VOL. 173, NO. 36~ PRESCOTT, ONTARIO ~ September 10, 2003

It is Fair time in Spencerville

Annual celebration of rural community opens Thursday

The 148th edition of the Biggest Little Class "A" Fair in Eastern Ontario is about to get under way.

The Spencerville Fair opens its doors Thursday. The four-day celebration of agricultural life will be a mix of returning favourites and new attractions aimed at people of all ages.

Among the main attractions will once again be the fair ambassador pageant and Little Sir and Little Miss competition Friday night at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre, the mammoth pumpkin weigh-in Friday night at the grandstand, the Spencerville Fair Parade (same route as last year, but opposite direction) Saturday morning, and the demolition derby Sunday afternoon.

The hundreds of judged events will see everything from goats and cows to pies and crafts on display.

Horse shows and 4-H club events continue to showcase the rural lifestyle that remains an integral part of the Grenville community.

The midway returns with more rides and special pay-one-price and ride bracelet promotions.

The entertainment tent will feature many top country artists, including Adam Gregory and Ambush. Fair organizers are hoping to attract up to 25,000 people to the fair this weekend, a big increase over the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 who would visit in recent years.

The Spencerville Agricultural Society continues the fair tradition with the invaluable assistance of dozens of fair board members and volunteers.

As Sheila Bush noted in her president's message, the fair would not be possible without volunteers.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the long-range forecast for later this week and the weekend called for mostly sunny conditions and daytime high temperatures in the low to mid-20s.

"Let's all pray for good weather, bring your family and friends and share the fun at the 'Fair with the Flair,' Bush stated.

The first annual showcase and ribbon-cutting to mark the opening of the fair and some of the people whose support helped make it happen will take place Thursday at 7:30 pm at the entertainment tent.

For more information on the 148th edition of the Spencerville Fair, see Page 11.

Warm welcome home for local soldier back from duty in Iraq

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - For U.S. Army Specialist Tim Flagg, being home with friends and family is what is really important.

The Prescott native, who just completed his ten-and-a half-month tour of duty in Iraq Aug. 21, was welcomed home with a party Sunday at the Prescott Legion.

"It feels pretty good to home and safe," said Flagg. "I'm trying find ways to forget about being over there and being home helps."

During his tour, Flagg realized what was most important to him whenever there was downtime between battles where he had a chance to let his mind think about other things.

"I really missed being around my friends and family," explained Flagg. "I never thought I could miss anyone that much, but when you thought that you could never see them it sinks in. You never knew when you were going to get killed and that really made me think about them."

Despite missing his family and friends, Flagg was able to keep his morale up and continue with his duties.

"My morale was better than I expected it to be," said Flagg, "but you can't think about it or complain; you've got a job to do and you have to keep on doing it. I didn't really miss any of the real comfort items like some of the guys did. A lot would go to the store and spend hundreds of dollars on junk food and magazines, but I was just as content without."

For members of the Royal Canadian Regiment Association 1000 Islands Branch, which was on hand to present Flagg with a hat, pin and letter of thanks and congratulation, Flagg is a real hero.

"I consider him better than most of our politicians," said branch member Bob Nuttall. "I wish I was young and able enough to go with him. Our guys have been in Korea and World War 2 and Tim is now one of us."

The army specialist was deployed to Kuwait last November and entered Iraq earlier this year as part of the American-led coalition which toppled the forces of Saddam Hussein and is now occupying the county.

Flagg will be home until Sept. 19 when he will return to Fort Stewart in Georgia, but he doesn't expect another tour in Iraq in the near future.

"As far as I know we won't be going back unless things really heat up," said Flagg, "but you never know. I can't see us back there for at least another year."

Although raised in Prescott, Flagg holds dual citizenship and joined up with the United States Army in Jan. 2001, joining a family tradition where his brother Dan is a member of the Canadian Navy, his brother Eric served in the U.S. Army and now works as an Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms officer in the U.S. His father Henry served in Vietnam in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Fourth person enters race for Augusta reeve

Former council member John McCrea to focus on better communications

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD ­ Former Augusta deputy reeve and councillor John McCrea is making another bid for the township job in which he feels he can do the most good and be an effective leader.

The Roebuck resident has announced his candidacy for the reeve's chair in the November municipal election. McCrea joins three others with aspirations for the top job: current Reeve George Vail, former reeve Adrian Van Schie and township activist Darlene Banning.

McCrea was an Augusta councillor from 1991 to 1993, and deputy reeve from 1997 to 2000. In the municipal election in Nov. 2000, he narrowly missed out on the reeveship to Vail. A recount of votes at that time determined McCrea was just 17 votes shy of claiming the job.

Three years later, McCrea is confident he has the leadership, team building skills and positive outlook to make Augusta grow strong and prosperous. It's his fresh, new ideas and a co-ordination of council members' talents that will help turn Augusta in a direction of needed change, he explained.

The three essentials to good government McCrea said will help along the path are open communication, a structured approach and an environment that fosters team building.

McCrea hopes to eliminate the practice he said began 15 years ago of discussing public matters in the "reeve's room" prior to meetings. The public has a right to hear these issues, and council has an obligation to ensure they do, he said.

Public input and open discussion are vital to an effective council, McCrea added, noting the public also deserves timely responses to correspondence and enquiries.

A leader with a firm hand and open mind can make a difference to making daily life in Augusta better, he said.

Other plans for the future include establishing a "prosperity committee" to look at sustainable growth, as well as a focus on business retention and expansion.

A certified arborist with his own business - McCreaTreeCare - McCrea is also a graduate from St. Lawrence College's municipal management program. He is the past chair of the Roebuck ball committee, St. Theresa parish council and Maynard school committee. Besides being past director of the South Nation Conservation Authority, McCrea is the current chair of the Limerick Forest Advisory Committee.

McCrea is married to South Grenville District High School coach and teacher Norie Spence, and has three children.

THIS WEEK

Terry Fox Run to be held Sunday

PRESCOTT ­ The annual Terry Fox Run is set for this weekend.

The annual event will take place Sunday, Sept. 14 on Prescott's waterfront. People will be walking, running and cycling to raise money for cancer research. The event honours the legacy of one-legged athlete Terry Fox, whose attempt in 1980 to run across Canada to raise awareness of cancer gained national and international attention.

The Prescott-area run starts between 11 am and 1 pm at the bandshell at the amphitheatre. Routes of varying lengths include the Prescott Heritage River Trail and other waterfront areas at the harbour and municipal dock.

There is still time to pick up pledge sheets and become a participant or to volunteer at the Terry Fox Run. Pledge sheets are available at a number of locations in South Grenville.

For more information, contact Sharon Spychi at Tan & Tone (925-5700).

Tackaberry receives contract to build road

PRESCOTT ­ The Town of Prescott has awarded Tackaberry Construction the contract to build a new road north of Highway 401 and west of Edward Street.

Tackaberry's bid of $329,091 plus GST was the lowest of three bids received by the town. The others came from Cruickshank Construction and Cornwall Gravel.

The new road will extend about 3,000 feet, according to Town Engineer Clyde Solomon. The contract will call for the first 1,500 feet to be paved.

Work was expected to begin as soon as possible. The street will serve a commercial area, including the site of the new Riverside Pontiac Buick dealership.

Always time for RIDE

PRESCOTT ­ Motorists are reminded RIDE checks are not reserved for the holiday season.

Members of the Prescott Police Service conducted a check Saturday. Ninety vehicles were stopped. One test was performed; a pass was registered. There were also three warnings issued for minor traffic violations.

Provincial election voter cards to be distributed next week

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ The provincial election process is up and running.

Prescott resident Barb Mills is the Leeds-Grenville returning officer. The returning office is located at 2495 Parkedale Ave. (Unit 3) in Brockville.

The riding of Leeds-Grenville has a population of about 96,000 and an estimated 69,000 voters.

Most people will not be visited by election officials as part of an enumeration process; Ontario maintains a Permanent Register of Electors. Voting is open to Canadian citizens who are at least 18 and residents of an electoral district in Ontario.

Voters should be receiving notice of registration cards in the mail next week indicating where and when they can vote. Anyone who does not receive a card or wants to confirm he or she is on the register of electors can call the Leeds-Grenville returning office at 342-1700 or 1-866-325-6157. The office is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm.

Those who are unable to vote on election day can make use of an advance poll. Voting by proxy is also permitted under certain circumstances in Ontario.

Eligible voters can be added to the list of electors on election day, although election officials are asking voters to take care of it before heading to the polls.

The list of candidates in Leeds-Grenville has yet to be finalized. Nominations close 14 days before election day.

As for the privilege of voting, the Elections Ontario Web site states, "The truth of the matter is simple: when you don't vote, you let others speak for you."

The site goes on to state not taking part in the process "...would be to waste the incredible power that we possess."

For more information on the provincial election process, visit www.electionsontario.on.ca.

Shakespeare and youth

PRESCOTT ­ The St. Lawrence Shakespeare Company is planning to launch an education program for youth next summer.

The young company is open to aspiring actors between the ages of 10 and 18. Training will take place throughout the year under the direction of Deborah Smith and will culminate with a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in early August as part of the 2004 Shakespeare festival.

No experience is necessary; a small fee to cover costs will be charged.

For more information, call (613) 293-1604.

Mazurek says Liberal chances are good

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Steve Mazurek insists it is time for a change.

The provincial Liberal candidate in Leeds-Grenville says Ontario needs a fiscally-responsible government that will make up for eight years of cutting and spending done by the Progressive Conservatives under premiers Mike Harris and Ernie Eves.

Mazurek, CO-owner of Tait's Bakery in Brockville, said the Tories have practised "government by crisis" and lack long-term vision. Education, health care, hydro, water and meat inspections were cited by Mazurek as areas in which the Conservatives have lost the trust of Ontarians.

The Liberals are pledging more doctors and nurses, shorter waiting lists and better access to emergency medical care.

Mazurek told The Journal the Liberals can hold the line on taxes while being more responsible with existing resources. He said he would like to be able to say the Liberals will cut taxes, but that is just not possible. The province cannot afford additional tax cuts or corporate tax breaks, according to Mazurek.

The first-time candidate is up against incumbent Bob Runciman, who has served in the Ontario Legislature since 1981. The Liberal candidate said Runciman is part of a government that is "definitely out of steam" after eight years and is "on the road to nowhere."

Many high-paying jobs have been lost in the riding and replaced by lower-paying positions, according to Mazurek. He said the Liberals under Dalton McGuinty will focus on economic opportunity for all areas. "I don't want to put one region of the riding against another," Mazurek remarked.

He added people who live in the Prescott area have a right to be annoyed by the Conservative government. Unloading an old sewage treatment plant onto the town was irresponsible, according to Mazurek. The Liberal candidate said he was surprised by the extent of the town's economic woes as told to him by people he talked to in Prescott last week.

Mazurek said he is pleased by how the campaign has opened. The Liberal candidate believes his chances of success on voting day are very good.

"I'll work as hard as Mr. Runciman has," said Mazurek, who questions the effect the incumbent would have should there be a Liberal sweep and he is forced to serve in opposition.

Festival volunteers to meet Sept. 18

PRESCOTT ­ Anyone interested in becoming involved with next year's St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival is invited to attend a volunteers meeting Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7 pm in the St. John's Anglican Church Hall on James Street.

The inaugural festival, which took place in June and July at the amphitheatre on Prescott's waterfront, attracted a total of nearly 2,000 people over its 18-performance run.

Skateboard park receives $20,000 from town

Prescott council agrees to loan, half of which will not have to be repaid

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ Supporters of the Prescott Kiwanis Skateboard Park went to town council Monday night to seek financial support and did not leave disappointed.

Council agreed to extend the new facility a loan of $20,000, of which $10,000 is to be repaid in 2004 and the rest will be forgiven and considered a recreation grant.

Nancy Lane, who has been credited as the driving force behind the project, told council the group believed it would have enough money from fundraising efforts to complete construction of the park in the north-end fields area at Kriska. The group had raised more than $62,000 in cash, including $20,900 in local donations and an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant of $25,000.

However, Lane indicated the group needed more than $80,000 to complete the first phase of construction.

When asked to help make up the $19,000-plus difference, council opted in favour of a suggestion made by Councillor Garry Dewar to provide a loan and write off half the amount.

More than two dozen youngsters and adults who support the skateboard park project burst into applause when council voted in favour of the financial aid package.

"We are all in awe of what you have accomplished," Mayor Robert Lawn told Lane and the others.

Lane said the support her group has received from the community has been "amazing." Companies have offered to do work or provide supplies at discount prices or as donations; Lane commented she has learned more about the generosity of Prescott this past year than in all her 14 years living here.

"I feel like crying," she said.

Council members praised the effort that has gone into the multi-use facility that focuses on but is not limited to skateboards. Councillor Terry McConnell said he was overwhelmed by what he saw and the fact volunteers are putting it together.

"It will be the best park between Trenton and Ottawa," Lane remarked.

It was also noted in-kind donations of labour and other items totals more than $73,000, making the first phase of the project valued at more than $136,000.

The grand opening of the skateboard park is now set for Sept. 27.

Stop signs to be placed at Massie Drive

PRESCOTT ­ Town council has endorsed a recommendation to place stop signs on Churchill Road at Massie Drive.

Council voted Monday night to accept a report from Police Chief Bryan Somerville. In that report, the chief indicates he and Town Engineer Clyde Solomon agree it would be better to put the stop signs up at Massie instead of at Mackenzie Road.

A petition presented to council earlier this summer by a group of Churchill Road-area residents called on council to give the green light to stop signs at Mackenzie as a way of slowing down vehicles on Churchill and improving public safety.

Somerville agrees there are a number of reasons to erect stop signs in that area. However, he notes a number of reasons supporting the Massie proposal.

"There appears to be more intersection room at Massie than at Mackenzie to facilitate stopped vehicles," notes the chief, who adds Howe Terrace intersects Churchill between the two routes in question.

Somerville also notes the placement of stop signs and signs indicating "new" stop signs are ahead can be done at Massie "...with very little disruption to persons having residences in the area.

The chief concludes by stating stop signs at Massie should accomplish what is being sought in the petition.

Councillor Terry McConnell, chair of the town's transportation and environmental services committee, said at the meeting the chief has come up with some very good and logical reasons for putting the stop signs at Massie. McConnell noted the next move will be for council to amend its traffic bylaw to accommodate the change on Churchill. Amending the bylaw is expected to be on the agenda at the Sept. 22 council meeting.

Plans are in the works to place signs in the area to alert motorists to be on the lookout for children playing and to drive slowly. There are also no speed limit signs on that stretch of Churchill.

Mayfield expansion plan to be discussed

PRESCOTT ­ A public meeting will be held Sept. 22 to deal with a proposal to build an extension to Mayfield Retirement Home.

The extension would be added to the front of the building facing Park Street. There would be a net gain of 12 rooms.

The proposal would also maintain and enhance the heritage aspect of the building, Town CAO/Clerk Robert Haller reported to Prescott council Monday night.

In order for the extension to proceed, an application to redefine the residential zoning for that location must be approved by council.

The Sept. 22 public meeting would open the regular council meeting planned for that night at the health centre on King Street West.

A bylaw relating to the rezoning application is expected to be introduced later that night.

DuPont open house includes bus tour of Maitland facility

Saturday event part of 50th anniversary celebrations

MAITLAND ­ The public will get an inside glimpse of DuPont operations at an open house this Saturday, Sept. 13 in celebration of the company's 50th anniversary.

Half-hour guided bus tours of the Maitland plant will include stops at the engineering polymers, fluoro chemicals, nylon intermediates and hydrogen peroxide (Kemira) facilities, as well as the power house.

The County Road 2 site will be open from 10 am to 4 pm; the last bus tour begins at 3:30 pm.

The public can also expect to see a variety of product displays; employees' antique vehicles; an arts and crafts display by employees pensioners and family members; the Jeff Gordon NASCAR; Neil Black's drag racing car; DuPont's Chemical Emergency Response Team vehicle and Maitland Site fire truck. There will also be a Fun With Science program for children and a variety of entertainment provided by The Celtic Heirs, Brockville Concert Band and Paul McIntyre.

Refreshments and anniversary cake will be available in the cafeteria, where lunch can also be purchased.

Site Manager Joe Hendriks and Human Resources Manager Bill Byker will make presentations at 10:30 am, 1 pm and 2:30 pm on the recent restructuring announcements at DuPont. Prize draws will take place at 3 pm.

Jobless rate rises to 6.9 per cent

KINGSTON ­ The regional unemployment rate increased slightly in August, according to figures released by Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

The jobless rate for the region that includes South Grenville was 6.9 per cent last month, up from 6.8 per cent in July.

HRDC reported a large increase in the number of people in the labour force in August. The number of people employed was also much higher last month, a fact which prevented a significant rise in the jobless rate. The goods-producing sector (including manufacturing and construction) recorded the biggest employment gains. Trade, accommodation and food services recorded slight losses.

The regional unemployment rate in August 2002 was 6.7 per cent.

As for last month's Employment Insurance (EI) claimants, all HRDC offices in the Kingston-Pembroke management area reported increases. The Prescott office had a total of 882 regular and special EI benefit claimants at the end of August compared to 835 at the end of July. The overall increase in claims in the region was 7.1 per cent.

HRDC notes the unemployment rate is not determined through assessment of EI claimant data.

Historic house tour features early-Ontario stone cottages

Five homes in the spotlight at annual event Sept. 20

PRESCOTT ­ A haunted house is one of the five featured homes on the annual historic house tour in Prescott Saturday, Sept. 20.

The Grenville County Historical Society is presenting the seventh annual tour from 1 to 4 pm that will give visitors a look into the past and the structures that played a role in shaping Prescott.

The featured homes are as follows:

* While former owners claim to have seen the ghost of a young woman in the Robert Headlam house at 569 Centre St., the current residents enjoy a peaceful existence in this early Ontario rubble stone cottage. The home was built in the late 1830s for Headlam, a prominent citizen who was town clerk, treasurer, assessor and collector and Prescott Vanguard newspaper owner. The home contains a double livingroom and three fireplaces, including a cooking fireplace and a beehive oven in the kitchen.

* The second Ontario cottage-style stone home on the tour is Hart House, at 693 King St. W. This property was first given as a Crown grant to Capt. Nicholas Mosher, and the house was built between 1836 and 1838 by Scottish stone masons, as was the Headlam house. The house features a central gable over the front entrance to allow extra light into the upper half-storey and to protect the doorway from weather.

* The former Anglican church rectory at 147 Dibble St. W. is a two-storey stone house built about 1836. The house was purchased from Sophia French in 1891 for use as a rectory for St. John's Church until it was sold to private owners in 2001. The stately structure stands behind a wrought iron fence with an impressive entranceway.

* Nesfield House at 672 Henry St. W. has been restored by the present owners and named for Nesfield Ward, a former owner. The earliest part of this rubble stone house was built in 1840, with an addition built in 1900. The house has many surprises and interesting details, including the hobby practised by the lady of the house.

* In striking contrast to the four historic stone houses, the final offering is a frame Cape Cod-style house from 1986, complete with dormer windows in the peak roof, all nestled within beautiful flower gardens. Libby House at 165 Kingston Cr. shows the changes in architecture throughout the century, with its grey siding and double-car garage.

Tickets for the tour are available at Crane House (headquarters of the historical society) by calling 925-0489 or 925-2914, Young's of Prescott or Flower World in Prescott. Each ticket is a brochure describing the individual houses and showing the location on a map. Traditional afternoon tea served at Walker House is included in the admission fee.

Houses may be visited in any order; visitors are asked not to take photographs inside the homes.

The tour is open to anyone 13 and over.

Tree-lighting added to Santa Claus parade night

PRESCOTT ­ A public tree-lighting ceremony in the clock tower square will be added to this year's Light Up the Night parade.

The annual event will be held Friday, Nov. 21. This marks the 50th year the Prescott Fire Department will be presenting a holiday season parade.

Event co-chair Barry Moorhouse told town council Monday a decision was made to drop the entertainment segment of Light Up the Night. The Fort Town Boosters led by Greg Adams had indicated they would no longer be organizing that portion of the annual event.

With the loss of the pre-parade entertainment, more emphasis can now be placed on decorating the tree in the parking lot, according to Moorhouse. There was talk of holding the lighting ceremony on a different night a week before the parade, but organizers opted to have the lighting take place just prior to the start of the parade.

The night-time parade will once again form at South Grenville District High School and head south on Edward Street beginning at about 7 pm. The route remains unchanged.

Moorhouse noted the annual event draws up to 15,000 people. He said organizers continue to receive plenty of good feedback from the public.

Ken Burton is the other co-chair of the 2003 parade.

Fish and game club has expansion plans

MAYNARD ­ Augusta council liked what it heard Monday night about the Grenville Fish and Game Club's expansion plans and passed a resolution to enter into a site plan agreement with the group.

Club representative Lynn Holmes asked council for some relief with permit fees to build the structure that would house its 26-foot Little Dreamer pontoon boat and trailer, which is used for fishing excursions and adventures for youth groups and challenged individuals. The building would also act as a storage facility, indoor archery range and shooting shed, and would be located south of the existing club house on North Campbell Road.

The shed would serve to substantially "deaden" the noise from shooting, Holmes said.

The volunteer organization has about 560 members involved in such community outreach activities as sponsoring blood donor clinics and sporting teams, garbage collection on township roads, fundraising for other charities and kayaking programs.

The Prescott blood donor clinics organized by the club have earned the title as being the number-one clinic per capita in all of Ontario, Holmes said. The club is also recognized as being the safest and largest in all of Eastern Ontario, he added.

"The fish and game club can be part of the community," Holmes said. "I think we're on the right track; we don't want to stop."

Councillor Bill Buckler said he is aware of the good the group does in the community and wished the club his best with its plans.

The proposal to build the shed was expected to be put before the fish and game club membership for its approval at its meeting Tuesday.

Prescott's small-town atmosphere impresses cross-Canada travellers

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - A couple from British Columbia is making dreams come true as it made a stop in Prescott Thursday during their trip across Canada.

David and Barb Rees of Powell River have been on the road in their RV since June 21 living out their dream to travel across Canada stopping to open a booth at various farmers markets across the country.

"For us the only way to cross Canada was like this," said Barb, "and the only way for us to do so is to work."

So far on the journey, the couple has worked at 25 markets along the way, not making back their booth fee only once.

"Selling my husband's drift wood art and my jewellery, crafts and my first book is how we've made money for gas for each part of our trip," said Barb. "Also, I am writing a second book on the trip which will be done in the spring which I'm calling 'RVing across Canada on a Dime and a Dream,' which will tell about our trip."

Back home, Barb is an author and speaker who also teaches a writing workshop, while her husband David used to work in a mill and now works collecting drift wood and creating his artwork.

For the Reeses who are making their first stop in Prescott, they have enjoyed the small-town atmosphere and older architecture.

"Everyone has been so friendly," said Barb. "We've gotten to know so many people and they've treated us like family. When we called the town office about the permit for the booth, they were so extra helpful and nice and really went out of their way to help us out."

David added," It's also very pretty here; it really compares to the coast except for the winter here being a little bit longer. We've had some good experiences and it's a big change from my working life where I worked strictly in a mill. Now I'm out and meeting the public, interacting and finding out I can do that as well."

Despite minor complaints such as the bumpy roads along the long trip across the country the Reeses have had little reason to complain during their dream trip.

"We've really enjoyed P.E.I., Halifax, Kenora and all along the St. Lawrence because it's so beautiful here," said David. "We made sure to get off the 401 to come along here and do some sightseeing."

Barb added, "It's been fun. We had some lessons we've had to learn, but it's an experience we wouldn't miss for the world."

The Reeses who have made their way as far east as Halifax will be continuing to stop at markets along their way home in hopes of reaching Powell River by mid-October in order to beat the winter weather.

Council hears more concerns about noise from plant

MAYNARD ­ A township resident is wondering "when in hell" the noise generating from the Maitland Ultramar plant is going to stop.

Maitland resident Glen Kirkland told Augusta Township council Monday night noise from trucks and shunting operations has become "outrageous."

While the heating oil distribution company has specified hours for shunting trains, Kirkland noted recent instances in which Ultramar had unloaded at 8:42 pm and 5 am.

He also said Ultramar has plans to add another loading ramp and tanks.

Kirkland claimed the company is "not paying any attention to council. Once they get their foot in the door they're just going to keep going."

The number of trucks in and out of the plant daily is also increasing, he said.

"It's just like the 401; believe me."

Kirkland also questioned the lack of gates and security at the plant.

Sound barriers at the plant seem to amplify the noise from train whistles, he added.

Although Augusta Township council did not address Kirkland's comments at the meeting Monday night, it has made its concerns known to the Ministry of the Environment, which has received an application from Ultramar requesting increased hours for shunting operations at the Maitland plant.

The $25-million plant opened about one year ago.

Train whistle issue is on track in Augusta

MAYNARD ­ The fight to silence train whistles in Augusta Township is back on the rails.

Augusta council agreed at its Monday night meeting to provide three council members to join a citizens committee that would re-visit the train whistle issue.

Riverview Heights resident Peter White asked for council's blessing to strike the joint committee to address and clarify issues such as cost, liability and safety. He noted Brockville has been successful in its bid to end the noise at railroad crossings in that city, and Prescott has been investigating similar action in town.

Some of the 440 people who had signed a petition requesting council work toward halting the whistles have been inquiring about progress on the issue, he added.

White reminded council it had passed a resolution in Nov. 2001 to request the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville to reconsider its opposition to conducting a feasibility study which would determine requirements for halting train whistles in the township. Three of five Augusta crossings are at county roads.

Councillor Jane Fullarton, who is on record as supporting an end to train whistling in the township, agreed to join the committee, along with Councillor Bill Buckler and Deputy Reeve Doug Barton.

Town backs union in fight for BPH jobs

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ Town council supports the effort by the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU) to retain jobs at Brockville Psychiatric Hospital (BPH).

Council's endorsement came Monday night following a presentation by Bob Eaton, regional vice-president of OPSEU.

Eaton said the union was prepared to celebrate after the Royal Ottawa Hospital (ROH), the organization that operates BPH, had reportedly indicated the 400 workers at BPH would continue to have jobs despite concerns about layoffs at the site.

However, that changed when an ROH release issued last week indicated 149 jobs would be lost as a result of the development of the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional Treatment Centre at the BPH site. Although there will be a net gain as a result of the new centre, many of the jobs being created will go to unionized correctional workers being displaced by jail closures in other locations in Ontario.

Eaton noted many of the workers at BPH live in the Prescott area. BPH has a payroll of $15 million. "These are real people with real jobs..." he said.

"You (council) are community leaders with leverage," Eaton added.

The resolution approved by council states the town strongly supports OPSEU's effort to retain "quality, well-paying employment" at BPH and notes concerns about increased social assistance costs that could result from job losses at the Brockville facility. Public Safety and Security Minister and Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman, who is seeking re-election, is to be advised of council's position.

Eaton said the union is not fear-mongering as has been charged by ROH. He stated ROH is guilty of "mental torture and anguish" when it comes to the treatment of workers at BPH. "The employer has not been straight up," he said.

Since BPH was privatized, workers have gone 30 months without a new collective bargaining agreement. Eaton said the situation is unheard of and frustrating.

Supporting food bank is bottom line

PRESCOTT ­ They will be lining up early next month to help South Grenville's food bank.

The first annual Bottom Line Challenge will take place Saturday, Oct. 4 at O'Reilly's Your Independent Grocer. Groups and organizations are being invited to collect non-perishable food items and take them to the grocery store parking lot the morning of the event.

Collected items will be placed on a line on the ground. Participants will also be given space at the site to showcase their groups.

For more information on the Bottom Line or to register, call Bonnie at 925-2444 or 348-1409. See upcoming editions of The Journal for more details. The event is being sponsored by 101.5 The Fox, O'Reilly's and The Journal.

Rural school funding boost still not enough

Catholic board says extra money falls short of need

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ At least one district school board in the region has not given a passing grade to rural education funding increases announced Aug. 30 by the Ontario government.

The Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario was allocated an additional $1.8 million in 2003-04 as part of $50 million in new funding for a rural education strategy. However, the board indicated last week the additional funding does not come close to providing the support needed to run the many small rural schools in its jurisdiction.

Of the $1.8-million allocation, more than $1.4 million has already been received. "While we are pleased to receive any new grant money, $375,417 is far below our expectations," board Chair Ron Eamer stated in a news release issued Thursday.

The Catholic board covers eight mostly rural counties, including Leeds and Grenville. Eamer noted the board's proximity to Ottawa negatively affects its remote and rural education allocation, a problem the board and its public counterpart in the region has faced for five years.

The Upper Canada District School Board will receive an additional $1.6 million in 2003-04. French public and French Catholic district school boards in Eastern Ontario were allocated an additional $4.8 and $2.8 million respectively.

Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman indicated in an Aug. 30 news release students in the region will benefit from the additional funding. "We have set high standards for our students and are committed to giving the resources that they need to meet the challenges of the new curriculum," Runciman stated.

Greg McNally, Catholic board director of education, said flaws in the funding formula have cost the organization millions of dollars in recent years.

Adding $50 million to the provincial pot for rural education is not enough, according to McNally. "This is a beginning but we still have a long way to go," he stated.

The Catholic board operates St. Joseph and St. Mark elementary schools in Prescott. The Upper Canada board has ten schools in South Grenville.

Blood donor clinic returns to Prescott

PRESCOTT ­ A blood donor clinic will be held in Prescott later this month.

Canadian Blood Services (CBS) will be at South Grenville District High School Thursday, Sept. 25 from 2 to 8 pm.

Donors are needed more than ever as the need for blood continues to rise at a higher rate than donations. All blood types are in demand.

The Sept. 25 clinic is sponsored by the Grenville Fish and Game Club and the Kinsmen Club of Prescott. The goal is to collect 126 units.

Donors are encouraged to book an appointment time; to do so or for more information, call CBS at 1-800-263-6283.

Ducks Unlimited dinner moved back

ROEBUCK - The annual Ducks Unlimited dinner, which is normally held at the end of September, will this year be held in November.

The dinner is scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Roebuck Hall.

Ambassador will be crowned Friday

Pageant includes family entertainment and popular Little Sir and Little Miss competition at arena

SPENCERVILLE - Six young women will be competing in this year's Spencerville Fair Ambassador competition.

The ambassador pageant is a highlight of the fair, and will take to the stage at the Edwardsburgh Community Centre (arena) this Friday, Sept. 12 at 7 pm.

The traditional Little Sir and Little Miss Pageant will open the family-oriented program, to be followed by the ambassador crowning and musical entertainment.

Although the former queen pageant was renamed in recent years to mark the eligibility of male contestants, no young men registered to compete again this year.

Here is the list of competitors:

* Christina Conklin, 17, is sponsored by Nation Masonic Lodge and is currently completing her Grade 12 by correspondence while she works at a Kingston law office. She aspires to become a law clerk.

Christina was crowned the 2003-2004 CAVRA queen at the Canadian American Veterans Reunion Association held in Prescott in June.

In her spare time, Christina has volunteered at Riverfest as a member of the Brockville Youth Volunteer Corps, and has also volunteered with the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association at its annual tournament in Cardinal.

She has been a member of OSAID, the yearbook committee and Giant Fusion at South Grenville District High School. Christina has participated in and raised funds for the Relay for Life cancer event, and she also enjoys watching hockey, playing basketball, four-wheeling, listening to country music and spending time with family and friends.

* Ashley Couperus of RR 4 Prescott is 17 and the daughter of Joe and Yvonne Couperus. She is a Grade 12 student at South Grenville District High School and is sponsored by Edwardsburgh Lions Club. Ashley has been an honours student, and has taken part in many leadership camps and enrichment courses. She is also a member of the air cadet squadron, and participates in that group's many activities, including Canada Clean-up. While attending South Edwardsburg Public School, Ashley helped out with the fall fair activities.

Besides her employment at Burger King, Ashley provides child care for a number of families. Playing tennis, soccer, badminton and baseball fills out her spare time.

Ashley would like to be a veterinarian technician, as well as have a home, be married and have a family.

* Kristy Farrell is the daughter of Robert and Sheila Farrell of RR 4 Spencerville. The 17-year-old Grade 12 student at South Grenville District High School is sponsored by the Spencerville Mill Foundation.

She enjoys team sports, canoeing, swimming, hiking, dancing, meeting new people, being with family and friends, watching movies, writing stories, new explorations, reading novels and travelling. Kristy hopes to attend university to study outdoor recreation, leisure and tourism.

Her community involvement activities have included the Spencerville Winter Carnival Committee, 4-H clubs, Shanly United Church, Grade 9 mentoring, South Grenville Spirit of Giving, Grade 11 peer tutoring, student council, World Vision and a 24-hour cancer walk fundraiser. She is the 2003-2004 president of the Spencerville Stars Octagon Club and a member of the Friends of the Edwardsburgh Public Library.

Kristy was employed at Rideau Hill Camp for the 2002 and 2003 summers. An honours student, Kristy has participated in many leadership camps and enrichment courses.

* Natasha Holmes is sponsored by Spencerville Branch 604 of the Royal Canadian Legion. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Sue and Eddie Holmes of Brouseville Road.

The Grade 13 graduate of South Grenville District High School aspires to become a singer and dancer. She also enjoys collecting dolphins and all styles of music.

* Chelsea Knapp, 17, is the daughter of Ron and Kathy Knapp of RR 2 Spencerville. She is sponsored by the Edwardsburgh Figure Skating Club.

A Grade 12 student at South Grenville District High School, Chelsea plans to attend the University of Guelph and study to become an equine veterinarian. She loves horses and has been riding for most of her life. She is also involved in the standardbred racing world. Other interests include school science, reading, music, animals, the outdoors, playing and coaching soccer, helping others, being with friends, sports, organizing activities and generally keeping busy.

Besides coaching a soccer team for the Prescott and District Soccer Association and the high school's junior girls soccer team, Chelsea has volunteered at the Prescott Animal Hospital. She worked at two riding camps this summer, teaching stable management.

She is sharpening her soccer and leadership skills by helping out with the junior boys soccer team after school.

* Alison Polasz of RR 4 Prescott is the daughter of Adam and April Polasz. The 16-year-old student in Grade 12 at St. Mary Catholic High School is sponsored by the Spencerville and District Optimist Club.

Her future ambitions include studying French and other languages at McGill University to become an interpreter. She has been in extended French and French immersion for seven years.

Interests and activities include taekwondo (she has a blue belt), yoga, student council, studying French. Alison is also part of the Social Justice Club, which tries to help the community by reducing pollution and waste and by creating awareness.

She was a member of a poverty exposure trip intended to educate on the problems people are faced with today in Mexico. Alison also helped organize OSAID at her school. She is employed by Brockvegas Pitas.

Musical gospel service Sunday

SPENCERVILLE ­ The Gloryland Quartet of Brockville will be presenting a musical service at the Spencerville arena Sunday, Sept. 14 at 11 am.

Congregational singing will be included in the service.

Additional musical selections will be presented by Steve and Terry Klein, Joan and Alan Litchfield and Betty Carmichael.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Making hay to promote the fair

SPENCERVILLE ­ Check out this year's entries in the Spencerville Fair Porch, Lane and Bale Decorating Contest.

The 2003 displays are located at:

* 1803 County Rd. 21 (Shanliwood Baptist Church)

* 2601 Goodin Rd. (Skinkle family)

* 2405 Jochems Rd. W. (Beking family)

* 7672 County Rd. 26 (Beckstead/Madden families)

* 2901 County Rd. 15 (Connell family)

Each entry promotes the 148th edition of the fair, which opens Thursday.

PRESCOTT POLICE SERVICE NEWS

Pick-up truck leaves scene of collision

PRESCOTT ­ The driver of a white pick-up truck is being sought in connection with a hit-and-run collision that occurred last week.

The collision occurred Sept. 2 at the intersection of Edward Street and Victor Road. A white GMC pick-up was eastbound on Victor and proceeded through the intersection when it struck a southbound vehicle. The truck was last seen heading north on Edward. The licence plate might contain the letter F and number 5 and is likely to have a damaged front end. Constable Mike Lapensee is investigating.

In all, officers with the Prescott Police Service investigated 106 general incidents and two motor vehicle collisions during the week of Sept. 1.

The theft of a large sum of money from one of the Mac's Milk stores in town was reported Sept. 2. Constable Lapensee is the investigating officer.

A James Street East residence was broken into, police were advised Sept. 2. A wallet containing personal identification was taken. Keys and a small amount change was taken from an unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway. The break-in is being investigated by Constable Mike Ostrander.

A domestic assault at a James Street East residence was reported Sept. 3. A 48-year-old woman was arrested for assault with a weapon and threatening. She was later released on conditions and will appear in court at a later date. Police say the victim, a 49-year-old man, received minor injuries. No names were released. Constable Ostrander is investigating.

A fraudulent cheque cashed July 30 at a King Street business has led to an arrest. Ryan Roberts, 20, of Prescott has been charged with fraud and will appear in court at a later date. This case is also being investigated by Constable Ostrander.

Lawn ornaments were taken from the front yard of a Churchill Road residence. Police received the report Sept. 2; Chief Bryan Somerville is investigating.

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.

Pick-up stolen

EDWARDSBURGH ­ A pick-up truck was stolen from a Pittston Road residence shortly after midnight Sept. 1. The red 1990 Chevrolet bearing Ontario plates FM6305 was last seen travelling towards Winchester.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Grenville County OPP at 925-4221.

Police seek information on missing 14-year-old girl

PRESCOTT ­ Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a 14-year-old girl who used to live in a group home in Prescott.

Kathryn Chmilewski is described as being five feet, six inches tall and weighing about 110 lbs. The native has long dark hair; the back of her head might be clean shaven, something that would be noticeable when her hair is in a pony tail.

The missing girl is a ward of Family and Children's Services in Kapuskasing. It has been reported she is now living with a 19-year-old man in the Ottawa area. The living arrangement is with her consent, according to the Prescott Police Service.

A news release also indicated the missing girl has maintained some contact with family living in the Brantford area.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Kathryn Chmilewski is asked to contact town police at 925-4252.

Nails put in tires

AUGUSTA ­ Grenville County OPP are investigating an incident that occurred at a Lords Mill Road home Sept. 7.

Someone put nails in the tires of three vehicles parked at the residence.

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

Valley Writers' Guild opens book on new season

KEMPTVILLE ­ The Valley Writers' Guild will begins its 13th season with a get-together Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2 pm at St. John's United Church on Prescott Street in Kemptville.

The guest speaker will be Susan Mackie, author of Don't Get Me Started: Reflections of a Country Columnist.

The book is a collection of columns she wrote for The Lanark Era newspaper.

Mackie is editor of Leader, the national magazine of Scouts Canada.

Anyone interested in writing is invited to come see what the guild is all about.

There is an admission fee for non-members.

Travel information centre open daily

JOHNSTOWN ­ The Ontario Travel Information Centre in Johnstown will remain open until Thanksgiving (Oct. 13).

The provincial centre, located on Highway 16, is open daily from 8:30 am to 5 pm. The facility offers a wide range of services of interest to tourists and local residents.

Take Back the Night tries to deliver anti-violence message to community

BROCKVILLE ­ An annual event to raise awareness of violence against women and children is set for later this month.

Take Back the Night will take place Friday, Sept. 26 at Blockhouse Island in Brockville.

According to Statistics Canada in 1993, more than half of all Canadian women had experienced at least one incident of sexual or physical violence. A sampling of police departments revealed youths accounted for 60 per cent of sexual assault victims and 20 per cent of physical assault victims.

The purpose of Take Back the Night is to remind the public violence still exists even with the gains women have made in society.

The Leeds and Grenville event, one of many being held in Canada and the United States, is being organized by the Assault Response and Care Centre and Interval House. In additional to a march, the program includes speakers, music and a candlelight vigil. Female artisans will be on hand to showcase their work as a tribute to the accomplishments of women.

Although it is noted men who support the anti-violence theme are welcome to attend, they are asked not to take part in the march. The wearing of symbolic white ribbons to support women's efforts is encouraged.

In the event of rain, Take Back the Night will be based at Wall Street United Church. For more information, contact Ev at the Assault Response and Care Centre (345-3881) or Lin at Interval House (342-4724).

Rotary considers tournament a success

PRESCOTT - The Prescott Rotary Club's Labour Day Golf Tournament is being called a success.

More than 70 golfers took part in the tournament with little expectations regarding the attendance due to the holiday.

"You never know what you're going to get when you have a holiday," said Rotary Club member Ken Durand, "but we're satisfied with the numbers."

Durand indicated the club wasn't sure of how it did in the fundraising department.

"We don't really know yet," said Durand. "We haven't paid all the expenses and figured everything out yet. I'm pretty sure we made some money, but we just don't know how much.

"We considered it a successful day."

Recent trip to Stratford was entertaining

WALKER HOUSE NEWS by MARNIE LIPPIATT

All those who travelled to Stratford with us saw a wonderful musical in "The King and I." The costumes and stage settings were quite amazing. "The Taming of the Shrew," while not traditional, was certainly entertaining.

We were fortunate to have a little look behind the scenes by touring the costume warehouse. It is really amazing how they produce some of their effects. While trying on a few of the costumes, we also came to appreciate the presence of an actor. Our detour to the Cullen Gardens was also a welcome break on the trip home.

We plan to walk as a group for a short time on the heritage walk in the Terry Fox Run. If you can join us, please call and sign up at 925-5300.

We still need a few people to help serve at the historical house tour tea to be held Saturday, Sept. 20. We also need a few more goodies to serve. Please call if you are able to help us in some way.

Tickets for the tour are available at the office.

Card game winners: Monday bridge - 1st, Ed Zackon; 2nd, Audrey Kingston; door prize Jim Campbell. Fun bridge - 1st, Jean Farlinger. Wednesday night bridge - 1st, Harry Nesbitt; 2nd, Andy Britnell; door, Kitty Wormington. Thursday night euchre - 1st, Eleanor Gilligan; 2nd, Jean Annable; 3rd, Marie Shahan; door, Bernice Arcand.

Bounties on fishers and foxes just a rumour

Cougars not being released to control deer: ministry

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SOUTH GRENVILLE - The Ministry of Natural Resources has denied rumours of bounties being placed on foxes with mange and fishers.

"There is absolutely no truth in that," explained South East area biologist for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Scott Smithers. "There are no bounties in the Kemptville and District right now. The telemetry study on fishers is only about half way into it, with collars on 50 fishers south of Kemptville in the Augusta area."

Smithers explained the study is scheduled to run 18 months with the completion date set for fall 2004. The thesis from the study is likely to be finished by the end of 2004.

"Everything of late has been quiet on fishers," said Smithers. "There are a lot of them in the area, but most of our complaints don't come until winter when food is more scarce.

"Right now after using a variety of different devices it appears the fisher population has been in decline since 2001," said Smithers. "It's likely a result of the decrease in the snowshoe hare population which is their number one forage item."

Local trapper Darcy Alkerton indicated rumours like this happen fairly frequently and that, if anything, the fox population is better than in previous years.

"It was worse about three years ago," explained Alkerton. "I've been catching foxes every day with more without mange than with. Mange comes from population levels and they pass it quite easily sometimes picking up the tick if one fox rubs in the same area as another that had mange. We still get some calls from the west end of Prescott in the Riverview Heights area with foxes with mange, but there are way more without it."

The ministry also denied another rumour making the rounds which indicates cougars were being released in the area to take care of the deer population.

Alkerton also agreed with the ministry, stating there is no way cougars would be introduced to the area.

"Cougars are man killers," said Alkerton. "If we have cougars here it's because there is food here and they're going to go where the food is. I would think public safety would be the ministry's number one concern, so they wouldn't introduce something like cougars here."

New pre-school program starts next Tuesday

SHANLY ­ Arts and crafts, music and nature excursions will be part of the fun planned for a new pre-school program presented by Shanliwood Baptist Church.

Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16, and continuing each Tuesday following, pre-schoolers and their parents or caregivers are invited to the church at 1803 County Rd. 21. The pre-school runs from 9:30 to 11:30 am.

Children will also be able to experience movement exercises, learning centres and other activities. A snack will be served.

Leave a message for Joan at 658-2322 for more information.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"We are all in awe of what you have accomplished."

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn, recognizing the work involved in establishing the skateboard park

Editor's Notebook

ELECTION FEAST AND FAMINE: Although there is still a chance one or more of the four declared candidates for reeve of Augusta Township will have a change of heart between now and Sept. 26, it is likely voters will have several options from which to choose when they elect the head of council for the next three years.

A similar situation appears to be shaping up in Prescott, where there are at least six declared or almost-declared candidates for the six councillor seats on town council.

Unfortunately, some of the other positions on local councils could be acclaimed. As of the beginning of this week, there were not enough candidates to fill the three councillor seats in Augusta. Most other positions have one declared candidate or an incumbent who is expected to seek re-election.

It would be a shame to lose people with experience, fresh ideas or the willingness to do an often thankless job on behalf of the community, especially at a time when other council spots are acclaimed. Candidates have every right to decide which position they will seek, but we hope municipalities in South Grenville do not end up with too much of one thing and not enough of another.

There can only be one mayor or reeve or ward councillor at a time; we hope some of those who truly believe they are capable of representing the best interests of their community will consider whether running for a different position might be a better way to go.

There will always be a few candidates who wait until the last minute to submit their nomination papers, but it would be a shame to have Sept. 26 come and go without that last-minute influx. If you are willing and able to serve, pick your spot carefully (but soon) and give it a shot.

NO SHORTAGE OF MATERIAL: Mid-September tends to be a busy time in these parts, what with the beginning of school, the start-up of many service clubs and seasonal sporting activities and, of course, the annual Spencerville Fair.

Throw a provincial election campaign and nominations for the municipal election in November into the mix, and the result for local assignment editors is the need for extra space and a few extra hours in the day.

We at The Journal will try to provide extensive coverage of what will be some of the most significant events of the year in South Grenville. We also seek to cover other subjects as much as possible during this period of increased activity. There might be times when certain items are held in order to deal with more time-sensitive material, and we hope those involved will understand and be patient.

Tim Ruhnke

Frosh Week boozefest all fun and games until someone dies

THE NEW GUY by Tim Ruhnke

One of my colleagues noted a milestone birthday recently, and although I am not old enough to identify with her "achievement" of sorts I can identify with the feeling one gets when he or she realizes the days of being young are barely visible in the rear-view mirror.

At a recent photo shoot, I met a young woman who noted she was missing "Frosh Week," that coming-of-age experience many of us try to forget within moments of it happening (or are able to forget because we are too blotto to remember). As she noted her absence from the week from hell, I realized it was almost 20 years to the day since I had begun the rude awakening that was university. As if viewing the moonscape of east-end Sudbury in person for the first time was not reason enough to turn the car around, my arrival in residence was quite the shocking experience. Entering the six-person apartment, one's attention was drawn to the straw that almost covered the hallway floor. (It seems there had been some Hawaiian-type event the previous night.) The straw was, in fact, an early indication of the barnyard atmosphere prevalent for much of the year in that apartment... and I will not deny being one of the animals.

Twenty years ago, drinking in rez (and especially during Frosh Week) was mandatory. University hierarchy did not appear to be at all concerned about the widespread boozing and related stupidity that flowed like nickel out of INCO. So what if I was under the legal drinking age... do you think a legal technicality like that means squat when it's time to bring out the old funnel? Fortunately, I was spared most of the pain by avoiding the events and concentrating on becoming a loner type. My three fellow frisk roommates were pretty good about my reluctance to drink, although there was a brief time during which force-feeding me rye was mandatory. I never did develop a taste for CC, and I was a real social outcast for being in Northern Ontario and not liking beer. Having already developed a taste for rum and Coke during the occasional Friday night get-together in high school, though, I managed to avoid being totally ostracized from residence life.

The school-sanctioned boozing was cut back drastically the following year when a student from Ottawa was killed on the road connecting Laurentian to the rest of Sudbury. His residence mate was seriously injured and later convicted of impaired driving. The drinking has never really stopped, but thankfully Frosh Week is not what it used to be.

Thousands crowd to official opening of waterfront park in 1963

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Sept. 9, 1943

* Edwardsburgh Township Reeve Jas. M. Dobbie presided over the regular council meeting, which authorized the appointment of J.A. Gilmoure as tax collector for the year for the sum of $325 plus postage.

Sept. 12, 1963

* Grenville County's biggest family picnic was a walloping success as an estimated 3,250 citizens visited the new park on the St. Lawrence about four miles east of Prescott. Guest speakers at the opening were Prescott Journal Editor J.A. Morris, former Prescott mayor Lee McKnight, who is also the county's representative of the Ontario-St. Lawrence Development Commission and Prescott Chamber President Ron Thomas. Entertainment was provided by the SGDHS band, Kemptville Legion pipe band and Prescott Citizens Band.

Sept. 12, 1973

* A full-time bylaw enforcement officer and building inspector is being sought by Augusta Township, following the resignation of Clayton Paquette, who has served in the capacity for more than two years on a part-time basis.

Sept. 14, 1983

* Ontario's biggest little fair brought about 15,000 people to Spencerville. Attendance figures were about the same as last year's record-breaking gate. Former Grenville County Dairy Princess Dawn Latourell was crowned Spencerville Fair Queen, while Gina Panazzola was chosen runner-up. Charles Coville again took top prize in the pumpkin stakes, after carting in a 240-pounder, beating out second-place finisher David Sloan by a half pound.

* Father Bernard Walsh has been welcomed as the pastor of St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, replacing Father Peter Murphy.

Sept. 8, 1993

* Young women competing to wear the Spencerville Fair Queen crown are Julie Abbott, Marsha Daw, Sherri-Lyn Higginson, Karen Kendall, Sherri Kirkby, Ann Lawless, Meagan Loughlin, Tanya Moulton-Vandine and Lisa Warf.

If you're looking for good weed, man, don't go digging up our lawn

FORT TOWN DIARY by John A.H. Morris

We have a few more classic answers for telemarketers to pass along to our readers this week and want to do so before the provincial politicians start using up our lines with requests for support at the polls.

We had some fun last spring, even before the snow had disappeared from our "Field of Weeds" which we refer to as our lawn. This call came from a young lady who informed us when we answered the telephone - "Good afternoon sir, this is the Weed Man calling."

"You're kidding," we told the young lady on the other end of the line. "You sound more like the Weed Lady, than the Weed Man. Are you sure you are a man?" we asked.

"Well, no I'm not, but this is the Weed Man calling about your lawn. You see sir, the Weed Man is a company that looks after your lawn, and I am just calling on their behalf to see if we can come and see what weeds you have in your lawn."

"This is getting more confusing," we reply. "Let's see. You are a woman who claims she is a weed man and you want to check my property to see what kind of weeds I need?"

"Not what kind of weeds you need, sir, but what kind of weeds you already have!"

"Thank you for calling," we replied, "but we have worked for about a dozen years trying to keep our lawn weed free and we're not about to hire a company to tell us what kind of weeds we need. Why don't you hang out around the corner of King and Centre streets. We've often heard chaps at the clock tower ask - 'hey, you got any weed man?'"

*****

Congratulations on two fronts are due to Heather MacKay this week. On Monday, Sept. 8, the Prescott entrepreneur, property developer and author celebrated her birthday and the official opening of her new Curves International franchise at the Seaway Shopping Centre in Ogdensburg. Knowing how jealously Captain America and Corporal Punishment guard their U.S. Borders against foreign developers, we were quite surprised when Heather said the exercise was quite simple. She had only to prove that she was capable of making an investment in the U.S. at the immigration office in Ogdensburg, who issued her a B-1 Temporary Visa. When her permanent E2 Visa is approved she will be able to be a hands-on owner, but will have to live in Prescott. She didn't mention that two Prescott Golf Club members, Big Bill and Little Will, are major domos in the customs and immigration services in the 'Burg, and might have been doing some major recruiting. Hasta la Visa, Heather.

*****

Another Prescott author had a book published last week. Deep Green Road is an anecdotal autobiography by well-known local artist Thelma Cameron. The 240-page, soft cover book contains several anecdotes on Thelma's childhood, youth and early years of marriage in Cornwall, Hawkesbury and Winchester, before she moved to the Prescott area about 50 years ago. Thelma says she started thinking about a book on her life in the early 1970s, but it wasn't until about 10 years later that she started the on again, off again, project. It is on sale at The Gift Lane in Prescott for $29.95.

*****

One of our most dependable researchers who specializes in Prescott's mid-20th century renaissance period, called last week to remind us that Dr. Gun Bhatt is celebrating his 35th anniversary as a family practitioner in Prescott this month. Little did he realize when he arrived in Prescott in 1968, just a week before the Centennial Plus One Ball, to take over Dr. Paddy Coffey's practice, that 35 years later his Prescott Family Medicine clinic would have outgrown even his automatic telephone answering service.

*****

Last weekend was a sports fan's paradise on TV with the U.S. Tennis Open, NFL, CFL and Canadian Golf Open all vying for tely audiences. We found ourselves judging the TV commercials as much as we were enjoying the sports these companies were sponsoring for our entertainment.

Some of our conclusions: we'll not eat another piece of KFC chicken until those four or five guys get that piano moved either up or down stairs. Not a drop of James Keith ale will touch our lips until that grave-voiced Scot who promotes their beer is dropped from their commercials. Molson's I AM Monday ad is so bad that it should only be aired at Hamilton TiCat and Calgary Stampeder games. We like the Amex ad with Andre Agassi picking up toys in a nursery with a tennis ball caddy.

We hate to think what Ontario viewers are going to be faced with over the next three weeks as the Ontario political parties try to blame all the province's ills on each other.

Is ragweed or goldenrod the hay fever culprit?

By Astrid Strader, Project Controller, Horticulturist and Garden Designer

There will be a special educational presentation Thursday, Sept. 11 at 9:30 am at the medical centre meeting room. Chris Bellemore of the Grenville Land Stewardship Office, Ministry of Natural Resources, is presenting information on opportunities for new planting programs, which could directly benefit this town. As well, the reasons why these planting programs are important and what it will take to make them successful over the long run. I am excited to have an opportunity to work with Chris this fall, in preparing to plant some major areas in town. Come out and be informed.

We are also pleased to have the opportunity to landscape the firehall building corner. This will be a space Fire Chief Bill Lawrence says "everyone is invited to enjoy." Barry Moorhouse, volunteer firefighter, explained, "This parkette is in honour of firehall neighbour and keen supporter, Orville Christie, who passed away last year."

The addition of topsoil to bring grade up level to the surface of the pathways at the River Heritage Trail is well under way.

The aim is to have a six-foot grassy strip on either side of all the trails. We'll be planting grass seed and it will always be kept neat and mowed.

There is a mound of cleared soil near the west end of the paved trail. Buckwheat has been planted there. It is a popular cover crop which gets turned into the soil in the spring to provide nourishment to the soil. Sometimes, it's referred to as green manure or living mulch, keeping weeds and erosion down. It also encourages earthworms, which bring up nutrients from the soil for plants. Other good green manures are winter rye, wheat, vetch, clover, and alfalfa, which I have just sowed in parts of my garden. A "rule of thumb" is if you feed the soil, the soil, in turn, feeds the plants. The selection of plants for this area will be native grasses - planted in such a way to show off their best form, with labeling to identify them. While we're down at the waterfront, strollers-by will often ask us why we're not mowing the ragweed down - it is after all, hay fever season (from which I also suffer).

I've observed most people refer to our lovely goldenrod or solidago as the dreaded ragweed. Ambrosia trifida, an annual, known commonly as Great Ragweed is of course, the main source of hay fever, releasing major amounts of very fine pollen into the wind, which is the irritant.

Goldenrod's pollen is far too heavy to travel in the wind, and it deserves a spot in the garden as a beautiful fall flowering perennial, looking particularly good with another native, purple aster.

To easily tell the two apart, you can look at the leaves. Ragweed's leaves are three- to five-lobed with three prominent veins, hence trifida in its name.

Goldenrod's leaves are straight and narrow and the flowers are bright gold. Ragweed's flowers are greenish-yellow, growing in a more bottlebrush style. Since ragweed is the only real troublesome plant at the waterfront, spraying herbicides to indiscriminately kill off all the broad leaf plants would be drastic and harmful, leaving bare ground for unbalanced weed infestations to occur.

Many birds feed on the seeds of plants in this area, not to mention the harmful residues coming into contact with doggie paws and being washed into the water. But what we can do, because it's an annual, is pull the weed before going to seed.

This gentler method is how we all can replace the more extreme measures of weed control. Correctly identifying your plants is key. We'll show you how and your support will certainly help make our work lighter.

Council paves the way for road reconstruction

MAYNARD ­ Augusta Township council gave the thumbs up Monday night for reconstruction work to begin on portions of Charleville Road.

G. Tackaberry and Sons won the tender for work on a total of 4,044 metres over four separate sections of the road. Tackaberry's bid came in at $237,320.10. Council had budgeted $311,000 for the project.

Other bids were received from Cruickshank Construction ($269,677) and Dibblee Construction ($294,294).

Work on the various sections includes pulverizing existing asphalt, correcting road elevations, gravel placement and applying new asphalt.

Reconstruction is expected to begin in about two weeks.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Community improvement efforts are applauded

The Editor;

Several weeks ago you ran a piece about how the Chamber of Commerce wanted the town to spruce up the lot of the site of the Daniels' property. I applauded this idea then and still support it today. Job well done.

It seemed at the time that Mr. Wilf Peters was behind this to some degree and I agreed with him at the time that anything would be an improvement. I also noted that maybe Mr. Peters should practice a little beautification on his Ann Street property. He has done this and I thank him for sprucing up our part of town. It is amazing what paint and hard work can produce.

I recently finished a little project of my own (new veranda) and throughout the whole summer I have had many drive-bys and walk-bys, and a lot of comments from friends and people that I had not met before and they all seemed to like my new veranda. Karen and I especially like what this little project turned big project has done for the appearance of our home.

Many thanks to all for the kind comments and a big thank you to Mr. Wilf Peters for his community improvements also, and to all the other Prescott residents who continue to make our town look better and better.

Still proud of Prescott and happy to be here on the corner of Ann and Henry streets.

Chris Smalley
and Karen Hutt
Prescott

Pen and paper pave road to recovery for local man

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

CARDINAL - Writing poetry has done wonders for a Cardinal man who is recovering from injuries sustained in a job site accident a few years back.

Brian Valley of Cardinal has taken pen to paper since suffering his injuries, which has helped him improve his writing and health at the same time.

Valley, who has earned acclaim for his poetry on a variety of topics, has always been a bit of a writer but really took his works to the next level after his injury which includes muscle and spinal damage.

"I have all the time in the world to do this," said Valley. "I'm not allowed to lift more than five pounds. I've done the poems most of my life, but as my friend Stan Hall says if it wasn't for the accident and God keeping me here my friends wouldn't have known about my poems."

Admirers of Valley's work aren't just limited to his friends, family who would see him on a regular basis, as he has mailed out some of his works to numerous government agencies and groups around the community, even receiving back letters from the offices of Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England and the American ambassador to Canada who sent him a pen to help him with his poems.

One of the more touching moments for Valley was after he sent a poem about the nurses at the Brockville General Hospital and Dr. Mirza's office, which was forwarded to other nurses and on to the Ontario Public Service Employees' Union (OPSEU).

"It shocked me when I was getting an MRI this past weekend and the X-ray technician said 'you're the one who wrote that poem' and had me sign it for her," said Valley. "I only put the poems out for people to learn that it doesn't matter what in life you do as you do your best at it no matter how insignificant it may seem."

Valley credits his writing as one of the ways to help him along with his recovery.

"It has helped me recover and get my mind back," explained Valley. "The doctors said whatever I'm doing to keep doing it."

Valley's wife Maurina and children Travis and Stephanie say since he has started writing it has made a difference in his life.

"It really brought his spirits up," said Maurina. "He used to really like to build and his idea of relaxing would be to go out and work around the house and now he can't do that.

"I could have done cartwheels around the place and I don't think it would have cheered him up," said Maurina. "But writing poems and getting the letters from those people really seemed to do the job."

Nurses

Longest days and nights that come, to "try" and up lift the spirit of the families.

They "ask anything," in return, not even acknowledgement.

To give kindness with compassion without reservation, is this the "reward."

In this profession "the path walked," "do" they decide. For if and when the call is made, the best of them, will be there. The path of those "Angels," have been wavering thin.

The greatest reward "is to give life itself," thoughtfulness for others. ~ Brian Valley

Soapbox fun at festival attracts 52 participants

CARDINAL ­ The Labour Day community festival annual children's soapbox derby held Sept. 1 attracted 52 participants.

All racers received a T-shirt and treat bag, while winners also earned a plaque.

Winners in kit class (ages seven to 10) were Kyle Berry of Spencerville (first), Max Daku of Prescott (second), and John Wood of Cardinal (third).

Top racers in kit class (ages 11 to 15) were Josh Vout of Cardinal (first), Tyler Nolan of Cardinal (second), and Ryan Robinson of Cardinal (third).

Hobby class (ages 11 to 15) winners were Andrew Cole of Prescott (first) and William Adamson of Yarker (second). There were two entries in this class.

There were no entries in hobby class (ages seven to 10).

The co-sponsors of the soapbox event challenged each other in a special race down the Legion hill.

Larry Dishaw, president of the Cardinal and District Resource Centre, narrowly beat out Ann Nesbitt, president of the Cardinal Lions Club.

The sound system for the event was provided by Station 2 of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Fire Department.

COUNCIL NEWS

Salt storage warehouse plan approved

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - The final hurdle for B and M Carriers Limited to build a salt storage warehouse across from the Port of Prescott was cleared by Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council last Tuesday at the Spencerville municipal office.

Council passed a bylaw which authorized the execution of a site plan control agreement with the company which designates the responsibility of items such as access facilities, off-street parking and loading, walkways, snow removal, grading and disposal of storm and sanitary waste, floodlighting, landscaping, refuse storage and disposal and the location of building structures and facilities.

As part of the bylaw, an engineering report from Storm Water Management was provided to council.

Ward Two Councillor Peter Martin indicated construction on the project had already begun.

"When I drove by there I noticed they already had some of the steel up," said Martin, "and the concrete will be setting over the weekend."

Martin questioned whether the project had received approval for a minor variance to the building height which was needed in order for them to build.

Township Clerk/CAO Stephen McDonald explained after talking with municipal planner Glen Tunnock and Building Inspector Terry Peacock, it was actually determined the variance was not required.

Public meeting waits for MOE confirmation

SPENCERVILLE - Township council is still waiting on confirmation from parties involved in the planned public meeting regarding water meters.

Edwardburgh/Cardinal CAO/Clerk Stephen McDonald indicated to council at last Tuesday's regular council meeting he had contacted all the parties and was just waiting for confirmation from one in order to call a meeting for Sept. 18 or Sept. 25.

"We're still waiting for the Ministry of the Environment person to confirm," said McDonald. "The full cost recovery person is the one we are waiting on."

Public Works Committee Chair Bill Sloan indicated a meeting would be looked into after more than 40 Edwardsburgh/Cardinal residents showed up to voice concerns about the possibility of water meters being installed in the village at the Aug. 20 Public Works Committee meeting.

Minimal activity at port in July

SPENCERVILLE - July was a slow month at the ports, according to the general manager's report from the Aug. 26 Port of Prescott meeting in Johnstown.

In Port of Prescott General Manager Bob Hennessy's latest report, it was noted the month of July was very slow at the ports with minimal activity and that grain shipments were down generally on the seaway with it unlikely a grain ship would be coming.

Two salt ships were received in August, with another two scheduled for September.

The dock reconstruction was reported to be proceeding slower than expected, and stress cracks have been appearing at the end of the dock underload but do not appear to be serious.

It also noted core sampling on the railway overpass is complete and the Porta firm will be preparing a report.

It was also noted Transport Canada has set up a security initiative, and the general manager proposed the port opt out given the lack of ship traffic.

CARDINAL'S PAST

Reeve honoured at warden's banquet

Sept. 12, 1963

* Reeve George Brown won first place with his entries at the 1963 Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto. He continued his successes with his poultry at the Ottawa exhibition, winning ribbons for premier breeder and exhibitor with his white wyandottes.

* Preliminary plans for a new school building at Shanly were considered by the Edwardsburg Township School Area Board at its meeting in Spencerville. The new school will provide six classrooms and a playroom-auditorium and will be located on the county road west of the present school.

* The Cardinal softball team won the Eastern Ontario Championship recently with 17-year-old Lanny Patterson handling the coaching duties. Team members were Ted Emmons, Graham Burchill, Larry Patterson, Sheldon Gill, George Marriner, Joe O'Brien, Bill O'Brien, Gerard O'Brien, Terry Running, Dick Amell, John Murray and Bob Casaubon.

Sept. 12, 1973

* Branch 105 of the Royal Canadian Legion held its regular meeting with President C.B. Amell in the chair. Raymond O'Brien read the minutes of the previous meeting. Ray Hall gave a financial report, and M.A. Harper reported painting had been completed.

Sept. 14, 1983

* Cardinal Reeve and Warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville - Jim McLaughlin - was the man of the hour at a Warden's Banquet at the Cardinal and District Community Centre. He was congratulated by George Brown, administrator clerk-treasurer of the united counties and former Cardinal reeve and warden, and by A.C. Casselman, also a former reeve and warden. About 150 member of counties council, municipal officials, friends and relatives and attended the dinner and dance to honour McLaughlin on his accomplishments as head of counties council.

* A total of 297 area children have returned to their classrooms at Benson Public School in Cardinal and North Edwardsburgh Public School in Shanly. For the first time, funding has been approved for a two-year pilot Junior Kindergarten program in 22 Leeds and Grenville schools, and Benson was chosen as the site for one of these classes. Twenty-two children are attending the program at Benson. Computer studies has also been introduced at Benson this year. Lorne Bender continues as principal, and Kitty Malone as secretary.

We are spirits in a human experience: reviewer

BOOK REVIEW

For the Time Being, By Annie Dillard

Reviewed by Joyce Morris

You'd expect any philosopher writing about the big "why are we here?" to produce a monster volume allowing for speculations from several theoretical suppositions. Annie Dillard, American author of Teaching a Stone to Talk, the best book of essays of the 1980s, uses a unique structure of anecdotes and vignettes to present her point of view as to how and why we might better understand our place in the evolution of the world. She manages to do this in a small format of 201 pages.

Her ideas are blurted out; sometimes in a couple pages and sometimes in a single line, facts about time and numbers about populations from the beginning of time. Of wars and natural human death tolls she says "every success in evolution is paid for by large numbers of failures." To put today's angst in perspective, she tells us that already in the first century the prominent thinkers of the day thought the world was going to hell. After all this time has anything changed? It takes a lot of time. Counting from the earliest homo sapiens we are generation number 7,500. To the dead, we must seem foolishly self-important and over-excited about our existence; yet how can we see ourselves as only a short-time replacement in a long-time role? If we study or visit ancient civilizations we understand St. Augustine's impassioned "what is it you don't understand?"

The teachings of Jesuit paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin, whose writings were banned for decades by Rome, are relevant to today's society and draw admiration from Dillard. My own interpretation of his message is that we are not humans going through a spiritual experience ­ we are spirits going through a human experience. Hopefully, we will learn something and pass that on to the next generation. Read this book: either you'll feel better or like Confucius you will sit down and weep.

For the Time Being is one of the many books and resource materials available at the Spencerville branch of the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal Public Library.

High hopes for Falcons hockey team after initial camp

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

BROCKVILLE - The St. Lawrence Falcons senior A hockey team opened its camp last weekend with more than 40 skaters taking part.

"We're impressed with the turnout we got at camp," said assistant coach Tom Kirton. "We have a lot of guys with experience at some pro camps and we have an average age somewhere in the late 20s. It's looking good."

Kirton feels the Falcons have a lot of skill and will be able to compete in the new Eastern Ontario Senior A Hockey League which will begin play this fall out of the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

"We have 40 guys out here at camp," explained Kirton. "We've been surprised at the fitness level the guys have showed. They came in prepared to play. There is a lot of speed out there and the defence has been pretty smart playing without a red line. It's a completely different game and they're adapting."

Team owner Greg Simpson likes the regional feel of the team after camp.

"We had a couple guys from Ottawa, a couple from Cownwall, Morrisburg, Lansdowne, Prescott, Brockville and Westport," explained Simpson. "They're really giving the team a regional feel."

One of the staff's biggest surprises in camp has been at the goaltending position where Brent Napier of Ottawa impressed the coaches and helped his cause of making the team.

Simpson liked what he saw out there and was quick to praise some of the would-be Falcons.

"Dave Wilson, who is 50, was out there and looked good," said Simpson. "He really looked good out there against some of the guys half of his age."

Simpson also pointed out players such as Tyler Dukelow, Joe Kelly, Jamie Dorey and Chris Ferguson all had strong showings at the two day camp which ended with few players cut.

"I think only three guys were cut," said Simpson, "and it was so close that they didn't know whether they should have cut them or not. Practices are starting now and we're going to get into some scrimmages to get a better look at the guys and let the coaches make their choices."

After the first of the four gruelling weekend tryout sessions, Bryan Shepherd who formerly played for the Athens Aeros Jr. B team, was thrilled with the level of play.

"It was rough out there," said Shepherd. "The talent is there, it's fast. Everyone is really pumped to be here and is playing for their pride in trying to make the team."

For Shepherd, who has been used to hearing boos from South Grenville fans when playing for the Aeros, he's looking forward to being on the other side of things.

"It's just such a sweet deal getting to play so close to home," explained Shepherd. "It's a good deal. Prescott is one of my favourite rinks to play at; it has this great atmosphere and that makes it really fun, especially now that I'll hopefully be on the home side."

The coaching staff compared the level of hockey the team will be playing at this season as comparable to the Ontario Hockey League.

The Falcons will join the likes of the Kingston Aces, Belleville McFarlands, Cobourg Lynx, Deseronto Bulldogs and Tamworth Braves in the league this fall.

St. Lawrence has one home exhibition game scheduled against Kingston on Sept. 27 in Prescott.

The Falcons will open their season Sept. 27 at home against the Belleville McFarlands at 8 pm.

Season tickets can be purchased in Prescott at Game Gear sporting goods inside Hollywood Hits.

Senior Giants look to size and experience

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - One of South Grenville District High School senior football team's biggest shortcomings last season was its size and experience; this year the team looking to make that their strength.

The Giants will be able to take advantage of greater size and experience compared to last years squad and will look to use it as a greater weapon this season.

The coaches are happy with the teams showing in their first week of practices and is hopeful on the season.

"We're quite happy to have quite a few seniors returning and a group of Grade 11 students who played junior football last year coming back," said Giants offensive coach Shawn Saunders. "Some of the guys will have different positions than what they played last year, but we've been quite happy with the turnout and dedication so far."

This year the Giants will be operating a slightly modified offence which will likely see a two back, two receiver and tight end set for the quarterback to use.

Last year's junior team quarterback Kurtis Summers, Shane Pettifer who saw a few snaps at quarterback for the seniors last year and Brandon Bailey, who impressed coach Saunders, in the spring camp are the three quarterbacks being looked at in practice to take over the starting role.

"Brandon really looked sharp in the spring finishing up his Grade 10 year," said Saunders. "We've got a lot of options. This year, we'll be looking at positions suiting players skills instead of making players fit the position. I got caught up with that last year."

Saunders thinks the offence should be better off this season with a strong presence of skilled big guys along the offensive line, including projected starting centre Matt Levere.

"We really seem to have a bigger team with more guys out to practice," said Levere. "We should be able to compete this year; I think we're a lot better of a team than last year."

Graduated junior offensive lineman Tyler Halladay added, "We're hoping to make a difference and make the offence better. We should be pretty good."

On defence, the Giants will once again be strong, with a returning pair of defensive backs, David DeDekker and Blake Jackson keeping other teams receivers in check, while returning defensive lineman Ryan McGuire looks to put pressure on the opposing teams' quarterbacks.

"McGuire, Blake Jackson and of course DeDekker will definitely be looked at to provide some veteran leadership," said defensive coach Jason Sloan. "We have guys who are coming back after having played senior football before, and that's a first for us. It will be a big plus for the team this year."

The Giants senior team won't get much of a chance to practice as they begin play this week.

"We start our season Friday," said Sloan. "We will have only had four days of hitting before the kids are thrown into their first game. It's a little too quick of a start for our liking and it has us a little worried."

The Giants open the season hosting the Thousand Islands Secondary School Pirates Friday at 2 pm in Prescott.

SGMHA tryouts to start Monday

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Minor Hockey Association is finalizing last-minute details in order to be ready for the start of training camps this month.

SGMHA public relations person Carolyn Mason indicated there will be no 'C' hockey this year within South Grenville, with the house league format being tiered
to 'B', 'C' and 'D' levels
available to fit kids levels of play."

Mason also noted another big change for kids playing minor hockey in the area this year will involve a change in body contact levels.

"Body contact will only be at the atom 'B' level this year with none in the atom house," explained Mason. "This came down to us from the ODMHA (Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association)."

There are a few coaching spots still available with initiation looking for two 'C' level coaches, Midget house looking for a coach and atom house still looking for a coach.

Mason indicated the SGMHA is still registering kids to play this fall, but indicated the late registration was causing some concerns due to lack of available ice times.

"We still have been registering kids," said Mason. "Because of late registration, though, we've had to do some real juggling. We just have
so many teams this year that we've had to add a 7:30 am ice time slot. Having to book the ice time in May we have to make a real guess of how many kids we have and that can be tough."

Camps for 'B' levels are set to begin Monday, Sept. 15, with atom and peewee camps in Cardinal and major midget camp in Prescott. Bantam and minor midget tryouts to follow Tuesday, Sept. 16, with the bantams in Prescott and the minor midgets in Cardinal. Initiation camp will begin Sept. 20 in Cardinal.

The league is set to start play Oct. 3.

For more information on volunteering or specific camps contact the appropriate convenor: initiation Tammy Smith at 925-1762, novice Sheila Boardman at 658-5905, atom Debbie Johnston at 657-1044 or Cindy Fox at 925-1174, peewee Vickie Sargeant at 925-5048, bantam Gary Todd at 925-3677 or midget Ann Marie Polite at 658-2200.

Prescott golfer scores first-ever hole-in-one

NIAGARA FALLS - John Christofolakos of Prescott scored his first-ever hole-in-one while golfing at the Whirlpool course Aug. 31 in Niagara Falls.

Christofolakos was golfing
his first round of the year when
he scored the ace on the 6th hole while using a seven iron.

Witnesses to the first ever hole-in-one included Christofolakos' wife Margo, daughter Anne
Ortner and son-in-law Kurt Ortner.

Jr. B Rangers look to improve

CARDINAL - The general manager of the South Grenville Jr. B Rangers is optimistic the team will be much improved from last season when it narrowly missed the playoffs.

General Manager Dennis Van Luit likes what he sees at camp, but it hasn't come easy.

"We had close to 60 guys out in camp," said Van Luit. "After about three weeks we are down to about 25 guys. There's a lot of talent out here, but there are not a lot of returning players. Because of the change in schooling we lost a few guys who weren't able to make the commute. We're going to be a young team again, but they're a very skilled and committed bunch."

Van Luit also indicated the club could lose a couple more of their incoming class if an agreement between Hockey Canada and U.S.A. Hockey cannot be reached to govern player movement, which would not permit any American players to come to Canada to play Junior A or Junior B after Sept. 15.

"We've got a couple of really good young American kids up here in camp, but we might not be able to keep them until this gets straightened away," explained Van Luit. "But we've still got a lot of good talent and should be better."

While the likes of some of last year's core won't be returning, a talented quartet from last year's team, including Adam Lawrence, Drew Lawrence, Ben Bowden and Jason Van Lanen will be looked upon to provide some leadership to the large number of first year Rangers.

This year's team hopes to remedy the major flaw of last year's team.

"Hopefully, we'll put the puck in the net a little more this year," said Van Luit. "Then we can just go from there."

The Rangers open the season by hosting Westport Sept. 20 at 7:15 pm at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.

Referees basketball tournament at South Grenville Friday

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants senior girls basketball team will host the annual Referees tournament, which allows area teams and the referees to get a workout while participating in the exhibition tournament.

The tournament is set to begin at 1 pm Friday at the high school with teams from Thousand Islands Secondary School, St. Mary, North Grenville District High School and possibly Brockville Collegiate Institute and Rideau District High School taking part in the tournament.

Games are expected to run from 1 pm into the evening.

Demolition derby set for Sunday

SPENCERVILLE - The Spencerville Fair's annual demolition derby is set for Sunday with a mess of twisted metal and mayhem expected to take centre stage.

The derby is set to start at 1 pm at the fair's grandstand.

According to organizers, there will be no truck class as has been previously reported.

In order to take part in the competition drivers must have their cars inspected and attend all drivers meetings on the day of the competition to ensure they are safe to compete in the event.

Entry forms and rule sheets can be obtained by contacting Sheila Bush at 657-3593, Jeff Roddick at 658-2778 or Rod Norton at 925-5233.

Joanne Pillar Memorial slo-pitch tournament set for Sept. 19-20

PRESCOTT - Eight teams have already signed up to take part in the first annual Joanne Pillar Memorial women's slo-pitch tournament Sept. 19-20.

There are still spots available for teams of women with the cutoff date for registration tomorrow (Thursday, Sept. 11).

All women participating must be at least 18 years old in order to compete.

The tournament is slated to start at 6:30 pm on Sept. 19 with the finals set to run on Sept. 20 at 5 pm.

Pillar played, umpired and coached for numerous years in the Prescott and Brockville area.

All content is copyright 2001 The Prescott Journal. No reproduction permitted without written permission.