Prescott Blossoms receives $20,000 from Rotary club
Town council approves loan to be paid back over four-year
period
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT Prescott Blossoms has received a major financial
boost from the Rotary Club of Prescott through the backing of
town council.
The club asked for and received a loan of $20,000 from the
municipality. The money will be donated to Prescott Blossoms
for the purchase of trees and other materials to be used as part
of the expansion of Prescott's River Heritage Trail located on
Parks Canada property in the east end of town.
Council voted Monday to give the money to the club; in return,
the club will pay the town $5,000 per year for four years. Another
condition set out in the motion approved by council calls for
the creation of a committee to oversee expenditures; the committee
is to include representation from the town, Rotary club, Parks
Canada and Prescott Blossoms.
Council received the loan request from Rotary representative
Ken Durand, who noted he had just come from a club meeting at
which he was asked to approach council for the money. Durand
said the club had heard from Prescott Blossoms officials at a
meeting the previous week. The club was told the program funded
by Human Resources Development Canada is receiving money for
labour but not materials.
The waterfront trail expansion calls for the creation of an
arboretum in addition to gardens and other features designed
to beautify the area to the south of Fort Wellington.
"We see a whole lot of pluses and advantages to the whole
project," Durand said. The six-month funding for Prescott
Blossoms ends in February. Durand said there are concerns the
beautification effort will not be completed if funding for trees
and other materials is not obtained quickly.
"If not this year, I don't think it's going to happen
at all," Durand said.
He also noted the club has the resources to raise the full
amount but does not have the money right now.
In noting there are concerns about financial accountability,
Durand suggested a committee representing the four parties be
formed to oversee how the money is spent.
No member of council voted against the motion to provide a
conditional loan to the club. Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead said
she would hate to see the project "stop in its tracks"
later this year if there is nothing for project workers to do
with their time.
Durand thanked council for making such a quick decision.
Prescott Blossoms has begun a campaign to raise $40,000 for
its beautification effort. The community is being asked to sponsor
trees and shrubs.
The project has reportedly raised an additional $180,000 in
in-kind donations. The HRDC funding which pays Prescott Blossoms
staff totals about $147,000.
Members realize value of project
Rotarian Ken Durand
New attractions give big boost to Spencerville
Fair tradition
SPENCERVILLE A record-setting pumpkin was among the
highlights of what proved to be another successful Spencerville
Fair.
The 147th edition of the annual agricultural celebration came
to an end late Sunday afternoon after three days of activities
offering something for people of all ages.
Although the final numbers had not been tallied as of Sunday
afternoon, Spencerville Agricultural Society President Harold
Malcomson said he expects overall attendance was at least comparable
to that of the 2001 fair.
"I'd say it was just as good if not a little bit better,"
he remarked.
The weather threatened to put a bit of a damper on some of
the festivities. It rained for a brief time Friday morning and
throughout much of late Saturday night and Sunday morning. Malcomson
said he was getting worried late Sunday morning when the grandstand
was not filling up prior to the horse show and demolition derby.
However, the sky brightened and so did prospects for those afternoon
events. With grandstand seating, extra bleachers and many people
standing to watch the show and derby, Malcomson estimated 1,600
people or more attended the derby.
Although it appeared attendance was down Friday, Malcomson
said Saturday was strong. Turnout at the entertainment tent,
the first of its kind on the fair grounds, was also encouraging.
Live music featuring appearances by Eddy and the Stingrays and
Ambush attracted hundreds of people to the giant beer garden
set up in the north end of the fair grounds.
Many gains were reported in terms of entries. The holstein
show and 4-H day gave the fair an early boost; a number of agricultural
events reported an increase in participants. However, some areas
reported decreases; for example, there were no apple entries.
Malcomson believes another dry summer has contributed to the
situation again this year.
When it came to giant pumpkins, however, it was a banner year
for at least one area farmer. Jeff Patry of Spencerville shattered
a six-year record by growing a 923-pound pumpkin, beating the
previous mark by nearly 200 pounds.
The 2002 Fair Ambassador is Lisa Weststrate. Collin Reynolds
and Cara Bauder were named Little Sir and Little Miss respectively.
New additions to this year's line-up caught the attention
of fair-goers, according to Malcomson. The rock climbing exhibit
drew long lines throughout the weekend and was talked about a
lot, he noted. "The whole weekend, that's all I heard,"
Malcomson said.
The lumberjack show also drew a good response Saturday afternoon.
Malcomson noted organizers may wish to consider ensuring future
lumberjack shows do not coincide with nearby horse shows given
the noise made by equipment used at the lumberjack venue.
The annual horse races did not take place at this year's fair.
Malcomson noted it was getting tough to get enough horses and
offer a purse that would attract more entries. However, he added
the board would likely be looking at bringing back the races.
Even though the many fair directors and volunteers who help
make the fair a success have barely had time to relax following
this year's presentation, planning for the 148th edition of the
Spencerville Fair is already under way.
"It just doesn't pop up overnight," Malcomson said.
Still no date for appeal one year after hearing
Future of policing in Prescott has yet to be determined
PRESCOTT The proposal which would bring an end to
the Prescott Police Service appears no closer to becoming a reality
now than when town council agreed to it at the beginning of 2001.
It has been almost one year to the day since the Ontario Civilian
Commission on Police Services (OCCOPS) conducted a public hearing
in Prescott Sept. 20, 2001 to hear an application to replace
the Prescott Police Service with municipal service from the Grenville
County detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Council
had voted in early January of that year to seek a contract with
the OPP.
The commission ruled in December it was not prepared at that
time to approve the application. The OPP announced in January
it would seek a judicial review of the commission's decision.
However, no date for such a review had been set as of late
last week, according to an OPP official at headquarters in Orillia.
Town council decided in Jan. 2001 to seek a municipal policing
contract with the OPP a major decision for a council that
had been together for only one month.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn told The Journal earlier
this week he regrets the process is taking much monger than he
expected.
"I am very aware it's been a year," he said of the
upcoming anniversary of the hearing.
Lawn wrote a letter to OPP Commissioner Gwen Boniface in August
asking if there was something she could do to speed up the process.
Her response, according to the mayor, was the hold-up was the
responsibility of the commission which had yet to issue a final
report on last year's meeting.
The mayor was asked at a recent police board meeting to write
a letter to OCCOPS. Lawn said Monday he is awaiting input from
the town's lawyer on this case before writing to the commission.
When asked if council remains intent on obtaining a municipal
policing contract with the OPP, the mayor noted council had not
discussed the subject recently.
"There needs to be some sort of closure to this,"
Lawn said.
OCCOPS noted in its decision it would reconsider its position
of disbandment if certain conditions were met. The OPP's refusal
to offer employment to one of the constables employed by the
municipal police service was the subject of one of those conditions.
In conjunction with the proposed disbandment of the Prescott
Police Service, the town would also eliminate several civilian
positions with police and fire dispatch. The OPP would make use
of its own dispatch system, and fire dispatch service in Prescott
would be contracted out.
THIS WEEK
Blitz nets marijuana valued at $4 million
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE Police officers seized marijuana
with an estimated street value of $4 million during a two-day
blitz in the area, the Ontario Provincial Police announced Monday.
Members of the OPP Eastern Region Drug Enforcement Unit, assisted
by the Leeds and Grenville Crime Unit, Emergency Response Team,
the RCMP and an OPP helicopter searched for outdoor marijuana
grows in the Leeds and Grenville area late last week.
No one had been charged in relation to the seizures as of
earlier this week, according to a brief OPP news release issued
Monday afternoon. The investigations are continuing.
Blood donor clinic to be held Sept. 26
PRESCOTT A blood donor clinic will be held Thursday,
Sept. 26 from 2 to 8 pm at South Grenville District High School.
The Canadian Blood Services clinic is being sponsored by the
Grenville Fish and Game Club, Prescott Kinsmen Club and the high
school.
Students old enough to donate blood will be given the opportunity
to do so between 1 and 2 pm.
All blood types are needed.
One hundred thirty donors attended the most recent Prescott
clinic held in May of this year.
To make an appointment, contact Canadian Blood Services at
1-888-2DONATE. Walk-in donors will be accepted, although they
may face longer waits depending on how busy the clinic is at
the time.
Help diabetes research by returning empties
PRESCOTT The annual "Case for a Cure" will
be held this Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Beer
Store on Edward Street in Prescott.
Customers will be asked to donate their empty bottles to the
Tri-County Branch of the Canadian Diabetes Association. Proceeds
will be used to fund diabetes research.
Lions Club members will be on hand at the store to collect
the empties.
Banquet and auction set for Roebuck Friday
SOUTH GRENVILLE The annual banquet and auction of the
Prescott-area chapter of Ducks Unlimited will be held this Friday,
Sept. 20 at the community hall in Roebuck.
Doors open at 6 pm; dinner will be served at 7 pm.
Tickets are now available at all three banks in Prescott and
at Knapp's Yamaha.
For tickets or more information, call Paul Van Luit at 925-3312,
Jim Holmes at 925-4800 or 925-5186, or Don Jones at 925-4233.
OPP NEWS
No major incidents reported at fair
SPENCERVILLE Extra patrols by on-duty and off-duty paid
OPP officers kept incidents to a minimum at the Spencerville
Fair. There were only three arrests throughout the weekend; only
one arrest resulted in charges, according to a police news release.
Friday marked the beginning of police bicycle patrols in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal.
Two bikes and accessories were donated by the Edwardsburgh Lions
Club. Officers on bike patrol duty will be looking for liquor
and drug offences and other offences such as mischief and theft,
as well as bicycle-related and driving infractions. Bicycle patrol
also gives the youth of the community a chance to communicate
with officers as is the case with foot patrol.
Home ransacked during the day
AUGUSTA A house on County Road 26 was ransacked during
the day on Sept. 9. OPP officers were called to the residence
at 4:35 pm. Items taken include bottles of homemade wine and
store-bought liquor, jewellery and some old currency. The estimated
value of the missing items is $2,800. Constable David Thompson
is the investigating officer. Anyone with information is asked
to contact the OPP detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Unit stolen from lawn of residence
EDWARDSBURGH/CARDINAL A utility trailer and welder were
taken from in front of a County Road 2 residence. Police responded
to the theft on the morning of Sept. 14. The blue trailer had
a "for sale" sign attached; a Hubart Champion 8500
MP welder was on the trailer. The estimated value of the two
items is $6,200. Constable Cindy Bisson is the investigating
officer.
Speeding charge heading for court
AUGUSTA A 1987 Toyota Camry travelling on Highway 401
near Merwin Lane at about 11:40 pm Sept. 12 was locked on radar
at 153 kilometres per hour by OPP Constable Foley. David Plumley,
39, of Toronto, is scheduled to appear in Brockville court Nov.
5.
Take Back the Night this Friday
BROCKVILLE The fifth annual Take Back the Night will
take place this Friday, Sept. 20 at Blockhouse Island in Brockville.
The event, presented by the Sexual Assault Centre of Leeds
and Grenville and Interval House, will celebrate the accomplishments
of women. Art work will be on display when the night's activities
begin at 5:30 pm. There will be guest speakers, a march and live
music performed by Queen Size Groove.
For more information, call 345-3881.
New grocery store to hire 80 people
O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer to open in November
PRESCOTT Within the next few weeks, 80 additional people
will have been hired to work at the new Prescott Your Independent
Grocer store, expected to be open in early November.
A job fair at the Prescott Legion Saturday attracted about
300 people to fill the minimum wage, part-time positions. About
50 people who currently work at Prescott valu-mart, which also
operates under the National Grocers banner, will transfer in
their same capacities to the new store on Prescott Centre Drive
south of Highway 401. The 44,300-square-foot Your Independent
Grocer will replace the existing 15,600-square-foot valu-mart.
Laurie Abrams, valu-mart store manager who was on hand Saturday
to accept applications and conduct short interviews, said she
hired some people with exceptional qualifications on the spot.
Others will be called for second interviews within two to three
weeks.
The new store's franchise owners will be Chris and Caroline
O'Reilly, the National Grocers executive office announced Monday.
Chris O'Reilly is currently managing a corporate Your Independent
Grocer in Kanata, and has worked in the grocery industry for
18 years - including 10 years in various management positions.
Besides the usual grocery, produce, meat, deli and bakery
departments, the Prescott Your Independent Grocer will offer
general merchandise, children's clothing, a full-service pharmacy,
one-hour photo lab, seafood department, a tobacconist, meals
to go, a natural value section (herbs and vitamins) and a community
room with full kitchen.
National Grocers Market Manager Todd Brown said Saturday the
company is looking forward to the opening. "We've been in
the community for a number of years, but this is our newest model
store. Your can't imagine how excited we are." With the
highway exposure, "We're expecting big things from Prescott,"
he added.
The Prescott store will be similar to the state-of-the-art
Jonsson's Independent Grocer in Kemptville that opened in June
2001. O'Reilly's will be slightly smaller, but with more offerings,
Brown noted.
Terry Fox Run attracts more than 100 participants
PRESCOTT The change of scenery seemed to do the trick
in attracting more participants in Prescott's annual Terry Fox
Run for cancer research Sunday afternoon.
More than 100 people and volunteers walked, ran, biked or
roller bladed a route that began at the harbour amphitheatre,
continued along Prescott's Heritage River Trail, and then made
its way through Centennial Park, along King Street West and back
again. The route measured approximately 10 kilometres if completed
twice.
The majority of participants completed the two laps, said
co-coordinator Sandy Holmes. The participants - an increase of
85 people from last year - raised $5,384.50 for the Terry Fox
Foundation.
The highest individual pledge ($1,025) was received from David
Conlin, while his family pledged more than $2,000 all together.
In 2001, 85 participants and volunteers raised $7,088.
Other notable participants included the 16 members of Barbara
and Dave Martin's family, and a group of people from the Walker
House adult recreation centre, who wore signs stating they were
"Walker House Walkers."
Holmes also said everybody with whom volunteers discussed
the change of route had favourable comments, saying they enjoyed
the change of scenery and cooler temperature by the water. For
many years, the run had been held north of Prescott on McIntosh
Road.
Another change this year involved a letter campaign for corporate
sponsorships, which Holmes said helped to increase awareness
of the local event and provided information. Additional funds
may still be raised as a result of the campaign, she said.
The annual run pays tribute to the young man who lost his
right leg to cancer and who set out to run across Canada in 1980
to raise awareness and money for cancer research in his Marathon
of Hope. Since then, about $300 million has been raised around
the world to fulfill Terry Fox's dream of finding a cure for
cancer.
Dispose of household
hazardous waste at depots
SOUTH GRENVILLE Residents of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal,
Prescott and Augusta will be able to dispose of household hazardous
waste items at a special depot to be set up later this month.
The depot will be open to the public Saturday, Sept. 28 from
8:30 to 11:30 am at the South Grenville patrol garage located
on County Road 21 just east of Highway 416.
Household hazardous waste items that can be dropped off free
of charge include batteries, cleaning fluids, paints, solvents,
motor oil, pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Waste items should
not be mixed and should be transported to the depot in their
original containers whenever possible.
Among the items that will not be accepted are commercial and
industrial wastes as well as explosives, radioactive materials
and PCB-contaminated wastes.
The Leeds and Grenville Waste Management Office encourages
people to car pool to the drop-off location and to have identification
available.
Household hazardous wastes can also be dropped off from 1
to 4 pm at the North Grenville patrol garage on County Road 43
south of Kemptville. For more information, call the office at
342-3840, ext. 307.
New operator selected
for MTO licence bureau
PRESCOTT A private operator has been chosen to run the
driver and vehicle licence office in Prescott.
Sandra Birnie will take over operations as of Nov. 1, Leeds-Grenville
MPP Bob Runciman announced Monday. The Ministry of Transportation
received five proposals to operate the centre. The ministry has
been operating the licence bureau since Frank Whiten gave up
the business late last year.
Birnie plans to keep the office at its current location on
King Street East, it was noted in a news release. The bureau
will also be open Saturday mornings.
Runciman indicated he is pleased the office will be operated
by a resident of Prescott. The ministry considered closing the
office after Whiten left, according to the release.
"Runciman convinced the MTO to keep the office open until
a new operator could be found," the release stated.
Runciman added, "This is an important service for citizens
and Prescott has always provided excellent service to residents
of South Grenville. Moving the licence issuing office to Brockville
was not an acceptable option."
Birnie, who indicated she is looking forward to running the
business, noted she will concentrate on the licensing operation
initially; however, she may add another business to the King
Street location sometime in the future. Birnie will receive her
training in October.
The licence office was closed for several weeks this spring
as the result of a strike by members of the Ontario Public Service
Employees Union.
Lasagna dinner set
for Legion Friday
PRESCOTT A lasagna dinner will be served this Friday,
Sept. 20 from 4 to 7 pm at the Prescott Legion Hall on Henry
Street.
Texas toast and salad will be included with the baked lasagna.
Take-out orders are available.
Karaoke will follow from 7 to 11 pm.
This is Legion Week.
MERC Hall future at critical point
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
Registration for First Maitland Sparks, Brownies and Guides
was held Sept. 9, but it is not too late for your daughter to
join. Guides, girls age nine to 11, meet Mondays at 6:30 pm at
the Maitland Community Church. Brownies, girls age seven and
eight, meet at 6:30 Mondays at the Maitland Public School, and
Sparks, girls age five and six, meet Mondays at the St. James
Anglican Church Hall at 6:30 pm.
For more information about Brownies, call Roxanne at 348-1361,
and for information about Guides and Sparks, call Susan at 348-3088.
There is always room for one more!
The MERC Board of Directors held a meeting with representatives
of Augusta council Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the MERC Hall, to discuss
the future of the MERC Hall. Moira Taylor, president of the MERC
Board, expressed concern over a decline in community support
for programs and the need for more volunteers to help run programs
and help with fundraising.
Taylor says more people are needed to revitalize the organization
and bring new ideas and the manpower to implement programs. Taylor
says volunteer burnout is prevalent in the organization because
the same few people are doing all the work. Brad Somers, treasurer
of the MERC Board, says the organization is at a critical point
because in the last year the cost of running the hall and programs
was $9,000 more than the revenue generated.
Somers says this has forced the committee to call on a reserve
fund that took years to build up and will be totally depleted
in two years if the current trend persists. The committee points
to a number of factors contributing to the current financial
crunch.
Bingo revenues are now only a quarter of what they were three
years ago, with volunteers working the same number of games.
Insurance and hydro costs have skyrocketed while hall rentals
and the revenue from running the bar have declined. It was suggested
a meeting with council and other recreation groups should be
held next spring before the township budget is passed to assess
the need for financial support of recreation facilities in Augusta.
New opera to premiere at arts centre
BROCKVILLE A new Canadian opera will debut in Brockville
later this month.
The Last Wife, composed by Howard Alexander with lyrics
by Deborah Dunleavy, will make its premiere performance Sunday,
Sept. 29 at the Brockville Arts Centre.
The one-act opera runs about 90 minutes and features a cast
of 12 singers plus 11 musicians. The Last Wife tells the
story of one woman who must confront her own demons in order
to survive the journey from innocence to experience.
The opera is inspired by the Bluebeard fairy tale.
The Sept. 29 performance begins at 2 pm. For tickets, call
the arts centre at 342-7122.
Province gives additional
money for local ambulance service
BROCKVILLE Funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care is aimed at improving response times for the Leeds-Grenville
Ambulance Service, according to MPP Bob Runciman.
The MPP announced Monday an additional $335,000 in funding
for the service. The money can be used to hire more paramedics
and to fund operating costs for more staffed ambulances.
The Progressive Conservative MPP stated in a news release
Leeds-Grenville has an excellent ambulance service. "This
additional funding will allow the counties to improve its coverage
and therefore its response times," Runciman noted.
The funding will enable the united counties to increase coverage
hours, according to Chief Administrative Officer Steve Fournier.
There are now 98 full- and part-time staff; person hours for
the ambulance service will increase from 86,500 to 99,000 per
year.
The additional funding means the provincial share of the service's
$5.6-million budget increases to $3,380,000.
United Way art gala
tickets now on sale
BROCKVILLE The fourth annual United Way of Leeds and
Grenville art gala will take place Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the
Brockville Yacht Club.
Original pieces of art and numbered prints valued at between
$125 and $1,500 will be featured at the event which runs from
7:30 to 9:30 pm.
A limited number of tickets will be sold. A fun-filled process
will enable ticket holders to select a piece of art valued at
greater than the price of the ticket. Refreshments donated by
local restaurants will be served.
The 2002 fundraising campaign was officially launched last
week; this year's theme is "United in more than one Way."
The campaign has a goal of $675,000. There are 25 non-profit
agencies currently receiving support from the United Way of Leeds
and Grenville.
Tickets for the art gala are available at the United Way office
at 42 George St. in Brockville or by calling 342-8889.
Legion hosts teen talent
show Thursday
PRESCOTT A teen talent contest will take place this
Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 pm at the Legion Hall on Henry Street
in Prescott.
The event is being presented by the Ladies Auxiliary of Royal
Canadian Legion Branch 97. Contestants will be competing in a
number of different areas.
The public is invited to attend; a nominal admission fee can
be paid at the door.
The contest is one of several events being presented by Branch
97 as part of Legion Week.
Men's group to serve
breakfast
PRESCOTT The Seaway Men's Ecumenical Club will host
its monthly breakfast meeting this Saturday, Sept. 21 at 8 am
at St. Paul's United Church on George Street in Prescott.
The get-together will feature guest speaker Sandra Lawn. A
before-and-after video of Prescott's harbour area will also be
presented.
All are welcome; admission can be paid at the door.
Prescott pride is blossoming
By Astrid Strader, Project Supervisor, Horticulturist,
and Garden Designer
Prescott Blossoms thanks The Prescott Journal for providing
space to provide work-in-progress updates and seek input and
assistance with our ongoing projects. This column will be a regular
feature that will keep people informed of proposed parks development,
with our emphasis this year on the Fort Field.
Myself and the 11 participants, in this HRDC-funded Youth
at Risk program, want to give kudos to town employees, in particular,
the parks, recreation and public works staff. They have been
so co-operative and patient with us, with the aim of being not
just getting the job done but also providing the educational
scope to the team for every task we've needed to undertake. With
that comes challenges, like when Bob Dixon of the arena staff
remarked while presenting a small equipment maintenance seminar,
"It really makes you think of things differently when you
have to explain everything from a - z. Whereas, when it's just
me, I usually just go ahead and do it - the steps are pretty
much automatic. So it ends up being a good review."
We would also like to give kudos to the 80 people who showed
up at the Churchill Road Park for our first "Public Forum."
As the time approaches when we will be able to move dormant
trees and shrubs, we will be re-starting work on the Heritage
River Trail in the coming weeks, surveying for the new trail
and marking the location of each tree we plan to plant for the
arboretum. The new arboretum and trail is the most important
phase of the waterfront development, as trees take such a long
time to grow and the trees and path together will provide the
"anchor" for the Fort Field and future plans. As such,
we need to raise funds for the new trail and the trees and shrubs
as per the size specified in the plans donated by Parks Canada.
On Friday, Sept. 20, Prescott Blossoms will begin a major
fundraising effort. We have partnered with Vesey's Seeds in a
spring bulb selling campaign resulting in 50 per cent of all
sales going back to the community! Prescott Blossoms team members
will be going from door to door with catalogues of perennial
bulbs and easy-to-plant bulb sets. If you're considering some
new spring bulbs for your yard, why not buy them from Prescott
Blossoms, and help beautify our town at the same time? Any bulbs
that you purchase and wish to donate will be used to beautify
our parks and downtown.
Prescott Blossoms will also be seeking donations for the Heritage
River Trail Arboretum and new trail. We are looking for donations
in any amount for the new trail, in particular at the silver,
gold and platinum levels. Silver is $100 and purchases a shrub;
gold is $300 and purchases a regular tree (maple, etc.); and
platinum is $500 and purchases a specimen tree such as an oak
or red maple. These trees and shrubs meet the specifications
as outlined in the plans donated by Parks Canada and tax receipts
will be provided for amounts over $20. As a donor, you or your
dedication will be acknowledged on a public plaque. For more
information please call Melanie Kirkby, administrative assistant
at the town office, at 925-2812.
Our goal for this fall and winter 2003 fundraising is $40,000.
We would like to thank the businesses and personal donations
received to date, which brings us closer to our goal.
Please help restore our natural green spaces with new trees
and trails - please help Prescott Blossom.
St. Mark principal feels at home
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT It's good to be home, says the new principal
of St. Mark Catholic School in Prescott.
Kathy Laushway, herself a former student of St. Mark who was
born and raised in town, is ecstatic to be part of such a tight-knit
home, school and parish community, where all the partners work
together like a well-oiled bicycle.
"It's a dream job," said Laushway, who began her
teaching career in 1990 at St. Mary High School in Brockville.
She went on to teach at St. Joseph in Prescott from 1995 to 1997
(she is also a graduate of St. Joseph), and taught Kindergarten
for a year-and-a-half at St. Mark. Before transferring to St.
Mark this September, Laushway had been principal at St. Cecilia
in Iroquois since 1999.
"I'm ecstatic to be here in Prescott back in the St.
Mark community," Laushway said. "The parents, the students,
the staff, the parish of St. Mark, it's just a wonderful place
to be an educator."
St. Mark will continue to maintain its focus on the community
aspect of the school, she said, where all components work toward
the enrichment of students and education.
"The team atmosphere is amazing here. Together everybody
does achieve more because we're all working toward the same goal,
which is the education of our students. Everybody cares; the
Catholic values really flourish here.
"It's been like I never left," Laushway said of
the welcoming and caring attitude of staff and the Prescott and
area community. "There are so many positive aspects to it.
It's a wonderful place to be; it's a wonderful place to learn."
As principal, Laushway plans to be as visible as possible
in the classroom and familiar with the students.
Among the changes at St. Mark this year is a strengthened
focus on literacy. St. Mark has been chosen as one of seven schools
within the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
to act as a pilot school for a new literacy program. Students
will receive 30 minutes additional literacy time each day (amounting
to 80 hours per school year) by combining the core French and
physical education classes.
Four times per week, physical education classes are conducted
in French, with the fifth class devoted to health and safety
in English. The former separate French class is now freed up
and devoted to literacy. Physical education and French programs
still follow the ministry curriculum guidelines.
Laushway's husband Jeff owns Seaway Doors in Prescott; the
couple has two children: Kristopher, 3, and Lauren, eight months.
Winner has three minutes to fill cart
PRESCOTT Someone will get his or her fill of groceries
in a draw being held by Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion
and Prescott Valu-mart.
A three-minute shopping spree that will take place Oct. 7
is the top prize in the Legion's fundraising draw for the Canadian-American
Veterans Reunion Association reunion to be hosted by the Prescott
Legion branch in June 2003.; the value of the items in the cart
is not to exceed $1,000.
A $100 voucher goes to the winner of the second prize. The
third prize is $50.
The draw takes place Sept. 27 at the Legion Hall.
For ticket information, contact Linda Wing at 348-3825 or
Marie Brown at 925-5771.
The association is open to Legion branches in the region and
all posts within New York's St. Lawrence County. The association
meets four times each year. The annual reunion alternates between
the two countries.
SCHOOL SCENE
BOUNDARY STREET PUBLIC SCHOOL: Boundary school has had a very
busy start to the year. We have been busy welcoming our new Grade
5 French Immersion students and the new Junior Kindergarten.
Cross-country practices began Monday at noon for students
in grades four to eight.
There will be a parent council meeting Wednesday, Sept. 18
at 7 pm. The hot lunch this Friday, Sept. 20 will be hot dogs.
ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL: Welcome back to the 2002-03 school
year to all of our new and returning students, staff, parents
and volunteers. The first two weeks of school have been very
fast-paced but positive.
On Wednesday, Sept. 11, students, staff and parents gathered
at 11 am for a memorial tribute and prayer service for victims
of 9/11/01.
School photos were taken on Monday and Tuesday this week.
We will host a curriculum open house and BBQ Wednesday from
5 to 7 pm. Little Ray's Reptile Adventures will put on a show
from 5:30-6:30 pm. Students and their parents can enjoy pre-ordered
BBQ meals, tour our school facilities, meet our staff and discuss
expectations. Hot lunch this week is pizza.
Our All Star Reading Program Strategies are as follows: Grade
1, Book Awareness Strategies "Check out the book"
#1; Grade 2, Book Awareness Strategies "Look at the
book;" Grade 3, Unstuck Strategies "Look at the
pictures."
A little help can make a big difference
WALKER HOUSE NEWS - MARNIE LIPPIATT
A big thanks to everyone who helped with our "inside-out"
day. With a little help we can really make a difference to the
overall appearance of the house. We are so pleased; the last
coat of paint on the fence is finished. A special note to all
those who took part, as many of the painters were young people
and others were not even members.
Some quilters have been working all summer. Tickets for a
raffle of this summer project are available at the office (925-5300).
A new nine-patch scrap quilt has just been stretched. The ladies
stitch every Thursday afternoon at 1 pm and start this week Sept.
19 at seven in the evening. If you are interested, come and join
us.
Card game winners: Monday bridge 1st, Betty Pillar;
2nd, Doris Mossman; door prize, Doris Mossman. Tuesday night
cribbage high hand, Myrtle Shahan; high score, Pete Lowry;
2nd, Hugh Evely; 3rd, Jean Annable. Wednesday bridge 1st,
Charlie Steiner; 2nd, Sam Covey; draw, Findlay Hill. Thursday
euchre 1st, Jean McCrady; 2nd, Bea Hemsley and Mary Reynolds;
3rd, Eleanor Gilligan; door prize, Bernice Arcand.
Town seeks input on rezoning plan
PRESCOTT An application to rezone an Edward Street property
is now being advertised.
Prescott council agreed Monday to initiate the process to
rezone 392 Edward Street, the former funeral home at the corner
of Dibble Street, from core commercial to residential (a maximum
of three units). Councillor Garry Dewar, who chairs the town's
planning and development committee, said the owner wants to convert
the building to apartments.
The application will be the subject of a public meeting later
this fall.
Ultramar to host open
house at new Maitland Terminal facility
MAITLAND Ultramar Ltd. is inviting the public to visit
the company's $25-million Maitland Terminal this Saturday, Sept.
21 from 10 am to 3 pm.
Guided tours of the new facility will be conducted. The public
will get a chance to meet workers at the terminal and ask questions
about the facility. A light lunch will be served throughout the
day.
A news conference has been scheduled for this Thursday morning.
Ultramar President Jean Bernier will be in attendance at the
media gathering.
|
