THIS WEEK

Long wait to locate first local baby of 2003

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ It appears no one was in any rush in the Prescott area to receive the distinction of having the first baby born in 2003.

As of press time last Tuesday, hospitals in Brockville, Kingston, Winchester and Ottawa had not reported any births involving mothers who live in South Grenville. On Thursday, an official at Brockville General Hospital indicated a woman from Prescott had given birth Monday, Jan. 6. However, the official noted the hospital could not disclose further details without the consent of the mother.

As of press time Tuesday, The Journal had not received any additional information.

Parking meters will not be returning to town

PRESCOTT ­ It appears parking meters will not be returning to downtown Prescott.

Town council agreed at a committee meeting Monday night to put up for sale the meters that were removed in 2001. Council decided at that time to implement free parking in areas where meters had been in place. The move was to be reviewed after one year.

Although some council members indicated the move may not have been a boon to downtown merchants, there is also an unwillingness to return to the previous system.

"All you're going to do is irritate people," Councillor Terry McConnell said.

McConnell also said the new system seems to be working quite well; abuse of the two-hour free parking regulation has not been a problem, according to town officials. One concern expressed at the meeting involved the number of taxis sometimes parked on King Street during business hours.

Chamber hosts annual meeting Thursday

JOHNSTOWN ­ The annual general meeting of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce will take place this Thursday, Jan. 16 at noon at Bridgeview Restaurant.

The election of officers for 2003 will take place at the meeting. Chamber members are welcome to attend.

Men's group to serve breakfast Saturday

PRESCOTT ­ The next meeting of the Seaway Men's Ecumenical Group will take place this Saturday, Jan. 18 at St. Paul's United Church, corner of Dibble and George streets.

The meeting includes an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Everyone is welcome to attend. Breakfast tickets will be available at the door. The guest speaker will be Deborah Smith, artistic director of the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival.

Town will pursue OPP contract

Prescott council decides to proceed with challenge of commission's ruling

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ The Town of Prescott will proceed with a plan to have a judicial hearing review a decision that put the brakes on a proposal to disband the Prescott Police Service.

A majority of council members indicated their support for the move during a committee meeting held Monday night.

A judicial hearing would deal with a Dec. 2001 decision by an Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (OCCOPS) panel. The panel ruled it was not willing at the time to approve disbandment of the municipal police service and an agreement for the Ontario Provincial Police to provide policing in Prescott.

Town council and the police services board had given their approval earlier in the year to seeking a municipal contract with the OPP.

The OPP indicated in Jan. 2002 it would be seeking a judicial review of the OCCOPS ruling. The panel indicated it would reconsider its position if certain conditions were met by the OPP that month.

No date for a judicial hearing has been set. However, Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn indicated he is optimistic the hearing would take place this spring. Lawn and a number of councillors expressed a willingness Monday to continue the process and try to get the OCCOPS decision changed.

"I'd prefer to carry on for the time being," Councillor Garry Dewar said.

The hearing could cost the municipality between $25,000 and $40,000, according to Councillor Jim French, finance committee chairman and a member of the police board.

One of the three conditions that OCCOPS set out in its ruling is the OPP and Prescott Constable Darren Davis agree to binding arbitration to resolve the employment matter. The OPP has indicated it is not prepared to offer employment to the constable, a former member of the provincial police. The other constables who work for the town service would be offered jobs.

The mayor said the commission's stand with respect to the one officer is what has held up the process. "That is not our fault," Lawn said.

Support for the decision to proceed with a judicial hearing was not unanimous. Councillors Jo-Anne Beckstead and Nancy McFarland did not vote in favour of the motion. In noting the town's police service has been "in limbo" for two years, McFarland said there is no guarantee the OPP proposal will be approved.

Although Dewar said he might change his mind if the review were to take much longer to complete, he indicated the town has waited for two years. "We can go a couple more months," he remarked.

Formal approval of the motion put forward at the committee meeting is expected next Monday at the next council meeting.

Following the meeting, Police Chief Bryan Somerville told The Journal it is clear some members of council have done some serious thinking on the issue and not all support proceeding with the OPP proposal. However, the chief acknowledged the decision is up to council.

Somerville said the officers and civilian employees are very professional and are continuing to go about their business as the long-term uncertainty of the police service persists.

Council supports bid to extend Prescott Blossoms program

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ Town council has given its support for a bid to renew federal funding for Prescott Blossoms.

The local 30-week program funded by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) is scheduled to end in early February. Mike Laking, one of the co-ordinators of the program, said it has been "an unqualified success."

HRDC provided nearly $150,000 through its Youth at Risk program aimed at individuals between the ages of 15 and 30. Eleven people were chosen to perform a variety of duties, many of which relate to expansion of Prescott's Heritage River Trail near Fort Wellington, in an effort to gain work experience and skills that can be used in other jobs.

Laking noted only one of the eleven participants has left the program, a small loss compared to similar programs.

As for the success of the program, Laking said the group has planted more than 100 trees and helped beautify the trail area as well as municipal land in other areas of town. Work at the waterfront is almost done, according to Laking.

"We accomplished more than I ever thought was possible in one year," he told council members Monday night.

As for a renewal of the Prescott Blossoms project, Laking said the group could continue with its beautification effort, help with a "dry run" of a possible Communities in Bloom entry by Prescott, and work with organizers of the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival.

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said the town appreciates the work done by the Prescott Blossoms team. "The community is better for it," Lawn said.

Laking noted he is ready to write the funding application. His presentation to town officials Monday included a letter of support from Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan.

Prescott Blossoms participants will spend the last two weeks of the program working on resumes and interview skills at the Prescott Public Library; in return, the program will contribute $5,000 to the library.

Augusta's new CAO sets priorities

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD ­ The new top administrator of Augusta Township has set a number of priorities for the municipality and looks forward to working with council and residents.

Sharon Wilkinson, who joined Augusta as CAO/clerk treasurer this month, noted the job is a good career move. She moves up from her former position as administrative clerk for the much smaller municipality of Montague Township in Lanark County.

Since this is an election year, Wilkinson will be tackling the co-ordination of the November voting in her dual role as the municipal returning officer. And while no one has as yet declared an interest in sitting on council, she said, papers can be filed at any time.

In noting working with the new Municipal Act will also be a priority, Wilkinson said she is required to review all bylaws of the township by Dec. 2005, and then arrange for updating. As well, she will be assisting council in updating the township's official plan, which she described as a guide book for future development and growth.

A self-described legislation/ administration junkie, Wilkinson said it is her main role to be a source of information to council and the public, while guiding and directing council to set appropriate policy.

Wilkinson added she has a keen interest in computers, and hopes to put her e-government knowledge to work on a township Web site. She would like to see Augusta have a Web presence, since she noted this is part of being a local and accessible government. This will also fit in with her plan to look at economic development and residential growth, she added.

The strong-willed and often vocal group of residents that has dominated much of township business over the past two years doesn't worry Wilkinson. "I have big shoulders," Wilkinson said, "and I raised five children and I worked for the military."

Attendance at council meetings is an indication the public is very interested in local government and what's going on, she said, adding she has an open-door policy for everyone.

Wilkinson, 47, began her administrative career as a utilities clerk for the former village of Merrickville in 1994. When the village amalgamated with Wolford in 1998, she became deputy clerk-treasurer. In Sept. 2001 she was acting clerk for Merrickville-Wolford, and in November of that year moved on to Montague Township. She has also taught military administration at Canadian forces bases in Toronto, London and Edmonton. A native of Ottawa, Wilkinson's ancestral roots stem from the Blue Church area of Augusta.

Wilkinson takes over from Nigel White, who left the job last June to take a position with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. Deputy Clerk Linda Robinson was serving as acting CAO.

Broadband addresses economic growth barrier

Multi-million-dollar initiative will benefit Prescott area

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

BROCKVILLE ­ Prescott and the South Grenville area will soon have a powerful tool to retain existing businesses and attract new industry.

As part of Leeds and Grenville counties, this area will benefit from funding of more than $7 million from the Ontario government and other partners to support high-speed Internet technology for every resident and business.

The major funding announcement was made at the Brockville Arts Centre Tuesday by Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing (responsible for rural affairs) Brian Coburn.

"I'm absolutely in seventh heaven today," said Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn following the presentation that drew about 200 people. "It's been a long time in coming."

In noting broadband is "absolutely critical" for economic development in this area, the mayor said the town will now have something to offer new developers and industry it previously did not have.

"This is a big, big factor" in attracting new industry, Lawn said.

The Ontario government is investing $2,792,500 to support technology development of a broadband network for small towns and rural communities in Ontario.

The project will establish, across the entire Leeds-Grenville area, an operational broadband network using a combination of fibre and microwave technology. In addition to enabling traditional Internet service, the network will support emerging services such as video conferencing, e-learning, e-government, e-health and e-economy.

Broadband has far-reaching opportunities, and will make this area more inviting for businesses to establish here, Coburn said. The high-speed technology has the capacity to make the world a smaller place, and will allow local people to compete on an international level, he added.

Once complete, the project will provide an implementation model that can be used by other rural communities across the province, Coburn said. "Everyone will have a chance and fair and equal access to broadband," he added. As well, the technology closes the gap between rural and larger centres, allowing a level playing field for everyone.

The funding announcement was made jointly by Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman. Brockville-based Thousand Islands Community Development Corporation and RipNET, an Internet service provider, are contributing the balance of the $7,192,500 funding for the initiative.

It is expected the "shovel will be in the ground" by Feb. 1 to build the network, and by Aug. 1, "everything should be in place to reach every square inch of Leeds-Grenville," explained RipNET CEO Kingsley Grant.

"The scope of this project will touch every man, woman and child in Leeds-Grenville," Grant said in comparing the initiative to the building of the railway, Highway 401 and the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Among its benefits, Grant said people will be able to take advantage of distance health and education. As well, technology users can download large e-mail files and documents, and have "blazing fast Web sites. It's going to be one heck of a network."

The job creation component of the initiative could be significant, Grant said. While he said he would need a crystal ball to determine exact numbers, RipNET will be instantly hiring 15 or 16 people to get the ball rolling. The many thousands of installations across the counties will require a great deal of technicians as well, he said.

More notable may be the spin-off jobs created in all sectors as a benefit to the new technology, several of the speakers noted.

The fun is about to snowball as winter festival time arrives in Spencerville

SPENCERVILLE - The winter weather has arrived just in time for the Spencerville and District Winter Festival this weekend.

"It's a relief with the recent snowfall," said festival committee member Jackie Barnard. "Everything will be taking place now that we have snow. The weather plays a crucial part to a lot of events and now it's looking like everything is going to be a go."

All weekend long, free sleigh rides will be provided on the fair grounds and public skating will be available at the Spencerville Mill and ball diamonds.

Friday

The weekend begins at early evening with an old fashioned bonfire and skating party at the Spencerville Mill as well as the OPP vs. the fire department hockey game at the arena. Also the Legion will be hosting local entertainment with the Drummond Building playing host to a teen dance with music from K & J Sounds.

Saturday

The mid-distance dog sled race starting the day off with Odyssey Adventures making its first appearance at the festival to provide rock climbing.

Late morning will also feature Shake-a-Paw Dog Training, before the four-on-four hockey tournament at the ball diamond's outdoor arena.

In the afternoon the Drummond Building will be busy with people ready to compete in the Survivor-Winter Outback Challenge.

The kids snowshoe races and strongman lumberjack contest are set to start at the grandstand in the early afternoon, while the Legion will play host to a Euchre Tournament.

Late afternoon the Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club will be performing at the arena, with the dinner and dance to follow at the Drummond Building. The hip of beef buffet dinner will be feature an Elvis show by Mike Morrissette before music from DJ BLT takes over for the night. The dinner's entertainment will only be available to those who have purchased tickets for the supper.

Sunday

The festival's final day will see an atom hockey tournament at the arena, and a Sunday Brunch with Shrine Clowns at the Drummond Building.

The Grenville Fish & Game Club will he holding indoor fishing games, with an open mike talent show followed by the second annual fashion show.

Bring your family pet (over 35 pounds) to the grandstand in the morning so it can compete in the Mutt Races.

The Mill will be busy with the snowmobile ice drags.

The kids' tug-o-war will take centre stage in front of the grandstand in the early afternoon, with snowshoe races and 2"x4" races to follow.

Dog sled rides for the kids will also take place on the fair grounds in the afternoon.

Liberal takes aim at Tories

BROCKVILLE ­ Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman is being hypocritical when he attacks the federal gun registry, according to provincial Liberal candidate Stephen Mazurek.

The Progressive Conservative government's campaign to scrap the registry comes at a time when the provincial auditor has identified a number of issues in Ontario, according to Mazurek.

"Bob Runciman has been very vocal in leading the charge against the federal gun registration when at the same time there has been waste and incompetence within his own Tory government," Mazurek stated in a news release issued Friday.

Citing what he referred to the "Hydro rate double-cross" that could lead many small businesses and farmers out in the cold in terms of a rate freeze, Mazurek indicated the provincial government's attack on the registry is an attempt "...to deflect attention away from their own sorry policies which after seven-and-a-half years have really hurt the province of Ontario."

Mazurek stated he is looking forward to an early provincial election this spring so he can challenge Tory policies endorsed by Runciman.

"No amount of smoke screens will hide from the voters of Leeds-Grenville the real issues affecting all of us today," Mazurek said.

Money spent on Lords Mills Road was a waste, Augusta resident says

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD ­ The nightmare saga concerning the reconstruction and paving of Lords Mills Road has returned to haunt Augusta council.

Lords Mills road resident Steve Holmes asked council at its Monday night meeting when and if the road would ever be finished, since more than a half-million dollars has already been spent on its reconstruction in recent years.

Previous councils and the current council have made commitments toward the road's paving, Holmes said. As the road now sits, both ends are paved, with a 3.2-kilometre section in the middle that was reconstructed in 2000 and made ready for asphalt at a cost of $516,000, Holmes stated.

The township's long range plan to 2006 for capital works projects does not include finishing Lords Mills Road, he said. "Why is this council so reluctant to complete the paving of Lords Mills Road..." Holmes asked.

"Clearly, the residents of this township have been deceived, especially those who signed legal documents giving you their land in return for a paved road. Commitments have been made, a large sum of money has been spent to reconstruct the road. It is senseless not to finish the project that put our taxpayers' dollars already spent to waste," Holmes said.

Because of the delay in paving, the surface condition of the road has deteriorated over the years, with much of the gravel is in the ditches, he added. "Complete something that was started 14 years ago," Holmes told council.

Members of council did not offer any comments following Holmes' presentation. However, when asked after the meeting about the situation, Reeve George Vail agreed with Holmes, saying councils have been promising its paving for 20 years.

Too much money was spent on the reconstruction, he said, and blamed the over-expenditure on consultants' fees. "This is what you get when you use engineers. It should have been finished. It's true what he (Holmes) said."

With so much having been spent on the reconstruction in fall 2000, "the budget ran out and we weren't able to do it," Vail explained. The plan had been to pave the road the following spring.

Discussion of the road goes back years to a time when "the squeaky wheel got the grease" to determine which roads were improved, Vail explained. In noting road improvements are now determined according to traffic counts and condition, Vail said there are other roads in the township in greater need of repair.

The road "definitely" won't be done this year, said Vail, who must use Lords Mills Road to get to and from his residence on Ashby Road. "Not unless this council takes a big change of heart, and I don't think this council will. Not this year."

Being this is an election year, the new council may decide to redo the long range plan, Vail added.

Owner of Water Street property asks town to act on waterfront parking lot

PRESCOTT ­ The owner of a Water Street property is planning to develop it, but he wants town council to do something about the large parking lot near the municipal dock.

Robert Pelda, who has plans to build a four- or five-storey, multi-unit residential development on the "Blue Fence" property east of the Moran-Hooker Trade Centre, told council members at a committee meeting Monday night he does not want the municipal parking lot to remain as it is.

Pelda, who announced last week he would be running for one of the six councillor seats in November's municipal election, referred to its present state as "a deterrent" to development, although he conceded he would be willing to see a portion of the municipal land be retained for parking. He pointed out the lot is rarely full of parked vehicles, has no lighting and is often used for longer-term parking of trailers.

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said the present council has yet to discuss plans for the municipal parking area. The mayor noted the rental or condominium space being proposed by Pelda is "...badly needed in our community."

Councillor Garry Dewar said he believes the parking area should become the town's "number one park." However, Dewar said it could cost between $500,000 and $1 million to build such a park; the town could not afford such an expense this year, according to the councillor. Pelda estimated the cost would be closer to $250,000.

The property owner also noted construction of the residential development could begin in 2004 and take a year to complete. The park would not have to be in place prior to completion of the building, it was noted Monday.

Town officials indicated they would be prepared to discuss options with Pelda.

Grade 9 students face provincial math test and exams

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - Nerves have set in for grade nine students and their math teachers as South Grenville District High School has started its five-day government standardized math tests Tuesday, Jan. 14.

Pam Needham, head of the math department at South Grenville, finds the testing to have both its positives and negatives.

"It does act as a good review of the curriculum for the kids," said Needham. "But it's a difficult time of year for the kids to try to psych themselves up for this test and then exams. It's a lot of work to do at one time, but we have good kids, that do very well, especially at an applied level."

Needham is quick to credit the math department and South Grenville's feeder schools with preparing the kids for the testing process.

"The tests have been done twice a semester for the past three or four years, with results improved since the test was first done," said Needham. "It's not that the kids have been smarter or better, it's the fact they're getting used to the testing and the teachers are used to the preparation process. The kids come in from the feeder schools already very good in math, so as long as they listen to their teachers, do their homework and have support they will all do well."

Despite the teachers being confident in their students many of this year's Grade 9s are anxious about the test.

"I'm nervous quite a bit when it comes to tests to begin with," said Grade 9 student Vanessa Elliott, who was preparing to write the test. "It's about ten straight days of math; it started to hit me just before Christmas break when we started review booklets.

"We were told that we would be writing them orientation day in the fall, but now that it's closer I think everyone is starting to get a little nervous."

Despite concern over the upcoming test, Elliott seems to find merit in the test itself.

"In a way it will really help us out," said Elliott. "It comes right before exams which is stressful, but will be a good review, especially of the stuff we did earlier in the semester."

While this year's Grade 9s work their way through the testing process and exams some of last years look at the testing a little differently.

"It wasn't really a big deal, until the exam book was placed in front of me and I realized the government would be judging us on it," said Grade 10 student Alicia Beaton, who wrote the test last year. "A lot of people seemed nervous, but we were ready and I think it helped to study for the math exam, but I was happy to get it over with."

While some may think the test would be a reflection of the teachers, Needham feels the tests are more of a tool with the kids.

"We have such a good group of teachers here and some of the best teachers are the ones that work with the Grade 9s," said Needham. "When the results do come back, we talk to the kids, and if one did poorly we counsel them individually to try to find out why and help them. It's another device for us to try and help the kids."

PRESCOTT POLICE NEWS

Interior of downtown restaurant sustains major damage

PRESCOTT ­ An estimated $20,000 in damage to the Dixie Lee restaurant has occurred, according to the Prescott Police Service.

On Jan. 12, police received a report from the original owner of the restaurant. The restaurant had been vacated by the current owners of the business; there was significant damage, a police news report indicated. The restaurant closed in late December; the inside of the doors and windows were covered with newspaper at that time.

The investigation continues; Constable Mike Lapensee is the investigating officer.

In all, town police investigated 62 general incidents and one motor vehicle collision between Jan. 5 and Jan. 12.

On Jan. 8, a man was arrested in connection with an assault and threatening complaint by another man who is a witness in an upcoming trial. Prescott police report the first man did not co-operate with the arresting officers, constables Terry Foster and Moe Morrissette. A scuffle ensued, and the man was handcuffed and placed in a police cruiser. The man kicked a rear passenger door, causing the glass to shatter.

Christos Valaveris, of Mackenzie Road, faces charges of assault, obstructing justice, intimidation, resisting arrest and mischief. Constable Mike Ostrander is the investigating officer for the original incident.

The caretaker of Sandy Hill Cemetery reported a cast iron flower urn had been taken from the cemetery. The urn, which weighs 200 lbs. and is three feet high, is very old and irreplaceable. Its estimated value is $1,000. Constable Mike Ostrander is investigating.

On Jan. 8, a James Street resident reported cheques had been stolen from his residence. An investigation revealed some of the cheques were cashed at a Brockville bank. Tasha Conner, 25, of Prescott was arrested and charged with three counts of uttering a forged document. Constable Rob Prophet is the investigating officer.

On Jan. 11, police received a report from a woman who indicated her vehicle had been stolen from her driveway on Dibble Street East. Police located the vehicle and determined the complaint was unfounded. Constable Darren Davis is investigating.

On the same day, Prescott police received a report of wilful damage to a car and pick-up truck parked in a lot behind an apartment building on Churchill Road. The two rear tires of the car and one rear tire of the truck were slashed. Constable Mike Lapensee is the investigating officer.

Several complaints of thefts from vehicles were reported Jan. 12. Small items, small amounts of change and a flashlight were taken. Police remind the public these thefts can be prevented if vehicle doors are locked.

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 1-888-222-8477.

Fire destroys garage, shack north of Johnstown

JOHNSTOWN - The Edwardsbugh/Cardinal Fire Department responded to a blaze on the north end of Fraser Road Saturday night where a three-garage and sugar bush shack were destroyed.

The fire which originated in the west end of a three-car garage attached to the home, spread quickly destroying the garage and most of a sugar bush operation to the west of garage, according to Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Fire Chief, Jim Purcell.

"We responded to the call at 8:45 pm were able to save the house," said Purcell Monday. "The house would have some smoke and water damage, but we were able to keep the fire from spreading to the house."

Firefighters from both Edwardsburgh/Cardinal stations #1 and #2 responded to the blaze, as well as two tankers from Augusta Township, with roughly 40 firefighters in total on the scene.

"The fire caused major damage to the sugar bush operation with part of the building still able to be salvaged," says Purcell. "The three-car garage was destroyed. We were able to keep the fire from getting into the roof where it could spread to the house."

Purcell was unable to determine the extent of the damage caused or the cause of the fire, but was able to confirm that no one was injured.

Firefighters remained on scene until nearly 2 am dousing hot spots and ensuring the blaze was out.

Roast beef dinner to be served Saturday

PRESCOTT ­ Friendship Hall Association will present a roast beef dinner this Saturday, Jan. 18 in the hall located at 454 Henry St. W.

Dinner will be served at 4:30 and 6 pm; take-out orders will be accepted.

For tickets, call 925-4784, 925-4957 or 925-4268. There is no guarantee tickets will be available at the door.

Proceeds from the dinner go to the association.

Reward offered

ROCKPORT ­ The Government of Ontario is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of a Rockport man.

The body of Brad Cromwell, 25, was found Sept. 14 on Old River Road, a gravel sideroad running parallel to the Thousand Islands Parkway. Police believe Cromwell was struck by a vehicle in the early morning hours; he was pronounced dead at Brockville General Hospital.

The OPP noted in a news release Monday the person responsible for Cromwell's death would likely have been familiar with the area or been travelling with someone who was.

Police believe people in the community have information that may be of assistance. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP in Brockville at 345-1790 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

North Augusta dump filling too quickly, chief building official tells council

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD ­ The North Augusta landfill site is reaching its capacity much more quickly than had been anticipated.

Doug Beesley, Augusta Township chief building official whose duties include overseeing waste management, told council at its Monday night meeting the disposal site in the northern end of the township may reach its capacity by 2005 if plans for its future operation are not made now.

"We have to make some decision what we are going to do with our waste and begin that process very, very shortly," Beesley said.

Reeve George Vail concurred with Beesley's opinion township residents are not recycling properly, and this is the problem of the overfilling. Vail also suspects non-township residents may be gaining access to the site.

"It's something we're going to have to look at quite seriously," Vail said.

"It's something people have to realize; it's their landfill and I think they're going to have to start recycling and we're going to have to start looking at some ways to try and enforce this."

The Maynard landfill site was converted to a transfer station more than a year ago. That site must still be capped with clay and top soil at a cost of about $70,000 per year for three years to move the material and for equipment rentals, explained Beesley. There will be additional ongoing costs for monitoring and consulting fees, he said.

At the time of the Maynard conversion, it had been expected the North Augusta site would be useable until 2006.

Augusta gravel pit gets another approval

Popular toboggan slope to be protected as part of redrawing of boundaries

MAYNARD - Augusta council is one step closer to obtaining an aggregate licence to operate a township gravel pit in Limerick Forest.

Council noted Monday night the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville gave its consent at a November meeting to the operation of the pit, with some amendments from the township's original plan.

The approval endorses recommendations made by the Limerick Forest Advisory Committee.

Among the recommendations are the redrawing of the pit boundary to exclude and protect the toboggan slope on the south side of the existing pit and a grove of hardwoods.

It was also recommended the toboggan hill continue to be made available and safe for use every winter.

The recommendations mean the township would lose about one third of the area capable of being excavated, but the pit would still provide Augusta with adequate resources for its needs, Chief Building Official Doug Beesley noted.

The aggregate licence application will now be forwarded to the Ministry of Natural Resources for its approval.

The township has been attempting to have the pit reopened and expanded for about two years.

A previous step in the process involved an archaeological assessment by the Ministry of Culture and Recreation to determine if the pit had the potential to cause impacts to cultural or heritage resources.

Augusta is seeking a licence to excavate 25,000 tonnes of gravel per year from the 7.8-hectare quarry site. A portion was quarried in the 1960s and 70s by MNR, and in 1989 and 1990 by the united counties.

The pit is located on part lots 2 and 3 of Concession 8 in Limerick Forest, just north of Roebuck.

Johnstown school students offer helping hand to children in Belarus

JOHNSTOWN ­ Some local youngsters are trying to make life a little brighter for kids half a world away.

Students at South Edwardsburg Public School in Johnstown are participating in a two-week campaign to collect items that will be shipped later this winter to a rural community in the Eastern European nation of Belarus.

The former Soviet state was devastated by the Chernobyl disaster of 1986. Radioactive fallout from an explosion at a nuclear plant contaminated a large area which includes the region of Chaussy.

Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, a Brockville-based charity, provides humanitarian and medical aid to Chaussy. Director Dave Shaw gave a slide show to South Edwardsburg students Friday morning.

Shaw explained how the radioactive contamination has poisoned the Chaussy area and continues to affect the health of those who remain and try to eke out a living in an impoverished area in which any food that can be harvested has lost most of its nutritional value and cannot be exported. Students were told residents of Chaussy do not have running water, modern health care and other things most Canadians take for granted. With the help of individuals and businesses in Leeds and Grenville, Canadian Aid for Chernobyl has sent 45 transport loads of medical supplies to Belarus in the past four years. There have also been large shipments of food, clothing and other supplies.

Students are being asked to bring in toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, pencils, warm clothes, toys and other items that will be put to good use by youngsters at orphanages and schools in Belarus. A collection box has been placed in each classroom at the elementary school.

"It is children relating to children," South Edwardsburg teacher Donna Greenhorn said. "They can respond on a very basic level. They can give right from the heart."

The South Edwardsburg campaign, which officially kicked off Monday, ends Jan. 27.

Canadian Aid for Chernobyl is accepting donations of money, clothing, non-perishable food and other items as it prepares to make another large shipment to Belarus. Shaw noted the charity has an arrangement with Health Partners International; for a donation of $100, Canadian Aid can acquire up to $5,000 in much-needed medicine.

For more information on Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, contact Dave Shaw at 342-8747. Donations can be mailed to Box 244, Brockville K6V 5V2. Tax receipts are issued for donations of $20 or more.

The organization also runs a program that enables dozens of youngsters from Belarus to spend the summer in Eastern Ontario each year.

GCC to present Guys and Dolls later this month

MAITLAND ­ The Grenville Christian College (GCC) production of Guys and Dolls will be presented Friday, Jan. 24 and Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Brockville Arts Centre.

The Broadway musical comedy set primarily in New York City will feature more than 50 members of GCC's student and staff population.

"It is funny and romantic, entertaining and heartwarming," stated producer Cindy Barr. "It has been a joy to work on."

Directed by Peter Osborne and choreographed by Wilson Wong, the GCC production also includes Cheryl Farnsworth as vocal director and Alan MacMillan as conductor of a 14-member orchestra.

Tickets for Guys and Dolls are now on sale at the arts centre box office (342-7122). The Friday and Saturday shows begin at 7:30 pm.

GCC presented Oklahoma! last year.

OPP NEWS

Two injured in crash

EDWARDSBURGH ­ Two people from Augusta Township were injured in a single-vehicle collision that occurred Jan. 8 at about 6 am on County Road 21 one kilometre east of Weir Road. Grenville County OPP reported the driver lost control of the pick-up truck that then left the snow-covered road. The 36-year-old male driver and 37-year-old female passenger were transported by ambulance to Kemptville District Hospital. The woman was transferred to an Ottawa hospital; both sustained injuries not considered life-threatening. No charges were laid. Constable Jon Pergunas is the investigating officer.

In noting there were about four other collisions during that overnight period and the night before, OPP indicated two of those collisions involved deer.

Driver failed to stop for school bus

EDWARDSBURGH ­ A 56-year-old Augusta woman has been charged with failing to stop for a school bus.

OPP received a complaint Jan. 6 that a vehicle had passed a school bus with its lights activated on County Road 21.

RIDE checks lead to pair of suspensions

AUGUSTA ­ Two 12-hour licence suspensions were issued by OPP officers who conducted RIDE checks Jan. 11 in Augusta Township and at County Road 18 and Highway 401.

SCHOOL SCENE

CENTENNIAL '67/NORTH EDWARDSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL: Centennial students in grades 3-8 will enjoy one hour of skating each Wednesday morning at the Edwardsburgh arena. This is a fun part of the phys. ed. program.

Our students in grades 5-8 are participating in weekly classes on healthy development, instructed by our public health nurse, Mrs. Cleary.

Grade 7/8 students are invited to apply for positions as playground leaders.

Our next monthly advisory council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 20 at 7 pm at Centennial '67.

SOUTH EDWARDSBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL: On Friday, Jan. 10, David Shaw, director of "Canadian Aid for Chernobyl," presented a slide show of the nuclear-affected region of Belarus, which is located in Eastern Europe.

He also discussed the humanitarian aid that has been sent to Belarus by our local community in Leeds and Grenville. The students and staff at SEPS are very excited to be collecting items from Jan. 13 to Jan. 27; these items will be donated to an orphanage in Belarus.

The hot lunch today is hot dogs; chicken nuggets will be next week.

There is a school council meeting this evening (Wednesday) at 6:30 pm in the staff room. Everyone is welcome to attend.

ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL: St. Joseph school is a caring learning environment where all are encouraged to grow in the image of Christ. In our daily activities, we are all encouraged to ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?"

The Grade 6 classes will be walking to the Prescott rink on Wednesday to skate at 1:15 pm.

Other grades will be going on different days, so please check with your child's teacher if you are unsure of the date and time for your child's skating excursion.

The senior girls and boys basketball teams have been picked, and we congratulate all students who tried out for the school teams.

Team members are busy preparing themselves for the upcoming tournament at the end of January.

The Chess and Checkers club meets every Friday during lunch hour.

We acknowledge the efforts of Mrs. Suzanne Whitney, who has volunteered her time each Friday to supervise and teach our students the games of chess and checkers.

There will be a bake sale this Friday during lunch hour. Proceeds from the bake sale will support the Grade 7 trip to Quebec City. Your support is certainly appreciated.

Congratulations to our students of the week: Dylan Scales, MacKenzie Marshall, Jonathan Johnson-Farmer, Eric O'Connor, Jessie Hyland, Bridget Cleary, Lea Anne Naphan, Larry Leroux and Shauna Walker.

ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL: On Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 pm, the fundraising committee of school council will meet in the library. All parents are welcome.

Our All Star Reading Strategies this week are: Kindergarten ­ Book Awareness Strategies ("Check out the book"); Grade 1 ­ Unstuck Strategies ("Word power with rhyming parts"); Grade 2 ­ Unstuck Strategies ("What's the sound/what's the letter"); Grade 3 ­ Ways to Respond ("Act it out").

The hot lunch this week is hamburgers (Wednesday for JK/SK A and Thursday for JK/SK B to Grade 3).

Humour writing contest is now accepting entries

SPENCERVILLE ­ The ninth annual "Joker is Wild" humour writing competition is now open.

The Valley Writers' Guild will award three cash prizes and three honourable mentions in prose and verse. Prose entries (fiction or non-fiction) are to be double-spaced and up to 1,000 words in length. Verse entries (rhyming or free verse) are to be single-spaced and up to 40 lines in length. Entries must be in English and unpublished.

Entrants must live within a 100-km radius of Ottawa. Two copies of each entry (one with author identification) as well as an entry fee are required. All winners will be published in The Grist Mill, Vol. 12.

The deadline for submissions is March 7. For more information, contact joyhm@ripnet.com or petrus.delepper@sympatico.ca.

Outdoor rinks are seeing lots of skaters

MAITLAND NEWS by Jane Fullarton

There will be a youth dance at Maitland Hall Friday, Jan. 24 from 7 to 10 pm for students in grades 5 to 8. No one will be admitted to the dance after 8 pm.

Supervisors are always needed. If you can help, call Cindy Turton at 348-1760 or Susan Clarke at 348-3088.

The two outdoor rinks in Maitland are seeing lots of skaters now that the cold weather has arrived. The rink at MERC Hall has been going since Christmas with people of all ages enjoying the ice.

The large surface allows for pickup hockey games at one end and an area for skaters at the other.

The mild weather over the Christmas holidays delayed the start-up of the Cedar Street rink. Mild temperatures and the lack of snow cover made it difficult to build up a base for the ice.

Last week, however, the cold temperatures guaranteed success in getting the rink going and has produced a smooth ice surface. Volunteers are at the rinks regularly clearing snow and flooding the ice, allowing the whole community to enjoy this wonderful winter activity.

MERC Hall is a drop-off point for the Food For All food bank in Prescott. If you are attending a class, dance or any event at the MERC Hall, remember to bring along a non-perishable food item for the barrel.

Annual meeting and pot luck dinner to be held Jan. 27

WALKER HOUSE NEWS by MARNIE LIPPIATT

Members are all invited to the pot luck and annual meeting Monday, Jan. 27. Supper will be served at 5:30 and the meeting will be at 6:30. We will have a games evening for those who wish to stay after the meeting. Plan to bring your special supper dish and enjoy a social evening with other folks in your club. Everyone is welcome.

Staring Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 10 am, we will be having a health series "Planning meals for one (or two)." Each session will discuss a different aspect followed by lunch using the principles discussed. Men and women are encouraged to take part.

Please call 925-5300 for more information or to register for the sessions.

Card game winners: Monday bridge ­ 1st, Jim Campbell; 2nd, Bea Hemsley; door prize, Valerie Schulz. Wednesday night bridge ­ 1st, Ruth Britnell; 2nd, Andy Britnell; draw, Hugh Evely. Thursday euchre ­ 1st, Eddie Arcand; 2nd, Hugh Evely; 3rd, Eleanor Gilligan; door prize, Pat McPhee.

Luncheon set for St. John's

PRESCOTT ­ A snowflake luncheon will be held Friday, Jan. 24 at the St. John's Anglican Church parish hall on James Street.

The luncheon, which includes a bake table, will run from 11 am to 1 pm. Tickets will be available at the door.

CORRECTION

An article that appeared in last week's edition reported Grenville County OPP had checked 608 vehicles during the five-week Festive RIDE program. The correct total is 6,086.

The figure that was published was taken from an OPP news release. A revised release containing the correct total was received as last week's edition was going to press.

Police warn of dangers posed by ice on waterways

PRESCOTT - Grenville County OPP are advising people to be careful when travelling across ice this winter.

It is critical that the ice quality or type of ice is evaluated before you travel.

Clear, hard, new ice is the only kind of ice recommended for travel.

Slushy ice, ice on or near moving water, ice that is thawed and refrozen and layered or rotten ice that is caused by sudden temperature changes should be avoided, according to police.

Other risk factors that weaken or rot ice include snow on ice that acts as a blanket to prevent hardening of ice and pressure ridges caused by wind or current pressure.

For more information about local ice conditions, call the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940.

Phone service is available for smokers to kick the habit

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ The Canadian Cancer Society is encouraging people to "Be Smoke-Free in 2003."

An estimated six million Canadians are smokers. Tobacco-related illness and disease kills more than 45,000 Canadians each year, according to the society.

National Non-Smoking Week begins Jan. 19. This year's "Weedless Wednesday" is set for Jan. 23. More people resolve in January to quit smoking than in any other month of the year.

The Smokers' Helpline (1-877-513-5333) was created in 2000 by the Ontario division of the cancer society and funded in part by the Government of Canada. The helpline, a toll-free confidential service that offers personalized support and easy access to so-called quit specialists, has already assisted more than 20,000 Ontarians in their efforts to stop smoking and remain cigarette-free.

St. Mark school council meets Jan. 23

PRESCOTT ­ The next meeting of the St. Mark Catholic School Council will take place Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 pm in the school library.

Grade 3 test results for the school, board and province will be presented at the meeting. The public is invited to attend.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"This is what you get when you use engineers."

Editor's Notebook

North and south must come together

As rumours about prospective new commercial tenants in the area of the Highway 401-Edward Street interchange continue to circulate, the potential value of that location to the future of the Prescott area is becoming more clear. It would not be an overstatement to suggest the heart of Prescott ­ its downtown core ­ is at serious risk of becoming even more of an after-thought than it already is in the minds of many people who live in the Prescott area. Once again, there has been plenty of talk about working together to come up with a solution to the problem but, to date, there has been little or no visible action taken on the part of civic leaders. If there is ever going to be a time for merchants, the BIA, council, and others to do something to protect what is left of the downtown business section, surely that time has just about arrived.

As much as Prescott welcomes the investment in the north end of town and the benefits it will bring to this community (including the downtown area), the key outstanding issue remains getting visitors from one end of the Fort Town to the other. What efforts are being made to link business interests and tout shops and services on the other side of the tracks? Motorists can see the big new buildings beside the 401 and the gas stations and food outlets on Edward Street, but what about the stores on King Street? Visitors who are here to check out Fort Wellington or the town's waterfront area will get their chance to take a closer look at what downtown Prescott has to offer, but others will have to be led there one way or another. Even though Prescott Centre Drive is still a relatively new entity, it does not take long to see the number of vehicles in the parking lot of Canadian Tire and O'Reilly's to see how much of an impact the new stores are having. The scheduled arrival of McDonalds next month and the prospect of others to follow later this year make it more important than ever for this community to make it clear to travellers that Prescott has more to offer than just those stores or just the waterfront or just a national historic site.

Mayor Robert Lawn has been emphasizing the value of a downtown revitalization plan and something concrete with which to address the growing disparity between north and south in the business community. As much as government plans tend to collect dust on shelves, we welcome any effort council and any other group in the Prescott area is willing to make to ensure prosperity in one end of town is not offset by despair in the other.

Tim Ruhnke

Great Ice Storm of '98 was about generosity and spirit

FORWARDING COMMENTS by Monica Whitney

These couple weeks of January have likely been filled with memories, both good and bad, of the 1998 Ice Storm. My own memories on this fifth anniversary are not so localized, mainly because my family was not living in an area of such mass chaos during what has been termed the worst weather-related catastrophe in Canadian history.

In the south-western Ontario town where we were living at the time, it rained for five days straight, but the rain never froze. We were miserable, wondering why there was such weird weather in January, as we pushed baby strollers and young children through the downpour and slush and tried to slog to school drenched and with inverted umbrellas. The kids were cranky because they couldn't get out to play, the basement started to leak, and we were just generally fed up. But we had water and electricity.

After about five days, we finally had phone contact with my brother-in-law in Johnstown, and we heard a first-hand account of the trials of the people living in the Prescott area. We were surprised and shocked, but we didn't really have a true understanding of the magnitude of the disaster.

In April following the storm, we had decided to move here and travelled to Prescott in search of a house to buy. We were awed by that scene so unlike a typical spring, with smashed trees and branches lying about. Our mission then turned to finding the right house that still had some trees standing.

Our first winter here, much of the talk centred on preparedness, fearing it may happen again. Rain in winter continues to strike fear in those who weathered that first devastating storm, and people now stock up on essentials like water, candles, batteries and generators.

My brother-in-law and his family fared better than some, likely. With a wood stove, they were able to melt ice, prepare big pots of stew and soup for others forced from their homes into community shelters, and invite people in out of the cold.

It still gives me the shivers hearing the stories - about how some merchants extended credit for groceries because customers couldn't get at their money; how schools and halls opened their doors for a warm place to sleep and a hot meal; and how neighbours who had never met, suddenly became friends.

In a way, I regret not being here, to share in the common tragedy that opened doors and hearts. Communities came together in courage, generosity and spirit, and I missed that bonding. I've never been through a disaster like this, and I'm not sure how I'd react if I had to, but I miss being a part of that drawing of people together this community excels in. I am proud to belong to a community that did its utmost for those in need.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Mayor urges careful spending in 1953 to deal with growth

Jan. 15, 1953

* In his inaugural address to Prescott council, Mayor James P. Doyle warned 1953 will not be an easy year, since the town is going through a period of unprecedented development and progress. Because of the increasing population accompanying the RCA Victor plant and the CIL project in Maitland, the municipality is proceeding with housing developments. While this will solve the acute housing shortage in the area, there are urgent matters of installing sidewalks, upgrading streets, and the provision of sewage and utility services, the mayor said. These expenditures must be carefully weighed against the taxpayers' ability to bear any further increase in taxes. With careful planning, 1953 can become one of the best and most significant years in the history of the community.

Jan. 16, 1963

* Prescott Mayor H.G. Johnson has advocated a vigourous quest for new industry. No stone should be left unturned in seeking new industry, he emphasized in an inaugural address before the 1963 council. Johnson also urged a revitalization of the main business section and forming a traffic committee to study parking facilities.

* Glenn Morris was re-elected to the chairmanship of the Separate School Board of Prescott. Vice Chairman is Rev. J.J. Shannon, and C.R. Dunn is secretary-treasurer. Gerald Freeman was re-appointed to the South Grenville District High School Board.

Jan. 10, 1973

* Cindy Roegers of Prescott and Gordon Forbes won the novice dance competition at the Eastern Ontario Figure Skating Championships in Kingston.

* Augusta Township council held its 1973 inaugural meeting with newly-elected Reeve Ron Thomas leading the team. Taking the oath of office along with Thomas were Charles Bradley, Mel Campbell, Carl Polite and Ed Coons.

Jan. 12, 1983

* Lewis Beach, manager of Beach Home Hardware, has been elected chairman of the BIA. Beach, 25, runs the store with his father, Murray. Lewis takes over from Metropolitan store Manager Kevin Roche.

We opened a few more doors to Prescott's past last week with our story on the burning of the Daniels Hotel 60 years ago (Dec. 20, 1942), which was occasioned by our search as to when the venerable Daniels was built.

First of all, we found that the person who recorded the details of the fire in the Prescott Fire Department's Registry of Fires seemed to be so enamoured by the early Sunday morning blaze that he failed to record that the fire also razed Doyle's Men's Wear, Pender's Grocery Store, Lee Ling's Laundry, The Farmer and Thompson Barber Shop, Ed Perry's Barber Shop, the V Snack Bar and adjoining apartments owned by Mr. and Mrs. Len Ellis, and a private residence owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Lamer. These were all located to the east of the Daniels in adjoining buildings.

The double brick wall at the west end of the building prevented the fire from spreading to Mark T. Thomas' Jewellery Store, Mrs. M. Lane's Millinery Store, M. Pender's Dry Goods, Carey's Drug Store and Forsythe's Barber Shop, as well as the Busy Corner Lunch, and the Co-operative Creamery Plant. Firemen fought to keep the Gold Glove factory on Water St. from catching fire, but lost their battle to save the provincial liquor store located on Water St., opposite the glove works.

There was one fatality in the blaze, Mr. Henry St. Marseilles, who lived on the third floor of the hotel. His death was not noticed until late Sunday morning when he failed to show for work at the CPR coal yards. The Daniels and some of the adjoining properties were owned by James Doyle and Dan and Nick Korsa.

The earliest record of the Daniels Hotel was in an 1871 census, in which L.H. Daniels is listed as a German hotel keeper. The Daniels was possibly preceded by the Commercial Hotel, listed on an 1857 map as being located at or near the Daniels site, with the owner being Manuel Northrup.

The Daniels Hotel was known originally as The Daniels House. Extensive renovations were made in the mid-1870s, probably in anticipation of the Queen's Plate being run here in 1877. Thadeus Leavitt, in his History of Leeds and Grenville in 1879, writes: "...the dining hall, sitting room, billiard parlors, office and sitting rooms, upon the first flat, are elegant and commodious. Mr. Freeman I. Daniels is the gentlemanly manager..."

Freeman Daniels was either a brother or son of L.H. Daniels, who had several sons. Two of them, Louis and Benjamin, served in the North West Mounted Police in the 1870s with their boyhood chum, Major James Walsh, who became known in Canadian history as Sitting Bull's boss.

The hotel was sold to Ben Cochrane and then to Wm. McAskin. No dates are available at present of these sales, but the clock on the Prescott Town Hall and now on the Rotary tower, was presented in L.H. Daniels' memory by his widow in 1926-27. Mr. Doyle and his associates bought the hotel in 1930.

Pity the City of Ottawa. Pity the Ottawa Senators' hockey fans. But don't shed any tears for the millionaire hockey players or millionaire majority owner Rod Bryden. Both will survive the present money woes of the club which filed for bankruptcy protection last Thursday.

Attempts by Mr. Bryden to find a bail out scheme to reduce his personal debt and some of the club's debt as well as that of their home arena, the Corel Centre, have fallen on the deaf ears of present and future lenders. Mr. Bryden has gone to the public well too often, drank sumptuously of its contents, and then when it has run dry has walked away, leaving his fellow investors well drained. Case in point are the millions and millions of investors' dollars that disappeared through Mr. Bryden's fiscal machinations in SHL System House and Bell Canada Enterprises which he leveraged with so much debt they collapsed. To our knowledge Mr. Bryden has never apologized to the thousands of small shareholders who saw their SHL investments disappear. We doubt that Rod Bryden's personal fortune was jeopardized in these fiscal fiascos.

We think that it is well within the realm of reality that Mr. Bryden will bully Ottawa and area fans into buying over-priced tickets to watch the Senators in order to fill the Corel Centre for the rest of this NHL season while he sheds debts, debtors and partners and gains more control of the Senators along with one or two major white knight investors. This will make it easier for him to sell the Senator franchise to an American city and be left with a profit of a hundred or so million dollars and another scheme gone awry, but very profitably so. The Senators' situation is so similar to that of the former Quebec Nordiques' that fiscal alarm bells should be already ringing in Ottawa.

One of the most profitable businesses in Canada today is banking and this is why the industry's big five's stocks are so popular with Canadian investors. The reason our banks are so profitable (or so gross) is their basic business philosophy of: "you lend us your money at minuscule interest rates, or in many cases without any interest payments at all so that we can invest in profitable enterprises and at the same time charge you a service charge every time you want us to refund you some of your own funds".

Now BMO Bank of Montreal, tired of billion dollar profits, has announced increases for transactions involving our own money of from 25 to 100 per cent. That's a pretty ugly price increase for one of Prescott's stingiest corporate citizens.

The recent rate charge announcement does have a compassionate and civilized side to it, however, in that it is promoting closer ties between its financially challenged customers and its newly created "Relationship Managers". We must salute the socially advanced leaders of BMO Bank of Montreal, however, because it was only one short decade ago that they treated manager's relationships with outright dismissal!

FORT TOWN DIARY by John A.H. Morris

Over half a block razed, one guest killed, in 1942 fire at Daniels Hotel

We opened a few more doors to Prescott's past last week with our story on the burning of the Daniels Hotel 60 years ago (Dec. 20, 1942), which was occasioned by our search as to when the venerable Daniels was built.
First of all, we found that the person who recorded the details of the fire in the Prescott Fire Department's Registry of Fires seemed to be so enamoured by the early Sunday morning blaze that he failed to record that the fire also razed Doyle's Men's Wear, Pender's Grocery Store, Lee Ling's Laundry, The Farmer and Thompson Barber Shop, Ed Perry's Barber Shop, the V Snack Bar and adjoining apartments owned by Mr. and Mrs. Len Ellis, and a private residence owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Lamer. These were all located to the east of the Daniels in adjoining buildings.
The double brick wall at the west end of the building prevented the fire from spreading to Mark T. Thomas' Jewellery Store, Mrs. M. Lane's Millinery Store, M. Pender's Dry Goods, Carey's Drug Store and Forsythe's Barber Shop, as well as the Busy Corner Lunch, and the Co-operative Creamery Plant. Firemen fought to keep the Gold Glove factory on Water St. from catching fire, but lost their battle to save the provincial liquor store located on Water St., opposite the glove works.
There was one fatality in the blaze, Mr. Henry St. Marseilles, who lived on the third floor of the hotel. His death was not noticed until late Sunday morning when he failed to show for work at the CPR coal yards. The Daniels and some of the adjoining properties were owned by James Doyle and Dan and Nick Korsa.
The earliest record of the Daniels Hotel was in an 1871 census, in which L.H. Daniels is listed as a German hotel keeper. The Daniels was possibly preceded by the Commercial Hotel, listed on an 1857 map as being located at or near the Daniels site, with the owner being Manuel Northrup.
The Daniels Hotel was known originally as The Daniels House. Extensive renovations were made in the mid-1870s, probably in anticipation of the Queen's Plate being run here in 1877. Thadeus Leavitt, in his History of Leeds and Grenville in 1879, writes: "the dining hall, sitting room, billiard parlors, office and sitting rooms, upon the first flat, are elegant and commodious. Mr. Freeman I. Daniels is the gentlemanly manager"
Freeman Daniels was either a brother or son of L.H. Daniels, who had several sons. Two of them, Louis and Benjamin, served in the North West Mounted Police in the 1870s with their boyhood chum, Major James Walsh, who became known in Canadian history as Sitting Bull's boss.
The hotel was sold to Ben Cochrane and then to Wm. McAskin. No dates are available at present of these sales, but the clock on the Prescott Town Hall and now on the Rotary tower, was presented in L.H. Daniels' memory by his widow in 1926-27. Mr. Doyle and his associates bought the hotel in 1930.
*****
Pity the City of Ottawa. Pity the Ottawa Senators' hockey fans. But don't shed any tears for the millionaire hockey players or millionaire majority owner Rod Bryden. Both will survive the present money woes of the club which filed for bankruptcy protection last Thursday.
Attempts by Mr. Bryden to find a bail out scheme to reduce his personal debt and some of the club's debt as well as that of their home arena, the Corel Centre, have fallen on the deaf ears of present and future lenders. Mr. Bryden has gone to the public well too often, drank sumptuously of its contents, and then when it has run dry has walked away, leaving his fellow investors well drained. Case in point are the millions and millions of investors' dollars that disappeared through Mr. Bryden's fiscal machinations in SHL System House and Bell Canada Enterprises which he leveraged with so much debt they collapsed. To our knowledge Mr. Bryden has never apologized to the thousands of small shareholders who saw their SHL investments disappear. We doubt that Rod Bryden's personal fortune was jeopardized in these fiscal fiascos.
We think that it is well within the realm of reality that Mr. Bryden will bully Ottawa and area fans into buying over-priced tickets to watch the Senators in order to fill the Corel Centre for the rest of this NHL season while he sheds debts, debtors and partners and gains more control of the Senators along with one or two major white knight investors. This will make it easier for him to sell the Senator franchise to an American city and be left with a profit of a hundred or so million dollars and another scheme gone awry, but very profitably so. The Senators' situation is so similar to that of the former Quebec Nordiques' that fiscal alarm bells should be already ringing in Ottawa.

One of the most profitable businesses in Canada today is banking and this is why the industry's big five's stocks are so popular with Canadian investors. The reason our banks are so profitable (or so gross) is their basic business philosophy of: "you lend us your money at minuscule interest rates, or in many cases without any interest payments at all so that we can invest in profitable enterprises and at the same time charge you a service charge every time you want us to refund you some of your own funds".
Now BMO Bank of Montreal, tired of billion dollar profits, has announced increases for transactions involving our own money of from 25 to 100 per cent. That's a pretty ugly price increase for one of Prescott's stingiest corporate citizens.
The recent rate charge announcement does have a compassionate and civilized side to it, however, in that it is promoting closer ties between its financially challenged customers and its newly created "Relationship Managers". We must salute the socially advanced leaders of BMO Bank of Montreal, however, because it was only one short decade ago that they treated manager's relationships with outright dismissal!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Local government should take matters into its own hands before it is too late

The Editor;

"Well, officer," said the frustrated winter traveller giving his statement to the local police, "we saw the highway signs and had pulled into Prescott to get the kids some Happy Meals but my wife and I preferred something from Tim's, so we asked for directions and were continuing on to our next stop there, when this happened.

"I was making what I believed to be a correct left turn to head south to Tim's, and given the two lane approach to this intersection leaving the mall, I remained tight in the same lane which common sense would suggest continued from our turning lane. Suddenly, from out of the blue, or more accurately, from out of the white of the blowing snow, came this huge white cube van!

"There was no time to react, and hardly any to pray. But the one upstairs must have been watching over us just then, for only our car was hurt, and our family seemed OK."

The account you have just read was of course fictional, at least so far, but it illustrates my point.

Prescott cannot afford even one life to be lost simply because of some upper government bureaucratical insensitivity to the situation they have forced onto us.

No court has the power to bring back the dead after an accident, and there is no way that Prescott's town council should continue to risk that the current setup of this intersection may lead to a death!

I sincerely believe that this is one of those rare occasions in which a local government must take matters into its own hands, and save the probable political fight with the province for later, by doing the right thing for Prescott, and by doing it now, by making the necessary changes for safety's sake.

And yes, my opinion of a suitable deadline for completion of these changes would be before Ronald McDonald arrives.

David Lewis
Prescott

Efforts of local United Way are appreciated

The Editor;

As a member agency of the United Way of Leeds and Grenville, the board, staff and volunteers of VON would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the tremendous effort that went into this year's United Way campaign.

A special thanks to the community that gave so generously of its time and money.

The board, staff and volunteers of United Way dedicate their time and energy to ensure that organizations like the VON are given financial support to better serve our community.

We appreciate their dedication and commitment.

On a personal note, many thanks to Colleen Gray, VON administrator/volunteer manager, the VON staff and volunteers who raised over $10,000 for the United Way campaign. They were out there selling chocolate bars, raffle tickets, hosting a soup and sandwich and a barbecue, canvassing small businesses, distributing coin cans and cruising the St. Lawrence River!

We salute the United Way of Leeds and Grenville for its success with the 2002 campaign.

Ruth Kitson
Executive Director
VON Brockville,
Leeds & Grenville

Paper credited for not being politically correct

The Editor;

Thank you very much for your coverage of various Christian-related events over the Christmas season, especially the "Christmas in Bethlehem" event at St. John's United Church in Cardinal.

While we can respect the faiths of all cultures, Canada was a country built on Christian values and so we should not lose sight of the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the "Reason for the Season."

Thank you for not being politically correct.

Ann and Barry Brown
Cardinal

Grocery store checks out

Closure leaves residents searching for solutions

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

CARDINAL - The recent closure of Van Camp's Freshmart Dec. 31 has left the village of Cardinal without a grocery store.

Cardinal has had a local grocer since at least 1901, with 2003 now marking the first time in more than a century the village has been without one.

The Cardinal Ratepayers and Tennants Association is working together with the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Business Association to try to address the situation.

"We're looking for an interim solution for the problem," said head of the Ratepayers and Tennants Association, Sharan Mathieu. "There are a lot of elderly and single people in the community without access to a car and now ways to get groceries. We've looked at a shuttle to Iroquois or Prescott or partnering people with and without cars, but it's just tossing around ideas. We need to find out if there is a need for this before we put the wheels into motion."

While the ratepayers are looking for an interim solution to the problem, the business association is also looking at options for the long term.

"We have a web designer who is part of the group that is helping to make a website to help market the businesses and potential for new businesses in the community," says business association Treasurer Marj Kempffer. "It was a very positive meeting, and we decided we want to protect what's here but attract new business as well. There has been a lot of anxiety amongst the seniors in the community no grocery store. Everyone is pitching in and working together to help out, such as adding food items to our stock. But the real problem is that there is nowhere local to get fresh meat or produce."

The family business was started by George F. Van Camp in 1921 when he opened a grocery store on the corner of Lewis and Munroe Street. George ran the business until 1947 when his son Matthew Van Camp took over. In 1960, the store moved to 2094 Dundas Street where it was located until its closure. In 1967, Matthew passed on the store to his two sons Graham and Kevin, with Graham and his wife LouAnn taking over store operations in 1975 which they ran until last year. Over the years, the store his changed from the Red & White, to Valu-Mart and finally to Freshmart.

Committee members named for 2003

SPENCERVILLE - Members of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council approved the new members of township committees at the Jan. 6 council meeting in Spencerville.

Committee members were chosen from those who applied for the positions and will serve from January through December of this year.

Committees and their members are:

* Planning Advisory Committee - Peter Martin, Marie Thomson, Dan McDonald, Sharan Mathieu, Dave Robertson, Doug Cleary.

* Committee of Adjustment - Linda Chapeskie, Pam Somerville, David Sloan.

* Recreation Facilities Committee - Frank Noccey, Peter Martin, Peggy Taylor, Roxanne Riddell, Sandra Robertson, Stephanie Summers.

* Public Works/Environmental Services - Bill Sloan, Dan McDonald, Frank Noccey.

* Fenceviewers - Terry Tibbits, John Muilwyk, David Sloan.

* North Channel Cemetary Board - Ted Adams, David Robertson, Barry Brown.

* Administration Committee - Peggy Taylor, Marie Thomson, Bill Sloan

* Livestock Evaluator - David Sloan.

* Cardinal Community Centre Board - Peggy Taylor, Dan McDonald, Joe Scott, Ed Riddell, Tom Owers, Walt Smail, Bev Toupin, Sharon Last, Dan McLaughlin.

* Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library - David Lohnes

* Joint Board of Management for the Prescott Sewage Works - David Dobbie, Marie Thomson (alternate).

* Economic Development Committee - Marie Thomson, Peggy Taylor, Peter Martin, Sandra Burchell, Heather Lawless, Chris Kempffer.

* Spencerville and District Winter Festival Steering Committee - Jackie Barnard, Lillian Blair, Claude Blanchette, Joshua Couture, Kristy Farrell, Angel Holmes, Barry Kirkby, Marion Noccey, Marie Thomson, Debbie Vandine, Lindsay Liezert.

* Cardinal Community Festival - Edna Magee, Ben Allard, Marj Kempffer, Gerry Fulford, Ann Gladstone, Larry Dishaw, Denise Mueller, Ken Sorrenti, Gary Tracey, Bev Toupin, Rev. Arlyce Schiebout, Peggy Taylor, Merv Smith.

* Rideau-St. Lawrence Utilities Inc. Board of Directors - Gerry Fulford.

With the committees being named council decided to merge the Public Works and Enviornemntal Services committees to form a single committee.

"It's something that should work well," said Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Mayor Dave Dobbie. "The two were intertwined; when there was a shortage of staff at the water and sewage members of the public works would be called in to help out. The move will keep everything together and in sync so it can run smoother."

Medical services in former municipal building is an option worth pursuing

WARD 1 UPDATE by Peggy Taylor

On Wednesday, Jan. 8, I attended a meeting of the Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal Ward One Business Association (ECWOBA) along with a number of other citizens and a representative of the Cardinal Ratepayers Association. Dr. Andrew Thomas addressed the group on his personal vision regarding health care in Cardinal. His view included a future use of the municipal building in Cardinal. It was, to say the least, enlightening.

Dr. Thomas advised those present that the building could be used to provide the municipality with health services. He sees a variety of needs left unfulfilled by the removal of services from the Cardinal and District Resource Centre and from developments in his own practice in the village. He also believes that there could be a source of funding for such services and has asked that members of the groups present consider his vision and, if they share it, take a role in working to bring such services to the community.

ECWOBA members determined that they were in fact interested and would work towards developing a plan to bring such services to the community. This plan would have to include a location for the services.

Members were of the opinion that there was a request from members of the library board to re-consider having the municipal building in Cardinal serve as a library. There was expressed a view that the two uses would not be conflicting within the building, but that there would be room for future growth if the building could be used for health services alone.

Like other members of the group, I was in favour of having the library move until hearing Dr. Thomas's presentation. At this point, I feel that a dual purpose could be served by the building if the rules allow. I hope that Dr. Thomas will make a similar presentation to council at the next council meeting as members of the community have been asked to speak to council about the proposed use of the municipal building as a library.

The township as a whole could benefit from having a broader range of health services available in Cardinal. Using the municipal building, which was built by the community to serve a larger community group (more people use health care services than use the library), would be far better than using it to house a library alone. However, the building is large enough to house both a library and health-care facility. The only question is whether multi-use is allowed under planning.

The current library is deemed by some to be inadequate because it is claimed to have a foundation in need of repair and is felt to be lacking fire exits. Others say that it is fine. It has windows low enough that they are fire exits and the foundation is a solid concrete base. Any repair would be superficial. I'm not a builder, so I have no idea which view is correct.

As Charlie Burrell, the chairman of ECWOBA, stated: "The spin-off" from a building used for health services would be far greater than that of a building used only as a library.

As a councillor, I feel that using the building for health services would benefit not only Ward One but the township as a whole. If the building can be shared that too would be beneficial, especially if the library is found to be lacking in structural integrity. I hope other members of council will agree that the idea deserves investigation.

Peggy Taylor is a councillor for Ward One and may be reached at 657-1728.

Former municipal office drawing local interest

SPENCERVILLE - Edwardsburgh/Cardinal township council is seeking input on a possible move of the Cardinal Branch of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library to the former Cardinal municipal office.

A petition supported by 90 people and received by council Jan. 6 requests the library be moved to the six-year old building, according to CAO/Clerk, Stephen McDonald.

The building has been vacant since being declared surplus by the council in October.

Prior to being declared surplus, the municipal building had been open only on Wednesdays to allow residents to make tax payments, purchase township garbage bags and obtain information without having to travel to Spencerville.

The former municipal hall has drawn other interest from Dr. Andrew Thomas, who presented his idea for health services offices in the building to the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Business Association as well as the library.

"We're inviting public comments on the petitioned move," said McDonald. "We're hoping for some good input by mail, fax, or in person at our next regular council meeting."

The next meeting is Jan. 20 at 7:30 pm.

Slow Shooters dart league players take top spot

CARDINAL - The Cardinal Legion Branch 105 Ladies Dart League has started the new year with many teams in the race for top team.

The Slow Shooters hung on to the top spot with 61 1/2 points, with the Magnificent Trio with 59 1/2, Hurts Real Bad with 54 1/2, Bye-Bye Birdies with 53, Rat Pack with 53, Three Blind Mice with 51, Don't Believe, Pray! with 46 and Naughty & Nice with 34 closing in on the top spot.

Diana Hoy had the top score for regular players with 140 points, while Christine Veeley had 138 points for the high score for spares. Tina Summerfield had the high three-dart finish for regular players with 108 points, while Jeanne Fox-Dibble had the high three-dart finish for spares with 53 points.

Ruth Hooke had six bullseyes for the most by a regular player, with Lynne Seeley having the most for a spare with three.

Alicia Creamer had the high score for the week of Jan. 8 with 120 points, followed by Gail Groulx with two scores of 108.

Summerfield led the way with most games played with four, while four players, Jean Greenough, Bev Toupin, Elaine Whiteman and Toupin all had three apiece.

St. John's United Church hosts hospitality and meditation sessions

CARDINAL - With the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity running from Jan. 19 until Jan. 26 the Cardinal Ministerial Association will be hosting noon hour meditation and hospitality sessions.

The hospitality sessions will begin at noon from Monday, Jan. 20 through Friday, Jan 24 at St. John's United Church. The meditation time is led by a community clergy and includes hymn singing, followed by a light lunch in the hall.

This year's theme is "We are earthen vessels carrying God's treasure."

CARDINAL'S PAST

Reeve says canal is a barrier to growth

Jan. 5. 1933

* The Women's Missionary society of St. John's United Church, Cardinal, met for its annual meting. President Mrs. J. Jackson opened the meeting with prayer and a hymn. Officers for the coming year are: 1st Vice-President, Mrs. Geo. McLaughlin; 2nd Vice-President, Mrs. A. Sisco; Secretary, Mrs. H. Prosser; Treasurer, Mrs. E.J. Williams; Temperance, Mrs. E.J. Williams; Mission Band, Mrs. H. Prosser; Pianist, Mrs. W.J. Clarke.

Jan. 10, 1963

* Tenders are to be called at the end of January for the addition to St. John's United Church. Estimated cost is $85,000. An auditorium and gymnasium, as well as classrooms, kitchen, study and choir room will be included in the two-storey addition. The church will also be renovated, and will seat about 325 people, Rev. R.A. Crooks reported.

Jan. 17, 1963

* Attending the inaugural session of Cardinal council were Rev. Johnathon Green, Reeve George R. Brown, Clerk Winifred Strader, and councillors Fred Byers, Don McIntosh, Wilfred VanCamp and Fred VanCamp.

Renewed efforts to have the federal government fill in the canal which divides the village was put forward as a primary project for the village council. The canal has divided the town for more than 60 years, and in the past seven years has cost the taxpayers due to the sewer line along the canal. If the canal is filled in, there will be more lots to build on, and the village can move ahead instead of standing still, Reeve Brown said. He also noted an apartment housing project is badly needed in Cardinal.

* Joe Crawford was elected president of the Cardinal volunteer fire brigade at its annual meeting in the fire hall. Others elected to office for 1963 were Vice-President Fred Campbell and Secretary-Treasurer Anthony Bottan.

Jan. 10, 1973

* Popular store owner Cecil Cook, who has operated a grocery and meat market for the past 16 years, is selling out his existing stock. Many of his customers voiced their dismay at this decision. It is a sad fact that in a few short years, this will bring a total of four stores that have gone out of business in this community.

* Appointed by council as fence viewers for 1973 were Ross Humphrey, T.E. Amell, Gilbert Merkley, Albert O'Brien and Herb Raycroft. Appointed to the Cardinal Library Board were Mrs. B. Donaldson, Mrs. A. Hyde, Mrs. A. Gladstone and Councillor Laming.

Jan. 17, 1973

* Archie Campbell, postmaster at Cardinal since 1956, has retired after a 34-year career at the post office. He joined the post office in 1938.

* Rev. F. Edwin Kempling has joined St. John's United Church as pastor. He and his wife Margaret have six sons.

Jan. 5, 1983

* Ron S. Wood, formerly acting sergeant of the Cardinal Police Force, was appointed acting chief of the local department for a six-month period. He has been a member of the force for the past seven years. He noted a third man will need to be hired to provide 24-hour coverage and to allow for holidays, days off and illness.

Jan. 12, 1983

* Cardinal council got off to a spirited start when Mary O'Brien, attending the meeting as an observer, questioned council on its spending in connection with the newly acquired Dodge building on Lewis Street. A section of the building, which was purchased primarily to house a medical centre, is being renovated to provide alternate space for the Irving H. Miller Insurance office, now located in the ground floor section to be used by the doctors. O'Brien expressed concern with the amount of money being spent when no formal leases with tenants had yet been signed, calling it a chancey investment.

Choir receives arts award from library group

SPENCERVILLE ­ The Spencerville Community Choir has received an arts award from the Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public Library.

The award, which was presented at the choir's annual community Christmas concert in December, is given by the Friends group on occasion to acknowledge individuals or groups that have contributed to the community through literature, music, drama or the visual arts.

The choir was founded in 1983 by Gloria Purcell, who purchased a package of pre-recorded Christmas music and gathered a 38-voice choir.

The program was well-received, and she produced another Christmas concert the following year and the tradition began. Leah Beth Harding took over as director a few years later, followed two years later by Sheila Fawcett.

Using individually selected music and piano accompaniment, the choir features up to 40 voices in four-part harmony.

Choir members rehearse weekly for four months to prepare for the annual Christmas season concert.

The Friends group is pleased to present its arts award to the choir for its 19 years of service to the community, a group news release stated.

Prescott Figure Skating Club hosting invitational

PRESCOTT - Skaters are preparing to hit the ice this weekend for the 14th annual Prescott Invitational Free Skate at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

The 326-skater competition will feature 40 different clubs from Eastern Ontario, Central Ontario, Quebec and Northern New York and run Saturday from 7 am until 9:30 pm and Sunday from 7 am until 7 pm.

"This is the most skaters we've ever had for the invitational," said competition chair Cindy McGuinn. "Last year we had about 300 and that was a record; now this year, we have topped that. A lot of the skaters and their families will be from out of town and coming to stay in Prescott for the entire weekend. It should be a very busy, but a very fun weekend."

Admission is free throughout the two-day competition.

All the teams competing in the invitational will be after the Ray Throop Memorial Trophy which is awarded to the club with the most points.

Local skaters will also battle for the Barry Lundvill Memorial Plaque which is given to the local club skater who has the most points.

Last year, the March Kanata Club won the Ray Throop Memorial Trophy for most club points by one point over Gloucester, while Krista Stephenson won the Barry Lundvill Memorial Plaque for the second straight year as local skater with most points.

Medal presentations will take place following each competition.

The Lundvill and Throop trophies will be presented at the conclusion of the two-day event Sunday evening at approximately 7 pm.

Atom B Rangers set to make International Silver Stick run

CARDINAL - Excitement is mounting as the South Grenville atom B Rangers prepare to compete in the International Silver Stick Tournament this weekend in Sarnia.

The Rangers, who play out of the Cardinal and District Community Centre, qualified for the International Silverstick by winning the Regional Silverstick Tournament in Pembroke Nov. 15-17 in a dramatic 2-1 overtime win where Clark Seymour scored with seconds left in the game to sent it into overtime before Dylan Render was sent in alone where he deeked out the goaltender for the tournament winner.

"We've all been working very hard fundraising for the tournament and very much looking forward to the trip since the kids won it," said team manager Janet Hutton. "All together a total of 41 people will be going on the trip with us, with our 14 players and their families. We did Christmas wrapping at Zellers, a bottle drive, 50/50 ticket draws, raffling prizes at our home tournament and a bingo worked by the parents. We were just hoping to offset some of the costs of the trip since it will be three days long. We were able to get enough to give every family a little to help out a bit."

Coach Allan Joudoin is quick to put the emphasis on his players heading into the tournament. "They worked really hard to get where they are, and are working hard to prepare, they deserve a lot of credit."

Ranger players are excited about the trip though some didn't expect to make it this far.

"This wasn't expected," said Rangers player Ryan Hanes. "With so many high-caliber teams, it's kind of unpredictable."

Teammate Conner Elliott added, "It's hard to believe we made it this far; hopefully, we'll have a good chance at the next round."

"I had a feeling heading into the season that we could make it this far," said Rangers goaltender Richard Joudoin. "I can't wait to hit the ice up there."

"We have a good group of guys here," said Rangers Kurtis Laverty. "We just had to work hard and do our best."

Teammate Ian King added, "I'm looking forward to winning the tournament. I want to see how good these other teams are."

"I really have no clue what to expect all I know is I'm excited and can't wait to go," said Rangers' Lucas Stitt.

The Rangers have been told by the coaches and parents how important the tournament is and how they will be representatives of the community.

"The club has been given pucks from the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association to toss to fans after their games, maple syrup as a gift to the Charleston team which we will play and pins from the town of Prescott to exchange with teams after its games," said Coach Joudoin. "It's kind of a good will gesture so the kids can be good representatives of the region."

While the Rangers players look to represent the area some want to leave more of an impression at the tournament.

"I can't wait to play the Sarnia Sting," said player Brett Van Stralen. "It would be sweet to beat them on their own rink."

Scott Stephenson added, "I just want to get out there and score some goals and beat Sarnia since their the home team."

Some of the players are just looking forward to the experience itself. "I can't wait to play some new teams and seeing how big the arena is," said Corey Wilson.

Ben Hutton added, "The tournament will be a lot of fun playing against teams like Charleston from so far away and everyone there together having some fun, it'll be great."

"We'll get to play some teams from the U.S. which we've never seen," says Jacob Hayes. "And that will be a lot of fun."

Goaltender Mason Williams added, "It'll be cool playing against so many teams from all around; we'll try our hardest so we can try to beat them all."

Pembroke tournament heroes Render and Seymour will look for more magic in the Rangers efforts to win in Sarnia.

Render said, "I want to score some more big goals at the tournament. I just want to get out there and play hard so we have the best chance to win."

"We should be able to reach the semi-finals or finals," says Seymour. "I hope we win and can make some big plays, but it'll just be a fun trip."

Coerver Coaching offering winter academy program

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

MAITLAND - Coerver Coaching is building on its successful summer camp with a Winter Soccer Academy set to begin Jan. 20 at Grenville Christian College.

"We had a fantastic fall academy late last year, and we are going to build off that experience with the winter academy," said Coerver Canada founder, Martin Noe. "The kids had four in-class sessions where they learned soccer sophistication, tactics and their role in the game; they got to learn the drills then see how they apply to the training session and games and just had a fun time learning the game and making tremendous improvement as players."

The academy runs weekly sessions Mondays from 6:30-8 pm for seniors (ages 12-19) and Tuesdays from 6:45-8:15 pm for juniors (ages 8-12) from Jan. 20 until Mar. 11.

The seniors will participate in one-and-one-half hour training sessions and will follow a progression of training throughout the program, with a focus on skill development with application to a tactical game, including dribbling, fast break attack, passing and movement off the ball, finishing and group attack. The program will also deal with classroom sessions dealing with the qualities of a great soccer player, three moments of soccer, individual roles and positional play, video match analysis and college recruitment.

At the end of the academy the senior academy members will be given the option to participate in a university showcase tournament, and participate in international Coerver Coaching programs including trips to Australia, England and Germany.

"For the winter academy we added a junior program to cater to some of the younger kids who want a chance to be part of the program," said Noe. "After the fall academy and such a good turnout we felt it was the right time."

The juniors will deal with eight one-and-a-half hour Tuesday training sessions, which will help players to progress in the game. The sessions will take an emphasis on ball mastery with lots of touches on the ball to help develop coordination, balance and confidence on the ball. Juniors will learn to change direction going to the goal, basic passing and moving skill combined with proper movements, acceleration and checking to and away from the ball, and proper finishing techniques.

The junior camp will provide the players with an opportunity to play in simulated situation games to give them a fun way to reinforce what they have learned and apply it to simulated situations.

"We're hoping our fall, winter and summer residential soccer camps will help the kids get a soccer experience that they normally wouldn't get," says Noe.

To register for the camp contact Noe at 925-2653 as space is limited.

Giants senior boys basektball team score OT win over GCC

MAITLAND - The South Grenville Giants senior boys basketball team held on for a dramatic 60-59 overtime win Thursday over the Grenville Christian College Lions.

Dustin Drury led the way for the Giants in overtime with smart defensive play and ball movement which allowed him to hit a clutch jumper from just behind the foul line for the win with just under ten seconds left in overtime.

The Giants started the game strong with a 20-9 lead after the first quarter, until South Grenville faced an early second quarter meltdown which allowed the Lions to move within two at the half.

South Grenville rebounded in the second half with a strong post presence from Mike Ayerst providing a strong transition game where Luke Meppelder was able to use his athleticism to score some easy points on the break.

Late in the GCC rallied to get within three points with ten seconds left in the game, when GCC's Eric Phelan was able to let off a shot before the buzzer over the outstreached arm of Meppelder to tie the game and send it into overtime.

Jamie Clarke led the way for the Giants with 14 points, followed by Meppelder with 11, Travis Irvine with nine and Ayerst with seven.

Phelan led GCC with 19 points including the buzzer-beater, while Sean Kwak added 13.

Juniors fall short despite comeback

In junior action the Giants weren't as fortunate as their senior counterparts as they fell to the Lions 40-34 despite a strong second half comeback led by the rebounding of Ryan Wynands and Scott Hall.

South Grenville started the game slowly, getting stronger as the game progressed. GCC held the lead at half, 21-10 with strong rebounding and blocking out.

In the second half the Giants mounted a comeback as Jon Baldwin, who had been in foul trouble was finally able to break free to take advantage of his speed to distribute the ball.

Baldwin led South Grenville with eight points, while Hall and Wynands each chipped in seven.

Wayne Chen of GCC led all scorers with 17 points in the win.

SMITHS FALLS - The South Grenville minor midget Rangers had a strong performance Jan. 4 weekend, losing in the finals of the Smiths Falls tournament.

The Rangers started the tournament by taking a 9-5 win over the Arnprior Packers. Jonathan Baldwin had a hat trick in the game, while Nathan Smail, Matthew Hayes, Derrick Lavery, Josh Parsons, Nick Maggio and Michael Armstrong all added singles.

In South Grenville's second game, the Rangers continued putting up big numbers as they beat the Kemptville Panthers 8-2. Kirk Donovan had a hat trick for the Rangers and Nathan Smail added two, while Armstrong, Maggio and Baldwin added singles.

South Grenville took it to the host Smith Falls Bears in their final round-robin game for a 5-0 win and top spot in their division. Hayes led the way with two goals for the Rangers, while Donovan, Armstrong and Smail all had singles.

The Rangers battled the Rockland Nats in the semi-final of the tournament, where they were able to score a 4-2 win as Baldwin had a hat trick, while Hayes had the other South Grenville goal.

In the tournament finals, the Rangers had a tough time with the Pembroke Kings losing the final 9-1 with Sean McKinstry scoring the lone goal for South Grenville.

In regular league play, the Rangers battled the Brockville Warriors to a scoreless draw Jan. 6 in Brockville, before pulling out 13 goals Jan. 8 in Cardinal to beat the visiting Kemptville Panthers 13-3. Hayes had a hat trick for the Rangers, with William Minish, Baldwin and Donovan netting two apiece, while Armstrong, Smail, Maggio and Sam Whitley added singles.

On Jan. 12, the Rangers hosted North Dundas at the Leo Boivin Community Centre, beating the Devils 7-1. Matt Dougherty and Armstrong had two goals apiece, while Minish, Donovan and Kurtis Summers had singles.

Minor midget Rangers qualify for finals of Smiths Falls tourney

SMITHS FALLS - The South Grenville minor midget Rangers had a strong performance Jan. 4 weekend, losing in the finals of the Smiths Falls tournament.
The Rangers started the tournament by taking a 9-5 win over the Arnprior Packers. Jonathan Baldwin had a hat trick in the game, while Nathan Smail, Matthew Hayes, Derrick Lavery, Josh Parsons, Nick Maggio and Michael Armstrong all added singles.
In South Grenville's second game, the Rangers continued putting up big numbers as they beat the Kemptville Panthers 8-2. Kirk Donovan had a hat trick for the Rangers and Nathan Smail added two, while Armstrong, Maggio and Baldwin added singles.
South Grenville took it to the host Smith Falls Bears in their final round-robin game for a 5-0 win and top spot in their division. Hayes led the way with two goals for the Rangers, while Donovan, Armstrong and Smail all had singles.
The Rangers battled the Rockland Nats in the semi-final of the tournament, where they were able to score a 4-2 win as Baldwin had a hat trick, while Hayes had the other South Grenville goal.
In the tournament finals, the Rangers had a tough time with the Pembroke Kings losing the final 9-1 with Sean McKinstry scoring the lone goal for South Grenville.
In regular league play, the Rangers battled the Brockville Warriors to a scoreless draw Jan. 6 in Brockville, before pulling out 13 goals Jan. 8 in Cardinal to beat the visiting Kemptville Panthers 13-3. Hayes had a hat trick for the Rangers, with William Minish, Baldwin and Donovan netting two apiece, while Armstrong, Smail, Maggio and Sam Whitley added singles.
On Jan. 12, the Rangers hosted North Dundas at the Leo Boivin Community Centre, beating the Devils 7-1. Matt Dougherty and Armstrong had two goals apiece, while Minish, Donovan and Kurtis Summers had singles.

Jr. B Rangers jump ahead of Athens in race for playoffs

CARDINAL - The South Grenville Jr. B Rangers were able to pull out of the basement of the Rideau Division with three points out of a possible six in three weekend games.

On Jan. 9, the Rangers travelled to Cornwall Island where they lost to the Awkwesasne Wolves 8-5 after falling behind early. Kevin Walsh had the Rangers first goal of the game to tie things at one with, Derek June and Trevor Smith picking up assists.

Awkwesasne then scored two unanswered goals, before Dave MacKinnon answered back in the second for the Rangers with Drew Lawrence with the assist.

The Wolves scored three unanswered goals in the second, before South Grenville had three third period goals from Peter Veltkamp with two and MacKinnon, but it proved too little too late.

On Jan. 11, the Rangers hosted the St. Lawrence Division-leading Alexandria Glens where things ended in a 2-2 draw.

South Grenville opened the scoring as Shawn Coville was able to bang one in, with the assist going to Jarrod Whelan.

Alexandria answered back late in the first and then late in the second, but Travis Baldwin was able to tie things with less than a minute left in the second to tie things up. MacKinnon and Adam Lawrence picked up assists.

Both teams were held scoreless in the third period as Devin Payne had a solid game in goal.

On Jan. 12, the Rangers were able to score late in the game to pull out a 4-3 win over the host Winchester Hawks.

The Hawks got off to a 1-0 lead after the first, but Walsh answered back in the second, with Dustin Swan and Ryan Lawless picking up assists.

Adam Lawrence gave the Rangers the lead scoring a minute later, with Walsh credited with the helper.

Winchester would tie things late in the second, but Drew Lawrence scored with assists from Coville and Smith to re-take the lead.

Winchester was able to answer back, but Adam Lawrence was able to score with less than five minutes left for the win. MacKinnon and Ben Bowden picked up assists.

With the win the Rangers moved one point up on the Athens Aeros for the last playoff spot in the Rideau Division. South Grenville now hosts Westport Saturday at 7:15 pm atthe Cardinal and District Community Centre, before travelling to Athens Sunday to play the Aeros.

Riverside Shootout has first jackpot winner of year

CARDINAL - A local youngster was able to accomplish what no one else has been able to so far this year.

Riley Grootjans of Cardinal won the Riverside Pontiac Buick Shootout between the second and third periods of the South Grenville Jr. B Rangers home game against the Alexandria Glens, Saturday night at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.

Grootjans was able to shoot the puck from the blue line through a small hole in a board placed in front of the net to win the contest.

The Grade 6 student at Benson Public School was the second of three shooters on the night and winner the Riverside Pontiac Jackpot of $175.

Grootjans is the contest's first winner of the 2002-03 hockey season.

Novice Lightning Bolts take C championship in Napanee

NAPANEE - The South Grenville novice Lightning Bolts came out of the Napanee Novice Rep Hockey Tournament Jan. 2 as C champions after beating the host team in the finals.

The Lightning Bolts opened the tournament with a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Otonabee. Tyson Bertrend scored the lone goal for South Grenville, while Nathan Hamilton and Amara Heisel had helpers.

In South Grenville's second match-up, the Lighning Bolts lost another close game 3-2 to Kingston. Cody Adams and Shane Riddell each had a goal and an assist in the victory.

With the pair of losses, South Grenville was then moved to
the C final against the host Napanee team, where the Lighning Bolts bounced back for a 5-2 win. Riddell had all five Lightning Bolt goals, while Hamilton (3), Broydon Sfufko (3), Heisel and Billy Myers all had assists.

In regular season action, the Lightning Bolts held on Jan. 11 to beat North Leads 5-4. Riddell and Stufko led the way with two goals apiece, while Hamilton added a single. Riddell (2) and Bertrend each had an assist in the game.

On Jan. 12, the Lightning Bolts lit up the scoreboard with a 14-1 win over Athens #2. Riddell had five goals, Bertrend had four goals and Adams had two goals, while Adam Norton, Stufko and Brett Van Stralen all had singles. Stufko (5), Heisel (3), Van Stralen (3), Hamilton (2), Colin Hoyland (2), Laura McKinstry (2), Riddell (2), Adams and Myers all had helpers in the game.

Midget Rangers house #2 nets pair of wins in recent league play

CARDINAL - The South Grenville #2 midget house league Rangers scored a pair of wins last week over South Grenville #1 and Smiths Falls.

On Jan. 9 at the Cardinal and District Community Centre, the Rangers #2 held on to beat their counterparts South Grenville #1 8-7 in a very offensive match-up.

Rob Fullarton led the way for South Grenville #2 with a hat trick, followed by Eric Spero with a pair of goals, while David Code, Ryan Fischer and Dan Meppleder added singles. Dustin Polite (3), Code (3), Spero (2), Fullarton, Fischer, Meppleder, David Wallace and Jason Beaudoin all had helpers in the win.

South Grenville #1 was led by Oliver Last who had a hat trick in the game, with Jim Utman netting a pair, while Justin Halladay, Matt Fahenguber and Matt Duguay added singles. Fahenguber (4), Daryl Millar (2), Justin Polasz (2), Halladay and Last all added assists.

On Jan. 12, South Grenville #2 continued its winning ways by travelling to Smiths Falls and beating the Bears 5-3.

Wallace and Fischer each had two goals in the contest, while Fullarton scored the other South Grenville marker. Fischer (2), Beaudoin (2), Spero, Wallace and Polite all had helpers for the Rangers.

Blake Gobeil had a strong game in net for South Grenville with some clutch third period goaltending to help secure the win.

South Grenville atom B Rangers victorious over Loyalist Jets

CARDINAL - The South Grenville atom B Rangers continued their strong play Jan. 8 in Cardinal beating the Loyalist Jets 3-1.

Ian King, Ryan Van Stralen, and Scott Stephenson scored the Rangers goals, while Jacob Hayes (2), Conner Elliott, Ryan Hanes and Lucas Stitt all had helpers.

Richard Joudoin was solid between the pipes for South Grenville, allowing only one goal.

The Rangers are now preparing to participate later this week in the International Silver Stick Tournament in Sarnia (Jan. 16-Jan. 19).