
The price of doing nothing far outweighs the price of doing
something, the chamber president added.
Many of Harris's critics were quick to respond to his announcement.
Greg McGillis, president of District 26 of the Ontario Secondary
School Teachers' Federation, said people concerned about social
issues rejoiced upon hearing of the premier's resignation.
"Teachers and education workers are shedding tears of
joy mixed with despair in the schools of Ontario today, not for
what Mike Harris has done, but for what might have been,"
McGillis stated in a news release.
"He took the best public education system in Ontario
and for six years undermined and demoralized the system and those
who work in it without let-up or regret. I think that should
be his political epitaph."
Runciman believes history's assessment of Mike Harris will
be "mostly positive." As for the future of the party,
the MPP indicated there would likely be "some differences
in shades," but it is difficult to predict any dramatic
policy swings.
"I don't think the party would want to see significant
wavering," Runciman said.
The person who will succeed Harris as party leader and premier
will have enough time to put his or her stamp on things before
voters go back to the polls, according to the MPP.
The next provincial election does not have to be called until
June 2004.
THIS WEEK
Police continue to investigate fatal accident involving van
Toddler dies in early-morning collision on Highway 401
EDWARDSBURGH Police continue to investigate a two-vehicle
collision Monday morning that left a 16-month-old toddler dead
and several other people injured.
Grenville County OPP report a passenger van was travelling
eastbound on Highway 401 near the Highway 416 exit just before
5 am when the vehicle crossed the median, entered the westbound
lanes and struck a tractor-trailer.
The female toddler, a passenger in the van, was pronounced
dead at the scene. Several other passengers were transported
to Brockville General Hospital; one was taken to Kingston General
Hospital. It was reported there were 10 people in the van. Police
released the name of the toddler, but other details involving
the identities of the others in the van and where they live were
unavailable.
In addition to OPP and Leeds and Grenville EMS personnel,
firefighters from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, Prescott and Morrisburg
responded to the accident call.
Eastbound and westbound lanes were closed for about two hours
after the accident occurred. Westbound traffic was rerouted onto
Highway 16, County Road 2 and Edward Street in Prescott for much
of the morning and afternoon. Westbound traffic was backed up
for several kilometres along the detour route. Westbound traffic
was fairly heavy on Cedar Grove Road to the north of Highway
401.
Grenville OPP officers determined the van was not being operated
as a shuttle service, according to an OPP news release issued
Tuesday morning. Five people were killed in a shuttle van accident
last July on Highway 401 west of Prescott.
Constable Tyler Boutilier of the Grenville County OPP detachment
is the investigating officer; he is being assisted by Sergeant
Hali Adair. A technical traffic collision investigator is assisting
the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with information on the accident is asked to contact
the OPP detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or the OPP communications
centre at 1-888-310-1122.
Augusta seeks input
MAYNARD Public input is being sought on two bylaws being
proposed by Augusta council.
The bylaws, which deal with dog control and property standards,
received first and second reading at Monday's council meeting.
Council approved the creation of two ad hoc committees to review
the bylaws and made recommendations to council.
The existing property standards bylaw applies only to residential
rental properties. Council is proposing to expand the bylaw to
include all residential and commercial properties.
The proposed dog control regulations are much more detailed
than regulations currently on the books in the township.
Deputy Reeve Morris Stark will serve as chair of the dog control
bylaw committee. The ad hoc committee on property standards will
be chaired by Councillor Doug Barton.
Although resolutions approved by council state each committee
is to report its findings in time for the Nov. 12 council meeting,
Reeve George Vail said Monday the mandate of the committees may
extend beyond that date. It was also noted committee membership
would not be restricted to council members.
Public meetings are to be held at some point within the next
few weeks. Information on those meetings will be advertised once
details have been finalized, according to township officials.
A three-person property standards committee is already in
place in Augusta. Changes being proposed in the draft bylaw are
similar to those adopted by other municipalities.
The proposed dog control bylaw outlines measures to be taken
by owners of dogs deemed to be "aggressive."
Copies of both proposed bylaws are available at the township
office in Maynard.
Open house gives
chance for public to view renovated municipal building
SPENCERVILLE The Township of Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal
hosted an open house Saturday to showcase upgrades to the council
chamber and municipal offices.
Approximately 30 people were on hand as the ribbon was cut
to mark the official opening of the new chamber. The renovated
facility is a big improvement over what council and staff have
had to work with in the past, according to Mayor Dave Dobbie.
Changes would have been made regardless of whether Edwardsburgh
and Cardinal amalgamated, the mayor said.
Changes to the building became possible last year when the
Spencerville fire hall was moved to a new building near the intersection
of county roads 44 and 21. The move freed up a considerable amount
of space.
The main part of the renovation project was completed in August
after about two months of work. Council has already conducted
several meetings in its new home.
The majority of the $105,000 spent on renovations came from
transition funding provided by the province. The municipality
tapped into money held in reserve by the former Edwardsburgh
to cover its share of renovation costs. Dobbie pointed out the
expenditure does not place any additional tax burden this year.
In addition to a roomier council chamber, a small committee
room has been added to the municipal building. There is also
a small kitchen area adjacent to the chamber and committee room.
A more suitable storage area was also added. Other components
of the building include a large reception area as well as a clerk's
office.
Dobbie said he has been to many municipal halls, and the one
in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal "...rates pretty high."
Photographs of the old municipal halls adorn the back of the
chamber. There are also several sets of counties council pictures
from when the reeve of Edwardsburgh or Cardinal served as warden.
The new township logo appears inside and outside the chamber.
Transfer station
is delayed
MAYNARD The waste transfer station at the Maynard dump
is expected to open within the next two to three weeks, Augusta
council has been told.
The conversion of the dump to a transfer station was to have
been completed by this week. However, Councillor Doug Barton
told township council Monday the process is slightly behind schedule.
The licensed portion of the 80-acre dump property has been
filled to capacity and will be closed, Barton noted. Garbage
deposited at the transfer station will be compacted and trucked
away. Barton said this process will be more cost-effective than
maintaining the site as a landfill.
The township will be responsible for the site for a minimum
of 20 years, according to Barton. The goal is to eventually use
the site as a recreation area.
Although he noted plans are "starting to take shape"
at the landfill, Barton said things will be congested for a while.
New York City visit puts things in perspective:
MPP
BROCKVILLE Bob Runciman's visit to the World Trade Center
site has given the Leeds-Grenville MPP a stronger affiliation
with Americans and what they are having to endure in the wake
of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Runciman was part of a delegation of political leaders from
Ontario, including Premier Mike Harris, who visited New York
City Oct. 16. The trip included a stop at the Manhattan office
of New York Governor George Pataki. It was revealed less than
24 hours later a worker in the governor's office had been exposed
to anthrax.
The MPP and premier were among government officials and journalists
from Ontario who expected to be tested. However, medical officials
in New York concluded the risk of exposure did not warrant testing
or the use of antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
Runciman told The Journal his initial reaction to the
anthrax news was one of shock and concern. After he was confronted
by the media last Wednesday morning and then called his wife
to let her know what had happened, Runciman's initial concern
subsided once he began to consider the facts about anthrax and
how it was unlikely his health was at risk.
However, he noted the incident made him take notice of how
the threat of anthrax real or imagined is disrupting
so many lives. "Worry grew into anger," Runciman said.
The MPP indicated he was relieved to hear he would not have
to take antibiotics twice a day for two months. However, Runciman
was advised last week to be on the lookout for any cold or flu
symptoms during the next several days.
As for the visit to Manhattan and the site of the attacks,
Runciman said it is hard to describe the magnitude of the tragedy
"unless you're right in the heart of it." The place
still has the odour of a burn site, he said; smoke rises from
the debris in some spots. The group was told it would take at
least one year to clear the site.
"You do think of the remains of thousands of people"
at the site, according to Runciman.
The MPP said the memorials located near the site hit him the
hardest. In addition to seeing teddy bears, flowers and other
items, Runciman read a card a girl had written to her father
who presumably died in the attack.
"It hits you in the pit of the stomach," Runciman
said. "These memorials drive it home to me probably more
than the site."
The MPP noted people were continuing to line up and applaud
the efforts of emergency workers leaving the site. Runciman said
he was impressed by the sense of unity and strength being displayed
by New Yorkers at a time of such unbelievable tragedy.
OPP NEWS
Two break-ins occur in less than one week
JOHNSTOWN Grenville County OPP are investigating the
second break and enter in less than a week at Bayview Convenience.
Police were called to the store Oct. 20 at 4:37 am. Cash,
cigarettes and lottery tickets had been taken; property damage
was also reported.
A break-in occurred at the same location during the early
morning hours of Oct. 15; however, nothing was taken. Anyone
with information on either incident is asked to contact the investigating
officer, Constable Tina Meldrum, at the OPP detachment in Prescott
(925-4221) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Residence is scene of attempted break-in
AUGUSTA A residence on County Road 15 near Augusta was
the scene of an attempted break-in. Grenville County OPP were
called to the home Oct. 20 at 10:19 am. Nothing was taken from
the residence, according to police. Constable Brad Wilhelm is
the investigating officer.
Water Street lot to lose heritage designation
PRESCOTT The heritage designation of the lands of 175
Water Street in Prescott, commonly known as "The Blue Fence
Property", will be rescinded because the designation was
erroneous, town council was told at its committee-of-the-whole
meeting Monday night.
When the Moran Hooker Building was designated in the early
1980s, the legal description included the 175 Water Street lands.
However, since there was no building on the property, the land
should not have received a Heritage Designation.
The Town of Prescott will need to advertise intent to repeal
the designation, send out notices, pass by-laws and once again
provide notices before the designation is officially rescinded.
Sound Waves can be heard in Drummond Building
SPENCERVILLE Sound Waves will fill the Drummond Building
with everything from Broadway and rock to jazz and country music
Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 pm.
The event, which is being presented by the Edwardsburgh Public
Library, will feature vocalists Elyssa Mahoney, Paul McIntyre
and Tim Ruggles. It promises to be an evening of entertainment
the whole family will enjoy.
For tickets or for more information, call Dianne Pinder at
658-5136 or Janice McIntyre at 658-2052.
OPP NEWS
Two break-ins occur in less than one week
JOHNSTOWN Grenville County OPP are investigating the
second break and enter in less than a week at Bayview Convenience.
Police were called to the store Oct. 20 at 4:37 am. Cash,
cigarettes and lottery tickets had been taken; property damage
was also reported.
A break-in occurred at the same location during the early
morning hours of Oct. 15; however, nothing was taken. Anyone
with information on either incident is asked to contact the investigating
officer, Constable Tina Meldrum, at the OPP detachment in Prescott
(925-4221) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Residence is scene of attempted break-in
AUGUSTA A residence on County Road 15 near Augusta was
the scene of an attempted break-in. Grenville County OPP were
called to the home Oct. 20 at 10:19 am. Nothing was taken from
the residence, according to police. Constable Brad Wilhelm is
the investigating officer.
Water Street lot to lose heritage designation
PRESCOTT The heritage designation of the lands of 175
Water Street in Prescott, commonly known as "The Blue Fence
Property", will be rescinded because the designation was
erroneous, town council was told at its committee-of-the-whole
meeting Monday night.
When the Moran Hooker Building was designated in the early
1980s, the legal description included the 175 Water Street lands.
However, since there was no building on the property, the land
should not have received a Heritage Designation.
The Town of Prescott will need to advertise intent to repeal
the designation, send out notices, pass by-laws and once again
provide notices before the designation is officially rescinded.
Sound Waves can be heard in Drummond Building
SPENCERVILLE Sound Waves will fill the Drummond Building
with everything from Broadway and rock to jazz and country music
Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 pm.
The event, which is being presented by the Edwardsburgh Public
Library, will feature vocalists Elyssa Mahoney, Paul McIntyre
and Tim Ruggles. It promises to be an evening of entertainment
the whole family will enjoy.
For tickets or for more information, call Dianne Pinder at
658-5136 or Janice McIntyre at 658-2052.
New principal
feels comfortable in Prescott
PRESCOTT Less than two months into his new job, Alex
Bujacz already knows he made a great decision.
Bujacz, the new principal at St. Joseph Catholic School in
Prescott, says the school and the community have been very receptive,
and he has no regrets about taking the job.
"I thought I'd be treated well, but I never thought I'd
be made to feel this comfortable this fast," Bujacz says.
"Prescott is an absolutely wonderful community and I was
thrilled to get the opportunity to come here."
The alumnus of South Grenville District High School served
as vice-principal of Notre Dame Catholic High School in Carleton
Place for three years before accepting the principal position
with St. Joseph. He had never served as principal of a school
before this year, but says the transition has been an easy one.
"There are never enough hours in the day," he says.
"However, St. Joseph is a wonderful school with fantastic
parents, great kids and tremendous parish support."
Bujacz received his Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Bachelor
of Education degrees at Brock University, and says he discovered
his calling in life in his third year of university.
"I was working in the summer for the Niagara Parks Commission
as a Parks Naturalist," he says. "I took elementary
and high school kids on nature tours, and it was then I knew
I wanted to be a teacher, to work with kids. I haven't regretted
it for a second."
Bujacz currently makes the one-hour commute from his home
in Carleton Place to Prescott. He says he and his family will
decide next year whether or not to move to Prescott.
"We'll wait until spring to decide, and we'll look at
all the aspects," says Bujacz, whose wife works as a nurse
in Carleton Place. "We'll decide what to do as a family."
In the meantime, Bujacz travels with a suitcase. He says he
has a lot of family in the Prescott and Brockville area and stays
with relatives several nights a week.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Postal service concerns prompt letter
Copy of a letter sent to Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan
Dear Mr. Jordan;
Let me first say that my wife and I (retired) moved to Massie
Drive in Prescott two years ago. We were well pleased with our
new home, the people, the golf course, and the town in general.
However, there is one thing I do not appreciate. That is the
postal service, or should I say, the non-postal service. We are
being treated as second class citizens.
There is one post office for the entire K0E 1T0 area code.
This encompasses a total of approximately 6,200 people, some
of whom live more than a kilometre from the post office. At the
post office there are more than 3,000 post boxes, most of which
are 6" X 6" which means some of our mail must be bent
out of shape to fit in the small boxes. If travelling by auto,
truck, etc., upon arriving at the post office, most times there
is no vacant space in which to park. A total of only three spaces
are located in front of the post office and two across the street
at the police station. If we are ill (my wife and I) we must
pay someone to go and retrieve our mail.
I have put up with the above without complaining until I received
the attached notice which signifies that the postal clerks are
either too lazy to look up the box number corresponding to the
street address, or an edict has been issued from the powers above.
The change of address cards are free; however, you must place
a 47-cent stamp on each one or it won't be delivered.
No Canadian (or landed immigrant for that matter) living in
Prescott, or wherever this is being done, should be treated this
way. Everyone is equal as written in the bill of rights and should
be treated equally.
A number of years ago The Toronto Star printed a pull-page
ad (inserted by Canada Post) indicating all new areas would not
receive mail delivery to their door. However, no one would be
more than 800 feet from newly installed postal boxes. This has
been done in many areas, for example Glen Abbey in Oakville.
Are the people of Glen Abbey better citizens than Prescott?
I did notice a particular bill and can only assume it was
returned because it did not have the postal code on it. (In previous
months I received it without the post office box number on it.)
I am now obliged to pay interest. Are you or the government willing
to compensate me for my interest I have to pay plus 47 cents
for every stamp that I put on the free change of address cards?
I urge you as our MP to take this matter up with the minister
responsible for postal services.
If this is not promptly resolved, next election we the citizens
of Prescott and all others who are treated in a similar fashion
should ensure the next MP for the area has or agreed to revise
this policy and make us first class citizens again. We have earned
this right even if the only contribution we have made is to have
paid our taxes.
Doug Watt
SCHOOL SCENE
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL On Friday, the hot lunch
is Kentucky Fried Chicken. There is a Spirit Assembly in the
gym. Also, at 2 pm, "Merigold the Magician" will be
here to entertain Kindergarten to Grade 6 students with her magic
tricks. After the show each student will receive a balloon character
and a prize.
Soccer practices have begun and there will be a soccer tournament
at the school Oct. 31.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL All students from Grades 4 to
8 are invited to a Halloween Dance Oct. 26 from 6:30 - 9:30 pm.
The hot lunch Oct. 24 is hot dogs. Congratulations to all our
cross-country runners at the championship meet in Brockville
last week. Our novice boys finished second overall.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL School photos took place yesterday
for Junior Kindergarten "A" to Grade 3 yesterday and
take place today for Kingergarten "B" students.
Hot lunch this week is chicken chunks.
Next week's will be hamburgers.
Halloween will be celebrated on Tuesday for Kindergarten "B"
students and next Wednesday for all other students.
Please remember that Friday, Nov. 2 is a half-day of school.
Students will be dismissed at 11:45 am.
High school students
share sense of community pride
The school year is well underway at South Grenville and the
students are as busy as ever. Many students will be taking part
in the Walk Against Male Violence, which will be held in Brockville
Nov. 1. The Walk Against Male Violence takes place in many locations
across the province, and the Brockville walk will include students
from seven local high schools.
Spirit of Giving has started planning for its food drives
that will be taking place until Christmas. Everybody is encouraged
to donate at any of the food drives that will be announced at
a later date.
As the weather grows colder, we are reminded that Halloween
is not far off. It is this time of year that we most commonly
think about UNICEF. The members of South Grenville's UNICEF group
will be going around to many of the local public schools distributing
collection boxes. They will also be hosting a party at the school
for children 12 and under Saturday, Oct. 27 from 12:30 to 4:30
pm. Children are asked to wear costumes and parents are asked
to sign their children up with a phone number in case of emergency.
Admission will be charged at the door and refreshments will be
provided. Money raised through this event will be sent overseas
to help children in need.
Volunteer appreciation night takes place this
Friday
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
The annual MERC Volunteer Appreciation Night will take place
Friday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 pm at the Maitland Hall. Anyone who has
volunteered in the Maitland community in the past year is welcome
to this special evening. The MERC Volunteer of the Year will
be awarded at this celebration. This will be the second year
for this award. Last year's recipient was Faith Allingham. The
evening will feature a DJ, cold buffet, door prizes and cash
bar.
There will be a teen Halloween dance Nov. 2 for students in
grades 5 through 8 at the MERC Hall. Music is provided by Heather
and Co. Parents interested in helping with supervision can call
Cynthia at 348-1760.
There will be a meeting of the committee to stop the train
whistles in Augusta Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm at the MERC Hall. A representative
of Transport Canada will be there to answer questions.
There will be a ski and skate sale Oct. 27 from 9-11 am at
the MERC Hall. Items for sale should be labelled with your name
and asking price, and delivered to the hall between 6 and 7 pm
Friday, Oct. 26 or on the morning of the sale.
Quilt tickets are now on sale
WALKER HOUSE NEWS - By Willy Sieling Heuvel
Tickets are now on sale for a queen-size quilt. The "bed
of roses" pattern is hand appliqued and hand quilted. Call
Walker House at 925-5300 for information.
A chicken dinner with all the trimmings will be served Saturday,
Oct. 27 at 5:30 pm. Call in your reservation by today (Oct. 24)
at 4 pm.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st,
Audrey Kingston; 2nd, Harry Nesbitt; Ruth Britnell won the door
prize. Tuesday cribbage high hand, Jeannine Marion and
pete Lowry; high score, Jean McCrady; 2nd, Myrtle Shahan; 3rd,
Hilda Hutton. There was no Wednesday bridge last week. Thursday
euchre 1st, Sam Covey; 2nd, Eddie Arcand; 3rd, Alice Crowder
and Mary Reynolds; Jessie Shaver won the door prize.
Regional jobless rate
is lower than provincial average
KINGSTON The regional unemployment rate decreased in
September, according to figures released by Human Resources Development
Canada (HRDC).
Last month's jobless rate was 5.3 per cent, down from 5.7
per cent in August. These rates apply to the region extending
from Leeds and Lanark counties to the Quebec border west of Montreal,
excluding Ottawa. An HRDC media relations representative indicated
the department could not provide a more localized jobless rate
for smaller areas such as South Grenville.
Other regions of Eastern Ontario reported higher unemployment
figures in September.
Sectors reporting increased employment levels last month were
agriculture, construction, accommodation and food services. Decreases
occurred in manufacturing and public administration, according
to an HRDC news release.
The regional unemployment rate in September of last year was
6.5 per cent.
The Prescott HRDC office reported a slight decrease last month
in the number of persons receiving regular or special Employment
Insurance (EI) benefits. There were 884 claimants at the end
of September compared to 902 at the end of August.
The HRDC office in Brockville reported a slight decrease in
EI claimants for the same period.
United Empire Loyalists
will hold charter meeting this Saturday
AUGUSTA The Colonel Edward Jessup branch of the United
Empire Loyalists (UEL) will hold its charter meeting this Saturday,
Oct. 27 at Bethel United Church hall west of Maynard on the third
concession.
UEL members strive to gather information about their ancestors,
heritage and history. Anyone interested in local history is invited
to attend.
The meeting begins at 11:30 am, and lunch will be served at
noon. A certificate presentation to a UEL descendent will follow,
and author John Morris is scheduled to speak on his new book,
Morrises' History of Prescott, 1800-2000.
For ticket reservations or more information, contact Fraser
Carr at 925-4390 (e-mail fraser.carr@ recorder.ca) or Myrtle
Johnston at 924-2928. Reservations are required by Oct. 21.
High school students share sense of community pride
The school year is well underway at South Grenville and the
students are as busy as ever. Many students will be taking part
in the Walk Against Male Violence, which will be held in Brockville
Nov. 1. The Walk Against Male Violence takes place in many locations
across the province, and the Brockville walk will include students
from seven local high schools.
Spirit of Giving has started planning for its food drives
that will be taking place until Christmas. Everybody is encouraged
to donate at any of the food drives that will be announced at
a later date.
As the weather grows colder, we are reminded that Halloween
is not far off. It is this time of year that we most commonly
think about UNICEF. The members of South Grenville's UNICEF group
will be going around to many of the local public schools distributing
collection boxes. They will also be hosting a party at the school
for children 12 and under Saturday, Oct. 27 from 12:30 to 4:30
pm. Children are asked to wear costumes and parents are asked
to sign their children up with a phone number in case of emergency.
Admission will be charged at the door and refreshments will be
provided. Money raised through this event will be sent overseas
to help children in need.
Volunteer appreciation night takes place this
Friday
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
The annual MERC Volunteer Appreciation Night will take place
Friday, Oct. 26 at 7:30 pm at the Maitland Hall. Anyone who has
volunteered in the Maitland community in the past year is welcome
to this special evening. The MERC Volunteer of the Year will
be awarded at this celebration. This will be the second year
for this award. Last year's recipient was Faith Allingham. The
evening will feature a DJ, cold buffet, door prizes and cash
bar.
There will be a teen Halloween dance Nov. 2 for students in
grades 5 through 8 at the MERC Hall. Music is provided by Heather
and Co. Parents interested in helping with supervision can call
Cynthia at 348-1760.
There will be a meeting of the committee to stop the train
whistles in Augusta Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm at the MERC Hall. A representative
of Transport Canada will be there to answer questions.
There will be a ski and skate sale Oct. 27 from 9-11 am at
the MERC Hall. Items for sale should be labelled with your name
and asking price, and delivered to the hall between 6 and 7 pm
Friday, Oct. 26 or on the morning of the sale.
Quilt tickets are now on sale
WALKER HOUSE NEWS - By Willy Sieling Heuvel
Tickets are now on sale for a queen-size quilt. The "bed
of roses" pattern is hand appliqued and hand quilted. Call
Walker House at 925-5300 for information.
A chicken dinner with all the trimmings will be served Saturday,
Oct. 27 at 5:30 pm. Call in your reservation by today (Oct. 24)
at 4 pm.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st,
Audrey Kingston; 2nd, Harry Nesbitt; Ruth Britnell won the door
prize. Tuesday cribbage high hand, Jeannine Marion and
pete Lowry; high score, Jean McCrady; 2nd, Myrtle Shahan; 3rd,
Hilda Hutton. There was no Wednesday bridge last week. Thursday
euchre 1st, Sam Covey; 2nd, Eddie Arcand; 3rd, Alice Crowder
and Mary Reynolds; Jessie Shaver won the door prize.
Regional jobless rate
is lower than provincial average
KINGSTON The regional unemployment rate decreased in
September, according to figures released by Human Resources Development
Canada (HRDC).
Last month's jobless rate was 5.3 per cent, down from 5.7
per cent in August. These rates apply to the region extending
from Leeds and Lanark counties to the Quebec border west of Montreal,
excluding Ottawa. An HRDC media relations representative indicated
the department could not provide a more localized jobless rate
for smaller areas such as South Grenville.
Other regions of Eastern Ontario reported higher unemployment
figures in September.
Sectors reporting increased employment levels last month were
agriculture, construction, accommodation and food services. Decreases
occurred in manufacturing and public administration, according
to an HRDC news release.
The regional unemployment rate in September of last year was
6.5 per cent.
The Prescott HRDC office reported a slight decrease last month
in the number of persons receiving regular or special Employment
Insurance (EI) benefits. There were 884 claimants at the end
of September compared to 902 at the end of August.
The HRDC office in Brockville reported a slight decrease in
EI claimants for the same period.
United Empire Loyalists
will hold charter meeting this Saturday
AUGUSTA The Colonel Edward Jessup branch of the United
Empire Loyalists (UEL) will hold its charter meeting this Saturday,
Oct. 27 at Bethel United Church hall west of Maynard on the third
concession.
UEL members strive to gather information about their ancestors,
heritage and history. Anyone interested in local history is invited
to attend.
The meeting begins at 11:30 am, and lunch will be served at
noon. A certificate presentation to a UEL descendent will follow,
and author John Morris is scheduled to speak on his new book,
Morrises' History of Prescott, 1800-2000.
For ticket reservations or more information, contact Fraser
Carr at 925-4390 (e-mail fraser.carr@ recorder.ca) or Myrtle
Johnston at 924-2928. Reservations are required by Oct. 21.
Bank machine
removed from bingo hall
JOHNSTOWN An automated teller machine was taken from
Bingo International early Tuesday morning, according to Grenville
County OPP.
Police responded to an alarm call at about 2:19 am. Upon their
arrival police discovered the front doors of the bingo hall had
been entered with force.
Officers from the Lanark identification unit and the rural
agriculture break and enter squad are assisting local OPP officers
with the investigation, according to an OPP news release.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable George
Duke at the OPP detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
MNR advises motorists to use extra caution
SOUTH GRENVILLE With wildlife more active at this time
of year, the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) advises motorists
to be extra cautious on the road.
"With the arrival of autumn, moose and deer are particularly
active as they cover more ground in search of food and suitable
mates," says Christie Curley of MNR's Kemptville District/Area
Office.
"People should be especially careful driving at dawn
or dusk when wildlife is most active," she added.
Since deer rarely travel alone, motorists who see one deer
should be prepared for the sudden appearance of more.
Also, the normal caution deer and moose take before crossing
roads is not present during this time, according to the natural
resources ministry.
The MNR advises motorists not to swerve their vehicle in an
attempt to avoid deer that suddenly appear in their path. Motorists
are at less risk of serious injury if they hit the deer than
if they lose control and hit another vehicle or an immobile object
like a tree or hydro pole.
If drivers see deer along the side of the road, they are advised
to slow down and then sound their horn in a series of short bursts.
If at night, they should blink their headlights to warn the
deer and allow them the opportunity to get out of the way.
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