VOL. 174, NO. 7~ PRESCOTT, ONTARIO ~ February 18, 2004

Snow fooling: Frost Fest celebrates winter

PRESCOTT ­ The Fort Town Frost Festival has been put on ice for another year

The annual winter celebration in Prescott once again included a variety of indoor and outdoor activities on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Festival organizer Mike Boyles indicated many of this year's events were well-attended. He also noted Sunday was a clear and cold day, but not quite as cold as the Sunday of last year's festival.

Sled dog races at the Prescott Golf Club Sunday afternoon attracted many local residents who got to see and hear dozens of huskies and other breeds and their mushers.

The festival included free skating at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Families were also encouraged to take advantage of sliding and tobogganing opportunities at Fort Wellington. Free wagon rides attracted young and old alike to the clock tower area downtown.

In the Frost Fest Snowman Contest, two entries tied for first place: Brendan, Siobhan and Bria O'Hanlon (a colourful snow turtle on Dibble Street) and Teri-Anna Libby (James Street). Tiffany Blancher (Churchill Road) placed second.

The Frost Festival is sponsored by several groups and organizations, including the Town of Prescott, BIA and The Prescott Journal.

See Page 2 for more Frost Fest photos.

THIS WEEK

Magic show appears at parish hall Friday

PRESCOTT ­ See the impossible, have some fun and support a local school in the process.

The Moments of Magic show will be presented this Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 pm at St. Mark's Parish Centre on Edward Street.

From making doves appear and disappear to cutting the assistant into three sections with the help of steel blades, the illusions and comedic magic is sure to delight the audience.

The show is a fundraiser for St. Mark Catholic School.

For tickets, call Cheryl Bernier at 925-5019 or Maureen Crawford at 925-5101.

Revised town police costing set for Monday

PRESCOTT ­ Now that an updated OPP costing has been presented, the focus will be on the Prescott Police Service at Monday's community and protective services meeting.

Police Chief Bryan Somerville will present a revised overview of the costs associated with retaining the municipal department instead of switching to an OPP contract. The Feb. 23 meeting starts at 7 pm in the municipal building on Dibble Street West.

Town committee meetings are open to the public.

A public forum on the future of policing in Prescott will take place once both updates have been received, according to Councillor and committee chair Sue O'Hanlon.

Lot beside school needs a spring cleaning

PRESCOTT ­ Municipally-owned land adjacent to St. Joseph Catholic School needs to be cleaned up, town officials have been told.

In a recent letter to Councillor Sue O'Hanlon, Principal Deborah Zabloski states the wooded lot north of McAuley Road is in bad shape. There are broken trees and branches as well as garbage on the lot, according to Zabloski.

She also notes in her letter students are not allowed to play in that area during recesses; however, many children go there after school hours.

Prescott council agreed Monday night to refer the letter to Town Engineer Clyde Solomon for action. O'Hanlon suggested a clean-up of the land could be part of the upcoming Pitch-in Canada Week.

In recommending the clean-up and pruning trees and brush, Zabloski states the school would do what it could to help.

Chamber of Commerce board to meet Thursday

RIVERVIEW HEIGHTS ­ The next monthly meeting for directors of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce will take place this Thursday, Feb. 19 at noon at the Rothesay Restaurant.

Prime minister hears local concerns from civic leaders

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

BROCKVILLE ­ Leeds-Grenville needs the resources with which the public and private sectors can survive and thrive, Prime Minister Paul Martin was told during a visit to Brockville Friday.

Martin attended a roundtable discussion on rural development organized by Leeds-Grenville MP Joe Jordan and held at the united counties building (the former public school board office) on Central Avenue.

The PM and MP received brief presentations from smaller groups that had met prior to Martin's arrival. The prime minister then took part in a question-and-answer session with the larger group.

Among those who took part in the discussion were mayors Peggy Taylor of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and Robert Lawn of Prescott as well as Augusta Reeve John McCrea. Other local representation included Ontario Federation of Agriculture Vice-President Geri Kamenz and Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation Executive Director Heather Lawless.

Taylor led the presentations by telling the prime minister Leeds-Grenville is a proud community whose biggest hurdle is to maintain an affordable lifestyle.

"We are in dire need of funding," she told the prime minister.

The mayor explained the property tax system now in place does not meet the needs of municipalities. Government programs with fewer conditions and strings attached would enable municipalities to better serve their residents, according to Taylor.

"We are accountable; we are responsible," she said. "We need the backing of governments above us."

The prime minister said he understands the needs of smaller communities "...are incredibly acute" and are different than those of cities. "I do not believe one size fits all."

Martin referred to "the new deal" that recognizes rural municipalities can no longer function on a single source of taxation. He added Canada must figure out a new way to ensure adequate funding for all levels of government.

The recent announcement municipalities would be refunded the full share of GST they pay is an example of the federal government's commitment to that goal, according to the prime minister.

The concept of a federally-funded economic development forum to deal specifically with regional needs was also brought up at the meeting. Separate agencies serve Northern Ontario and other regions in Canada. Martin, who raised the subject, said he believes a business case could be made for such an agency in Eastern Ontario.

The needs of the local agricultural community were also discussed at the roundtable. Kamenz, who operates a farm near Ventnor, referred to the sponsorship program controversy the Liberal government has had to deal with since last week. He said that type of crisis management is reflective of the mode the agricultural community has been in for some time. The mad cow crisis and other situations have led to unprecedented times for farmers, Kamenz noted.

The prime minister acknowledged the plight of agriculture and said the federal government is doing everything it can. "We do realize the tremendous problems farm families are facing," he said.

The prime minister, who said he loves this part of the country, concluded by stating "We have a phenomenal decade ahead of us." The challenge he noted, is to address the problem of lopsided growth.

Taylor told The Journal Monday she found the task of making a presentation to the prime minister "...a little intimidating." In noting the experience was both scary and exciting, the mayor said the prime minister made eye contact and listened to what she and the others had to say. "He seemed sincere to me," Taylor added.

"I was surprised we're all facing the exact same dilemma," she said.

Taylor went on to state the experience would still have been worthwhile even if it does not lead to increased funding from the federal government. "It was a good exercise for all of us" at the local level, the mayor added.

Infrastructure plan for South Grenville back on the table

PRESCOTT ­ Town council has given its support in principle to a proposed South Grenville infrastructure project.

As part of the proposal, the federal government would be asked to fund an infrastructure study aimed at helping to create business and residential development in Augusta, Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal and Prescott.

Prescott council discussed the proposal Monday night. Although some councillors indicated they do not agree with portions of the proposal, the group gave the green light to proceed.

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn said the proposal has a number of authors connected to the South Grenville economic development committee and councils in Edwardsburgh/Cardinal and Augusta.

Municipal councils in both townships are also being asked to support the project. Augusta council members discussed the concept during the recent committee-of-the-whole meeting that featured the Ultramar presentation.

The proposal calls for an infrastructure corridor (including a service road, power and telecommunications lines, natural gas and water and sewer services) that would extend from County Road 15 north of Maitland to the Port of Prescott, with connections to Cardinal. The corridor would be south of Highway 401 and have four interchange connections at County Road 15, Blue Church Road, Edward Street and highways 401 and 416.

The corridor would also connect to existing industrial facilities and parks in all three communities.

Once the study verifies the need for such a corridor, it could be constructed in phases.

This would be a possible solution to the ongoing problem of attracting industry to the area, according to the working draft of the proposal supported by town council.

"The study should provide the three municipalities with a plan of action to implement the recommendations, together, in an affordable manner," the proposal states.

In noting the three municipalities "...have developed with little or no co-ordinated regional planning over the past 50 years," the proposal also states South Grenville is limited in what it can do financially. Area residents earn much less than the provincial average (between $33,910 and $40,878 locally in 2001 compared to $53,930 across the province), and municipalities are limited in the taxes they can collect from property owners.

Although there has been an increased willingness on the part of civic leaders to work together recently, the report states "they need help."

Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead noted the proposal appears to be similar to one that was considered during the days of the telecommunications initiative and the former South Grenville Economic Development Commission.

Lawn said the municipality is not committing any money to the project. The federal government would be asked to cover the entire cost of a study, according to the mayor.

Police board would still have a say if Prescott switched to OPP service

Local group would monitor performance, set priorities; liability not as much an issue

PRESCOTT ­ The role of the police services board would change to some extent if the town were to make the switch to an OPP municipal contract.

Ontario's Police Services Act legislates control a board has over an OPP contract and a municipal service. The existing board in Prescott, which includes council representation and provincial appointees, has a more direct and hands-on role than the alternate set-up with the OPP. However, there is common ground between the two systems.

Municipal police boards establish policies to manage the police service.

"The commissioner of the OPP will ensure that the detachment commander responds appropriately to the board's advice and priorities in a manner consistent with the board's identified concerns, expectations and needs," according to a supplement to the OPP's Prescott proposal.

The board would take part in the selection of an OPP detachment commander; in the case of Grenville County, several municipal partners would be involved. Under the current system in Prescott, the board recruits and hires the chief. It also hires officers based on the chief's recommendations. The municipality covers hiring-related costs of the existing department; the OPP would pick up those costs in a municipal contract situation.

The OPP would cover liability costs, although the municipality could still be on the hook if a court finds against the town as a named party in civil court. The municipality through its existing police board structure is much more exposed to liability issues.

The extras

In terms of capital spending, the OPP proposal for Prescott calls for about $75,000 in option one and more than $71,000 in option two. About one-third of those costs cover uniforms and equipment for 10 officers; an additional $35,000 would be needed for three mobile radio systems.

Updated figures indicate the proposed cost of an OPP contract for the equivalent of about 12 officers (including a community sergeant) is $1,340,000 per year. The second option (without the additional sergeant) would cost almost $1,225,000 per year.

Revised estimates of the cost of retaining the Prescott Police Service will be presented at a community and protective services committee meeting next Monday night at town hall.

Town council is still on the record as supporting disbandment of the police department in favour of an OPP contract. A decision on whether an appeal of the effort to disband the service will be considered by a court is expected soon.

Block Parent program returning to Prescott

PRESCOTT ­ An effort to resurrect the Block Parent program in Prescott is now under way.

Town council endorsed the program Monday night following a presentation by Councillor and local program organizer Sue O'Hanlon.

The purpose of Block Parents is to have responsible adults volunteer their homes as safe havens for children who find themselves in trouble and in need of a safe place to go. Youngsters are alerted to the presence of participating homes by way of Block Parent signs placed in windows.

O'Hanlon said the Prescott Police Service is on board and will screen applicants.

Both English public and Catholic school boards and all four elementary schools in town are also receptive to the program, according to the councillor.

O'Hanlon added the program should have at least two or three houses on each block as a way of ensuring someone would always be available to assist children or others who are seeking help. In addition to participating homes, volunteers are also needed to serve on a local Block Parent committee.

Anyone interested in taking part in the Prescott Block Parent program is asked to contact O'Hanlon at 925-1595.

There are about 1,200 Block Parent programs in Canada; 300 of those are in Ontario. Prescott used to have the program in place, but it was disbanded some time ago.

Meeting to address general assessment concerns

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD ­ Augusta and Prescott residents concerned about increased property assessments are welcome to attend a public forum Thursday, March 4.

The meeting to take place at 7 pm in Prescott council chambers will address general concerns and questions but not specific situations, noted Augusta CAO Sharon Wilkinson. Representatives from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will attend.

Assessments in Augusta increased last year by an average of about 12 per cent, Wilkinson said in an interview. The increase affects all property classes, including residential/farm, occupied and unoccupied commercial and industrial and managed forests. Wilkinson indicated some assessments decreased last year.

In her report to council at its meeting Feb. 9, Wilkinson said MPAC is now enforcing five-year-old legislation that calls for an industrial taxation rate on any business that uses its land for or in connection with manufacturing, producing or processing. The higher industrial rate would also apply to the research and development, storage or retail sales of a manufacturer.

This legislation is, however, open to interpretation, and could apply to any home-based business, Wilkinson said. "The little widow-woman who's making puppets in her basement is classed as industrial and MPAC wants us to turn them in," she told council.

Wilkinson added MPAC often locates smaller "mom and pop" operations through Web site advertising, and also expects municipalities to police the businesses. The agency has been targeting maple syrup producers, she said.

As an example of the higher rate a business owner would have to pay if classed as industrial, Wilkinson said a commercial operation located in Augusta assessed at $100,000 in 2003 would pay $674.86 on the municipal portion of its tax bill. As an industrial property, that bill would jump to $907.93.

If only a portion of the enterprise is classed as industrial, the rate would be lower, she added.

Prescott discloses council-related costs

List of payments, expenses reported on annual basis

PRESCOTT ­ Members of town council received payments or incurred expenses totalling about $37,000 in 2003, according to Treasurer/Deputy CAO Laurie Kirkby.

Remuneration and expense information must be reported on an annual basis. Kirkby's report for last year was presented to council Monday night.

Mayor Robert Lawn received remuneration totalling just over $8,800 in 2003. Conference expenses totalled about $1,158. Training and subscription costs totalled about $118.

Former councillor Jim French received almost $4,500 for the year; his total is higher than that of his council colleagues because he also served on the Prescott Police Services Board.

The other former councillors ­ Garry Dewar, Terry McConnell, Nancy McFarland and Seeley Pillar ­ who were either defeated in the November election or did not seek re-election received $3,622 apiece.

Councillor Jo-Anne Beckstead, who was re-elected in November, received just over $3,950 in remuneration last year.

Both McConnell and French incurred conference expenses of about $1,100. McFarland's expenses totalled about $456.

The other five current councillors ­ Suzanne Dodge, Nancy Lane, Sue O'Hanlon, Bob Pelda and Chuck Street ­ received $329.29 each for their month of service in December.

Augusta reeve favours extra meetings

Second session each month to be considered by council

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

MAYNARD ­ After the last Augusta township council meeting Feb. 9 did not wrap up until almost midnight, Reeve John McCrea is strongly considering switching to two meetings per month.

"I think the workload warrants it," McCrea said Monday in an interview. "I don't see any other way around it." That workload could be a sign of the times that has been "prompted by mandated responsibilities, a deluge of paperwork and formalities required to do anything," he added.

The February meeting that began at 7:30 pm included three delegations, discussion of several correspondence items, committee and staff reports, new business, bylaws and resolutions. The meetings generally attract a full-house crowd; as the evening waned, the listeners gradually disappeared.

At 10:05 pm at that meeting, CAO Sharon Wilkinson issued a warning to the reeve indicating there was still much business to cover before the 11 pm cut-off time. The township has a procedural bylaw which states it must adjourn a council meeting by 11 pm. At that time, council passed a resolution to extend the meeting beyond its curfew. It finally adjourned at 11:45 pm.

Wilkinson noted it is not unusual for a council to conduct business that late into the night; she added she has seen the practice in other municipalities. "You have to expect it," she said. "It is part of your job."

The most recent meeting was McCrea's third since taking over as reeve. The only obvious change on the agenda under his leadership, he believes, is the addition of councillors recapping events and information in detail from committee meetings.

The reeve noted this change allows committee chairs to not only bring problems to the table, but solutions as well. The practice reflects McCrea's desire for more openness with the public and accountable government - an issue on which he based his campaign last fall.

McCrea said the late meetings "are not a good situation," and it might be favourable to move to two meetings per month. "That meeting was too late and too much."

The reeve also stated he plans to address the issue at the next regular meeting, scheduled for March 8. He added he believes there is support for the idea, but would like to get insight on council's position, rather than just instruct. "I hope council will see in their wisdom to make adjustments."

Girl charged with three counts of assault

PRESCOTT ­ Officers with the Prescott Police Service investigated 78 incidents and two motor vehicle collisions during the week of Feb. 9.

Last Wednesday, police received a report of two female youths assaulting others at a home on Railway Avenue. A 16-year-old girl was eventually arrested; she has been charged with three counts of assault as well as mischief, breach of probation and failing to comply with a recognizance. Constable Pergunas is the investigating officer.

A day earlier, town police responded to a report someone was breaking windows at 143 Wood St. W. An investigation revealed the windows had been broken by a male who rented the apartment. Other damage was found inside the apartment. Constable Moe Morrissette is continuing the investigation.

Town police received a report Saturday that four males were attempting to kick in a door on King Street. One of the four continued to cause problems in the area that evening and was arrested for failing to keep the peace and be of good standing, a condition he is to follow as part of an earlier probation order. Constable Morrissette is investigating.

Anyone with information on these or any other occurrences is asked to contact the Prescott Police Service at 925-4252 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Missing couple in Brockville

PRESCOTT ­ Prescott police continue to seek answers in connection with a peculiar case that led to a public appeal for help locating a local couple.

As part of the investigation of a break and enter at a Russell Street apartment, the police department indicated Tuesday morning it was seeking the public's assistance to locate the apartment's occupants, Wayne Puddy and Christine Armstrong, both 30. A news release noted the couple's apartment had been found vandalized the previous day, adding no one had heard from either person for some time. Armstrong had not reported to work at Kemptville and District Hospital.

After local media began publicizing the case Tuesday, Puddy called town police later that day and reported he and his partner were in Brockville. The couple also talked to police in person.

Prescott Police Chief Bryan Somerville acknowledged this situation was different than most missing person cases.

Although there was no evidence of a struggle at the crime scene, the fact the occupants could not be located and no one had heard from them was a concern.

"We did all the routine checks and came up blank," said the chief, who added bank and cell phone use was also checked prior to the decision to go public with the case.

The couple indicated to police it was unaware the apartment had been vandalized, according to Somerville.

The chief noted Thursday there were still unanswered questions involving the case. The investigation led by Constable Moe Morrissette is ongoing.

OPP NEWS

Vehicle peppered by paintballs

SPENCERVILLE ­ Grenville County OPP are investigating another paintball incident in the Spencerville area.

A vehicle was eastbound on County Road 21 west of the village Sunday at about 8:30 pm when it was met by a westbound vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle heard a noise but kept going. When he arrived at home and checked the vehicle, he noticed it was covered with at least 30 paintball markings. The paint was removed, and the vehicle did not sustain damage.

The other vehicle was described as dark. Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable McConnell at the detachment in Prescott (925-4221) or Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477).

Expect RIDE checks at any time

AUGUSTA ­ RIDE checks were conducted throughout the township Friday between 3 and 7 pm. Three hundred thirty-nine vehicles were checked; two roadside screening tests were done, and 12-hour licence suspensions were issued. Five Highway Traffic Act warnings were also issued.

Police remind motorists RIDE checks are not reserved for the holiday season; they could take place at any time of the day or night.

No injuries in most recent crashes

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ OPP officers investigated 13 collisions last week. Winds and blowing snow were factors in nine of those collisions that took place Friday and Saturday.

Injuries were involved in two of the crashes. The female driver in a single-vehicle collision on Highway 401 eastbound near Maitland Saturday sustained minor injuries and was taken to Brockville General Hospital. No charges were laid.

A single-vehicle crash occurred last Monday afternoon on County Road 22 just north of Edwardsburgh/Cardinal. The driver, a 39-year-old man who lives on County Road 21, was arrested at the scene and faces charges of impaired driving. His name was not included in the police news release.

National story overshadows local visit

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

BROCKVILLE ­ The feeding frenzy over the federal sponsorship scandal was evident near the end of Prime Minister Paul Martin's visit to Brockville Friday.

Following the roundtable discussion at the united counties building, the prime minister addressed the media in a news conference in an adjoining room. Local reporters were given the first opportunity to address Martin; the first and only question from a local reporter dealt with the sponsorship scandal, a subject that dominated the rest of the questioning by the national media.

In her annual report released last week, Auditor General Sheila Fraser raises serious doubts about management of the program created after the 1995 Quebec referendum on separation. In noting $100 million of the $250 million spent on the program over four years beginning in 1997 went to communications firms in the form of fees and commissions, Fraser says many rules were broken and taxpayers received little value for the money spent.

"Every Liberal across the country wants to know what happened," the prime minister told reporters. "I am very, very angry. We are going to get to the bottom of this," said the prime minister, who added anyone found to have acted inappropriately will pay the consequences.

A federal election call had been expected this spring. "We're going to have an election when it is appropriate to do so," Martin remarked Friday.

When asked by the local reporter how the scandal might affect the riding, which Jordan won by only 55 votes in the 2000 election, the prime minister said Jordan's dedication to the issues affecting Leeds-Grenville is "...going to stand him in very good stead."

Jordan's ability to articulate the concerns of the area and make the government listen is very important, according to Martin.

Jim Jordan, former MP and Joe's father, was also on hand to greet Martin in Brockville.

Town asked to give $5,000 for recruitment

PRESCOTT ­ The Town of Prescott is being asked to contribute $5,000 to the Leeds and South Grenville Physician Recruitment Task Force.

The municipality has donated $4,000 in each of the past two years. Town council opted Monday to refer the request to upcoming 2004 budget deliberations.

Three of nine municipal councils in the region have approved requests for funding since the task force was created more than three years ago. The program has brought nearly 20 doctors to the area; however, the net gain is four as a result of other doctors leaving or retiring.

It is estimated 20,000 residents of the Brockville, Prescott and Gananoque areas do not have a family physician. The provincial health ministry has designated the region as being underserviced when it comes to physicians.

Augusta and Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal councils have also been asked for contributions.

Loyalist heritage will be on display at town library

PRESCOTT ­ Find out more about United Empire Loyalists at an information day this Saturday, Feb. 21 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Prescott Public Library on Dibble Street West.

Displays and research opportunities will be part of the event presented by the Colonel Edward Jessup branch of United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada.

Loyalists settled along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River in Upper Canada (Ontario) following the American Revolution.

A "mark of honour" was bestowed upon descendants of Loyalists; they have the right to place the initials UE after their names.

For more information on the association, contact Fraser Carr at 925-4930 or at fraser.carr@ripnet.com.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"The little widow-woman who's making puppets in her basement is classed as industrial and MPAC wants us to turn them in."

Augusta CAO Sharon Wilkinson referring to a heavy-handed approach to property tax assessment

Editor's Notebook

SEEING LIBERAL RED: When Prime Minister Paul Martin visited Brockville Friday and interacted with civic leaders, he appeared to be sincere and interested in what they had to say.

Moments later when being grilled by reporters, the prime minister also appeared sincere as he explained how upset he is with the so-called sponsorship scandal that could actually put the governing Liberals in jeopardy the next time Canadians cast their ballots in a federal election.

Opinion polls indicate most respondents do not believe Mr. Martin when he says he knew nothing about the skimming and scamming that was taking place while he was finance minister. Given time, this scandal might not stick to the prime minister as was always the case with his predecessor, Jean Chrétien. Remember, the "billion-dollar boondoggle" at human resources did not stop the Liberals from being re-elected in 2000.

Whether the current controversy will have the legs to become a long-term threat for the Liberal party and its re-election plans remains to be seen.

The government could choose to call an election this spring as planned or postpone it to allow the pressure to subside. Perhaps Canadians are used to having elected officials and bureaucrats mishandle public funds and do not consider gross errors in judgement or outright fraud to be grounds to turf a political party out of office.

Paul Martin could very well ride out this storm and prevail at election time. If that is the case and the sponsorship scandal turns out to be as serious as the auditor general and other indications suggest, that says a lot about what we as a nation will accept from our leaders ­ not much.

MORE SOUL FOOD NEEDED: The decision by Seaway Christian Church to host a monthly dinner for the needy is yet another sign of the hard times many Prescott-area residents face.

The people who have been volunteering at the food bank since it opened a year and a half ago are all too familiar with the demand for that service. Church officials suspect they might have to go to weekly dinners because of anticipated demand for that invaluable service.

As much as offering one hot meal or a box of canned goods and other household items once a month is a great gesture, it does not solve the problems facing literally hundreds of our neighbours who, for whatever reasons, find themselves in often desperate situations.

Elected officials at all levels of government should keep this in mind as they head into budget deliberations this winter and spring. Money is tight these days, but governments cannot pass the buck when it comes to their constituents who are having trouble choosing between putting food on the table and having a roof over their heads.

Tim Ruhnke

Spirit sticks take SGDHS school spirit to whole new level

CLUB HOUSE REMARKS by David Dickenson

I've said it before and I'll say it again, but the spirit of local schools in the area blows away my memories of high school and public school spirit.

Back when I was in school, there were always a couple of people who were really into school spirit and showed their support and tried to get everyone else on the band wagon, but my memories are always of that failing miserably. It was like watching a car wreck happen, it would never be pretty, but you couldn't help watch as the attempt went down in flames.

These days it seems to be very different though with large groups of students showing support and getting loud and rowdy in support of their schools. Parents, alumni and teachers often come to sporting events and cheer people on and the students are really loud and proud of their schools.

This was never more apparent to me than a couple weeks ago when South Grenville hosted its regular season LGSSAA volleyball league tournament. Students bought tickets to watch the events and cheer on the schools, but this time there was more than cheering going on with the emergence of spirit sticks in the crowd of onlookers in the gym.

I was simply dumbfounded looking around at how much the kids were into banging together the inflatable noisemakers to cheer on the Giants. Kids were practically begging the teachers for a pair. I couldn't hear myself think in that gym; it was even louder than out-of-town hockey parents hurling obscenities at local referees. It even drowned out the TISS Pirates team, which has always been louder than any other team in volleyball and louder than most audiences too.

The kids seemed to love it and the girls on the senior and junior teams were all smiles as the crowd of parents, teachers and students rallied behind them with the deafening beat of the spirit sticks.

Everyone seemed to be happy - well, almost everyone.

TISS was very unhappy; the other schools and their coaches looked a little perturbed as well and one of the referees didn't look all that pleased either, but the crowd had spoken and they liked what they saw and liked what they heard.

South Grenville knew that if you give young teenage sports fans a chance to use loud, annoying noisemakers then they will be happy as a pig in slop, and to make it even better it went towards school spirit and the show of support.

That was by far the loudest thing I have ever heard at any high school sporting event and the best showing of school spirit I have ever witnessed.

It was great to see the reaction of the South Grenville players, and the look of disgust and anger by other schools that couldn't deal with the noise of the crowd.

Prescott's first public health nurse retires after 44 years in field

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Feb. 17, 1944

* The licensing of all bicycles in Prescott is a distinct possibility following a meeting of town council. A motion sponsored by councillors Stone and Kerr instructed the town clerk to prepare a bylaw for licensing bicycles, regulating their use and providing penalty for violations.

Feb. 19, 1964

* A tender of $154,200 was awarded for the new North Edwardsburgh Public School, it was announced by John Malcomson, chairman of the Edwarsburgh Township School Area Board. The six-room school with auditorium will be built west of the village of Shanly and will replace the one-room school remaining open in the township.

* A 12-unit apartment building costing $120,000 will be constructed on the south side of Churchill Road in McAuley Gardens. Two-bedroom units will rent at between $100 and $115 each monthly, while one-bedroom units will rent between $80 and $100 each.

* The Prescott Police Commission drafted its 1964 budget, and the recommended figure going forward to municipal council is $59,100, which includes salaries.

Feb. 20, 1974

* Bertha Young, Prescott's first public health nurse, was recently honoured by the Waterloo Region Health Unit as she retired after 44 years of service in the field. She left Prescott in 1957 for Cambridge (Preston). She came to Prescott from Cochrane to set up a public health clinic in the old market building, where the Dominion store now stands. She visited schools, conducted well baby clinics and such affiliated responsibilities until the coming of the Leeds and Grenville Health Unit.

Feb. 22, 1984

* Prescott Police Chief Matt Hayes has been nominated by the town's police commission to receive an exemplary service medal for fulfilling 20 years service while displaying the qualities of good conduct, industry and efficiency. Hayes has served on the force since its inception in 1957 and was appointed to his present position Jan. 1, 1980.

Martin could have saved integrity by telling truth about sponsorships

FORT TOWN DIARY by John A.H. Morris

It looks like the spin doctors who have been running the Liberal Party, hence the government of Canada, for the past decade have run out of spin and are convinced they can sweep the $250 million Quebec sponsorship scandal under the rug by telling bigger and better lies. Proof of their arrogance came on the weekend when they wheeled out a freshly-scrubbed Prime Minister Paul Martin and had him announce to a nationwide CBC radio audience that he would quit as PM if it could be proven that he had hid the sponsorship payoffs.

Get ready to run your shipping line again, Mr. Martin, because the majority of Canadians think you are lying and that you share Jean Chretien's patronage platform in Quebec. In taking his spin doctors' advice and challenging Canadians to prove that he is a liar puts Martin in a lose-lose situation. On one hand we have Mr. Martin who was minister of finance when $250 million was handed over to Liberal-friendly firms in Quebec to help improve Canada's image in the province. On the other hand we have Paul Martin saying he knew nothing at all about this $250 million sponsorship scam of which about $100 million has mysteriously disappeared. This leads us to believe that if Paul Martin was not lying, then he was too dumb to be looking after the national treasury.

We believe that Paul Martin knew there were millions of taxpayer dollars being laundered in Quebec, with some of it going to party friends and some back to the party treasury. We think that the Martin memory of sponsorship funds comes from the same part of his brain as the information he made public recently that his Canada Steamship Lines obtained about $40,000 in government contracts while the firm was in a blind trust, when in fact, the actual total was about $150 million.

We remember being told as a youngster that although it seems difficult at the time, it is always better to tell the truth than a lie, because it is easier to remember the truth than a concocted story. Too bad Paul Martin had not been privy to that bit of rural philosophy. His stock with Canadians would have jumped 15 per cent instead of dropping drastically if he had admitted that he knew a scandal was brewing in Quebec under Jean Chretien's watch as prime minister, but that Chretien and his Quebec thugs would not allow him access to their little circle and secrets. He would further his cause even more if he vowed to restore the missing millions to the national treasury.

The sponsorship scandal makes it too risky to call a May election as Martin and the Liberals had planned, because the nation-wide anger over the Quebec patronage deal will be dealt with at the polls with a Liberal loss. A delay until September would take some of the heat off Martin, but it would also give the Tories a chance to choose a new leader, and to be better organized for a fall vote. Right now, however, the three leading candidates for the Tory leadership do not offer much in the way of leadership. We hope the door is still open for someone of the stature of John Tory of Toronto to march to the front of the Tory hordes and lead them to victory.

On the local front this scandal pretty well means an early pension for Liberal MP Joe Jordan whose return as Liberal MP for Leeds-Grenville had already been made tenuous with the Alliance and Conservatives joining ranks to nominate Gord Brown of Gananoque to oppose him in the next election. Junior would have to find an extra 10,000 votes to hold off Brown in the next election, but with Paul Martin's handling of the sponsorship scandal, it is likely his original voter base will deteriorate rather than expand, making re-election a remote possibility.

This will give him time, however, to groom himself as the Liberal successor to Tory Brockville Bob whose scandal-plagued provincial party sits in the opposition benches at Queen's Park because of the same voter arrogance that has crept into the Liberal ranks.

Leeds-Grenville voters could be the winners in the Martin public relations program, however, as the Liberals might try to throw a few bones to Eastern Ontario ridings in hopes of retaining their support which, as history shows, can be very fickle.

*****

With last Monday being designated as Heritage Day in Canada, we took time to reflect on what type of man or woman we needed to lead our country and who would place some emphasis on restoring our crumbling nation. We have hundreds and hundreds of historic buildings, places and traditions in this relatively young nation of ours that need national assistance to survive.

As more and more details of Liberal patronage in Quebec unfold like they have the past few weeks, we wonder what a National Trust Fund could do if it had an annual budget of $250 million to reinforce our heritage and make us aware of the accomplishments of our forefathers. We have had too many political leaders this past half century who have been more interested in establishing personal fortunes or maintaining and growing the ones they enjoyed before entering politics, than in promoting Canadian heritage.

SCHOOL SCENE

Boundary Street Public School: We had excellent days at the Prescott curling rink with the Grade 7 and 8 students in January. During this time, the students learned the strategy of the game along with the skills of sliding, delivering the rock and sweeping. We are currently planning the first ever Boundary curling bonspiel. Students and their parents/guardians will be curling Friday, Feb. 27 from 11:45 am - 3 pm. Boundary Street acknowledges Candy Alexander and the members of the Prescott Curling Club for helping us.

Madelle Becker's Grade 6 students will be starting the Peacekeepers Program during lunch hour. They will focus on the primary yard where they will provide assistance to younger students and organize games and activities. The students will also run a sports store in which students can sign out sports equipment for lunch recess.

Student council has organized a winter carnival for students in grades 4 to 8. A number of games and activities will be held outside Friday afternoon.

The Valentine's draw was held Feb. 13 in support of the Grade 7 and 8 trip and school council activities. Draw winners were Lisa Mundy, Raymond Hough and Larry Drew.

Hot lunch this week is hamburgers.

Centennial '67 and North Edwardsburgh Public Schools: North Edwardsburgh is busy preparing to greet our newest students, the 2004 Junior Kindergartens. We are planning registration dates and packages, parent information sessions, visits to the school for beginning students, a bus safety presentation and practice run. Anyone who has a child who will be four years old by Dec. 31, 2004 is welcome to call the school at 658-2011 for more details.

Despite the frosty weather, Centennial '67 held a very successful winter carnival Friday. Various activities included snow sculptures, canyon cross, dog sled races, snowball relay and sticky fingers. The Grade 8 team leaders did a great job leading their teams successfully through the events.

The Black B team won with a total of 99 points; team members were George Unc, Jordan Turcotte, Ian Bain, Michael Tracey, Mike Boyd, Quinton Selleck, Margaret Robertson-Hart and Chelsea Heusser. Grey C was a close second with 98 points. Brandon Spencer, Melissa Spurrell, Thomas Lee, Mickey Blaedow, Brooke Fawcett, Brandon TeGrotenhuis, Caitlyn Sauve and Melissa Heusser represented this team.

A reminder to Grade 8 parents that South Grenville District High School will have an open house Thursday, Feb. 19 from 7-9 pm.

Central Public School: Congratulations to our students who were recognized as January's Students of the Month! They were: Kindergarten A - Noah Visser; Kindergarten B - Conner Wilson; Grade 1/2 - Hilary Hoogwerf; Grade 2/3 - Brandon Worden; Grade 4/5 - Lindsay Letts; Grade 5/6 - Ben Hutton; and Grade 7/8 - Paige Levere. Keep up the great work!

Messages from parent council: Parent council has some fun fundraising events happening! Yummy MacMillan's cookie dough is being sold until March 4. The Regal spring catalogue orders are due by Feb. 24.

Save those pop cans for May! Our spring pop can challenge will be in full swing by May, and first prize is a pizza party. Parent council acknowledges everyone for their continuous support!

The graduating class of 2004 appreciates all who bought a ticket for the Valentine's raffle. The event was a great success. Congratulations to Adele McLeod and Karen Cole who each won a Valentine basket.

Maynard and Maitland Public Schools: Very successful "Focus on Crocus" campaigns were held with the proceeds from sales benefiting CNIB and school initiatives. At Maitland, the school campaign was organized by the parents of the school council. At Maynard, the campaign was organized by the garden club under the direction of Mrs. Gibson with school profits going toward the purchase of annuals for our gardens.

There is still room to register to hear Dr. Michelle Borba's address, "How Parents and School Can Work Together to Develop Character Education," on Thursday, March 4 at 7:30 at Kemptville College. Please call Mrs. McCrae or Mrs. Holmes/Mrs. Connell at Maynard to register before Feb. 20. This exciting event is absolutely free to parents of students in the Upper Canada District School Board. Several of our staff members have already been involved in training opportunities with Dr. Borba. She is an excellent speaker who inspires parents and teachers to help kids to know how to do the right thing. We know that you won't be disappointed!

St. Joseph Catholic School: The Prescott community supported our spaghetti supper on Feb. 12 - it was a great success!

Congratulations to our Good Samaritans for the week of Feb. 9: Christine Leonard, Braeden Smith, Isabella Lampron and Fiona Cleary.

A reminder that our students will be dismissed at noon on Friday, Feb. 20.

We will be enjoying Winter Carnival activities from Feb. 23 to 27.

On Monday, Feb. 23, we are off to Mount Pakenham. Buses leave at 7:45 am and return at 4:30 pm.

Snow sculptures are the order of the day Tuesday. If you visit St. Joseph on Tuesday, you will see students and staff with very bad hair who are still in their pajamas.

Our Ash Wednesday celebration will take place at 2 pm. Wednesday will also be colour day and teams will battle at "tug o' war."

Thursday, Feb. 26 is "inside out" day. There will be a free-throw competition.

On Friday, everyone is invited to come to school with faces painted. There will be a "Reach for the Top" competition in the morning and a talent show in the afternoon. Parents and friends are invited; the show begins at 1:30 pm.

St. Mark Catholic School: We are back to regular schedules following a week of winter carnival activities.

This Friday, Feb. 20 is an early dismissal day with buses leaving at 11:50 am and 11:55 am. The teachers will utilize the afternoon for professional development activities and preparation time.

Our school council is sponsoring a magic show this Friday evening at 7 pm at St. Mark's Parish Centre. For tickets, please call Cheryl Bernier at 925-5019 or Maureen Crawford at 925-5101.

Next week, we will begin 40 days of Lent with the distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. We will have an Ash Wednesday paraliturgy at 11 am in the school gymnasium. All are welcome to join us.

Our All Star Reading Strategy this week is "Book Awareness Strategies: Five Finger Rule."

Hot lunch this week is pizza.

Augusta library activities need volunteers to survive

MAITLAND NEWS by Jane Fullarton

The Augusta Friends of the Library are actively seeking new members. The group provides support for the library in a variety of ways, including fundraising, planning events and activities at the library, providing a pool of volunteers to help implement library programs and providing publicity for the library.

The current group has been very busy during the last few years and has provided funding for the Internet line, purchased books and other enhancements for the library and provided refreshments for the literacy night activities. The group has sponsored the garden tour and produced and sold a cookbook with proceeds for the library.

The group desperately needs new members to remain active and encourages anyone with an interest in helping their community to come to the next meeting Thursday, Feb. 26 from 7 to 8:30 pm at the library in Algonquin.

There will be a youth dance at MERC Hall this Friday, Feb. 20 from 7 pm to 10 pm. Students are reminded to bring an item for the Food For All Food Bank box.

Weaving for those with warp drive

WALKER HOUSE NEWS by MARNIE LIPPIATT

Starting Tuesday, March 9 at 1 pm, we are starting another series of weaving lessons. We will supply the looms and other equipment needed. The members will be able to purchase their threads here. Members will learn to make their warp, dress the loom and read a weaving pattern. Please call 925-5300 and confirm your spot in this class.

Thursday night euchre turned into a real match. Four people were within two points on the final tally. Plan to come and challenge these numbers tomorrow night.

Card game winners: Monday bridge ­ 1st, Joyce Nesbitt; 2nd, Andy Britnell; door, Geneva Odell. Fun bridge ­ Ruth Wenger. Wednesday night bridge ­ high, Kitty Wormington; 2nd, Richard Kingston. Thursday night euchre ­ 1st, Hilda Hutton; 2nd, Geneva Odell; 3rd, Jim Campbell, Alice Crowder, Jeannine Marion and Jean Annable.

Billing formula will stay

Township council decides to retain current system for water and sewer billing

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - Township council has agreed to stick with the same format as 2003 for the water and sewer billing in the municipality this year.

At the Feb. 11 committee-of-the-whole meeting in Johnstown, two possible formulas were brought forward by township Treasurer Russell Trivett for water and sewer billing in 2004.

Council voted to leave the current system, in which a flat rate for water and sewer is charged to Spencerville and Cardinal.

The remaining costs of the water and sewer system in Cardinal are to be recovered through a special area rating.

Council felt the other option to increase the flat rate and decrease in the special area rate for Cardinal wasn't in their best interests .

A suggestion to apply special area rates to New Wexford to cover the cost of providing water to this area was also discussed.

Mayor Peggy Taylor indicated the decision needed to be made for the township to prepare for budget deliberations.

"Russell (Trivett) really needed a formula to go by," said Taylor. "We looked at other options and ended up going with the status quo."

Taylor also was realistic about the cost of water and sewer in the township.

"There likely will be an increase," said Taylor. "It's too early to tell, but prices on everything seem to be going up."

Trivett reported the Spencerville sewage system appeared to be in a surplus position at the end of 2003 with no increase required. The industrial park sewer system will break even by the end of 2004, but the water system would be running a deficit of $6,200.

Trivett suggested an increase in water line maintenance fees to $200 per user from the current rate of $100 to offset the deficit.

OPP NEWS

CARDINAL ­ While conducting regular patrol in Cardinal Sunday at about 4 pm, OPP Constable Natalie Jarrett stopped a vehicle for having improper plates and no insurance. A 44-year-old man who lives on George Street is scheduled to appear in Brockville court April 6 to respond to charges of having unauthorized plates and no insurance. The man's name was not included in a police news release.

LEGION NEWS

The Cardinal Legion has a full schedule of activities throughout the next couple of weeks.

This Thursday, Feb. 19, the Legion will play host to interbranch darts beginning at 7 pm, while euchre is set to begin at 7:30 pm.

On Friday, Feb. 20, there will be mixed darts at 7:30 pm, while Saturday, Feb. 21 will have public euchre beginning at 1:30 pm and a ladies darts 50/50 shoot at 7 pm.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, there will be ladies darts at 7 pm and on Thursday, Feb. 26, there will be euchre at 7:30 pm.

On Friday, Feb. 27, there will be a VON foot care clinic at the Legion at 2 pm and at 7:30 pm there will be mixed darts.

Public euchre will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at 1:30 pm.

COUNCIL NEWS

Ball diamond could change to soccer field

SPENCERVILLE - Council has indicated there have been discussions about converting one if not both of the baseball diamonds in Johnstown into a soccer field.

The concept was discussed at the Edwardsburgh/Cardinal committee-of-the-whole meeting held Feb. 11 in Johnstown.

Council suggested if a soccer program could be developed it could be made part of the township aquatics co-ordinator's position.

Ward Two Councillor Peter Martin explained at Monday's regular council meeting there are ongoing discussions about the fields.

"There already is a soccer pitch behind the bleachers to the rear of the road and there was some question about the demands and how it was not being used much," said Martin.

"The idea came up to see if it was more feasible to convert it so it would get more use, but there is no leg work done so far."

Mayor Peggy Taylor indicated it is just an idea that came up at the meeting.

"It really came out of a brainstorming session," said Taylor. "We'll have to wait until the next meeting to see what comes of it and what is conveyed to us."

At the committee-of-the-whole meeting, there was also discussion of creating an outdoor skating rink in Cardinal.

Council advised if a service group were to come forward to install and maintain a rink, an area of municipal property could be made available, provided there would be little to no extra cost to the township for insurance and other costs.

Spencerville Mill franking stamp approved by council

SPENCERVILLE - Township council Monday sent a letter to the Spencerville Mill Foundation supporting its bid to acquire a franking stamp for the Spencerville post office.

Council received a letter from Tony Ferrey Feb. 11, indicating the foundation had been advised that a franking stamp with the Spencerville Mill logo could be obtained from Canada Post to use at the post office to cancel postage stamps.

Owen Brown, a long-time resident of Johnstown and friend of the mill, came up with the idea and made preliminary arrangements for the stamp.

Ward Three Councillor Frank Noccey is encouraged by the idea.

"It's free advertising for Spencerville and the mill," said Noccey. "They have to have a cancellation stamp anyway, so this will be something nice."

Confirmation class members identified

CARDINAL ­ All of the people who appeared in a "Cardinal's Past" photo published in last week's Journal on Page 7 were not identified. Reverend Doug Hayman e-mailed us to fill in the blanks for the photo of St. Paul's Anglican Church confirmation class of 1974.

The bishop's name is the Right Reverend J.B. Creeggan. The boy in the front row on the left is Brian Vandine, and the boy on the right is Merle Lee Vandine.

Reverend Bev Lindsey, a retired priest with the Diocese of Ontario, also called and confirmed the bishop's name.

Public meeting on property assessment set

SPENCERVILLE - Township council announced the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) will be coming to the township to make a presentation Thursday, March 18 at 7 pm in Spencerville.

After the Feb. 2 council meeting, Edwardsburgh/Cardinal council invited the organization to come and make a presentation to the resident to help them understand the significant rise in property assessments.

Township CAO/Clerk Stephen McDonald indicated MPAC would be making as 20-to 30-minute presentation with the floor then being opened to general questions about assessments, since MPAC will not discuss specific inquiries.

Mayor Peggy Taylor advised this would be a meeting the public wouldn't want to miss.

"I would strongly advise that the public is encouraged to attend," said Taylor. "This is something the effects us all."

Pianist in the spotlight at next concert

PRESCOTT ­ Pianist Ian Parker will be the featured performer at the Fort Town Concert Association's next event.

The third concert of the 2003-2004 season will take place Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, corner of Centre and Dibble streets.

The young Canadian musician who hails from a family of pianists is a Juilliard graduate who has performed throughout North America, Europe and Israel and made solo appearances with a number of Canadian orchestras. He is to make his Lincoln Centre recital debut this year.

Parker's repertoire includes works by Mozart, Brahms, Chopin and Ravel. Promotional material supplied to the concert association notes Parker's "fluid artistry and irresistible charm... captivates audiences wherever he goes."

The Fort Town series is presented in conjunction with Jeunesses Musicales of Canada, an organization that helps supply professional musicians to communities such as Prescott.

Tickets for the concert will be available at the door. Special prices are in effect for students between the ages of 12 and 18; there is free admission for children under the age of 12.

The Feb. 26 presentation is sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Caldwell.

The local concert association has been serving the Prescott area for more than 20 years.

CARDINAL'S PAST

Feb. 19, 1964

* Sheila Gilmour, a Ventnor girl, was chosen "Ice Queen" at the annual Ice Carnival sponsored by the Hi-C group of Shanly. Sandra and Bonnie Pitt were named princesses to escort the queen.

Feb. 20, 1974

* Within the last 12 months, the Village of Cardinal has hosted two gigantic celebrations and will add a third with Snowfest '74. Included in the long list of carnival activities over nine days is the crowning of a Snowfest queen. The five girls entered are Gloria Holmes, Corinne Shortt, Cathy Rylands, Wendy Ward and Anne McCormac. Chairman of the carnival committee is Jim Ward.

* Judy Adams and Eileen Sayeau were presented with appreciation citations by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 105 President C.B. Amell for their dedicated service to Cubs in Cardinal for the past six years.

Feb. 22, 1984

* The official opening of the new parish centre at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church will take place March 11. Archbishop Spence will bless the new centre, and Margaret Patterson will cut the green ribbon to open the centre.

* Royalty chosen during Benson Public School's winter carnival were: King Chris Lloyd, Queen Tanya Baker, Prince Jimmy Pakeman and Princess Jessie Dillon.

There's no clowning around for children's theatre group

CARDINAL - The Cardinal Lions Club Children's Theatre Group is hard at work preparing for its presentation of "Clowns."

The group of children elementary students began meeting in late October to learn songs and rehearse for the annual production which is put on each April at St. John's United Church.

The group will be performing "Clowns," which the directors - retired teachers Diana Hoy and Carol Morris - have done together before while teaching at Benson Public School.

The story is about a group of clowns trying to become professionals and looking for the secrets of life.

Despite having a smaller number of kids involved this year, Morris is happy with the advancement.

"Everything is coming along and the children are progressing," said Morris. "The kids are pretty much just still rehearsing and getting to know their parts by heart."

Last year more than 30 children took part in the performance; this year's performance will feature 19 children.

"The play called for a minimum of 20 children," said Morris. "We had planned to expand it for more children if we needed, but we got 20 kids and then one recently had to drop out so we're down to 19. Everything then seemed to work out alright; we'll just get the children to pick up the extra lines."

Morris indicated that within the next couple weeks the group hopes to start thinking about how they are going to stage the production.

"We want to get that going so we know where everyone should be on the stage," explained Morris. "We already have our costume lady starting on the outfits for all the clowns and we have our face painters lined up, so then it will just be a matter of getting our props and rehearsing."

The group will present two performances, with a 7 pm show April 23 and a 2 pm matinee April 25.

Roebuck benefit dance to help cancer victim

ROEBUCK - The Roebuck Community Hall will play host to a benefit dance Sunday, Feb. 22 for cancer victim Jenny Kelsey of Brockville.

Kelsey, 25, is going through chemotherapy for the disease and was forced to go for surgery at the Fletcher-Allen Medical Center in Burlington, Vermont last August after OHIP denied her the necessary surgery she needed to survive.

Despite the Fletcher-Allen Center wiping clean the cost of Kelsey's surgery in early February after OHIP declined to pay for the treatment, Kelsey still requires bi-weekly trips to Vermont to receive $12,000 in chemotherapy sessions, which are not covered.

Mary Culver, a friend of Kelsey's mother Carol, came up with the idea for benefit dances to help the family out and this will be the second dance she has organized for the family.

"We had one already in Brockville at the Legion," explained Culver. "We wanted to take it out of the city for a second to give others a chance to come and help the Kelseys."

Seven country music bands will be taking part in the all day benefit with a silent auction to take place throughout the day, with the proceeds going into a fund for Kelsey.

"Hopefully, we'll raise quite a bit for them," said Culver. "They didn't want to accept charity, but this is not charity since it is helping them keep Jenny alive. If they didn't go to Vermont, Jenny wouldn't have seen her 26th birthday."

Jenny's mother Carol has been just overwhelmed with the support coming in for her daughter.

"Everyone has just been so great organizing things and showing their support," said Carol. "The support from the community and surrounding areas has just been amazing.

"The government may have let Jenny down, but the community sure hasn't. It's what really has kept us going and she's doing well now and that's been our goal. We've just been blessed."

The dance will feature seven bands and will run from 12:30 pm until 7 pm at the Roebuck Hall. At the dance, a hot meal will be served and a silent auction held with proceeds going to a fund for Kelsey.

Culver indicated donations of items and crafts for the silent auction were still being sought, with anyone interested in donating asked to contact Culver at 498-2943.

Spencerville trade show vendors sought

SPENCERVILLE ­ Local business owners and service providers are being sought for the Spencerville Spring Trade Show.

The two-day event will take place Friday, April 2 and Saturday, April 3 at the Drummond Building. The trade show is being hosted by the Spencerville Agricultural Society, which also hosts the annual Spencerville Fair and is trying to make use of the George Drummond Memorial Grounds throughout the year.

Those wishing to take part in the trade show are asked to call Janet Davidson at 258-7343, evenings and weekends only. The deadline for vendors to register is March 15.

The agricultural society is also seeking volunteers to help out at this and other community events.

Rangers to take on Tikis in Junior B playoffs

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Jr. B Rangers managed a 1-1-1 record in their final three regular season games to finish in fourth place in the Rideau Division, which will see them battle the Brockville Tikis in the first round of the playoffs.

On Sunday, South Grenville travelled to Gananoque and scored a 6-3 win over the Islanders.

Gananoque jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the first period, but the Rangers came back with a four-goal second period and never looked back.

Adam Tousant scored twice in the second period, while Justin Wiley and Derek Rupert added singles. Brian Marks assisted on three of the goals, while Lawrence picked up two assists in the period.

In the third, Gananoque would answer back with a goal, but the Rangers weren't done yet scoring another pair of goals to take the 6-3 win.

Rupert and Ben Bowden scored for South Grenville, while Steve Brown picked up a pair of helpers and Braden Miller also picked up an assist.

On Saturday, South Grenville dropped a 5-2 decision to the Brockville Tikis at the Cardinal and District Community Centre.

The Tikis opened up the scoring late in the first period, but Lawrence answered back with five minutes in the period to tie the score at one. Brockville got on a roll in the second period scoring three goals to take a 4-1 lead, before Wiley scored for the Rangers. Peter Veltkamp and Lawrence chipped in with helpers. The Tikis scored another in the third to put the final nail in South Grenville's coffin, in the 5-2 loss.

On Feb. 10, the Rangers settled for a 4-4 draw with the Westport Rideaus in Westport.

The Rangers started off slowly letting Westport take an early lead, but bounced back as Lawrence scored short-handed to tie the score at one. Marks added an assist. Wesport would bounce back to take a 2-1 lead into the second, and would continue their strong play with a pair of second period goals to take a 4-1 lead.

Lawrence would get the Rangers back in the game late in the second as he scored his second of the game to narrow the lead to two goals; Dustin Swan and Bowden chipped in with helpers.

Wiley would score a third period powerplay marker, while Alex Rees and Aaron Fox added assists.

Lawrence would complete his hat trick to tie the score at four late in the third period. Brandon Kelley chipped in with a helper.

The Rangers finished with a 21-19-3-1 record and 46 points and will now take on division winner Brockville in a best-of-seven series.

The Rangers will start the series tonight in Brockville at 7:35 pm at the Brockville Memorial Centre. Play will return to Cardinal on Saturday for game two at the Cardinal arena at 7:15 pm. Brockville will host game three Sunday at 7:15 pm. Game four will be held in Cardinal Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 8 pm. If necessary, game five will be in Brockville Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7:45 pm, game six will be in Cardinal Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7:15 pm and game seven will be in Brockville Sunday, Feb. 29 at 7:15 pm.

Giants senior boys basketball team ready for LGSSAA playoffs this week

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants senior boys basketball team is riding a hot streak heading into the Leeds and Grenville Secondary School Athletic Association (LGSSAA) playoffs set to start later this week.

The Giants managed a pair of wins last week to improve their record to 6-2 in the regular season; their final regular season game against the Rideau Lionstook place yesterday.

On Feb. 10, the Giants played host to BCI and scored a 58-50 win over the Red Rams. Travis Irvine led the Giants with a 20-point performance taking advantage of his speed to drive to the net to create opportunities. Curtis Bucking chipped in with 17 points, while Mike Ayerst had ten points and Jamie Clarke added nine.

The Giants continued its winning ways Thursday in Kemptville by defeating North Grenville 52-46 despite some spotty shooting by South Grenville. Clarke scored 20 points to lead the Giants, followed by Bucking with 12 points, Irvine with eight and Ayerst with six.

Coach Mark Lewis was happy with the Giants picking up some wins, but has still noticed some weaknesses he wants corrected.

"We had a big win over BCI, but then we shot 13 of 33 from the free throw line against North Grenville," said Lewis. "Travis Irvine really came in and saved us there. It was a really horrible game. We're happy with a win, but it could have just as easily been a loss. The guys I think looked past them and they're starting to realize that they have to win out from here on to keep playing."

Though the Giants have clinched a berth in the playoffs, they aren't sure who they will play with TISS sitting in first place and South Grenville, BCI and St. Mary all battling it out for second place.

"TISS has won the regular season and seem to be the team to beat," said Lewis. "We're as good as anyone out there, but since the league is so close this year it will likely come down to who shows up to play and who makes the least mistakes. We just need to come out and take care of business."

Juniors lose on buzzer-beater

The South Grenville Giants junior boys basketball team had a tough week dropping a pair of games to North Grenville and BCI to fall to 6-2 on the season.

Against the undefeated North Grenville Knights Thursday, South Grenville managed a 32-32 tie in regulation but then came up short in overtime. South Grenville's Sam Whitley scored with 17 second left in the overtime period to give the Giants a two-point lead, but North Grenville's Robert Krock nailed a three-pointer with no time on the clock to secure a 35-34 win. Josh Parsons led the Giants with eight points, while Sam Whitley added seven and Scott Hall had six.

"Our defence really held us in. Nathaniel Hayes played well and Sam Whitley was incredible guarding their big guy (Marcus Krock)," said junior co-coach Chris Veltkamp. "The kids were disappointed, but we were happy with their play and now they know they can play with these guys."

Against BCI Feb. 10 in Prescott, the Giants came up short in a 60-53 loss to the Red Rams. South Grenville, decimated by the flu, had only two players on the bench to substitute and ran out of gas near the end. Parsons scored 24 points to lead the Giants.

With the pair of losses, the Giants will likely finish in third place in the league and travel to BCI next week to battle the Red Rams in semi-final action.

SG major midgets win pair

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville major midget Rangers managed a win over the Kempville Panthers Feb. 3 to remain tied for top spot in the East Division.

The Rangers scored a 4-0 win over the Panthers, with Rob Fullarton opening up scoring in the first period for the Rangers before Allan Robertson would add a pair of goals in the second period. Chris Hogeveen would score in the third.

Rangers goaltender Peter Bradford recorded the shutout in goal.

South Grenville sits tied for top spot in the East Division with the North Dundas Demons, with a 13-2-3 record.

The Rangers next game will be against the Morrisburg Lions Feb. 17 at 9 pm at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

Giants senior girls volleyball team wins host tourney

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants senior girls volleyball team came away victorious at its annual host tournament Saturday in Prescott.

Both the Giants junior and senior girls volleyball teams took part in the field, with the senior Giants posting a 10-3 record at the end of the tournament.

The senior Giants opened the tournament with a pair of losses to the Brockville Club team (8-25, 17-25) who were in the tournament as an exhibition team. The Giants then split games with Gananoque (23-25, 25-21), before defeating Seaway of Iroquois (25-10, 25-22) and Perth (25-19, 25-21) to finish in first place in the Gold Pool.

In the semi-final, the senior Giants scored a straight sets wins over Ernestown (25-6, 25-17), before getting some revenge against Gananoque (25-15, 25-19) to take home the tournament title.

The junior girls team, which participated in the tournament as a late replacement, had a solid showing against the senior girls finishing in third place in the Green Pool with a 3-5 record.

The junior Giants dropped their opening games to TISS (15-25, 21-25) before coming back
to split games with BCI (20-25, 25-23). South Grenville's juniors finally found their legs
with straight set wins over St. Mary (25-17, 25-19), but then fell in straight sets to Ernestown (16-25, 23-25) to be eliminated from play.

Falcons score league's first ever shutout

PRESCOTT - The St. Lawrence Falcons Sr. A hockey team continued its strong play with a 7-0 shutout win over the Deseronto Bulldogs Saturday at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

The Falcons put on a strong showing despite sporting a short bench due to suspensions and injuries.

Five minutes into the game, Chris Neilson opened up the scoring for the Falcons to take a 1-0 lead. Wayne Garlough and Shaun Hall picked up helpers.

St. Lawrence continued the pressure as Charlie Fromont continued his strong play on the season netting two of his three goals on the night in the first period. Neilson picked up two assists on the first period markers, while Hall and Dewight Merkley also added assists.

Neilson kept the Falcons going in the second scoring the period's lone marker to give St. Lawrence a 4-0 lead. Merkley was credited with a helper.

In the third period, the Falcons exploded for a three goal performance to put the nails in the coffin for Deseronto. Karl Herbison managed to bang one past the Bulldogs goaltender early in the period, with Merkley getting his third assist of the game.

Fromont scored at the midway point of the period to complete the hat trick, while Garlough and Neilson picked up helpers.

Falcons captain Jason Hawkins scored in the final minute of the game to finish off the Bulldogs with a 7-0 shutout. Herbison and Tyler Dukelow added assists.

Falcons goaltender Paul Tomkins had a stellar game in goal, posting the first shutout in Eastern Ontario Senior A Hockey League history.

With the win, the Falcons sit in third place in league standings with a 14-8-1 record and 29 points, three points behind second-place Belleville and ten points behind league-leading Tamworth.

The Falcons have four regular season games left on the season. St. Lawrence plays its next home game against Deseronto Saturday at 8 pm at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

Falcons Forum: Falcons defenceman Ian Miller will miss one more game of his two-game suspension for getting into his third fight of the season, while Chris Ferguson will miss another four games and Chris McCann will miss another three games for his match penalty. The Falcons won their protest of the 8-4 loss to the Tamworth Braves Feb. 7. The Braves used an ineligible player; as a result the Falcons were credited with the win by the league.

Atom B Rangers victorious at South Dundas tournament

MORRISBURG - The South Grenville atom B Rangers managed to capture the A championship of the South Dundas atom B hockey tournament Feb. 7 in Morrisburg.

The Rangers opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over the South Dundas Lions. Rik Champagne, Alex Stephenson and Coleman Colpitts scored for the Rangers, while Ian King, Joey Sargeant, Hunter McCarroll, Robbie Deeks and Trent Corney added assists.

In the semi-final, the Rangers scored a 3-1 win over the Athens Aeros. King, Corney and Champagne scored for South Grenville, while Sargeant (2), Champagne and King chipped in with helpers.

In the final, the Rangers scored a 6-2 win over the Kingston Township Titans. Deeks scored a hat trick to lead South Grenville, while Champagne, Sargeant and Shane Riddell added singles. McCarroll (2), Patrick Froom, King, Stephenson, Corney and King added assists.

On Jan. 26, the Rangers scored a 3-1 win over the Kingston Township Titans in regular season play at the Spencerville arena. Champagne, Corney and Sargeant scored for South Grenville, while Froom, Riddell, King, Sargeant and Cody Adams chipped in with helpers.

Rangers top division

The Rangers managed a pair of wins in regular season play to take home top spot in the West Division of the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League.

On Feb. 9, the Rangers scored a 7-2 win over the Gananoque Islanders at the Spencerville arena. Colpitts led South Grenville with a pair of goals, while Champagne, Ian King, Sargeant, McCarroll and tephenson added singles. Champagne (2), Deeks (2), Stephenson, Lucas Stitt, Riddell and King chipped in with helpers.

On Feb. 10, the Rangers travelled to Kingston and scored a 6-2 victory over the Kingston Cougars. McCarroll and Champagne scored a pair of goals apiece to lead the Rangers, while Froom and Deeks added singles. Stitt (2), Stephenson (2), King, Deeks, Riddell and Sargeant added assists.

The Rangers finished the regular season with a record of 21-1-2 to finish first in the division.

The Rangers will now take on the Gananoque Islanders in the first round of the playoffs, which began Monday.

Novice Ice Hounds win three straight

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville novice Ice Hounds ended their regular season on a hot streak, winning their final three games.

On Feb. 8, the Rangers scored a 3-0 shutout victory over the Athens Aeros at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Matt Fox scored a pair of goals to lead all scorers, while Mika Turansky added a single. Jonathan Bernier (2) and Kirtus Selleck chipped in with helpers. Paul DeJong was credited with the shutout in goal.

On Feb. 14, South Grenville came out victorious in an 8-4 decision over the Smiths Falls Bears in Prescott. Jody Sullivan and Fox each scored a pair of goals for the Rangers, while Turansky, Luke Severson, DeJong and Nick Campbell chipped in singles. Spencer Cook (2), Spencer Disheau, Damon Jarvis, Brianna Harnum, Fox and Turansky added assists.

On Feb. 15, DeJong scored another shutout for South Grenville as the Rangers travelled to Smiths Falls and defeated the Bears 4-0.

Sullivan, Fox, Bernier and Disheau scored for South Grenville, while Sullivan (2), Jarvis, Disheau and Turansky chipped in with helpers.

The Rangers will play host to the South Grenville novice tournament Sunday in Spencerville.

Novice Boltz score three wins, lose two

CARDINAL - The South Grenville novice Lightning Boltz have continued its up and down season with three wins and two losses in league play.

On Sunday, Feb. 15, South Grenville travelled across the border and scored a 5-3 win over Ogdensburg. Broydon Stufko and Brett Van Stralen scored a pair of goals apiece to lead the Boltz, while Dylan Bell added a single. John Lawless (2), Shenda Harrison, Jason Noonan and Aaron Scott chipped in with helpers.

On Saturday, Feb. 14, the Lightning Boltz played host to the Kemptville Panthers #1 and dropped a 5-2 decision. Stufko and Harrison scored for South Grenville in a losing cause, while Scott added an assist.

On Feb. 7, the Lightning Boltz travelled to Kemptville and came away with a 12-2 win over Kemptville #3. Stufko scored six goals to lead the way for South Grenville, while Van Stralen scored four times and Bell and Lawless added singles. Bell (2), Harrison, Stufko and Van Stralen chipped in with helpers.

On Feb. 1, South Grenville travelled to Kemptville dropping a 5-1 decision to Kemptville #2. Bell scored the Lightning Boltz' lone goal; Cameron Murray had the assist.

On Jan. 25, the Lightning Boltz scored a 5-1 win over Kemptville #3 at the Spencerville Arena. John Lawless led all scorers with a pair of goals, while Adam Norton, Stufko and Van Stralen added singles. Bell, Matt Courtney, Harrison, Lawless, Norton, Stufko and Van Stralen added assists.

GFGC holding 7th annual ice fishing pike derby Feb. 28

JOHNSTOWN - The Grenville Fish and Game Club will be holding its 7th annual ice fishing pike derby Saturday, Feb. 28 at elevator bay in Johnstown.

The derby will run from 6 am until 4 pm with prizes awarded every two hours for the largest pike caught in each two-hour period.

Hidden weight prizes and a bonus prize for the heaviest pike of the day will be awarded as well as a live release draw for an afternoon of bass fishing with a pro bass tournament fisherman. Tickets can be purchased at the Maynard Store, Spencerville Home Hardware, the Village Pantry, the Spencerville Hotel or by calling 925-4545.

South Grenville hosting Jr. boys hoops tournament this weekend

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants junior boys basketball team will be hosting a weekend tournament starting Friday in Prescott.

The touranament will kick off Friday at 2:30 pm with the Giants taking on the Seaway Spartans of Iroquois.

Games are expected to run through the late afternoon and early evening Friday, and continue on Saturday.

Joining the Giants in the tournament will be high school teams from Seaway, Almonte, St. Mary of Brockville, St. Lawrence of Cornwall and Bishop Smith of Pembroke.

Come out and support the Giants.

Billets for Prescott and Cardinal tournaments still being sought

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Minor Hockey Association is still searching for billets for the major midget tournament in Prescott and the minor midget tournament in Cardinal March 19-21.

Families are needed to take kids from teams from far away in for the weekend and provide them with rides to their games.

The billeting program has been a popular format in the past for both the players and families who get a chance to take in a kid from another part of North America.

Anyone interested in billeting for either tournament should contact Brenda Byrd at 925-4088 or Sue Chillson at 925-1328.

All content is copyright 2004 The Prescott Journal. No reproduction permitted without written permission.