The record, 24 août 1999, mardi 24 août 1999

Reason can in general do more than blind force.-CornGallus THE The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 AYER'S CLIFF FAIR August 26-29 WIN TNI FUN! 60 cents Tuesday, August 24, 1999 Technology f on wheels PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL TO THE RECORD Jules Belanger, regional director ofMultihexa College.looking for hard-working people.Eaton’s customers disappointed Shoppers express regret at demise of Canadian institution By Joy Yokoyama Sherbrooke Carrefour de L’Estrie’s Eaton customers were disappointed Monday as they sheepishly rummaged through the wares of their beloved, but troubled, store looking for bargains.“I hope there will be a buyer because it’s a good store,” said Michel Dussault of Sherbrooke.Dussault has made Eaton’s his store for 40 years.“I hope there will be someone else to take up the company so it can continue to operate.It’s also important for the other stores in the mall that Eaton’s continues.” Signs with “liquidation” and percentages off were only attached to summer merchandise, which would probably be on sale anyway, leaving bargain-hunters somewhat disenchanted.“Some things are reduced but it’s been the same things for three months,” said Dorothy Lothrop.“I thought with liquidation everything would be reduced, wouldn’t you?I expected at least 25 per cent on everything.” Marise Normandin also came to look for some sales.“I came to see but I haven’t seen anything yet,” said Normandin.In spite of their disappointment with the lack of fire sale pricing, the above-average-for-a-Monday crowd which had come to Eaton’s, possibly SEE EATON’S, PAGE 4 By Joy Yokoyama Sherbrooke A caravan spreading information about Multihexa’s Information Technology (IT) courses made a stop in the parking lot of Carrefour de l’Estrie Monday.“We look for people with personalities that fit with IT, not with IT expertise, but people who make the effort to succeed, who work hard,” said Jules Bélanger, regional director ofMultihexa College, whose local affiliate.Collège de L’Estrie, is located on Wellington Street in Sherbrooke.The IT industry is suffering from a gap in human resources and most schools offering IT have a job placement rate of better than 90 per cent.Starting salaries in the IT industry in the Townships are generally between $25,000 and $35,000 depending on the employee’s expertise.The course, which runs for 34-48 weeks, depending on full-time or part-time status, costs $9,000-$13,000.Students start on probation and if it’s not working out after two months, Belanger says they don’t pay.The course is offered in French, but since most computer terms are English, the texts are in English so bilingualism is an asset.W0 Highest rated USo-Md Warranty 20 year plus d;i i n\ 1 system Energy glass The Regal collection from ARC0R combines superior design and refined style which makes them “Clearly The Best” windows for your house 1215 Wellington St.S., Sherbrooke Portes et Fenêtres aKeeping you warm since 1991 — Marcel Brassard (819) 820-7299 page 2 Tuesday, August 24, 1999 ¦ TH E mi Record Joy of nuptials shared by family and friends It was such an entertaining weekend - a wedding reception and gift-opening extrodinaire, both with a ‘je ne sais quoi’ atmosphere.So entertaining and relaxing, it was like being on vacation.Perhaps it was the complete and utter happiness exuded by the bride and groom throughout the two days.Perhaps it was the enjoyment of the festivities so obvious in the eyes and smiles and steps of her family members.She was positively, perfectly radiant in her smartly-styled, soft pink gown, so obviously thrilled to have this dream come true.When the betrothed had announced their intentions moments after the groom-to-be proposed over the radio waves, she had been living in her own home.Now, this spunky grandmother resides in a longterm care facility in another city.Recent health problems had made her presence at the wedding doubtful.But, her strong will and determination had prevailed.She was there to serenely watch the three bridesmaids, matron of honour, ring bearer, three flower girls and the bride - her granddaughter walk up the aisle.Planning for this celebration had begun many months prior, and had been intense - the need for the dotting of the i’s and crossing of t’s and checking and double-checking had amazed the father of the bride, who had been advised to consult a book on wedding toasts and speeches.Preferring to adlib, he did acquiesce to the point of jotting down a few notes.There were some questions afterwards, however - had he truly intended to use the word ‘funeral?At the party afterwards, the music lured most everyone, from tiny tots to the 50-plus, to swing and sway.Long-limbed, lithesome cousins, with their graceful moves, left many entranced and several wishing they could so ably be body expressive.The bride and her attendants seemed to dance the night away.Part of the prenuptial preparations Susan Mastine had involved filling 160 paper doily cones with fresh rose petals.There’s something soothing about rose petals, I learned.Being immersed in their fragrant, velvety, colourful beauty was the perfect therapy after an exciting work week.I’d had a rude awakening on Thursday morning.Literally.Not the voice, mind you, but the circumstances.At five a.m., the phone rang ever so shrilly, and seemingly ever so urgently.It seemed to _______ take forever to reach the blessed apparatus.There was time for frightful thoughts.I reassured myself momentarily remembering that my sons were safely at home, but my mind raced on.Some loved one must be in some kind of pain.Who?Who?The voice on the other end of the line was calm and direct, and French-speaking.It was the municipal inspector.Our office had been broken into.The police had been called.Would I come in as soon as possible?The thieves had made their way in through a back window, entered via the council room, wandered through the fire hall and come into the administrative offices through there, forcing doors open along the way.Fortunately, none of the equipment within the office had been stolen.To get into my office, the perpetrators had pulled the pins out of the door hinges.Ever so well brought up these people were.Nothing had been thrown around.They placed the pins neatly on a nearby shelf.Desk and filing cabinet drawers had been pried open, but no papers had been scattered about.Missing was the money in the petty cash, a small generator and a ratchet set.A fine how-d’ya-do was all I could think afterwards.Although I took some comfort in the knowledge that it wasn’t the first such theft, and in the realization that it could have been much, much worse.Back to the rose petals.There were hundreds, if not thousands of them, of both soft and brilliant hues in shades of white, yellow, peach, pink, mauve, and red.A basketful to be strewn up the aisle and the conefuls to be showered over the happy couple as they left the church.A few petals remain on a table in our tea room, drying in the bright, natural light.Whenever I walk by, I finger them gingerly and turn them over, noting changes in their colour, size and texture, forever being soothed by their beauty.Back to the wedding.From this moment on was the blissful couple’s wedding theme.The words had been printed on the nuptial program and the song beautifully performed in duo by the bride’s mother and a young man during the ceremony.The love, wit and laughter shared by the devoted couple and their family and friends on the weekend leave no doubt but that there will be many more treasured moments to come.'Marathon of Faith ’ ¦ ¦ ¦ f.^91 COURTESY DIANE WILLIAMS August 14,1999.This was a step by step effort, but we were able to accomplish our dream.Special thanks to all the participants and to all those who helped in any way to make this a special event.The success of this “Marathon of Faith" depended on a lot of people.Many of these people have sponsored us in a very generous way and for this we would like to thank them.If there are others who wish to sponsor us, please feel free to do so.Send your pledges to Quebec Lodge Camp at 8105 chemin du Lac, Ayer’s Cliff, JOB ICO in care of "Marathon of Faith." We will issue receipts upon request.- Diane Williams and Rev.Patricia Peacock.Weather TUESDAY: Sunny with cloudy periods.Low near 12.High near 26.WEDNESDAY: Variable cloudiness.Low near 14.High near 26.THURSDAY: Cloudy with a few showers.Low near 12.High near 25.Probability of precipitation 60 per cent.BEN by Daniel Shelton THE WAVES U STEM.THE SOUNP OF THE OCEAN.SORRY, PEAR I FORGOT YOU WERE PREGNANT/ PREAKING, SPLASHING SOOTHING-¦¦¦WATER COMING IN, —' GOING OUT.mmi Tuesday, August 24, 1999 page 3 Teachers gear up for back-to-school pressure tactics Extra curri cular activities first to go By Olivier Bouffard Students heading back to school this fall might find their teachers far less available.That’s because members of the union representing teachers, the Central d’enseignment du Quebec, have advised teachers to begin boycotting activities for which they aren’t paid, said CEQ president Monique Richard in a phone interview on Monday.Richard, who succeeded Lorraine Pagé at the helm of the 125,000-strong union, said pay equity is only one of the many issues the CEQ is bringing to the negotiating table when negotiations resume this week.“The CEQ and the Treasury Board did a joint inquiry which concluded teachers worked an average of 40 hours a week.Yet the Treasury Board only recognizes, and pays teachers for 32 hours a week.So, teachers will work only the 32 hours they’re required and people will suddenly find they’re getting fewer services,” Richard said.This means extracurricular activities will be nonexistent, or greatly reduced.Richard also said CEQmembers might boycott school council meetings, or take their time before handing students their grades.“If all these strategies fail to convince the government to really negotiate, we will hold a general assembly, and we will have recourse to heavier action, namely a strike,” Richard added.Richard said the CEQ took the step of calling in mediators last spring to ensure they could eventually have the right to launch a legal strike.The mediators tabled their reports on July 30.“I briefly evaluated the mediators’ reports.Briefly, because it became quickly apparent that the mediators all reported that no real negotiating had taken place.All our pleas have fallen on deaf ears with the government,” Richard said.Government has to realize that a lack of resources is a major problem within the education system, Richard said.She claimed teachers and support staff want to provide all the services needed, but lack the resources to do so, something Richard said resulted in a rampant lack of motivation throughout the system.“No one ever addresses the question of why teachers have to hand parents $200-$300 bills to pay for school books and excursions.We’d like to have the budget, but we don’t even have paper for photocopies.We have obsolete computer systems in an age when everyone has to know how to operate computers.If this continues, we’ll wake up one day to find out that Quebec has fallen 50 years behind everybody else,” said Richard who nevertheless is adamant that corporate sponsorships have no place in elementary and secondary schools, and at best, a restricted presence at higher levels.And, Richard says, it’s not only material resources that are scarce.She recalled an example from a recent trip in the Gaspésie region to illustrate how human resources are more difficult than ever to obtain.“There was this child who needed the help of an orthophonist, so the teacher referred the student to one.Now, one year after being referred, that student has yet to meet an orthophonist,” Richard said.“And people still act surprised when they realize the number of students who drop out of school, and the ever-decreasing age at which children develop violent behavior.For some of them, it begins at kindergarten and specialists to help them aren’t there.” Salary negotiations are also set to become quite a battleground, considering the gap between the government offer and what the teachers want.Youth and Education Minister François Legault is offering a five per cent increase over three years (two per cent the first and second years, and one per cent the third).The teachers are asking for 11.5 per cent (four per cent the first and second year, and three and a half percent in the third).Another contentious point is the precariousness of jobs in the education sector.Richard said 30 to 40 per cent of teachers’ jobs weren’t secure positions.She said that proportion can reach up to 60 per cent for support staff.This,, she claimed, also contributed to an overall demoralization.“People are fed up with uncertainty.We have to give ourselves stable jobs, we have to trust the people who are involved in the education network.What’s the point of letting go of someone in June only to rehire them in September?When people live in that situation for nine or ten years, obviously their motivation will decrease,” Richard said.As for a general strike, which could be declared in October, Richard said the CEQ is giving government every tool to avoid it.She said the month of October has been set as potential deadline to give negotiations a last chance.“Our objective is to have a serious discussion, to give ourselves some time to make the negotiations work.The pressure tactics are aimed at convincing government to negotiate seriously.If we can have a solid month of real negotiation, we can avoid the strike,” Richard said.As for a rotating strike of the whole public service, Richard said it had been discussed by members of the Common Front, but that no concrete action plan had yet been adopted on that subject.She said right now the unions were concentrating on mobilizing their members, but if need be, they will seek out mandates for strikes from their constituents.Common Front leaders will be meeting on Sept.9 and 10 to draft action plans for the fall.According to Richard, these plans will likely include joint demonstrations of members of the different unions.“Quebec has given itself a free health-care system, a free education system.The time has come for us to ask ourselves ‘What do we want to do with these?’ We can have the Marois Brew name reflects group Staff Lenkoxviile Townshippers’ Association has finally come up with a name for its commemorative ale being brewed by the Golden Lion Brewery for its 20th anniversary this fall.And, in typical association style, the cautious board came up with a careful compromise that will offend no one.The final name of the brew: Town-shippers’ 20/Original Amber.“There have been some really zany suggestions from Still 101 to Anglo Foam and Yeastern Townschlitz,” said president Gary Richards said, adding that there were a phenomenal number of suggestions reflecting a true Town-shippers’ sense of humour.But despite a slew of original and witty suggestions - most of them with political overtones - a panel of association members came up with the inoffensive name.‘We just decided to take little words from each suggestion and come up with a middle-of-the-road name,” Richards said.And in true Townshippers’ style, the final name was a consensus choice.reform, the Rochon reform, but if our systems don’t have the proper resources, these nice words remain just words and no progress is made,” Richard said.Although she described herself as “a sovereignist, but not a péquiste” in an interview with La Presse, Richard said she had her doubts as to the ability of the present government to lead an independent Quebec.“When we see a government which heralds itself as social-democratic act the way they’re acting toward the public sector, when the minister (Diane Lemieux) responsible for worker’s formation says her ministry’s problem is that there are too many people seeking formation, we ought to ask ourselves some questions,” said Richard.“I don’t know what this government thinks it is winning by demoralizing the most socially engaged of professionals (the nurses).1 don’t know if it really is proud of what it has done,” said Richard.Does she expect to succeed where the nurses’ union has failed?“It won’t be easy.The government is very firm in its tax-reduction discourse, but the CEQ is determined to change the tone of that discourse.For ourselves, but also for the rest of the public sector’s cause.Tax cuts are important, but so is the public sector,” Richard said.t"**' FONDATION DE L’HÔPITAL LA PROVIDENCE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN MAGOG Pteode de yeneneud.Call 1-819-843-2292 Ext.2623 O&jectiue: 2,000,000$ Mtmaxftf, serving the local population 2,000,000$ 1,900,000$ — 1,800,000$ — 1,600,000$ — 1,400,000$ -1,200,000$- 100% ' 95% > 90% ' 80% ' 70% ' 60% 1,000,000$ 800,000$ vfmjnn.mmm - page 4 Tuesday, August 24, 1999 RECORD Albert Simoneau.T don’t think it's good that it’s closing.’ Sharron Giddings of Toronto.T find it disappointing.’ Michel Dussault.T hope there will be a buyer because it’s a good store.' Marise Normandin.T came to see (sales) but I haven’t seen anything yet.’ Eaton’s has found the nineties rather unfriendly CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 for the last time, spoke highly of the establishment which has seen better days but for whom, times have changed.Visit at the AYER’S CLIFF FAIR August 27-29 “It’s too bad.They had some nice things,” said Sylvie Lescault, a Sherbrooke woman who has been shopping at Eaton’s for about 20 years.Lescault too was at Eaton’s Monday looking for sales.Albert Simoneau agrees.“I don’t think it’s good that it’s closing.It’s been many years they’ve been in business and I never thought they would close,” said Simoneau, a Rock Forest man who ’s booth BOOTH HOURS: FRIDAY: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.SATURDAY: 12 p.m.- 6 p.m.SUNDAY: 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 year ^ 6 months 3 months *113.00 *58.00 *29.00 was hoping to take advantage of some sales with his wife.“It’s an old store but it’s a good store.” Simoneau, 43, says he has always shopped at Eaton’s, first through Eaton’s catalogue and then at the store.“It’s too bad.But when there’s a bankruptcy, you have to go,” said Simoneau.“Today we’re like the others.We came for a sale.” It’s been a tough week for Timothy Eaton’s empire.The company announced last Monday (Aug.16) that a third party buyer backed out of negotiations, forcing the T.Eaton Company of Canada to close its warehouse in Toronto.Although the corporation’s Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Brent Ballantyne told the Record last week that there were no plans to close any stores, none of the company’s nine Quebec department stores opened Friday morning.They were open again on Satur- day.Eaton’s has filed for bankruptcy protection from its creditors and has 30 days to figure out a plan, divide up its assets and pass its proceeds around to its creditors.Until then, Eaton’s will try to find a buyer for its assets and will continue to keep stores open while trying to liquidate its inventory.The company, which has found the nineties rather unfriendly, has been a Canadian retail fixture for more than 130 years.Even if it does find a buyer, it is unlikely to find one for all of its 64 stores across Canada which employ 13,000 people.“I find it disappointing that the uniqueness of Canada, such as Ogilvy’s, Simpson’s, and now Eaton’s, are closing,” said Sharron Giddings, originally of Montreal, but now of Toronto.“It’s becoming American more and more.” Giddings, who worked for Eaton’s for 10 years, has also been a shopper since she was 16.She remembers working for Eaton’s when the Eaton family was running it.“Contrary to what I’d heard, I liked the way Eaton’s was going the past five years,” said Giddings, who said she enjoyed her time working for Eaton’s at the Eaton Centre in Toronto.“Talki ng about it, I feel sad.” Sylvie Lescault.‘It’s too bad.They had some nice things.’ The Record Counts On Our Customers For Continued Success TH Ei Tuesday, August 24, 1999 page 5 Universities share knowledge on cooperatives University of Sherbrooke leading the way By Rita Legault Sherbrooke The research and training program on cooperatives at the University of Sherbrooke will head a network of pan-American universities with administration programs that teach the development and management of cooperatives.The Réseau des universités des Amériques, which was launched Monday during a convention of professors from different coop programs throughout the Americas, will facilitate the transfer of knowledge as well as an exchange of faculty and students between 20 universities in 14 different countries in North, Central and South America.According to rector Pierre Reid, l’Institut de recherche et d’enseignement pour les cooperatives de l’Université de Sherbrooke (IRECUS) has developed strong expertise in cooperatives over the past two decades.In the past eight years, it has received the highest amount of Canadian government subsidies handed out by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).AUCC spokesman Dominique Van de Maele said the university ranked steadily above other universities for presenting projects which favored economic and social development but which also had long lasting effects.He pointed out that universities were judged by peers and experts for cooperative grants judged and handed out by the AUCC on behalf of the Canadian international development agency (CIDA).Reid points out that exchanges with Costa Rica led to the development of a Masters cooperative training program at the University of Costa Rica.Hector Gonzalez from the University of Costa Rica, who has been working with IRECUS for 17 years, said the north/south exchange of ideas has been profitable.He said a Central American network is also being created to exchange ideas and knowledge among neighbors.Sherbrooke is the only university in North America which has a master’s program in the management of cooperatives.It has been training students in cooperative management for more than two decades.It has also participated in international exchanges for 20 years.IRECUS director Nicole St-Martin said students are working within the context of globalization.She said that exchanges are expanding and cooperatives are getting bigger and more pow- erful in today’s society.Reid said that during the early days, the University had more to give than it received.But with the growing development of cooperatives and teaching institutions the Sherbrooke university is now profiting from the exchange of information.Reid said it was natural for a Quebec university to develop such an expertise about coops.He pointed out the importance of the cooperative movement in Quebec with the giant Mouvement Desjardins as well as cooperatives in areas like farming.He said cooperatives provide some 75,000 jobs in Quebec.“Cooperatives are are important tool for economic and social development.” Reid pointed out.Administration Dean Roch Godbout said cooperatives are a fruitful type of entrepreneurship which have the best survival rate of new businesses in Quebec.Walking trail a step closer to completion RICK FOSS/CORRESPONDENT _____çy Nicholas Maurice, Eric Roy, Priscilla Jackson, Phillipe Menard, Valerie Gill, Patricia Daniels, Vicky Dubois, Luc Moreau, Alain Rouleau, Patrick Allard, Lisa Trippear and Jenni Lambert.By Rick Foss Record Correspondent Richmond Visitors and residents of Richmond can get closer than ever to the beautiful St.Francis River thanks to a six-kilometre scenic path built along the shoreline.The pretty trail begins next to the Mackenzie Bridge and runs south to the municipal dock.The unique architecture, layout and construction of the trail is due to a group effort of ten youths from the town and a combination of federal, provincial and municipal government support, as well as aid from local businesses.The young people had all left high school early and were currently unemployed when they applied to work on this project.In addition to giving the town an attractive park next to the river, the project was designed to give the alienated youths an opportunity to reconnect with their community.“I’m really glad the town is creating this chance for us,” said Lisa Trippear, one of the projects workers.“Last year I was withdrawn and unmotivated.Now I have enthusiasm, self confidence and goals for the future.” Financed by Human Resources Development Canada and supervised by Carrefour Jeunesse Emploi, the Path Builders were aided by local businesses such as Brown Shoe Co.who provided them with quality work boots and the local canteen donated soft drinks on hot days.With the slate steps, flower beds and crushed gravel trail in place, the creators of Richmond’s newest park will be cutting the ribbon in a few weeks.The meandering path through the waterfront flora is in itself a delight.As for the 10 youths, “We have all learned a great deal of respect, cooperation and also about responsibility.It was a wonderful idea to come up with a project that involves young people getting involved with their community,” commented Lisa Trippear.-—-*- npi • Ihieves steal war memorabilia Thieves broke into Branch 15 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Richmond Thursday, Aug.16 making off with a number of valuable World War II swords and bayonets.These items have sentimental value to the veterans and widows of our soldiers who gave their lives to save our country.The loss is extremely upsetting to these senior citizens.If anyone is in possession of these items or know their whereabouts, please contact the Legion at 826-3444.Upon their return, the Legion will not press charges.Attkek*nteftk* solution! RCRiCPR Tal.: 1 tOO 3* 1-7650 YOU CAN DO IT ! page 6 Tuesday, August 24, 1999 ¦ THE» Record Community Forum Winning conditions sagging with age It seems that Deputy Premier Bernard Landry’s skills as a strategist leave a lot of Quebecers rather more amused than the premier.Landry’s suggestion that the PQgovernment might not hold a referendum on sovereignty during this mandate sends out the message that Quebecers might not be ready to back such a scheme before the government’s mandate expires in 2003.One can understand Bouchard’s distaste for such pessimism, falling somewhat short of his own pledge to take Quebec into the new millennium as in independent country.The two agree that no losing question can be put, but Landry’s blurt makes it sound as if he might not share his boss’s bubbly enthusiasm that the “winning conditions” can be created as soon as he’d like.Unfortunately for the premier, his deputy’s awkward efforts at diplomacy draw Quebecers’ attention yet again to the premier’s admission that his winning conditions don’t already exist - that Quebecers aren’t ready.Mr.Bouchard’s frequent references to “creating” those conditions is in itself proof that he knows too few Quebecers buy into the PQ’s plan to make it work.In other words, his leadership is devoted to getting Quebecers to do what the PQ thinks they should do, not to leading them where they obviously want to go.This is not a grassroots movement; anything but.It is a highly elitist one.But Mr.Landry’s weaknesses as a diplomat aren’t the premier’s only problem.His skills in demographic studies leave one scratching one’s head.According to him, the passage of time favours the independence option because young Quebecers are more interested in it than older folks and the old are obliging by dying off.But the young aren’t growing older?To use Landry’s own logic, age is a (if not THE) key element in the drive toward independence.If he is right, doesn’t he and his party have a serious problem?Or are the other demographers all wrong?For decades now, we’ve been told that Canadians as a society are growing older and that this is even truer in Quebec than in the country as a whole.Our birth rate is well below what’s needed to sustain our numbers as a species in Canada and we compensate by importing our population.No doubt that’s why Premier Bouchard suggested a few years ago that Quebec women weren’t having enough babies.The suggestion was not all that well received by some women, but cold logic says he was right if maintenance of Quebec society as home-grown entity is the objective.But back to Bernard Landry, his demographics and the separatist movement.If the population is aging and aging causes loss of interest in the separatist cause, isn’t his faith in time’s help ill-placed?Perhaps Mr.Landry might want to remember that aging causes loss of interest in reproduction too and Mr.Bouchard will never make winning conditions out of that reality.Thank you, Bernie.Federalists love you.Viewpoint Healy THE P.0.Box 1200 SherbrookeJlH 5L6 or 257 Queen St, Lennoxville, Que.JIM 1K7 Fax: 819-569-3945 e-mail: record@interlinx.qc.ca Website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Randy Kinnear Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Sharon McCully Editor .(819) 569-6345 Sunil Mahtani Corresp.Editor .(819) 569-6345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.(819) 569-9931 Mark Guilette Press Superv.___(819) 569-9931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 569-9931 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)569-9511 Advertising .(819)569-9525 Circulation.(819)569-9528 Newsroom .(819)5696345 Knowlton office 88 Lakeside, Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243-5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 104.00 7.28 8.35 $119.63 6 MONTHS 53.50 3.75 4.29 S61.54 3 MONTHS 27.00 1.89 2.17 S31.06 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record ordered one week after publication are available at $3.00 per copy prepaid.The Record was founded on February 7,1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Sun Media Corporation, a Quebecor company, having its head office at 333 King Street, Toronto (Ontario), M5A 3X5.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member ABC, CARD, CDNA, NMB, QCNA duligha nt(« nul.com Oft WILD B Look H MT, It m MIL ÏMÜNKMEN THE 0»N&.Letter To The Editor Phrase was not mine Dear Editor, Rita Legault’s article in last Tuesday’s Record concerning the transactions underway between the Town of Lennoxville and the Historical Society is in most respects correct and in most respects correctly represents the interviews we had on the subject.I have learned in the past that Rita tries to get things straight and tries to present a whole and balanced picture.However she did construct one paragraph in a way that was wrong, misrepresented the situation and suggests a quote I would never have made.In relation to the ending of our employing Margie Brand she states that Margie had received her “walking papers” and the inference was that this was a statement I made.It was not, and it is not a term I would have used.Furthermore it would not be correct.In the change-over in process the town had made it clear that it did not wish to continue funding through the Historical Society our ongoing full time employee as represented by our arrangement with Margie.In fact after our summer obligations are complete we no longer have a requirement for such a staff person.We will have a need for a person having less responsibilities and for fewer hours.But as in all such programs the key is being able to demonstrate a need and receive the funding.The town has not been convinced we have such a need.It is clear that once a new board has its programs defined and its needs determined, that there will have to be a long term employment of someone whose qualifications have yet to be determined.I know some of our members were disturbed by that paragraph and most appear to realize the phrasing was not mine.But it is unfortunate that it came out that way.Yours truly, Richard Evans President LAHMS Tuesday, August 24, 1999 page 7 _^=_ Record Humble beginnings for Eaton's in Kirkton By Kelley Teahen Sun Media Kirkton As Canadians lament the failure of Eaton's, people in Kirkton prefer to remember the Eaton success built from humble beginnings in this tiny Southwestern Ontario community.Eaton's is expected to start liquidating its stock at 64 stores across Canada this week, after filing for bankruptcy late last week.Timothy Eaton opened his first retail business in 1856 in Kirkton, northeast of London.The building is long gone, replaced by the Kirkton Market.But, said local historian Norm Tufts, the business philosophy that created Eaton's astonishing success for decades is rooted in his Eaton's Kirkton years."His whole way of doing business was not formulated in Toronto, which was a den of thieves at the time," he said.Tufts, retired and living in Grand Bend, is writing a chapter about the Eatons for a Kirkton history book being put together by volunteers, said Harold Burgin, one of the book's organizers.Tufts's connection goes back to Timothy Eaton's days - Thomas Tufts, his great-grandfather, was a friend of Timothy Eaton.Tufts came to Canada from Ireland in 1851 and, when Eaton arrived A statue of Timothy Eaton stands in the company’s flagship store in Toronto.in 1856, the two became close friends."We're the only family left in Kirkton with a direct connection to the Eatons," Tufts said.Both men became devout Methodists and Tufts helped Eaton build his log store in the community that now has about 200 residents.The two were key contributors to a new Methodist church built in Kirkton in 1859.That kind of philanthropy became a hallmark of Eaton's style in the future."Timothy Eaton was very devout and that became the basis for the Eaton philosophy," Tufts said."He based all his business dealings on his religion: he believed in the golden rule - to do unto others as you would have them do unto you - and practiced it." When Eaton moved to Toronto in 1869, after having run a store in the larger community of St.Marys near Kirkton for several years, he had "a terrible time," Tufts said."All the merchants and businessmen laughed at him.They'd heard nothing so ridiculous as 'satisfaction guaranteed or your money refunded.' They thought he was an idiot." But Eaton, steeped in Southwestern Ontario's small-town ways and holding fast to his faith, wanted to do business differently.He improved working conditions for employees and brought honesty and reliability to his trade.Around the time Timothy died in 1909, the Eaton family got behind the building of the first public hospital in Toronto, now Toronto General Hospital.The head surgeon and chairperson of the hospital's first board, a Dr.Roger, also was from Kirkton, Tufts has discovered.In time, Eaton's method of retail management became a model others wanted to emulate.In Tufts's opinion, had future generations of Eatons stuck closer to Timothy's philosophy, the company might not have failed."While it's devastating and shocking news, it's not surprising to some of us who knew a lot of the details a long way back." Tufts's uncle, George Brown, was a national buyer with Eaton's and predicted trouble for the company's future after he went on a buying trip with the "boys" - the four sons of John David Eaton who today are overseeing the company's demise."Brown said the boys were more interested in what happened after 6 o'clock than in what happened before 6 o'clock," he said."That tells the story right there." The Eaton family paid occasional visits to Kirkton as the birthplace of their retail empire, most memorably when the late Sir John Craig and Lady Eaton came for the unveiling of a provincial historic site plaque, which still stands today."I was a child then, but I remember Lady Eaton's visit like yesterday," said Helen Shute, who's lived in Kirkton all her life and grew up next to the Eaton store site."John Craig was there, too, but (Lady Eaton) had wonderful clothes and a big hat." Eaton’s: A chronology A chronology of events in the history of the Eatons department store chain 1854: Timothy Eaton immigrated to Canada from Ireland.1856: Opened small store with his brother, later moved it to Stratford, Ont.1869: Opened his own store on Yonge Street in downtown Toronto.1884: Introduced the Eaton catalogue.1907: Eaton died at 72.His son John Craig Eaton took over the company.1916: Company set up a product research bureau to let consumers know what was in merchandise.1922: Cousin Robert Young Eaton assumed control of company.1976: Eaton's catalogue business was discontinued after 92 years in operation.1977: Eaton Centre shopping and office complex opened in downtown Toronto.Early 1990s: Rumours about Eaton's financial problems circulate.Company denies any troubles.1991-1996: Sales dropped by about $500 million a year.1996: Company records a pre-tax loss of $120 million.February, 1997: Eaton's granted protection from creditors while it restructures.June 5, 1997: Former Hudson's Bay Co.president George Kosich becomes Eaton's new chief executive, replacing George Eaton.July, 1997: Company negotiates deal to share pension surplus money with employees and makes other moves to conserve cash, including moving out of head office and ending home delivery service.July 30,1997: The number of Eaton's stores slated for closure is cut nearly in half to 18.August, 1997: Company submits restructuring plan to Ontario court.September, 1997: Creditors approve $419-million restructuring plan, saving Eaton's from bankruptcy.Oct.31,1997: Company emerges from court protection with a cash payment of $281 million to creditors and promises to pay most of the balance with interest by June 30,1998.Jan.1, 1998: Brent Ballantyne, an experienced turnaround executive, takes over as chairman from George Eaton.June 10,1998: Eaton's goes public, issuing 11.7 million common shares at $15 each.Eaton family keeps control of the company with about 51 per cent of its shares.June 30,1998: Company cuts 600 jobs and plans to shut down its electronics and appliance businesses in favour of higher-profit fashion merchandise.Furniture and rug departments to close in 43 of 64 stores.Sept.11, 1998: Eaton's profit forecast cut to $26 million for the year, down from June estimate of $58 million.Nov.16, 1998: Ballantyne announces resignation of chief executive George Kosich.Dec.10,1998: Company again slashes profit forecasts, predicts annual loss of $29 million.Dec.15, 1998: Ballantyne takes over as president and chief executive.Feb.17,1999: About 200 employees, mainly from the Toronto head office, are let go.March 17,1999: The company reports 1998 loss of $72 million.May 18,1999: Eaton's hires investment bank to "evaluate its strategic alternatives" - officially putting the company up for sale.June, 1999: Retailer announces closure of five stores by mid-2000, eliminating 400 jobs and shrinking the chain to 59 stores.July 23,1999: Company postpones annual meeting again, to Sept.29, to focus on potential sale negotiations.It was first set for June and then put off until July.Aug.16,1999: Eaton's says talks with potential buyer for "a significant number of its stores" collapse.Closes Toronto warehouse, lays off 300 people, stops accepting shipments and starts talks with lenders and key landlords.Friday, Aug.20,1999: Eaton's announces it has filed for protection under the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act, doses its nine stores in Quebec and denies it has restarted talks with U.S.giant Federated Department Stores Inc.The Quebec stores reopened on the weekend. page 8 Tuesday, August 24, 1999 ¦¦THE Jail breaks blamed on policy Victim groups lament 100 per cent rise in escapes By Alan Cairns Sun Media Toronto Victim groups blame the "get-them-out" policies of Canada's prison system for a 100% jump in the number of escapes from minimum security camps in the past two years.Federal statistics reveal 106 cons walked away from open prison camps in the 1998-99 fiscal year - up from an annual average of 53 the previous three years.In the first four-and-a-half months of this fiscal year 49 cons fled camps."We're seeing the results of putting offenders into minimum security when they don't belong there.They simply walk," said Steve Sullivan, executive director of the Ottawa-based Victims' Resource Centre.In numerous memos and articles, pris- ons boss Ole Ingstrup cited the need to get 50 per cent of the prison population into the community on parole.Currently about 33 per cent of federal offenders are on the street.Federal documents obtained by The Toronto Sun reveal Correctional Services Canada listed specific "targets" for releases from individual prisons.Case workers were also urged to push offenders into minimum camps earlier to facilitate parole.Ingstrup also stated community parole officers should not send back inmates who have "technical" breaches of parole, such as failing to report, going AWOL or taking drugs.CSC spokesman Jacques Belanger downplayed the increase in the past two years.He said there were 203 escapes in 1994.He also denied there's a 50-50 quota policy in effect.Sullivan said there's little doubt CSC has quotas, citing the increase in paroles and escapes and the decrease in parole revocations.mm NOTHING to pay for months upon credit approval See details in stor^^ One pair of glasses (lenses & frame) A second pair of glasses (lenses & frame) Contact lenses Daily wear (soft - clear - spherical or disposable (3 months) 3290 Portland Blvd.F.FARH AT LUNETTERIE 829-0089 Pay on I v ONE PRICE and get tor* Bankers say count on them By Ian Wilson Sun Media Calgary When the new year comes, the cash in your savings account should be money in the bank.And the Canadian Bankers Association says you won't have any trouble getting at it."After much time, and the work of thousands of people over several years, we can assure our customers they can expect banking as usual into the new millennium," said Raymond Protti, the CBA's president and CEO."Our number one priority in preparing for Y2K has been on services directly related to our customers and how they bank.” That means bank machines, credit cards, Interac and telephone transactions are ready for the year 2000 and you won't have to keep your cash in a sock under your mattress after all.Protti said the industry as a whole has now finished evaluating, upgrading and testing their systems.Financial records will also be protected from the millennium bug's bite.Banks routinely complete backup records of all information so that accounts are safe from any interruptions, said Protti.Interac Association began assessing the Y2K bug in 1995 and, after establishing a testing project last year, their systems have been given the thumbs up for year 2000 compliance.The association's Y2K readiness policy required members - which include banks, trust companies, credit unions, caisses populaires and technology service providers - complete testing on both the Jan.1, 2000 rollover date and the February leap year date.Time-machine platforms simulating the year 2000 environment were used to process typical transactions throughout the industry.These included ABM and Interac cash withdrawals, credit card and Interac debit card purchases, cheque processing and bill payments, international funds transfers and investment and securities account activities.Banks also did individual tests with external suppliers and major service providers.The verdict?To date, no problems have been found with Interac direct payment or shared cash dispensing at automated bank machines."We are pleased to report members have successfully completed year 2000 testing of the Interac services on target," said Judith Wolfson, president and CEO of Interac Association."As one of the preferred payment options and ABM service in Canada, these positive results will allow us to continue operating with confidence as we approach the millennium." Interac links 25,000 bank machines and over 425,000 point-of-sale debit card terminals across Canada.The associations will now work with other industries, organizations and governments to make sure it all runs smoothly.Prostate Cancer Institute a one-stop facility Calgary centre to be only one of its kind in Canada Sun Media Calgary The current statistics on prostate cancer are alarming - one-in-nine men will get the disease.And it's no longer an "older" man's disease, as the incidence of prostate cancer in younger men has risen dramatically.The Calgary Prostate Cancer Foundation (CPCF) - formed in 1995 by Terry O'Callaghan to raise, direct and administer charitable funds to help men with prostate cancer - has a new goal.The Prostate Cancer Institute, the only one of its kind in Canada, will provide a one-stop facility for counselling, research, biopsies and education for men who are diagnosed or suspected of having prostate cancer.All the tradespeople involved in the construction of the Prostate Cancer Institute, slated to open sometime in late September, have donated their time, services and/or materials.Most of the companies that are donating materials, services and time have employees who have been touched by prostate cancer in one way or another.The institute will provide impoten-cy counselling, conduct research, including clinical and drug testing, do biopsies on-site and provide support through the resource centre which will be equipped with computers with Internet access, journals, books and volunteers. MORE FOR LESS Lennoxville LINK (THE alternative to BELL!) • Telephones • Installation •Verification of wiring* Jacks Call me first & SAVE! \S£\ David M°°re Service ' Serving the greater Lennoxville area Tuesday, August 24, 1999 page 9 ‘A picture is given - it is not taken’ - Siméon By Catherine Dean Record Correspondent Lennoxville Self,’ an exhibition of 28 sensual, serene photographs of the human figure by Record veteran Grant Siméon, is currently being displayed at the Orford Arts Centre.These evocative 3x3 figure studies, bounded by two larger frames, often create a tranquil effect though the muscles of the models are taut - flexed throughout.The striking dark backgrounds complement the use of shadow and light.Particularly interesting is a series of three day photographs in which the body has become a living statue.The network of cracking clay echoes the veins and ridges of the body.A 6x2 photograph of a male model with well-defined outstretched arms, combines peacefulness and restlessness.A buoyant female nude, black ink smeared on the forehead and between her breasts like Chinese characters is inspired.Travellers from as far as Maui, Hawaii and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic have signed the visitor’s register.Writing in Spanish, Prof.Luis A.Cocas noted that there is a similar exhibition in Chile.Caroline of Paris writes, “Photos corporelles très douces et poétiques.” During 1995-98 when these photographs were taken, Siméon was looking for a change.“I wanted to get back to the basics of photography where there was no right and no wrong.I had wanted to do something photographical that was not table-top and was not journalistic.My other shows were always based on journalism or portraiture or things of that nature,” Siméon said.The beginning of Siméon’s show was serendipitous.“I happened to be on assignment for The Record at a Bishop’s track and field practice.I saw a guy in the starter blocks.I met Kirk Smith and we talked and he started modelling and we really didn’t have any objective.It was just taking pictures.He wanted to model and I wanted to shoot.” Siméon stresses the importance of collaboration between artist and model.“Kirk was very responsive and also very creative.It became a collaborative effort.” This collaboration spawned other partnerships.“Other people saw the work and they went on to model,” Siméon said.Simeon does not look at the model as a mere subject.“I teach at Bishop’s and at Champlain,” he said.“One of the things I have put in my course statement and what I always repeat is - a picture is given and it is not taken.Don’t come to me and say, T want to model for you, tell me what you want.’ 1 say come and work with me and we will achieve something wonderful.” Modelling is also a creative process.“It’s not to prove you can do this.People came and said T want to experiment.I want to participate in a creative process’ and that was great.” Even seasoned models show surprise at some of the photographs.“When the models came, a lot of them would say -even the males - T can’t believe that’s me.’ You always have to see it from the perspective of the camera and how the inner eye will see it,” Siméon said.There are certain truths evident in all kinds of photography.“The picture doesn’t lie,” Siméon continued.“You have to break down these barriers people have of how they see themselves.Who cares how they see themselves?I can look beyond the late night and the bad hair day and T just threw this stuff together’ - it’s all part of who you are.In the figure study, it’s the same thing.It’s still the personality of an individual.” Siméon has a deep respect for the body.“I like to think of the human body as a map.When you’re photographing the body, you’re discovering the body without touch.The human body is such a beautiful thing.It deserves to be discovered.The body is beautiful, whether it be plump or toned.There’s no such thing as an ugly person.” Discovery is an important aspect of photography.“It really is a process of self-discovery.As I discover something about the person I am photographing, I discover something about myself because I put 110 per cent of myself in whatever shot I am doing,” Siméon said.Discovery means experimentation.“All the people that modeled did so on their own.They knew there could be no restrictions to what I was going to ask of them because I did not want to be inhibited by conformity.I didn’t want to have an editor.” ‘Self, ’ by Grant Siméon is at Orford Arts Centre until Sept.12 from 1 - 5p.m„ and reopening from Sept.24-26.j,.PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL TO THE RECORD Grant Siméon holds one of his nudes.T like to think of the human body as a map.When you’re photographing the body, you're discovering the body without touch.The human body is such a beautiful thing.It deserves to be discovered.The body is beautiful, whether it be plump or toned.There’s no such thing as an ugly person.’ Lennoxville LINK page 10 Tuesday, August 24, 1999 Veterans provide financial advice for seniors By Catherine Dean Record Correspondent Lennoxville Jack Noble, chartered accountant and Robert Downey, notary, who have collaborated for 25 years on tax and notary services are now offering free consultations on estate and tax planning for senior citizens.“A great portion of the population is retired.The population is growing older,” said Downey.“In the last few years, there’s been turmoil in financial institutions which has created instability for seniors who seem to be lost in the speed of the changes.” “The seniors need the personalized local service,” Noble added.“Settling an estate, you require taxation and also legal services.” The partners also try to cater to particular local interests, such as farming.“We deal with farm reorganization, in which a senior wants to transfer the farm to the younger generation.There are serious income tax ramifications that have to be looked at before the transfer is done.I have an agronome who works with me and gets involved in those files.I also have an office in Knowlton and Cowansville,” said Noble.Seniors need not expect to be tied to normal office hours, nor do they have to worry about getting a ride to town.“We are available after hours and we make house calls,” Noble said.“For people who can’t move around too easily, it’s easy for us to meet them after hours,” Downey continued.We are making our professions more accessible to the clientele.Times have changed and we are getting closer to the client.” Both men enjoy working with their older clientele.“I enjoy doing this Jack Noble and Robert kind of work.We offer a service that is much required and we enjoy doing it.There’s a void there for the elderly in knowing where to turn,” said Noble.Demystifying finances can be very gratifying.“I had a gentleman come to see me three weeks ago; he was 93 and in excellent health and he shook my PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL TO THE RECORD Downey even make housecalls.hand and said, ‘Thank you, you’re my saviour.I didn’t know what I was going to do,”’ Noble said, describing their conversation.“I was glad to be able to help him.” The men see themselves as being a bridge between old and new.“Major cor- porations are always looking to the future.They don’t care too much for the old systems,” Downey said.“They start something new and that’s it.We can easily make the transition between the old and new system without the senior citizens having to suffer too much.” Life insurance companies have recently instituted changes.People need to know, what are the tax implications and what should be done with the money?’ A personalized plan can be reassuring.“The message we would like to get through is for seniors to take the time to consult.They can call us for consultations, no charge, and we prepare a personalized plan for them so they have peace of mind.Too often, people procrastinate on financial matters.“If you make a plan, then you know where you are going.If people postpone it and try not to do anything, it’s not good.It’s going to get worse,” said Downey.Without proper financial management, funds can be wasted.“Sometimes we see clients with large amounts of money in a chequing account in the bank,” said Downey.“They can lose money getting lost with all kinds of information that doesn’t apply.They could manage their affairs so much better with a little advice.” Breast cancer support group celebrates life In Our Town, playwright Thornton Wilder has the character Emily ask, ‘Does anyone really see how wonderful this life is, every, every day’?I see the answer to Emily’s heartfelt question in the laughing face of each of the dozen or so women in the monthly get-togethers of the Lennoxville and District Breast Cancer support group.Facing their own mortality with eyes wide open, they drink life to the lees, as Tennyson would have it.These are not sad meetings of worry and woe, but strategy sessions full of helpful hints that would baffle Heloise (Fix your leaking prosthesis with duct tape!) and exu- berant celebrations of events that perhaps only we can recognize as victories (Hey, 1 didn’t throw up when I saw my oncologist in the grocery store!) In these meetings, women ________ in the midst of diagnosis and treatment are surrounded by long-term survivors, who can recognize and salute the courage and clarity that comes when you focus all your energies on tightening your grip to keep you from falling off the earth, out of this life.Long-term survivors who know that nothing is really over, it’s just over Our Voice Lennoxville & District Women’s Centre there, are kept abreast (!) of the latest developments in treatments by those in the midst of it.The room vibrates with the combination of fire-tested strength and insightful compassion that these women generate.This remarkable group began in 1997, after a few of us had attended meetings of a similar group in Newport, Vermont, and found them worthwhile.Aware of the statistics that show that women who belong to a support group live longer, we decided to start one closer to home.Preliminary meetings were Piaf at Piggery: Benefit night for University Women The Sherbrooke & District University Women are sponsoring a benefit night at the Piggery Theatre, Thursday, Sept.2.The production that evening is the very popular performance: “Tonight.Piaf.” Proceeds of this activity will go to the Sherbrooke & District University Women’s Scholarship Foundation.Tickets ($22 tax included) must be purchased from Tri-Us at 3 Belvidere in Lennoxville so that the benefits accrue to the Scholarship Foundation.This organization awards prizes to students at Alexander Galt Regional High School, the Technical Institute, Champlain Regional College (Lennoxville Campus), and Bishop’s University.The Sherbrooke & District University Women also organize a Public Speaking contest for Junior and Senior high school students in the Townships.The Scholarship Foundation which seeks to increase awards to deserving students in the area, hopes that many citizens in the Townships’ community will purchase their tickets for “Tonight.Piaf at Tri-Us and enjoy a marvelous evening at the Piggery Theatre while supporting an excellent cause.For further information, telephone 346-9871.Norma Siddiqui Treasurer held to assure agreement on our goals and format.To that end, we decided that we would hold a short structured meeting once a month, led by survivors, and open to anyone who had experienced breast cancer.This focus has proven beneficial: we appreciate the unspoken understanding and confidentiality that comes from a survivor-only setting; an invited guest speaker can address our common bond; and the short meetings allow each of us to touch base regularly and then get back to the many other aspects of this deeply cherished life.The Townships’ first and only support group for women living with breast cancer will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Aug.25, at the Women’s Centre in Lennoxville, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.Monthly meetings, held the last Wednesday of each month, give these women a chance to exchange information, access resources, share their stories and experiences, offer each other support and enjoy a few god laughs.If you have experienced breast cancer - if you are newly diagnosed or in treatment, or a survivor - come and help make a knowledgeable community.All meetings are free, survivor-directed and conducted in English.For information, Call Maggie at (819) 565-4080. Lennoxville LINK Tuesday, August 24, 1999 page 11 Rowell is happiest roaming his Bury spread By Catherine Dean Record Correspondent Bury Herb Rowell smiled as he came out of the garage on his 50 acre farm, dressed in coveralls.“I just have to get cleaned up, I’ve been working on the starter of my truck.” Nestled behind a steep gravel road in the countryside of Bury, the Rowell farm is picturesque - a front garden overflowing with phlox, a huge vegetable garden filled with sunflowers, corn, potatoes, runner beans, tomatoes, sweet peas and everywhere, fragrant pine, beech, oak and poplar trees.“We bought this place in 1956 through the Veteran’s Land Act, and have lived here ever since” Rowell said, seated in the kitchen, his wife Nina nearby.“I worked out - you can’t farm very big here.” Rowell and his wife of 52 years, Nina Parsons, are as close as a couple can be and he is quick to praise her contribution to family life.“It was a lot of work.You have to work together with something like that.Nina worked very hard here in the house.” After serving in World War II, Rowell happily returned to the countryside of the Eastern Townships.“I always lived in the country,” Rowell said.“I was born in East Clifton.I wasn’t in Sherbrooke more than three times before I was 18 years old.” The tranquility of his Townships life changed drastically when he signed up for the army at age 19 and found himself driving ambulance in war-torn Europe.“We trained in Southern England and did a lot of driving in ambulances.We had to handle sick people and there were a lot of them,” Rowell said.We were on all the schemes in Southern England.” “Our unit was the No.2 Motor Ambulance Convoy.We were trained quite a lot in first aid, but when you go on the battlefield, you learn the hard way,” Rowell explained.There was little breathing space during the war.“We got shelled and we got bombed.There were two drivers to an ambulance.For two weeks, the motor never cooled off.We worked 24 hour shifts.” At the height of the war, Rowell still looked upon the enemy as fellow humans.“TTie German air force wouldn’t attack the Red Cross.They were intelligent people.We set up in the open field.We got a lot of Germans brought in as patients.I picked up eight of them one night, but that’s part of the job.You do it.” “It was a very busy time and we traveled a lot.When I left England in July, I had 1,500 miles on the vehicle.By No- vember, I had 15,000 miles,” Rowell said.Rowell was released from hospital in England, January, 1946, and it was not a day too soon for him.“It was a long time to be over there, and quite an experience,” Rowell said.“You learn a lot, but I was pretty well trained.I took care of myself.Rowell grew up quickly after his mother died when he was 11.“I learned to do many things along with my sister.” Older brothers George and John went to live with a great aunt.Family remains important to Herb and Nina, parents of four boys and a girl, the couple was devastated when their son Robin died tragically in a New Year’s Eve car accident in 1984.He was 20 years old and had just finished Champlain College and was registered for Bishop’s University.Rowell is balanced on the subject of raising children in the 60s.“It’s like any time.There are a lot of decisions to make and no two children are the same.They each have their own character, their own way of doing things.” Their son Allan lives in Lennoxville and works for Statistics Canada.Nelson works in Ottawa for the National Research Station.Caroline is a writer and farms in Baldwin’s Mills and Brian is a trucker, owning three trucks and a farm in Eaton Corner.Herb Rowell and Nina Parsons have nine grandchildren.Daughter Caroline is working on a Master’s thesis in creative writing at Concordia.Herb proudly cites his wife as an influence on their daughter.“Nina has been working as the Bury correspondent for the Sherbrooke Record for 24 years.” Parsons’ mother also wrote.She displays her mother’s historical writings for the Sherbrooke Record.“But this is about you,” she says as her husband protests.“We have been married a long while,” Rowell said.“The kids threw us a 50th anniversary party here with over 100 people.” A long marriage and life in the country is a source of happiness for this couple.LUCAS LALLIER/SPECIAL TO THE RECORD Herb Rowell.a rich life includes nine grandchildren.IVIe Robert Downey, ll.l., d.d.n.AND A.Jackson Noble, c.a.a\ •Sstate OfetMment Me Robert Downey, Notary 85 Queen Street Lennoxville, Qc J1M 1J3 Tel.: (819) 563-2424 A.Jackson Noble, C.A.DUKE, NOBLE 164-A Queen Street, S.1 Lennoxville, Qc Tel.: (819) 346-0333 with offices to serve you in Cowansville: (450)263-4123 Knowlton: (450) 243-5021 page 12 Tuesday, August 24, 1999 THE i r i ^ Mm MSfmÿ&fë.I — lam HR illMKil -t " mss nU ^ M'