VOL. 173, NO. 48~ PRESCOTT, ONTARIO ~ November 26, 2003

Light Up the Night has golden touch

Crowd of 15,000 takes in annual Santa Claus parade as Prescott Fire Department marks 50 years of hosting popular holiday season tradition

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ It was a great time for Light Up the Night.

Above-average temperatures and no rain made for ideal conditions Friday night as about 90 parade entries made their way through the Fort Town.

Co-chair Barry Moorhouse said attendance appeared to be as good as or better than in 2001 when an estimated 15,000 people lined the parade route.

This year's event marks 50 years of Santa Claus parades organized by the Prescott Fire Department. "We couldn't have capped it off any better," Moorhouse said.

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

Dozens of floats and bands joined parade marshal Wilf Peters and jolly old St. Nick in the annual night-time event that attracts visitors from throughout the region.

Moorhouse noted it is not just youngsters who enjoy the parade; there were plenty of smiles from the older spectators who don't mind standing outside on such a nice November night, according to Moorhouse.

The stage show that had been part of the night-time festivities in recent years was replaced by a tree-lighting ceremony in clock tower square. The ceremony coincided with the launch of the parade from the high school parking lot on Edward Street.

Light Up the Night was preceded as always by a spaghetti dinner at the Prescott Legion Hall on Henry Street.

The Grenville Fish and Game Club was judged to have the top entry in this year's parade. The Knights of Columbus placed second, followed in third by Superior Motor Sports.

Mélanie Marleau and her family came from Cornwall to take in the Prescott parade.

Marleau, whose husband is in one of the several marching bands that took part in the event, indicated Light Up the Night is her favourite out-of-town Santa Claus parade.

"I love this parade," she said. "There are always lots of people and floats."

Free hot dogs and hot chocolate was distributed by members of the Prescott Rotary and Lions clubs along with Giant Tiger.

In terms of community funding for Light Up the Night, Moorhouse is confident the event will break even this year.

As for possible expansion of the tree-lighting ceremony with a choir and sound system, Moorhouse said the committee will discuss this year's event and start planning for 2004.

Many of the same parade entries in Prescott took part in Brockville's night-time Santa Claus parade Saturday.

Prescott opted for a night-time parade several years ago.

THIS WEEK

Flu shot clinic is today

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ The final flu shot clinic of the season in the Prescott area is set for today (Wednesday, Nov. 26) from 1 to 7 pm at South Grenville District High School in Prescott.

The district health unit is conducting free clinics throughout Leeds and Grenville this fall. All Ontarians are eligible to receive free influenza immunizations.

Registration for Spirit of Giving under way

PRESCOTT ­ Registration for Spirit of Giving baskets will take place this Thursday, Nov. 27 and Friday, Nov. 28 from 1 to 3 pm at the tennis club building at Centennial Park.

Applicants can also register Monday, Dec. 1, Tuesday, Dec. 2 and Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 1 to 3 pm at the same location. No names will be accepted after Dec. 3; to be eligible, applicants must register in person and have identification that can verify the home address.

Registration is open to residents of South Grenville.

The annual Spirit of Giving campaign, conducted by the Kinsmen Club of Prescott and South Grenville District High School, provides baskets containing food items as well as toys and household items.

Delegates to be picked

ATHENS ­ Members of the Leeds-Grenville Progressive Conservative (PC) riding association will select delegates this Saturday for the proposed merger of the PC Party of Canada and the Canadian Alliance Party.

The delegate selection meeting begins at 1 pm at Athens District High School.

Have lunch and support United Way campaign

BROCKVILLE ­ A lunch to support United Way of Leeds and Grenville will be held today (Wednesday, Nov. 26) from 11 am to 1:30 pm at Wall Street United Church in Brockville.

Several United Way member agencies are sponsoring the lunch which consists of beef stew or chili, rolls, drinks and dessert. Volunteers from those agencies will be on hand to serve the food.

The local United Way is nearing the end of its 2003 fundraising campaign.

Renovated town hall to open Monday

PRESCOTT ­ The renovated town hall will be the site of the swearing-in of the incoming Prescott council.

The new council will conduct its first meeting Monday, Dec 1 at 7 pm on the second floor of the Dibble Street municipal building.

An open house will begin at 6:30 pm, with a public viewing set for after the council meeting. Refreshments will be served.

The estimated cost of renovating the former high school is in the range of $1 million.

Municipal offices have been housed for more than two years on Edward Street at Churchill Road.

MP hopes new PM will meet expectations

Paul Martin about to succeed Jean Chrétien as Liberal leader and prime minister

By Tim Ruhnke

. ournal Editor

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ It is time to get down to business as the date of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's departure has been set, according to Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan.

Chrétien will be leaving office Dec. 12, at which time Paul Martin will assume duties as prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Jordan sees the situation from both sides, having been a long-time Martin supporter as well as serving as parliamentary secretary to the prime minister.

The MP told The Journal last week the personal animosity between Chrétien and Martin was not at the level reported in the press. Jordan believes both men recognize there is a responsibility to act in the best interests of the party. However, the Liberal MP acknowledged the in-fighting that stemmed from the leadership race and the timing of Chrétien's departure has been frustrating and a distraction. "We were our own opposition," Jordan said.

Under Chrétien's leadership, the Liberals won three consecutive majority governments in 1993, 1997 and 2000, a first in Canadian federal politics.

"Chrétien is a lot smarter than people think," said Jordan, who described the prime minister's style as "aim low and succeed."

The prime minister visited South Grenville twice in the past three years.

The MP cited the fight against the deficit (in which Chrétien and Martin can claim victory, according to Jordan) and the Quebec clarity bill as being some of the departing prime minister's successes. There is also ratification of the Kyoto Accord, which Jordan noted as being "a bold stroke" given opposition to the anti-pollution measure.

Overall, Jordan suspects the Chrétien era will be defined for getting the country's fiscal books in order following the Progressive Conservative governments of Brian Mulroney.

As for the prime minister in waiting, Jordan said Martin will have a smaller cabinet that might lead to disappointment for some supporters expecting recognition for their support. Martin's recent announcement he would not be guaranteeing riding nominations for sitting members is "a tremendous move," according to Jordan.

"The first chance he got, he swam upstream."

Depending on when the House approves riding redistribution, a federal election could be called as early as April. Jordan believes the new prime minister might be considering a May election.

"He'll go to the people as soon as he can," the MP said.

It will be important for the new leader to be firm and stick to basics early on because expectations are so high, Jordan noted. "I do not question his convictions," he added.

Celebrating 75 years of the Catholic Women's League

PRESCOTT ­ A local religious organization is celebrating 75 years of faith and service to the community.

The Catholic Women's League of St. Mark's Church officially came into being Dec. 10, 1928. To mark the occasion, about 150 people attended an anniversary dinner Saturday night at the parish centre.

The Prescott CWL organized in Sept. 1928 under the direction of Father J.P. Fleming. Over the years, CWL members have done everything from raising money to help Prescott soldiers who served overseas during World War II and running a breakfast program for students at St. Mark School to visiting shut-ins and nursing home residents.

Father John Appelman, who has served as priest at St. Mark's since 1998 and now also serves at Sacred Heart in Cardinal, said the CWL "looks after our brothers and sisters in many different ways."

In Sunday's church bulletin, Appelman notes the contribution of CWL members "... who have courageously stood up for justice and right in our community and country, for the disadvantaged, the unborn and the seniors, the old and the feeble."

The anniversary celebration took place a few days after the death of founding CWL member Molly Carey, who received her 75-year pin shortly before she passed away. A candle was lit in her memory at the dinner, followed by a moment of silence.

CWL pins marking long-time membership in the organization were presented at the dinner. Recipients include Vera Mason (60 years); Jean Baker, Marjorie Fairfield, Joan Fortier, Rita Gannon and Marie Shahan (50 years); Rosita MacDonald and Regina Wert (40 years); Lorraine Duchesne and Kathy Putnam (25 years); and Helen Albers, Bernice Arcand, Joan Botting, Norma O'Neil, Carolyn Wilson and Jennifer Warren (10 years).

Bernadette Burgess, CWL archdiocesan president, said today's members need to pause and remember what led to the creation of the organization 75 years ago.

"Women have an important role to play in church and society," Burgess said.

The CWL respects the sanctity of human life from conception to death; its members uphold the values of their faith while serving their community. The founding members would be impressed by what CWL continues to accomplish, according to Burgess.

"I know that each of them is very proud of you today," she said.

New church minister feeling right at home in Prescott

PRESCOTT - It did not take long for the new minister at St. Paul's United Church in Prescott to feel welcome.

Laurie Milito, who came to the church at the beginning of November, has been overwhelmed by the region and parishioners who have welcomed her family.

Milito, who hails from Sault Ste. Marie brings plenty of experience to the church having graduated with a bachelor of arts honours in philosophy at McGill University as well as a bachelor of theology and a certificate in mass divinity at United Theological College in Montreal.

Milito was ordained in 1999 and settled to the Massey pastoral charge which took in three small churches between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, before moving on to the United Church of Christ in Denver, Colorado.

The young minister returned to Canada where she worked at Parkdale United Church in Ottawa doing a lot of work as a youth minister before getting the opportunity in Prescott.

Milito was married a month ago and with her husband working in Brockville, the couple was looking for a small town near Brockville to call home. "It just seemed perfect," explained Milito. "I love Prescott; it's by the water and we got to move into a house, which was a real luxury.

"It's a real treat being able to wake up and walk my dog down by the river," said Milito. "It's just such an amazing luxury for a town this size. It's great."

For Milito, the town and parishioners has already been really good to her. "I've really been enjoying it," said Milito. "They (the parishioners) have just been wonderful. Our first Sunday, we were very overwhelmed."

The young minister was nervous about coming to the church, but that quickly faded.

"I appreciated that they had never had a woman minister, especially a young woman, so I was a little nervous" explained Milito.

MP supports hunting, fishing heritage bill

OTTAWA ­ A bill to note Canada's hunting and fishing heritage is being co-sponsored by Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan.

The bill, which could also lead to the creation of the National Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act, was introduced in the House of Commons Nov. 17.

"My hope is that the introduction of this bill will help recognize the important role that hunting and fishing has played in our nation," Jordan stated in a news release. "I also see the bill as a means to encourage future generations to understand, learn and practice these important recreations..."

With the act in place, the right to hunt and fish in accordance with the law would be formally recognized. A National Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission could also be established and would report to the federal environment department.

The bill has received the support of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

For more information, call Jordan's office at 498-2242 or 1-800-437-4369.

New restaurant joins Chamber

JOHNSTOWN ­ The Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a new member.

Joining the local Chamber is the Rothesay Restaurant on County Road 2 in Riverview Heights. The restaurant opened its doors earlier this month.

The business organization boasts a membership of about 150.

Test results show improvement but remain below provincial average

District public, Catholic school boards release figures for grades 3 and 6

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Annual test results for local students in grades 3 and 6 might be improving, but they remain below the provincial average.

The results of testing conducted this spring by the Education Quality and Accountability Office were released last week by the Upper Canada District School Board and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.

The results for the Catholic board were slightly higher than for the public board, but fewer students on average in this district met provincial standards in reading, writing and mathematics compared to all of Ontario.

Fifty-three per cent of Grade 3 students in Ontario who wrote the reading test last year achieved the provincial standard; this compares to 51 per cent of Eastern Catholic students and 50 per cent of Upper Canada students.

In mathematics, 60 per cent of Ontario Grade 3 students reached the standard. The local Catholic and public boards achieved rates of 58 and 57 per cent respectively.

Province-wide, 58 per cent of Grade 6 students made the provincial standard in reading. Fifty-four per cent of Eastern Catholic students who wrote the test achieved the standard, while the Upper Canada pass rate was 53 per cent.

The gap between provincial and local numbers was wider in Grade 6 mathematics. The standard was met by 56 per cent of students in Ontario, 48 per cent at the Eastern catholic board and 47 per cent at the Upper Canada board.

Despite being behind the provincial average, both boards found reason for optimism in the results.

The Upper Canada board has "...put considerable resources into our primary division and our results have improved," stated Director of Education Gino Giannandrea. "Our next step is to use the results to review our school improvement plans and to target more specific areas that need attention," he added.

Marg Fancy, the English Catholic board's principal of curriculum, noted the board is pleased with steady improvements made in test results over the course of several years ­ more so with Grade 6 results.

The Upper Canada board operates nine elementary schools in South Grenville; the Catholic district board has two.

Volunteers hard at work preparing for annual Soup for the Soul event

By David Dickenson.Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - The holiday spirit is showing up in South Grenville as organizers are preparing for the third annual Soup for the Soul dinner on Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Mark's Parish Centre.

The annual supper was started three years ago by Mackenzie Eaton and Kaitlynn Dodge while on a school bus ride from Prescott to St. Mary Catholic School in Brockville. The pair of friends came up with the idea as a way to reach out to the community and provide a meal for low-income families and others.

The duo has seen the dinner grow from 150 people in its first year to more than 300 last year. "We've already decided we're cooking for 400 again," said Eaton. "We figured we'd get about the same as last year."

Dodge and Eaton have been actively working on the dinner since early in the fall.

"We've been sending out letters and doing collections since September," said Eaton. "We've been getting food from a lot of the stores and monetary wise we've done really well this year."

Their other campaigns for the dinner have already started as well with ads being handed out at the annual Light up the Night Parade in Prescott Friday.

Eaton also let on there would be some new aspects to the dinner, after a religion class at St. Mary which Dodge is in came up with the idea as their class charity project to raise funds for a bus from Brockville to bring people into Prescott for the dinner.

Eaton explained the class's project hadn't been finalized, but the project organizers had been updating them periodically and the project seems like it will happen.

"The teacher of the class approached Kaitlynn with the idea and we thought it was great," explained Eaton. "It will bring people from outside the immediate area that can't otherwise get into Prescott. It helps bring in more of the community."

Eaton added there will be more entertainment than last year's successful dinner.

"There will be some live music," said Eaton. "There will be a lady who plays the guitar coming in to perform, and we're hoping Santa Claus will show up as well."

The duo indicated it is doing very well with donations for food and could likely do the supper next week with the support they have received, but indicated they are still always open for more.

Eaton indicated some volunteers are still needed to work at the supper. Anyone considering volunteering or making a donation should contact Eaton at 925-1393 or Dodge at 925-4664.

OPP NEWS

New radar unit gets results

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Ninety tickets were handed out during the weekend as OPP officers made use of a new radar unit available to Grenville County OPP. The Laser unit, which police say is very effective in identifying speeding vehicles, is often used by RIDE and traffic units. Of the 90 offence notices issued, 78 were for speeding. There were also five summonses for speeding at least 50 km/h over the limit.

Other offences noted by police this weekend include not having a validated licence plate, not having a red light at the rear of a vehicle and not having a driver's licence in his or her possession. There were also Liquor Licence Act offence notices issued.

Driver registers fail at RIDE check

AUGUSTA ­ RIDE checks conducted late last week resulted in a criminal charge as well as a licence suspension and liquor offence notice.

A driver tried to avoid being stopped at a RIDE check held Nov. 21 at about 10:30 pm on Mill Street in North Augusta. The driver eventually registered a fail on a roadside screening device. A 37-year-old Rideau Lakes man whose name had not been released at press time faces a charge of exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit and is scheduled to appear in Brockville court Dec. 5. Constable Marty McConnell is the investigating officer.

About 250 vehicles were checked by RIDE in Maitland the following day. A 25-year-old Brockville man was issued a 12-hour licence suspension. Officers moved the RIDE check to County Road 15 near North Augusta; 121 vehicles were checked there, producing one 12-hour suspension and one charge of having alcohol in a place other than a residence.

The annual festive season RIDE program begins this Friday, Nov. 28.

Motorist ticketed for booze in car

AUGUSTA ­ Early Saturday morning, Constable Will Kavanagh stopped a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier on Hall Road. The constable located open alcohol in the vehicle. A 50-year-old woman was issued a 12-hour licence suspension and an offence notice for having alcohol in a place other than a residence.

Call detachment or Crime Stoppers

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Anyone who has information on any occurrences that have taken place in Augusta or Edwardsburgh/Cardinal is asked to contact Grenville County OPP at 925-4221 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to caller ID; callers might be eligible for cash rewards.

Man caught after fleeing from OPP officer

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ A Morrisburg man faces several charges after being apprehended just east of Prescott Monday morning.

In response to a complaint from an 18-year-old Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal woman who said she had received a threatening call, OPP Constable Pergunas spoke to two males on County Road 2 in New Wexford. One man fled the scene on foot and headed for the golf course. Pergunas pursued the man in the area of the railway right-of-way and apprehended him without incident a short time later. An additional OPP officer and two members of the Prescott Police Service also responded.

Scott Cougler, 21, faces charges, including assault, mischief and endangering life stemming from an August incident on Highway 401 near Cardinal. A warrant for his arrest was in place prior to Monday's incident.

Attempted break-ins reported

PRESCOTT ­ Officers with the Prescott Police Service investigated 77 incidents and four motor vehicle collisions during the week of Nov. 17.

On Nov. 21, police received a complaint from an East Street resident who indicated someone had attempted to break into his home by prying open a door. No entry was gained. The investigating officer is Constable Richard Champagne.

An attempted break and enter at a downtown business took place Nov. 19. An activated alarm alerted police to the situation; a check of the premises revealed someone pried open a rear door lock but did not enter the store. Constable Cindy Bisson 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.

SCHOOL SCENE

Centennial '67/North Edwardsburgh Public Schools: Report cards go home on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and parent-teacher interviews will be held Thursday from 3:30-8:30 pm and Friday from 8:45-11:45 am. Please call the school to book an interview time.

There will be a book fair at both sites during interview times Thursday and Friday. This is an excellent opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping. We appreciate the parent volunteers who organized the book fair.

We would like to acknowledge our school advisory council for its generosity. The council has earmarked funds for many, many new books for our libraries, as well as team shirts, sporting and art supplies and electronics equipment.

We have also been authorized to order a school banner that will hang at both school sites on an alternating basis and will be taken to events in which our schools participate. The banner will be quite large and will make it easy for students and parents to locate the Centennial '67/North Edwardsburgh group at a large venue such as the cross-country meet.

Maynard and Maitland Public Schools: At Maynard and Maitland, our students and staff commemorated Remembrance Day with assemblies.

At Maitland, our ceremony included poems, songs and the laying of wreaths in memory of those fallen during wars and on United Nations peacekeeping missions. Grade 5 students Rhys Larry and Hannah Gregus were master and mistress of ceremonies.

At Maynard, our Leadership Council organized a respectful and meaningful Remembrance Day ceremony consisting of poetry, choral speaking and singing. One of the highlights of the event was a trio of Ms. Crosby, Alexis Spicer and Rachel Reindorf singing a heartfelt rendition of "Amazing Grace" accompanied by Ms. Crosby on the piano keyboard. We are proud of the way students conducted themselves at both of our assemblies.

This week our students' report cards will be going home, with parent/teacher interviews scheduled for the evening of Thursday, Nov. 27 and the morning of Friday, Nov. 28. We look forward to a number of exciting events happening at both schools in the month of December.

St. Joseph Catholic School: Congratulations to the following Good Samaritans at St. Joe's for the week of Nov. 17: Mitchell Bernier, Kaleigh-Su Villeneuve, Jessica Gillis, Charleigh McFarlane, Cathan Moore, Mark Wynands, Kory Chamberland, Adam Wyatt and Stephanie Beatty.

Our senior boys and girls volleyball teams are busy with exhibition games and tournaments. We are certainly proud of their volleyball skills and their sportsmanship.

The Museum of Civilization will be at St. Joe's today (Wednesday) presenting "The Mysteries of Ancient Egypt" to our Grade 5B class.

Grades 4/5M and Grade 5B students will travel to the National Arts Centre for a presentation "Andele Mozart" and on to Parliament for a tour on Thursday, Nov. 27.

Report cards will be going home Wednesday, Nov. 26. Parent/teacher Interviews will take place Thursday, Nov. 27 from 4 to 6 pm and from 7 to 8 pm and Friday, Nov. 28 from 9 am to noon.

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to St. Joe's Nov. 26, 27 and 28.

Order forms for Balderson Cheese went home Friday. What a great opportunity to stock up for Christmas. The orders must be returned to St. Joe's by Monday, Dec. 1.

St. Mark Catholic School: Welcome to Report Card and Parent Teacher Interview Week at St. Mark Catholic School.

A reminder to all parents that Friday, Nov. 28 is a professional activity day and there is no school for our students.

Early math training continues on Wednesday, Nov. 26 for our lead math teachers.

Our literacy teacher/librarian, Mrs. McMahon, is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair this week during interviews Thursday and Friday. Kindly come out and support our school library.

This week, we are preparing ourselves for the upcoming Advent season, of which the first Sunday of Advent is Nov. 30.

Our All Star Reading Strategy is "Unstuck Strategies: Give me a clue."

Our hot lunch this week is hot dogs.

South Edwardsburg Public School: We welcome back our volunteer Choir Director, Mrs. Rawlings. Practices are held every Tuesday during the noon hour recess.

Our grade 5/6 class kicked off its first fundraiser for the Ecole de Neige trip which will take place in January.

Yesterday, our Grade 5/6 class explored their artistic talents with Ceramics Plus.

On Monday, Dec 1, Kindergarten - to grade 4 classes will be attending a performance of "More Munsch Madness" at the Brockville Arts Centre. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, our grades 5 to 8 classes welcome Shawn McFadden from the Alzheimer Society.

Report cards went home this week. Parent/teacher interviews are scheduled today and tomorrow. Friday is a PA day, students will not be attending school.

Hot lunch today is hamburgers.

Ink manufacturer making its mark in Prescott

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT ­ A local manufacturer of printing ink is making its mark in the international business world.

Sicpa North America, previously known as Kromacorp, has been producing specialty inks for 21 years at its plant on Industrial Road in Prescott. The company continues to strengthen and grow as it develops and manufactures ink for product packaging, including for tobacco, chocolates, chip bags, beer cases, pop and water bottle labels, gum wrappers and french fry containers for the fast food industry.

Operations Manager Norm Thomas added this has been a year of successes for the international company that has its corporate headquarters in Switzerland with operations on five continents. While the company handles 80 to 90 per cent of the world's security inks for currency, the Prescott location is primarily involved in solvent-based packaging inks with some manufacturing of water-based inks.

The local plant processes between 400,000 and 500,000 kilograms of ink and ink-related products each month. Products leave the plant in 200-kilogram drums and 1,000-kilogram tote tanks (large shipping containers) for the packaging industry, such as Shorewood Packaging in Brockville.

This fall the local plant's 50 employees were recognized for their efforts with an appreciation day to mark several recent accomplishments.

Sicpa has earned ISO:9001:2000 designation - the International Standards Organization certification of meeting world-wide standards for manufacturing procedures and business systems.

The company also passed its first attempt of the Workers' Safety Insurance Bureau Work-Well audit. Thomas noted less than 10 per cent of companies pass the audit the first time. "That was a really good achievement for our plant," he said. "We take safety here very seriously."

A goal of 500 days without a lost-time accident has also been set; Sicpa passed the 387 mark last week.

To help build employee morale and recognize staff for their work toward safety, small tokens and gifts of safety-related products (such as emergency kits) are given in appreciation.

Since the company's ink is used on food packaging, it is also audited by ASI Food Safety Consultants - a test it passes twice yearly.

Mills and mixers to blend ink are Sicpa's primary equipment. Besides the production area, it also has a research and development section, quality control lab, materials department, human resources, administration, shipping and warehousing, all wrapped up in a tidy 32,000-square-foot building. There is also off-site technical support for customers.

The plant had its beginning in 1981, when it was known as Johnson and Bloy. It later became owned by Manders - another European company seeking a foot-hold in the North American market, said Human Resources Administrator Brenda Kenney. The managing director of Manders - Hamish Somerville - bought out the manufacturer, and it became a privately-held company. Kromacorp International purchased it in the mid-1990s, and in Aug. 2000, the Prescott plant was sold to Sicpa.

Somerville, however, maintained ownership of the actual physical building until this past September when Sicpa purchased it, Thomas noted. Purchasing the asset is a demonstration of Sicpa's commitment to the Prescott operation, he added.

People still tend to think Sicpa as Kromacorp, Kenney said, and the company is hoping to get the Sicpa name known.

WALKER HOUSE NEWS by MARNIE LIPPIATT

On Sunday, Dec. 14 from 2-4 pm, we are having an open house at Walker House. Everyone is welcome to come and join us, nibble some of the goodies, sip a little punch and enjoy some entertainment. Join your neighbours and friends as we celebrate the Christmas season with friendship and music.

Memberships for 2004 are being accepted. New members joining now will receive the rest of this year as a bonus. Please call 925-5300 for more information.

Card game winners: Monday bridge ­ 1st, Ed Zackon; 2nd, Bob Dunlop; door, Eleanor Gilligan. Fun bridge ­ 1st, Margie Barton. Wednesday night bridge ­ 1st, Andy Britnell; 2nd, Brenda Humphry; door, Marion Fortier. Thursday night euchre ­ 1st, Jessie Shaver; 2nd, Mary Reynolds; door prize, Pat McPhee.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Chrétien is a lot smarter than people think."

Leeds-Grenville Liberal MP Joe Jordan, reflecting on the imminent departure
of Prime Minister Jean Chrétien

Editor's Notebook

ROLE REVERSAL: The honeymoon appears to be over for Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Liberals. Less than two months after the provincial election and just days into the current session at Queen's Park, pundits have already begun tallying the number of broken campaign promises. Much of the media has been surprisingly quick to pounce on the new premier, which is of note given the manner in which Mike Harris, Ernie Eves and the Progressive Conservatives were treated (fairly or not) near the end of the previous regime.

We knew the provincial coffers were less than full when the Liberals won the election, and we should not be stunned to learn Mr. McGuinty and his colleagues cannot come up with the goods to back up all of their pledges made during the campaign. Raising the cap on hydro rates and scrapping proposed tax cuts are not necessarily the worst moves to make given the reported financial woes facing Ontario.

However, the shoe is now on the other foot, and the Liberals had better expect the same grilling from the Conservatives they dished out while in opposition. We are confident Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman is up to the challenge of holding the Liberal government accountable for its actions while representing the best interests of the entire riding. The new premier and government deserve a chance to deliver the change on which they based their campaign, but Ontarians deserve results.

WHERE'S THE BEEF?: Is it any wonder most Canadians have little or no faith in the system? For years, motorists have been taken for a ride by the big oil companies. Some politicians cry collusion or price-fixing, but studies and commissions fail to turn up that smoking gun with which the widely-held belief can be proven once and for all.

The continuing aftermath of the mad cow disease scare reminds us something is not adding up, and consumers and farmers are paying for it. Although there was a time this summer when beef prices appeared to reflect market conditions caused by the scare in the Prairies, anyone who has checked the meat counter recently would have difficulty collecting evidence of lower prices. The growers have not seen a significant return to pre-crisis prices, but someone somewhere is pocketing the difference.

Efforts to continue to lobby foreign governments to reopen their borders to Canadian beef have succeeded in places and should be supported, but we seem to have accepted the fact consumers and farmers continue to get short-changed. Things have yet to return to normal in the beef industry, but the public's silence on the issue since the peak of the mad cow crisis speaks volumes when it comes to our collective ability to overlook a raw deal.

Tim Ruhnke

Tinsel is the ultimate scourge of the Christmas season

CLUB HOUSE REMARKS by David Dickenson

The Christmas season is one part of the year where it can bring both the best and worst out of people and for the most part it brings out my best - unless I have to deal with tinsel.

Despite all the good parts of the season I've discovered that I, in fact, hate tinsel.

In fact, I have a couple choice words for the person who created that abomination.

Each year people decorate their tree then flock out to the store and buy a box of the silver metallic strips which ends up getting ripped open and spread all over the tree.

But what angers me about the product is it doesn't stay on the tree like it's supposed to. I don't find it adds anything to the tree in the first place, but some people do and really love the stuff.

Just once I would like to put it on the tree leave it there and then have it not fall off and get everywhere.

No matter where on the tree you put it, some falls off and gets trekked all over the house where you're constantly picking it out of places it shouldn't be.

I have to comb my hair, oh wait I have to pick the tinsel off my comb. I'm going to put on my shoes and head out, oh wait, there's tinsel in my shoe, it's wilting a little bit, but I know it's tinsel. I sit down just about anywhere and tinsel, tinsel, tinsel; I'm picking it out of everywhere.

We haven't had tinsel on my tree at home and yet just last week I found a strand as I went to grab a box of cereal off the shelf. I don't know where it came from or how it got there, but it wasn't from anywhere in my recent memory.

It just never seems to go away; of all the great things that are in the Christmas season, I just wonder how tinsel ever weaseled its way in.

I know it's supposed to simulate snow on a tree branch, but last time I saw snow I don't remember it being metallic silver, and last time I checked tinsel never stayed on the tree.

It's one of those inventions of Christmas Gremlins during the holiday season that help drive people to their wicks' end, like repetitive Christmas music, kids stealing Christmas lights and toy crazes like Tickle Me Elmo that cause people to go ballistic.

It's a good time of the year; it's just that tinsel doesn't work and isn't very Christmas-like.

I'd just like to enjoy the feeling that when I know I'm going to do any routine daily activity like tying my shoes, I won't be picking tinsel out of them.

Home and school members endorse proposed public school

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Nov. 25, 1943

* Surpassing all previous records for attendance and receipts, the annual bazaar of St. Mark's Church concluded after four days of successful operation. From the official opening by Mayor Taugher until the closing, the several booths and games were heavily patronized, but business was exceptionally good on the closing evening. Cash prizes were won by Mrs. P. Shanahan, Spencerville, Mrs. P. Quinn and Jean-Paul Dubois of Prescott.

Nov. 26, 1953

* Unanimous endorsement of the proposed East End Public School was given by the Home and School Association at its recent meeting, and the association will lend its support to the Board of Education in informing the electorate prior to the plebiscite Dec. 7. Board Chairman T.G. Kincaid gave the meeting complete information on the proposed structure that would solve overcrowding issues in Prescott's existing public school facility.

Nov. 27, 1963

* Mr. R.M. Tobin, co-chairman of the Community Centre Campaign, accepted a cheque for $600 from D.A. McLeod, president of the Riverview Heights Ratepayers Association. The money represents proceeds from the Riverview Heights third annual benefit ball. to support worthy community enterprises.

Nov. 30, 1983

* Thirteen-year-old Prescott boy, Paul Gillard, son of Bruce and Ruth Gillard of Massie Drive, has recently returned from a five-week position as a legislative page at Queen's Park.

Nov. 24, 1993

* Bob Doucette, principal of St. Mark School, took a chilly dip in the St. Lawrence River for the MS association. Doucette promised his students he would stand in the river at Kelly's Bay one second for every book they read in the MS read-a-thon. The 20 students read 330 books, so Doucette was up to his neck in the frigid river for exactly five-and-a-half minutes. The entire student body of St. Mark travelled to Kelly's Bay to watch their principal float in the river for a good cause.

FORT TOWN DIARY by John A.H. Morris

The Heritage Hockey Classic that smalltown Canada never did have

Last weekend was a gala event in this Land of the Frozen Hockey Puck as the great Heritage Classic hockey celebration was marked in Edmonton with two, outdoor hockey games played Saturday (Nov. 22) before over 57,000 fans in -17°C weather. The classic featured an afternoon clash between Oiler and Canadien oldtimers, and the evening attraction was a regular NHL scheduled game between today's same two teams.

The Heritage Classic did not turn back many memory clocks in Canada because we doubt if there ever was a professional hockey game played on an outdoor rink in this Land of the Frozen Pommes des Routes. We have been shovelling snow in this Land of the Lost Front Teeth for nearly 70 years and the highest skill level we have ever witnessed on an outdoor rink was PeeWee in the open air rink up in McAuley Gardens when our kid brother earned the nickname of "Throbbin' Robin" every Saturday morning when Dad would deposit him in the kitchen after his game and Mom would soak his bare feet in a large bowl of cold water until the numbness disappeared in his toes and the painful recirculation procedure started up, only to be repeated in another week.

*****

Probably the closest most Canadians our age got to organized, outdoor hockey in this Frozen Land of the One-Piece Hockey Stick, was in the old Quonset hut-type of arena building covered with galvanized steel, and with plenty of doors for ventilation and the making of natural ice. During the 20s, 30s and 40s practically every hamlet, village and town in this Land of the Wooden Snow Scraper, had one of these half-curve, corrugated iron buildings, held together with a complicated network of wooden beams and rafters. These were used to house the excess throngs of fans who filled these rinks during spring playoffs, and who learned to skate in them during public skating on Saturdays and most nights of the week when there were no hockey games scheduled. But never on a Sunday!

*****

The community rinks, sometimes called arenas, started to crumble under excess loads of ice and snow, and succumbed to fires that devoured the intricate support systems of dry timbers, in the late 1940s and early 50s. Hockey and skating under a roof dates back to the 1860s in Prescott when the department of defence built a drill shed on the corner of Dibble and Duke streets where the Leo Boivin Community Centre now stands, the third community rink to occupy this corner.

The original drill shed was similar to a present day pole barn, with just a roof built on top of poles, and the parade square (or hockey rink) surrounded by a low wall of boards. This served the community until the government tore it down in the 1920s after operation of Fort Wellington was taken over by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.

In 1929-30, right at the beginning of the Great Depression in this Land of Cold Cash, the Prescott Arena Company Ltd. was formed, money was raised through the sale of shares to the public, and the new Prescott Arena was opened February 6, 1930, with a hockey game between Brockville and Prescott, which Brockville won 3-2.

This arena burned down in February 1962, and Fort Towners had to make do with a variety of open air rinks until the present Leo Boivin Community Centre was opened in 1967 and artificial ice added the next year.

This arena, built at an initial cost of over $200,000, was also built entirely from funds contributed by local residents, businesses and service organizations. As in 1929-30, there were no government grants to sweeten the pot! If you stop to think about this in this Land of the Frozen Loon, back in 1967 the average weekly wage in Prescott would be about $50, so raising $200,000 meant quite a sacrifice to most Prescott citizens.

*****

Our own grandchucks believe it to be a bit of a mystery in this Land of the Frozen Daiquiri that the old curmudgeon they call Pa, does not list "hockey player" in his resume of pioneering triumphs. Truth is, by the time we were old enough to play organized hockey, we had had enough of this forging a future from poverty's prison.

Our first year of bantam hockey coincided with our last year of elementary school. And our 7 am Saturday morning hockey practices coincided with our Ottawa Journal morning paper route, which we had built up over the summer to over 50 customers, and a weekly take of about $5.00. It only took us two Saturday morning practices the first week of January to convince us there were lots of things to do in the Land of the Dull Hockey Blades other than get up at 6 am, dress in the dark, find our hockey kit bag and stick, and then walk from 320 Henry West to the arena. This 30-minute walk ended with numb toes which we would revive by squeezing them in bare palms in front of wood-fired stove in the Visitors dressing room.

We would then have a one-hour hockey experience, the Kinsmen vs. the Rotarians, of which we remember absolutely nothing, before we reversed the trek back to 320 Henry, changed to dry socks, ate some hour-old oatmeal cereal, toast, jam and milk, and then tried to leave the house before 9 am to walk down to the old Town Hall.

Here we would pack our 50 Journals into our paper bag and head out to the east end of town again for at least three hours, as we had to collect 25 cents from each customer every Saturday morning and mail a post office money order to Ottawa in the afternoon for 15 cents for each customer.

Now that, dear grandchucks, is what we think of when we think Heritage Classic!

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

We need to go ahead to the future

The Editor;

I feel compelled to respond to the letter published in the Nov. 19 edition of The Prescott Journal regarding the fate of the Prescott Police Service.

For 32 years, I served in the OPP at seven different locations in the province and saw numerous changes occur. When I first became a police officer, all police officers were required to live in the municipality in which they served, whether it was a village, town, city or provincial police jurisdiction. The officers raised their families in the area where they worked, and 95 per cent of them became involved in volunteer projects from religious, social, service clubs, minor sports, recreation, cadets, Cubs, Brownies and many more. The people knew the officers both on and off duty, and the officers knew the people.

However, this began to change after a district court ruling that declared the requirement to live where you worked to be oppressive and unenforceable. Officers began to live farther away from the places where they worked for a variety of reasons, which were usually personal, but removed them from the community for other than their 40-hour work week. Then came the 12-hour shifts, which saw officers working in the community three days out of seven instead of five.

These two major factors for policing occurred at the same time we had a large change in our overall small-time community life, such as the ceasing of doctors' home visits, milk and bread delivery and the building of shopping malls that destroyed our downtown stores. No matter how we wish things would change back, they won't. Your writer should check and see how many local police officers, whether provincial or municipal, live in the areas they work. I'm certain he would be shocked.

Now for the second part of my response. Let him ask the town police officers under a guarantee of anonymity, if they would like to join the OPP where they have better resources, more opportunity for specialized courses such as marine, tactics, criminal investigation, computer fraud and so on, more opportunity for advancement, the ability to transfer to areas where their children may have better resources for schooling and health care, better pension indexing and benefits etc. I'm only speculating, but I believe the majority would welcome the change.

We can't go back in time, but we can go ahead together and look to the future willingly and with hope for a better life for all.

Ralph S. Martin
Prescott

Teamwork makes a great community

The Editor;

My mother and I were two of the approximately 15,000 people who enjoyed our beautiful Light Up The Night Santa Claus parade last Friday night, and we were once again reminded of what can happen when this town comes together to make things happen. The dedication of our volunteer fire department over the past 50 years was very evident again in the smiles and cheers of delight from everyone who lined the parade route. A sincere thank you to this year's parade co-chairs Ken Burton and Barry Moorhouse, who along with everyone in our volunteer fire department, worked hard to organize and get support from the community to help pay for the costs of this event.

The entire night was a community event. All day long you could feel the excitement throughout the town as men, women, children, schools, organizations and businesses decorated floats filled to capacity with sparkling lights.

The Prescott Legion served a fabulous spaghetti dinner prior to the parade and then we waited with anticipation as dedicated downtown business man Bob Millar flicked the switch to light up our magnificent newly-decorated tree downtown.

The SGDHS Spirit of Giving students were out in full force during the parade ensuring another successful food drive for those who need the help at this time of year. CERV members were at parade intersections to ensure a safe night for everyone, and members of the Lions Club nourished the thousands who watched the parade at three different locations with welcome hot dogs and hot chocolate.

Overall, the glow from the lights and unusually warm November night extended into each person, young or old who took part in any and all of the events Friday night. We do have a great community when we all work together. A big thank you of appreciation to everyone who made this Christmas event fantastic. Keep it up and hopefully the feeling will spread.

Suzanne Dodge
Prescott

Editorial less than flattering

The Editor;

I was disappointed to read the Editor's Notebook on Nov. 19. One of the main reasons that I ran for office was an attempt to see a positive change in the way council functioned, and to promote "a spirit of teamwork, co-operation and creative problem solving."

I believe that the new team has the required characteristics of experienced and novice, business and people related which can make Prescott a better place in which to work and live.

I feel that as editor you have a great influence on this community and it is too bad that you have chosen to "bless" this new council team with an editorial which is less than flattering.

Graham Cudlipp
Prescott

Mystery bell resurrected at fire hall

By Astrid Strader, Project Controller, Horticulturalist and Garden Designer

For whom the bell tolls ­ that is the question? A historic bell was resurrected over a week ago at the Prescott fire hall. It bears the inscription: "St. Lawrence International Peace Centennial, Canada, United States, Prescott. Ont. 1838 - July 1, 1938. Presented by the International Nickel Co. of Canada Ltd."

This bell, which is mounted especially so that it can be rung (one must wear ear protection ­ it sends out very high decibels ­ maybe you heard it the night of the Santa Claus parade) is made of solid nickel weighing 235 lbs. I know, because we weighed it. Knowing the precise weight, Ed Yandeau, of the Prescott Public Works Department, could figure out the exact materials which were needed for mounting it.

A story is going around that it came from a ship, the HMSC Miss Prescott. Now, this could be quite an interesting research project for someone ­ perhaps a school project even, to find out the origins of the bell and the story behind the International Peace Centennial.

We were able to purchase some prized shagbark hickory trees (carya ovata) through our Dream Green for Prescott fundraising campaign. These were planted at Fairways Park where they will have lots of room to show off their beauty; they grow up to 75 feet (25 m) high and live up to 200 years.

"They are a strange breed, because their range in this area can almost be drawn with a pencil. We are devoid of them in Brockville/Prescott area. They seem to start being part of the forest ecosystem near Ivy Lea, and I believe they also can be found past Cornwall," explains Chris Bellemore of the Grenville Land Stewardship Council.

Even though they are not pure natives, they seem to be a favourite of all the forestry "guys" (aka tree huggers). Their nuts taste the best - you just have to fight off the squirrels. The bark is noticeably loose and 'shaggy' giving the tree its distinctive look.

MAITLAND ­ The Grenville Christian College (GCC) production of A Christmas Carol will be presented later this week and next week at the university preparatory school just west of Maitland.

The production is based on John Jakes' adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens story. "Dickens weaves in and out of the action, observing, performing small roles and interpolating short passages of rich narrative never heard in other versions," stated show director Cindy Barr.

The GCC version of A Christmas Carol, featuring a cast of 45, will be performed this Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 pm, and again on the following Friday and Saturday nights.

For tickets or more information, call GCC at 345-5521.

Maitland college to present A Christmas CarolArt guild to present holiday show

BROCKVILLE ­ The South Grenville Guild of Fine Art is presenting a special pre-Christmas art show and sale next month in Brockville.

The event will take place Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11 am to 4 pm at the Brockville Public Library meeting room on Buell Street. Admission is free.

Among the artists participating in the show are Marilyn White, Bill Fowler, Nancy Roberts, Helen Fenton, Evan LeClair, Christina McCarthy, Kathleen Chiasson, Kim Gilligan, Joan Firth, Sharon Stein, Arlene Hare and Diane Sheridan.

For more information, call Nancy Roberts at 342-3036.

Straw-bale home opening doors for tour Saturday

Province-wide tour features unique building construction of Ventnor Road home

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

VENTNOR - A local straw-bale home will be featured this Saturday as part of a province-wide tour.

The Ventnor Road home of Hank and Anita Carr will be featured in the Ontario Straw Bale Building Coalition (OSBBC)'s first annual tour as an opportunity for the public to see the finished product of straw-bale construction.

"Straw-bale homes are load bearing buildings with no stick framing," said Mrs. Carr. "Straw bales are stacked like a brick wall and are then cement and plaster lined. When we started building we had a bale raising party, like an old barn raising ceremony, strangers were showing up to volunteer since it's such a neat process."

For Mrs. Carr the idea of a straw-bale home seemed natural.

"I'm from B.C. originally and there are quite a few straw-bale homes in the Nelson area," she said. "I appreciated that it was environmentally friendly and when I met Hank and he wanted to build a house, I told him it had to be a straw-bale one. He was a little hesitant at first, but after he got to see one and it was over 100 degrees outside and inside it was cool despite an air conditioner I converted him."

Carr indicated the house has been a big saver on heating and electricity.

"The walls are as thick as a bale of straw, so it's about 20" thick," explained Carr. "It does a pretty good job of keeping the heat in and using a lot less energy. Most people have wood stoves and only use a couple cords of fire wood a year, but we have in floor radiant heating and use our water tank to keep it warm."

The Carrs were also grateful for the chance to take a hands on experience in the building of their home.

"We built it ourselves with some outside help," said Carr. "It was an adventure, and it was great to feel that we could do this on our own. Not only were the materials readily available in the area, but it was easy to learn and take part in without being a pro contractor."

Carr indicated they did have a contractor to come in to help out on the plaster, but for the most part it was done themselves.

The home will be one of more than 100 across the province which will open their doors to the public for a small charge, which will allow access to any of the straw bale homes on the tour.

The Carrs will also be taking a collection at their home for Habitat for Humanity and are hoping to get the organization to construct a straw-bale home for a needy family in the community.

The Carr home will be open from 10 am until 6 pm Saturday; light refreshments to be served.

For more information on the tour, including directions and province wide maps, visit www.strawbalebuilding.ca.

VON nursing clinic offers information on health subjects

CARDINAL ­ A VON nursing clinic will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 9 am to 1 pm at St. Lawrence Medical Clinic on Bridge Street.

The monthly walk-in clinic is staffed by registered nurses and offers information on a wide range of health-related subjects.

Township to swear in new council Monday

SPENCERVILLE - The township's newly elected councillors and mayor will be officially sworn in Monday morning at 11 am.

New Mayor Peggy Taylor, and Ward One Councillors Hugh Cameron and Charlie Burrell will join re-elected Ward Two councillors Peter Martin and Bill Sloan and acclaimed Ward Three councillors Frank Noccey and Marie Thomson.

The meeting will also see the election of a councillor to fill the role of deputy mayor for the year.

After the ceremony, the newly-elected members of council will assume responsibility for the township while former mayor Dave Dobbie will still hold onto his job as warden of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville until Dec. 10 when a new warden will be elected.

Taylor gains 11 extra votes in final count

SPENCERVILLE - Final results in Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal's Nov. 10 municipal election are now official.

In the mayoral race, mayor-elect Peggy Taylor gained 11 votes after the final tallies to beat the incumbent Dave Dobbie 1,239 to 1,193. The unofficial vote count on Nov. 10 had Taylor defeating Dobbie by 35 votes.

Totals for the Ward One, Ward Two and English Catholic school board trustee races remained the same.

The percentage of township residents who voted in the election edged up from 40.86 per cent to 41.20 per cent, still down from the 43.7 per cent who voted in the 2000 municipal election.

Holiday concert set for Dec. 7

CARDINAL - The Cardinal Community Choir will be presenting its holiday concert Sounds of Christmas Sunday, Dec. 7 at St. Andrew's and St. James' Presbyterian Church in Cardinal.

The concert will begin at 7 pm, with a free-will offering and refreshments to follow the Christmas concert.

LEGION NEWS

CARDINAL ­ The executive committee of Branch 105 of the Royal Canadian Legion will meet Monday, Dec. 1 at 6:15 pm. A general meeting follows at 7:30 pm.

The Ladies auxiliary will meet Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 pm.

A children's Christmas party and craft day is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 pm. For more information or to pre-register, call Hazel at 657-8933.

Sr. girls basketball team loses in EOSSAA semi-final

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants relished their role of spoiler as they quickly advanced to the Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association semi-final before being eliminated by the North Grenville Knights.

The Giants, who were seeded sixth in the tournament, got off to a strong start scoring wins over third seeded Ernestown in the opening round and fifth seeded Renfrew.

Giants coach Joe Latham was happy to see South Grenville make an impact with the early wins.

"It went okay," said Latham. "Obviously, we're disappointed, but we just picked a bad time to go cold. We had a lot of good shots throughout the tournament we just had to make more of them."

Giants guard Alex Ward added, "I thought we played really well as a wild card. We were ranked sixth and we did better than we expected beating teams ranked above us. We played some really good games, but the shots just didn't fall."

South Grenville got off to a good start to the tournament by using its pressure defence and breaking offence to squeak out a 37-31 victory over Ernestown in its opening match-up.

The Giants scored in spurts and struggled early on taking
a 15-12 lead into the half, before junior call-up Sara Watt entered the game in the fourth quarter shifting momentum with her strong defensive presence.

Ashley Weir led the Giants with a 11 points, including two three-pointers while Sam Joudoin added ten and Shannon Campbell six.

In its second round match-up the Giants shook off some early nerves to get off to a good start to lead throughout the game on its way to a 49-39 victory.

The Giants took a 25-18 lead into the half and continued to play well in the second half to pull away.

Sam Joudoin led the Giants with 15 points, followed by Erin Heibein and Shannon Campbell with ten points apiece, Sara Watt with six and Alex Ward with five.

South Grenville ran into trouble in its semi-final match-up with the North Grenville Knights, who previously eliminated the Giants in the LGSSAA semi-finals.

The Giants opened the game running on pure emotion to take a 13-8 lead into the second quarter, before being outscored 20-3, to trail 28-16 at the half.

Despite good hustle and defensive efforts from Campbell, Heibein and Sara Watt the Knights pulled away to complete the 52-30 win.

Ward led the Giants with eight points, followed by Heibein with six, Weir and Campbell with five and Joudoin with four.

With the loss, South Grenville was relegated to the bronze medal game, in which the Giants fell in a re-match to Ernestown 35-31.

South Grenville got a chance to pay tribute to its graduating seniors, Heibein, Katie Beatty, Ashley Weir and Amanda Watt to give them starting duties and extra playing time in their last high school game.

Amanda Watt led the Giants with nine points, followed by Katie Beatty with eight and Joudoin with five.

Latham noted the Giants tournament still ended on a positive note.

"One of the luxuries of being in the bronze medal game was that we got to give some time to our graduating girls," said Latham. "For them to play so well in a close game was nice."

Ward was happy to see the older girls get one last chance to play, but also was excited when thinking about next year.

Jr. B Rangers split weekend games, remain in fourth

CARDINAL - The South Grenville Rangers sit in fourth place after splitting a pair of games on the weekend against Westport and Athens.

The Rangers hosted Westport Saturday, dropping a 5-4 decision to the Rideaus at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.

On Sunday, South Grenville travelled to Athens where they pulled out a 5-4 overtime win over the Aeros.

The Rangers now sit at 10-10-1-0 on the season with 21 points, just four points behind the Brockville Tikis and Westport Rideaus, which are tied for the division lead with 25 points.

The Rangers will travel to Brockville tonight (Wednesday) to take on the Tikis at 7:45 pm. South Grenville will then host Gananoque Sunday at 7:15 pm at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.

The Rangers will also be holding next week's home game against Char-Lan Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 pm in Cardinal.

Atom B Rangers on a roll after loss in Silverstick semis

PEMBROKE - The South Grenville atom B Rangers had a strong showing at the Pembroke Silver Stick tournament Nov. 15, posting a 2-0-1 record before being defeated in the quarter-final by a strong West Carleton Warriors team.

The Rangers opened the tournament with a 2-0 win over the Almonte Pakenham Thunder.

Joey Sargeant and Ian King scored for South Grenville, with King and Ian Champagne picking up helpers.

In their second game, the Rangers scored a 7-0 win over the Vankleek Hill Cougars. Patrick Froom and Alex Stephenson led the Rangers with a pair of goals apiece, while Robbie Deeks, Shane Riddell and Hunter McCarroll added
singles.

McCarroll (2), Stitt (2), Champagne, Riddell, King, Sargeant, Stitt, Deeks, Stephenson and Trent Corney added assists.

The Rangers had to settle for a scoreless draw with the Cumberland Barons in the third game.

In their quarter-final match-up, the Rangers came up short as they dropped a 5-1 decision to the West Carleton Warriors.

King had the Rangers' lone goal, while Deeks and Champagne added helpers.

Jarrett Pitt and Dustin Kester were strong in net throughout the tournament.

Ranger roll in regular season

On Nov. 10, the Rangers scored a 4-0 shutout win over the Athens Aeros in regular season play in Spencerville. McCarroll had a pair of goals to lead South Grenville, while Deeks and King netted singles. Stephenson (3), Deeks (2), Champagne and Cody Adams chipped in with
helpers.

On Nov. 17, South Grenville scored an 8-0 win over the Brockville Warriors in Spencerville. Coleman Colpitts led the Rangers with a hat trick, while Champagne, Corney, King, McCarroll and Stitt added singles. Adams (2), McCarroll (2), Froom, Colpitts, Quinton Selleck, Champagne, Stephenson and King added helpers.

Rangers fall in tourney 'B' final

This past weekend the Rangers participated in the Roger Ladouceur Memorial Atom Tournament in Brockville dropping a 5-4 decision to Perth in the final.

South Grenville opened the tournament with a 7-0 win over Brockville.

McCarroll (2), Colpitts, Froom, Corney, Sargeant and Champagne scored for South Grenville, while Froom (3), Selleck (2), Colpitts, McCarroll, Riddell, Stitt and King added helpers.

In the second game, the Rangers tied the Perth/Lanark Wings 3-3.

Colpitts scored a pair and Corney added a single, while McCarroll (2), Stitt and Froom had helpers.

In its third game, South Grenville defeated the Metcalfe/Russell River Rats 5-2. Colpitts netted a pair in the win, while King, Stephenson and Deeks added singles. Sargeant (2), Stitt, Champagne, Deeks, Adams and Riddell chipped in with helpers.

In its fourth game, the Rangers scored a 5-1 win over Smiths Falls.

Sargeant (2), Deeks, Stephenson and Champagne scored for South Grenville, while Sargeant, Champagne, King and Stephenson added helpers.

In the final, South Grenville dropped a 5-4 decision to Perth/Lanark in double overtime. Stephenson (2), King and McCarroll scored for the Rangers, while Deeks (2) and Colpitts added singles.

The team now sits at 22-3-4 on the season.

Novice Ice Hounds take part in Ottawa Senators exhibition

KANATA - The South Grenville novice Ice Hounds travelled to Corel Centre Thursday where it took on the Brockville Warriors #2 as part of the Future Sens Program, which saw the two teams compete during the intermission of the Senators-Hurricanes game.

The Rangers got a chance to meet Senators tough-guy Chris Neil before the game, and came out on top on the night scoring a 3-2 win. Jody Sullivan netted a pair to lead the Ice Hounds, while Matt Fox added a single.

On Nov. 22, the Rangers played host to the Athens Aeros scoring a 7-3 win at the Cardinal and District Community Centre. Fox and Sulllivan each had a hat trick to lead the Rangers, while Alex Boswall added a single. Zach St. John (2), Spencer Cook, Boswall, Luke Severson and Fox had helpers.

On Nov. 23, South Grenville travelled to Brockville where it dropped a 5-3 decision. Sullivan, Fox and Mika Turanski scored for the Rangers, while Cook, Fox and Paul DeJong added helpers.

SG major midgets continue win streak

MAXVILLE - The South Grenville major midget B Rangers continued their winning streak, scoring a 7-3 win over North Glengarry-Stormont Nov. 20 in Maxville.

North Glengarry-Stormont got on the board first, but the Rangers would counter with four goals to take a 4-1 lead into the second period. The Rangers would add another two goals in the second period, and one more in the third, while North Glengarry-Stormont would score twice in the third.

Kirk Donovan and David Wallace led the Rangers with a pair of goals apiece, while Kurtis Summers, Nick Maggio and Matthew Hayes added
singles.

South Grenville atom house team #2 scores win and tie in league action

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville atom B house team #2 scored a win and tie in recent league play.

On Nov. 23, the Rangers scored a 7-3 win over North Leeds at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Associate player Broydon Stufko led the Rangers with a hat trick, while Zach Fleming, Gilbert Pankhurst, Ryan Maggio and Mike Lawless added singles. Mike Morell, Rhys Larry, Payton Marriner and Josh Bailey chipped in with helpers.

On Nov. 19, the Rangers travelled to Westport, settling for a 3-3 draw with North Leeds. Fleming, Larry and Marriner scored for the Rangers, while Marriner, Dylan Dorey, Pankhurst, Morell and Nathan Hamilton added assists.

Atom C Rangers house team #1 busy in league action in November

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville atom C Rangers house league team #1 has been on a hot streak in recent league play.

On Nov. 23, the Rangers scored an 8-1 win over
the Kanata Blazers. Matt Fox
led all scorers with a hat
trick, while Dawn Wright (2), Jody Sullivan (2) and A.J. Larocque had the other Rangers goals. Ryan Grimes (2), Stephen Poapst and Fox chipped in with helpers.

On Nov. 22, Kyle Berry played a strong game in net to secure a 3-3 tie with Athens. Matt Fox scored a pair of goals to lead the Rangers, while Sullivan netted a single.

On Nov. 16, the Rangers #1 pulled together for a 3-2 win over South Grenville #3. Brandon Peeler, Wright and Biccum scored for the Rangers #1.

On Nov. 16, South Grenville dropped a 2-1 loss to Kemptville #1, with Biccum scoring the Rangers lone goal.

On Nov. 15, South Grenville dropped a 5-1 decision to Cornwall. Biccum scored the lone Rangers' goal, while Stephen Poapst added an assist.

On Nov. 10, the Rangers #1 scored a 5-0 win over South Grenville #2, with Berry recording a shutout in goal. Grimes led the Rangers #1 with a pair of goals, while Peeler, Biccum and Wright added singles. Billy Myers and Biccum chipped in with helpers.

On Nov. 9, the Rangers came up short in an 9-1 loss to Clayton. Myers scored unassisted for South Grenville's lone goal.

On Nov. 8, South Grenville scored a 1-1 draw with the Kemptville Panthers #1. Myers scored the lone goal for the Rangers, while Laroque picked up an assist.

The Rangers scored a 3-2 win over the Athens Aeros Nov. 2 in Prescott. Biccum led South Grenville with a pair of goals, while Fox added a single.

Garrett Richards, Myers, Wrights, Grimes and Larocque chipped in with helpers.

On Oct. 18, South Grenville travelled to Kemptville where they dropped a 3-1 decision to the Panthers.

Grimes had the Rangers' lone goal, while Richards added an assist.

Major peewee Kings score win and tie in recent league action

SPENCERVILLE - The Rideau St. Lawrence major peewee Kings managed a win and tie in recent AA hockey play.

On Nov. 16, the Kings travelled to Hawkesbury where they scored a 6-2 win over the Eastern Ontario Cobras. Jay Keller, James Keane, Doug Utting, Michael Skakum, Shungo Hosgoe and Max St. Jacques scored for the Kings while Marc Roy (2), Skakum, Torin Marcynuk and Keane added helpers.

Justin Seguin had a strong outing in goal stopping 34 shots.

On Nov. 13, the Kings managed a 2-2 draw against the Nepean Raiders at the Spencerville arena. Roy and Skakum scored, with Nick McCaslin and Hosgoe chipping in with assists. Tom Allan played strong in goal.

On Nov. 22, the Kings travelled to Navan and dropped a 5-3 decision to the Cumberland Barons. Skakum led the Kings with a pair of goals, while McCaslin added a single. Keller (2), Marcynuk and Jackson chipped in with helpers.

On Nov. 23, RSL travelled to Kingston where it dropped a 9-5 decision to the Predators after allowing five goals in the last three minutes of play. Skakum, Hosgoe, Jackson, Keller and Roy scored for the Kings, while Skakum (3), St. Jacques, Scott Summers, Marcynuk and Craig Schooley chipped in with helpers.

South Grenville bantams hang on to defeat Titans

CARDINAL - The South Grenville bantam B Rangers hung on to defeat the Kingston Township Titans 5-3 on Nov. 19 at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.

Josh Whelan led the Rangers with a pair of goals, while Orry Thorpe, Cody Haché and Payton Williams added singles.

Nick Francica, Jordan Grootjans, Matt Leeder, Matt Cockshott, Haché, Williams
and Thorpe chipped in with helpers.

Jacob Casselman had a strong game in goal to help pull out the win.

Minor midgets continue to win

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville minor midget Rangers continued their winning ways after scoring wins over South Stormont, Louisville, Cornwall and Alexandria.

On Nov. 12, the Rangers hosted Louisville at the Leo Boivin Community Centre and came away with a 5-3 victory.

On Nov. 5, South Grenville managed to hang on for a 9-7 win over the Alexandria Glens in Prescott. Kevin Beach back-stopped the Rangers in goal for both home victories.

On Nov. 3, South Grenville travelled to Long Sault where it came away with a 4-1 victory over South Stormont. Corie Toye had a strong game in goal for the Rangers in the win.

Matt Deeks, Mike Lawrence and Ryan Landon had four goals apiece in the last three games, followed by Wes Polite with two and Justin Rust, Andrew Wilson, Mike Leeder and Sam Whitley with singles. Josh Joudoin and Polite had four assists, while Wilson, Deeks and Landon had three, Nathaniel Hayes had two and Whitley had one.

On Nov. 19, the Rangers scored a 4-1 win over the Cornwall Royals. Joudoin had a pair of goals to lead the Rangers, while Whitley and Deeks added singles. Lawrence (2), Polite, Leeder, Whitley and Deeks chipped in with assists.

On Nov. 22, South Grenville scored a 6-3 win over the Alexandria Glens, despite sporting a short bench. Cory Gray and Deeks led the Rangers with a pair of goals apiece, while Polite and Whitley added singles. Leeder, Hayes, Joudoin, Wilson, Polite and Deeks chipped in with helpers.

SG atom house team #1 nets shutout over Lions

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville atom B Rangers house team #1 scored a 2-0 exhibition win over the Morrisburg Lions on Nov. 18 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

Tim Kippax opened up the scoring for the Rangers as he found the net on a big shot from the red line, while Nathan Peters provided an insurance marker in the win.

Derik Bourgeois chipped in with an assist.

Sean Blackburn got the shutout in goal for the atom B Rangers.

Falcons preparing to take flight again for Dec. 6 home game

PRESCOTT - The St. Lawrence Falcons Sr. A hockey team based in Prescott will be holding its next home game Dec. 6.

The third-place Falcons will be looking to move up the Eastern Ontario Senior A Hockey League standings when they host the last-place Deseronto Bulldogs at 8 pm at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

The Falcons sit with a 4-3 record on the season with eight points, with three games in hand on the division-leading Tamworth Braves, sitting at 7-2 on the season with 16 points.

The Falcons will also take the ice Dec. 13 and Dec. 27 for home games starting at
8 pm.

Prescott Curling Club ready for busy month of December

PRESCOTT - The Prescott Curling Club is preparing for a busy month of December with two major events planned.

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, the club will play host to the senior men's invitational tournament.

The club will also play host to a Christmas Mixed Bonspiel which will run from Dec. 9-13 at the club.

The club is located at 439 Henry St. W. with new members and visitors welcome to stop by and take in the action.

Come out to the club and take in the action as Prescott curlers will battle it out for bragging rights.

For more information on the club contact club President Alan Norton at 925-3267.

Let us know about upcoming events and achievements

PRESCOTT - The Prescott Journal would like to thank everyone for their submissions to the sports department.

Due to the large quantity of submissions, some items may not be published immediately.

Also, when submitting please include a name and contact number; without that information, some items may not be processed.

Deadline for submissions is Monday.

Our offices are open Monday-Friday from 8 am until 5 pm to drop off submissions.

Submissions will also be accepted by fax at 925-3472.

For more information, contact David Dickenson at 925-4265.

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