THIS WEEK

PCs choose Runciman to be their candidate in Leeds-Grenville

BROCKVILLE ­ Bob Runciman has been given the official nod to represent the Progressive Conservatives in the next provincial election.

The long-time MPP for Leeds-Grenville was acclaimed at the riding association's nomination meeting held Saturday in Brockville.

Runciman was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 1981 and has been re-elected five times.

He has served in the provincial cabinet for almost 10 years, including his current portfolio as minister of public safety and security.

There continues to be speculation Premier Ernie Eves will call a provincial election this spring.

Chamber awards night set for Monday

PRESCOTT ­ The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce awards night and banquet will take place Monday, March 10 at St. Mark's Parish Centre.

The annual awards dinner and silent auction will feature guest speaker Steve McAllister, a Prescott native and sports editor of The Globe and Mail. Awards will be presented to the outstanding business, volunteer and youth of the year.

A limited number of tickets may still be available. Call Debbie Lawless at 925-2171.

Chamber members are reminded items for the silent auction can be dropped off at RBC Royal Bank.

Kids can have March Break fun at the fort

PRESCOTT ­ Time is running out to register for the March Break program at Fort Wellington.

Fun and educational afternoon sessions will be held Monday, March 10 to Thursday, March 13.

Youngsters ages eight to 13 will have the opportunity to learn about being a soldier at the fort in the nineteenth century, what it takes to build a strong fort, digging up history by examining original artifacts and playing the games played by kids several generations ago.

Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Space is limited; there is a registration fee for each afternoon session.

To register or for more information, call Elizabeth LeBlanc at 925-4746, ext. 104.

VON luncheon is today

PRESCOTT ­ The local VON branch will present its second annual fundraising luncheon today (Wednesday, March 5) from 11 am to 1:30 pm at the Legion Hall on Henry Street in Prescott.

Take-out orders will be available.

Strike averted in Augusta Twp.

Unionized workers accept package that includes wage hikes totalling 10 per cent

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD ­ Augusta Township's unionized employees signed their first collective agreement Monday, which will increase their wages by a total of 10 per cent over a two-and-a-half-year period.

Eleven of 14 employees voted in favour of the agreement that calls for a wage increase of three per cent retroactive to Jan. 1, 2002. As well, employees will receive an additional three per cent retroactive to Jan. 1, 2003, and four per cent July 1, 2004. The collective agreement expires June 30, 2005.

Augusta Township employees had been negotiating a first contract for about a year; they were in a legal strike position Feb. 23.

There is an increase in some benefits, and an increase in lieu of vacation for part-time and unclassified employees. An increase in vacation time is to be staged in over a period of years, explained Ontario Public Service Employees Union representative Henry Brugma. Those with 20 years service now receive five weeks paid vacation; by next January, an employee with 19 years service will qualify for five weeks vacation, and a year after that, an 18-year-employee will receive five weeks.

A starting employee will receive two weeks paid vacation after one year service, three weeks after four years, and four weeks after 10 years service.

The agreement also calls for a one-time signing bonus of $800 pro-rated for hours worked in 2001. The annual boot/clothing allowance was increased from $125 to $150.

The signed collective agreement is a result of negotiations held Friday from morning until 7 pm at the White House Motel in Brockville, Brugma said. Present at the meeting was Augusta Reeve George Vail, township CAO Sharon Wilkinson, township negotiator Mike Millman, Ministry of Labour mediator Roger Brideau, Brugma and some township employees.

Negotiations were "long and hard," Brugma stated, adding he felt it was a fair wage offer. "This was the last proposal they gave us Friday evening." Brugma said he believes employees are "generally pleased" with the offer. "It's been hard, but it's done. I'm glad."

"I'm happy for the workers," Vail said following the signing of the agreement, which he called fair.

"I'm glad to see it's over and they accepted it. The employees do a good job for us; they deserve it."

However, the reeve noted the wage increases would have been received regardless of union involvement, since annual increases of between two and three per cent have always been allowed for in the township budget since 1994 when he was first elected to council. Workers had not received an increase since 2001 when union certification was signed because the Ministry of Labour ordered a wage freeze at that time, Vail explained.

The reeve noted he felt confident the employees would not have walked off their jobs once they were in a legal strike position. "I didn't see where they had any reason to want to strike. I didn't think they would go out."

Augusta's first offer was turned down by the employees and the union, Vail said, but the township was prepared to move on certain issues.

He added township ratepayers should be able to accept the package with little concern, since wage increases have always included in the budget, and "the other items needed to be looked at anyway." Significant tax increases are not expected because of the terms of the agreement, he said.

Feds say there is no money left for upgrades to sewage plant

Province had agreed to fund portion of Prescott project

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ The federal government has turned down a request for funding to refurbish Prescott's sewage treatment plant.

The town had applied for provincial and federal money under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program. Ontario had agreed to contribute its one-third of project costs totalling more than $15 million.

However, town officials were notified last week the federal government had already distributed all the money it had allocated for infrastructure projects in the most recent round of funding.

The existing plant is more than 30 years old and does not have a secondary treatment system required under provincial regulations.

"Presently, our plant is not in compliance... and will not be until this plant receives an upgrade," Lawn said.

The town has known for some time provincial funding had been granted pending a decision by the federal government. An environmental assessment has been completed, and a basic design for a refurbished plant has been selected. About $300,000 has already been invested in the initial assessment; about one-third of that has been contributed by the federal government.

The mayor noted some additional infrastructure funding may be available as part of the recent federal budget. Lawn said he has talked to Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan, who indicated the Prescott sewage plant is a high priority. The indicated he would be writing to senior federal officials to make them aware of the serious situation facing Prescott. Portions of Augusta and Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal would receive municipal sewer service as part of the proposed upgrading of the town facility.

"This project can't wait," Lawn said. "It cannot wait."

Councillor Terry McConnell, chairman of the town's transportation and environmental services committee, said it is "quite upsetting" for the feds to say they are out of money after the town has gone to so much trouble to do the preliminary work and get its municipal neighbours to come on board with the project. The plant is continuing to pollute the river, something McConnell noted will not change without a major infusion of money from all levels of government.

The councillor referred to an Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) news release in which the federal government is criticized for its recent budget and how municipalities are unable to meet increasing demands through property taxation alone.

Users of the sewage treatment plant would be on the hook for the remaining one-third of project costs.

Skateboard park takes a leap forward

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT ­ Local skateboard enthusiasts are confident they will have a recreational park in Prescott by this summer.

A fundraising blitz held at O'Reilly's Independent Grocer Friday evening and Saturday netted the group more than $1,300. Prescott resident Nancy Lane, who spearheaded the project along with her family, said community response has been excellent.

With the Prescott Kiwanis Club now acting as a partner in the $50,000 endeavour, Lane said she has been able to apply for an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant for $25,000.

Besides the grocery store blitz, organizers have been working bingos, running car washes and raffles, and making T-shirts, buttons and hats for sale. A garage sale, car wash and hot dog stand are being planned for the May long weekend. Anyone wishing to donate items to the garage sale can contact Lane at 925-1620 or Kiwanis President David Street at 925-5276 to arrange for pick-up.

The possible site selected for the skateboard park is between the baseball diamond and soccer field near Sophia Street and Churchill Road. The town leases the land from Kriska Transportation; both groups have been supportive of the proposal and the skateboarders efforts, Lane said. The site is ideal, she added, since it already has lighting, washrooms and is away from residential areas.

"People are extremely supportive because they realize we don't have enough for our kids in the community," Prescott Councillor Nancy McFarland said of people's generosity at the fundraising booth.

Lane noted the support group has sent about 35 letters to community service clubs and businesses asking for donations, and a Grade 11 technology class at South Grenville District High School has agreed to design the park that will include concrete ramps, banks and quarter pikes.

"One way or another, we will have a skateboard park this summer," Lane said, noting some businesses in town have already offered to provide labour to construct the park.

Local church will be open for prayers of peace

PRESCOTT ­ A local church will be open Monday, March 10 to anyone who would like to offer prayers for peace.

The chapel at St. John's Anglican Church will be open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

The move comes in response to a pastoral letter from the Right Reverend George Bruce, bishop of the Diocese of Ontario. In the Feb. 21 letter, the bishop writes, "I do not for one moment deny the irresponsible and cruel nature of the current Iraqi regime, but that on its own cannot justify the taking of pre-emptive military action."

In noting he and others are praying for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, the bishop states prayers and support must go to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families if troops are deployed in Iraq.

St. John's is located at the corner of James and Centre streets.

Prescott police investigate fraud cases at automated teller and hardware store

PRESCOTT ­ Fraudulent withdrawals of cash from bank accounts have occurred at the ATM located at a bank in Prescott, according to town police.

The transactions at the Bank of Montreal were reported Feb. 25. A substantial amount of money was withdrawn in one of those transactions, police stated in a news release. Constable Cindy Bisson is investigating.

During the week of Feb. 24, town police investigated 74 incidents and two motor vehicle collisions.

An arrest was made in connection with a case of fraud at Beach Home Hardware. A credit card scam was reportedly used to purchase merchandise in the amount of $230. Long Sault OPP arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with this and an additional 17 frauds. The accused will be charged with fraud and uttering a forged document; he is to appear in Cornwall court. Constable Bisson is the investigating officer.

On Feb. 27, a James Street resident reported his vehicle had been damaged. It appeared someone kicked the vehicle and damaged the front fender. Obscene language was written in the dirt on the hood. A damage estimate was unavailable. Constable Mike Lapensee is the investigating officer.

The tailgate of a 1994 Chevrolet Silverado truck was taken while the vehicle was parked in the lot across from Riverside on Edward Street. The Maitland man who owns the green truck told police he returned to the vehicle that afternoon and noticed the theft. Constable Terry Foster is the investigating officer.

A case of credit card fraud was reported Feb. 28 by the owner of an Edward Street gas station. On Feb. 8, a man used a credit card to pay for gas and diesel fuel purchases for three of his company vehicles. Subsequently, it was discovered the card was fraudulent. Constable Lapensee is continuing the investigation.

Anyone with information on these or any other occurrences in town is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. The police station is located at the corner of Centre and Henry streets.

Alzheimer Society support pours in

LEEDS AND GRENVILLE ­ Businesses and groups in the united counties raised a total of $8,600 as part of the 2002 Alzheimer Coffee Break held last September.

The event enables customers, co-workers, freinds and family to come together and have a coffee or some other refreshments and donate to the Alzheimer Society. Alzheimer disease is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that has no known cause or cure. It is estimated there will be 1,400 cases of the disease or a related dementia in Leeds-Grenville this year.

Approximately $915,000 was raised nationally as part of last year's coffee break event.

For more information about the fundraiser or the society, call the local office at 345-7392 or visit www.alzheimer.ca.

Prescott Women's Business Network works with high school students

PRESCOTT - Female Grade 9 and 10 students got to experience a taste of the real world as the Prescott Women's Business Network put on a clinic for the girls last Wednesday at South Grenville District High School.

The women's business network put on the clinic for more than 100 female students to help commemorate International Women's Week. The girls were put into groups, assigned a job and salary and they had to fill out a work sheet on which the girls would have to budget their money.

"We wanted to come in to talk to the girls this age," said business network member Suzanne Seguin-Dodge.

"This will act as a real eye opener for the girls since a lot are still getting money from their parents and aren't working yet. They've been getting money handed to them."

Fellow business network member, Laura Bradley added, "We want them to understand the different career choices that they can make and expose them to the different types of opportunities out there that come with different jobs."

The local women's business network meets once a month for breakfast and has set its preliminary goals to working with young women to make them aware of their possible career choices as well as working towards downtown revitalization.

OPP BRIEFS

Nothing taken during break-in

EDWARDSBURGH ­ Grenville County OPP are asking for the public's assistance in connection with a break and enter at a home on Brouseville Road.

A woman returned to her residence Feb. 28 at about 11:10 pm; she found the rear door had been damaged and broken into.

However, nothing was taken from or disturbed in the home.

Neighbours recall hearing dogs barking shortly after a small red vehicle drove past the residence at about 7:30 that night.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Duke at the OPP detachment in Prescott (925-4221).

Speeding leads to court dates

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Several drivers will appear in court after they were issued summonses for speeding.

The offences occurred on highways 401 and 416. Radar indicated the vehicles were travelling at speeds of between 152-164 kilometres per hour in a 100-kilometre zone. Three of the four drivers reside in the Toronto area; the other lives in Winchester. The drivers are scheduled to appear in Brockville court in April.

Half of collisions involve deer

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Officers with the Grenville County OPP detachment responded to 82 service calls during the week of Feb. 24-March 2. Fifty-six of those calls came from Edwardsburgh/Cardinal; the other 26 came from Augusta. Of the four motor vehicle collisions investigated that week, two were car-deer and the other two weather-related Sunday.

Parents, students have say in teacher appraisal

Survey responses being used as part of evaluation process

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Parents and some high school students have been given a say in a new teacher appraisal process.

The province has mandated school boards to develop surveys in which parents and guardians of students, as well as students in grades 11, 12 and OAC, have an opportunity to indicate their level of satisfaction in terms of communication with a teacher.

In a recent letter to parents and students, Upper Canada District School Board Director of Education, Gino Giannandrea, notes input from the surveys "...represent only one piece of data..." a principal will take into consideration as he or she makes a decision on a teacher's performance.

The parental input form being distributed by the Upper Canada board asks the respondent to check whether he or she is satisfied or dissatisfied with the teacher's effort to communicate effectively about the child's learning and progress. An optional comment box also appears on the survey form. The respondent may also note whether he or she has attended teacher/parent interviews this year, returned the parent communication section of the fall report card or is the parent or guardian "...of an identified exceptional student."

High school students are asked to rate whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with the teacher's communication effort and whether he or she provides an environment for learning that encourages the respondent.

The respondent must print and sign his or her name on the form. However, the respondent can indicate he does not want the teacher in question to see his or her name or that of the child.

In the case of the Upper Canada board, forms are to be returned to the principal in an envelope marked "confidential." Surveys must be submitted by March 28 in order to be used as part of this year's teacher appraisal process.

John McAllister, president of District 26 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, said he has serious reservations about the use of teacher surveys. Although he acknowledged feedback from parents is important, McAllister believes the new provincial initiative has more to do with political agendas than evaluating job performance.

"It appears to be open season on teachers," he said.

McAllister noted his criticism is aimed at the ministry and not the Upper Canada board. The union had input into the survey format and is relatively satisfied with the local forms, he added.

There are concerns teachers may not be told who has provided the input. "We're not afraid of evaluation," said McAllister, who added it is a question of fairness and relevance.

He went on to state it is a good thing the surveys represent one component of the appraisal process. McAllister added he does not expect there will be an overwhelming response by parents and high school students.

Survey forms are available at all school offices.

The forms can be downloaded from the board's Web site at www.ucdsb.on.ca. However, a hard copy with the respondent's signature is required.

Proposed land swap is part of dealership relocation

PRESCOTT ­ A bylaw that would enable a land swap at the site of the proposed relocation of Riverside Pontiac Buick has received first and second reading.

Town council agreed Monday to delay third reading of the bylaw until the next meeting to be held March 17.

Riverside is planning to build a new showroom and automobile lot north of Highway 401 and west of Edward Street. Construction could begin this spring and be completed by the end of the year, according to the minutes of a town planning and development committee held Feb. 7.

The proposed land swap would help the town build a road into the commercial park area. Less than three acres of land would change hands; the transaction would be in the amount of $1.

The proposed agreement would see Riverside receive a credit of $25,000 for its septic system and well on the property. The credit would be deducted from municipal water and sewer services the town would provide in the future.

Enjoy St. Patrick's lunch at St. John's

PRESCOTT ­ A St. Patrick's Day luncheon will be held Friday, March 14 at St. John's Anglican Church on James Street.

Lunch will be served from 11 am to 2 pm. Baked goods will also be sold at the event. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Music night raises the roof at St. Paul's United Church

PRESCOTT ­ The congregation of St. Paul's United Church is inching closer to its goal of raising $175,000 to replace the roof over the main sanctuary.

An evening of folk music Sunday was the latest in the church's fundraising endeavours; yard sales and special dinners are also held throughout the year to help raise enough money to replace the roof on the church at Dibble and George streets. Since September, the church has raised $8,900 toward its goal.

Parish council member Matt Hayes said the peaked roof was built as part of the church reconstruction following a devastating 1979 fire. In noting some modest repairs have been made over the years to correct the original poor workmanship on the roof, Hayes said moisture continues to seep under the roof.

Three years ago, the St. Paul's congregation replaced the roof over its Christian Education Centre and auditorium. That project cost the church $84,000, and a five-year loan was paid off in two years.

Food bank makes its pitch for funding from town

PRESCOTT ­ A request for funding from the Food For All food bank will be considered as part of 2003 budget deliberations, town council has decided.

The food bank, which serves residents of Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal, is asking each municipality for $1,600 to cover overhead costs associated with operating the food depot and office on Henry Street.

John Reynolds, the food bank's temporary administrative officer, told council members Monday about 50 per cent of the people who make use of the facility are from Prescott.

Since opening last September, the food bank has distributed about 1,400 food hampers to 500 families in the area. Projections for 2003 indicate 275-300 people will be served each month.

Mayor Robert Lawn said the town is aware of and appreciates the effort being made by food bank volunteers.

The town has already allocated $500 to the food bank as part of its preliminary budget deliberations.

Women and healthy eating in the spotlight during this year's Nutrition Month

LEEDS AND GRENVILLE ­ March is Nutrition Month, and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit is focusing on trying to help women find solutions to healthy eating challenges for themselves and their families.

The theme of the special month is "Healthy eating... Tasty and easy." With four-fifths of women between the ages of 25 and 44 participating in the labour force ­ many of whom also care for children and ill and elderly family members ­ time to plan, purchase and prepare healthy foods can be quite a challenge.

Heather Deegan, a public health nutritionist, stated in a health unit news release "Healthy eating is possible, even for those of us who are busy. There are many fast, simple solutions to improve eating."

A survey commissioned by Dietitians of Canada also identified weight loss and maintaining a healthy weight as top concerns.

Registered dietitians such as Deegan can offer information on healthy food choices, preparing meals that appeal to the entire family, and how to make physical activity part of a daily routine.

"With today's busy lifestyles, it can no longer be an 'add on' at the end of a busy day," Deegan stated. "It must be 'built in' to daily life."

For more information, call the Health Action Line at 345-5685 and ask to speak to a registered dietitian. The health unit's Web site is www.healthunit.org.

Line dancing kicks off spring activities

MAITLAND NEWS by Jane Fullarton

Plans are under way for new activities at MERC Hall this spring. Tuesday night from 7 to 9 pm, line dancing to a variety of music is being offered. For more information, call John Van Dusen at 498-9199.

New Maitland resident Nancy Phelan is interested in giving bridge lessons. Phelan, who has recently moved from Ottawa, has taught bridge to seniors' clubs as well as the University Women's Club in Ottawa. Phelan says she loves the game and teaches the Updated Standard American Bridge. She can offer daytime or evening classes depending on interest and the group's needs. If you would like to learn to play bridge, call Nancy at 348-1507.

There will be a youth dance at MERC Hall for students in grades 5 to 8 March 7 from 7 to 10 pm. No one will be admitted to the dance after 8 pm. Please call Cynthia Turton at 348-1760 or Susan Clarke at 348-3088 if you can help supervise.

The next Maitland Seniors' Luncheon sponsored by VON Community Home Support Program will be held at MERC Hall Wednesday, March 12 from noon to 1:30 pm. The menu will be lasagna, salad, dessert, tea and coffee. Transportation is available.

Please call the VON office at 342-3693 by Monday, March 10 to confirm your attendance.

Compete in an Amazing Race and support the United Way of Leeds and Grenville

LEEDS AND GRENVILLE ­ A local version of The Amazing Race will give contestants a better look at the united counties while supporting the United Way in the process.

This new event will take place June 21. Twenty-four teams of two will race against time and each other in a series of challenges in various communities in the area. At the end of the day, one team will emerge as the winner and receive a cash prize of $1,500.

To be eligible to compete, each team must raise at least $300 in pledges. A prize will be awarded to the team that raises the most money for United Way.

Each Amazing Race participant must be at least 19 years of age, have a valid driver's licence and access to a vehicle for the day.

Dan Wylie and Maggie Blood from 103.7 The Point are among the four co-hosts who will welcome teams at each location and eliminate the last team at each destination.

For a complete list of rules or to register, contact the United Way of Leeds and Grenville office at 42 George St., Brockville (342-8889).

The local United Way is also hosting the second annual Survivor Challenge July 12 and 13. The lone survivor of 24 contestants will receive a grand prize of $1,000. Participants must also raise at least $300 in pledges to compete in the challenge.

Youngsters can vote for their favourite books

ALGONQUIN ­ Young readers have a chance to participate in the Silver Birch Program to let others know about their favourite books.

The Augusta Township Public Library is participating in the program through the Ontario Library Association. Readers in grades 4, 5 and 6 read five books from a selection of 20 available; on May 3, they vote for their favourite. The local results move on to the provincial level, and the winning book will be announced May 22 at the International Children's Festival in Toronto.

The library is making presentations to students at Algonquin and Maynard public schools on the program. Multiple copies of the books are available at the library in Algonquin. Readers will also have a chance to write a brief review of the books.

Among the books available in the fiction category are Camp X by Eric Walters; Footsteps in the Snow by Carol Matas; and Light-Bearer's Daughter by O.R. Melling.

In non-fiction, readers can pick up How Hockey Works by Keltie Thomas and To the Top of Everest by Laurie Skreslet, as well as several others at various reading levels.

Day of Prayer service to be held in Roebuck

ROEBUCK ­ A World Day of Prayer service will be held this Friday, March 7 at 2 pm at Roebuck United Church.

The local co-ordinating group includes representation from United churches in Roebuck, Spencerville and Shanly as well as St. Lawrence O'Toole Catholic Church, St. Andrew's Knox Presbyterian Church and The Edge Community Church.

AIR CADET NEWS, By Judith MacLean

The cadets of 661 Lt. W.F. Sharpe Squadron continued their busy schedule starting March 1 with drill and exertion practice followed on the 2nd by our drill team competing in the wing drill competition. This is our first year competing, but we have high hopes for our team. We continued on the 4th with the cadets having regular training at South Grenville District High School.

The sponsoring committee will meet March 6. On the 9th, cadets will engage in range practice. The 11th will be sports night.

On March 14-16, the squadron will serve as host to a squadron from the Gaspe area of Quebec. The visitors will arrive on the 14th and will be met by a group of cadets and officers. A very active schedule has been arranged to show the cadets of this squadron both the similarities and differences to be found in our part of Canada. The cadets and their officers will leave on their return trip the morning of the 17th. We hope they will have an enjoyable and memorable visit with us.

The 18th will be CO's parade. Our exertion team will also be competing this month in the wing exertion competition in Kingston which our squadron will be hosting. We will close our month with regular training on the 25th. Don't forget: we meet every Tuesday night from 6-9 pm in Gym C at the high school. The cadet program is open to all youths ages 12 to 18.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"They did our little club proud..."

Editor's Notebook

Sewage decision stinks

After waiting for many months and maintaining cautious optimism (at least in public), town officials were advised last week the federal government is not in a position to approve Prescott's request for infrastructure funding to refurbish the municipal sewage treatment facility. The town has known for some time the province had approved its one-third portion of the multi-million-dollar project. Now, it seems the feds just gave out all its money before it got to Prescott's spot on the list. Even if it had been able to put its application higher up on the list, the fact remains Prescott and other communities in desperate need of infrastructure funding have been left out in the cold.

There is no indication other communities that received funding are that much more desperate than Prescott. As town officials pointed out Monday, the sewage treatment plant does not comply with new provincial standards and is at some point in the near future in need of a major overhaul. The province dumped the facility onto the town, but at least has acknowledged the need for action by agreeing to fund a portion of much-needed upgrades. In terms of existing needs and long-term economic development opportunities, the Prescott area will require basic infrastructure such as an adequate sewage system that will satisfy the needs of residents, business and the environment.

No one is suggesting governments should have inexhaustible supplies of money with which new roads, water and sewage plants can be built on a regular basis. However, Prescott has every right to challenge the government and express its disappointment and frustration. A $15-million sewage treatment plant may not produce an endless supply of Liberal votes in the next federal election, but the absence of funding from Ottawa may be remembered in this portion of a riding that came so very close to sending an Alliance candidate to Parliament Hill.

It may seem petty and premature to float the prospect that being jilted by the infrastructure program could be used in an election context to force the governing party to find money for Prescott's sewage treatment plant. After all, the feds have indicated there may be funds available as part of new infrastructure funding allocated in the recent budget. The community is hopeful MP Joe Jordan has made the town's sewage plant woes a high priority and convince his colleagues and bureaucrats it is in the best interests of all concerned to ensure Prescott's application for grant money will not be allowed to go down the drain.

In a nutshell, $5 million is just a drop in the bucket for a federal government that seemed to be quite flush at budget time last month.

Tim Ruhnke

Recent visit by premier shows image is everything

THE NEW GUY by Tim Ruhnke

An associate of mine has reminded me of the role reporters and editors play in allowing stories and images to be spun by politicians, governments and other sources. Many of us claim to be somewhat objective, but we still play the game to appease our sources or to match up against our competitors.

Case in point was the recent visit by Ontario Premier Ernie Eves. He met with trucking and manufacturing sector officials Feb. 12 in Prescott, followed by a photo opportunity and news conference at the Port of Prescott. It was not hard to guess what the photo opp would be given the nature of those earlier discussions: border crossings and the need to retain a free flow of goods to and from the U.S. Video or still shots of the premier standing in front of the international bridge and near trucks was the goal.

That Wednesday was an extremely blustery day with a fairly significant windchill, making it difficult for anyone to spend extended lengths of time outdoors. After waiting an extra 45 minutes or so, the premier arrived in the cab of a big rig; he climbed down and shook hands with several officials in a paved area. The contingent then gathered in a row with the bridge in the background; videographers and photographers were then given about a minute to get their shots. Once that had been done, everyone headed inside for the news conference.

I am sure the premier's handlers would have preferred to have Mr. Eves make his statement at the photo opp site, but at least they were able to get the money shot that appeared in television reports and some newspapers.

We also note media outlets close to home are not given the same consideration as their bigger, more important cohorts that tend to cover things on a regional, provincial or national basis. The Journal and at least one other newspaper in the seaway area did not receive official word of the visit until mid-morning on the day the premier was scheduled to arrive at the port at 1:30 pm. Apparently, the premier's office let the folks covering the premier know what would happen the day before and issued a news release to some wire service that is not received by all media outlets in Eastern Ontario. The riding office of Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman notified local media as soon as it could that morning, from what we understand.

At least we were given a chance to attend the premier's news conference at the port. I noticed neither the mayor nor the deputy mayor of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Township, the owner of the port facility and the municipality in which it is situated, was at the gathering. When asked by The Journal at a recent council meeting, township officials indicated they had not been invited.

Delegation fights to speed up construction of four-lane highway

FROM THE ARCHIVES

March 4, 1943

* The Prescott Salvage Committee is planning a concentrated effort for the next six weeks and is urging all housewives to save fats, grease and bones in conjunction with a Dominion-wide campaign. An objective of 35 million pounds of waste fats has been set. The Girl Guides and Boy Scouts will be asked to undertake this drive in Prescott. Flattened tin cans are also on the list of salvageable materials.

March 6, 1963

* South Grenville walked off with two first prizes and half of the prize money at the second annual science fair for Leeds and Grenville. Peter Steiner took top prize in the boys junior division and John Israel and Doug Campbell won in the seniors. David Laycock came second in the boys senior division. Carol Appel received an honourable mention from the judges.

March 7, 1973

* A minimum temperature of 70 degrees must be maintained in rented domiciles in Prescott, according to a bylaw enacted by council. Any residential premises heated by a landlord or heated at the expense of the landlord comes under the bylaw, which governs the period of Oct. 1 to June 1 in any year.

March 2, 1983

* Foch Healy celebrated 30 years as general manager of the Prescott Public Utilities last week. At a small gathering at the PUC office on George Street, he was presented with a pocket watch by Grover Fisher, chairman of the PUC.

March 3, 1993

* Prescott Mayor Tom Doyle and Wilf Peters, president of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce, have launched a campaign to lobby the provincial government to advance the date for the completion of Highway 416 from Century Road in Rideau Township south to Highway 16. Construction of the southern section of the four-lane highway was scheduled to be complete in 2000, but the NDP government has stated construction would be delayed indefinitely because of lack of funding.

Chretien's buffoonery damages Canada's diplomacy reputation

FORT TOWN DIARY by John A.H. Morris

How are we going to stop Jean Chretien from demonstrating to the world that Canadians are a nation of driveling morons led by a man who, in our kindest gesture, we elevate no higher than a buffoon on our primate scale.

This desperate old man has gone bonkers over the Iraq situation and his attempts to represent himself as a 21st century Lester Pearson on the international scene leaves Canadians embarrassed and ashamed of his hopeless intrusions into a diplomatic dilemma that is far beyond his intellect.

His attempts last week in Mexico to be the great placator of the U.S.-UN-Iraqi turmoil were amateurish. When we heard him tell President Foxxe of Mexico that the UN's chief disarmament inspector, Hans Blix, had taken Canada's advice and started a systematic destruction of Iraqi weapons, we knew Chretien had been drinking the tap water in his Mexican hotel room.

"Sure we give dat (a timetable) to him and he take it and run with it!" Fer shur, fer shur, Jean.

It seems that every second day Chretien flip flops on Canada's stand in regard to supporting United States. On Monday he says Canada supports the U.S., no matter what, because we are their best friends and best allies. On Tuesday he says Canada will do only what the United Nations decides. On Wednesday he's all pro-U.S., its most trusted neighbour, again. On Thursday one of his MPs is quoted around the world as saying "...Damn Americans. I hate those bastards" ...on Friday, she is still an MP and Chretien is in Mexico telling the world that it was because of Canada's initiative that Saddam Hussein's stockpile of missiles was being destroyed. Fer shur, fer shur, Jean.

But on the other hand, maybe the world, both inside and outside the United Nations, should listen when Jean Chretien speaks. He is an accomplished genius when it comes to disarmament. Just take a look at what he has done to Canada's armed forces.

Over the past decade, and with very few casualties, he has taken Canada's army of 20,000 combat troops and expanded it to a 2,500 combat-ready ground force. To make sure he escapes international ridicule by committing these troops to Iraq, last week he pledged them to the UN force that is policing Afghanistan.

Our navy and our air force he has pledged to help with the blockade of Iraq. Our navy is where we shine. With the longest sea coast in the world to protect, Chretien and his Liberal warmongers have beefed up our navy to seven heavily armed frigates and a half dozen used Royal Navy submarines, which leak so badly our naval brass won't allow them to submerge.

We have about 20 American F-18 fighter planes and can put almost a dozen of them in the air with just a few week's notice. Our air arm is trying desperately to hide the fact that our fleet of Sea King helicopters is aging and dying. Twelve of these have already crashed; there have been 31 accidents involving the Sea Kings; 10 airmen have been killed; 111 have been injured.

The Sea King fleet has been reduced to about 10 serviceable helicopters and we all know that number was reduced by one when the 40-year-old chopper attached to the HMCS Iroquois and heading for the Mediterranean, crashed in a take-off attempt and both chopper and frigate had to return to Halifax for repairs and replacements.

Although sometimes when he is at home and playing on his own golf course, Chretien will stand up in his golf cart, swing his putter in the air and shout ­ "Je suis Saint Lawrence of Shawinigan, I am, I am" ­ our PM has very little knowledge of military matters. But he does know how to stretch the defence dollar, and this is how our only battle-ready battalion of Canadian troops got shuffled off to Afghanistan.

Seems a while back he was having a chat with defence minister John McCallum and the head of the new Canadian War Museum, Jack Granatstein, about whether or not there would still be veterans around when the war museum finally opened when Granatstein made a comment to a worker about the Sopwith-Camel display.

"You mean to say, Jack, that Canada at one time used camels?" the PM asked. "Well they were really Sopwith-Camels," replied Granatstein and explained that Canada still had a few and they would be in the new museum.

"That settles our problem, Mr. Minister," Chretien told McCallum.

"Instead of having to get the Americans to fly our troops and all their equipment and vehicles to Afghanistan, we can ask them just to fly our troops, and we'll give each soldier $100 and they can buy their own camel from Afghanistan guys and we'll help the economy too and by golly tell the United Nations that Canada has once again scored a diplomatic coupe in the dessert."

"But Prime Minister," McCallum blurted out, "Sopwith-Camels are airplanes; we used them in World War One!"

"Oh shuddup silly man," snapped Chretien. "Camels can't fly and even if they could, we wouldn't use them because our Sea King submarines are just like new!"

Capable Canadian Forces members are a source of pride

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The Editor;

I have seen numerous articles reporting that the Canadian military has suffered another embarrassment internationally, due to the crash of the Sea King helicopter on HMCS Iroquois. It appears that the press are completely in bed with the Liberal government or are just plain inept when it comes to reporting on our military.

The Canadian Forces have done Canadians proud on virtually every mission they have been sent on. It has been, and currently still is, the Canadian Forces who, through being exceptionally competent, innovative and proud in their abilities, have been a source of pride for Canadians. It certainly has not been a government that has attempted to denigrate our forces personnel through inadequate equipment purchases or funding.

It is time the press got it right; the Canadian Forces have not been embarrassed. The Canadian voters have, and deservedly so, for allowing our forces to be treated in this manner.

Perhaps it is time that all members of the Liberal government were treated to rides on the Sea Kings.

I have no doubt this would speed up the Sea King replacement program

Brian DesRochers
Prescott

SCHOOL SCENE

CENTENNIAL '67/NORTH EDWARDSBURGH PUBLIC SCHOOL: On Feb. 28, our Grade 6 class celebrated its VEP graduation with OPP Constable Holly Howard and many parents in attendance.

Our French club has presented a very successful play under the direction of Mlle. Rambaut.

Playground leaders are organizing noon-hour indoor games for grade 3 and 4 students. Lots of interest in participating! Report cards go home March 4, and interviews will be scheduled this week or, if preferred, after March Break.

SOUTH EDWARDSBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL ­ Congratulations to our "Étoiles de la semaine" for the week ending Feb. 28: grade 1/2, Harley James Harper; grade 3/4, Sailor St. Louis; grade 5/6, Brandon Brown; grade 7/8, Kaleigh McNeil.

The students and staff are enjoying "Fun in the Sun" day this afternoon, which was postponed last week due to the extreme cold weather. The health unit is in for dental screening this morning.

Our winter physical education program will include an afternoon of skating for all students this Friday, March 7 at the Edwardsburgh arena in Spencerville. The municipality donated this arena time.

Report cards go home March 6. The hot lunch this week is pizza. Next week (March 10-14) is March Break. Have a safe and happy holiday.

ST. MARK CATHOLIC SCHOOL: On Sunday, March 2 at 11 am mass, our Grade 2 students were enrolled at Mass for First Reconciliation and First Holy Communion.

We begin our Lenten journey today. It is 40 days in which we prepare ourselves for a passage and transition towards Easter. Father Appelman celebrated an Ash Wednesday paraliturgy with us in the gym, and we received the ashes on our foreheads as a symbol that our Lenten journey has started. We acknowledge all those who supported the coins and cookies bake sale for Cuernavaca. It was a wonderful success.

Our All Star Reading Strategies this week are: Kindergarten ­ Book Awareness Strategies ("I like it. Let's read it again/You read then I read/Look at the pictures"); Grade 1 ­ Ways to Respond ("Read and think"); Grade 2 ­ Unstuck Strategies ("Does it sound right"); Grade 3 ­ Unstuck Strategies ("What's the sound/What's the letter?").

The hot lunch this week is pizza (Wednesday for JK/SK A and Thursday for JK/SK B to Grade 3). We hope all of our students and school family enjoy their March Break, which begins this Friday. School resumes Monday, March 17.

WALKER HOUSE NEWS by MARNIE LIPPIATT

Plans are being made for a "lucky Friday lunch." Plan to join us Friday the 21st at noon for a St. Patrick's Day meal. Call 925-5300 and put your name on the list; lunches fill quickly.

Board members are reminded of the regular meeting Monday, March 10 at 10 am.

Just a reminder to those going to Magog: a deposit is required to hold your seat, and it is due now.

Card game winners: Monday bridge ­ 1st, Joyce Nesbitt; 2nd, Jim Campbell; door prize, Bea Hemsley. Thursday night euchre ­ 1st, Gladys Somerville; 2nd, Jean McCrady and Mary Reynolds; 3rd, Jean Annable and Hilda Hutton.

VON to offer walk-in clinic in Cardinal

CARDINAL ­ Cardinal has been selected as one of the communities in Leeds and Grenville to be the site of a VON nursing clinic.

Beginning in April, the local branch of the VON will offer a walk-in clinic at the St. Lawrence Medical Centre.

The clinics, which will be staffed by registered nurses, will focus on health screening, health promotion, illness prevention and education. Blood pressure checks and diabetes and cholesterol screening will be conducted, giving the nurse an opportunity to sit down and talk to clients on a number of health-related subjects. People of all ages will benefit from the clinics, according to the VON.

Other clinics will be held in Brockville, Athens and either Delta or Elgin. Funding totalling $14,000 is being provided by the Brockville Community Foundation ($8,000), United Way of Leeds and Grenville ($4,000) and the McNeil Foundation ($2,000).

Ruth Kitson, executive director of the Brockville, Leeds and Grenville VON branch, told The Journal the Cardinal clinic would likely be open for half a day once a month at first. She expects the response will be significant. Anticipated additional funding may enable an increase in operating hours, according to Kitson.

Dr. Andy Thomas of the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic stated in the release he is "...very pleased that we are making progress in getting more preventive and health promotion in Cardinal."

Topics of concern clients may wish to discuss with the registered nurse at the clinics range from pain management and depression to unexpected weight loss, menopause and depression.

Council looks at adding information to united counties GIS database

COUNCIL NEWS

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - A presentation to the Planning Advisory Committee Feb. 25 has Edwardburgh/Cardinal Township council looking at the possibility of getting involved with the counties' Global Information Systems (GIS).

A presentation by Karen Fraser, the GIS co-ordinator of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, proposed having information about Edwardsburgh/Cardinal in the file servers in the counties office in Brockville where they could still be accessed by a secure connection from the municipal office.

According to the presentation, with Edwardsburgh/Cardinal's data available as part of the counties, it would be easier to update property assessment maps and be a more effective marketing tool for the economic development of the community.

"I'm very interested in the municipality taking part in this," said Councillor Peter Martin. "From the examples we saw it looked very interesting and helpful."

Mayor Dave Dobbie indicated that cost at the county level would be paid by the counties, but anything needed special by the municipality would have to be paid for by the municipality.

CARDINAL BRIEFS

Presbyterian Church to hold World Day of Prayer services

CARDINAL - Local residents are invited to join in the World Day of Prayer service this Friday, March 7 at 2 pm at St. Andrew's and St. James' Presbyterian Church in Cardinal.

This year's service was written by the women of Lebanon and reflects the theme, "Holy Spirit, Fill Us."

In Cardinal, the co-ordinating group has representation from St. Andrew's and St. James' Presbyterian Church, St. John's United Church, St. Paul's Anglican Church, The Sacred Heart of Jesus Roman Catholic Church and the Philadelphia Pentecostal Tabernacle.

Girl Guides hosting ham and casserole dinner

CARDINAL - The 1st Cardinal Girl Guides will be hosting a ham and casserole dinner this Thursday, March 6 at the Cardinal Legion.

The dinner runs from 4:30 pm until 7 pm, with toddlers admitted for free. Take-out orders are available, and pre-arrange delivery is available upon request.

For more information contact Lori Howell at 657-1146 or Shelley Douglas at 657-4645.

Business association resumes meetings

CARDINAL - The Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Business Association will be holding its next meeting March 18 at 7 pm at the Cardinal Village Hall.

After taking a month off to allow for holidays and weather, the business association will cover the interest in and offers on local for-sale businesses, website and advertising, ministry of health intentions with the town hall, fundraising, co-operation with Cardinal in Bloom and the firefighter games in June.

Fun and music takes the stage March 16

CARDINAL ­ A fun day and music jam is set for Sunday, March 16 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Cardinal, beginning at 1 pm.

Anyone who wishes to sing, dance or play an instrument is welcome to sign up with Harry Cook at 657-3506.

The Cardinal Red Birds group - performing with a St. Patrick's Day theme - is scheduled to perform from about 2 pm to 2:45 pm.

Student bursary deadline is March 31

CARDINAL ­ Local students may be able to qualify for a bursary of up to $500 through the Royal Canadian Legion Provincial Bursary Program.

Students currently attending university, college or any other post-secondary institution must apply before March 31 to qualify.

Eligible applicants include Canadian and commonwealth war veterans and their children and grandchildren; ordinary and life members of the Legion and their children and grandchildren; associate members of the Legion and their children; and Ladies Auxiliary members and their children and grandchildren.

High school students who will be entering a post-secondary institution in September may apply for the bursary upon being accepted into a program. Deadline for high school student applications is March 21, 2004.

Application forms are available in secondary school guidance offices and at local Legion branches. For more information, contact Penny Fairfield at 657-4787.

Interim property taxes are due March 31

SPENCERVILLE - Township council has authorized an interim property tax levy for 50 per cent of the final 2002 taxes.

The levy is due March 31 in a single installment to the Township of Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal at the municipal office or at a bank designated by the municipality.

"This allows us to send the interim tax bill out soon," Mayor Dave Dobbie said of his council's decision Monday night. "That way it (the bill) is payable at the end of the month."

Festival committee disappointed in turnout

CARDINAL - The Cardinal Community Festival Committee's open meeting seeking feedback on the Canada Day and Labour Day festivities was a disappointment to the committee.

"The turnout was not what we had hoped for," said committee chairperson Edna Magee. "We didn't get to elect our new officials, but we did take a brief look at re-evaluating different events at the festivals. Labour Day might only be one day this year instead of the usual four and there were no major conclusions made at the meeting."

Magee said the committee is still searching for new volunteers and feedback from the community, but hopes the next meeting will be more successful.

"We had a lot of the committee and people who expressed interest that were unable to be here," said Magee. "A lot of people take vacation around this time, but they should be back for the next one."

Dart teams closing in on Slow Shooters in ladies league

CARDINAL - The race for the Cardinal Legion Branch 105 Ladies Dart League title is closer than ever with multiple teams in hot pursuit of the Slow Shooters.

The Slow Shooters lead the standings with 87 1/2 points, with the Magnificent Trio with 85 points, the Rat Pack with 85 points, Hurt's Real Bad with 83 points, Three Blind Mice with 81 1/2 points, Bye-Bye Birdies with 77 1/2 points, Don't Believe, Pray! With 67 1/2 points and Naughty & Nice with 45 points chasing the leaders.

Melody Davidson had the most games of the week with four, followed by Tina Summerfield and Hazel Johnston-Grant with three apiece.

Diana Hoy and Elaine Whiteman tied for the high score of the week for regular players with identical scores of 140, while Christine Veeley had the high score for spares with 138.

Tina Summerfield had the high three-dart finish for regular players with 124, while Jeanne Fox-Dibble had the high three-dart finish for spares with 53.

The most bullseyes for regular players went to Ruth Hooke with eight, while Lynne Seeley had the most bullseyes by spares with three.

Mona Williams had the high score of the week with 117, followed by Delaine Greenough with 100.

Council lobbies for completion of Highway 416

CARDINAL'S PAST

March 7, 1963

* William Byers has been elected to head the Fish and Game Club. Other officers for the coming season are: Vice-President Harold Turner; Treasurer Eldred Wells; Secretary Tony Sisty; and Membership Chairman Jas. O'Brien.

March 7, 1973

* Howard B. Dodge of Cardinal was recently elected as a director of the Holstein-Friesian Association of Canada to represent Eastern Ontario at the annual meeting in Toronto.

March 2, 1983

* Eighteen contestants are now vying for the title of Cardinal Winterfest Queen. The last five entrants are Lori Lampson, 17, Rochelle Tyo, 14, Tonya Slauenwhite, 14, Louise Bass, 17, and Kim Davy, 17.

March 3, 1993

* Marcy MacDonald will be Cardinal's representative at the Eastern Ontario figure skating competition in Gloucester and will perform a program she calls Future Shock. Marcy is a member of both the Cardinal and Prescott Figure Skating clubs.

* Cardinal joined its fellow members on the South Grenville Economic Development Commission as well as representatives from other Eastern Ontario municipalities in lobbying the Ontario transportation minister about the delays in construction of Highway 416. Reeve Larry Dishaw said the government is steadfastly stuck to the official line the highway will not be completed until early in the next century. Councillor Joe Scott said the subject of the four recent fatalities on the southern section of the highway was also brought forward, but seemed to fall on deaf ears.

* Senior fishing winners at the Fish and Game Club awards night were Charlie Toupin, Greg Morris, Brian Mills, Doug Casselman, Dean Mallet, Lloyd Travis, Dick Turner, Roy Coughler, Rick Dunn, Barb Reddick and Steve Hopkins.

Brain disorder course helps family members

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Registration is now open for a 12-week course for family members who are dealing with a relative's brain disorder.

The family-to-family education program begins in Brockville in April and consists of free weekly sessions. Schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression are among the disorders included.

Trained family members will teach the course, which balances education and skills training with self-care and emotional support. Course materials and reading handouts will be provided at no cost.

The course is being presented by the Leeds and Grenville branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

Class size is limited to 20; registration is required. For more information, contact the local branch of CMHA at 345-0950.

Diabetes sessions to serve nutrition tips

BROCKVILLE ­ Nutrition tips will be on the menu at a diabetes information session to be held Tuesday, March 25 at 7 pm at St. John Bosco Parish Centre on Windsor Drive.

Chef and nutritionist Astrid Strader will demonstrate easy cooking with Asian and Chinese influences at "Treat Yourself to a Taste of the Orient." The free session is open to the public; the parish centre offers ample free parking and is wheelchair-accessible.

For more information, contact the Canadian Diabetes Association at 345-0992.

St. Paul's to host Sunday brunch

PRESCOTT ­ Sunday brunch will be served March 9 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at St. Paul's United Church, corner of George and Dibble streets.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Veteran defenceman Todd Gill released
from agreement

SPRINGFIELD, MA - The Springfield Falcons announced Tuesday they have released veteran defenceman Todd Gill from his professional tryout agreement (PTA).

The Cardinal native had played in 15 games with the Falcons, collecting one goal and five assists for six points and a plus four rating since signing the PTA with the AHL farm team of the Phoenix Coyotes and Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 13.

Gill is in his 19th season of professional hockey after spending the 2001-02 season with the Colorado Avalanche collecting four points in 36 games.

Gill has played in 1,002 National Hockey League games, collecting 82 goals and 269 assists for 351 points and 1,214 penalty minutes.

Business program offers students opportunities

LEEDS-GRENVILLE ­ Youth interested in starting their own businesses could qualify to get a helping hand from the Ontario government this summer.

Summer Company gives full-time students between the ages of 15 and 29 hands-on training, mentoring and funding of up to $3,000 for running a summer business.

The program is administered by the 1000 Islands Entrepreneurship Centre in Brockville.

For more information on Summer Company, contact the centre at 342-8772. The deadline for applications is April 4.

Giants senior boys basketball season ends at EOSSAA

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PERTH - The South Grenville Giants senior boys basketball team had a rough time at the Eastern Ontario Championships last Friday, dropping a pair of games to be eliminated from the tournament.

"We came into the tournament very under confident," said coach Norrie Spence. "We kept turning the ball over early and played as though we were nervous. We really didn't play that well."

The Giants opened the tournament with a hard-fought 75-58 loss to tournament host Perth.

The Giants trailed 26-15 after the first quarter and 46-26 after the first half, before making some defensive adjustments to pull within eight points of Perth with four minutes left in the game.

"There was a kid that came off of Perth's bench who just killed us hitting everything he threw up," said Spence. "Then we finally were coming back, but they seemed nervous and started to stall with four-and-a-half minutes left, which forced us to foul. Normally, you wouldn't start to stall that early in the game, but I think we put a scare in them."

Dustin Drury led the Giants with 19 points, followed by Jamie Clarke with 11, Curtis Bucking with eight and Nick Hermans with seven.

After the loss to Perth, South Grenville faced a must-win situation as they took on Arnprior.

The Giants had turnover troubles early allowing Arnprior to jump out to a 44-29 lead at the half, as South Grenville struggled late in the game to finish with a 67-44 loss.

"They started out the same way with throwing the ball away and not playing an intense defence," said Spence. "They never really got going. It just wasn't to be, we couldn't buy a basket and Arnprior couldn't miss. Curtis Bucking had a good tournament for us, especially in the second half of the Perth game shutting down their big guy, and Ryan Delaney played well both offensively and defensively. Otherwise, we just didn't have it."

Coach Spence was happy with her team's performance on the season despite the tough pair of losses to end the season.

"They did everything asked of them, and was happy with their performance through February. They won LGSSA and did really well. I'd like to see the boys get a different coach for next season, with possibly 10 of 13 players returning for another season. It never hurts to have a male coach for a male team, but I'd be more than happy to have them again. They're a good bunch."

Spence also credits student coach Ben Henderson with having a large impact on the team this season.

"Ben is simply the best coach I have ever worked with," said Spence. "Since he couldn't play we just threw him in there, and he stepped forward to take responsibility. This was his first crack at coaching after five
years of playing for South Grenville; he did an excellent job."

Novice Boltz open playoffs with 1-1-1 record

CARDINAL - The South Grenville novice Lightning Boltz are sporting a 1-1-1 record in their first round playoff series against Brockville #2.

On Feb. 28, South Grenville opened its playoff series with Brockville #2 finishing in a 3-3 deadlock. Broydon Stufko led the way for the Lightning Boltz with a pair of goals, while Cody Adams chipped in a single.

On March 1, the Lightning Boltz were able to rally back after the tie to score a 4-1 win over Brockville. Adams, Tyson Bertrend, Shane Riddell and Brett Van Stralen all had singles in the win, while Bertrend (2), Nathan Hamilton, Adam Norton and Stufko each had assists.

On March 2, South Grenville was shut out 3-0 in its third game of the playoff series with Brockville #2.

AA/AAA tournament field set

PRESCOTT - The tournament field for the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association's major midget AA/AAA tournament at the Leo Boivin Community Centre March 21-23 is nearly set with 15 teams confirmed.

The Oakville Rangers midget AAA will be returning in hopes of capturing the 2003 crown after losing to the St. Louis Sting in last year's finals. Other entries this year for the Prescott tournament include the Cambridge midget AAA Hawks, Central Ontario Wolves major midget AAA, 1986 Rochester Americans, Duluth Icehawks midget U17, Kitchener Jr. Rangers midget AAA, West Michigan midget AAA, Bonnie Castle Kings midgets, Ottawa Valley Titans, WLC midget U17, Kanata Blazers major midget AA, York Simcoe Express, Barrie Icemen midget AAA, Don Mills Flyers and the tournament hosts the South Grenville Rangers major midgets.

The Kitchener Greenshirts have tentatively been slated as the final team in the tournament.

The Rangers will open up the tournament with a special exhibition match-up on Thursday, March 20 against a team which has yet to be determined.

The tournament is the SGMHA's largest fundraiser with proceeds being used to help keep the cost of all levels of hockey down in South Grenville.

As part of the tournament, volunteers are asked to help out for a number of jobs including collecting money at the door, security and providing food for the hospitality room. Kids are also being sought to get involved with the tournament experience as swampers (kids to help out with the dressing rooms) or monitors to help out with the visiting teams.

Johnstown to host snowmobile and ATV rally this weekend

JOHNSTOWN - The Johnstown Snowmobile and ATV Club will be holding a snowmobile and ATV rally this Saturday at the club.

Registration for the rally runs from 9 am until 11 am, with those wishing to participate required to provide a valid insurance card and licence plate when registering.

Separate trails are available for both ATVs and snowmobiles.

Poker Run prizes will be awarded at 5 pm sharp, with winners to be named from those present.

The club is located just east of Angelo's off old highway 16.

For more information contact Dave at 925-3502 or Sheldon at 567-4766.

Prescott and district soccer registration set for this weekend

PRESCOTT - The Prescott and District Soccer Association is starting its 2003
season with their general meeting and registration.

The annual general meeting will be tomorrow (March 6) at 7:30 pm upstairs at the Prescott Fire Hall.

Also, the club will be opening its registration this Saturday from 9 am until noon at the fire hall.

The second registration session will take place March 19 from 6 pm until 8 pm at the fire hall.

Come out and sign up to join in all the fun of the Prescott and District Soccer Association for the 2003 season.

Family fun expected at annual free skate next Friday night

PRESCOTT - A free family skate night will be taking place Friday, March 14 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

The skate, which runs from 6 pm until 7:30 pm, is out to provide families with a March Break adventure.

Free treats are available at the arena including, hot dogs, pizza, soft drinks, coffee and hot chocolate.

Mascots will also be on hand to entertain the children including a raccoon, Mr. Pringle and the Pillsbury Doughboy.

The free skate is sponsored by O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer, the Town of Prescott and The Prescott Journal and promises to be a good time.

Local rink captures silver at Canada Winter Games

BATHURST, NB - The Prescott-based Ontario bantam girls rink came very close to striking gold at the Canada Winter Games in Bathurst, New Brunswick.

The rink consisting of skip Laura Payne, vice Laura Mann, second Candace Johnston and lead Ryrie Brisco performed very well throughout the tournament finishing first in the round-robin with an undefeated 5-0 record before losing in the championship game to Quebec.

Team Ontario curled well all week with a 10-4 win over Alberta to open round-robin play, followed by at 6-5 win over Manitoba, a 7-6 win over Prince Edward Island, a 9-1 win over Nova Scotia and an 8-4 win over Newfoundland.

In its semi-final match-up, Ontario was able to hang on for a 5-2 win over New Brunswick to advance to the gold medal game against Quebec.

The undefeated Ontario rink got off to an early lead in their gold medal match-up with Quebec, before the Quebec rink was able to rebound for a 6-2 win to force Ontario to settle for the silver medal.

"We were kind of upset after the loss," said Payne, who lives in Brockville. "But silver isn't that bad; we curled well and had a good trip. We got to meet all kinds of people from across the country and met so many new friends, we were all pretty excited."

The Prescott-based foursome got plenty of exposure over their five days of competition with participating in the opening ceremonies and being featured in segments by CBC and TSN. "It was pretty exciting; we got interviewed by Colleen Jones (skip of Team Canada) for a segment and she signed autographs for us afterwards. It was a very busy week and a long trip and now we're pretty exhausted."

With the silver medal, the girls have finished with tournaments for the season and will focus on competing with fellow curlers at the Prescott Curling Club.

"It's pretty impressive," said Prescott Curling Club President Dan Cook. "They were undefeated until the heartbreaking gold medal game loss, but they're second in Canada. Everyone was happy to see them do so well. The whole club has been talking about them looking for updates and e-mailing them while they were there. It was really good for the area and the club. They did our little club proud and now they can come back to the club's competitive nights for us to try to knock them off.

"This is the biggest thing to happen for our club in its 106 year history."

Prescott Figure Skating Club prepares to make magic on ice at annual ice show

PRESCOTT - The costumes are being made and all the different moves being learned as the Prescott Figure Skating Club is preparing for its end-of-year Magic on Ice show.

The 35th annual show 8-9 is the culmination of the figure skating season with more than 100 skaters showcasing their talents for their family and friends in the community.

The show begins March 8 at 7 pm and 2 pm on March 9. Tickets to the show will be available at the door.

"The kids are the most excited about this, which is the important thing," said Marg Beattie, one of the clubs volunteers. "But the parents and grandparents who attend are getting excited as well."

The club will feature a series of magic-related themes such as The Magic School Bus, Christmas Magic, I Dream of Jeannie, The Magic Show, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Harry Potter, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Teenage Magic, Lord of the Rings, Puff the Magic Dragon, The Magic of Sport, Unicorns from Green Alligators and Sugar Plum Fairies.

Skaters from the Junior line, Senior line, Canskate, Canpowerskate, Novice and Anklebiter levels will all participate.

Beattie explained how much work has been put into the annual show by both the parents, volunteers and kids.

"The committee began work on the show back in September," said Beattie.

"We've had to get our special guest, book time, organize theme, get costumes and put together our program.

"Thankfully, we have lots of volunteers including the five members of the ice show committee and Joan Hubbard who is the president. We've had a lot of moms helping out and going to help out at the show, especially with getting the young ones into costumes and makeup."

This year's special guest is one of Canada's top skaters, Ben Ferreira. He boasts numerous top finishes, including a 15th place finish at the 2002 World Championships, as well as three top-five finishes at the Canadian Championships.

With less than a week before the show the kids and coaches are working furiously to get ready to show off their talents.

"The kids had their fittings last week and they're putting on the final touches," said Beattie. "The kids started working towards the show a few weeks ago and are working really hard to be ready for the show.

"They're excited to perform in front of their friends, family and people in the community," said Beattie. "They are ready to show what they can do and really strut their stuff."

Prescott preparing for town free skate

PRESCOTT - Everyone should be getting their skates sharpened as there will be a free family skate night Friday, March 14 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

The Free Skate runs from 6 pm until 7:30 pm with free treats available.

Hot dogs, pizza, soft drinks, coffee and hot chocolate will be available with numerous mascots on hand to entertain the children.

"We have three mascots that will be there this year," said O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer owner Chris O'Reilly. "We have the Pillsbury Doughboy, Mr. Pringles and some sort of raccoon that will be there to meet the kids."

The event is geared towards giving families a fun outing during the March Break.

"Our store staff will be serving snacks and drinks up for the kids and parents," said O'Reilly. "For us it's a way of giving back to the community and giving everyone a chance to do something during March Break. A lot of people don't get a chance to get away for the week, and this will give them a chance to get out with the kids for an hour or hour-and-a-half with no cost. It should be fun."

The event is also sponsored by The Prescott Journal and the Town of Prescott.

EFSC club ready for end-of-year show

SPENCERVILLE - The Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club will be holding its annual Ice Show Saturday, March 15 at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre.

This year's show is entitled "Come to the Fair" and will feature two shows at 1 pm and 7 pm.

The Cardinal Figure Skating Club members will be guests of the Edwardsburgh club at the show.

The club has been hard at work practising for the upcoming show since mid-February.

Cardinal's Nathan Last, who was the winner of the Eastern Ontario Pre-novice men's championship, will be on hand as the show's guest skater.

More than 85 skaters will be participating in the show, which is the highlight of the club season.

Tickets to the show are available at the door.

Police ready for OPP in Battle of the Badges

PRESCOTT - The Prescott Police Service is looking to take control early and not look back in its match-up against the OPP in Eddie Shack's Battle of the Badges March 13 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

The annual Battle of the Badges sets out each year to raise money for a specific fund, with this year's game collecting for PAL (Prevention Awareness for Life) which runs numerous youth programs throughout schools.

This is the first year the Prescott municipal police department has been the main part of a team, and Constable Mike Lapensee, captain of the Prescott team has confidence in his group.

"We have a small force so we have some RCMP, PPD and volunteer firefighters in Prescott all on our team," said Lapensee. "It should be a close game, but I am going to have to say we are going to win. I made that prediction last year when on the firefighters team, but this is the year."

Lapensee has asked Police Chief Bryan Sommerville to coach the team and expects him to come through in helping the police service to a win over its OPP counterparts.

"We're hoping to get Bryan to coach," said Lapensee. "He's been pretty quiet about it so far, but we're sure he'll do it and plan something that day to get the boys into it."

The urge to win this grudge match between the two law enforcement agencies has inspired Lapensee make a few calls to see what he can pull off.

"I'm sure they're going to try to stack their team with a bunch of young guys," said Lapensee. "But we'll be ready.'

"I've been making some calls and I've definitely got an ace up my sleeve. We'll have to see whether it turns out, but if it does they better watch out."

Tickets are being sold by Xentel DM telesale and can be reached at 1-800-345-9238 or purchased at the door the day of the game.

Novice Fire Dogs finish Westport in playoffs

CARDINAL - The South Grenville novice Fire Dogs finished their first round playoff series by sweeping Westport out of the playoffs with a pair of wins.

On Feb. 22 the Fire Dogs opened their series with Westport with a 2-0 shutout victory.

Joey Sargeant and Kyle Berry had the Fire Dogs goals, while Trevor Moore (2), Derik Bourgeois and Sargeant added helpers.

On March 1, the Fire Dogs were able to hold on to a hard-fought 1-0 win to finish off Westport. Jesse Boyd had the game's lone goal, while Cody Knapp picked up an assist.

Jarrett Pitt earned shutouts in both games for the Fire Dogs.

With the pair of wins, the Fire Dogs were able to amass the four points required to move on to the next round of the playoffs.