VOL. 174, NO. 8~ PRESCOTT, ONTARIO ~ February 25, 2004

Chief states the case for Prescott police

Options to be discussed at March 24 public meeting

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

PRESCOTT ­ Town council has now heard from both sides in the policing debate.

More than 40 people attended Prescott Police Chief Bryan Somerville's presentation to the community and protective services committee Monday night at town hall. This follows a presentation made two weeks earlier by Ontario Provincial Police representatives.

The municipality and its police services board have been proposing to disband the Prescott Police Service in favour of a municipal contract with the OPP. However, the proposal has yet to be implemented three years after council opted to pursue an OPP contract. Council asked late last year for updates on how much it would cost to switch to OPP or retain the existing department.

Somerville told the committee Monday the projected cost of operating the Prescott Police Service in 2004 is $1,326,710, an increase of 11.5 over the previous year. Council has yet to approve the police budget.

The chief noted most of that increase is beyond his control; much of it stems from pay increases awarded to officers and civilian staff. Somerville said staff are now making the average in terms of salary range; he does not expect significant increases in the next few years.

The cost of the cheaper of the two OPP options being proposed is about $1,340,000.

In addition to 11 uniformed officers (one of whom is seconded from Grenville County OPP), the municipal police service has four full-time and four part-time dispatchers and a secretary who do everything from handling police and fire calls as well as public works and Rideau St. Lawrence Utilities after-hours calls to doing paperwork, preparing court documents and monitoring prisoners in custody. Somerville praised the support provided by dispatchers, noting civilians and officers have conducted their duties "admirably" as disbandment has hung over the department.

The fact that the police station at Centre and Henry streets is open 24 hours a day and is located downtown was also noted by the police chief. The OPP detachment is open weekdays during business hours; a phone outside the station connects after-hours callers to OPP communications.

Town police investigated 4,054 incidents in 2003, a significant increase over an average of about 3,150 calls in each of the previous three years.

Somerville estimated the capital costs associated with retaining the municipal department would be about $110,000. This includes $33,000 for a new vehicle, $11,000 for handicapped access to the police station (based on a Dec. 2000 quote), $22,000 for a new records management system and $12,000 for an upgraded radio system. The chief noted some of these expenses would not have to be incurred immediately.

Somerville said police response time is very good in Prescott. He also said foot patrol is a priority of his, although he acknowledged such patrols are not as common as they were 15 years ago.

The chief listed many areas in which Prescott officers are trained. As for adequacy standards that went into effect in Ontario five years ago, Somerville noted the police service has signed agreements with the OPP that enables the town to have access to specialized OPP services when needed.

There are additional costs that should be applied to the OPP proposal, according to Somerville. Severance costs mandated by contract were estimated at $160,000. There is also the cost of fire and other dispatch services that would likely be contracted out, bylaw enforcement, animal control and bicycle licensing.

The chief said he understands the difficult task council is trying to perform. Somerville added he is trying to present as much information as possible so council can make its decision based on the facts.

Councillor Nancy Lane, who said at a recent meeting she was "on the fence" with respect to the policing issue, told The Journal Monday she is "totally committed" to retaining the Prescott Police Service now that both presentations have been made. "Our own service is the cheaper of the two," she said.

Lane maintains the vast majority of people she talked to during and after the election campaign favour keeping the municipal department. However, she still supports the idea of a forum at which the public can have input. "We need to hear from our community," she stated.

A public meeting on the policing issue will be held Wednesday, March 24. Although there was talk Monday of having the meeting at the Legion, a location had not been confirmed at press time.

A Toronto court that ruled in favour of the town and its OPP proposal last fall is being asked by the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services and the association representing Prescott officers to consider an appeal of that decision.

THIS WEEK

Community dinner set for today in Prescott

PRESCOTT ­ Seaway Christian Church is about to host the first in what is expected to become a series of dinners for the needy.

The Master's Hands Community Supper is set for today (Wednesday) from 5 to 6:15 pm in the church hall at 349 Churchill Road. All are welcome to attend.

Seaway Pastor Barry Edmondson said the church has been getting a lot of donations for the supper as well as phone calls asking about it.

Initial plans call for the suppers to be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

For more information, contact Edmondson at 925-5840.

Pianist Parker performs at church Thursday

PRESCOTT ­ The Fort Town Concert Association presents pianist Ian Parker this Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 pm at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, corner of Centre and Dibble streets.

Tickets for tomorrow night's concert will be available at the door.

The local presentation, the third of the Fort Town's current season, is presented in conjunction with Jeunesses Musicales of Canada.

Mental health is focus of new crisis line

BROCKVILLE ­ A new mental health crisis line for residents of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark counties goes into service March 1.

The crisis line will be staffed by nurses and social workers and is aimed at people over the age of 15 who are experiencing a mental health crisis and might be unsure where to turn for help.

The new service is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and is being launched by the Elmgrove Service of Brockville Psychiatric Hospital in conjunction with Lanark County Mental Health and a network of service providers in the region.

The toll-free number to call as of Monday is 1-866-281-2911.

More Yuks on the way

PRESCOTT ­ This Saturday night's presentation of Yuk Yuks comedy at the Prescott Legion is sold out, but there will be more laughs on tap in May.

The weekend show featuring comics Chuck Byrn and Mike Beatty is being hosted by the Kinsmen Club of Prescott. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Three more comedians have been booked for Yuk Yuks' return to Prescott May 29. Proceeds from that show will go the March of Dimes.

Tickets for the May show are available from Art Hitsman at 925-1315, by e-mail at artg.Hitsman@canadapost.ca or from other Prescott Kinsmen members.

Gord Brown to carry Conservative banner in federal election

LEEDS-GRENVILLE ­ Gord Brown will officially become the federal Conservative candidate in Leeds-Grenville early next week.

The Gananoque businessman and former town councillor is not being challenged for the local nomination. The Conservative riding association will conduct its nomination meeting Saturday, March 6 at Athens District High School.

As the Alliance candidate in the 2000 election, Brown lost to incumbent Liberal MP Joe Jordan by 55 votes.

The federal Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties merged late last year to form the Conservative Party of Canada.

Riding association President Tim Sutton stated in a news release Brown "...has been at the forefront of uniting conservatives." They are being encouraged to sign up new members in anticipation of a spring election call.

"We have to come out of the nomination meeting firing on all cylinders," Sutton added.

Prescott hopes river poker run will produce a full house

PRESCOTT ­ The Town of Prescott has endorsed a community-based river poker run to be held in late August.

The poker run used to be a major attraction in Prescott as dozens of power boats would travel to the Fort Town and the Sandra S. Lawn Harbour en route to destinations on both sides of the upper St. Lawrence River. However, changes made to last year's event left Prescott out of the picture for the first time in a decade.

There are now two poker runs in the works. Power Boating Canada magazine, which has been running the event for many years, is planning an Aug. 14 event. Rotary clubs in Gananoque and Alexandria Bay are organizing a separate run that will take place Aug. 28.

Earlier this month, community representatives met in Prescott to discuss the town's participation in a poker run. The consensus was the Aug. 28 run would be more suitable, according to Community Services Director Randy Pelehos.

The Power Boating event would require Prescott to supply lunch to a maximum of 100 people at an estimated cost of $1,000 plus related expenses. The magazine would include the town in its coverage and would do a promotional video, Pelehos reported to council.

There would be no direct cost for the town to participate in the other run. The Thousand Islands event would provide better opportunities for local groups to participate and benefit from having the boats come to Prescott and attract tourists, Pelehos said. He noted the Gananoque-led run would be on a smaller scale than the traditional event, but Prescott would have more of a say in the planning process.

The poker run's 2002 stop in Prescott was well behind schedule and did not include as many boats as had been anticipated.

The community and protective services committee adopted Pelehos' recommendation to endorse the Thousand Islands run. Town staff will be directed to assist with the event.

There is no stopping award-winning Kriska

Prescott-based trucking firm returns to "50 Best" list

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

PRESCOTT ­ The term "standing still" doesn't apply to Mark Seymour's business management practices.

The owner of Kriska Transportation in Prescott - among the largest employers in the area with 400 staff members - credits his success record over the past 26 years, in part, to continuous, steady growth.

"We're not inclined to stand still and become complacent," Seymour said. "If we stand still, we run the risk of getting run over."

The company is especially proud of its recent designation as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. Kriska also earned the prestigious award in 2000 and requalified for two subsequent years. If it qualifies for an additional two years of designation, Kriska will be in an elite group in which it can claim the status for six years. "To be in that group, we just consider it to be a huge accomplishment for us."

The award recognizes companies that have demonstrated solid business practices and innovation.

Seymour's father Ken started Kriska in 1978 in North Gower as a private carrier for RCA in Prescott. With two trucks and six trailers, the company made runs between Prescott and the RCA parent facility in Indiana. In 1982, Kriska moved to Kemptville, and then to Prescott in 1987, while still continuing as a carrier for RCA and for several additional companies that had come on board.

By this time, Kriska's fleet was up to 25 trucks. Today, it boasts 300 trucks and 800 trailers.

Kriska purchased the former RCA building for a warehouse when it closed about seven years ago, adding 280,000 square feet of space and 50 acres of land to its growing empire. Its Churchill Road location - with 50,000 square feet and eight acres - houses administration and truck maintenance.

The company also keeps truck terminals in Mississauga, Ottawa, Montreal and Ingleside. Three hundred of its employees are drivers.

Growth hasn't been rapid, Seymour acknowledges, but sustained. "We're proud of what we've accomplished," he said, adding the company's strategy is to grow five to 10 per cent each year.

The current goal is to move all administration and operations to the former RCA plant, while the Churchill Road site will become the maintenance facility. Last fall, a parking area was built to hold 250 trucks.

Besides transportation, Kriska offers warehousing and logistics services, providing a total solution package to customers, he said.

Kriska's greatest asset however, according to Seymour, is its people. He has strived to provide a family-like environment in which employees are eager to work efficiently. The company tries to provide opportunities for career development and advancement in a healthy, positive and challenging environment so that "move up doesn't mean move out," he said.

"Training provides information and skills to make people more efficient and at the same time keeps them keen and interested."

Seymour said drivers are provided with the best, safest and most comfortable equipment, so being away from home is made easier.

Public safety is also high on Kriska's priority list. "Any responsible trucking company takes a serious interest in its commitment to public safety," he said. Kriska has been recognized for the past two consecutive years by the Truckload Carrier Association - the largest North American trucking association - as being best in its class for safety policies, procedures and standards.

Kriska has also received a shippers' choice award two years running from Canadian Transportation and Logistics for service, technology, equipment and training.

It hasn't always been an easy ride, though. "It's an industry that has and will continue to go through its turbulent times," Seymour said, referring to increasing fuel and insurance costs, border security issues, a strengthening Canadian dollar that hurts exporting and a shortage of drivers that continues to worsen.

However, Seymour said as the economy strengthens, the need for trucks increases, creating more opportunities for growth.

"I see good times," he reflected. "We've seen tough times and we're still here. I won't hide behind any fallacies - it's been tough."

The secret, he said, is to hold on to the family-life culture and not let it get lost in size.

Possibility of changes to drug plan leads senior citizens to take action

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Seniors groups hope an off-the-cuff remark by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is not a sign of pending changes to the province's subsidy plan for prescription drugs.

An article in a Toronto newspaper cited the premier as suggesting earlier this year the Ontario Drug Benefit program might not be immune from changes as the province copes with a multi-billion-dollar deficit.

This prompted the United Senior Citizens of Ontario (USCO) to take action to ensure cuts to drug subsidies are not part of any effort to reduce the provincial deficit. The organization, which represents about 1,000 clubs and 300,000 senior citizens, has asked its members to join the campaign by sending letters to their local MPPs.

A single person who is 65 or older and has an annual income of less than $16,000 does not have to pay for prescription medications. A couple that has a combined income of less than $24,175 a year is also fully covered as part of the benefit program.

Seniors whose incomes are higher pay their first $100 in prescription costs as a deductible each year (Aug. 1 to July 31). After that, they pay up to a maximum dispensing fee of $6.11 for each prescription.

The program covers about 3,000 prescription drug products as well as some nutritional and diabetic testing products.

USCO President Judith Muzzi noted the largest low-income group in Ontario is seniors. Increased drug costs would mean many older people would face choosing between food and much-needed medications, according to Muzzi.

"For a senior, that's disastrous," she said.

Muzzi said she does not want to be confrontational; however, she believes the government must be made to understand changing the drug program so seniors would have to pay more for their prescriptions "...is not up for consideration."

Carl Robinson, president of the Roebuck seniors group, said more than 70 letters have been sent by group members and members of the St. Paul's United Church congregation in Prescott and forwarded to the office of Leeds-Grenville MPP Bob Runciman.

"We don't want it to get on the agenda," said Robinson, who added the prospect of losing some or all of the benefit is "frightening."

Muzzi said the letter-writing campaign has been very successful. She acknowledged her Queen's Park contacts have indicated changes or cuts to the program are not being considered at this time. However, she would like the premier to clarify his remarks and state the government will not reduce coverage for seniors.

Welfare and family benefit recipients are also eligible for drug benefit program coverage.

GCC receives donation of $250,000

MAITLAND ­ A passionate interest in seeing Grenville Christian College (GCC) and its students succeed has led to the single largest donation ever made in the history of the private school.

Kenneth McArthur, a parent of a GCC graduate and long-time supporter of the university preparatory school near Maitland, has donated $250,000, kick-staring GCC's recently-launched $3-million capital campaign known as Tomorrow's Leaders.

Also the co-chair of the campaign project along with David Beatty, McArthur said during the cheque presentation at the school Friday he is happy to help the institution that goes beyond just educating children.

"This school really is committed to kids and really pays attention," McArthur said. "Other schools will educate your child; few schools will care for your child." GCC ensures students receive the attention that is lacking in the public school system and is committed to the whole child, he added.

"Grenville is a very special place that does wonderful things for people."

McArthur's son Rob attended GCC from Grade 8 to Grade 12 in the early 1980s.

Originally from British Columbia and currently a resident of Toronto, McArthur spent much of his professional career with major investment and brokerage firms.

While McArthur said he supports other charities, he added GCC is the only charity for which he works personally. In noting he felt the school could benefit from some help from a business perspective, McArthur said he has been intimately involved with GCC for more than a decade.

"I am very much a part of the school and dedicated to its success."

The five-year Tomorrow's Leaders campaign will support infrastructure projects, such as meeting new water regulations, making fire code improvements, improving walkways, roads and student drop-off areas, replacing windows and upgrading the roof, interior and technology areas.

Funds will also be used to help build an endowment fund for scholarships and bursaries.

Street name suggestions sought

PRESCOTT ­ Public input is being sought as town officials consider what to name new streets or rename existing routes in Prescott.

Council has indicated it would like to see a list of names compiled. The names could be of individuals who have played a role in the history of Prescott or things that reflect something special about the community.

Prescott's planning and development committee agreed Monday to advertise for submissions.

In addition to the new roads west of Edward Street and north of Highway 401 near the site of the new Riverside car dealership, there are two roads in the proposed residential subdivision area south of the grocery store parking lot. The municipality recently acquired much of that property from the Ontario Realty Corporation.

Council has also called for Douglas Drive to be renamed.

Suggestions can be submitted to the municipality in person at 360 Dibble St. W., by mail (Box 160) or by e-mail (rhaller@prescott.ca).

Get tickets for Chamber's annual dinner

PRESCOTT ­ Tickets are now on sale for the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet.

This year's event will take place Monday, March 8 at St. Mark's Parish Centre. The festivities begin at 6 pm with a social hour and silent auction, followed by dinner at 7 pm and then the awards presentations.

Guest speaker will be J.J. Clarke of CJOH-TV.

Tickets are available at the three banks in Prescott and from Mike Boyles (925-4324).

Silent auction items are still being accepted at the Royal Bank in Prescott. Arrangements should be made to deliver larger auction items to the hall prior to the dinner.

Food bank AGM is next Tuesday

PRESCOTT ­ The annual general meeting of the Food For All Food Bank will take place Tuesday, March 2 at 7 pm in town hall, 360 Dibble St. W.

The local non-profit organization serves residents of Augusta, Prescott and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal by operating a food bank on Henry Street West in Prescott.

Tea for volunteers

PRESCOTT ­ A tea to honour volunteers with the Prescott Hot Meals on Wheels Program will be presented this Thursday, Feb. 26 at 2:30 pm at the Prescott Health Centre on King St. W.

As of March 1, the long-time service will be overseen by the Brockville, Leeds & Grenville branch of the VON.

Chamber of Commerce considers changing name to South Grenville

By Tim Ruhnke, Journal Editor

RIVERVIEW HEIGHTS ­ Members of the Prescott and District Chamber of Commerce are being asked to consider changing the name of the business organization.

Chamber directors were asked at their monthly meeting Thursday at the Rothesay Restaurant to change the name to South Grenville Chamber of Commerce.

Augusta Councillor John Fischl, who noted he lived in Prescott most of his life, said changing the name to South Grenville would make it a lot easier to sell the Chamber to prospective members in the townships of Augusta and Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal.

"You want to feel part of the group," Fischl said.

Chamber President Keeley Mouré noted approximately 60 per cent of members are based in Prescott. However, it was also noted many of the directors whose businesses are in Prescott live in one of the townships.

Past-President Lewis Beach said many other groups have been called South Grenville for years. Beach added he cannot think of anything detrimental about making the switch.

It was also pointed out there is an increased sense of co-operation among the three municipalities. An example of that is all three councils approving in principle a South Grenville infrastructure project that calls for an industrial corridor to be developed between Maitland and Johnstown. Mouré said there has been an increase in combined efforts involving activities in the Prescott area.

Grocer Chris O'Reilly said community branding is becoming very important. An area with a population of 18,000 has more impact than sticking with the town that has only 4,000 residents.

Prescott Mayor Robert Lawn reminded directors the Chamber has agreed to pay for "South Grenville" signs to be erected beside highways 401 and 416 at entrance points to the area. It makes sense to follow that approach when selecting a name, according to the mayor.

Lawn, a former president of the Chamber, offered Prescott-South Grenville as a compromise choice.

The name change will be discussed when the board of directors meets again March 18. Members are being encouraged to offer their input.

A similar proposal to change the name of the Chamber of Commerce was rejected a few years ago.

Prescott has appeared in the name of the local business organization since its inception more than 100 years ago.

Fight in front of post office leads to assault charge

PRESCOTT ­ Officers with the Prescott Police Service investigated 67 incidents and one motor vehicle collision during the week of Feb. 16.

Early in the afternoon of Feb. 17, police received a report two males were fighting in front of the post office. As a result of an investigation, Russell Sullivan, 36, of King Street in Prescott was arrested and charged with assault. No injuries were reported. Constable Mike Lapensee is the investigating officer.

A James Street resident reported hearing noises outside his home Feb. 20 at about 2 am. He also noticed four tires on his car had been flattened. There was no evidence the tires had been slashed, according to a police news release. The incident is being investigated by Constable Rick Champagne.

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

PRESCOTT COUNCIL NEWS

Pop machine can stay where it is for now

PRESCOTT ­ A planning and development committee decision to give the operator of a pop machine on King Street West 30 days to remove the machine from town property has been set aside.

The committee decided Monday night to send a second letter to businessman and former councillor Jim French, who asked council earlier this month to reconsider the matter.

In response to a complaint about the pop machine on the sidewalk on the north side of King Street, the owners of both machines were advised to remove them. The Pepsi machine was taken away, but French argued there have been no complaints about his Coke machine.

Pop machines will likely be included as part of an upcoming official plan review. Although the committee would like French to make a formal request to allow the pop machine to remain beside his store, he will be permitted to keep the machine where it is for the time being.

Sewage plant work must be completed

PRESCOTT ­ The municipality has no choice but to spend an estimated $35,000 to replace a gas compressor at the town's aging sewage treatment plant, the transportation and environmental services committee was told Monday.

CAO/Clerk Robert Haller said Ontario Clean Water Agency staff who operate the 35-year-old plant are doing manual work to bypass the problem; some overtime is being incurred. Repairs will have to be made for what Haller described as "an emergency expense."

Two quotes had been received as of Monday; a third was being sought.

Grant paid was not approved by council

PRESCOTT ­ The Town has given $6,000 to the St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival, even though council never approved the contribution.

The theatre company that stages the festival asked council earlier this year for the grant and a letter of credit for $12,000. Council approved the letter of credit and opted to refer the grant request to upcoming budget deliberations.

However, the $6,000 payment was among the items listed in a finance report reviewed by the town's corporate services committee Monday night.

CAO/Clerk Robert Haller said it appears there had been a misunderstanding. Town Treasurer/Deputy Clerk Laurie Kirkby was not at the meeting.

Although some councillors expressed concern about how the matter had been handled, the town will not ask for the money to be returned.

A similar grant was approved by the previous council in 2003.

RCMP ride on way

PRESCOTT ­ The RCMP Musical Ride will be returning to Prescott this spring.

The world-famous group is scheduled to appear Sunday, May 16 at Fort Wellington. See upcoming editions of The Journal for more details.

OPP NEWS

Most collisions follow arrival of bad weather Friday

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Thirty-five of the 40 collisions investigated by Grenville County OPP last week occurred late Friday or early Saturday, according to police.

The collisions were caused by road conditions and occurred mostly on highways 401 or 416. Minor injuries were reported in three of last week's crashes.

Police remind motorists to adjust to weather and road conditions; slow down, leave earlier and allow for extra braking distance.

Police respond to more false 9-1-1 calls

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Eleven false 9-1-1 calls in Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal were responded to by local OPP officers last week.

Police ask the public not to pre-program 9-1-1 into their home telephones and teach children when it is appropriate to call the emergency response number.

Two officers respond to each call; those officers who are dispatched to false alarm or emergency calls might be needed for actual emergency situations, according to police.

Speeding cases will go to court

SOUTH GRENVILLE ­ Three drivers were issued summonses after their vehicles were clocked going more than 150 kilometres per hour on Highway 401 last week. The speeds ranged from 151 to 172 km/h. All three will have to appear in Brockville court.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"If we stand still, we run the risk of getting run over."

Kriska Transportation President Mark Seymour, commenting on the company's strategy for growth and success

Editor's Notebook

Playing the name game

Prescott, Augusta, Edwardsburgh and Cardinal have been around for a long time. So has Grenville County. South Grenville has gained a certain presence closer to home, but it has yet to catch on elsewhere.

If our civic leaders are not totally committed to a long-term co-operative approach to marketing Prescott, Augusta and Edwardsburgh/Cardinal as South Grenville, it does not make much sense to start changing names of each and every organization that covers all three municipalities. We agree "community branding" is important in this competitive tourism-driven economy, but good intentions without sufficient political and financial support will not bring an influx of tourists, companies and new residents to the area.

Replacing Prescott with South Grenville in the name of the Chamber of Commerce would likely be a benefit to the business group as it tries to attract new members from the townships. Changing the name of the Chamber would make more sense, however, if it were part of a larger and concerted effort to actively promote the area. In conceding most of the rest of the world has little or no knowledge of either Prescott or South Grenville, we suspect Prescott has a slightly higher recognition factor. To tell people about Prescott's Shakespeare festival and diving opportunities and hope they take notice of the South Grenville signs on the 401 and 416 and then put the two names together as being the same thing will take a lot of hard work and dedication. We have the volunteer resources to make such an effort, but municipal councils have been reluctant to back up sentiment and hopes with actual funding.

The bigger-picture issue this willingness to work together on an area-wide basis will inevitably lead to is amalgamation. If bigger is better from a marketing perspective, could the same not also apply to municipal services? Although the evidence indicates amalgamation does not produce the cost savings promised, there are legitimate arguments in favour of the concept. The next time the a-word becomes part of the provincial government's vocabulary (and it will), South Grenville could find itself at or near the top of someone's "to do" list.

If the three councils are prepared to pay more than lip service to an enduring spirit of co-operation, South Grenville might have a chance to become more than just a local term. If this is just the means by which proponents of amalgamation can start putting together the pieces of the puzzle, be upfront about it and prepare local residents for the contentious times to come. No one is disputing the value of teamwork, but all members of the team should know the game plan and be willing to work with it before taking the field.

Tim Ruhnke

Leave me a message and like, tell me, life's just like that

FORWARDING COMMENTS by Monica Whitney

Forwarding for your reading pleasure this week is a potpourri of comments. I've recently taken up the habit of unwinding before I sign-off for the night by catching a bit of TV. It's a great time to flip channels undisturbed and just watch what I want for a change. How much Simpsons can a person take? Apparently a lot, for some.

So here I am, I'm in control of about 60 channels, and I choose... a taping of Brockville city council! I could not believe myself, that I could pick a presentation and debate of the local health unit budget over perhaps a crime show, a TVO special or a home and garden make-over.

And I didn't just flip over the council meeting - I watched it with fascination for some time. Scary stuff, since evidently I enjoyed it so much when the council rerun came on a couple nights later, I watched it again to catch the parts I missed.

Truly, though, why weren't those poor souls from the health unit invited to sit down during the lengthy explanations from the councillors? Bad enough you have to go asking for an increase; better to get the bad news council thinks it's too much sitting down.

Anyway, I figured I would have had enough of municipal council for one month after sitting through most of the last Augusta meeting that ran more than four hours. Maybe an earlier start time on that one could help.

*****

Speaking of scary stuff, I got a bit of a jolt by my daughter's answer to being asked to bring all the dishes - not just her own - into the kitchen. "I shouldn't have to do this!" Where have I heard that before?

And then again when she was nominated to unstick a marshmallow crammed into the furnace vent: "Ah! I'm turning into a mother!" Now, could that really be so bad?

*****

Okay, like, what's with this like business? According to a U of T linguist, the like fad is here, like it or not. Teens, it seems (as well as pre-teens from my observations), insert the word like once in every 20 words. Things, like, must be different in Toronto, because like, I'm told by people in the know the word is used when they don't really know what to like, say, so this way they can just keep chatting about, like, nothing. I guess it's like instead of saying umm all the time. Life's just like that.

*****

We're finally into the 21st century at home, but has it done me any good? I get this fancy phone message system, and it's just sitting there waiting for somebody to call. Any day now.

King Street Kavanagh block victim of savage fire in 1964

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Feb. 25, 1954

* RCA Victor Co. Ltd. has announced plans for a 30,000-square-foot addition to its electronics plant in Prescott. When completed only last May, the local plant was the largest in Canada devoted to television production. The tremendous popularity of television has far exceeded expectations. All nine assembly lines have been in operation for more than a month. The lines are believed to be the longest in the country, and the expansion will permit lengthening them by another 100 feet. Employment at the plant has passed the 500 mark and is expected to reach 650 after expansion.

Feb. 26, 1964

* RCA plans to invest more than $1 million in the local plant over the next two years to produce colour television picture tubes. RCA is the only manufacturer of colour television receivers in Canada, and next week the company will begin shipping colour sets and hi-fi sets from Prescott to the United Kingdom. Receivers are already being shipped to Malaysia, Kuwait, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and many other countries. The company's export business is expected to triple.

* A devastating fire in the Kavanagh block - the busy corner in the heart of Prescott's business section at the southeast corner of King and Centre streets - left 14 people homeless and immobilized six businesses.

Breaking out shortly after 5:30 pm Friday, the fire leaped into the unused top floor of the three-storey building and became an inferno as it fed on old timbers, accumulated debris and the tarred roof.

Now, ice-coated ruins and gaping windows testify to the all-night battle firemen fought to confine the blaze, while enduring severe cold and strong winds.

Feb. 23, 1994

* The political career of rookie councillor Chuck Street has come to a sudden halt. In a letter to council, he stated his resignation was due to the closure of his business, Street Signs, and being unable to maintain an address within the town. He was elected in the fall of 1991 with the third highest vote total.

Cardinal lads meant an early end to unspectacular hockey career

FORT TOWN DIARY by John A.H. Morris

We were besieged with a trickle of memories this past week - at our age we no longer enjoy the ecstasies of floods of sensuous memories - as we watched the CBC coverage of Hockey Day in Canada, and reminisced much closer to home about the 1951 photo in last week's Prescott Journal of the Cardinal Redbirds hockey team that won the St. Lawrence junior hockey title over half a century ago.

It was this Cardinal team that three years earlier had caused the demise of our own hockey career in the first year of our Bantam eligibility. Back in the 1940s Prescott had two Bantam teams, one sponsored by Rotary, the other by Kinsmen, and they played each other every Saturday morning at the old Prescott arena during January and February.

At the end of the season a travelling team would be picked to represent Prescott in the Ottawa District playoffs, but as far as we remember, no Prescott team ever got further than Cardinal in these best-of-three playoffs.

For some obscure reason we were picked to play on Prescott's travelling Bantam team back in 1948 in our first year in that division. Whereas most 13-year-olds would be thrilled with this honour, we weren't. We remember we played defence at that time, but we also remember we couldn't skate very well and could only turn to our left, and other than running into the boards we could only stop by putting pressure on our right skate.

Although we were a left hand shot, somehow we ended up playing right defence. This was a handicap when it came to keeping the puck inside the blueline, and what was even more embarrassing was that our wrist shot was so weak we couldn't even raise the puck, let alone get it as far as the net.

Prescott had some pretty good Bantam talent back then and even though they were our peers we felt in awe of defencemen like Monk Hanna and Roger Rouse and such good skaters as Ray Crowder, Pat Dunn, Jack Lavery and Peter Baynham. Others on this team, all whose skills exceeded ours, were Gordie and Dave Grant, Roy Landon, Charlie McCrady, Johnny Thompson, Vince Bonneau, Joe MacDonald and Dick Quinn. We had a top quality goalie in the person of Dar Whitley, with Giggy Kirky as his backup.

Dar was starting goalie on the strength of his having his older brother Sugar's goalie pads, and Giggy was the other goalie because big brother Dodie needed somebody to stop shots when he wanted to practice.

The reason we were no match for Cardinal, even at the Bantam level, was because they had such players as Jack Hoy, Paul Barker, Earl and Allie Cameron, Ed St. Louis, Carl Coons, Eddie Clifford and Ron Patterson. Some of these guys are still playing old timers hockey.

These Cardinal lads could skate both frontwards and backwards; they could stick handle without looking at the puck; they could turn both left and right with equal ease; they could all 'lift' the puck with powerful wrist shots (the slap shot had not been invented in those days); and when they collided with you they were not the ones who crumbled to the ice.

Some other trivia of over 50 years ago. No one wore a mask or a helmet (not even the French guys); sticks were made of one piece of wood, but sticks with laminated blades were in the experimental stage. Sticks had only the tiniest bit of a curved blade, and most of the time you had to look at the handle to see if it was marked Right, Left, or Centre.

Hockey sticks were sold at the hardware stores for about one dollar each, and were all displayed in one barrel in the store. Minor players bought their own sticks and only owned one. If they broke their stick in a game they were at the mercy of a fellow player as to whether or not they could borrow their stick for their shift for the rest of the game.

Broken sticks were retrieved and brought home where they were splinted and put back together with screws, nails and black tape and used for the rest of the season.

It is also interesting to listen to today's hockey analysts who give players and coaches such as Jacques Lemaire and Larry Robinson credit for inventing the "centre ice trap" in order to slow opposing teams' rushes.

Heck, those 1948 Cardinal Bantams used a centre ice trap as an offensive tool. Jack Hoy, Paul Barker or Ed St. Louis could gather the puck in their own end zone and were so big and fast that they could catch up to and pass the entire opposition team in the centre ice area and be in on goal and score before the other team could get back to their own blueline. Now, when you can trap an entire team in the centre ice area and score before they recover, that's what we call a 'centre ice trap'.

We don't want our readers to think that we didn't have good hockey players in those days. Peter Morris was our best Bantam of that era, but chose the opportunity to play for an allstar squad owned, managed and coached by Tom Cossitt of Brockville.

Peter enjoyed an outstanding junior and senior hockey career in Brockville. Our Bantam ranks were boosted the year after our retirement by Les and Lionel McAllister who moved to the Maynard area when their father was transferred there by the United Church.

Les developed into one of the best amateur goaltenders in Canada, and twin brother Lionel was a standout on defence on both junior and senior levels before becoming an accomplished and respected OHA referee.

SCHOOL SCENE

Boundary Street Public School: We will have our February recognition assembly this Friday, Feb. 27 at 2:30 pm. The JK/SK class will do a reading, and the grade 1 and 2 class will entertain us with songs in French. Mrs. Armstrong's class will present "Once Upon a Time," and the Grade 6 French Immersion class will present a short play. Mrs. Cottrill, who is on exchange, will talk to us about her home in New Zealand. Certificates of recognition will also be presented. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend; join us in the gym.

Student council members have been busy planning Spirit Week, which will be held March 1-5. The schedule includes Twin Day and Gum Day (Monday), PJ Day and Crazy Hair Day (Tuesday), Hat Day and Backwards/inside-out Day (Wednesday), International Day (Thursday) and Celebrity Day and a dance for grades 4-8 (Friday).

Hot lunch Friday is chicken nuggets.

Centennial '67 and North Edwardsburgh Public Schools: We have been experiencing an extremely hectic existence at North Edwardsburgh/Centennial '67 these past few weeks. On Thursday, Feb. 19, Grade 8 students went for their annual visit to South Grenville District High School. As well, the grade 4, 5 and 5/6 classes began their skating program at the arena. This program will continue to run until March Break. We acknowledge the teachers, educational assistants and parent volunteers who make this program such a success.

On Friday, Feb. 20, Mrs. Schoenfeldt's grade 7/8 class was "lost in the barrens" of the north yard. Using only one item per team member, they had to build a snow shelter that would keep all members safe and warm. Everyone had a lot of fun. They cannot wait for the next challenge!

On Monday, Feb. 23, Sue Shannon presented information on fetal alcohol syndrome to the intermediate health classes.

On Thursday, Feb. 26, Junkyard Jonny will perform and work with the intermediate music classes.

Some important upcoming dates you should keep in mind: Tuesday, March 2 at 7 pm, there will be a school advisory council meeting at NEPS. Michelle Borba is coming to Kemptville to speak about moral intelligences. Contact the school for more information.

Central Public School: Another great day of skating on the afternoon of Friday, Feb. 20! A number of students from Miss Beaubiah's grade 7/8 class joined the primary children this trip. A great time was had by all! The primary teachers and students acknowledge those older students for their help on and off the ice. The next and final skating excursion will be the afternoon of March 12.

The Junior division will be travelling to Ottawa on Friday, Feb. 27 to view an IMAX at the Museum of Civilization. We will be skating along the Rideau Canal in the afternoon.

A message from student council: Looking to make change? We're collecting pennies during the month of March to raise money for new library books. We hope this campaign will be a successful one! The class that builds the greatest 'pot of gold' will win a small prize at the March Student of the Month Assembly. Good Luck!

St. Joseph Catholic School: Congratulations to our Good Samaritan for the week of Feb. 16: Shawn Secord.

Lent begins Wednesday, Feb. 25. You are invited to join us for our Ash Wednesday celebration at 2 pm in the St. Joseph school gym. Father Appelman, Mrs. Hubbard and the Grade 4H class will provide us with a great start to this lenten season.

Our Grade 7 students will visit the National Arts Centre Thursday to see the presentation of John Pizzarelli Meets the Beatles.

Interested parents and friends are invited to drop in for the St. Joe's talent show, which begins at 1:30 pm Friday, Feb. 27 in our school gym. Come and listen to the drums, the bagpipes, the violin, the piano, the guitars. Come and see the dancers and the gymnasts. Come hear the singers.

The "Invista" Partners in Progress committee will meet Tuesday, March 2.

St. Mark Catholic School: Today, we welcome Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of 40 days of Lent. We begin out lenten journey with the theme of "Footsteps on a Journey." We will travel through 40 days in which we prepare ourselves for a passage and transition towards Easter. Father Appelman celebrated a paraliturgy with us today. Each one of us received ashes on our forehead to mark the journey upon which we are about to embark.

Students are currently preparing for and working on storytelling and speeches.

This Thursday, Feb. 26, we welcome Juno nominee Mary Lambert and her anti-bullying message. Her show begins at 10:40 am at St. Mark's Parish Centre for all St. Mark students, staff and parents.

School council meets Thursday, Feb. 26 at 7 pm in the school library.

Hot lunch this week is cheese pizza for Kindergarten on Ash Wednesday and hot dogs for JK/SK B to Grade 3 Thursday.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Sno pitch game appreciated by parents

The Editor;

The parents of Alison Margret Roduner would like to express our thanks and gratitude to the Kinsmen Club and all the participants of the Randy Kroone Memorial Sno Pitch Tournament.

We had an excellent time and know that Alison was looking down cheering us on. She was with us only for a short while and endured many obstacles. She was loved and will be solemnly missed.

Thank you for joining us in cherishing her that little bit more.

Jason and Jennifer Roduner

Young readers get a chance to vote for the best books

MAITLAND NEWS by Jane Fullarton

The Augusta Public Library is sponsoring the Silver Birch reading program for students in grades 4, 5 and 6. Students are encouraged to read five books from a selection of ten non-fiction or ten fiction titles.

After reading at least five books, students can vote for their favourites. Children across the province vote and a winning book is chosen in May based on student votes.

The library has two copies of each of the Silver Birch selections available for readers. Head Librarian Angela Knights praises the program and the book selections included. She says the books will interest both male and female readers, with titles including Tornado by Cynthia Nicolson and The Martial Arts Book by Laura Scandiffio and other books on germs and polar diving.

For a complete list of the books included in the program, visit the Augusta library or check www.accessola.org and click reading programs. Students have until May 5 to read their books and can vote at the Augusta library.

This is the second year the library has taken part in the program and Knights says many readers have been looking for the program to begin again.

Youth dance

There will be a youth dance at MERC Hall Friday, March 5 from 7 to 10 pm. If you can help supervise, call Cindy at 348-1760 or Susan 348-3088.

Berry good fundraiser

St. James Anglican Church in Maitland is having its annual berry sale to benefit the church. This year, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries are available. Orders can be placed until Feb. 29 by calling Pat Allport at 348-3657 or Lil Smith at 925-3793.

Reed all about basket-making

WALKER HOUSE NEWS by MARNIE LIPPIATT

Tonight at 7, we have a guest at the fine needlework meeting. She is sharing her work in hardanger with us. We will have the supplies so you can try a small sample of the main stitches.

Next Wednesday at 7 pm, we have another Scrabble match. Please call if you would like to attend. We need a challenge.

On March 10 at 7 pm, we will be making more baskets. Some are working using a paper rather than reed. Some are working with the reed and making larger baskets or a basket with a different shape. Please be sure to register so we can have the materials prepared.

Card game winners: Monday bridge ­ 1st, Andy Britnell; 2nd, Jim Campbell; door, Richard Kingston. Fun bridge ­ Vivienne Cudlipp. Wednesday night bridge ­ high, Ruth Britnell; 2nd, Charlie Steiner. Thursday night euchre ­ 1st, Geneva Odell; 2nd, Alice Crowder; 3rd, Jim Campbell; door, Bernice Arcand.

Tips from the business world

By Monica Whitney, Journal Staff Writer

CARDINAL ­ It's research, research and even more research that can make or break a business, according to the owner and operator of O'Carroll's grocery store in Cardinal.

Bill La Berge of the full-service, privately-owned store shared some of his wisdom with entrepreneur hopefuls at the store Feb. 16.

Learning what makes some businesses tick and others shatter was all part of the field trip by the dozen Self-Employment Benefit (SEB) program students at the special session.

SEB is offered in Prescott by the Grenville Community Futures Development Corporation. The course is an intensive eight-week small business start-up program funded by Human Resources Development Canada and takes participants through the intricacies of small business organization, development and operation.

La Berge graduated from the SEB program last summer before opening the village grocery in October with his wife Dorothy. His idea was to link past and future course grads and acquaint business newcomers to some of the challenges and pitfalls of starting up, as well as explain how some of his successes were realized.

Following the O'Carroll's presentation, the program participants also had a chance to gather information and have lunch at the Landmark Inn, another new business that opened in Cardinal last fall.

SEB course instructor Ben TeKamp said during the field trip learning from established business people is invaluable to the students, who can gather first-hand some of the issues, concerns and success stories related to business.

Here are some of La Berge's pointers for prospective business owners:

* Do your research - it's the number one priority. La Berge said he did six months of market and business research before deciding to take the plunge. Listen and pay attention, and start your business plan early.

* Expect the unexpected - A flooding and flooring problem caused La Berge to open a week late. "No ifs, ands or buts: snafus will happen."

* Advertise - "Always take an opportunity to let people know what you're doing."

* Be different - Offer products or services nobody else has. La Berge introduced Montreal-style bagels that are "to die for," and now he can't keep them on the shelves.

* Be flexible - Give the customers what they want and try new ideas. O'Carroll's latest was developing a bread bowl in the in-store bakery for a special Legion function.

* Get great staff - La Berge says his staff work as a team. "We wanted to surround ourselves by experienced, knowledgeable people."

* Offer personal service - The O'Carroll's motto is: "Big enough to serve you; small enough to know you." La Berge makes a point of greeting all the customers.

* Use local labour - La Berge knew he couldn't expect the community to shop at his store if he didn't use as much local labour as possible for renovations.

* Become involved - Get to know your community and interact . "You are reflecting what your business is all the time."

* Any supplier is not good enough - Don't just get a supplier; get good solution people who are willing to work with you.

* There is no quitting time - A new business owner has a 25-hour-day mind set. "You're always thinking, always processing information."

For more information on the SEB program, call 925-4275.

Business association full of ideas for village

CARDINAL - The Edwardsburgh/ Cardinal Business Association (ECBA) held its monthly meeting Feb. 3 at the Cardinal Landmark Inn.

The ECBA discussed the upcoming Garlic Festival, which will be held in the Cardinal this fall. The Landmark Inn has been in discussions with the festival to hold a black tie kick-off on Friday, Sept. 10 at the inn. The festival committee indicated the event will bring in more than 1,000 visitors to the area, which will be a great benefit to everyone.

Judy Smith the widow of Jim Smith, contacted Marj Kempffer requesting the ECBA take on a project that her late husband had started shortly before his death. He wanted to see a mural depicting CASCO and the history of the village on the northwest back wall of the Inn and he had been in contact with the artist who painted the murals in Morrisburg.

Ann Tanguay of the inn reported she had spoken with some artists as she liked the idea, but was happy to defer it to the ECBA.

Smith indicated she would like to play a financial role in the completion of this project.

The possibility of more murals in the village such as the back wall of O'Carroll's Grocery was discussed. A letter will be sent to Smith asking for any information her husband has gathered and take it from there.

Bill La Berge presented the idea for a community-wide garage sale with vendors paying $10 to be on a map that would be distributed showing all the garage sale locations. La Berge also suggested a street dance could be held later that day in the downtown core of Cardinal.

The next ECBA meeting will take place March 2 at 6:30 pm at the inn.

Big Tupper ski resort to reopen

TUPPER LAKE, NEW YORK ­ Plans are in the works to reopen a favourite destination for skiers in the Prescott area.

The Big Tupper ski area is part of a family resort being planned by a group of Philadelphia-based businessmen, it was announced last week.

The ski area in the Adirondacks will be the centrepiece of a year-round resort community that will include townhouses and a health and tennis club. Big Tupper will include a tube centre, terrain park and ski school. The existing 16,000-square-foot clubhouse at the base of Big Tupper will be renovated and redesigned.

The ski area is expected to reopen by 2006.

Giving up smoking a winning proposition

Kicking the habit and staying smoke-free in March could pay off in more ways than one.

A province-wide contest funded in part by Health Canada and supported by the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit offers a car (a mini-Cooper) as its grand prize. Smokers must give up smoking and register for the contest by Feb. 29. A "quit buddy" is needed to verify the smoker has steered clear of cigarettes.

In addition to the potential health benefits for those who give up smoking, seven Toshiba home theatre systems will be awarded as prizes. The names of winners will be drawn at random.

For more information, visit www.quitsmoking ontario.ca.

Blood donor clinic in Brockville today

BROCKVILLE ­ A blood donor clinic will take place today (Wednesday) from 1:30 to 7:30 pm at Thousand Islands Secondary School on Parkedale Avenue.

Walk-in donors will be accepted. For more information about the clinic and donating blood, contact Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-236-6283 or visit www.bloodservices.ca.

The next clinic in Prescott will be held May 12.

Enlist in fort's March Break program

PRESCOTT ­ Fort Wellington is offering a fun and educational March Break afternoon program for youngsters.

The blockhouse will be the setting for the new recruits as they become soldiers in the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment Tuesday, March 16 from 1 to 3:30 pm.

The March Break program for children between the ages of eight and 13 will enable the young recruits to learn how to prepare for battle, shine a soldier's boots and much more. The youngsters should be dressed warmly for indoor and outdoor activities.

The program can accommodate 20 participants per session. There is a registration fee; snacks will be provided.

To register or for more information, contact Sid Andrews at 925-4746 ext. 107 or 101.

Hypertension program seeks volunteers

BROCKVILLE ­ Blood pressure monitoring sessions at area pharmacies are in the works.

The program is seeking volunteers who would be willing to work three hours per week as part of the ten-week program. The community hypertension awareness program is aimed at people who have high blood pressure or are at risk of heart disease, stroke or kidney disease. Contact Lisa Harkness at 341-7878 or bloodpressureclinic@ripnet.com.

LEGION NEWS

The Cardinal Legion is expected to be full of activity the next four weeks.

On Thursday, the Legion will host euchre at 7:30 pm and on Friday there will be a VON foot care clinic at 2 pm and mixed darts at 7:30 pm.

On Saturday, the Legion will host public euchre beginning at 1:30 pm.

Branch 105 will start off March with its executive meeting at 6:15 pm Monday, Mar. 1 with a general meeting to follow at 7:30 pm.

There will be a Ladies' Auxiliary meeting at 7 pm Tuesday, Mar. 2, and ladies darts at 7 pm on Wednesday, Mar. 3.

On Thursday, Mar. 4 there will be euchre at 7:30 pm and mixed darts at 7:30 pm on Friday, Mar. 5.

There will be public euchre on Saturday, Mar. 6, at 1:30 pm.

The Legion will also play host to a St. Patrick's Day Music Jam from 1 pm until 9 pm; people are invited to bring their instruments to join in the music.

Jr. B Rangers lose close one to Tikis

CARDINAL - The South Grenville Jr. B Rangers have had some problems putting the puck in the net as they dropped the first three games of their best-of-seven opening round playoff series with the Brockville Tikis.

The Rangers got on a hot streak early, but quickly fizzled to drop a 9-3 decision to the Tikis in game one Feb. 18 in Brockville.

The Rangers couldn't match the Tikis firepower despite outshooting Brockville 33-32.

South Grenville got off to a fast start taking an early 2-0 lead in the first period as Derek Rupert scored four minutes into the game, with Aaron Fox and Aaron Raymo picking up helpers. Adam Tousant scored an unassisted powerplay marker for South Grenville's second of the period.

Brockville bounced back with five unanswered goals to take a 5-2 lead early in the third period, but Rupert would score his second of the game for the Rangers unassisted to narrow the margin.

Brockville scored three more third period goals including two short-handed markers to put away the game.

On Saturday, the Rangers looked to be on pace to tie the series at one, but a bad bounce sent the game into double overtime, where the Tikis were able to put one past South Grenville for a 3-2 win and take a 2-0 series lead.

Eric Selleck scored unassisted for the Rangers to take an early 1-0 lead in the first, but the Tikis would manage to tie it up. Aaron Fox managed to score on a long shot in the third period to take a 2-1 lead, but with less than five minutes in the game Brockville scored when a Tikis shot was stopped by Rangers goaltender Greg Richardson, but the puck took an odd bounce and rolled down Richardson's back into the net to tie the score.

The Rangers had a number of scoring attempts in overtime, but it was finally the Tikis that managed to end the game in the second overtime as Travis Wing managed to bang in a rebound to hand the Rangers a 3-2 loss.

On Sunday, South Grenville travelled to Brockville and dropped a 4-3 decision to the Tikis to fall behind in the series 3-0.

Brockville got on the board first, but Peter Veltkamp managed to tie the score a minute later, with Tousant and Adam Lawrence picking up helpers.

Brockville took a 3-1 lead in the second, but Aaron Raymo would notch a powerplay marker to narrow the lead to one goal. Veltkamp and Brian Marks added assists.

The Tikis would score early in the third, but Rees would score on the powerplay to bring the Rangers within one. It would prove too little too late. Selleck and Veltkamp picked up helpers.

The Rangers played game four last night (Tuesday) in Cardinal, and if they managed to win will continue the series with game five tonight (Wednesday) in Brockville at 7:45 pm. If needed, game six will be Saturday in Cardinal at 7:15 pm and Sunday in Brockville at 7:15 pm.

Six Rangers win division honours

CARDINAL - The South Grenville Jr. B Rangers won some honours as there were six Rangers named to Rideau Division all-star teams.

General Manager Dennis Van Luit was named a first-team all-star, while defencemen Peter Veltkamp and Alex Rees and goaltender Ben Knapp were placed on the second team.

Forward Brandon and goaltender Greg Richardson were named to the division's all-rookie team.

Giants junior boys hoops team loses in tournament final

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants junior boys basketball team had a strong showing but lost in the finals of its four-team mini-tournament Saturday in Prescott.

The Giants opened the tournament with a dominating 71-22 win over the Seaway Spartans of Iroquois. Chad Hyland scored 16 points to lead the Giants, followed by Josh Parsons with 14, Sam Whitley with 11, Scott Hall with eight and Zach Van Allen with six.

In their second game the Giants had another strong showing with a 64-30 win over St. Lawrence of Cornwall. Hyland led all scorers with 14 points, followed by Parsons with 11 and Mike Froom with eight.

In the final, South Grenville battled Bishop Smith of Pembroke - undefeated on the season - and fell short with a 54-44 loss.

The Giants trailed 34-21 at half, then narrowed the lead to only three points in the fourth quarter, but Bishop Smith managed to pull away with two minutes left in the game.

"We were down to about seven players in the last game," explained Giants co-coach Chris Veltkamp. "We lost a couple guys to hockey and one of the guys on our bench was sick as a dog, so we had to go with a six-man rotation and we just got worn out. They're a really good team who we would probably see if we made it to EOSSAA."

Veltkamp was happy to see the team rebound from its 36-34 loss in the regular season finale last Tuesday in Prescott.

"They really seemed to bounce back from that hiccup against Rideau," said Veltkamp. "We played well, but unfortunately we weren't able to win it. Putting a six man rotation against a team that has two five-man rotations is tough."

Major Atom Kings ready for playoffs

By David Dickenson, Journal Staff Writer

SPENCERVILLE - The Rideau-St. Lawrence major atom Kings fell six points short of top spot in the Ottawa District Minor Hockey League AA standings.

All season long, the Kings have played a strong team game which have seen RSL battle it out all season for top spot in the league.

The Rangers dropped a hard fought 3-1 loss to the Cumberland Barons Saturday in Spencerville before travelling to Cumberland and notching a 2-2 draw with the Barons Sunday.

Coach Allan Joudoin was proud of his team's play and expects big things from his team in the playoffs.

"This was a very tight league this year," said Joudoin. "We've been really competitive all year. This was our first crack at AA and it's been a long time since a Kings team has competed for top spot all year; it's a huge accomplishment."

Joudoin noted that despite the team consisting of seven players from South Grenville, two from Brockville, two from Kemptville and others from Morrisburg, Smiths Falls, Westport and Winchester, they have been a very close bunch.

"They have all played spring hockey together for the last three years with the Kriska Bulldogs," said Joudoin. "So they
know each other and have been really supportive of one another. There is a big focus on the team."

Kings goaltender Drew Lawson added "Most of us are friends outside the rink too. We've played pretty well and we should have a pretty good chance in the playoffs."

Kings goaltender Richard Joudoin explained, "We're pretty close. We have some sleepovers and parties where everyone gets together and plays pond hockey. We all like to get out on the ice and just play."

Kings forward Cory Wilson indicated he thinks the team's closeness has helped throughout the season.

"We've been really good at passing the puck," said Wilson. "We know each other well and where they're going to be; we just need to shoot more in the playoffs."

Kings forward Brett Costello added, "We really have good speed so if we improve our shots in the zone and shoot down low, we should be able to make the finals."

The Kings finished the season at 20-8-4 for 46 points, just six points behind the first-place Ottawa Valley Titans with a 25-7-0 record for 50 points, and two points behind the second-place Cumberland Barons with a 22-8-2 record for 46 points.

Senior basketball team falls in OT

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Giants senior boys basketball team missed out a chance at second place in the league as it lost an overtime heartbreaker to the Rideau Lions.

With a win the Giants could have jumped as high as second place in the final Leeds and Grenville Secondary School Athletic Association standings, but a highlight reel layup by Rideau's Robert Mustard with 15 second left in the overtime period sealed the Giants 59-56 loss, as the Giants were then forced to foul after a turnover.

South Grenville was trailing 13-6 at the end of the first quarter, but quickly rebounded behind the hot shooting hand of Jamie Clarke who managed to tie things up at 24 heading into the half.

Travis Irvine's absence hurt the Giants as Clarke was forced to act as the primary ball carrier and was then keyed on by the Rideau defence.

Clarke led the Giants with 22 points, followed by Ayerst with ten points, Curtis Bucking with eight points, Jon Baldwin with seven points and Matt Alkerton with five points.

With the loss and BCI's win over St. Mary, the Giants finished in third place in the division with a 6-3 record, behind the first-place TISS Pirates with a 7-2 record and the St. Mary Crusaders with a 6-3 record.

The Giants travelled to Brockville yesterday to take on the Crusaders in a LGSSAA semi-final match-up. The league finals are set for Friday; the teams, location and times not been set by press time.

South Grenville Giants girls volleyball teams hosting LGSSAA finals today

PRESCOTT - South Grenville District High School will play host to the Leeds and Grenville Secondary School Athletic Association girls volleyball championships today in Prescott.

The Giants earned the right to host the tournament after their junior and senior teams each finished in first place in the league for a combined 38-10 record on the season, 13 wins ahead of the North Grenville Knights 25-23 combined record.

The senior girls team finished off the season with a 5-1 record last Wednesday at St. Mary.

The senior girls team finished the season with a dominant 19-5 record, with the North Grenville Knights at 15-9 their closest competitors.

The junior girls team posted a 4-2 record last Wednesday at St. Mary to finish the season with a 19-5 record. BCI and TISS were the Giants nearest
competitors with identical 12-12 records.

The junior girls semi-finals will see South Grenville battle North Grenville at 4 pm with St. Mary against BCI to follow.

The LGSSAA senior girls semi-finals will see South Grenville take on BCI at 4 pm today, with the other game of North Grenville-TISS and the final to follow.

Falcons fall to Tamworth

TAMWORTH - The St. Lawrence Falcons Sr. A hockey team travelled to Tamworth Sunday and dropped a 5-2 decision to the Braves.

The Falcons got off to a good start taking an early 1-0 lead in the first period with a goal from Charlie Fromont. Wayne Garlough and Kevin Spero picked up helpers.

The Falcons continued their strong play with a second period powerplay marker from Tyler Dukelow to take a 2-0 lead. Andrew Dickson and Marshall Merkley added assists.

The wheels fell off for St. Lawrence in the third period as Tamworth rallied back for five unanswered goals in the period to finish off the Falcons.

The Falcons next home game Saturday, Mar. 6 against the Belleville McFarlands is being held at a neutral site at the Athens arena to try and promote the team to other areas of Leeds and Grenville.

Falcons Forum: The Falcons home game slated for Saturday, Feb 21 in Prescott was cancelled after the Deseronto Bulldogs reported poor weather conditions and weren't able to make the trip. A date to make up the game is still being arranged.

Atom house #1 on a hot streak

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville atom B Rangers house team #1 has been on a hot streak since mid-January, posting a 4-2 record in league play.

On Feb. 10, the Rangers scored a 7-0 shutout of Brockville #1 in Prescott. Nathan Peters scored the shutout in goal, while Grant scored a pair of goals to lead South Grenville. John Wood, Nick Thorpe, Cody Knapp, Sean Blackburn and Spencer Lee added singles. Lucas Chretien, Houston Bujacz and Blackburn chipped in with helpers.

On Feb. 7, the Rangers travelled to Brockville and scored a 5-0 shutout over Brockville #1. Blackburn got the shutout in goal, while Grant led all scorers with a pair of goals. Derik Bourgeois, Lee and Devin Johnston added singles. Chretien (2), Johnston and Grant chipped in with helpers.

On Feb. 4, the Rangers played host to Brockville #1 and came away victorious with a 5-1 win at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Lee, Chretien, Tim Kippax, Cody Knapp and Thorpe scored for South Grenville, while Kippax (2), Bourgeois (2), Grant, Chretien, Thorpe, Matt Leonard and Blackburn added assists.

On Feb. 3, South Grenville pulled out a 4-1 victory over Brockville #3 in Prescott. Chretien, Desmond Martin, Lee and Knapp scored for the Rangers, while Bourgeois (2), Grant (2) and Lee chipped in with helpers.

On Jan. 20, the Rangers fell 3-2 to 1,000 Islands at the Leo Boivin Community Centre. Thorpe and Grant scored for the Rangers, while Leonard and Bujacz chipped in with helpers.

On Jan. 16, the Rangers travelled to Clayton, New York and dropped a 2-1 decision to 1,000 Islands. Matt Fox had the Rangers' lone goal.

Novice Lightning Boltz win B title at SGMHA tournament

SPENCERVILLE - The South Grenville novice Lightning Boltz captured the B title of the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association host tournament Sunday in Spencerville.

The Lightning Boltz opened the tournament with a 6-3 loss to the North Leeds Stars. Brett Van Stralen scored a pair of goals to lead the Boltz, while Cole Burchell added a single. Matt Courtney, John Lawless, Jason Noonan and Van Stralen added assists.

The Boltz rebounded in their second game for a 6-0 shutout over Athens. Broydon Stufko had a hat trick to lead the Boltz, while Shenda Harrison, Adam Norton and Van Stralen added singles. Dylan Bell (2), Lawless (2), Harrison, Brett McFarland, Norton, Stufko and Van Stralen chipped in with helpers.

In the B final, the Boltz scored a 7-3 win over the Brockville Warriors. Stufko and Van Stralen each scored a pair of goals, while Brandon Finlayson, Lawless and Norton added singles. Bell (3), Norton (2), Stufko (2), Burchell, Harrison and Van Stralen added assists.

Ice Hounds lose in A final

The South Grenville novice Ice Hounds also had a strong performance in the tournament advancing to the A championship before dropping a 5-1 decision to the Kemptville Panthers #1. Jody Sullivan scored the Hounds lone goal, while Spencer Disheau and Riley Thomson added assists.

In their opener, the Ice Hounds defeated the Leitrim Hawks 6-2. Matt Fox scored five goals for the Hounds, while Sullivan added a single. Brianna Harnum (2), Jonathan Bernier (2) and Kirtus Selleck (2) added assists.

In the semi-final, the Hounds managed to pull out a 5-4 win over the Kemptville Panthers #2. Sullivan had a four-goal performance to lead the Hounds, while Fox added a single. Fox had the Hounds' lone assist.

Atom B Rangers in semi-final

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville atom B Rangers advanced to the league semi-final after a pair of wins over the Gananoque Islanders to win their quarter-final series.

On Feb. 16, the Rangers scored a 4-0 win over the Islanders. Hunter McCarroll, Ian King, Shane Riddell and Alex Stephenson scored for the Rangers, while Patrick Froom (2), Robbie Deeks (2), Stephenson, Trent Corney, Joey Sargeant and Rik Champagne added assists.

On Feb. 22, South Grenville travelled to Gananoque and scored an 8-1 win over the Islanders to clinch the series. Deeks scored a hat trick, while King, Coleman Colpitts, McCarroll, Corney and Sargent added singles. McCarroll (2), Froom, Sargeant, Corney and Riddell chipped in with helpers.

RSL minor peewees win pair

SPENCERVILLE - The Rideau-St. Lawrence minor peewee Kings managed a pair of
wins and loss in recent league play.

On Feb. 8, the Kings fell short in a 4-3 loss to the Seaway Valley Rapids at the Spencerville arena. The Kings jumped out to an early two goal lead, but were unable to hold on for the win as Seaway mounted a late rally. Collin Halladay, Derek Froats and Jordan Moran scored for the Kings, while Shayne Morden, Cody Johnson, Josh Pitt and Dylan Casselman added assists.

On Feb. 7, Rideau-St. Lawrence travelled to Nepean and scored a 4-0 win over the Raiders. Jayson Harmer, Ryan Vincent, Moran and Froats scored for the Kings, while Pitt (2), Casey Crooke, Dylan Casselman, Morden and Froats added assists.

On Feb. 22, the Kings would end the regular season on a high note with an 8-2 win over the Ottawa Sting in Spencerville. Froats, Pitt and Casselman each scored a pair of goals for the Kings, while Crooke and Moran added singles. Crooke (2), Cameron Armstrong, Moran, Alex O'Neil, Froats, Ryan Vincent, Pitt and Casselman chipped in with helpers.

The Kings got strong games in goal from the tandem of Michael Lalande and Tyler Gallinger.

Atom house team #2 drops pair of games

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville Rangers atom B house team #2 finished the regular season with a pair of losses and is now taking on Brockville #3 in the playoffs.

The Rangers opened their playoff series with Brockville #3 Feb. 18 in Prescott, with South Grenville pulling off a 5-2 win. Zach Fleming and Payton Marriner each had a pair of goals to lead the Rangers, while Josh Bailey added a single. Mike Lawless, Ryan Maggio and Sydney Wehmeyer chipped in with helpers. The Rangers now have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series with Brockville #3.

To end the regular season the Rangers dropped a 2-0 decision to the North Leeds Stars Feb. 14 at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

On Feb. 13, South Grenville travelled across the border and dropped a hard-fought 2-1 loss to Clayton, New York. Marriner scored unassisted for the Rangers' lone goal.

SG minor midgets finish second

PRESCOTT - The South Grenville minor midget Rangers finished in second place in their division after posting a 1-2 record in their final three games.

On Feb. 4, the Rangers suffered a 2-0 loss to the North Dundas Devils at the Leo Boivin Community Centre.

On Feb. 11, the Rangers travelled to Winchester dropping a 2-0 decision to the North Dundas Devils.

On Feb. 18, South Grenville was able to extract some revenge against the Devils with a 3-2
win over North Dundas in Prescott. Michael Lawrence, Matt Deeks and Wes Polite scored for the Rangers, while Deeks and Lawrence picked up helpers.

The Rangers now advance to the playoffs where they will take on Cornwall in their first-round match-up.

GFGC to host 7th annual ice fishing pike derby Saturday

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 bonus prizes 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.

PDSA holding 2004 registration sessions beginning in March

PRESCOTT - The Prescott and District Soccer Association will be hosting registration sessions for the 2004 season beginning in March.

The first will be held Saturday, Mar. 6 from 9 am until noon, the second from 6 pm until 8 pm on Mar. 10 and the final registration period will run from 9 am until noon Mar. 13. All registration sessions will be held at the Prescott Fire Hall; those wishing to coach or referee may also register at that time. A late registration fee will be charged to anyone registering after the final session Mar. 13. If you cannot attend any of the sessions contact the PDSA at pdsa@ripnet.com.

SGMHA looking for volunteers for major midget tournament

PRESCOTT - Volunteers are still needed to help out with the South Grenville Minor Hockey Association's major midget tournament in Prescott March 19-21.

The tournament is the SGMHA's number one fundraiser and helps to keep registration costs down for all levels of hockey.

Parents from the bantam, atom, peewee and novice levels are being asked to chip in to help replace the parents of children who are no longer in the SGMHA system.

Come out and lend a hand since all the children in the SGMHA will reap the benefits. Those interested in volunteering should contact Tom Elliott at 925-5519.

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