Prepare to Light Up the Night
Prescott hosts annual parade and stage show this Friday
evening
PRESCOTT It is once again time to "Light Up
the Night" and kick off the holiday season.
The Prescott Fire Department and the Fort Town Boosters are
presenting the fourth annual parade and stage show this Friday.
Parade committee co-chair Brent Norton expects a crowd of 10,000.
The main difference this year has to do with timing; the stage
show will take place before the parade, a switch from previous
years. However, the basic elements that have made Light Up the
Night a major draw remain in place.
The festivities begin with a homemade spaghetti dinner will
be served at the Legion Hall on Henry Street. The meal includes
spaghetti, salad, roll and beverage for a nominal fee. Proceeds
go to Legion projects.
The stage show begins at 5 pm at the clock tower. "We
truly are going to entertain people," show organizer Greg
Adams said.
Dawn Adams and Nikki Glock are scheduled to host the show
which will feature Canadian recording artist Maren Ord. "She's
really a talented singer," Adams said. "We're lucky
to have her."
The Studio "C" Intermediate Dancers will also perform
at the clock tower. The show is expected to last about an hour.
The big parade will form beginning at about 5:30 pm in the
parking lot at South Grenville District High School. Norton said
Monday upwards of 50 entries had registered and more were expected
by Friday.
The parade, illuminated by thousands of lights and an appearance
by Santa Claus, will leave the high school parking lot at 7 pm
and head south on Edward Street before turning right at King
Street and proceeding to St. Lawrence Street. The parade continues
on St. Lawrence to the Hathaway lots.
In addition to appearances by Elmer the Safety Elephant and
Sparky the Fire Prevention Dog, the parade will feature at least
four bands, Mrs. Claus on a Harley-Davidson and Santa Claus and
a full contingent of reindeer. Santa will be riding in the old
Bickle fire truck decorated with about 1,400 lights. This year's
parade marshal is Randall Moore of Y105 and CHEZ106 in Ottawa.
Norton said it is not too late to enter a float in the parade.
Call 925-5601 to register.
Motorists are reminded to avoid the clock tower area during
the stage show and Edward and King streets at parade time. Centre
Street between Water and King streets, and King between Centre
and George, will be closed at about 4:30 pm and remain closed
until after the show.
The Legion Hall will be the place to be for entertainment
after the parade. Ottawa's Rachelle Richards, a top performer
at this year's Central Canada Exhibition (SuperEx), will be featured.
Ord (who is scheduled to appear Monday on Open Mike with Mike
Bullard) will also make an appearance at the Legion. Free hot
dogs, drinks and potato chips will be available.
Adams noted there will be increased media coverage of this
year's event; three radio stations will be doing remotes from
downtown Prescott Friday afternoon.
Adams acknowledged support for this year's event was a bit
slow at first, something he believes may have been due in part
to the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United
States. But things have picked up in recent days and it is now
time for people to come out and enjoy themselves, he added. A
special invitation is being extended this year to Americans,
but Adams pointed out everybody is invited to visit Prescott
Friday and get into the holiday spirit.
Norton added he has noticed an increase in the number of parade
entries from the surrounding area, some of which are new to the
event.
Thousands expected to take part in holiday season
kick-off
Vacant Augusta Township council position to
be discussed Nov. 26
MAYNARD Augusta Township council will meet Monday, Nov.
26 to decide how the vacancy in its ranks will be filled.
Reeve George Vail confirmed last Friday the open meeting will
be held to discuss options available to replace a council position
made available by Deputy Reeve Morris Stark, who resigned from
his job Oct. 31 for health and personal reasons. The meeting
begins at 6 pm.
Calling a meeting sooner was not possible because of work
commitments and other meetings already scheduled for council
members, Vail said.
According to the Municipal Act, a reeve or deputy reeve seat
must be filled from within the existing council, and then the
vacancy declared at the councillor level. It was announced at
the Nov. 12 council meeting Councillor Doug Barton would move
up to the deputy reeve position, and will be sworn in at the
Dec. 10 regular meeting.
Of the three options available to fill the vacancy, Vail said
he prefers to advertise for applications and then appoint a councillor
following interviews. This method, he said, could provide a large
selection of candidates from which to choose.
A second option involves council members nominating and then
voting for an unsuccessful candidate in last year's November
municipal election. Those four people are John McCrea, Bill Buckler,
Wayne Reid and Dwain Swerdfiger.
Vail noted if any of the four is still interested in the position,
that person could then put his name forward in the application
process, giving councillors a larger pool of names.
The third option - calling a byelection - is not desirable,
according to Vail. He estimated a byelection could cost about
$10,000 and would be time consuming.
If the majority of council agreed at the Nov. 26 meeting to
choose the unsuccessful candidate with the highest number of
votes in the last election, for example, that person, if agreeable,
could be on board by the Dec. 10 meeting of council, Vail predicted.
A councillor would likely not begin until early in the new year
if chosen through the application process.
He was hopeful someone would be on council as soon as possible
so that person could learn the ropes before budget deliberations
begin in a few months.
"I feel it's important to have somebody in place, but
we'll make sure we make the right decision and go forth from
there," Vail said.
"This person is needed and it needs our urgency, but
we'll follow the right procedure to do it."
Town agrees to remove
material from old landfill
PRESCOTT Town council has approved an agreement for
the removal of material from a former municipal landfill located
under a portion of the proposed commercial development near the
Ontario Provincial Police station.
Council voted Monday to enter into an agreement with Interwin
Developments Ltd., the owner of the property on which the FAI
development will be built. The town has agreed to move an estimated
18,000 cubic metres of material to an area east of the development
and south of Highway 401.
The material will be shaped to form a berm, a hill that will
also serve as a sound barrier to ease highway noise in nearby
residential areas.
The estimated cost of the project ranges from $90,000 to $180,000,
according to Town Engineer Clyde Solomon. The actual magnitude
of the project or how long it will take to relocate the material
and form the berm will not be known until the amount of soil
to be moved and other factors have been determined, Solomon noted.
Mayor Robert Lawn said work on removing the material is expected
to begin at the beginning of December.
Cornwall Gravel was awarded the contract to excavate and move
the material from the landfill.
Although the agreement lists the town and Interwin Developments
as the two parties, it notes a portion of the property is to
be sold to FAI Canada Development (Prescott) Corp. The proposed
Prescott Centre development includes construction of a 40,000-square-foot
grocery store from the Loblaw family of stores, a new Canadian
Tire outlet and a Wendy's Restaurant. Those businesses are expected
to open next year.
The developer has also pitched the idea of locating a new
town hall and library at the north-end site.
THIS WEEK
Women's Institute marks 75th anniversary
ROEBUCK The Roebuck Women's Institute will celebrate
its 75th anniversary this Sunday, Nov. 25.
A special anniversary tea will be held from 2 to 4 pm at the
Roebuck hall. Tea will be served by volunteer students who live
in or around the community.
The membership has grown over the years to 25 ladies interested
in promoting help and growth for "home and country."
Among the invited institute dignitaries are Area Chair Ann
Mcdougall of Almonte, Provincial Board Director Faith Nelms of
Oxford Station and District President Mary Bowrin of Kemptville.
The guest speaker will be Sandra Lawn of Prescott. Entertainment
will be provided by Brittany Pinder of Spencerville and Kate
Bevan-Baker.
Gift basket registration begins next Tuesday
PRESCOTT Registration for Spirit of Giving gift baskets
will take place next week at the tennis club building behind
Walker House at Centennial Park.
Kinsmen Club of Prescott members who organize the Spirit of
Giving campaign will be on hand Tuesday through Friday and again
Monday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 3 pm to register applicants for the
distribution process. The program is open to residents of South
Grenville. Applicants will be asked to provide proof of address
and should be prepared to discuss their financial situation.
They will also be asked to sign a waiver form which allows the
club to cross-reference their name with other gift basket providers.
Applicants must register on one of the five designated days;
registration will not be extended.
The gift baskets will be distributed Dec. 23 at South Grenville
District High School. The club's 2000 campaign helped provide
food and toys to more than 250 families.
St. Paul's to host bazaar and luncheon
PRESCOTT St. Paul's United Church will present a Christmas
bazaar and luncheon Wednesday, Nov. 28.
The bazaar and bake sale will run from 10 am to 1:30 pm; lunch
will be served from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Crafts, gifts, knitting,
decorations and other items will be available.
VON hosts hearing care clinic Monday
PRESCOTT A hearing health-care clinic will take place
this Monday, Nov. 26 at the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) office
at the Prescott Health Centre, 555 King St. W.
The clinic is being presented by the Brockville, Leeds and
Grenville branch of the VON and the Canadian Hearing Society.
To make an appointment, call the VON at 342-3693 or 1-800-465-7646.
Demolition of
former Churchill Public School nears completion
RIVERVIEW HEIGHTS The building on Merwin Lane west of
Prescott that once served as a public and nursery school has
now been reduced to a pile of rubble.
The demolition of the former Churchill Public School, built
in 1955-56, is almost complete. Once the five-acre site is cleared,
it will be severed into three residential building lots, said
Bill Carlyle of Maitland, who is handling the estate of Sam Zigman,
the former owner of the property.
The lots will be for sale as soon as the demolition is complete,
which Carlyle expects to happen within the next week. Westendorp
of Belleville is handling the demolition work.
"It's a nice piece of land," said Carlyle, noting
the almost 700-foot-deep lots will blend in well with the existing
subdivision of Riverview Heights.
The abandoned building had become derelict and open to the
weather, Carlyle explained, adding it was a "difficult property
to deal with and keep secure." The property had had a number
of private owners prior to Zigman taking ownership several years
ago, he said.
Last April, the Prescott Air Cadet Squadron had sought to
purchase the building for use as its headquarters and training
centre, but was unable to access sufficient funding.
The opening of the school in the mid-1950s marked the closing
of school houses at then-Highway 2 and Blue Church Road, built
in 1874; Haley's School on Concession 2, built in 1885; and the
older Maitland school, built in 1816. The current Maitland Public
School was also built in 1955.
Churchill school began sharing a principal with Central Public
School in 1972. Declining enrollment was a factor in the school's
closing to regular classes in 1974. It opened that year to Stepping
Stones Nursery School, a privately-operated and funded venture,
which rented two rooms from what was then known as the Leeds
and Grenville County Board of Education. Stepping Stones closed
in 1984 with the introduction of Junior Kindergarten to the public
school system.
The South Grenville Alternative School also used a portion
of the school during the 1980s for adults working toward a Grade
12 diploma.
Local crematorium to open next year
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
MAITLAND A new facility for those choosing cremation
instead of traditional burial methods will soon be available
in this area.
Upper Canada Cemetery Company, a Toronto-based firm which
owns Roselawn Memorial Gardens near Maitland, is establishing
a crematorium at the cemetery site, said local manager Barbara
Gemmill.
The large, one-storey building with the appearance of a home
in an up-scale neighbourhood is expected to be open in late spring
or early summer.
The Roselawn Cremation Tribute Centre will also offer a chapel
that will seat between 50 and 70 people, a reception area, administrative
offices and an indoor columbarium with glass-fronted niches.
These are small openings within a granite wall where interment
of ashes can be placed in an urn. Visitors would have access
to the climate-controlled area six days per week. An outdoor
area for scattering ashes will also be available.
Roselawn currently has three outdoor columbariums, and the
more traditional interment sites with upright markers and flat
markers in a park-like atmosphere, Gemmill said.
Cremation facilities for this area are now only available
in Ottawa or Kingston, which adds transportation charges to the
cost of a funeral, she noted. And with about 50 per cent of all
local people now choosing cremation, Gemmill expects the new
facility will be welcomed
"We're hoping to provide something that hasn't been available
before," she said. "Hopefully, it's a good thing for
everyone."
Gemmill said the cremation rate is higher here than in other
areas of Canada because statistics show generally, a public that
is more educated tends to choose cremation rather than an earth
burial and is more environmentally conscious.
However, cremation has been on the rise throughout Canada
in the last 10 years, she said, and the number of cremation interments
increases each year.
Younger people between the ages of about 22 and 50 also tend
to choose cremation, with the more elderly preferring standard
interment, Gemmill said.
Cremation sometimes carries the connotation it is a cheaper
alternative to burial, although Gemmill noted this could depend
on which options a family chooses.
There are currently five local people employed at Roselawn,
with one additional employee expected to be hired when the centre
opens.
Talk of developing land in east end re-emerges
Superintendent reiterates Parks Canada's opposition
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT Some municipal and business leaders want Parks
Canada to reconsider its policy prohibiting development of vacant
waterfront land in the east end of town.
The subject was discussed last Thursday at the monthly meeting
of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Sharon Spychi put forward a suggestion she had received from
Prescott resident Ken Marshall. His tourism suggestion for the
waterfront area includes a covered walkway, cafés, shops
and a small motel and pool, as well as people dressed in costumes
as part of a heritage theme.
Parks Canada owns the property south of Fort Wellington and
County Road 2. The possibility of development at that location
was discussed earlier this year by the town's planning and development
committee.
Councillor and committee chair Garry Dewar, who is also a
chamber director, believes some of the land could be used for
residential units; the town has little or no property left to
develop at a time when there is a need to expand the municipal
tax base, according to Dewar.
Fort Wellington Superintendent Pam Buell attended the committee
meeting and indicated in no uncertain terms the property is off-limits
to development, Dewar told chamber directors last week.
"She spent 45 minutes shooting me right down in flames,"
Dewar said. He and Councillor Terry McConnell spoke in favour
of considering residential development at the planning meeting.
Dewar questions whether all of the open-space area in the
east end is historically significant and needs to be retained
as is for sight lines. There were also concerns expressed about
the extent to which Parks Canada obtained public input before
approving the no-development policy.
Buell told The Journal Friday the status of the Fort
Wellington and Battle of the Windmill site national historic
sites was the subject of "extensive community consultations"
as part of a planning exercise two years ago. "We heard
from the community over and over again," Buell said. "It
valued that property as an open space."
The operating plans of the local sites are to be reviewed
every five years, according to Buell.
"That's not to say public input is not welcome at any
time," Buell added.
Dewar said last week he has been told the federal government
may seriously consider a proposal if the town got behind it.
Buell maintains Parks Canada supports "passive" recreational
activities such as the Millennium Pathway; however, developing
the waterfront in the east end of town is "just not in the
stars" in the near future.
"Parks Canada is not a developer," Buell said.
She noted Parks Canada did allow the town to purchase the
property and use it for a heritage hotel.
Dewar indicated the subject could be addressed next year as
part of a review of the town's official plan.
Bill Pakeman, president of the chamber of commerce, said the
chamber would probably send a letter of support if and when a
proposal is submitted to fort officials.
OPP NEWS
Trailer stolen from lot
EDWARDSBURGH Grenville County OPP are investigating
the theft of a trailer from 730 Truck Stop. The theft occurred
sometime between 11 pm Nov. 13 and 10 am Nov. 14. The unit consists
of a 20-foot red container and a red frame with "Trail Rider
Equipment" appearing on the side. The trailer bears Ontario
plate no. VGO 371. The value of the trailer and the load exceeds
$8,000. Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigating
officer, Constable Marty McConnell, at the Prescott detachment
(925-4221) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Direction-seeker charged
AUGUSTA OPP officers were conducting routine traffic
enforcement on Highway 401 eastbound Nov. 17 at about 5:53 pm
when they were approached by a man seeking directions in a pick-up
truck. Police spoke to the man, conducted an investigation and
arrested him for impaired driving. Kerry MacDonald, 47, of Grand
Bay, New Brunswick, also stands charged with one count of possession
of a controlled substance.
Speeding charge to go to court
AUGUSTA A 21-year-old Markham man faces a speeding charge
after OPP clocked a 2002 Toyota travelling at 187 kilometres
per hour on Highway 401 eastbound Nov. 18 at about 6:27 am. The
man is scheduled to appear in Brockville court Jan. 8.
MPP offers his
support to former treasurer
Runciman backs Ernie Eves for Conservative leadership;
party members vote March 23
TORONTO Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman is backing
a former colleague in the race to succeed Premier Mike Harris.
Runciman said in an interview he will be supporting former
finance minister and deputy premier Ernie Eves, who resigned
from the legislature earlier this year to accept a private-sector
position. The Progressive Conservatives will select a new leader
early next spring.
Runciman and Eves were first elected to the Ontario legislature
in 1981. Eves is a good friend who has the experience and ability
to be "an outstanding premier," according to Runciman,
who also serves as minister of economic development and trade.
Eves is making "an enormous personal sacrifice"
by coming back from the private sector, the MPP noted.
Eves will be in Brockville Thursday evening to meet with party
supporters at the Royal Brock Hotel. The reception will run from
7:30 to 9 pm and is being hosted by Runciman and the riding association.
Prior to the announcement by Eves, Runciman had indicated
he would not rule out his own run at the leadership if his friend
opted not to seek the position.
"I was prepared to consider it," Runciman said.
The MPP had received calls and letters of support from many
constituents and reportedly had the support of some of his caucus
colleagues.
"I certainly appreciated it," stated Runciman, who
added Eves is the best person for the job. A number of other
cabinet ministers and back-benchers have indicated they intend
to support Eves.
Health and Long-Term Care Minister Tony Clement has also indicated
he will be seeking the leadership of the Progressive Conservatives.
Clement is scheduled to appear at a party fundraiser being
hosted by Runciman Nov. 29 in Merrickville.
In terms of the leadership voting process, each Progressive
Conservative party member who is a member in good standing as
of Feb. 23, 2002 will be eligible to vote.
Voting will take place in the ridings and at the convention.
The candidate who receives a certain number of riding votes will
be declared the winner; more than one ballot may be needed.
Leadership candidates must register by early January. Campaign
spending is limited to $1.5 million per candidate.
A big success for "Giant" Arts and
Crafts Show
PRESCOTT The 24th annual "Giant " Arts and
Crafts Show was the biggest and most successful in the history
of the event.
More than 2,500 paying customers attended the show at South
Grenville District High School Saturday. The event sold 225 table
spaces to vendors, approximately 25 more than last year.
Event organizer Judi Baril says she is "very confident"
the show raised $10,000 for the high school's ongoing projects
and programs, $2,000 more than last year's total.
"I'm really happy," she says. "The school won
and the vendors won."
Baril says 50 per cent of this year's vendors have already
rebooked for next year's 25th anniversary event, and she expects
more rebookings in the following days.
Despite having 50 vendors on the show's waiting list, Baril
says the event will not grow any larger.
"It's as big as it will get," she says. "It's
just the right size."
To accommodate the extra tables, Gym "C" was used
for the first time. Baril says the additional space allowed her
and fellow organizers Joan Hodge and Heather Blaszczyk to give
vendors in the halls a little more room.
"We will use the floor plan from this year for next year,"
Baril says. "Everyone was very happy."
EDWARDSBURGH/CARDINAL
BRIEFS
Nutrient management bylaw passed
SPENCERVILLE - Edwardsburgh/Cardinal municipal council passed
a nutrient management bylaw at its meeting Monday night.
The bylaw will require farmers who have more than 150 livestock
units, or more than 50 units with a livestock density greater
than five units per tillable hectare, to prepare a nutrient management
plan. A plan is also required prior to the issuance of a building
permit for a new barn or manure system or alterations to a barn
or manure system where the livestock operation expands by 10
units or more.
The bylaw had been discussed at committee and council meetings
for more than a year.
Clear garbage bags may replace labels
SPENCERVILLE - The possibility of replacing the current garbage
bag label system for Edwardsburgh residents with clear garbage
bags bearing the municipal logo was discussed by council Monday
night.
Some members of council feel see-through plastic bags might
encourage more recycling as the township would be able to see
any recyclables mixed in with regular garbage. A price increase
was not part of the proposal, which was brought up at the Waste
Management Public Liaison Committee meeting Nov. 12.
With the Edwardsburgh landfill site due to close early next
year, council hopes to reach a decision soon.
Municipality to maintain county roads
SPENCERVILLE - The municipality of Edwardsburgh/Council will
once again provide winter maintenance on two county roads in
Cardinal, council decided Monday night.
Dundas Street, south of County Road 2 to the Islander Tavern,
and Bridge Street, down to Casco, are both county roads. The
United Counties of Leeds and Grenville will pay the municipality
approximately $2,000 to maintain the roads throughout the winter.
United Way has collected more than $426,000
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE The United Way had achieved about
two-thirds of its fall 2001 campaign fundraising goal as of Friday,
Nov. 16.
The Leeds and Grenville campaign had collected $426,055. The
goal is $650,000.
Twenty-six agencies are supported by the local United Way.
For more information or to make a donation, call the United Way
office in Brockville at 342-8889.
Gifted pianist
thrills Prescott audience
CONCERT REVIEW - By Colin Boag
Stewart Goodyear, a young Canadian pianist, delivered a near
flawless recital Thursday evening in Prescott. The occasion was
a concert sponsored by Money Concepts of Prescott and presented
by the Fort Town Concert Association.
Only 23 years old, Goodyear has already won wide praise across
North America, appearing as a guest soloist with many of this
continent's well-known orchestras. Goodyear's international reputation
preceded him and a near capacity audience turned out to listen
to a varied light classical program, including well-known works
by Mozart, Liszt, Ravel and one of his own compositions, "Variations
on Eleanor Rigby."
The recital opened with Mozart's "Sonata in A Major,"
a work in three movements. Goodyear's playing of this well-known
sonata demonstrated very early in the recital why he is so highly
rated. His fingers danced across the keyboard effortlessly, producing
crisp, crystal clear music.
When Mozart composed his Sonata in 1778 in Paris, Turkish
band music was very much in vogue with the masses. Mozart, somewhat
to the disgust of his peers, picked up on this in the third movement
in the sonata, Alla turca or Turkish March. In 1999, Goodyear
discovered the Beatles and composed his own "Variations
on Eleanor Rigby." Unlike Mozart however, the work has received
acclaim by critics and audiences alike and the Prescott audience
was no exception. The work with 19 variations stretching over
23 minutes was a showcase for Goodyear's digital skills and stamina.
One of the skills of Goodyear, surfacing in the Mozart and
becoming progressively more evident as the recital continued,
was his ability to create strikingly clear visual images through
his playing. In his rendition of Liszt's "Mephisto Valse,"
an almost three-dimensional Mephistopheles, the tempter or devil
hovered amongst the audience. The presence of the ocean in the
third movement of Maurice Ravel's "Miroirs", composed
in 1905, was very evident, and even bells could be clearly heard
in the fifth movement although only the piano was playing.
Possibly the only disappointment of this evening was Goodyear's
reluctance to accede to the audiences request for an encore.
The next concert in Fort Town Concert Association's 2001/2002
season will be the Joe Trio Feb. 21, 2002. The trio made up of
violin, cello and piano moves easily between classical and popular
music, touching on the blues, folk and jazz repertoire.
County Road 18 at Domville
in line for shoulder repairs
MAYNARD Augusta council will be requesting the United
Counties of Leeds and Grenville move the 80 kilometre speed limit
sign on County Road 18 at Domville.
The decision to relocate the sign north of the entrance to
the subdivision was made at the Nov. 12 council meeting following
a delegation by John McCrea.
The area resident had earlier made a presentation to council
on behalf of other residents concerned about speed on the highway
and the condition of the road.
Council will also be seeking permission from the counties
to install two "Watch for Children" signs on the road
at each side of Domville.
Reeve George Vail noted an inspection of County Road 18 by
counties Director of Public Works Les Shepherd indicated the
road does need ditching and shoulder repair work. Rebuilding
the road will likely not happen for five to 10 years, Vail said.
Contractor convicted
in workplace accident
MAITLAND A contractor has been fined $120,000 in connection
with a workplace accident that occurred in Oct. 1999 at DuPont
Canada's Mailtand site.
Alstom Canada Inc., formerly known as CESO International Ltd.,
pleaded guilty Nov. 1 in Brockville provincial offences court
to violating a section of the Occupational Health and Safety
Act.
The accident occurred as the company was replacing heat exchange
elements in a boiler at the Maitland site, according to a Ministry
of labour report. Dennis Vahey, a worker employed by the contractor,
was cutting a cross beam with a torch when another beam supporting
the 27,000-kg heat exchanger assembly bent and failed. Vahey's
right leg was severed by the falling assembly. Vahey, who was
51 and a resident of the Peterborough area at the time, survived
the accident.
The company pleaded guilty to subjecting a temporary support
beam to a load in excess of the load it was designed and constructed
to bear.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Veronica Carmichael.
Free dental assessments available at clinic
PRESCOTT Free dental assessments for children under
the age of five will be offered at a drop-in clinic this Thursday,
Nov. 22 from 10 am to 6 pm at the Prescott Health Centre, 555
King St. W.
The clinic is being presented by the dental program of the
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit. Early childhood
tooth decay is usually caused by improper feeding practices such
as putting the child to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, according
to a health unit release. This condition can lead to pain, infection,
loss of teeth and improper speech development.
For more information about the drop-in clinics, call the Health
Action Line at 1-800-660-5853.
Christmas lunches coming to Prescott and Johnstown
PRESCOTT A special Diners Club Christmas seniors' lunch
will be served in Prescott Wednesday, Dec. 5. The lunch takes
place at the Henry Street Legion Hall and begins at noon.
In Johnstown, the Christmas lunch is scheduled for Tuesday,
Dec. 11 at the Johnstown United Church Hall.
The lunches are sponsored by the VON Home Support program.
Reservations are necessary; contact VON representative Susan
Smith at 925-3731. Admission can be paid at the door.
PRESCOTT COUNCIL BRIEFS
Town commits to POA operating agreement
PRESCOTT Council has given third and final reading to
a bylaw that completes an intermunicipal agreement on Provincial
Offences Act (POA) administration.
The joint operating agreement involves the United Counties
of Leeds and Grenville as well as Prescott, Brockville and Gananoque.
Municipalities share the costs and revenues associated with administering
the act.
The province downloaded POA responsibility to the municipalities.
The town had previously entered into agreements with the counties
to provide other services downloaded by the province.
Process to select services director continues
PRESCOTT The town could soon have a community services
director in place.
CAO/Clerk Andrew Brown informed Prescott council Monday reference
checks were being done. The selection committee will meet once
that has been done; terms of employment are still to be finalized,
according to Brown. In-camera discussions involving council members
could take place next week, it was noted.
The new administrative position was created several months
ago.
Tree removal contract awarded
PRESCOTT Town council has awarded a tree removal contract.
Council selected Seaway Tree Removal over two other bidders,
D&D Tree Services and Herbison Tree Services. Seaway's bid
of $4,911 was the lowest of the three received.
Councillor Terry McConnell, who chairs the town's transportation
and environmental services committee, said Monday seven trees
are to be taken down and others are to be trimmed.
Prescott Public Library news
Submitted by Christine Endicott
and Jane McGuire
Great things are happening at the Prescott Public Library.
Earlier this month, TD Canada Trust Branch Manager Allan Norton
attended a library board meeting to present a cheque for $500
to the library. The board has decided that the money will purchase
new business books and other new books to stock our shelves and
make the library even more exciting for patrons. The books purchased
with this money will have a nameplate inside indicating the donor.
If any other corporations or service groups are able to contribute,
the money will be used to buy books and the nameplates will indicate
the donor's name. Tax receipts are issued.
This great news followed on the success of the open house
in October, when the library was buzzing with activity. Mayor
Robert Lawn visited to draw the prize winners for the quilt raffle,
open house door prizes and the colouring contests. The prizes
were all donated from businesses.
The librarians also worked hard along with the board members
to make the open house a success. The colouring contest was a
great success thanks to primary/kindergarten teachers at Central,
Boundary and St. Mark's schools and to all the children who did
a fantastic job colouring the picture of Eeyore, which Courtney
McGuire was able to find for us on the Internet. With the colourings
posted on the walls, the library looked bright and colourful.
Thank you to the children who obviously took great care in their
work.
Eight families took out new memberships as a direct result
of the colouring contest. Sue Torrance ran a successful craft
session on the day of the open house.
Christmas crafts with Sue are next
Sign up now for sessions Dec. 4, 8, 12 and 20 at the Prescott
Public Library, 2 to 3 p.m. Children ages 5 to 12 are welcome.
The low admission helps cover the craft supplies. Come out and
make some gifts and decorations.
Mystery donor
We would like to acknowledge the mystery donor who is dropping
brand new videos through the book return slot as donations to
the library. These children's and adult movies are wonderful
additions to the video library. If you would identify yourself,
we would certainly like to thank you. Some of the videos were
not even unwrapped, so we know it is someone with an especially
generous heart.
Visit your library!
There are many new books at the library and patrons can also
sign up for times to access the Internet for free. Stop by; the
library is still alongside the former town hall on Dibble Street
West, and with the heating now fixed, it's a warm and inviting
place. Memberships are free to anyone who lives in town.
Trillium funding topic of information session
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE Groups interested in obtaining Ontario
Trillium Foundation funding are invited to attend a free information
session Thursday, Nov. 29 from 1 to 2:30 pm at the Brockville
Public Library.
Organizations with not-for-profit status or registered charities
providing social service, arts, cultural, recreation and/or environmental
initiatives in the community may be eligible for funding from
the provincial agency. Ruth Mott, program manager for Quinte,
Kingston and Rideau areas, will be the presenter at the meeting.
To register, call the United Way of Leeds and Grenville office
at 342-8889 or 342-8850.
Fall tea and bazaar today at Friendship Hall
PRESCOTT Get a jump on Christmas shopping at the fall
tea and bazaar today, Wednesday, Nov. 21 from 11 am to 2 pm at
Friendship Hall, 454 Henry St. W.
The event is being hosted by the Wellington Lodge of the Rebekahs.
In addition to the luncheon, there will be craft and bake tables
as well as draws and raffles. Take-out orders are available.
St. Andrew's to host bazaar and lunch
PRESCOTT A Christmas bazaar and lunch will take place
this Saturday, Nov. 24 from 10:30 am to 1 pm at St. Andrew's
Presbyterian Church on Dibble Street West. In addition to crafts
and seasonal decorations, home baking will be on sale at the
bazaar. Lunch will be served beginning at 11 am. Lunch tickets
will be sold at the door.
Get ready to go for a cookie walk
Library fundraising event set to take place Dec. 2
SPENCERVILLE The Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public
Library are hoping to put a sweet finish on this year's fundraising
effort.
The group will present its annual Cookie Walk Sunday, Dec.
2 at Spencerville United Church. More than 30 varieties of freshly-baked
homemade cookies will be available from 12:30 to 4 pm. Customers
can choose the cookies they want, fill the containers provided
and pay based on the weight of the cookies.
Among the other stops along the walk will be Fran Bruce's
traditional dark fruit cake and Arlene Bruce's Christmas pudding.
Kathy Monkman will have simple but elegant Christmas decorations
unique, hand-crafted centrepieces, Santa and angel decorations
that will bring home the spirit of the season.
Laurie McFarland will have "Regal" holiday ideas
on display. Cookie decorating tips from Jan O'Brien and hands-on
demonstrations will add that festive touch to holiday baking.
As if the cookies weren't enough to attract youngsters to
the event, a Teddy Bear Centre will be set up in the upstairs
hall. There will be cookie bear decorating, face painting, stories,
games and crafts. The centre is being hosted by the Spencerville
Octagons; tickets will be available at the door.
The Spencerville Pathfinders will be serving complimentary
tea and cookies in the small dining hall. Short musical interludes
will be provided throughout the afternoon. Door prizes will be
drawn each hour.
The Cookie Walk caps a year that has included a garden tour
and plant sale in June and monthly fundraising activities. Community
support has helped bring the fundraising total to $21,500. The
goal is to raise $30,000 to install a central air conditioning
system (which was done this summer), construct a vestibule with
book drop and a ramp for easy access.
Cookie Walk tickets are available at Baker's Gas Bar and the
library in Spencerville or from members of the Friends group.
CNIB services available
in Grenville County
GRENVILLE The Canadian National Institute for the Blind
(CNIB) will host a service day Monday, Nov. 26 from 10:30 am
to 2:30 pm at Kemptville Home Support, Raina's Mall, 203 Sanders
St.
The service day is open to any local resident who is experiencing
a vision loss or knows someone who is. The CNIB is a United Way
agency that tries to help anyone with a vision problem that cannot
be corrected using ordinary lenses and that significantly affects
the person's ability to function normally.
For more information about CNIB services, call the Kingston
office at (613) 542-4975.
"Let Them
Know We Care" campaign is back on track
Christmas cards for military personnel will be collected
along parade route Friday
JOHNSTOWN The campaign to send holiday greetings to
military personnel stationed overseas this Christmas is back
on track.
The anthrax scare led military officials to ask campaign organizer
Chantal Christensen earlier this month to put the brakes on her
plan to send cards to soldiers posted overseas. However, Christensen
told The Journal Monday she has now been advised she can
proceed with her original plan.
"Everything is fine," she said. "The card campaign
is back on."
In response to anthrax-related concerns, Christensen was prepared
to scan cards she had already received and make the images available
on-line to military personnel.
Christensen reported Monday she had about 800 cards and was
expecting a shipment of an additional 1,800 cards from Prince
Edward Island.
Her campaign has gained national media attention; she has
received cards from several other provinces.
Christmas card collection boxes have been returned to several
locations in Prescott, Cardinal, Spencerville and Brockville.
Christensen will also be on hand at the Light Up the Night
Parade this Friday in Prescott. She has recruited soldiers from
the Brockville Rifles to help her collect cards along the parade
route.
The cards can also be sent to "Let Them Know We Care"
c/o Chantal Christensen, RR3 Prescott, K0E 1T0.
For more information about the Christmas card campaign, call
925-2074.
The deadline for submitting cards has been extended to the
end of November.
"I have been assured the cards will be delivered in time"
for Christmas, she said.
Book casts light on history of South Nation
BERWICK South Nation Conservation is producing a 180-page
history of the 3,900 square-kilometre watershed which extends
from the Brockville area to the Ottawa River near Plantagenet.
The book, Reflections of the South Nation Watershed,
includes a collection of historic photos, many of them being
issued for the first time, a press release states. The many photos
were selected to illustrate various aspects of development over
the past century, such as cutting ice for home refrigeration.
Reflections is expected to be available in early December
from the conservation authority and area book stores. For more
information, call (877) 984-2948.
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