Heightened state of alert remains in effect at customs
JOHNSTOWN Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) continues
to maintain a heightened state of alert in the wake of the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
An increased customs staff presence remains in place at the
border crossing in Johnstown, according to CCRA spokesperson
Sue Primeau. This is being accomplished from within the current
staff complement, she noted.
Although delays have not been an issue at the local border
crossing, the manner in which motorists are being dealt with
on either side of the bridge continues to be different than what
was in place prior to Sept. 11. Canada Customs officers are asking
more questions and obtaining additional details from those seeking
entry, Primeau said.
"All our staff are trained and are very professional
in the way they handle day-to-day work," she added.
Primeau said previous recruiting efforts produced pools of
qualified candidates from which additional staffing needs can
be met.
In addition to an increased customs staff presence at border
crossings, law enforcement agencies such as the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police continue to
be more visible. "They have a role to play in this heightened
state of alert," Primeau said.
"I do know our staff are working together with the other
agencies."
CCRA reports there has not been a decrease in commercial traffic;
increases are being reported in some areas, according to Primeau.
However, there does appear to be an overall decrease in the number
of travellers passing through customs. Figures for the Johnstown
border crossing were unavailable at press time.
The CCRA Web site (ccra.gc.ca) includes information on wait
times at border sites across Canada. The information is updated
every four hours, noted Primeau.
Clearing begins at
site of new development
PRESCOTT The remnants of an old municipal dump will
not stop a major commercial development from proceeding in the
north end of town.
Clearing has begun on the property located to the east of
the Ontario Provincial Police station. The FAI project includes
the construction of two large buildings to house a grocery store
and Canadian Tire.
The grocery store will be part of the Loblaw family of retailers.
Town CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown said the project has experienced
a few delays but is now moving ahead. One of those delays involved
the prospect of excavating the old municipal dump located under
a portion of the development property.
Brown said the environment ministry has indicated the organic
material can be moved to another location on the property. Initial
analysis indicates an estimated 18,000 cubic metres of material
would have to be removed. The estimated cost of shipping the
material to an off-site location is $52 per cubic metre, according
to Brown.
The estimated cost of on-site removal is about $8 or $9 per
cubic metre, Brown said.
"It will cost much less not having to move it to a landfill,"
he added.
Other businesses are expected to set up shop in the immediate
area of the larger stores to open sometime next year. "I
think it's a catalyst," Brown said of the proposed development.
He noted a Wendy's restaurant would reportedly be located
in the new commercial development.
Traffic lights will eventually be installed at the Edward
Street intersection. Brown said the lights will not be required
during the initial construction phase.
The access road to the site has been named Prescott Centre
Drive.
Construction company owner invests in community
he loves
By Tim Ruhnke -Journal Editor
PRESCOTT Bob Pelda has big plans for 763 King St.
W. and the Town of Prescott.
Pelda purchased the historic property in June. The house (also
known as the White Hall) was built by distiller J.P. Wiser in
1905 and given as a gift to his daughter, Mary Kate Wiser Brown.
"When the property became available, it was an opportunity
to make the move that we've always talked about," he said.
The Ottawa resident and owner of Quad Construction is no stranger
to Prescott. He and his wife Teresa have spent the past five
summers on their boat at Sandra S. Lawn Harbour and have fallen
in love with the community.
With the support of the town and the neighbourhood, the Peldas
decided to make a go of it and establish a permanent presence
in Prescott.
The former Wiser property is a million-dollar investment for
Pelda. The purchase price exceeded $450,000; he estimates renovations
will total about $350,000, not including furnishings and other
costs associated with the project.
Although the house is being converted to a nine-unit seniors
residence, Pelda noted he is not changing the character or personality
of the building. In fact, part of the project involves restoring
portions of the interior and exterior to their original form.
Pelda is in the process of acquiring furnishings which will fit
in with the 1870s-1930s era.
He believes the approach he is taking respects the history
of the property.
"I'm a custodian of time," he said.
Landscaping plans for the yard include walkways and two fountains.
By taking out some of the scrub and smaller trees at the side
and back, the view of the river has been improved. Pelda has
also removed the walls of the boat house to expand the open view
of the river. A gazebo has been added to the back yard.
Pelda said he has been in constant contact with his new neighbours
and has received positive feedback and support. He is also happy
with the local people who have been working on the project.
The entrepreneur's investment in Prescott is not limited to
King Street West. In addition to the former Wiser property, Pelda
purchased a house on Henry Street West in which he and his wife
will eventually reside. He is also the new owner of 175 Water
St., a lot on which townhouses were to have been built.
Pelda sees a multi-residential development on that property
as a back-up plan. His first thought was to have the property
developed for public use. Pelda asked town council if it would
consider locating a new municipal building and library there.
Council has asked for more information on what Pelda has in mind.
As for the former White Hall, Pelda said work is about one
month ahead of schedule. He hopes the residence will be open
April 1. Although he takes pride in describing his vision of
a brighter future for his new home, Pelda considers himself "a
hard-working guy" who has worked hard for his money and
is trying to make the community a better place.
"We hope, for the present, it's the right thing."
THIS WEEK
Fall smorgasbord will be served Saturday
PRESCOTT St. Paul's United Church will present its fall
smorgasbord Tuesday, Nov. 6.
Dinner will be served at 4, 5 and 6 pm. To reserve tickets
or for more information, call 925-1865.
Tickets can be picked up at the church (corner of George and
Dibble streets) Thursday, Nov. 1, Monday, Nov. 5 and Tuesday,
Nov. 6 from 9:30 am until noon.
Take-out orders are available by calling 925-1865; orders
must be placed by noon Tuesday.
Train whistle meeting to be held Nov. 6
MAITLAND A meeting to discuss the possibility of eliminating
train whistles in the Township of Augusta will take place Tuesday,
Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm at the MERC Hall.
The meeting of the Augusta Train Whistle Committee is open
to the public. A Transport Canada official is scheduled to attend
and answer questions.
The committee is expected to make a formal presentation to
Augusta council in November. Council agreed earlier in its term
to initiate a study to determine the feasibility of eliminating
the whistles in the township. However, the concept was rejected
by counties council. Three of the five level crossings in Augusta
involve county roads.
Church presents ham and bean supper
PRESCOTT A ham and bean supper will take place this
Saturday, Nov. 3 at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church at the corner
of Dibble and Centre streets.
Dinner will be served at 5 pm and 6:15 pm. The menu includes
ham, meatballs, scalloped potatoes, macaroni and cheese, home-made
pies, tea and coffee. Take-out orders will be available; call
925-3725.
For tickets, call Dorothy Millar at 925-2918, Marg Gibson
at 925-3582, Hazel Wallace at 925-4530 or Susan Hibbett at 925-4951.
School commencement set for this Saturday
PRESCOTT South Grenville District High School's 2001
commencement ceremonies will take place this Saturday, Nov. 3
at 2:30 pm at the school.
The awards assembly will take place Monday, Nov. 5 at noon.
Prescott heritage
properties
to be included in tourism project
By Tim Ruhnke -Journal Editor
PRESCOTT Local groups and individuals are being asked
to take part in a pilot project aimed at promoting tourism and
increasing awareness of community heritage.
Doors Open Ontario is a province-wide celebration that provides
free public access to buildings and properties of architectural
and historic value. Brockville is one of several demonstration
communities selected to participate in the Ontario Heritage Foundation
program in 2002.
A local steering committee has been formed; it has chosen
Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, June 2 as the "doors open"
days.
Steering committee member Pat Dewar, vice-president of the
Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce and a member of Tourism
Prescott, said the committee has opened up the program to include
other communities in the Brockville area. The program provides
an excellent opportunity to attract visitors to the area, she
added.
"They'll buy a meal or stay overnight; that's what we're
hoping for," Dewar said.
Examples of buildings that may open their doors to the public
are churches, commercial buildings, private clubs and heritage
homes.
Several organizations and individuals in the Prescott area
have already expressed an interest in taking part in the program,
according to Dewar. They include St. John's Anglican Church and
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Fort Wellington and the Battle
of the Windmill, the Coast Guard and Bob Pelda, owner of the
former White Hall in the west end of town.
Each site must provide a sufficient number of volunteers or
staff to manage visitors to the property.
No admission fees will be charged; donation jars are permitted.
Dewar noted participating sites are also permitted on tour days
to sell books, postcards and other items relating to the property.
Dewar said 450,000 brochures will be printed as part of Doors
Open Ontario. The brochures will include site photos and information
which must be submitted by the end of December, she added.
The Brockville-based steering committee will submit a letter
of intent to the heritage foundation. Dewar is optimistic the
project will be a success, but anyone interested in taking part
should come forward as soon as possible.
The possibility of planning other events and activities to
coincide with the heritage program is also being considered,
she noted.
For more information about Doors Open Ontario, call Pat Dewar
at 925-3228 or Susan Fournier at city hall in Brockville (342-8772).
Township accused of unfair hiring practices
MAYNARD A township resident has voiced his concerns
to Augusta council about the manner in which the municipality
filled a job opening.
At the Oct. 22 council meeting, Gill Cyr produced a letter
addressed to Wayne Johnston and signed by Clerk Nigel White.
The letter indicated a review committee had considered Johnston's
application for the position of operator/driver/labourer.
"Unfortunately, it was determined that you do not possess
the skills, competency and experience required for the position,"
the letter stated.
Cyr told council a letter like that should not be sent to
anyone in the township. He also indicated Johnston had worked
for the municipality for several years.
"This thing could cost us money," said Cyr, who
added there would be "a major war" if he had received
such a letter.
Cyr also produced a copy of the internal job posting and the
newspaper advertisement for the same position. He said the bar
was set quite a bit higher for the internal listing.
Reeve George Vail told Cyr the matter "...will be looked
into."
Cyr went on to claim things are being made difficult for anyone
who worked for the township before the arrival of the current
administration.
OPP NEWS
Police continue investigation into fatal accident
PRESCOTT OPP are continuing to investigate the Oct.
22 accident that claimed the life of a toddler.
A van heading eastbound on Highway 401 near the Highway 416
exit crossed the median and collided with a tractor-trailer.
The toddler was ejected from the van. Several people in the van
were injured.
Senior Constable Cindy MacDonald said Monday the driver of
the van had yet to be charged; media reports indicated he had
been charged.
There were 10 people in the van at the time of the collision;
the mini-van was designed to handle seven passengers. No one
from the immediate area was involved in the accident.
The vehicle was not being used as a shuttle van, according
to police. Five people died in a July 2000 shuttle van accident
on Highway 401 west of Prescott.
Booze, helmet stolen from residence
EDWARDSBURGH Grenville County OPP are investigating
a break, enter and theft that occurred sometime between 6:45
and 7:25 pm Oct. 23 at a residence on Jordan Road.
The culprit or culprits used force to enter the home and remove
a large quantity of liquor and a Skidoo Bombardier modular helmet.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigating
officer, Constable Elaine Barr, at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers
at 1-800-222-8477.
Business community
voices concerns following recent break-ins downtown
PRESCOTT Business leaders in Prescott are expressing
concerns about municipal policing in the wake of a recent series
of break-ins on King Street West.
Four businesses in a two-block area were broken into between
4 am and 6 am Oct. 15. In all four cases, entry was gained by
shattering glass in or near doors located at the front of the
store.
Members of the Prescott Downtown Business Improvement Area
(BIA) decided two weeks ago to send a letter to the municipality
voicing concern about the crimes and what some business owners
believe is a lack of police presence in the area. BIA Chairperson
Ken Durand said this is not the first time some BIA members have
noted their concerns about policing in the downtown core. The
BIA would like to see additional police patrols in the area.
Prescott council voted Jan. 2 in favour of disbanding the
Prescott Police Service and obtaining municipal service from
the Ontario Provincial Police. Financial considerations were
cited as an important factor in council's decision; no concerns
were expressed publicly by council about the level of service
being provided by the municipal department.
A proposal by the town and police services board is being
reviewed by the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.
The commission's written decision is expected within the next
few weeks.
Durand said there was no discussion at the recent BIA meeting
about the OPP option. He added the issue of policing in downtown
Prescott would remain of interest to the business community no
matter which agency provides the service.
Police Chief Rick Bowie told The Journal Monday he
had not seen the letter from the BIA. Although he declined to
comment on the matter, Bowie noted the investigation of the break-ins
is ongoing.
Bill Pakeman, president of the Prescott and District Chamber
of Commerce, told chamber directors at their Oct. 18 meeting
the recent string of break-ins on King Street was alarming.
Pakeman said the due diligence of town police seems to be
in question. Business owners need to feel their stores are safe
and secure even when they are not there, he remarked.
Pakeman added town council's decision to seek a municipal
contract with the Ontario Provincial Police and disband the existing
police service "...would appear to have merit given recent
events."
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn, who is also a member of the police
services board, said he also found the recent break-ins to be
alarming, especially given the vandalism associated with the
incidents. But the issue of policing in the downtown area is
not a new one, according to the mayor.
"It has been a concern for a long time," Lawn said.
The matter has been referred to the police services board,
the mayor noted. Even with the proposed change in municipal policing
in the works, Lawn expects members of the police department to
maintain the same level of professionalism they normally would.
Town officials have maintained the OPP would provide service
that would be as good as or better than what the municipal police
department provides.
Last train to Prescott ends 150-year tradition
PRESCOTT A century and a half of passenger rail service
to Prescott has reached the end of the line.
VIA Rail's final scheduled stop in the Fort Town took place
last weekend. VIA announced about a month ago stops in Prescott,
Maxville and Trenton would be eliminated as part of a consolidation
of stations.
Although the historic train station in Prescott was closed
to the public a number of years ago, one eastbound and one westbound
VIA train have continued to make evening stops. However, the
company cited figures which show ridership had been decreasing
in recent years; only a handful of passengers were using the
Prescott stops each week.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn, who arrived from Toronto by train
last Friday, maintains ridership could be increased if additional
measures were taken. Lawn, who was saddened by the loss of the
Prescott stops, plans to put his suggestions in writing and send
them to senior VIA officials.
VIA indicated it is taking steps to improve express service
between major urban centres such as Toronto and Montreal. As
for Prescott, VIA officials note the town is not far from an
existing, full-service train station in Brockville which offers
numerous arrivals and departures and is also on the Toronto-Ottawa
line.
Prescott's association with passenger rail service dates back
to the 1850s.
Bylaw committees host
public meetings next week
MAYNARD Proposed by-laws dealing with dogs and property
standards will be the subject of two public meetings next week.
The ad hoc committee on the dog and kennel control and regulation
bylaw will meet Wednesday, Nov. 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the
municipal building in Maynard. The committee associated with
the proposed property standards and maintenance bylaw will meet
Thursday, Nov. 8 from 5 to 7 pm at the municipal building.
Both meetings are open to the public. Anyone who wishes to
speak is asked to submit his or her presentation in writing,
according to a township notice. Each oral presentation is not
to exceed five minutes.
Anyone who would like to become a member of an ad hoc committee
is asked to apply in writing to the township by Monday, Nov.
5 at noon. Successful applicants will be notified that evening.
Cemetery vandals sought
by police
SHANLY Crime Stoppers (Kingston/1000 Islands) and the
Grenville County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police
are seeking the public's assistance in solving a case of vandalism
in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
Vandals toppled and caused damage to as many as 33 headstones
at the Shanly Cemetery on County Road 21 west of Shanly.
The incident occurred during the overnight hours of Aug. 15,
2001.
It is difficult to place a dollar value on the repairs to
and replacement of the stones, many of which are quite old.
Anyone with information about this case of mischief or any
other criminal activity is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Callers do not have to give their names; information provided
could make callers eligible for cash rewards.
Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display or any other
form of caller identification.
Long-time Walker
House program director retires
PRESCOTT Today marks the final day for Willy Sieling
Heuvel as program director at Walker House, a local organization
that provides recreational activities for older adults.
"I have very much enjoyed it," Sieling Heuvel says,
talking about her nearly 14 years at Walker House. "But
it's my turn now."
A retirement party was held at Royal Canadian Legion Branch
97 in Prescott recently and Sieling Heuvel was very appreciative.
"It was a lovely retirement party and they gave me a
lovely Inuit carving," she says. "It was wonderfully
attended as well."
Sieling Heuvel, who taught at St. Lawrence College in Kingston
before starting with Walker House, says she hopes to resume teaching
again on a part-time basis. She also looks forward to weaving
in her basement and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Despite retiring from Walker House, Sieling Heuvel will not
lose contact with the organization, planning to do volunteer
work in the future.
"I couldn't do that after so many years; it's been such
a big part of my life," she says. "It's been wonderful."
Although the organization currently has 140 members, Sieling
Heuvel says her biggest frustration as program director at Walker
House was trying to get new members to join.
"It's very hard to attract people," she says. "With
people working for a living, and television, entertainment and
bingo...they don't realize what they have here."
The job of attracting people and organizing events will now
belong to Marnie Lippiatt.
"I'm really looking forward to it," says Lippiatt,
who has spent the last month learning on the job from Sieling
Heuvel. "I'm going to benefit from Willy's experience."
"I've tried to pass my years of knowledge on to Marnie,"
Sieling Heuvel adds. "I've got great confidence in her;
she'll do a great job."
Town council and committee meetings alternate
locations
PRESCOTT Town of Prescott committee meetings will be
moved to town hall while council meetings will remain at the
health centre on King Street.
Town Councillor Garry Dewar said committee meetings were initially
moved to the health centre to better accommodate larger public
audiences, but the move has caused an inconvenience for town
officials.
"People would have to anticipate everything we need at
the health centre," Dewar said. "It was a lot of work
for them to bring everything from town hall. If we're at the
hall, we can just run back to our office or our computers to
find what we need."
Dewar said council meetings are much more formal and follow
a strict procedure, making it easier for officials to anticipate
documents that they would need at a meeting.
Council meetings will continue to be held at the health centre
the first and third Mondays of each month while committee meetings
will take place the second and fourth Mondays of each month at
town hall on Edward Street. Despite the alternating locales for
meetings, Dewar does not think it will cause confusion for the
public who might want to attend.
"We put an ad in the paper every month," he said.
"The change will be posted in there."
Gifted vocalists to
perform in Spencerville to support library
SPENCERVILLE An evening of entertainment for the whole
family to enjoy will be presented by the Edwardsburgh Public
Library Saturday, Nov. 10.
Sound Waves is being organized by Shanly resident Janice McIntyre
to help fund upgrades to the library.
The event will feature a variety of musical entertainment,
from off-Broadway to classic pop to country.
McIntyre's son, Paul McIntyre, 20, is one of the three performers
to appear at the concert, scheduled to take place at the Drummond
Building in Spencerville beginning at 7:30 pm.
Paul combines the song styles of Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond,
Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin and others to produce an entertainment
package that brings audiences to their feet. From his first winning
appearance on CTV's Home Grown Café, Paul has been a hit
with crowds at the Ontario/Quebec Music Festival, Tuscan's Roadhouse,
The Heritage Café and the Central Canada Exhibition.
Also to perform is eight-year-old Elyssa Mahoney of Ottawa,
who has twice won the Kiwanis Music Festival and wowed audiences
since she was four. For the past three years she has performed
her own show at the Canada Central Exhibition, and she has won
awards in Ontario and Quebec. Her repertoire includes pop classics,
children's favorites, classical and Broadway.
Tim Ruggles, 39, is an urban cowboy who has been entertaining
since he was nine. His rich tones and country charm reaches all
ages who love the music of such artists as Garth Brooks, Tim
McGraw, Alan Jackson and John Michael Montgomery.
Janice McIntyre said the event will be an exceptional evening
of entertainment. "They certainly can keep a crowd busy,"
she said. "It will be quite an interesting show."
She noted the different styles of music were chosen to appeal
to a large audience with various musical tastes.
For ticket information contact Janice McIntyre at 658-2052
or Dianne Pinder at 658-5136.
Walk against male violence
this Thursday
SOUTH GRENVILLE Students from South Grenville District
High School will be among the participants in the fourth Walk
against Male Violence in Leeds and Grenville.
The walk takes place Thursday morning in Brockville. Walkers
will gather at Wall Street United Church at 9:30 am to begin
a 5-km route through the city.
"The goal of the walk is to break through the silence,
to talk about ending the many ways men are violent towards women.
The cycle of violence includes physical assault, sexist jokes
and put downs, pornography, sexual assault, psychological abuse
and emotional abuse among other forms of violence," stated
Ken Hancock, walk co-ordinator.
The walk was initiated by men to protest sexism and violence
against women and children.
Students from several high schools in Leeds and Grenville
will be taking part in the walk-a-thon. Each student or other
member of the community who participates raises a minimum of
$20. Seventy per cent of net proceeds will be donated to Leeds
and Grenville Interval House and the Sexual Assault Centre of
Leeds and Grenville. Each facility received more than $3,000
from the walk in 1999.
For more information about the walk, contact Kimberley at
Interval House (342-4724) or Marg at the Sexual Assault Centre
(345-3881).
Train whistles
topic of meeting
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
Augusta residents are invited to an information meeting hosted
by a citizens group interested in having train whistles stopped
in Augusta.
The meeting will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 pm at
MERC Hall. Also attending the meeting will be a representative
from Transport Canada, who will answer questions and outline
the process for stopping the train whistles.
The citizens group, spearheaded by Riverview Heights resident
Brenda Humphry, feels that stopping the whistles in Augusta is
an idea whose time has come. Citing increased train traffic (Augusta
is estimated to have between 60 to 65 trains daily) and increasing
residential development along the tracks, this group presented
Augusta council with a 200-name petition last summer asking it
to investigate the process and costs of eliminating train whistles
in Augusta.
In the spring, Augusta township council agreed to look at
the feasibility of stopping the whistles in Augusta and sent
a letter to counties council requesting its permission to investigate
the three of five crossings in Augusta owned by the counties.
Counties Council refused their permission with the result Augusta
council has taken no further action.
The committee to stop the train whistles has sent out a survey
to residents living in the area of the railway tracks that will
help the group gauge support for this initiative.
Train traffic in Canada is governed by the Canadian Rail Operating
Rules (CROR) which were developed by the railways and their unions
and approved by Transport Canada. The train whistling at a crossings
may be waived if certain criteria are met.
There are several steps involved in requesting a whistling
exception. First, the municipality should review the crossings
to ensure they meet the criterion for whistling exception. If
the criterion is met, the municipality submits a request to CN.
A detailed report is prepared, including an assessment of the
safety implications if whistling is stopped. The railroad and
Transport Canada must agree public safety will not be compromised
before council can pass a resolution to stop the whistles. Transport
Canada is responsible for rail crossing safety and sets the standards
for all of Canada.
Train whistles have been stopped in 117 municipalities in
Ontario, including Brockville and Smiths Falls.
MERC held its annual general meeting Oct. 22. Moira Taylor
was returned as president, with Suzanne Jensen as the vice-president;
Marilyn Cybulski as secretary; Brad Somers as treasurer and Tina
Atcheson as bingo treasurer. The new MERC Board also includes
directors Wayne Brohman, Toni Price, Cynthia Turton, Susan Somers,
Kim Dunlop, Tracey Lowe, Lynne Steiner and Joe Kelly.
At the MERC Annual Volunteer Appreciation Evening, Lorne Smith
and Lloyd Chisholm were named the Maitland Volunteers of the
Year. Moira Taylor says both of these gentlemen have been working
quietly in the Maitland community for years. They help with the
outdoor rink, with the cleanup and ongoing maintenance of the
hall. They volunteer at the seniors' luncheons, maintain Maitland
Ski Trails, and just generally pitch in where they are needed.
Marilyn Cybulski says Smith and Chisholm have become the eyes
and ears of the board with regard to the maintenance of the hall.
"They see what needs to be done and in most cases they go
ahead and do it." Each honouree received an engraved plaque
and a gift presented by the MERC Board.
Agriculture club helps
relief efforts in needy countries and local area
ALGONQUIN A local club recently teamed up with the federal
government to provide humanitarian relief to countries in need.
Antique Wheels in Motion, an Algonquin-based club that preserves
and showcases old-fashioned farm equipment and practices, donated
12 tons of wheat to The World Foodgrains Bank in August.
The Federation of Agriculture matched the tonnage of donated
wheat by a four to one ratio. The cumulative donation of 60 tons
of wheat is equivalent to approximately $10,000, Antique Wheels
in Motion president Gary Throop said at the club's meeting Thursday
night.
Antique Wheels in Motion, which regularly meets the second
Thursday of each month at the Augusta Public Library in Algonquin,
holds a Harvest Day Demonstrations each year in August. The club
has a five-year agreement to use a 20-acre plot of land on County
Road 18, six miles north of Prescott, for growing wheat.
The club harvests ten acres itself, most with grain binders,
leaving two acres for demonstration at the show. The other ten
acres were left for the Federation of Agriculture, which harvested
the wheat for the World Foodgrains Bank.
The Federation of Agriculture provided the grain and fertilizer
for the field this year. The two organizations hope to continue
the arrangment for years to come.
Antique Wheels in Motion also donated $500, raised from sale
of raffle tickets, to St. John Ambulance, Prescott. St. John
Ambulance attended the Harvest Day Demonstration show this year
for first-aid purposes and is in the middle of a fundraising
drive for a new guerney, the stretcher with wheels used in ambulances.
SG students plan memorial
garden
Submitted by Laura Parrott
This past Saturday was UNICEF's annual children's party at
South Grenville. With just under 100 children attending, the
day was a large success. A number of community members helped
make the party a reality.
This year South Grenville will again be holding its annual
raffle. Members of the community are asked to help school sports
and clubs by supporting this event. Tickets can be bought from
South Grenville students as well as from various locations in
the community.
Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) will be working
with South Grenville's environmental club, Youth Assisting Planet
Preservation, in the creation of a "Garden of Remembrance."
The idea came after the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.
The members of SAVE decided it would be appropriate to create
a garden to remember all victims of violence. Both clubs are
now asking the community to donate plants to the garden when
they split their perennials in the spring. In order to plan the
garden, though, they would like to get an idea of what will be
available. If you are able to donate, please drop off a piece
of paper with your name, and listing what you will be donating,
to the main office at South Grenville.
SCHOOL SCENE
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL Monday, musician Deborah
Dunleavy came here and did workshops with the students.
Today, there is a soccer tournament at the school in the afternoon.
Tomorrow, Merigold the Magician will be here to entertain the
Kindergarten to Grade 6 students.
Friday, the hot lunch is hot dogs.
CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOL A halloween party for all staff
and students will be held in the gym today at 1 pm followed by
a dance for grades 6 through 8. The hot lunch this week is pizza.
Bus evacuation drills were held yesterday and will be held
again Friday. Pop can pickup is tomorrow.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL It's halloween and we have
celebrated well at St. Mark Catholic School. Students are trick-or-treating
this evening and collecting for Holy Childhood.
Please remember early dismissal Friday; buses leave St. Mark
at 11:45 and 11:50 am. Teachers are planning in the afternoon
for literacy initiatives.
Star Reading skill this week is "I Can Prove It."
Please read with your child.
Hot lunch this week is hamburgers, next week's is pizza.
Brass quintet
made impression on audience
FORT TOWN CONCERT REVIEW
By Beverlee Wells
The 2001-2002 season of the Fort Town Concert Association
opened with the Impact Brass Quintet at St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Church Tuesday, Oct. 16. If this concert is anything to judge
by, try to attend future concerts in this series by Jeunesses
Musicales of Canada, because they should be more than worth the
price of admission.
The award winning Impact Brass Quintet was formed at the Conservatoire
de musique du Québec in Montreal in 1995, and began performing
in the youth concert series with Les Jeunesses Musicales in 1999.
In introducing the group and welcoming the audience, Samuel Véro
(trumpet) said that they like to give something back to the audience.
This attitude was evident throughout the concert, from the brief
explanation of the theory of brass instruments to the audience
participation during the encores. It is easy to assume that the
concert they performed Tuesday afternoon at South Grenville District
High School (attended by approximately 100 area music students)
was informative as well as very entertaining.
The repertoire the group performed was mostly classical in
nature, with selections from the early baroque to contemporary,
including La Rose Nuptiale by Canadian Calixa Lavallée.
A highlight of the concert was the group's adaptation of Samuel
Barber's Adagio. This piece showcased the individual as
well as ensemble abilities of the Impact Brass Quintet, as the
long, slow phrases of the piece challenge brass players' intonation,
tuning and lung capacity. The audience paused in wonder and appreciation
before erupting into tumultuous applause at the conclusion of
the piece.
Each artist (trumpeters Samuel Véro and Frédéric
Demers, horn player Marjolaine Goulet, trombonist Jean-Michel
Malouf, and tuba player Jean-François Bélisle)
arranged and performed a solo work, highlighting their abilities
as well as those of their instrument. The Impact Brass Quintet
is a wonderful group to listen to, the individuals (as good as
they are) coming together into a single entity that creates beautiful
music.
The Fort Town Concert Association is a tremendous boon to
the area because it brings very high calibre young Canadian musicians
into a community that could not otherwise support such concerts.
Each concert that this reviewer has seen (quite a few over the
years) has been fun, intimate and very enjoyable. Pianist Stewart
Goodyear performs Thursday, Nov. 15, sponsored by Money Concepts.
Plan to attend.
Next dinner will take place Saturday, Nov.
24
WALKER HOUSE NEWS - By Willy Sieling Heuvel
This being my last day working at Walker House, I would like
to thank all the members for their support in the last (almost)
14 years the board, the town hall staff, the works garage
guys, the recreation fellas for making my job here easier.
I will still be around as a volunteer, so I will hopefully
see most of you on an occasional basis.
I would also like to thank The Prescott Journal for
keeping our members up to date on a weekly basis of the happenings
here at Walker House.
Thank you, everybody; you have all been great.
The dinner last Saturday was a huge success. The next dinner
will take place on Saturday, Nov. 24.
Card game winners last week were: Monday bridge 1st,
Ed Zachon; 2nd, Betty Pillar; Mary Reynolds won the door prize.
Tuesday cribbage high hand, Pete Lowry; high score, Jean
McCrady; 2nd, Pat McPhee and Hugh Evely; 3rd, Pete Lowry. Wednesday
evening bridge 1st, Andy Britnell; Jim Campbell, 2nd; Audrey
Kingston won the door prize.
Thursday euchre 1st, Pete Lowry; 2nd, Jessie Shaver;
3rd, Mary Reynolds; Jeannine Marion won the door prize.
United Way collects nearly $300,000
Economic downturn and world events affect campaign
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE The United Way campaign is approaching
the halfway mark in terms of its fundraising goal, but campaign
organizers acknowledge this year's effort is proving to be a
struggle.
As of Oct. 26, approximately $290,000 had been collected.
Money raised during "Loonie Days" last Thursday, Friday
and Saturday at several stores in the region including
Canadian Tire and valu-mart in Prescott will be added to
the total.
The Leeds and Grenville campaign goal is $650,000.
A United Way arts and craft show will take place this Saturday,
Nov. 3 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Brockville Memorial Centre.
More than 45 tables of arts and crafts will be on display. There
will also be a special table featuring older Beanie babies.
Campaign organizers have indicated recent world events combined
with a downturn in the economic climate have slowed donations.
"Attendance at special events and support to the United
Way by making your donation will help raise money for the campaign
and might help compensate for other areas that are struggling,"
a campaign news release stated.
The United Way of Leeds and Grenville supports 26 member agencies.
Eighty-five cents of every dollar donated goes directly to services
and programs. The local program's administration and fundraising
costs are much lower than the Canadian average for charities,
according to the release.
Infant and child CPR
and first aid course offered
PRESCOTT A course on infant and child CPR and emergency
first aid will be offered Saturday, Nov. 24 from 8:30 am to 4:30
pm at the Prescott Health Centre on King Street West.
The one-day course is being presented by Leeds and Grenville
Child Care Resources.
To pre-register by Nov. 21 or for more information, call 345-0350,
1-888-412-9900.
The e-mail address is l-gccr@on.aibn.com.
BROCKVILLE A tourism rally for the greater Brockville
area will take place Tuesday, Nov. 6 from 8 am to 2 pm at the
Quality Hotel Royal Brock on Stewart Blvd.
In addition to offering a number of tourism-related workshops,
the rally will provide businesses with a chance to set up displays
and promote their services.
For more information or to register to attend the tourism
rally, contact Susan Fournier at 342-8772.
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