The record, 3 mai 2007, jeudi 3 mai 2007

' \ w/ I® UBtf, • .: .^B»- ^¦**sààfeâfeast.-, -.i'-r- •; udio Thursday, May 3, 2007 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#0040007682 • MAGOG 2G3.St-Ratrice West Ô19.Ô47.2244 • COATICOOK.Clinique familiale 271 Child Ô19.Ô49.4ÔOÔ - STANSTEAD 2.3 Notre-Dame W.(in Diane Valllancourt’e Pharmacy) 1.Ô77.3O2-2770 ' LACOLLE GO rte 202 1.077.302.2770 Full service of hearing aids Historic St.James Hall crumbles Rodier prothésiste whole lot more.The building needs new insulation, windows, repairs to a corner of the foundation, a new roof, a paint job “and whatever else is necessary,” said Dezan.“These old buildings, they’re expensive.” As well as hosting church and community activities, the hall houses the village library that is leased and run by the Hatley Library Association.An ongoing dispute with the association appears to be standing between the parish and a partial solution to saving the historic hall.“There has always been a bit of tension between the church and the library.I don’t know why,” said library president Karen Patterson.“That’s why we handed over all of our affairs to the municipality to discuss things with the diocese.” Dezan said the library’s rent doesn’t even cover heating costs.Besides, she added, the association is always behind on its payments.When the library first moved into the hall two decades ago, the rent was $750 annually, said Patterson.Now it’s $400 a month.“Several years ago we offered to pay half the expenses of the building,” Patterson said, and the ACW came back with a list of costs that were not backed up by heating and light bills.“We asked to see the real documents,” Patterson said, but they were never presented.Now, after years of going back and forth, Patterson said the library association has given up.“We were tired of dealing with it so we handed it over to the municipality to deal with them.“We tried ourselves, but no one wanted to listen,” she said.“People don’t see eye to eye.It’s very difficult.” “Right now the only solution I see is for the library to get out of there,” Patterson added.“I think our best bet is to dissociate ourselves from them.” Some members of the ACW have reached the same conclusion.“It’s been nothing but trouble since the library went into the building,” Please see St.James on Page 4 PERRY BEATON A few years ago, an engineer estimated the historic Hatley building needed a $100,000 revamp.THE RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 presents LORD OF THE FUIS May 15di, 16th, 171k, 18th, 19fh, 2007 ¦ 7:30 p.m.A)ewrader Gaft High School Auditorium Mom: (819) 875-5133 Tickets: $8.00 Intended for mature audiences.§ .as parish and town wrangle By Rita Legault Sherbrooke Historic St-James Parish Hall in Hatley is dilapidated and falling into more serious disrepair while the parish, the Anglican diocese, the library association, and the town quibble over its future.In April, Hatley council threatened to expropriate the aging 176-year-old building if parishioners did not respond to a call from the municipality to discuss the transfer of the local landmark overlooking the village common in the centre of the historic hamlet.St.James, which was built in the 1920s, is the oldest Anglican church in the Townships and one of the oldest wooden churches in Quebec.Two years after it was built, a school named Charleston Academy was constructed across the town’s historic commons.Transformed into a parish hall in the 1960s, the white, two-storey clapboard building is now run by the Anglican Church Women which holds regular activities and leases it to community groups.“The ladies have maintained the hall for years,” said ACW member Debbie Smith, noting there are still 10 members.“We hold various fundraisers and monthly luncheons to pay the lights and electricity (for both the church and the hall).“Anyone who wants to use it, uses it,” said Smith, noting rentals help pay the basic bills, but don’t raise enough money for badly needed repairs.In 2004, a parishioner launched a campaign to establish the Hatley Preservation Association, a non-profit that aimed to restore the historic parish hall.But the association never quite got off the ground.“Now we’re stuck,” said ACW president Charlene Dezan.A few years ago, an engineer estimated it would cost $100,000 to revamp the heritage building.After a few more years of decay, saving the hall will cost a v- c :i n Centraide jPAYEZ A 1ORDRE OE ifii' tOO DOLLARS ( I It NOTE: .< OQOUiooomon >Q f OOOQgMiaOg: W ' ipgsi ‘&ht$ &iki ¦sSP^iC' “The single defining characteristic of every charity and not-for-profit in Canada is volunteers.And in virtually every.organization, from the largest hospital or school board to the smallest social agency, volunteers contribute to our ability to achieve our missions.Because of volunteers, we are all better able to meet the needs of Canadians and reach the goals we have set.” Source: Volunteer Canada 2000 About the Volunteer Bank The Volunteer Bank is an initiative of Townshippers’ Association and was created as a result of a need expressed by English speakers to become more involved in their community, as well as to provide English-speaking volunteer support to community groups and organizations.Townshippers’ Association is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization serving the English-speaking community in the Eastern Townships.Do you have a special talent, skill, or service you would like to provide on a volunteer basis?Is your group or organization looking for a few good volunteers?If so, contact Evelina Smith, coordinator of Townshippers’ Association’s Volunteer Bank at 819-566-2182 (toll free 1-877-566-2182), info@townshippers.qc.ca, or George Courville, coordinator of Partners for Health & Social Services - Townships-Montérégie Network at 450-263-4422 (toll free 1-866-263-4422), gc@townshippers.qc.ca.Staff of the CHUS, the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, raised a record $25,057 for the Centraide 2007 campaign.Pictured are a band of merry hospital fundraising committee members: Annie-Claude Breton, Sylvain Gautreau, Alain Villeneuve, Dr.Maurice Roy, Guy Desmarais, Alain Marchand, Huguette Lajeunesse, André Lortie, Michel Vachon, Raymonde Bouchard, and Julie Di Tomasso.(Absent: Brigitte Benoit.) page 2 Thursday, May 3, 2007 RECORD Lennoxville thanks its volunteers Robin Hood The Borough of Lennoxville held a special get-together to thank volunteers for putting in so much time and energy into the community.* Photos are courtesy the borough of Lennoxville.CAB Cowansville The Cowansville Volunteer Bureau (CAB Cowansville) is seeking volunteer drivers to take people to medical appointments.Skills: Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and a well-maintained car.They must also be courteous, patient, non-judgmental, understanding, and enjoy working with seniors.The CAB will pay mileage during client transportation.If you are interested in this or other volunteer opportunities in the Cowansville area, contact Sonia Enright at the CAB Cowansville at 450-263-3758.On Volunteering Volunteer Bank Weather Today: Sunny with cloudy periods.Wind 20 km/h gusting to 40, becoming light in the evening.High 13.Friday: Sunny.Low minus 1.High 13.Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud.Low plus 2.High 14.Sunday: Sunny.Low minus 1.High 16.Ben by Daniel Shelton 501 IS OUR AP for TODAY'S GARAGE SALE IN THE PAPER?YUP, HEREITIS; “GARAGE SALE, THIS SATURDAY, LOTS OF STUPE EARLY 0RPS, , WELC0MEP- j! KHOCK WAIT! **rm RECORD Thursday, May 3, 2007 page 3 canvas bag saves barrels of oil B-M going greener, at its own pace By Maurice Crossfield Cowansville Brome-Missisquoi residents are getting into the habit of going greener, but they will need to keep up those efforts, say the authors of a recent survey.The results unveiled here yesterday show that 81.5 per cent of those questioned identified the environment as a “major priority.” Meanwhile 92.4 per cent of respondents said they recycle regularly, with only 2.2 per cent saying they never recycle at all.“We are very proud of our results,”-said Madeleine Chabot, mayor of East Farnham and president of the Brome-Missisquoi MRC’s residual waste management committee.“It shows that people are ready to move to the next step.” The next step, according to Sophie Taillefer of Recyc-Québec, has to be more recycling, more composting and above all, less material going into landfill sites.Quebecers may be recycling more than ever, but they’re also generating more garbage than ever.As of 2004 Quebec produced more than 11 million tons of garbage, of which 6.5 million tons ended up being landfilled or burned.“That’s the equivalent of five times the size of the Olympic Stadium,” Taille- fer said.A lot of that waste won’t break down in our lifetimes.Plastic bags can last hundreds of years, glass jars thousands.Marie-Elaine Labelle played an impromptu game on the subject with those at the press conference, including three students from Ecole St-Therese, where the press conference was held.Among the most commonly-overlooked form of hazardous waste are batteries.Big car batteries are typically hauled away for proper disposal, but 98 per cent of those used in flashlights and radios are just tossed into the garbage and eventually leech their contents into landfills.The effort to reduce the amount of trash headed for landfill sites is all part of the Quebec government’s 1998 to 2008 plan to reduce landfill input by 65 per cent.While the reduction goal is 60 per cent for waste coming from municipal household garbage, provincially the reduction is only about 23 per cent.In Brome-Missisquoi, the first of Quebec’s 90 MRCs to adopt a waste management plan, that figure is 34 per cent.“The MRC will be reviewing its program to find ways to meet its objectives,” Taillefer said.“The important thing is to keep up the effort.” Those efforts include more composting, for example.Chabot said this spring some 350 people signed up for the region’s composting course.Of those surveyed only 25.8 per cent said they compost.Of the 503 people questioned in the Poetry and kites ‘The kids themselves are the story’ By Jen Young Record correspondent The Eastern Townships Language Arts Festival is a chance for school children to meet their favorite authors, and dozens of Townships youth will be bused in to the Bishop’s University campus from north and south on Friday for fun, and learning.But the celebrations will kick off tonight at the Old Lennoxville Golf Course with a literary event.“(Tonight) will be the opening launch of the festival,” said chief organizer Paulette Losier, who has been involved since 1992.“It will be an evening of poetry, but the big event is on Friday at Bishop’s when children from over 80 towns in the Townships will come to meet local and internationally renowned writers.“We encourage adult community writers to be involved because we have a lot of excellent local talent.” The day, which Losier says combines youth, culture and education, fits right in with the mandate of the regional grant-giving Townshippers’ Foundation.“The foundation has been there since the beginning.Without their support there might not even be a festival.” The foundation donated $1,500 this year.The whole shebang, held every second year, costs more than $20,000 — which comes from 14 different sponsors, like the Quebec Ministry of Education and Parent Participatory Organizations, or PPOs, from each school from which the children hail.“Our sponsors «- __ Îa v e Building ihe foundations been 3 - very loyal over the years,” said Losier.Once the elementary and high school youth, and close to 100 volunteers, arrive at 9 a.m.Friday, they’ll be faced with dozens of choices, from readings to poetry, drama, kite making, and more, along with book signings by writers and illustrators like Barbara Reid, Paul Yee and Lesley Choyce.Award-winning Record reporter Rita Legault will be giving two workshops.Said Losier: “I became involved because of my desire to create an opportunity for young people to be in the company of people who wrote the books they’ve read and loved.” This is one in an occasional series profiling groups and projects that have received funding this year from the non-profit Townshippers’ Foundation.MAURICE CROSSFIELD Marie-Elaine Labelle challenged those at a press conference to guess how long it takes common household items to break down in a landfill.Hint: longer than you’d think.i * *•#**:< Hum.• | Can yon ; repeat, please?Wlaf w w* roc* .>&., W dont U nland ïm F£& tm ¦y tmfyu 1 fiolrt avenir os d£çh survey, carried out by D2 Marketing, 50.9 per cent suggested more information and awareness campaigns would improve the situation.Another 22.5 per cent suggested stricter rules, while 19.5 per cent said fining polluters would be Brief BMP ER still flooded The Brome-Missisquoi Perkins Hospital emergency room was still overloaded Wednesday, but improving slowly.Hospital spokesman Paul Berger said that as of 3:30 p.m.Wednesday there were still 25 people on stretchers, in an ER that has a capacity of 16.That’s down from 29 a day earlier.“It’s still very busy, but things are improving,” Berger said.“It should clear up in the coming days.” The number of people coming in slowed after the hospital issued an advisory asking people to avoid the emergency room if possible.Still, as of Wednesday afternoon there were 13 people on stretchers who had been there more than 48 hours, up from nine the day before.Berger said the advisory remains in place.If you don’t have to go to an emergency room, go someplace else, such as a walk-in clinic.Or call your local Info Santé line.If your situation requires you to go to the ER you will be treated, but you will likely have to wait.the best way to get results.Other survey suggestions included having more places for people to drop off hazardous household waste, furniture, clothing, computers, TVs and construction materials.Some even suggested a willingness to pay more for the management of residual waste.Some 26.2 per cent said they would be willing to pay under $20 extra per year to cover trash management; 16 per cent were willing to go as high as $40 or more, while 29.8 per cent were against any increase at all.Cowansville mayor and MRC warden Arthur Fauteux said the survey shows that local efforts are in keeping with the expectations of the population.He noted that environmental issues are very much on people’s minds these days.“For more than a year now people around the water cooler aren’t talking about the last hockey game, they’re talking about climate change,” he said.Part of the goal now is to get people to lower their energy consumption habits, he said, pointing out that bringing a reusable canvas bag to carry your groceries saves several barrels of oil (used to manufacture plastic bags).He said it’s an effort that must become a lifestyle.“With every result there is still more to be done.” , Michel Duval Advertising Consultant Tel.: 819.569.9525 Fax 819.821*3179 mduval@sherbrookerecord.com recc5rd ' » e %> tutu ‘vh r , HifS promutuel Ayer’s Cliff Elementary Parkside Ranch Casey Johann & Justin Doyle Parkside was very fun because of the weather.We went cross-country skiing and we played dodge ball, basketball and soccer in the gym.Instead of hockey we played broomball.We also played foos-ball and ping pong in the games room.On the second day we went orienteering.We learned how to use a compass and it was very interesting.There were pieces of paper on objects made of wood that told us the direction and number of paces out next destination was.We couldn’t go skating but we had a chance to do everything else.ACES Winter Carnival Stephanie Fournier While grade 5 and 6 students had the opportunity to go to Parkside Ranch, the rest of the school participated in a Winter Carnival.Corey the Magician opened the day with some wonderful magic.The students, Pre-K included, were in awe of how he could make things disappear and re-appear.Following the magician, the students from grades K-4 were split up into groups and were off to start their day filled with carnival games, races and hot chocolate.It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine.Some of the stations included egg on a spoon race, a 3-legged race, tug-of-war, potato sack race, balloon bust, Winter Pictionary, an obstacle course and hot chocolate in the cafeteria, provided by our Home and School volunteers.Science Fair On Thursday, April 26, the students of ACES participated in a Science Fair.Students from grade 3 to grade 6 made posters and did experiments in the weeks preceding the fair.These experiments ranged from Yeast Air Balloons, Volcanoes, Sink and Float, How to Build a Camera, Dissolving Egg Shells, Mold, Fire Extinguishers, Dancing Coins, Acids and Bases, and many others.The younger students were invited to watch each experiment and have their Passport signed at each station.It was an excellent Science Fair! Grade 1 Fundraiser Dance On Friday, April 27 there was a dance organized at Ayer’s Cliff Elementary School by the grade one class, Mrs.Mark-well, and many volunteers.It was a great success! Many people attended this fundraising event, which was to raise money for the grade one students’ overnight trip to Val Estrie.There will be two days filled with activities.It will be an end of year trip to remember! There was $831 raised in total with a small expense of $144 for chips and juice.The highlights of the event were when the grade one students danced a two-step, the Macarena and the YMCA.Then the grade one students showed one of their family members how to dance a two-step Princess Elizabeth, Lennoxville, Sherbrooke, Cookshire and ACES.Ayer’s Cliff girls brought home a gold, silver and bronze medal.Elizabeth Mackinnon and Morgan Cote won bronze in doubles, Audrey Fontaine and Martha Mackinnon won silver and Cynthia Dupont-Le-tourneau won gold in the singles.Justin Doyle places 4th in singles.Miss Fournier was very proud of all the participants.Basketball Tournament Stephanie Fournier This year at the Galt Basketball Tournament the ACES students played their hearts out.The girls finished in 2nd place and the boys finished 4th.With so much heart and determination, the students deserved the places they finished in.Cynthia Dupont-Letoumeau was the winner in the skills competition.She was the winner of the Free Throw Challenge, with seven free throws.Other News The Children of ACES would like to mention that they had a wonderful time seeing Charlotte’s Web at Centennial Theatre.The grade 2 and 2/3 children are enjoying this book as we speak and the movie was a perfect addition to their unit.As well, we want to express our congratulations to the students who participated in the math competition last week.Their effort was remarkable.as well.You did a great job! I would like to send many thanks to express my appreci-ation for all the volunteer work and contributions.This dance could have not gone smoothly without the dedication of the grade one parents with their son or daughter, who took the time to sell tickets at the door, be on door patrol, or help sell snacks.Jennifer, who DJed for us, did a wonderful job.Thank you to Miss Fournier for allowing us to use her sound system.1 want to say a special thanks to Georgia for decorating the gym so wonderfully.The students at ACES did a wonderful job making crafts for decorations and thank you to the teachers who took the time to attended the dance.Thank you Corinne, for ordering the snacks for us.The door prizes were donated by parents and teachers at ACES.It was great to see the smiles on the children’s faces as their tickets were chosen.Thank You!! Mrs.Markwell and Grade One Students Galt Badminton Tournament Elizabeth Mackinnon The badminton tournament was a great success for Ayer’s Cliff Elementary School.The tournament was at Alexander Galt and began at 8 a.m.Six Schools participated, Sunnyside, your donations FONDATION ena^e^ ^ie CM%)S to purchase new equipment Centre hospitalier UNIVERSITAIRE DE SHERBROOKE Fondation du CHUS, 580 Bowcn Street S, Sherbrooke QC JIG 2E8 / (819) 820-6450 ¦ 1-866 820-6450 - www.fondationchus.org Purchase of an ultrasound and interferential Machine at the Physiotherapy Department at a cost of $6,600 The Physiotherapy Department of the CHUS now has a machine used, among other things, for the treatment of fractures, tendinitis and bursitis using ultrasound or by interferential current.The ultrasound treatment creates an accumulation of deep heat.This heat activates blood circulation as well as the cellular metabolism that reduces pain, spasms, oedema and adherence.As for the treatment by interferential current, it is specifically used to reduce pain.Ginette Chabot and Marie-Ève Cronin, therapists in physical réadaptation, show us how his equipment is used. Also See: Mi • -Æ M JJJIpi Review Serving Stanstead and ITS BORDER COMMUNITY Thursday, May 3, 2007 page 9 NEWSROOM@SHERBROOKERECORD.COM fynM NANCY NOURSE QNEK’s Mike Desjardins and Allen Cubit in the play The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).All of Shakespeare in 97 minutes Hamlite and Henry the One Fifth By Nancy Nourse Record Correspondent While you were sitting comfortably at home on cold winter nights, the gang at QNEK Productions, the resident theatre company of the Haskell Opera House in Stanstead and Derby Line, Vt„ has been busy preparing for its 14th season.The first production of the season is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged).It’s a tongue-in-cheek tribute to writings that are often considered dull and uninteresting to many young people who have to sit through Literature and Drama classes.But the abridged version is far from boring.“While the basis for the play is accurate in content, the very fact that we have been given an open door to allow us to also improvise has been a very creative move,” said actor Mike Desjardins, who has been associated with QNED for several years.He credits production ccnlirectors Lynn Leimer and Susan-Lynn Johns for the extra leeway.“Being able to improvise allows us the opportunity to bring the script up into modern day times.I hope that the audience will like it, but we can never know just how the lines will go over until opening night.” This is an evening with the Bard of Avon — or more aptly, “the Bard on a Budget”.With tongues planted firmly in their cheeks, Mike Desjardins, Mat Desjardins and Allen Cubit stretch themselves both physically and mentally as they make their way through all of Shakespeare’s works — comedies, dramas, histories and sonnets — in lightening speed.That’s 97 minutes, filled with quick costume changes and audience participation.The actors’ love of the play is soon evident as they hurl themselves, sometimes literally, into the comic fray, performing such favourites as Romeo and Juliedited, Julius Teaser, Chopthello and, of course, the notable Hamlite.Are you beginning to see a theme?This trio of troubadours is no stranger to the spotlight.Mike Desjardins joined QNEK in the production of Guys and Dolls and has been a solid and constant actor within the company ever since.Audiences delighted in his slick style of comedy in Lend Me A Tenor, Plaza Suite and Don’t Dress for Dinner.Joining him on a par is his son Mat Desjardins, following in his father’s footsteps with his love of theatre.He joined the company in 2003 and has appeared in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Little Shope of Horrors.His breakthrough role came as Barnaby Tucker in last season’s Hello, Dolly in which he took on numerous roles.Allen Cubit is a recent high school graduate where he played Rev.Hale in The Crucible and was actor/director/techie on many productions.He has also been an active member in choirs and choruses.He made his QNEK debut in last season’s Hello, Please see QI^EKon Page 10 An ignored border NFB film showed life in 1955 By Nancy Nourse Record correspondent President Jan Draper of the Rotary Club of the Boundary was extremely pleased with the turnout for their latest meeting, which featured a black and white film of Derby Line, Vt.and Rock Island and Beebe, Quebec, dating back to 1955.The film, One Street—2 Countries, brought back many memories to those Rotarians who have lived in the area for most of their lives.It was introduced by Ulrich Knuchel (called by the club’s president “a real defender of the Rotary”).“My wife and I came to this area only four years ago,” said Knuchel.“We have made a home for ourselves in Fitch Bay, Quebec.Growing up in Switzerland, we knew as soon as we were introduced to the area that this was the place for us.“I am a real history buff so when I moved here, it was only natural for me to try to discover more about the area.I have many collections of books on the early history of the area but I always am interested in knowing more,” he said.Knuchel said that it was thanks to Rotarian Maude Curtis that he had first become aware of the film.She had given him a copy of a pamphlet by the Rotary Club of the Boundary highlighting the uniqueness of not only the Club itself but also the Boundary area.Among the wonderful tidbits of information contained was the description of two films made by the National Film Board of Canada: One Street - 2 Countries, and Diary of a Customs Man (circa 1965), both about the local community of the time and the strong ties among its people.After many months, Knuchel said he was able to convince the NFB to make a DVD copy of One Street - Two Countries so that he could present it before his fellow Rotarians.Information in the pamphlet — everyone attending received a copy — included the fact that Rock Island was the only point along the whole United States-Canadian boundary where a complete community had grown up astride that international line.This is quite literal, as many houses, a granite-working plant and a large factory had all been built right over the line.Knuchel noted with sadness that today, in the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attack, there is much talk of constructing fences between these closely intertwined neighbours.There was direct reference to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House that even then had an international reputation, according to both the film and the pamphlet.It was also unique in the fact that books were shelved on the first floor in Canada, with the only entrance to them being in the United States.Upstairs, the theatre stage is in Canada while two-thirds of the seats are in the United States.This situation remains unchanged today.Masonic Lodge meets were held in Canada though many of the officers at that time were US residents.This particular lodge, opened in 1857, has held open-air meetings atop nearby Owl’s Head Mountain on the Saturday before or on June 24.Similarly, the Knights of Columbus, the Odd Fellows and many other organizations drew memberships from both countries.The electricity from Hydro Quebec and the water, from Holland, Vermont, adds to this unique relationship that has existed for many generations.The telephone exchange in Canada and calls between residents of the American towns were once mechanically connected in Stanstead.Please see Rotary on Page 12 David Ellis on the bomb scare .see Page 10 1 page 10 Thursday, May 3, 2007 Stanstead REVIEW No tolerance for would-be bomber Stanstead vulnerable, too I was at my workplace when I ran into a friend of mine.Bill had a curious look on his face.“What was all the excitement about in Stanstead yesterday?Since you work with the public, I figured you’d be the guy to ask.I was away all day shopping with the wife in New Hampshire,” he greeted me.“Yesterday?” I replied as my five-second brain cramp kicked in.He looked a bit annoyed until I finally realized what he was referring to.“Oh, yes.The bomb saga.The police blocked off Dufferin Street in front of the Cass Funeral Home.” 1 went on to give Bill the details about how the (suspected) bomb was discovered and about the homes that were evacuated within the vicinity.It’s a serious matter when an incident of this magnitude occurs in our very own vil- lage.Not to mention what kind of insane person would attempt to rig a bomb that could have done catastrophic damage or even killed someone.I was with a bunch of friends sitting on the outside deck at the Stanstead Legion that Sunday when the first sign appeared of something amiss.The Stanstead Fire Department had its tanker truck cordoning off Mountain View Street.Some of the members of the fire department were instructing the residents of the street to vacate their houses.Cars began exiting the street in numbers.About 15 minutes later, my friends and I heard what the commotion was all about.Someone had found what appeared to be a home-made bomb in back of the funeral home.The quick action of the Stanstead Fire Department soon had streets blocked off and traffic rerouted to avoid any potential danger.We then saw a convoy of Sûreté du Québec police cars swarm into Stanstead in force.Curious onlookers were kept back as dozens of police officers patrolled the area (more than likely searching for clues to identify the perpetrator responsible for endangering innocent lives).Eventually, someone overheard that a bomb disposal truck was on its way from Montreal to dispose of the suspicious object.Finally after a few tense hours of uncertainty, the truck arrived.Its remote controlled robot sprang into action.A loud bang was heard: the robot destroyed the object and gathered up evidence for police analysis.In the end, no damage was done except for a few frayed nerves.Someone’s foolish idea of a tragedy was averted with great relief.Over the next few days, more questions were being raised.Was it a real bomb?Who would do such a dangerous and deranged stunt?Easy access to Internet websites to gather information to construct destructive devices is one reason why the world is in such chaos today.With the recent rash of fatal school shootings and violence around North America, it is a small wonder why even in a little town like Stanstead, residents’ nerves are jittery.An incident like this is too close to home.We are just as vulnerable as everywhere else on the planet.Life will slowly return to normal in the border area.However, the impact of the drama that unfolded that particular Sunday will always remain.Whether it is a bomb or any other suspicious object lying about, Stanstead won’t be easily intimidated.Residents can rest assured that they’ll always be in good hands by the rapid response of the Stanstead Fire Department that day.This should send a stern message to the would-be bomber that diabolical people won’t be tolerated in this town.Dave’s Den David Ellis QNEK: Cont’d from Page 9 Dolly.Lynn Leimer and Susan-Lynn Johns have created a “combustible comedy”.It comes with a warning: “This is a high-speed roller coaster type ride through all of Shakespeare’s best works and is not recommended for people with heart ailments, bladder problems, inner-ear disorders and/ people inclined to motion sickness.QNEK can not be held responsible for expectant mothers.Laughter is contagious and will be irrepressible.Language is rated SC (some cussin’)”.Audiences familiar with Shakespeare may appreciate the subtleties of the evening more than someone who is new to the bard (other plays quickly resumed include As You Hack It, Henry the One Fifth and the ultimate MACbrief.The Complete Works of Shakespeare (abridged) hits the stage Friday, May 4 and 5 at the Haskell Opera House.Shows begin at 7:30 p.m.You may get tickets by calling 802-334-8145 or the Haskell Library at 819-876-2020/819-876-2471, or at www.qnek.com; adults $12, seniors/students $10, with Canadian money accepted at the current exchange rate.Seating is limited so reservations are advisable.Aliens, painting and recycling That’s what art is! By Nancy Nourse Record Correspondent ¦ ¦ |he students who attend l’École du jardins des Frontières experienced an exciting and challenging time JL last week as the school celebrated La Semaine des Arts.The children learned that “art” can be many things: painting, transforming garbage into the familiar or into something that may challenge your sense of creativity, DVD and CD recordings, musical instruments which evoke many different sounds, and even writing, as they did in their journals each day.Teacher Suzanne Patry created a special theme song for the week.All served to teach the children that art is something that can be seen, heard or touched — experienced in many different ways.The students from cycle 2 and 3 added a physical challenge to their cultural experience visiting the Granite Museum as they walked from the school, which was about a mile and a half away.No one seemed to mind as the sun was shining brightly.Cycle one and Pre-K students worked together to create their own musical instruments and prepared a CD which they would later share with everyone.Storyteller Chantal Rhéaume paid a visit to the younger children.Marcelle Hudon helped the older students create a video of their very own, incorporating different visual characteristics.The children were asked to bring in pictures that they liked which followed a theme that they had chosen them- NANCY NOURSE Adventures in space: one of the short video clips created by cycle 3 students.selves.Once the pictures were collected, they were used as background or as puppets stuck to a transparent stick, later moved across the front of the background.Hudon said some the students had chosen to draw their background, which made the scenario even more effective.The classes filed in by groups to see what the older students had created.“Featured films” included everything from adventures in space to farmyard hi-jinks.Hudon promised to make copies to be distributed to the classrooms so that they could all enjoy their efforts.Kathia Degré lent her support to the younger grades who created their own Jean Paul Riopelle-like works, an artist who had the habit of hiding something within or under his paintings.The children were given the task of hiding something (a flower, say) that they thought their mother would like within their artwork (which looked as if it had been won- derfully messy to create).As for the recycling artworks, Marcelle Hudon was heard to say the children “attacked the bucket of materials with the energy and satisfaction of a little one playing in a sandbox.” Before beginning their projects, the students had to sketch what they wanted to make, which was displayed in the corridor of the school.There were objects that you could recognize right away such as robots and puppets, as well as objects that took a little more concentration in order to align your thoughts with those of the young artists.The week began on Friday, April 20, with Director Robert Gauvin explaining the activities that had been planned for the students.Friday, April 27, the Semaine des Arts came full circle with all the students gathered in the gym to learn what had been accomplished during the week and a rousing chorus of the theme song which, by now, they all knew by heart. T THE RECORD Thursday, May 3, 2007 page 11 \ HIGHEST SAFETY RATING’ BEST OFFER IN ITS CLASS' TODAY AVEO Lease from RECOMMENDED BUY - CONSUMER GUIDE NK fiwr?I pjv from HIGHEST SAFETY RATING’ OWNER LOYALTY AWARD WINNER - R.L POLK COBALT LT EQUINOX IMPALA PURCHASE FINANCING SILVERADO iMWtram *329 2007 TRUCK OF THE YEAR™ - MOTOR TREND CORVETTE Starting from *68,565 TOP 10BEST CARS 2007 - CAR AND DRIVER '""?SB*»-"-*' AUICNOU ks&Xy&Cr* rx 0***OA AVALANCHE 2007 BEST NEW PICK-UP TRUCK - AJAC lease from «459 CHEVROLET Choose from a world class selection of vehicles all backed by the best coverage in Canada.Visit your CHEVROLET dealer today! chevrolet.gm.ca KPI THE GM 160.000KM WARRANTY l6*ooo«» +16*00016*000 ¦as THE BEST COVERAGE IN CANADA UANTtD WARRANTY* TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE' r^r uoauon â reward yourself by gmng up your old car.I Yl| Hrn II II Ret f 1 ftrtA Vu‘.lXVV* 1V1* un 9 l,UUU LET'S GO Piiga,ip,—i lii«— I ¦¦—¦¦il ~ir~i I-""1 ft«n10GStfWl CRAWL INTO wHeRe Hey, no problem! IT WAS OUST A THou&HT/ you KNOvO, BECAUSE we ALL WENT TO SCHO0L-TOôETHER/ shesiaken My place S-.we 6ET1 WWW : OU LIKE WOULD IN ACCOUNTING-ALONG WELL .AND.I HAVE INVITED HER TO SHAWNA-MARIE’ WEDDING ANOTH NO, thanks WARREN AND I AREN'T.ÜUfLX 2007 by NEA, Inc www.comics.com Herman apj Grizwells tomm?X VfAUT To ^oTo VESA* A4AIN OUTPATIENT^ MVt HEVBO SEEN To NESA5 oHJ KNoVLBUT I'VE mVATEP , .To