Prescott Blossoms begins to bloom
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT Prescott Blossoms has begun to take root.
Members of the project team met for the first time Monday
at the Leo Boivin Community Centre as part of the Youth at Risk
program funded by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).
It was announced earlier this month the federal government
would be injecting $147,000 in HRDC funding into the Prescott
Blossoms project. Much of the project will focus on expansion
of Prescott's Heritage River Trail (formerly referred to as the
millennium trail or pathway).
Eleven people were selected to participate in the project
through the local Youth at Risk program being overseen by the
Town of Prescott. The Prescott Blossoms crew consists of Tamara
Murphy, Tanya Telgen, Steffani Boone, Tiffanie Halladay, Michelle
Martin, Stephanie Stigen, Colleen Robertson, Robert MacNicoll,
Percy La France, Justin Bass and Sam Worboys.
Mike Laking, one of the co-ordinators of Prescott Blossoms,
explained participants will receive a unique opportunity to gain
valuable experience in a number of areas while taking part in
a project that will mean great things for the community.
This week's orientation includes an overview of Prescott Blossoms
as well as certification in first aid and other skills relevant
to the tasks being performed during the six-month program which
will end in February. Paul Boivin, who is overseeing the orientation,
noted expectations and goals will be set as part of a process
that will benefit the workers and the community as a whole.
"Everybody wins," Boivin said.
Waterfront trail expansion plans developed in conjunction
with Parks Canada include gardens, an arboretum and signage.
Stigen, who is interested in gardening, landscaping and design
work, said it will be nice to be part of something that people
will enjoy for many years to come. "My daughter can tell
her children I planted that tree," she said.
The group will move outside next Tuesday to begin work on
the trail project and in other areas of town being beautified.
In addition to the HRDC funding, in-kind donations of more than
$180,000 have been made as part of the Prescott Blossoms project.
Boivin noted employment skills training will take place at the
end of the program as participants prepare to use their experience
and new skills to find other jobs.
The town's millennium committee developed and funded the original
trail concept to mark the arrival of the year 2000.
World Youth Day pilgrims reflect on experience
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT Seventeen-year-old Tony Arsenault says he can't
put into words how he felt about joining in World Youth Day celebrations
in Toronto last week.
Just a little more than 12 hours after he had returned to
his North Augusta home after attending the huge papal mass Sunday
with about 800,000 other people from around the world, Arsenault
was still trying to process the events of the week.
But he was able to sum up some his feelings during a telephone
interview Monday. "It was a mind-blowing experience. It
was really joyous; just really happy; it's hard to explain,"
Arsenault said, almost lost for words in describing his experience
as being one of about 1,000 people chosen to be on stage with
Pope John Paul II, looking out over the enormous crowd of people
who had gathered to share their faith.
To be that close to the Pope (at one point within about five
feet), and to listen to his words, "was amazing," Arsenault
said, reflecting on the occasion. "It blew me away. I felt
very privileged."
Despite difficulties in obtaining food and finding washroom
facilities in the mass of people at Downsview Park, Arsenault
said there was a feeling of peace among the crowd.
Pilgrims were provided with two meals a day at the expansive
park, but lineups were long and waits lasted about two-and-a-half
hours. Lineups for washrooms were equally long, said Arsenault,
who belongs to St. Theresa's Church in North Augusta. Still,
"everywhere, there was a great atmosphere of peace."
A breakfast was provided each day for Arsenault's group at
the elementary school in Mississauga where they stayed. "I
don't know where it (the food) came from, but it was just great,"
he said, commenting on the generous community support. "People
we didn't even know were dropping off food. It made you feel
really good."
So many people are brought together to live in physically
uncomfortable circumstances, but Arsenault said he never encountered
a single argument, or pushing or shoving.
"It was great to meet with people, talk and feel comfortable
with each other. Among so many people, there was just a tone
of peace and happiness. It was cool."
Tony Jozefowicz of St. Mark's Church in Prescott, who attended
the celebration of faith with his wife Diane and Wayne and Lois
Boisvenue, also described the event as emotional and uplifting.
"To be in the presence of his Holy Father, it's almost impossible
not to weep," he said. "He offers constant encouragement
to his young Christian soldiers. The love he displays for his
flock is incredible, and the people respond to that love."
The people of the world came to meet Jesus, visibly represented
by the weak and fragile holy man, Jozefowicz said. And the people
were not disappointed, but left inspired to bring his message
to the world, he added. "Words simply can not describe"
the occasion.
Jozefowicz also commented on the lengthy lineups for food
and washrooms, having to deal with sunburn and dehydration, and
laying on a mat on the wet ground, but these were difficulties
that could be easily accepted, he said. There was no complaining,
whining or foul language involved in the "life-changing
event."
For 15-year-old Sarah Aubin, who lives near Spencerville,
the joy came from meeting so many young people from around the
world and the mix of nationalities. Most people knew some English,
she said, or they used sign language to communicate.
"Wow, it was so much more than I expected," said
Aubin, a St. Mary High School student. "I had images of
what it would be like, but this was really amazing."
The Saturday candlelight vigil was a moving, once-in-a-lifetime
event, Aubin recalled, which on reflection was an even more incredible
experience.
There was a great atmosphere of peace.
Tony Arsenault
Thank You, Canada Tour comes to town Thursday
PRESCOTT The "Thank You, Canada" Tour is scheduled
to arrive in Prescott this Thursday.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97 and Fort Wellington National
Historic Site will host the visit by 40 Belgians who are travelling
to communities in Ontario and Quebec to thank Canadian veterans
who helped liberate Belgium in the mid-1940s near the end of
World War II. This "journey of appreciation" also provides
an opportunity for younger Canadians to learn about the contribution
made by the veterans.
Twenty vintage military vehicles including personnel
carriers, motorcycles, jeeps and an ambulance are scheduled
to go on display at the fort field at 1 pm.
A short parade involving a number of Legion branches in the
area, local air cadets and other service people will begin at
the Henry Street Legion Hall at about 4 pm and continue east
on Dibble Street to the fort and the cenotaph, where a wreath-laying
ceremony will take place. The public is invited to attend.
The vintage vehicles will leave the field after the ceremony
and proceed to the area near the Legion.
Branch 97 will host a roast beef/roast pork dinner at the
hall beginning at 6:30 pm.
The tour includes stops in Montreal, Kingston and Ottawa.
THIS WEEK
Offices will be closed for civic holiday
PRESCOTT The offices of The Prescott Journal
and St. Lawrence Printing will be closed Monday, Aug. 5 for the
civic holiday.
The deadline for display and classified advertising for the
Aug. 7 edition is Friday, Aug. 2 at noon.
The offices will return to regular operating hours Tuesday,
Aug. 6 at 8 am.
Banks, government offices and many retailers in South Grenville
will also be closed for the holiday Monday.
Fort Wellington to host major military tattoo
PRESCOTT The pageantry of centuries past will come alive
at a military tattoo to be held Sunday, Aug. 11 from 2 to 4 pm
at Fort Wellington.
Re-enactments of 17th-, 18th- and 19th-century battles and
drills will be performed by the 78th Fraser Highlanders, the
Fort York Guard and La Companie Franche de la Marine.
There will be musket demonstrations, cannon competitions and
bayonet charges.
Admission is free; however, a container for donations will
be passed through the crowd.
Chairs and blankets are recommended; seating is on the grass.
Hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks will be on sale at a refreshment
booth run by the Rotary Club of Prescott.
The military tattoo is being sponsored by numerous municipal
organizations, community groups and businesses (including The
Prescott Journal) in conjunction with the fort and Tourism
Prescott.
Town office accepts hay drive cash donations
SOUTH GRENVILLE - With the outpouring of support felt from
the hay donations brought to Brockville, more drives seem likely.
The surplus hay is part of a grassroots relief effort for
drought-stricken livestock farmers in Western Canada.
Donations are still being accepted at Prescott's municipal
office at 920 Edward St.
In Brockville, there were 14 cars of fumigated hay and another
11 cars worth to be loaded and fumigated yesterday.
"We don't know when it all will head out west; it's up
to CN now," explained co-organizer Bob Jellett. "It
was a great outpouring of support."
The drive netted 1,000 tonnes of hay, at an approximate value
of $60,000.
"Right now there is going to be a 15-car shipment from
Ottawa to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and 25 cars from Smith Falls
to Hardesty, Alberta," says Jellett. "Everything is
still in the planning stages so there are no dates or times,
but hopefully soon."
Golfer drives away in new car after firing hole-in-one
PRESCOTT Ron Smith, a former Cardinal resident, had
a different means of travel to return to his Goderich home Sunday.
Smith was the winner of a 2002 Buick Rendezvous in the Prescott
Golf Club annual J.D. MacKay Memorial Member-Guest Tournament,
sponsored by Riverside Pontiac Buick.
He hit a hole-in-one at the 169-yard, par three, ninth hole
to claim the prize donated by Riverside and Gus Birnie.
Using a four-iron, Smith said he was aware of the prize for
the hole, but "wasn't nervous, because I never thought I'd
get a hole in one. I just hit it." The four-iron was not
his club of choice, he noted, but was talked into using it by
his golf partners. Smith was "pretty excited," since
he had never before hit a hole-in-one, he said.
Smith was golfing with high school buddy, Ed Yandeau, and
his wife, Mary Yandeau, of Maynard, and Sonny Clark of Brockville.
He hadn't golfed at the Prescott club or with his friend since
high school days, Smith added, when the course was nine holes.
Mary Yandeau said Smith had a "priceless look on his
face" when he realized what had happened.
The hole-in-one was verified by hole spotter Marg Barton and
tee-block spotter Liz Toupin.
Birnie said he was able to offer the car through a partnership
deal he arranged with General Motors and Buick. Last year, he
gave away two vehicles for holes-in-one. He noted he enjoys supporting
the town through the tournament.
Steve White won a Nike driver for a hole-in-one on the 15th
hole, and a trip to Florida and 36 dozen golf balls went unclaimed
as prizes when a hole-in-one was not made at the designated holes.
Head stones overturned at monument business
PRESCOTT Town police are investigating a case of mischief
that occurred at Prescott Memorials.
Two head stones were overturned, but there was no damage reported.
Police began their investigation July 22; a police news release
noted the investigation has revealed youths were responsible.
Members of the Prescott Police Service investigated 71 general
incidents and two motor vehicle accidents between July 21 and
July 28.
Two males have been charged in connection with an incident
that occurred July 1 at Forwarders' Museum. An amount of Canadian
and American money was taken while the museum was open. Jacob
Valkenier, 19, of Prescott and a 17-year-old have been charged
with theft. They are to appear in court at a later date.
A pair of sunglasses valued at $300 was taken from a vehicle
parked near King Street. The theft was reported to Prescott police
July 25; the investigation continues. On July 26, town police
investigated the theft of a portable Emerson CD player from a
vehicle parked in the Canadian Tire lot.
Police received a report July 24 from a man who said he had
been threatened by a male. Charges are pending, according to
the news release.
Anyone with information on these or any other occurrences
in town is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252
or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
OPP NEWS
Car swerves in direction of officer
SOUTH GRENVILLE A man faces charges after a vehicle
swerved towards an OPP officer during a traffic stop in the early-morning
hours of July 27.
Constable Butcher was following a vehicle being driven erratically
eastbound on Highway 401. The car was almost involved in an accident,
according to a police news release. The constable activated his
emergency lights and for nine kilometres attempted to stop the
vehicle.
After the car came to a stop on the Edward Street off ramp,
it slowly began to move. Constable Butcher ran along side the
vehicle at which time the car swerved towards him. He attempted
to stop the vehicle by smashing the driver's side window with
his expandable baton. The passenger in the vehicle put the car
in park, according to police.
No one was injured in the incident. The driver was arrested
at the scene.
Seyed Ali Derakhshan Rokni, 36, of Montreal was charged with
dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, assault with a weapon
and possession of a controlled substance. He is scheduled to
appear in Brockville court Aug. 16.
Break-in occurs at Spencerville Mill
SPENCERVILLE The Spencerville Mill was the scene of
a break-in reported to the OPP July 27 at 2:30 pm.
The entrance to the heritage site was damaged. A donation
box was removed from the wall; money was taken from the box which
was located in the water behind the mill. The office was ransacked;
however, it did not appear anything else had been taken.
Twelve vehicles scratched at car lot
JOHNSTOWN Twelve new and used cars were damaged sometime
during the overnight hours of July 27-28 at Riverside Auto Plaza
on County Road 2.
The vehicles were scratched with something similar to a key,
according to police. Most received damage to the passenger side
and were located in the same section of the lot. Damage is estimated
at well over $5,000.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact
the Grenville County OPP detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or
Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Health unit advises public to steer clear of beach because
of bacteria levels
PRESCOTT High bacteria levels prompted the Leeds, Grenville
and Lanark District Health Unit to post an advisory for swimmers
at Kelly's Beach in Prescott.
Henry Garcia, director of health protection, told The Journal
Friday water samples taken from the beach in successive weeks
produced bacteria counts higher than acceptable levels.
Two recent sets of samples produced average readings of 133
and 145 E.coli per 100 ml of water respectively.
The higher counts indicate the water is not suitable for swimming;
there may be an increased risk of getting a nose or ear infection,
skin irritation or gastro-intestinal illness if water is ingested.
Contamination of beach water is often caused by animal and
human wastes that may enter a body of water in higher concentrations
through storm sewers and other runoff. Garcia said heavy rains
may lead to increased bacteria levels.
The levels may be higher than acceptable, but Garcia noted
levels at the Prescott beach are not cause for significant concern.
Although a warning sign is posted at the beach, many swimmers
continue to flock to the beach. Garcia did not indicate there
have been cases in which people have become ill as a result of
going into the water there.
"If people were getting sick, I'm sure we'd take other
precautions," Garcia said.
The warning sign will remain posted until additional tests
show the water is safe for recreational use.
As of last Friday, the Prescott beach was one of three in
which advisories were posted; the other two were in Portland
and Almonte. Twenty-five beaches in the tri-county area are monitored
on a weekly basis; their status appears on a list posted at www.healthunit.org.
The three beaches for which advisories are in effect are listed
as being closed based on bacterial test results.
The status of local beaches is also chronicled in weekly radio
reports during the summer. Kelly's Beach is the only site of
its kind in South Grenville at which water samples are taken
on a regular basis. Other beaches with public access may be tested
if the medical officer of health believes swimming may result
in illness.
The health unit does not issue news releases every time an
advisory is issued at a beach, according to Garcia.
For more information on water testing at beaches in the region,
contact the health unit at 345-5685.
Motorcycle crashes into farm trailer
EDWARDSBURGH A 16-year-old Spencerville-area youth sustained
life-threatening injuries when the motorcycle he was driving
struck a trailer being towed by a farm tractor last Thursday
morning west of Spencerville.
Dustin Ruigrok sustained severe head and internal injuries
and a broken leg in the accident that occurred at about 11:50
am at the intersection of County Road 21 and Weir Road.
A farm tractor driven by Elgin Cleary, 77, of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
was westbound on County Road 21 when it turned left at Weir Road,
according to Ontario Provincial Police Constable Holly Howard,
community services officer with the Grenville County detachment.
The tractor was pulling an empty 12-tonne grain wagon at the
time.
The motorcycle struck the rear of the trailer.
Ruigrok was transported by ambulance to Kingston General Hospital
where he was placed in intensive care. An OPP news release issued
Monday indicated his condition had not changed.
Cleary was not injured in the accident.
Senior Constable David Thompson is the lead investigator;
a technical traffic collision investigator was called in to assist.
A check of the mechanical fitness of the motorcycle was to be
conducted as part of standard procedure.
Visibility and road conditions were good at the time of the
accident, according to police. Alcohol is not believed to be
a factor in the collision.
Food bank accepting
more volunteers
PRESCOTT Anyone interested in being a volunteer at the
Food For All Food Bank is invited to drop by the food depot and
office located on Henry Street across from the Legion Hall Wednesday
between 7 and 7:30 pm. Volunteer sign-up will take place tonight
(July 31), Aug. 7 and Aug. 14.
Patients have right to see medical record
SOUTH GRENVILLE Patients may not be aware of their rights
when it comes to accessing medical records.
Jerry Kane, a senior communications advisor with the Ontario
Family Health Network, noted doctors and hospitals are obliged
to respect a patient's desire to find out what is contained in
his or her file.
"Your medical records are yours," he said.
The Canadian Medical Association, a national organization
representing physicians, acknowledges patients' rights in its
code of ethics and policy statements.
"Although the records are the property of the physician
or health care institution that compiled them, patients have
a right to examine their records and to obtain a copy of the
information contained in them," according to CMA policy
approved in May 2000. This includes consultations and other reports
obtained from physicians and included in a patient's file.
The policy also states, "physicians should provide an
explanation of the medical record to the patient when requested
to do so."
However, the association also notes there may be exceptions
to the access policy. "Denial of access may be defensible
in cases in which the physician reasonable believes that the
patient or others will suffer substantial physical, mental or
emotional harm because of information contained in the record."
A Supreme Court of Canada ruling established exceptions are rare,
and the physician who denies access must justify his or her decision.
The patient also has the right to go to court to challenge the
doctor's decision not to grant access.
Kane said a patient seeking information should make a formal
request to his or her family doctor or hospital. The patient
should try to be specific in terms of the information being sought.
However, the supreme court has upheld a patient's right to have
access to his or her entire medical record.
Patients have the right to control disclosure of their medical
records to other parties. The CMA's code of ethics indicates
physicians are to comply with a patient's request to provide
a copy of his or her medical record to a third party. Written
authorization from the patient is desirable, according to the
CMA.
Anyone who has power of attorney over the affairs of a patient
may seek copies of his or her medical records.
A reasonable fee can be charged for copies of medical records,
according to the CMA. Copies of medical records are to be provided
within a reasonable period of time.
Additional information may be obtained from the association's
Web site at www.cma.ca.
Young families focus of health unit survey
SOUTH GRENVILLE A telephone poll aimed at helping fill
information gaps about services needed by young families is now
underway.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is pooling
resources with three other units in Eastern Ontario. Interviewers
will be calling a random sampling of numbers to identify households
in which there are pregnant women and/or families with children
under the age of six.
The questionnaire takes about 15 minutes to complete and focuses
on topics relating to the prenatal period; questions involve
working conditions and health behaviours during pregnancy as
well as childhood injuries.
"Participation is, of course, voluntary," stated
survey co-ordinator Kristin Dall. "We hope people will help
us help them by agreeing to be interviewed."
Reconstruction of Churchill Road expected
to take up to two months to complete
PRESCOTT The much-anticipated reconstruction of Churchill
Road is finally getting off the ground.
A survey crew was on site earlier this week. Town Engineer
Clyde Solomon said Monday he expects the heavy equipment will
begin arriving my mid-week.
Cornwall Gravel was awarded the contract to reconstruct the
bumpy and pothole-infested Churchill Road from Edward Street
to Massie Drive. The project will include repairing the road
bed and improving drainage.
Solomon estimates the reconstruction project will be completed
in six to eight weeks barring bad weather or unforeseen circumstances.
He also noted the plan calls for work crews to start at Massie
and make their way west.
The Churchill Road project also includes upgrading the Boundary
Street railway crossing and replacing a water main under a section
of James Street; there are also road surface repairs planned
for small sections of Edward and King streets. The total package
approved by Prescott council earlier this month amounts to just
under $600,000.
Sunday concert series continues
PRESCOTT Washboard Hank will take centre stage this
Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Kinsmen Outdoor Theatre beside the harbour
in Prescott.
Please note there is a new start time for this week's Sunday
concert and the others to be held in August. Each begins at 6:30
pm.
Admission is free; donations are appreciated.
In case of rain, the concert will take place inside the Leo
Boivin Community Centre.
Bike rally to roll through Prescott area today
SOUTH GRENVILLE A bike rally in support of AIDS-related
programs and services is scheduled to make its way through South
Grenville today and tomorrow.
The Friends for Life Bike Rally from Toronto to Montreal is
expected to arrive this afternoon. More than 200 cyclists and
crew taking part in the event will spend the night at Grenville
Park before continuing the journey east Thursday.
The fourth annual bike rally is presented by the Toronto People
With AIDS Foundation and is expected to raise $450,000 this year.
Participants left Toronto Sunday and are scheduled to arrive
in Montreal Friday afternoon.
Book a tea time at Forwarders' Museum
PRESCOTT Afternoon tea will be served at the Forwarders'
Museum this Saturday, Aug. 3 from noon until 4 pm.
Coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade and snacks will be served
for a nominal fee.
For more information or to reserve a seat for tea, call 925-5788.
The museum, which also serves as Prescott's tourist information
centre, is located near the waterfront at the corner of Water
and Centre streets and is open daily until Labour Day. Admission
is free; donations are accepted.
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