First case of West Nile virus suspected
Preliminary tests indicate Brockville man is infected
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The first suspected human case of West Nile
virus reported in the region is not cause for alarm, according
to Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Charles Gardner.
The Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit reported
late last week a preliminary test indicates a Brockville resident
may have the virus.
A second blood test is to be done this week; if that test
also indicates the presence of West Nile, the blood samples will
be sent to a laboratory in Winnipeg for confirmation.
The process may take up to four weeks to complete, according
to the health unit.
Health officials maintain the risk of humans becoming seriously
ill from the virus is very low. Some people exposed to West Nile
have no symptoms. In some cases, an infected person may become
weak and have a fever; in rare cases, there may be inflammation
of the brain and spinal cord.
Gardner said in an interview Friday the Brockville man who
is believed to have the virus is not seriously ill.
The man has been contacted by his family physician and health
unit nursing staff, the health unit reported.
The medical officer of health also noted the man, who is under
the age of 50, may have been infected during a recent trip to
the Eastern United States where human cases of West Nile have
been reported.
West Nile virus, which was first detected in South Grenville
this summer, is spread to humans through bites from infected
mosquitoes. It is believed mosquitoes get the virus from infected
birds.
A dead crow found near Spencerville in late July tested positive
for the virus. At least three other dead birds in the tri-county
area have also been found to be infected.
At least 10 people in the United States have died from the
virus in the past two years. People over the age of 50 or who
have medical conditions that weaken their immune systems are
at greatest risk of developing serious illness.
Although this year's mosquito season is drawing to a close
in Leeds and Grenville, the health unit reminds the public there
are ways to reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes. Precautions
include wearing light-coloured clothing and hats to cover exposed
skin, using mosquito repellents containing DEET, and avoiding
areas with high mosquito populations. Property owners are being
encouraged to take measures to reduce mosquito-breeding areas
by eliminating pools of standing or stagnant water.
Gardner said he wants people to be aware of the situation
but not to be alarmed by it.
For more information on West Nile virus, call 1-800-660-5853
or visit www.healthunit.org.
New store promises to be bigger, brighter, better
Canadian Tire location on Edward Street to close for good
this Sunday
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - As trailers carrying millions of dollars worth
of merchandise continue to unload inventory at the new Canadian
Tire store in the north end of town, Prescott is now just one
week away from a new shopping experience.
Bigger, brighter, better and more of everything will be what
greets shoppers at the Prescott Centre Drive store that has increased
its retail area by four times from the current store on Edward
Street. The store will be open for business at a "soft opening,"
scheduled tentatively for Wednesday, Oct. 23, explained Canadian
Tire owner Dominique Pressault. The grand opening will be Wednesday,
Oct. 30 at 7:45 am, allowing staff some time to get the kinks
out by making sure all operations such as computer systems and
cash registers are functioning perfectly.
One million dollars in inventory has already been set up in
the new store, which features Canadian Tire's Next Generation
concept of merchandising. Another half million dollars worth
of stock is being shipped this week, and a half million dollars
in inventory is waiting to be transferred from the old store.
Fifty staff members are now in place to operate the new store;
25 of those are existing retail employees being transferred,
and five are existing automotive workers.
Pressault said shoppers will notice the store's wide aisles,
bright lighting and clean lay-out. The merchandising concept
offers a new presentation, increased selection of product and
new signage.
Other advances include a computer matching system for paint
colours. Customers can bring in fabric samples, and have them
scanned to create a formula that will match perfectly with a
paint colour. The new electric light gallery boasts 260 different
hanging fixtures, plus wall-mounted fixtures. Window coverings
and drapery hardware, a kitchen centre, expanded pet supply area,
a "giftables" section and additional check-outs are
among the enhancements at the new store. Other features are a
10,000-square-foot garden centre and green house.
The automotive service area includes five bays with hoists
and one open bay with a separate entrance and cashier. There
is also an outdoor dump station and water fill-up for campers
and recreational vehicles, and a propane filling station.
What Pressault wants to retain from the old store is great
customer service, he said.
When he took over the Edward Street store in Aug. 2000, Pressault
said he couldn't do much about the dingy lighting and cramped,
narrow aisles. The challenge was to create a nice shopping experience
through customer service to compensate for the store's physical
inadequacies. He plans to continue to excel in customer service.
In just two years, Pressault was able to increase sales from
$2,650,000 to $2.9 million. "It was a substantial increase
for a store that size," he said.
Pressault's personal investment in the store for fixtures
and inventory was $2 million. Canadian Tire Corporation invested
$3.5 million in the venture. A Prescott resident, Pressault said
the investment in town is worth it. The community is safe and
a nice place to raise a family, he noted, adding he and his wife,
Josee, and their children Maude, 10, and Felix, 7, have always
felt welcomed and at home here.
The old Edward Street store will close for good this Sunday,
Oct. 20 at 4 pm. Beginning today, Wednesday, a five-day liquidation
sale of $125,000 worth of stock not being transferred to the
new location will begin.
Hanna returns to Prescott for book-signing
By Tim Ruhnke - Journal Editor
PRESCOTT - A former Prescott resident and author says she
is amazed by the response she has received for her book that
was never intended to be published.
Hanna's Diary, 1938-1941, chronicles the experiences
of Hanna Fischl, a young woman who fled her native Czechoslovakia
and ended up in Prescott, where she and other family members
worked at her Uncle Louis' glove factory.
Hanna Fischl, whose married name is Spencer, returned to Prescott
late last week for only the second time in about 35 years. She
attended a book-signing Saturday at The Gift Lane; the signing
was co-sponsored by The Gift Lane and The Prescott Journal.
The book covers a three-year period of Spencer's life beginning
in 1938. The 24-year-old Jewish woman had obtained her doctorate
in German and Slavic languages from Prague University and was
teaching at a high school in Czechoslovakia. However, with war
on the horizon and the anti-Jewish movement spearheaded by Adolph
Hitler's expansionist German government, Hanna Fischl and her
family were forced to seek refuge in another land.
Hanna's boyfriend at the time suggested she keep a diary as
a keepsake. He was Christian and it was difficult for the couple
to maintain contact given the political tide that had begun sweeping
across Central Europe.
The diary remained in a box for decades until Hanna's husband
convinced her to open it and translate the diary for her children
and grandchildren. After the diary had been translated from German
to English, it was suggested the material should be published
for others to read.
The author noted translating the diary brought back many memories,
some of which she recalled differently from what had been written
nearly 60 years earlier.
"It gives you a strange feeling," Spencer said.
"It is almost like another identity."
Now in her late 80s, the author lives in London, Ont. with
her husband Elvins Spencer, whom she met at the family farm known
as "New Haven" on Weir Road in Dec. 1941.
Mr. Spencer, who accompanied Hanna to Prescott, said he is
"as flabbergasted an anyone" about the response the
book has received.
Members of the Fischl family and long-time residents of the
Prescott area were on hand Saturday to talk about old times and
their memories of the years Hanna lived here.
Much of the diary contains entries which note the many people
she met and the environment in which she worked and socialized.
Among those who also attended the book-signing was Chelsea
Burchell, formerly of Prescott, who picked up Hanna's Diary
in Acton (near Hamilton) without realizing the local connection.
Another coincidence is Burchell was Hanna's age when she started
writing the diary.
The book offers perspective on what Hanna and other people
in her situation had to do to survive in uncertain times, according
to Burchell.
"It took a lot of courage for her to do that," she
said.
Spencer said she is "amazed" by the response she
has received since the book was published. She has heard from
people of all walks of life; in addition to fellow Czechs who
endured the unrest of the period, there have been younger adults
who see her story as an inspiration.
"Different people respond in different ways," she
said. "I am pleased it strikes a chord" with all of
them.
Hanna's Diary, 1938-1941, is published by McGill-Queen's
Press and is available at The Gift Lane.
Jobless rate unchanged
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The regional unemployment rate remained
steady in September, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC)
reported Tuesday.
The jobless rate for the region that includes South Grenville
stood at 6.7 per cent for the second consecutive month. Although
there were more jobs, there was a corresponding increase in the
labour force.
The regional unemployment rate in Sept. 2001 was 5.3 per cent.
Fewer Employment Insurance (EI) claimants were reported last
month by the HRDC office in Prescott. There were 921 claimants
at the end of September compared to 938 at the end of August.
Dealing with diabetes made easier at summer camp
Door-to-door canvassing begins this week in area
By Monica Whitney - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - When Janelle Fournier was diagnosed with insulin-dependent
juvenile diabetes in April 2001, she was scared and angry, and
screamed at the thought of having to be injected several times
each day with life-saving needles.
Now nine years old, Janelle has many bruises on her arms and
stomach. But she also has plenty of grown-up knowledge about
the disease that affects more than two million Canadians, and
some great childhood experiences that would not have been possible
without the Tri-County (Grenville, Leeds and Lanark) Branch of
the Canadian Diabetes Association.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, and door-to-door canvassing
in this area begins Oct. 15. Funds raised from the canvassing
will help provide more children like Janelle with special summer
adventures at a medically-supervised camp near Perth.
"Camp Banting is amazing," said the enthusiastic
and energetic Janelle from her Kingston Crescent home last week
when she reminisced about her summer camp memories. "I want
to like go there for my whole life.
"It's all I really think about - just going back to it,"
she said. "It was the best two weeks of my life."
Camp Banting allows youngsters with diabetes to share experiences
and have fun with other campers and counsellors without feeling
so alone. "It's like, there, everyone, even the counsellors
have it (diabetes). It's just really fun. Everyone there is just
so nice, and they make it so fun."
Paging through her keepsake album of photos, memories and
autographs of Camp Banting, Janelle said she made great friends,
was able to sleep in a cabin, and participated in many activities,
such as swimming, paddle boating, singing, fireworks, games and
crafts.
Janelle has even named her pet cat Banting, after the co-discoverer
of insulin.
In about six weeks, Janelle will be fitted with an insulin
pump, which acts like an artificial pancreas to better control
the highs and lows of blood sugar levels, and allows more freedom
by replacing the insulin injections four times daily. "Sticking
needles in me is getting on my nerves," said Janelle, who
must also draw blood four times a day to test her sugar level.
Her mom, Jane Patterson, said Janelle is now able to inject
herself, and she has come a long way toward her independence
and feeling comfortable about the situation.
"I was terrified of needles," Janelle said. "I
was screaming and wiggling for the first needle," she said,
recalling how she tried to run away.
When Janelle, a Grade 4 student at Prince of Wales school
in Brockville, was diagnosed with diabetes, she had been ill
for about a month. She was vomiting and missed some school. With
her cousin, Tori Newark, already having been diagnosed with juvenile
diabetes, Janelle's mom and her Aunt Shawna knew the tell-tale
warning signs. Her aunt tested Janelle with Tori's blood sugar
meter, and a trip to the doctor confirmed their suspicions.
Janelle continues to enjoy jazz, tap, ballet and hip hop dancing
and gymnastics, and especially loves to read. She's a self-described
Harry Potter addict, having read each book five times,
and she's also read Lord of the Rings, the Hobbit. Her
greatest ambition, however, besides wishing for a cure for diabetes,
is to be counsellor at Camp Banting.
Diabetes is a leading cause of death by disease, and is a
leading cause of adult blindness. Some of the symptoms include
unusual thirst, frequent urination, changes in appetite, unusual
weight loss, extreme fatigue or lack of energy, blurred vision,
frequent recurring infections, cuts and bruises that are slow
to heal, and tingling or numbness in hands or feet.
For more information on diabetes, call 1-800-226-8464, or
visit www.diabetes.ca.
"It was the best two weeks of my life."
Janelle Fournier
Junior Citizen of the Year nominations now open
Nominations are now being accepted for a provincial awards
program that recognizes the achievements of outstanding young
people.
The Prescott Journal and the Ontario Community Newspapers
Association (OCNA) present the 2002 Ontario Junior Citizen of
the Year Award. Children and young adults between the ages of
six and 18 are eligible for the award.
A youngster who is involved in community service, has performed
acts of heroism or has contributed to his or her community while
living with limitations would be good candidates for the awards
program which reminds Ontarians of the valuable resource we have
in our youth.
Up to 12 nominees and one group will be chosen; the winners
will be presented by Ontario's lieutenant governor at a special
ceremony to be held next April in Toronto.
Each nominee will receive a certificate of appreciation from
his or her community newspaper.
The deadline to apply is Nov. 30; although the awards are
for the year 2002, applications involving events or activities
which occurred in Dec. 2001 will be considered.
Nomination forms are available at The Journal on King
Street West and online at www.ocna.org, or by calling OCNA at
(905) 639-8720.
The awards program receives financial support from Tembec
Paper Group.
Summer placements provide benefits to students,
employers
Federal program helps fund positions for 95 young adults
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - Subsidies totalling more than $224,000
were issued to employers that provided students with work-related
experience this summer, according to Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan.
Ninety-five high school, college and university students were
hired in the region including Prescott and Spencerville
as part of the Summer Career Placement Program through
the Human Resources Development Corporation (HRDC). This resulted
in 88 placements in 15 communities in the riding of Leeds-Grenville.
Public- and private-sector employers received an average HRDC
contribution of $2,361, which represents a subsidy of $3.43 per
hour.
Not-for-profit employers received a subsidy of $6.85 per hour.
The summer placements occurred in tourism, agriculture, small
business and in other sectors.
"This HRDC program effectively allowed businesses and
organizations to hire students they may not have been able to
afford to hire otherwise," Jordan stated in a news release.
"In addition to the benefits to business, the program
provided much-needed experience for students, so this was a win-win
situation for everyone involved," the Liberal MP added.
Diabetes education program begins next month in Prescott
PRESCOTT - The Rideau Valley Diabetes Services (RVDS) will
be starting its education program Nov. 11 at Walker House in
Prescott.
The free education program is designed for adults with type
2 diabetes who want to gain a better understanding about diabetes
and maintaining good health.
The program is a month long and features four two-hour sessions
covering topics such as "Eating Well With Diabetes,"
"Self Blood Glucose Monitoring," "Preventing Complications,"
"Medication for Diabetes," "High and Low Blood
Sugars," "Foot care Information and Assessments,"
and "Developing a Plan to Achieve Goals."
The sessions are run by a registered nurse, registered dietician
and registered chiropodist.
The RVDS has been offering these programs to Leeds and Grenville
and Lanark for the last three years in hopes to decrease complications
for those who live with diabetes through education and support.
Those interested in attending the program are asked to pre-register
by calling the RVDS toll free at 1-877-321-4500 or (613) 283-8481.
Fall bazaar and rummage sale to be held at
parish centre
PRESCOTT - The St. Mark's Catholic Women's League is preparing
to host a pair of annual events.
The fall bazaar will take place Saturday, Oct. 26 from 10
am to 2 pm at the parish centre on the corner of Edward and Dibble
streets. In addition to crafts and other items for sale, there
will be raffles, baked goods and a tea room second to none.
The parish centre will also be the site of the annual rummage
sale Monday, Oct. 28 from 6 to 8 pm and Tuesday, Oct. 29 from
10 am to noon.
Healthy choices on menu of Big Sisters cookbook
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - Big Sisters is now seeking submissions
for a new cookbook that will reflect the health and nutritional
needs of girls and young women.
Recipes will be interspersed with quotes and facts as part
of this fundraising project.
The cookbook will offer nutritious, easy and economical meal
and snack ideas as well as lifestyle tips and information with
which girls can make healthy choices.
"Girls face huge pressures around body image and unrealistic
expectations that all too frequently lead to poor diets, eating
disorders and self-esteem issues," a recent Big Sisters
information release states.
The cookbook will be available in time for next Mothers Day;
advance orders will be accepted.
For more information or to submit a recipe, contact Sue Willis
in Brockville at 345-3295, ext. 112, or bigsisters.sue@superaje.on.ca
before Nov. 1.
Big Sisters will soon become "Girls Incorporated,"
an organization with which Big Sisters is now affiliated.
The formal launch of Girls Incorporated in Canada is set for
next July.
Health officials emphasize the value of getting an influenza
shot this fall
Clinics to be held later this month and in November
By David Dickenson - Journal Staff Writer
SOUTH GRENVILLE - With the flu season on the horizon, the
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is advising
everyone to take advantage of the flu shot clinics which begin
in November.
This year the health unit expects to be much like last year
with A/Panama, A/Caledonia and Influenza B/Hong Kong being the
most likely flues everyone will be exposed to.
"Everyone is susceptible to the flu and it is crucial
to get the shots with age," says public health nurse Wendy
McKittrick. "You are not just protecting yourself with a
flu shot but, but protecting everyone around you, especially
the elderly who are most vulnerable."
The health unit indicated influenza usually start in late
November and are most likely to spread during the Christmas season
making it important to get flu shots in the next few weeks and
to not be worried about catching the from the shot.
"Everyone is usually aware of the myth that you can get
sick from a flu shot, but that isn't the case," says McKittrick.
"The vaccines are made from dead virus and takes two
weeks to take effect, so anything contacted in that time is from
a previous exposure."
McKittrick says many people tend to mistake flu and other
illnesses.
"The flu is not vomiting and diarrhea; fever, headache,
aches and pains, fatigue, weakness, sore throat, runny or stuffy
nose, and chest discomfort are the symptoms which come with the
flu.
"The best way to prevent it is with vaccination and keeping
clean hands to reduce the spread of illness."
Yearly vaccinations are recommended after a child is six months
of age and anyone with concerns should contact the health unit
or their physician before getting the shot.
"Some people have to be careful of getting the shot,"
says McKittrick. "The virus is cultured on eggs, and people
who are allergic to eggs should contact their physician first
before getting the shot, but that is mentioned to you at the
clinics."
Clinics in the area include: Centennial '67 Public School
in Spencerville Oct. 21; South Grenville District High School
and Walker House in Prescott Oct. 28, and Cardinal and District
Resource Centre in Cardinal on Nov. 6
Each Ontario resident is still entitled to a free flu shot.
For more information contact the Brockville office at 345-5685
or toll free at 1-800-660-5853.
"Your are not just protecting yourself..." Public
Health Nurse Wendy McKittrick
Teenagers show their support for fellow student by hosting
successful dance
High school community gives big boost to Ruigrok family
By David Dickenson - Journal Staff Writer
PRESCOTT - The outpouring of support for Dustin Ruigrok was
apparent as a teen dance held Thursday at South Grenville District
High School raised $2,100 for this trust fund.
"We don't really know numbers of kids that were here,
but I would have to guess between 300 and 400 people," says
Energizers club member and one of the dance's organizers, Kelly
Chapeskie.
"The whole school really came together to help one of
their own, which was really great."
Organizers felt the dance would net a good amount of money,
but really didn't expect the support which they got.
"OSAID (Ontario Students Against Drunk Driving) gave
$350 from selling drinks and the yearbook committee which ran
the canteen donated half their proceeds," says Chapeskie.
South Grenville teacher Norrie Spence added, "I couldn't
believe it; a lot of kids were stuffing $20 bills into the donation
jar when they went around and we got a lot of the older students
out to show their support and make an appearance long enough
to make a donation.
"At $1,900 the organizers got on the PA system and said
they wanted to make it $2,000, and within five minutes $150 poured
in."
The dance was run by two clubs, the Energizers and student
council, which did the decorations and helped run the dance and
are looking to keep taking donations throughout the year for
the trust fund.
"Everyone here is just trying to give as much support
as possible," says Chapeskie.
Dustin was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident near
Spencerville in July.
Dustin's younger brother, Eric, was on hand to help out with
the dance.
"The gym was full; it was a good turnout, the money raised
will help out a lot as there is still lots of fees to pay with
rehab and other things," said Ruigrok. "It's truly
helped lots and done wonders for our family; my parents are so
greatful it's hard to explain.
"The support's been amazing; my mom's never been alone
up there and the community is always there for us."
Ruigrok also said there was good news on the progress of Dustin's
rehabilitation. "He's coming along slowly, but he's putting
together sentences and recognizing everyone, and he even got
to come home for the weekend to see everyone and get back into
his own home for a couple of days; it's just great."
Local DJ and South Grenville student, Josh Couture, offered
his time for the cause to keep music for the large crowd.
The students of South Grenville passed around a hat Friday
at lunch to try to raise a little more to put in the pot for
the Ruigroks and have left a card for Dustin in the guidance
office for people who haven't had a chance to sign it.
Breakfast meeting
PRESCOTT - The Seaway Men's Ecumenical Group will host its
next breakfast meeting this Saturday, Oct. 19 at 8 am at St.
Paul's United Church, corner of George and Dibble streets.
An all-you-can-eat breakfast will be served. Tickets can be
purchased at the door.
The guest speaker will be John McClintock of Education for
Quality Accessibility Canada, a Brockville-based non-profit organization
that promotes access for people with physical disabilities.
All are welcome to attend the breakfast get-together.
More local residents, Ontarians using travel information
services
Provincial centre in Johnstown closes for the 2002 season
JOHNSTOWN - The 2002 season has come and gone at the Ontario
Travel Information Centre.
The centre, which is located on Highway 16 across from the
entrance to the international bridge, offers visitors maps, brochures
and information on tourist attractions and accommodations throughout
the province.
About 23,000 people visited the centre in 2001. A final tally
was unavailable as of Monday. Centre Manager Sandra Robertson
estimates the 2002 total will be about the same.
One of the bright spots to report this season is an increase
in visitors who live in the Prescott area. Tourists are not the
only people who can make use of the variety of services available
at the centre, according to Robertson.
"The message is getting out," she said.
This is the second straight year the centre has been open
daily between Labour Day and Thanksgiving. Robertson noted September
and October were good in terms of visitors, especially those
from outside North America everywhere from New Zealand
to Andorra. She noted there did not seem to be as many older
adults as she had expected at this time of year; the poor state
of the stock market and investments may have had an effect, according
to Robertson.
Five students worked at the centre this summer; there was
also a part-time worker on staff in September and October.
In addition to assisting visitors, staff learn a thing or
two during their stint at the information centre.
"The students realize there are so many things to do
in Ontario," Robertson said.
As in past years, many positive comments from visitors were
logged in a guest book. In addition to giving high marks to staff
at the centre, some writers have nice things to say about Ontario
and what it has to offer tourists from home and abroad.
The centre, which is operated by the Ministry of Tourism and
Recreation, is slated to once again be open daily from May 15
to Thanksgiving 2003.
MERC needs fresh ideas, new people
MAITLAND NEWS - Jane Fullarton
The annual general meeting and election of officers of the
Maitland Education and Recreation Corporation will be held Monday,
Oct. 21 at 7 pm, at MERC Hall. This meeting will be a wine and
cheese reception and all Maitland residents are invited to attend.
The MERC Board is looking for energetic people with new ideas
to maintain MERC's ability to provide quality programs for the
community. Last year, MERC's expenditures exceeded revenues by
$9,000, due to many factors. Bingo revenues are now only 25 per
cent of what they were three years ago with the same number of
games being sponsored. Hall rentals have declined, while hydro
and insurance costs have escalated. Volunteers have been harder
to find leaving all the work to the same few people.
MERC is an organization that provides a meeting place for
community groups. It provides a place to have monthly seniors'
luncheons and playgroup. It provides washroom facilities and
canteen for baseball, soccer and skating events. MERC is the
location for fitness activities from karate to exercise classes.
The board organizes many summer programs including swimming
lessons and summer parks program. It is a centre for community
entertainment from euchre to teen dances to comedy nights, new
year's parties and ballroom dance club. MERC also provides a
substantial bursary for graduating secondary students who are
continuing their education.
If you or a family member has benefitted from MERC's work
in the community, consider becoming involved. Find out what it
is all about Oct. 21. MERC needs you.
Youth conference a must for service providers
LEEDS AND GRENVILLE - Children's and youth services providers
are being urged to attend a conference to be held Saturday, Nov.
2 at the Rideau Regional Centre in Smiths Falls.
"Yours, Mine & Ours II" is open to school councils,
youth centres and service providers in Leeds, Grenville and Lanark.
A planning group has been working on a vision for children's
services in the tri-county area.
In addition to a keynote speaker in the morning, breakaway
groups will be formed after lunch and will identify priority
items for selected age groups. At the end of the session, the
planning group will have a multi-point list of options to consider
as it finalizes the vision plan.
Senior elementary and high schools are being asked to send
student representatives to the conference. The morning will also
feature a two-hour session led by Norie Spence and the South
Grenville District High School Energizers.
For more information or to register, call the United Way office
in Brockville at 342-8889.
Firefighters host Halloween dance
PRESCOTT - The Prescott Fire Department will host a Halloween
dance Saturday, Oct. 26 from 8 pm to 1 am upstairs at the fire
hall at the corner of Henry and Centre streets.
Music will be provided by Mike Gully. There will be door prizes.
For more information, call Ken or Leanne at 925-0782.
Police seize large quantity of marijuana
AUGUSTA - Another drug seizure by Grenville County OPP officers
in Augusta Township has netted what police believe is marijuana
with an estimated street value of about $30,000.
A search warrant was executed last Thursday afternoon at a
Hall Road property north of Roebuck. Members of the local detachment
and the Leeds and Grenville Crime Unit seized about 15 marijuana
plants from inside and outside the residence and a quantity of
a packaged substance believed to be marijuana.
Four people were arrested. Two 21-year-old men face charges
of breach of an undertaking. One of the men has been charged
with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
A 48-year-old man and 42-year-old woman also face charges
of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
Anyone with information on occurrences in Augusta or Edwardsburgh/Cardinal
is asked to contact the OPP at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers at
1-800-222-8477.
Driver charged
AUGUSTA - A Rideau Lakes Township man has been charged in
connection with an incident that occurred Oct. 10.
OPP constables Rick Foley and Tyler Boutilier responded to
a complaint on County Road 21 at about 12:45 am. A vehicle had
been parked on the complainant's property for some time, according
to a police news release. Upon their arrival, officers put the
vehicle in park and took away the keys. Darryl Reed, 30, was
charged with care and control of a motor vehicle while his ability
was impaired by alcohol. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov.
1.
Cache of riches continues to elude frequent diver
By David Dickenson - Journal Staff Writer
BROCKVILLE - A local diver thought he had found bounty of
stolen loot on a recent dive before feeling it crumble away in
his hands.
Mike Fournier had a story for the ages when he took his 1,700th
dive Sept. 17.
Fournier was diving east of Three Sisters Island along the
river's channel just east of Brockville when he first noticed
a shine the river bottom.
"I could see a number of beer bottles here and ten minutes
into the dive I went right over a dark speckled square,"
explained Fournier. "I dipped down and with one hand carrying
the anchor, I used my other hand to sink my fingers into the
goo and flip the silvery square over. It flipped over in a cloud
of silt as I continued past it, I saw a small handle on the top,
thinking it was a battery of sorts."
Fournier continued to search the river bottom for possible
treasures when about 30 seconds after he noticed a large caliber
rifle and realized what he thought was a battery could possibly
be more than meets the eye.
"I left the anchor sunk in the bottom right beside the
rifle, says Fournier.
"I had to get back to that something else, 20 feet back
up the river. I got back to the square and the silt had cleared
from when I left it before and it was obviously a banker's-type
strong box."
Fournier picked up the box and shook it to feel for weight
when the box began to crumble in his hands. He didn't feel anything
inside moving, so he began to further examine it when one of
the sides gave popping the box open.
"When it opened there was nothing there, but I was looking
at the top half where change would have been stored in the strong
box," explains Fournier.
"I pulled off the section that was starting to lift away
and there was the bottom section where the notes would have been.
There were two light brown clumps that started dissipating when
the current hit them. They could have been actual money, but
time and the river had reduced it to goo lumps that are now part
of the current itself."
After the heartbreak of what was thought to be old money disappearing
into the current, Fournier searched for a coin or any other way
to date the adventure.
When none could be found he decided to take the lid of the
box as a piece of evidence and hopefully date when the box was
likely part of a robbery.
Fournier says, "I put the lid into my mesh goody bag
feeling thoughts of early retirement slip away with the current
around me."
Fournier continued back to his anchor to find the bolt action
rifle with a large wooden stock had a hexagon shaped barrel indicating
it was very old.
"I managed to get the gun into my boat without damaging
it too much," says Fournier. "For probably the 1,000th
time, I wish artifacts could speak and tell their story."
Fournier is an avid diver who frequents the Prescott area
on his journeys having even discovered a wreck along with his
friend Rob Heuvel just over two years ago.
He has found numerous bottles, cannon balls, and some Indian
pots during his dives in the area.
"Some of the best glass bottles from the 1830s are right
off of Prescott; there is an incredible amount of antique bottles
and glass. It's almost like a game finding the items then trying
to figure out how they got there."
Fournier has typically dived alone for the 12 years he has
been diving, which is frowned upon by many divers.
"I take a spare air system down with me in case anything
goes wrong," says Fournier.
"I never really worry about it when I'm down there; I've
been in and around the water since I was in diapers; it's like
playing in my back yard."
Man arrested after
digital camera taken from store
PRESCOTT - Members of the Prescott Police Service investigated
64 general incidents and three motor vehicle accidents between
Oct. 6 and Oct. 14.
A digital camera was reported stolen from the PlayitStar store
Oct. 12. A man was arrested and charged with the theft a short
time later. Phillip Bryer, 42, of Prescott, will appear in court
at a later date. Constable Foster is the investigating officer.
Another theft report on Oct. 12 resulted in an arrest. A security
guard at Valu-mart observed a man take merchandise and leave
the store without paying, according to a police news release.
The man was apprehended; Andre Meloche, of Prescott, was charged
with theft and will appear in court at a later date. Constable
Elaine Barr is the investigating officer.
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.
The police station is located at the corner of Henry and Centre
streets.
Small business owners invited to presentations
at breakfast
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Small business owners from Grenville County
are invited to attend a complimentary breakfast at the Prescott
Golf Club Thursday, Oct. 24 at 7:30 am.
Guest speakers from the Business Development Bank of Canada
will discuss financing or consulting for your business, and representatives
from Doyletech Corporation will speak on Ottawa hi-tech/business
market trends and opportunities for Grenville County.
The event is being presented jointly by Grenville Community
Futures Development Corporation, local economic development committees
and Chambers of Commerce.
A similar gathering will take place at noon at the Coachouse
Restaurant in Kemptville.
Reservations are required by Monday, Oct. 21. Call 925-4275,
ext. 23, or e-mail GCFDC@ripnet.com.
Arts and crafts sale helps United Way
BROCKVILLE - The annual United Way arts and crafts show and
sale will take place Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Brockville Memorial
Centre.
More than 50 tables of crafts will be featured at the event,
which will run from 9 am to 4 pm. Christmas gift items, homemade
soap, candy and children's clothing are among the many items
available at the annual show. One hundred per cent of proceeds
will go to the United Way of Leeds and Grenville, which funds
27 agencies.
Local officials excited by Shakespeare company
proposal
PRESCOTT - A proposal to establish a Shakespeare theatre company
in Prescott next summer is receiving rave reviews.
In a presentation to Tourism Prescott earlier this month,
St. Lawrence Shakespeare Company director Deborah Smith proposed
the creation of a permanent festival based at the Kinsmen Outdoor
Theatre (the amphitheatre). One of William Shakespeare's works
would be presented a number of times in July. A different work
would be staged each summer.
Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn gave a brief outline of the proposal
at the Oct. 7 meeting of town council.
"The potential is really quite exciting," he said.
Other members of council also spoke in favour of the proposal.
Councillor Garry Dewar said he thinks it is "a really good
idea." The Shakespeare presentations could "bring lots
of people to Prescott," according to Councillor Nancy McFarland.
Lawn said the cost to the town next year would be about $6,600.
Support may be sought from local groups and companies, he noted.
The mayor said he asked Tourism Prescott not to commit to
the project until he discussed the matter with council. Tourism
Prescott is a volunteer organization that is funded almost entirely
by the municipality.
Tourism Prescott member Libby Pilon said the organization
is "very pleased and excited" about the proposal. "For
Prescott to be able to host that would be excellent," she
said.
A top-quality production would draw people from outside the
immediate area, Pilon noted.
A production of Romeo and Juliet was presented by the
touring company this summer at Fort Wellington.
What's with the garbage?
By Astrid Strader, Prescott Blossoms Project Supervisor,
Horticulturist, and Garden Designer
Since Prescott Blossoms began in late July, we have been clearing
garbage and litter from our green spaces. It is astounding how
much there has been, and it seems never ending. So long as we
can, we will continue to do so.
I've never thought about it so much, but I've observed there
is a reason why garbage receptacles are designed the way they
are - limiting the size of deposit - simply because household
garbage doesn't belong in our public receptacles. Yet this doesn't
stop certain people from this practice. Fines for speeding work
and so perhaps fines for littering can make this irresponsible
practice of gross littering stop.
It was an exciting week seeing our first trees for the Heritage
River Trail planted. The size of them can be a challenge to plant
and we couldn't have pulled it off without the superlative effort
and skill of Ed Yandeau, from Prescott's Public Works Department.
We were brought compost made from town yard waste (lots of plastic
garbage in that, too). Ed will also be starting to excavate for
the new trail in this coming week. We hope we can keep up with
him.
Two bur oaks (Quercus macrocarpa) were planted, Canada's most
common white oak.
It's an impressive shade tree that can grow to 100 feet over
a few hundred years.
It's lustrous, dark green leaves shaped like a base fiddle
turn yellow in the fall and its acorns are unique, having a fringe
and are highly prized by wildlife.
Government issues car
seat advisory
SOUTH GRENVILLE - The public is being advised not to use infant
car seats as cribs or swings.
Transport Canada reports there have been three deaths in Canada
and more in the United States.
"An infant car seat should never be modified for any
purpose and only used for the safe transportation of an infant,"
a recent news release states.
Seats should never be used as swings, and infants should never
be left unattended in the seats.
The federal transportation department also advises the public
to follow the manufacturer's instructions.
For more information on proper use of infant car seats, see
the public advisory posted at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety.
Edward Jessup Loyalist association holds 34th charter meeting
Submitted by Fraser Carr
PRESCOTT - At noon on Saturday, Oct. 5, approximately 55 Loyalists
and friends gathered at historic St. John's Anglican Church in
Prescott for the 34th charter meeting of the Col. Edward Jessup
Branch of the United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada.
Many commented on the delicious turkey dinner, catered by
Nancy and helpers of NanC's Place in Prescott. The church hall
was an excellent dining and meeting area for our group.
Our President, Myrtle Johnston, expressed a hearty welcome,
reported on some of our activities and gave a brief history of
this historic church. We noticed some of the beautiful stained
windows with names whom we could recognize as Loyalist families.
Roy Lewis, a past president of our branch, presented the colours,
introduced and thanked the speaker, Margaret Hall, from Ottawa,
who gave a very interesting presentation on her quest for a UE
certificate.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of certificates
that indicate a person has been able to obtain evidence of being
a descendant. A Loyalist is one who professed his/her loyalty
to England and had to flee the American Colonies after the American
Revolution, and had to start all over again somewhere else. Many
came to Canada where they made significant contributions to the
development of this country.
Since our last meeting in April, we had 23 more certificates
to present; 17 of those were for descendants of Hendrik Jackson.
Due to another engagement, this family was unable to attend.
However, six certificates were given to those present:
* Barbara Law, using her ancestor Andrew Adams, Loyalist.
Andrew was the son of Dr. Samuel Adams who settled in Grenville
County. His grave is just east of Johnstown. Barbara told us
her great grandparents, Agnes Adams and Daniel Wallace were married
in St. John's Anglican Church, in 1872. Barbara lives just west
of Brockville.
* Donald Ruston, from Brockville, whose ancestor was James
Wiltse. There are many Wiltse descendants around our area.
This year we have a husband and a wife receiving their UE
certificates:
* Willard Gaylord using a John Lampson as his ancestor, while
his wife Bonnie Gaylord, is a descendant of Benjamin Galloway.
(Many will know Bonnie as a teacher and/or as a volunteer with
the Grenville County Historical Society.)
* Venora Bradford, a descendant of Lytle Glassford. Venora
and the Gaylords live just west of Prescott.
* Shirley Cooper, who lives in Brockville, is a descendant
of William Casey.
* Clair Seeley, from Renfrew, his ancestor being Augustus
Seeley, who settled in Elizabethtown Township.
Also present were four from the Ottawa area, four from the
Kingston area, with the rest being from across Leeds and Grenville.
Many Loyalists settled in our area, for example: the Adams,
Dulmages, Jessups, Spicers, and Sherwoods, Wiltses, to name but
a few. We would like to hear from Loyalist descendants and would
be pleased to help them with their family trees. Contact fraser.carr@ripnet.com.
Officers were not on holiday when it came to issuing speeding
tickets on Thanksgiving
GRENVILLE COUNTY - Members of the Grenville County detachment
of the Ontario Provincial Police tried to make the Thanksgiving
Monday drive a bit safer on highways 401 and 416. More than 60
offence notices were issued; most involved speeding.
Eleven of the speeding tickets written were for speeds of
at least 35 kilometres above the posted speed limit.
Charges laid on the holiday include three cases of failing
to surrender a valid insurance card, two seat belt offences,
two cases of operating a motor vehicle without a licence and
two of not having ownership.
OPP constables Duke, Boutilier, Foley, McDade and Robertson
took part in the Thanksgiving effort.
Churchill Road reconstruction nears completion
PRESCOTT - Reconstruction of Churchill Road could be completed
by the end of this month, according to Town Engineer Clyde Solomon.
"It's coming along very well," he said last Thursday.
Much-needed repairs to the main east-west route in the north
end of Prescott began several weeks ago. The section of Churchill
between Edward Street and Massie Drive was dug up and removed
as part of the reconstruction project. The new road bed includes
catch basins and improved drainage. Poor drainage contributed
to the deterioration of the roadway in recent years as pot holes
and cracks became a chronic problem.
The contract was awarded to Cornwall Gravel, the firm that
also landed the Prescott Centre Drive construction job.
New curbs are now in place on Churchill Road, and crews are
nearing the point at which paving can begin.
Weather permitting, the first layer of asphalt will likely
be applied next week after Prescott Centre Drive is paved, according
to Solomon.
Although the reconstruction of Churchill Road has resulted
in the rerouting of traffic and inevitable inconvenience for
residents who live on or near Churchill, the project appears
to be proceeding without any major problems.
"I think the people have been very co-operative,"
said Solomon, who added "they're probably happy to see the
street done."
Churchill Road will have to be completed before crews begin
making improvements to the south side of the Edward Street overpass.
The overpass will have to be closed in order for repairs to be
made; however, Solomon indicated motorists should not expect
the overpass to be closed for an extended period of time.
In addition to reconstructing part of Churchill Road, workers
will also be turning their attention to another location that
has been the subject of may complaints in recent years
the Boundary Street railway crossing.
Last week, a CN crew removed the third rail line at the Boundary
Street crossing. Upgrades to the crossing are to be made as part
of the $600,000-plus Churchill Road project.
Resurfacing of a portion of James Street and Boundary Street
affected by recent infrastructure work is also planned.
It is not too early to be thinking about Halloween
safety
SOUTH GRENVILLE - Here are some safety tips for youngsters
who will be trick or treating this Halloween:
* Wear make-up instead of a mask so you can see properly;
* Go trick or treating with family or friends, and let people
know your route;
* Walk, don't run; look all ways before crossing the street;
* Trick or treat on one side of the street, then the other;
* Only go to their homes with their lights on;
* Do not go anywhere with someone you do not know;
* If someone invites you alone into a house, say "no
thanks;"
* Use a flashlight to help you see in the dark;
* Walking is easier when you have on a short costume.
Source: Stay Alert Stay Safe
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