The record, 15 mars 2006, mercredi 15 mars 2006

THE RECORD 1 Public sector workers call out Premier Charest.See P.8 j IS r FNJTÇ + TAYCC DlVA-WnfUnfimAO') State-Of-The-Art Technology For Bishop’s FIRRY B EATON/S PECIAL Bishop's University chemistry department chair Ron Yeats and principal Robert Poupart (left) were on hand recently to inaugurate the new state-of-the-art NMR (nuclear magnetic resolution) facility.See Page 4 for more details.S (^investigating robberies in Stoke, St-Claude By Maurice Crossfield The Sûreté du Quebec is investigating two robberies at Caisse Populaires Tuesday morning which may be linked.At about 8:20 a.m.two men entered the Caisse Pop in Stoke through the roof.Once inside they tied up the lone employee there at the time.SQ spokesman Const.Louis-Philippe Ruel said it is not clear how much, if any money was taken.The two robbers were described as men wearing ski masks.One is described as being about six-foot-two, wearing a dark blue coat and grey sweat pants.Police do not have a description of the second man, and there were no video surveillance cameras at the financial cooperative.See Crooks, Page 8 Poor packaging blamed for spoiled maple syrup By Stephen McDougall Special to The Record An official with the Quebec Maple Syrup Federation blames poor packaging methods by producers for a recent batch of spoiled maple syrup discovered recently at federation warehouse.“If the barrels of maple syrup provided to us by the producers are not properly sealed, the syrup can ferment,” said Marc-André Côté.“That is what happened with this latest batch.Air and or bacteria got into the syrup and it spoiled." Côté was responding to a Radio-Canada report over the weekend about an investigation by Canadian Food inspectors into complaints of spilled syrup being put back into storage barrels.The inspectors did not find any spilled syrup, but discovered barrels that had syrup that had fermented into alcohol.Some of it smelled like champagne.“It is not so much a health problem as one of quality of the syrup,” said investigator Eric Prud’homme.“Some of this syrup is stored here temporarily, but it can ferment and have a bad taste and lose its value before it can be shipped.” Prud’homme said the fermented syrup is not a health risk because it produces no toxins that can infect a human body.“No one will become sick from this, but the taste and the quality of the syrup is lost.” The RC report said the barrels with the fermented syrup were discovered at a warehouse at Dégelis near the New Brunswick border.The report showed barrels that had burst opened with syrup leaking out of them.Prud’homme would not give many details about the investigation, saying information about the complaint and the owner of the warehouse was confidential.He also had no information about how many barrels contained the spoiled syrup.“We cannot say for sure how the syrup was spoiled,” he said.“It could have been because of dirt in the barrels or because of exposure to the air." Côté said his federation has about 100,000 barrels of syrup in temporary storage in various warehouses in the province.See Syrup, Page 2 Energy, Trust and Commitment CIBC Wood Gundy "The power th;ri drives our Team" Team Alain Gilbert Alain Gilbert, Adm.A., Fin.pi Vice President investment Advisor (819) 573-6021 D«nli* Dud os.Fin pi.Associate Investment Advisor (819) 573-6010 Annl* ¦•nolt Investment Advisor Assistant CIBC Wood Gundy is a division of CIBC World Markets Inc.a subsidiary of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and Member CIPF page 2 Wednesday, March 1 5, 2006 ¦ ¦¦¦ rut —i RECORD Townshippers’ volunteer bank The Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CHUS) Fleurimont site is presently seeking volunteers for its welcome service.Volunteers are needed at the welcome booth located just inside the main entrance to direct people, provide information and accompany people who need assistance.Location: The Fleurimont site is just outside of the downtown Sherbrooke area.It is accessible by the public bus service.Skills: Bilingualism is required.Candidates must be at least 18 years old to volunteer at the hospital.Full training and support are provided.For more information, contact Evelina Smith, Townshippers’ Association’s Volunteer Bank Coordinator at 819-566-2182 (toll free 1-877-566-2182) or info@town-shippers.qc.ca, or the CHUS Volunteer Service at 819-346-1110, ext.14154.Volunteering in the Montérégie region Do you live in the Montérégie region?Do you have some time to volunteer but are unsure of where to look?If so, then Townshippers’ Association can help! For more information, contact George Courville, Coordinator of Partners for Health & Social Services — Townships-Montérégie Network at 450-263-4422 (toll free 1-866-263-4422) or gc@townshippers.qc.ca.On Volunteering “It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” - Albert Einstein 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.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@town-shippers.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.Syrup: Cont’d from Page 1 He said, on average, some 600 barrels can contain fermented syrup.“The producer is responsible for this syrup because it is their barrels and they put the syrup in them," he said.“If it goes bad, it is their loss." Côté said the temporarily stored syrup has already been sold and is just waiting to be shipped to a client or a factory.He said improperly package syrup can ferment and spoil in a matter of weeks.It is only after the syrup is classified for long-term storage that it is pasteurized by the federation and placed in larger drums for the federation warehouses.“We have no reports of pasteurized syrup ever going bad in our warehouses,” he said.The federation has had to deal with a large surplus of syrup due to overproduction in the last two years.Last year, it reported 60 million pounds of syrup in long-term storage.This year, the figure is down to 48 million.The federation chose to store the syrup rather than sell it in order to keep the price above $2 a pound.The policy has caused many producers cash shortages because they receive no revenue while their syrup is in storage.Instead, they are sent bills for that storage.The price on average is one cent per pound.Blood Donor Clinics Monday, March 20 Lennoxville’s Green Ridge Baptist Church — 42 Queen Street, 2 to 8 p.m.Objective: 100.Tuesday, March 21 Sherbrooke’s De la Montée St-François High School gymnasium — 825 Bowen Street South, 2 to 8 p.m.Objective: 150.Wednesday, March 22 Sherbrooke — please take an appointment, contact Héma-Québec at 1 888 666-HEMA, ext.132.Séminaire de Sherbrooke, 2:30 to 8 p.m.Objective: 225.Thursday, March 23 Fleurimont’s Galeries Quatre Saisons — 930 13rd Avenue North, 10 a.m.to 8 p.m.Objective: 225.fi Bald Eagle In Knowlton COURTESY randy melnechuk Local amateur naturalist Randy Melnechuk spotted this bald eagle hunting just outside of Knowlton late last week.Although sightings of the enormous birds — mature adults are about 76 ctn when perched and have two-metre wingspans — are not unheard of in the Townships, bald eagles are rarely found hunting in the area.Most are merely passing through on their way to breeding grounds in the Maritimes or the New England states.British Columbia is home to the majority of Canada’s bald eagles, although boreal forests in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario also have healthy populations.Weather Today: Snow ending late in the day then cloudy with 60 per cent chance of flurries.Amount 2 to 4 cm.Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50.High minus 4.niursday: A mix of sun and cloud with 30 per cent chance of flurries.Low minus 5.High minus 3.Friday: A mix of sun and cloud.Low minus 14.High minus 2.Saturday: Cloudy with 30 per cent chance of flurries.Low minus 12.High minus 3.Ben by Daniel Shelton glean or PlRTV?L) MM.CLEAN ANP TV/ESE PANTS?PIRTY?I WISH TME &0YS W0ULP PICKUPANP sort through Their own lAunm.' > CLEAN OR [ TRUSTME.IF PIRTY?/YOUFlNPUNPEK -WEAR ON THE _ ir[ FLOOR,ITS ALWAYS/—"O ) \PIRTY/œ^FV\ »¦ THE RECORD Wednesday, March 15, 2006 page 3 Thetford police looking for bank card fraud artists COURTESY THETFORD POUCE These two suspects are being sought for questioning by police in Thetford Mines.By Stephen McDougall Special to The Record Thetford Mines Police in Thetford Mines are asking the public’s help in their search for two bank fraud theives who emptied the account of an unsuspecting woman in January.According to Constable Yves Si-moneau, the woman’s purse was stolen from the bar at the Balmoral hotel on the evening of Jan.27.Inside was her bank card which the thieves used four times at two automatic teller machines in the boroughs of central Thetford and Robertsonville.“She lost close to $1,000 from her bank account,” said Simoneau.“Fortunately, the bank was able to photograph two people we believe are the suspects.One picture shows the face of a young woman and another shows a hooded person we think is a man.“If anyone recognizes them, we would appreaciate being contacted.” Simoneau said if these thieves are not caught soon, more people could become victims of bank card fraud in the Thetford area.The automatic tellers where the thefts occured are at two Caisse Populaire credit unions, one in Robertsonville and the other at the Frontenac shopping centre in central Thetford.Bank card thieves need only the bank card and the personal identification number (PIN) of the victim in order to withdraw money from an automated account.Bank and credit union policies do not allow for compensation to victims of such thefts.The Thetford police department can be reached at 418-338-0111.N S Canadian Red Cross Quebec Division Anywhere.Anytime.1-800-592-7649 www.redcross.ca Friday, March 17 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.Everyone welcome! Celebrate Afarch yj m Style/ St.Patrick's Day celebrations! All donations collected will be given to L.E.S.for the Betty Logan Walkathon.Join Valerie Courchesne and fellow-workers for Irish fun! 147 Queen Street, Lennoxville 569-3601 | »?- Rehab The Right Way PERRY BEATON/SPECIAl Intent on giving recovering patients a place for them to look inward spiritually, Sherbrooke’s Centre de réadaptation Tstrie unveiled Tuesday a new room that features such items as giant pillows, dimmed lights and swings.“Rehabilitation is a voyage, sometimes long, sometimes difficult," said Centre de réadaptation director Lucie Dumas.“The Salle Inukshuk is a refuge, a lighthouse, a place of reference for he or she who wants to look inward.” The room was made possible by two major donors — the Steve and Stéphane Elkas funeral home and the Tilles de la Charité du Sacré-Coeur de Jésus.Multiple sclerosis never hits just one person.It affects the entire family.Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada 1-800-268-7582 www mssociety.ca FUTURESBQP Fujifilm 100-Pack 8X DVD +R/-R 10061283/ 10061288 On the Iront page o( our March 10 flyer, these products were advertised at $29.99 after a $30 savings.In fact, they are $29 99 after a $25 savings We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.This German student wants to come to Quebec Help us find his host family! Raif, 16, is from a small German town close to Munich and really wants to come to Quebec this September to study at your local high school.He is a great young man; curious, quiet, thoughtful, funny, tolerant, helpful, honest, open-minded, artistic and athletic.During his exchange, Ralf wants to improve both his English and French as well as experience the ‘Quebec joie de vivre!’ that he's heard all about.Like most Germans, Ralf is a soccer fan, but he also appreciates art and music.Ralf plays the piano, saxophone, sings in a choir and loves to dance.He is very proud of his ability to draw and paint and wishes to study art and design in the future.Like all EF foreign exchange students.Ralf will come to Canada with his own pocket money, health insurance and be fully supported by an EF representative for the duration of his exchange.Help us find a family for Raid To host a student in your home or for more information on the EF language exchange program, call ; Francine in Laval at (450)624-0589 Valerie in Richmond at (819)826-2997 YOU CAN ALSO REACH US TOLL FREE AT THE EF NATIONAL HEAD OFFICE BY DIALING 1-800-263-2825 pace 4 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 RECORD Exhibit to showcase disabled artists Former student honors BU with 400 MHz of technology We want to encourage our artists to continue says Robert By Jen Young Record Correspondent The Townships are rich with artists from all walks of life, including those with intellectual disabilities, which is why the Uplands Cultural and Heritage Centre in Lennoxville and CNDE-Dixville have teamed up this week for a two-day exhibit entitled Believing in it.and growing together.In Quebec, there are more than 224,000 people who are intellectually disabled, or about three per cent of the population.In an effort to mark the provincewide Week of Intellectual Handicap (March 12-18), both groups are hoping to build relationships and encourage intellectually disabled artists to continue with their passion.“One objective of such a week is to encourage integration of people with intellectual disabilities in our community,” explained Uplands director Nancy Robert.“The vernissage (March 16) also encourages us to learn to appreciate and understand our intellectually disabled neighbour, colleague, cousin, or brother whose daily lives are often characterized by their struggle to live among us.” The vernissage for the two-day exhibit on Speid Street is set for Thursday at 5 p.m., when borough president Doug MacAulay will be making an opening statement alongside CNDE-Dixville director Micheline Richer.The exhibit runs Thursday and Friday, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.“This art exhibit and sale brings together colourful and imaginative works created by local artists,” said Robert.“These works will be on sale for the public to purchase.Each artist spent time and effort in creating with different mediums, so purchasing a piece is an effective way to encourage them to continue expressing themselves through art.” Proceeds will be delivered to the artist, while a small commission will go to the gallery.For more information on the event, call 819-564-0409.‘The new NMR facility is valued in excess of $250,000, ’ says prof By Jen Young Record Correspondent Aside from talented athletes, high academic standards, outstanding students, impressive graduate statistics and credited professors.Bishop’s University can also boast a highly sophisticated, cutting edge research facility made possible by a former student’s gesture and Merck Frosst.Chemistry department chair Ron Yeats was on hand last week to inaugurate the new NMR (nuclear magnetic resolution) facility, which is when he took the opportunity to thank all those that made the highly sophisticated addition to the small university possible.“A research lab has been completely reconfigured, making way for this facility, valued in excess of $250,000.It is incredible that students at a small university like Bishop’s now have access to such a sophisticated facility,” said the Bishop’s organic chemistry professor of 38 years.“This has been made possible through a generous gift of a Bruker ARX-400 MHz NMR spectrometer from the Merck Frosst Centre for Therapeutic Research in Montreal, as part of an initiative that supports teaching and research in small Canadian universities.” The machine may have come from Merck, but a former student brought the gesture forward.Dr.Deborah Nicoll-Griffith graduated from the Bishop’s chemistry department with an honours degree in biochemistry in 1981, before proceeding to a PhD degree at the University of British Columbia.She is currently a senior director in medicinal chemistry at Merck’s Montreal research facility in Kirkland.Yeats attributed much of this exalted donation to her.Additional funding for laboratory renovations and infrastructure was made possible via vice-principal Jonathan Rittenhouse and the Bishop’s University Research Office.NMR is a valuable spectroscopic tech- nique for determining the three-dimensional molecular structures of complex molecules, including those of pharmaceuticals, biologically important molecules, new materials, and semi-conductors.The technique uses radio frequencies to interact with the magnetic properties of various atomic nuclei, in such a way that chemists are able to determine the connectivity of atoms within molecules.Yeats put the spectrometer’s capabilities in laymen’s terms for those with little chemistry knowledge in an attempt to depict its sophistication and significance.“NMR provides a way for determining the order in which atoms are joined to molecules,” said a jubilant Yeats.“It does so by placing molecules inside a very strong liquid helium-cooled magnet and shining radio waves onto the molecules.The result is referred to as NMR spectrum.” Not only will this facility benefit undergraduates and professors at Bishop’s, making it the only one of its kind in the Eastern Townships, but it will also encourage growth and collaboration with the University of Sherbrooke.“Presently the University of Sherbrooke has three NMR machines of only 300 MHz each,” Yeats stated.“Making this more sophisticated.This will enable us, and colleagues, to make all kinds of new molecules and make sure they really are what we were hoping to make.” In this day and age of technology the largest NMR machine obtainable is of 800 MHz with expenditure of millions.Yeats made reference to the implication of NMR in the health care system.“An especially important application of this technology in the health care field is found in the widely-used medical diagnostic technique known as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging),” he said explaining that nuclear was dropped from the terminology so not to frighten patients of radiation.“As an x-ray machine can examine hard tissue, like bones, an MRI sees soft tissue.It is the NMR technology that makes it possible for doctors and specialists to see, and photograph, the spinal cord inside the spine with great detail for instance.” Elkas Family Rejoices tic**' '¦ COURTESY EI.KAS EAM1LY It was a time of joy and pride for the Elkas family recently as family matriarch Ida Zambil Elkas (seated, right) celebrated her 100th birthday.Born on March 15, 1906, Zambil Elkas immigrated to Canada from Turkey in 1920.The party, held at Zambil Elkas’ current home, the Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute’s Argyll Pavilion, featured her six children and a host of grandchildren, other family members and friends from St.Ephrem Syrian Orthodox Church and Plymouth Trinity United Church.Zombi! Elkas was married to the late Salim Elkas.1 1:16 pm The paramedics arrive. Medic Alert s P E AKS FDR YOU 1 - BOD-66B-15 ?V www.medicalert.ca Wednesday, March 15, 2006 page 5 ; ¦THK.I RECORD Cooking group more important than ever Lobster supper to be held in May By Brion Robinson Sherbrooke An association of Sherbrooke soup kitchens has been helping needy families help themselves for the past 15 years and its services continue to be in high demand throughout the city.Formed in 1991, the Carrefour des Cuisines Collectives de Sherbrooke brought together a handful of soup kitchens to show underprivileged families how to cook healthy meals on a shoestring budget.Since that time the association has helped thousands.Sister Gilberte Desrosiers, a cooking instructor at the St-Joseph Church on Belvédère Street South, has been working with groups for over a dozen years and says the service is more important than ever.She said more and more immigrants and refugees are moving into the city and want to learn more about Canadian cuisine and how to shop for good food.Desrosiers said her last group included five people responsible for feeding 18 people, noting each group member buys a separate ingredient before each class.The bill is split between the students.Brief Murder-suicide confirmed Preliminary autopsy results show that Granby residents Patrick Adam and Lise Legault did in fact die from gunshot wounds.Sunday night Adam apparently shot his wife in the basement of their Langlois St.home and then turned the firearm on himself while their two children slept on the main floor.By the time police arrived the parents were dead, and the children were removed from the home.Adam had apparently been in financial difficulty due to a gambling problem, and was in danger of losing the family home.i O • D Fig.16 > If this feels like a math test, visit mathiiteracy.ca or call 1-800-303-1004.Math solves problems ^|lc a n a d a UHnyFoumUto Fondât» pew r«lpii*to**OT Desjardins Sherbrooke ,l?>- 819.820, svtë Nourrirent PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL The Carrefour des Cuisines Collectives de Sherbrooke regroups a handful of soup kitchens who show underprivileged families how to cook healthy meals on a shoestring budget.cooking program, noting one farmer provides fresh vegetables for her classes.Association chairwoman Louise Os-tiguy said underprivileged families can eat healthy meals without spending a fortune.She added families should not have to cut corners when it comes to cooking, noting proper nutrition is an integral part of family life and that everyone from pregnant women to children need healthy meals.Ostiguy also commented on the importance of financial support from local groups and businesses, including Coopérative de l’Estrie, Association des Caisses Desjardins de Sherbrooke and TVA-Télé 7 that contributes thousands every year.The group will be celebrating its 15 years in the community with a lobster supper May 12 in the ground floor of the Cathédrale St-Michel, from 6 to 10 p.m.The supper’s organizing committee will be selling 600 tickets at $85 each or $680 for tables of eight with the goal of raising $30,000 for the group.For more information, contact supper co-ordinator Sylvie Robitaille at 819-823-9874 or secretary Merlyne Laflamme at 819-820-1231.We are moving! AS OF MARCH 13™ 2006 THE CHUS - HÔTEL-DIEU WALK-IN LAB SERVICES (centre de prélèvements) will now be located at RÉSIDENCE DE L'ESTRIE 500 Murray Street, Sherbrooke Business Hours: Monday to Friday from 7 a.m.to 2:45 p.m CHUS Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke www.chus.qc.ca She added group members learn all aspects of cooking, from when to buy ingredients at the cheapest prices to cooking healthy North American dishes.“Cooking is an art form,” Desrosiers said, noting group members who leave after each class take a full meal consisting of a bowl of soup, main dish and desert home with them.“That’s the beauty of cooking together.” Desrosiers also said the cooking group teaches newcomers how to live and work together.“They learn to be a part of a group and feel accepted,” she said, noting this is an important part of settling into a new country where the customs may be very different from what they’re used to.She commented community members have also been supportive of the >49 j H y a 11 Hto.M to M 29 H« tl to 41 35 Ho*.H to M 58 n» .«1 to n 63 Tomqht Wednesday, March 15th 7:30 p.m.Ham & Turkey Bingo Army Navy Air Force Unit 318 (300 St-Francis St.Lennoxville) Everyone Welcome! page 6 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 ¦ THF.» RECORD Li in ks to Tni Editor Will a depleted Mount Orford be Charest’s legacy?Dear Editor, An open letter to Jean Charest, Premier of Quebec.Dear Mr.Charest: I would highly recommend that you buy and read two books.One is The Goose That Laid the Golden Egg.Mount Orford is the crown jewel of the Eastern Townships.It is the mountain which rears its great humped back from a sea of green hills and welcomes residents and tourists alike to the area.It is the mountain which hundreds of thousands ofTownshippers look at and enjoy every day in all its seasons and glory, from all angles.It is the mountain which basks in the sunrise and glows with sunsets.Some of our predecessors had the foresight to realize the beauty and fragility of this mountain and did all in their power to see that it be a pub-lic asset, a gem to be protected, viewed and shared equally by all.Hundreds of thousands of tourists climb to its peak each year and look down in awe at the magnificent scenery below.Many more thousands look up at it, inspired by its beauty.It is not as if we have hundreds of mountains that we could wantonly waste one.You can almost count the Townships’ mountains on one hand.Mount Orford is special.It does not deserve to be ringed with condos nor capped with restaurants.It might seem that the Liberal party of Quebec has decided to sacrifice it to appease some private investors.To the investors who claim they have to build condos to make the ski hill profitable: I will suggest that you obtain and read book No 2, Storm Warning-Gambling with the Climate of Our Planet by L.Dotto.Our climate is changing.That is no secret.It is a scientific fact.No one has to be a climatologist to know that we are having increasingly milder win- ters.hence less snow, hence less skiing.It is only a matter of time before people can walk to the top of the mountain and enjoy its beauty in all seasons.Therefore, there is no need for condos to make the skiing profitable.Condos will not reverse climate change.In fact, maybe the best thing to do is let government operate the ski hill until the skiing is no longer possible there, then collect up the trash and clutter of the lifts and chalet to send it to the scrap dealer.This will create jobs.If we must repay the present renter 85 per cent of his investment, then in all fairness, we must demand that he return the mountain flora and fauna to its original richness also.The ecological damage which has been done to the hill is terrible.All the blasting of rock, bulldozing of trails and cutting of trees and destruction of the alpine vegetation is irreparable.Hence, the debt which he owes to the public is much larger that any he can charge us for “improvements.” Mount Orford is part of our heritage and is already owned by us.Allowing any part of this public park to be sold or otherwise commercialized is setting a dangerous precedent.This year it will be condos, next year a casino, another year, more condos maybe even a restaurant on the top of Pic de l’Ours, or a hotel on Lake Stukley or Lake Fraser (to make the ski hill profitable, of course).Will this end only when there is no more public land to be exploited?Send the investors/speculators elsewhere.We want to preserve our mountain and keep it public forever.Mr.Charest, will someday your grandchildren look up at Mount Orford, acknowledge its beauty, and be thankful for the ancestor who used his power and wisdom to preserve this piece of public heritage?Or will they be talking about someone who violated a trust and sacrificed a public park to benefit someone else?Gladys Mackey RECORD PO Iku 1200 ShertmxikeJIH 5L6 or 1195 Gall E, Sherbrookt JIG 1Y7 Fax: 819-5693945 E-MAIL: ncwjiDonvtfshrrbrookerecordcom Wmsro: www shfrtwookrrecord com Randy Kinnbab Publisher (819)569-9511 Sharon McCdlly Editor (819) 569-6345 Nil NON Alonso COMESP.Editor (819) 5696345 Rl< HARD I.i snard PROD.Ml.R (819) 5699931 Strop Gagnon Chief Pki xsman (819) 5699931 Erancine Thirahit Prod.SliPfiRV.(819) 5694856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)5699511 Advertising (819)5699525 Circulation.(819) 5699528 Newsroom .(819)5696345 Knowiton office 88 A La reside, Knowiton, Quebec.JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242 1188 Pax: (450) 243 5155 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada 1 year 12000 8.40 9.63 S138.03 6 months 63 00 4 41 5.06 S72.47 3 months 32.00 2.24 2.57 S36 81 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rales for other services uvuiluhle on request The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record are available.The Record was founded on February 7,1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (esl.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Hollinger Canadian Newspapers L.P.PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record.1195 Galt East.Sherbrooke.QC JIG 1Y7 Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA Community Forum Haggling over cars, and the loss of innocence In the year 2000 Mel Gibson starred with Helen Hunt in a romantic comedy titled What Women Want.It centered on an incredible electrical accident that left Gibson with the power to ‘hear’ in his mind what women around him were actually thinking.Today through sophisticated interview techniques and technology we are getting closer to plumbing the innermost beliefs and thoughts of almost anyone’s mind — male or female.Drawing conclusions however is no easy task, given the vast variety in the thoughts and minds amongst different gender groupings.Take buying cars.What women want is change.Both experience and instinct tell me that most car sales personnel are male.Unfortunately, my hands-on experience has been sharply limited in recent years.For a variety of reasons, our family car purchases have been carried through by my dear wife alone.She spent a lot of time in car dealerships and confirms my instinct.There are few females to be found in these enterprises, and those few are in secretarial or administrative positions.One American research study shows only about six per cent of salespersons are female.The same figure may be even lower in Quebec.So women want change.More specifically they want more female salespersons.In truth this is unsurprising, because women have found that car salesmen invariably address their comments and focus their attention on the male customer.This happened regularly with us during our first 30 plus years of marriage.Another area where change is wanted and needed relates to what happens when women shop alone.They may encounter condescending behaviour.“You’d really look good in this aqua blue colour.Matches your eyes.” No salesman would use that line with male customers.My wife’s experience in car dealerships over the last decade and more indicates that times are changing.Salesmen now recognize that colour is far from a major interest of the female buyer.These men now address other issues with her.Safety features.Mileage.Comfort.Storage space.Etc.The auto industry is adjusting to women’s wants.General Motors, for example, has a “Women’s Market Initiative” department.I assume this is standard procedure with most large car companies now.This is no surprise since asking: ‘What’s important to you?’ is the right question to pose to every potential buyer.Profit is the name of the game and satisfied customers mean more profits.Apparently the vast majority of women are pleased with the ‘no-haggle’ approach adopted several years ago by Toyota dealerships in Quebec.One price only.My wife is the exception to the rule.She is primed to bargain at a moment’s notice, and glories and revels in the activity.She also has over five years of front line experience in best-price battles for fruit, meat, and vegetables in the African markets of Ghana and Malawi.I would put my money on her in any car purchase poker game activity with any dealer in Quebec.Unlike my wife, I prefer “no haggle” pricing.In fact my heart soars at the very idea.As a young man in the 1950s in my first job in Midland, Ont., I left a car dealership in a state of shock after purchasing my first car.Over a period of three or four hours the salesman came down $3,000 or $4,000 from his initial asking price.But there was no sense of accomplishment or exaltation.Just confusion and depression.I didn’t really want the car, but how could I refuse to buy it from this gray-haired spectacled old gentleman after all the financial concessions (sacrifices) on his part?On the other hand I had been neither negotiating nor bargaining.In fact I was kind of a passive observer, certain only of what 1 could afford.After the first hour all I wanted was to leave, but it seemed rude while he kept talking and talking.Never stopped.Except to periodically dash out to see his superior and return with an even better offer.Evening passed into nightfall, stars twinkled overhead, coffee was served, and walking away became nigh impossible.So I finally bought a car — and in the process sold away some of my idealism.St.Thomas Aquinas had the right idea about a lot of things.Like the just price.But had he ever negotiated in a used car lot in Ontario?Did I get a good price?I had no idea.Was it a just price?The question is irrelevant.Had I been taken?There was a strong suspicion I had been.Ah innocence.The grinding and chipping away no doubt had started many years before, but this was the first time I’d noticed it — along with a pronounced sense of loss.Graham Greene told us to forget innocence.He describes it as “a blind leper who has lost his bell, wandering the world meaning no harm.” (The Quiet American) Tom Cavanagh — THt.—11 RECORD Wednesday, March 15, 2006 page 7 Huntingdon Beach is still Surf City USA If Huntington Beach doesn’t ring a familiar note, how about “Surf City USA”, the town’s unofficial designation.If you’re still scratching your head, just think of the musical icons Jan & Dean and their hits in the 1960s, ‘Two girls for every boy’ and ‘Surf City.’ I should have realized that our four-day stopover would bring back memories of my adolescence when 1 used to associate Huntington Beach to surfboards strapped to colorful Westfalias and tanned girls in bikinis.My only problem was that as a student with hardly a cent to my name, I never did get a taste of Southern California’s fun-loving life style.Now that I’ve been there, I’m happy to report that Huntington Beach still exemplifies the California surf culture.Despite ocean temperatures in the 50s, surfers of every age were straddling their boards, waiting for the perfect swell.As we strolled down the famous concrete city pier which stretches 1,853 feet in the Pacific Ocean we had a birds eye as they leaned forward for maximum speed.Half way down the pier was a lifeguard tower that looked more like an air traffic control tower.Inside were professional lifeguards whose job was to maintain a close watch.Signs of the California surf culture were everywhere, from the Surfing Museum and specialized surfboard shops to the many ads plastered on posts and buildings extolling the merits of the U.S.Open of Surfing competitions.Main street was saturated with restaurants catering to surfers along with references to surfing schools.Just opposite the pier was the Walk of Surfing Fame where the champions’ names and hand prints were engraved in cement blocks.As for the local dress code, little has changed, expect perhaps for the skimpier bikinis.Instead of heavy and long boards, today they are much shorter and lighter and sell between $500 and $800.Instead of Westfalias and hot rods, the ocean parking lots are crammed with plush SUVs, Hommers and RVs.No,we didn’t spend all our time watching the surfers.For one, Hunting-ton Beach has the longest paved boardwalk between Los Angeles and San Diego, all of which makes it ideal for cycling enthusiasts.Also known as the Ocean Strand, the 8.5-mile paved pathway spans the entire length of Surf City’s three beaches while providing a spectacular view of the Pacific.Since our Boisa Chica State Beach campground was located directly on the palm tree lined boardwalk it was only natural that we would spend much of our time on our bikes.The fact that our site was located three miles north of the pier and Main street meant that we often completed the return trip, twice a day.Being dog lovers as well as avid cyclers, we made it a point to always stop at the quarter mile stretch of the beach known as “Dog Beach" just to stalk our favourite Boxers as they romped in the surf.The Pacific Ocean, waves, surfers and four-legged friends weren’t the only views available from the boardwalk.We counted at least a dozen beach volleyball courts and many more cement fire rings that seemed to be as popular as surfboards.Whenever the fog would evaporate.the hazy outline of both Catalina Island and downtown Long Beach would slowly emerge.Closer to the beach were a half dozen oil rigs whose workers were being ferried by low flying helicopters.Further to the north, large freighters remained anchored, sometimes for days, waiting their turn to be unloaded at the nearest harbor.When we weren’t sharing the boardwalk with inline skaters, joggers and pedestrians you could find us riding to the public library, exploring Central Park or buying our groceries at Mediterranean-designed shopping centres.The fact that we passed by so many beautifully landscaped residential communities on wide and clean public streets with reserved bicycle lanes was an additional bonus.As with our previous stopovers along Southern California’s coast, we weren’t about to miss the opportunity to visit the local harbor that was located off the Pacific Coast Highway, two miles north of our campground.Huntington Harbor turned out to be totally unique if for no other reason than because the many canals gave her the appearance of small-scale Venice.Rather than rent a canoe or pedal boat, we gratefully accepted the offer of a local sales rep to take us on a tour the harbor in one of his comfortable and quiet battery powered look-a-like gondolas.As he navigated through the waterways lined by contemporary multimillion dollar homes, private docks and luxury yachts, my camera never lost a click.RVing in Huntington Beach has its own special meaning.Instead of out-of-state visitors, we discovered that many of the park residents lived within only miles of the park.Owning property with ocean views being out of the question, the next best alternative was to spend their weekends and holidays at the very popular state park.Their deep attachment to the ocean, surfing and the Beach Strand undoubtedly explains why the daily camping fee for a beach front site is a walloping $44 during high season.For our modest and packed back row site we paid $31 a day.Just in case you might be tempted to conjure images of luxury, let me just say that our 57-site park looked more like a long narrow parking lot with painted lines.There were no trees, shrubs or grass and as for hookups, they consisted of only water and electricity.As you can well imagine, it was all about location, location, location! The views and convenient pathway weren’t the only features that made up for our barren campground.On the opposite side of the PCH was the 330-acre Boisa Chica Ecological Reserve, home to nearly 200 species of birds.Although Huntington Beach is definitively an authentic beach town, I no longer believe the hype about the so-called pristine beaches.While they certainly are deep and long, the sand is neither as fine nor as white as in Maine or Florida.Furthermore, much of the beach near our park was littered with debris.As for swimming conditions, the ocean water in Southern California is simply far too cold.See you in Malibu.Comments: henry@endirect.qc.ca Henry R.Keyserlingk Mischief and Milosevic Questions about how Slobodan Milosevic died will occupy newspaper pages and imaginations Tor days or weeks to come.In the long term, those questions are nowhere near as important as this one: Who was Slobodan Milosevic?The answer is easy for Canadians, an ocean away, remembering the TV images from the 1990s.He was a tyrant, a man who made hatreds deeper and divisions wider.We’ll never know whether the tribunal in the Hague would have found him guilty of war crimes and genocide in the former Yugoslavia, but he will answer to history for those crimes.He, unlike some of his victims, will not be buried in a mass grave.In Serbia, the answer may not come so easily.Many will not mourn Milosevic's death — or if they do, only because it came before the tribunal could reach a verdict.But some still see him as a national hero.Others are probably somewhere in the middle: They might see him as a man who made mistakes, but who, at least, stood up for Serbia.They may still resent the NATO bombings in 1999.At the height of his power, Milosevic was one of the most dangerous men of the late 20th century.Even in death, he is capable of some small mischief.The mystery surrounding his fatal heart attack could help make him a martyr to nationalists.It seems he was taking a drug that counteracted his heart medication.It is unclear whether he or someone else was administering that drug.Now the tribunal, instead of doing the important work of trying war criminals, finds itself answering criticisms about its treatment of Milosevic.All of this will pass, and history will remember that Slobodan Milosevic died where he should have — in a cell.—CanWest News Diabetes ^ ^ epidemic REACT NOW! ?% Diabetes ^0 Québec Information and donations: (514) 259.3422 or 1.800.361.3504 www.diabete.qc.ca pace 8 Wednesday, March 15,2006 .— THE« RECORD Robbers hit Lenn Proivigo Staff The Sherbrooke Police are seeking Iwo men in connection with the robbery of the Provigo on Queen Street in Lennoxville Monday afternoon.At about 3:30 p.m.two men entered the Provigo at 169 Queen.One was armed with a handgun.He approached a cashier and demanded the contents of the till.At the same time the other man approached another cashier, also demanding the contents of the cash drawer.'Hiat netted them a relatively small amount of cash.Money in hand they fled the scene heading into Lennoxville aboard a small, dark colored car.Sherbrooke Police spokesman Const.André Lemire said both men were about six feet tall, one weighing about 200 pounds, the other about 150 pounds.Both were wearing black jackets and jeans.One was wearing a mask, while the other wore a scarf around his face to conceal his identity.Anyone with any information about this robbery is asked to contact Det.Martin Tremblay of the Sherbrooke Police at 819-821-5544.Bilingualism vital for Liberal leadership candidates, says Dion By Juliet O’Neill Quebec MP Stéphane Dion, an almost certain candidate for the Liberal leadership, says it would be “unthinkable” for the Grits to elect a leader who is not fluent in French.That’s a requirement that would knock out many if not most men and women who are considering a leadership bid.Dion, 50-year-old former minister of intergovernmental affairs under Jean Chretien and environment minister under Paul Martin, said in an interview with CanWest that he is “very seriously" working on a possible leadership campaign and will announce his decision soon.He would present himself as “a good soldier” after years of Chretien-Martin rivalry that factionalized the party.He also said a leadership convention should be held no later than November, to provide time for the party to prepare for a possible election next spring.He says the party does not need to reinvent itself.“We are not the philosophy department." And he said it would be “ridiculous” for many more than six or eight candidates to run to replace Martin.While he does not regard longevity in the Liberal party as a minimum requirement for the leadership, he says bilingualism is a must.“Can you imagine that at the next debate in French among the leaders in the election campaign the Liberal leader will not be there, while the Bloc, the Conservatives and the NDP will be there?” he asked.“This is unthinkable.“Obviously, the next leader must be ÿble to debate in French, to be well aware of the French political culture, to read Le Devoir and La Presse.“In order to respect almost a quarter of the Canadian population, you need to understand them, to have acquaintance with their political culture and to debate in their language, not only to speak in a scrum or an interview, but to be able to debate ideas, to follow the views of the other leaders in order to win the debate in French, as well as in English.” At least 15 individuals are on the public record saying they are testing the leadership waters and at least another four have been reported to be considering a bid.Potential front-running candidates Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae speak French very well.MP David McGuinty says he is one of fewer than 10 of the 103 members of the Liberal caucus members who are fluently bilingual.Former Conservatives Belinda Stronach and Scott Brison, also likely candidates, are in crash French courses.Stronach was recently embarrassed when she asked a French reporter to repeat his question in English and he refused.Brison says he is comfortable in comprehending and speaking French on political issues but not in social situations.—CanWest News Service COURTESY SQ This man is wanted in connection with a robbery in St-Claude.CSJV Calls On MNAs To Reconsider PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL Public sector workers who saw the government impose on them, with Bill J42, a new contract back in December, 2005, protested against the Liberal government’s tactic in Sherbrooke on Tuesday.Affiliated with the Conseil des syndicats nationaux (CSN), the workers, represented by local union boss Jean Lacharité, called on local Liberal MNAs Jean Charest (Sherbrooke), Monique Gagnon-Tremblay (St-François) and Pierre Reid (Orford) to re-open negotiations between the government and all unionized public sector workers.Crooks: Cont’d from Page 1 Ninety minutes later a man walked into the Caisse Populaire in St-Claude.He walked up to the teller with some thing in his pocket made to look like a weapon and demanded the contents of the cash drawer.The teller complied and he left.He apparently fled to a waiting car.In this robbery the suspect is de- scribed as being about five-foot-eight.He had long red hair that may have been a wig, a cap and sunglasses.The robbery was captured on a clear surveillance video, and police may release images of the robber in an attempt to track him down.“The two cases may be linked but we cannot confirm that yet,” Ruel said.Anyone with information on either of these robberies can contact the SQat 310-4141, or the Info Crime line at 1-800-711-1800. mmm I HI.un i RECORD Wednesday, March 15, 2006 page 9 Discretion may not be better part of breastfeeding •• •.• »rj| CANWEST NEWS A mom breastfeeds while wearing a tent-like covering called a Hooter Hiders.By Shelley Fralic Vancouver They just assumed the buzz would be all about the name: Hooter Hiders.It is, after all, a marvellously irreverent descriptor for a piece of cloth designed to camouflage the female breast in the act of nourishing an infant.So when sisters Nicole and Kimberly Critten nabbed the Canadian distribution rights last fall for Hooter Hiders, which they sell out of their Vancouver spa Bloom Essentials, they thought it would be just the kind of product a bashful nursing mom might welcome.And then all hooter hell broke loose.But that’s getting ahead of the story.Hooter Hiders are fanciful cotton squares, cut rather like an apron Betty Crocker might have worn had she hiked it up to her armpits and forgot to tie it at the back.There is an adjustable underwire to hold the light fabric away from the body, and a little patch of terrycloth in one corner to catch spit and, at $45, it beats the cloth diaper you stole from the hospital, or that ratty old blanket your husband throws over your chest when baby’s on the boob over at the inlaws.Hooter Hiders, their proponents maintain, are also multi-purpose, converting to a stroller shade in the hot sun and, in a pinch, to a blanket.They come in plain eyelet and dainty designs like Soft Dots, Kimono and Pink Swirls.They’re the brainchild of Baby au Lait, a U.S.company whose yummy mummy line includes argyle-patterned diaper bags and the Sleep Sheep, a stuffed lamb with a sound box that mimics mom’s heartbeat.But back to the buzz.Turns out it came not from the product’s cheeky nomenclature, but for having the nerve to be invented in the first place.The enterprising sisters, a few weeks back, were thrilled to score coverage in a Vancouver paper.But no sooner had the article appeared than the lactivist melee began.It started in the story itself, in which Frances Jones, of the Lactation Services and B.C.Women’s Milk Bank, was quoted as saying: “I don’t think nursing needs to be discreet.It is a normal human function.” She went on: “I guess it’s a little unfortunate that some women would be made to feel so uncomfortable they would resort to something like this, and it’s probably quite impractical because babies don’t tend to like having something over their heads while they’re trying to have their lunch.” The spa phones started ringing off the hook.“People called up to vent,” says Nicole, the older sister at 32.“They were saying that Hooter Hiders would give the sense that women should cover up.One woman even called it oppressive.” And this being the age of the blog, the debate raged on the internet.On honeybunchbuzz.blogspot, a Toronto mom cited Hooter Hiders “for most ridiculous product” and referred to them as “breastfeeding burkas." “I cannot believe that a baby’s head held against his mother’s chest would garner more attention than a three-foot span of fake Pucci fabric knotted around the woman’s neck like an oversized lobster bib.” Belinda, on the Lactivist Breastfeeding Blog, was no less unhappy: “1 hate these things.Covering up just sends the message that breastfeeding in public is unacceptable and should be done surreptitiously." Well, no, but being badgered about the choice to cover up is certainly unacceptable.The bared boob back-and-forth makes one wonder why women insist on making other women — who have bigger issues, like getting the little beggar to latch on — feel uncomfortable for being uncomfortable, intimating they’re less of a mother or out of touch with their genetic imperative for not brandishing an aureola at feeding time.Here’s a flash: Not everyone embraces let-it-all-hang-out breastfeeding.Certainly not every new mom, and for sure not your average bystander, both of whom may be struggling with their own synapses in a society that has worked far too successfully to sexualize the mammary gland.Like it or not, we have cultural issues about breasts, men and women alike, and they're not always related to nature.Jones, on the phone earlier this week, agrees on that point, adding: “The bottom line is that women will usually sort out what works for them.” The Critten siblings, who don’t have kids but do have a mother and baby body product line called Bug & Pickle, are the first to admit there's no such thing as bad publicity.In fact, Hooter Hiders are now selling well in two dozen stores across Canada.But, says Nicole, she and Kimberly, 29, remain more than a little puzzled about all the Hooter Hiders hullabaloo.“We thought the name was great.It kind of takes the seriousness out of breastfeeding,” says Nicole.“From our standpoint, the more oppressive thing is to not have options.” —Can West Newsservice FX grads in demand for movies, TV and games By Marke Andrews When students complete a new digital program at Vancouver Film School in June, they’ll be able to take their demo reels into the fast-growing field of visual effects for movies, television and video games.“The visual effects industry is very healthy right now,” says Larry Bafia, department head of Vancouver Film School’s (VFS) new digital training program that uses Houdini Master and Nuke software packages.“The thing that a lot of people don’t realize is that just about every film made, every game made, every television show made, has some sort of visual effects there.It may not be the big explosion.“It may be removing an airplane from the sky when the Film is supposed to be a Western, or removing a member of the crew (intruding) in a scene.” The four-month certificate program is a stand-alone course.The first group of 12 students, who paid about $9,000 in tuition, begin classes Monday.Two more sessions will be offered this year, in June and October.Bafia, an industry professional who’s new to the academic game, isn’t sure if there’s another course in this technology in Canada, but knows there is nothing like it in the region.Nuke is a 2-D compositing package.Houdini is a 3-D package that has been around for a decade.Digital Domain, which makes Nuke, Side Effects Software, the creator of Houdini, and HP Canada, which set up the work stations at the school, have partnered with VFS on this course.For Digital Domain and Side Effects Software, this is an investment in the future.“People at the software companies recognize that students in school are their new market base,” says Bafia.“It’s like if you go to drivers ed and learn (to drive a) Toyota, more than likely you’ll consider a Toyota as your next purchase.” VFS program instructor Raymond Corbett has worked for both Digital Domain and Side Effects Software.Maria Del Rio-Arbuckle, work station product manager wt HP Canada, says the VFS work stations are similar to those HP has set up at PIXAR and Dreamworks.Anyone interested in the program should either have some education in 3-D animation and effects, or be working in the industry and seek to expand their skills.Warren Franklin, head of the animation and visual effects department at Vancouver’s Rainmaker, believes a course using this software is needed in the area.“The fact that we’re going to have this training course here is going to go a long way to give the students better opportunities (for employment) at companies, because pretty much everybody uses Houdini in one way or another," Franklin says.According to Bafia, entry-level digital effects jobs pay in the mid-$40,000 range.The International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees Local 891 lists union scale for a special effects labourer at $20.74 per hour, and a co-or-dinator at $32.91.—Can West News Service page 10 Wednesday, March IS, 2006 MAKE THE WISE CHOICE Convert to the most convenient payment option for your RECORD subscription : EASY PAYMENT PLAN Only $11.50/month* Have your subscription payments automatically debited from your bank account.It’s easy! Just fill in the authorization form below and attach your ‘void’ cheque.?MONTHLY BANK WITHDRAWALS I (we) authorize The Record to process a debit from my (our) account on the second day of each month, beginning (month/year)_________ I (we) have enclosed a blank cheque marked "VOID” which indicates account information.Name ______________________________________________ Address______________________________________City_______________ Prov.__________________________Postal Code______________________ Tel.(home)_______________________Tel.(daytime)________________ Signature(s) of account holder(s):_________________________ $l 1.50/mth, taxes included, for all of Quebec.Outside rates are available upon request.Your Nome four Homo Adrnu .OCX LAOS OTt> CHEQUE HERE PI EASE ATT «•ooo** eooooo-ooouooo-ooo-a»* Mail to: P.O.BOX 1200 SHERBROOKE QC J1H5L6 For information call (819) 569-9528 ¦ ¦THE .RECORD —mm I nr.mi — — PFrnun Chocolate tops Canadians’ cravings By Misty Harris Champagne wishes and caviar dreams may do it for Robin Leach.But when it comes to Canadian food fantasies, nothing tempts the tastebuds like chocolate.In a nationwide survey released today, 31 per cent of Canucks named chocolate as the food they crave most.French fries and chips ranked second at 26 per cent, followed by pizza at 12 per cent and ice cream at 11 per cent.The survey conducted by Décima Research, also found that when our favourite foods call, most of us answer.Just eight per cent of the 1,000 people surveyed claimed to never indulge their snack hankerings, while fully 70 per cent admitted to always, almost always or sometimes giving into temptation.Common triggers included stress and anxiety (15 per cent), boredom (12 per cent) and the viewing of food advertisements (nine per cent).Although the survey didn’t address the lengths people will go to indulge their cravings, stay-at-home mom Cindy Sanche surely takes the cake.In 2003, the Fort McMurray, Alta., woman’s desperate search for pickled okra took her as far as Los Angeles, where she endured an hour-long bus ride with a too-friendly pimp and incontinent hobo just to find a grocery store that could satiate her craving.“We saw more fake California boobs and people looking like they could hurt (us) than in any place I have ever been to,” recalls Sanche.“Still, I wanted that okra.” Three years and 13 jars later, she’s already planning her next trip.“Cravings are complex — the result of cultural shaping rather than biological shaping.” says Krystyna"isieciechowicz, a University of Toronto anthropologist specializing in food culture.“In Egypt, men and women both seem to crave things that are salty.There are many, many documented cases of women in North Africa craving chalk, where they’ll eat a rock that’s high in chalk content.And in (Canadi- an) society, sugar is part of our imagination of what is a good food.” According to the survey, Canadian women are one-and-a-half times more likely to choose sweet snacks over salty ones, and almost twice as likely as men to crave chocolate.Males are more apt to answer the siren song of a pizza, outnumbering females in this category by two-and-a-half to one.People in Alberta and B.C.are more likely to crave ice cream than residents of any other province, while chocolate is the biggest Achilles’ heel for residents of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Atlantic Canada.French fries and potato chips boast their strongest fan-base in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, and Ontario and B.C.lead the country in love of pizza.“I don’t think it’s any accident that those are the top cravings because that’s the way they’re marketed,” says Sieciechowicz, who has no affiliation with Skinny Cow, which commissioned the survey, or Décima.“We’ve been sold a bill of goods.Culture predisposes you, by the way you’re brought up, to think about certain things as being appropriate for a craving.” Residents of Atlantic Canada were far more likely to always or almost always surrender to their stomach rumblings, at 24 per cent versus the national average of 14 per cent.Manitoba and Saskatchewan came in at 17 per cent, Ontario at 16 per cent, B.C.at 12 per cent, Quebec at 10 per cent, and Alberta at eight per cent.Quebecers led the country in claims of never or almost never giving into food cravings, at 43 per cent versus the national average of 26 per cent.Alberta followed at 31 per cent, Ontario at 21 per cent, Atlantic Canada at 18 per cent, B.C.at 17 per cent, and Manitoba and Saskatchewan at 14 per cent.The telephone survey is considered accurate within 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.Margin of error is higher for regional data.—CanWestNews Service You Can Achieve n mpfom I ree Asthma.We Can Help! 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Does this sound familiar?• When many people are talking at once, I have difficulty understanding • I don’t go to theatres, movies or shows because I can’t hear well • My ears ring or hum • People must speak louder to me • I must turn the television or radio volume up to understand dearly THEN WHY NOT CONSULT?We consult an eye specialist regularly.We consult a specialist for our teeth annually.SO.WHY NOT CONSULT A PROFESSIONAL FOR YOUR EARS?• EXAMINATIONS.ANNUAL VISITS NO CHARGE • HEARING AIDS NO CHARGE* 'Hearing aids paid by the government I Take care of your hearing health LaPlante & Associates CENTRE PROFESSIONNEL BELVÉDÈRE GRANBY 300 Belvédère St.North, Suite 104A, Sherbrooke 707 Leclerc Blvd.West, (corner Moreau) (819) 821 -4435 Toll free 1 -888-821 -4435 (450) 372-2984 ALSO IN DRUMMONDVILLE, THETFORD MINES AND VICTORIAVILLE INSIDE Sherbrooke honours its returning .see Page 13 pace 12 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 N E WS RO O M @S H E R B RO O KE RECORD .COBtV -¦ Hatley’s Riegel wins gold at meet By Mike Hickey Special to The Record The life span of elite athletes is a short one and often the competitive juices that provide motivation for Olympic and world class athletes have evaporated before physical skills began to wane.However, more and more people are continuing to compete at an international level way past their prime.A perfect example is Jutta Riegel, who continues not only to participate in the world of competitive sports, but remains at the top of the field in several track and field events.Riegel.a gold medalist at last year’s World Master's Track and Field Championships, was is Toronto last weekend where she exceeded her previous year's record-breaking performance in the women’s under 65 pole vault event.In fact, Riegel beat her previous best of 1.7 metres three times before she ended the competition with a record 2.0 metres.The Hatley Township native was also registered in three other events but that proved to be a logistical nightmare.“I was also signed up for the triple jump and the 60m sprint but both events were being run at the same time,” Riegel explained in a telephone interview Tuesday.“The people who were running the triple jump said they would wait but I had to forget about the 60m.” After Riegel took gold in the pole vault she calmly went over to the triple jump and captured that event with a jump of 6.12 metres.Riegel has done much better in previous events in the triple jump but fatigue was setting in after the pole vault.Riegel’s accomplishments over the years are no fluke; she takes her training seriously and has benefited from the facilities and expertise that is available in the Sherbrooke area.She trains three days a week at the University of Sherbrooke, works out with weights at a private club twice a week and uses the treadmill located in her basement on a daily basis.“We are very fortunate here to have such great facilities and coaches at the university,” Riegel said.“I was at York last weekend and I didn’t think there facilities were nearly as good as the ones here in Sherbrooke.” While Riegel maintains that the pole vault coach with the Vert & Or track and field team is excellent, he teaches a different technique that what she is used to and for that reason she has enlisted the aid of her husband, Dieter, to train her in that discipline.“At my age it would be almost impossible to learn a new technique for the pole vault so my husband coaches me in the pole vault,” Riegel explained.While such partnerships between married couples are not always successful, Riegel maintains the duo has a great working relationship.“A few years ago I took a clinic on the pole vault and at the same time he took a coaching clinic,” Riegel said.“When we train he would give advice and if I disagree we can discuss it.On the track he is the boss and I am the boss at home.We have met other couples at track meets that have a similar relationship and they all seem to work out well.” At last year’s World Masters Championships in Edmonton, attended by over 21,000 athletes from 87 different countries, Riegel was part of a large Quebec contingent but last week she was disappointed that she was the only Quebecer competing.“I am not sure why I was the only one from Quebec although 1 know some of last year’s competitors were injured,” Riegel said.Injuries certainly become more of a factor in Masters Games as bodies get older and recovery time longer.But like any elite athlete, Riegel has learned to compete in pain.“You always have some type of injuries and you can’t let it bother you,” Riegel said.“I like to train and compete in these events because of the discipline involved and because it is fun.” Polar Bears finish season with pair of ties By Mike Hickey Special to The Record While the Champlain Cougars men’s hockey team has received a lot of press in the past week during its league playoffs, another Lennoxville hockey team's season came to an end with little fanfare.The Bishop’s University Polar Bears women’s hockey team enjoyed mix success this weekend, as they closed out their season with a pair of ties against Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.On Friday night the Bears fought off fatigue caused by a long bus ride to come away with a 5-5 tie against Bates.Fourth-year forward Kim Pursell and rookie Jen Prokosh led the way for the Polar Bears with two goals apiece, while freshman Sara Owens added one goal.Paige Marlow was the starting goaltender for the Polar Bears.Bishop’s was back on the ice Saturday afternoon and ended up with another draw as the two teams skated to a 3-3 tie.Pursell once again led the way for Bishop’s on Saturday, scoring two goals while Chantal Richard rounded out the Bishop’s scoring with a single goal.Maryse Richard was the starting goaltender for Bishop’s.The pair of weekend ties marked the end of the Polar Bears’ season.Bishop’s finished with an 8-5-2 record.“There was a definite improvement on our play this year,” head coach Karl Hunting said in an interview Tuesday.“There were a lot of good, talented rookies and the players worked hard all season long.” While the addition of New England teams such as Norwich University and Bates College to the Polar Bears’ schedule added excitement to Bishop’s season, the team is still without a league.The Polar Bears are hoping to add other New England universities to their schedule in the future to compensate for the lack of league opponents and a league title.Next season, both Norwich and Bates will travel to Lennoxville to face the Polar Bears.“It is difficult not being in a league because it is harder to schedule games and the players don’t have a championship or playoffs to play for,” Hunting said.“But is is getting better because we have more games against American colleges that are the same size as Bishop’s, and have teams that we can be competitive against.” Michelle McKay led Bishop’s in season scoring with 17 goals while Purcell and Prokosh were next with 11 and seven goals respectively.Owens and Sonya Roloff had four goals apiece while Anna Bertrand, Kayla Dawson and Jessica Frap-pied finished the season with three goals apiece.Diabetes ^ epidemic Diabetes •• Québec REACT NOW! Information and donations: (514) 259.3422 or 1.800.361.3504 www.diabete.qc.ca o O Cf o Ô O O 6 o o o o Sports Notebook Purcell named Athlete of the Week ij II .Fourth-year veteran Kim Purcell of Kingston, Ont., scored four goals in the Bishop’s Polar Bears women’s hockey team’s two games against Bates College in Lewiston, Maine this weekend.She is the Gaiters Pilsen Pub Athlete of the Week.The social science major scored two goals on Friday evening as Bishop’s tied Bates 5-5.On Saturday, Purcell added two more goals as Bishop’s tied their American rivals 3-3.In 15 games this season, Purcell scored 11 of the Polar Bears 65 goals, which represented 17 per cent of her team’s total.Vikings trade Culpepper to Dolphins The Minnesota Vikings traded Daunte Culpepper to the Miami Dolphins on Tuesday, granting the disgruntled quarterback’s wish to leave the team after a subpar season that ended with a serious knee injury.Vikings spokesman Tom West confirmed the deal, but did not give specifics.Several media reports say Minnesota received a second-round pick in return.Culpepper is coming off a subpar season that ended Oct.30, when he tore three ligaments in his knee during a game against Carolina.In seven games, he threw six touchdowns and 12 interceptions.Eagles release WR Owens The nasty divorce became official on Tuesday.The Philadelphia Eagles released Terrell Owens before he was due a $5 million roster bonus at 4pm et on Tuesday.Before making a move with Owens, the Eagles signed tight end Matt Schobel to a five-year contract on Tuesday.Financial terms were not disclosed.Owens’ days in Philadelphia essentially ended when he was suspended last season for conduct detrimental to the team.Owens’ four-game suspension without pay cost him $764,706 of his $3.25 million base salary.Bluejackets’ Berard done for the year Bryan Berard has been out of the lineup since Jan.27 due to a bulging disc in his lower back.The defenceman will miss the rest of the NHL season.Doctors will decide if surgery is necessary.Berard was hoping rehabilitation could rectify the problem, but he hasn’t been able to skate since February.Should he opt for surgery, he will ready in time for training camp in September.Berard had 12 goals and 32 points in 44 games.Around Town §To submit your sporting event, fax it to 819-569-3945, e-mail newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com or contact Mike Hickey at 819-569-6345.RECORD SPORTS Wednesday, March 15, 2006 page 13 Sherbrooke Olympians Return PERRY BEATON/SPECIAL Sherbrooke Mayor Jean Perrault welcomed back Sherbrooke athletes Sarah Vaillancourt (left), Mathieu Turcotte (centre), and Christelle Doyon (right).Vaillancourt won a gold medal with the Canadian Women’s Hockey team and Turcotte won a silver in the men’s 5,000m short track speed skating relay at the Turin Olympics.Doyon won the junior Snowboard Cross World Championship in South Korea.Sledge hockey a family affair By Gary Kingston With a rugged face and rough-hewn hands the size of meat hooks, Stuart Nicholson, retired cattle farmer and hydro worker from Arnprior, Ont., still cuts a rather sturdy figure in his black jeans and ball cap.Gregarious and direct — “a redneck retiree,” he cracks, only half in jest we suspect — Nicholson doesn’t look like the kind of guy who cries.But toss him just one question about that fateful mid-December night in 1987 when Todd, the second oldest of his four sons, lost control of a car in the snow, crashed into a tree and became a paraplegic, and he chokes up.Tears stream down his cheeks and he apologizes for being so emotional.“When it happened, we kind of abandoned these other guys,” he sobs, glancing over at youngest son, Gordie Nicholson, now tearing up himself.“We spent so much time at the hospital.The other boys kind of run the farm for us.” Todd Nicholson, now captain of Canada’s Paralympic sledge hockey team, was a month from his 19th birthday, working as a carpenter when the accident happened.Gordie was 11.“We were pretty close,” says Gordie through the sobs.Today, they are even tighter.Gordie chokes up talking about his five-year-old son Tyler — “he loves Todd” — standing up in church last Sunday and telling the people how his uncle’s team beat Great Britain 9-0 and “smoked their butts off.” That family bond — demanded, Stuart quickly adds, by his wife Carol — helps explain why all the Nicholsons, including Kevin, 39, and Jason, 34, are in Italy this week to watch Todd go for gold.It also explains why all of them made the sometimes harrowing 52-hour winter-time drive to Salt Dike City in the family Winnebago four years ago.“Fifty-two hours with my mother?It was an interesting trip," says Gordie, now 31.“And 52 hours back.” Carol is off somewhere else and doesn’t hear this.But offended?Hardly.Not this woman.Not living in a family of four men who like to crack each other — and whose wives also get in on the act.It was Gordie’s wife, Jenn, who sent Todd, Canada’s flag-bearer at the opening ceremonies, an e-mail after the flag had to be duct-taped to his legs.‘Red Green called,’ it said.‘He wants you on his show.’ An ex-broomball player, Carole is loud, proud See Sledge Hockey, Page 14 • Tilt page 14 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 RECORD ===^==—SPORTS Sledge Hockey: ConTd from Page 13 and will talk about anything — bodily functions, tears, her family’s relationships."We have a strange sense of humour people think,” she says.She recalls how the brothers used to go out on the grass with Todd and watch him practise walking with leg braces."When he’d fall, they all laugh ‘ha, ha, ha, ha,’ but they'd pick him back up.The day he got married, he walked down the aisle with leg braces.He said to me Mom.I want you to walk me down the aisle with me.' I looked at him and said ‘No God damned way.If you fall, you’re on me.’” Carol says some people might think it odd that even though Iodd is 37, she and Stuart still show up whenever he plays.“He's not a kid anymore and maybe we shouldn’t be there, but we are,” she says.“Is it worth it?Oh my God yes.How much did we spend on kids hockey a year, driving them to the arenas and paying the tuition?I shouldn’t say this, but I feel very sorry for the parents who are not involved.Maybe they can’t afford to come, OK, but.Added Stuart: “I wouldn’t trade it for anything." While Todd’s brothers have been to the last two Paralympics, Stuart and Carol are veterans of four Games, having also watched their son in Lillehammer in 1994 and Nagano in 1998.On the bus to the curling venue in Pinerolo on Monday, Stuart regaled a reporter with tales about his difficulty in getting tickets for sledge hockey games in both Nagano and Salt Lake.In Nagano, where the Canadian games were sold out, he eventually used tickets for other games, simply putting his hand over the date and just walk in.“They told us, don’t worry," he says with a laugh.“In Japan, it’s disrespectful to question you.” In Salt Lake, where Kevin and his then, 14-year-old son, Andrew, couldn't get tickets, they got help from the Japanese-born wife of Todd’s teammate, Shaun Matheson.“Miki says ‘You meet me downtown and we fix this up,”’ recalls Stuart.“Half an hour later, my grandson and my oldest son became reporters for some Japanese paper.It was quite a joke.Gordie saw (representatives of that paper) here today." It was also in Salt Lake, says Stuart, that the Team Canada doctor couldn’t get his wife in and asked: “Can the Nicholsons get her in." And keep this under your hat, but in Turin, as in Salt Lake City, Stuart, Carol and Gordie, are using media passes issued to their community newspaper.They're not sure what they’ll do in Whistler in 2010, but Carol says they’ll definitely be there.“I don’t like to say this, but.if (Todd) retires this year, we’ll be at 2010.And not just us.Gordie has already promised his son he’s taking him.I guess we’ll keep going until we don’t know anybody on the team.We can relate so much to them.” —CanWest News Service CANWEST NEWS Sledge hockey player Todd Nicholson's whole family travels with him whenever he plays.Ski conditions sponsored by: OTHER MOUNTAIN PASSHOLDERS SKI & RIDE FOR LESS AT JAY PEAK Present your 2005-06 season pass at Jay Peak Customer Service for $38 lift tickets any day of the week, all! season long - no black out dates or restrictions.Purchase at par (in cash) with valid proof of residency and enjoy a big mountain experience without the big ticket price.Jay Peak - Move Up.JAYPEAKRESORT.COM OR CALL 802-327-2196 JAY jfe PEAK VERMONT Jay Peak (Vermont) Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Snow, fast 7 days (Cm): 0 Open Trails: 42/76 Lift Hours: 9 a m.- 4 p.m.Mont Bellevue Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Snow, last 7 days (Cm): 5 Open Trails: 0/6 Lift Hours: 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.The Balsams (New Hampshire) Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Open Trails: 14 Lifts: 3 Lift Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.Mont Orford Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Snow, last 7 days (Cm): 14 Open Trails: 30/56 Lift Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.Montjoye Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Snow, last 7 days (Cm): 4 Open Trails: 0/27 Lift Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.Owl’s Head Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Snow, last 7 days (Cm): 10 Open Trails: 0/44 Lift Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.Burke (Vermont) Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Open Trails: 19/43 Lift Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.Ski Bromont Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Snow, last 7 days (Cm): 0 Open Trails: 39/72 Lift Hours: 8:30 a.m.- 10 p.m.Sutton Snow, last 24hrs (Cm): 0 Snow, last 7 days (Cm): 1 Open Trails: 50/53 Lift Hours: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.Medals needed for Canuck interest in Down Under Games By John MacKinnon For many Canadians, the 18th Commonwealth Games, squeezed into a jam-packed late-winter sports menu, seem not merely out-of-sync, but off the map and definitely under the radar.Yet, to Team Canada chef de mission Ross Outerbridge, the timing couldn’t be better, coming as it does, in the snowy wake of Canada’s record, 24-medal performance at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.“We’re into a new era in Canadian sport.Canadian athletes are riding a wave of positive momentum,” he said.Outerbridge expects a third-place finish at this 71-nation, 4,500-athlete competition, based on a haul of about 100 medals.That would essentially replicate the performance at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England, where Canada won 114 medals behind Australia (206 medals) and England (165).It won’t be easy, though, with the powerful Aussies expected to be at their best at home.Outerbridge also believes the timing of the Games is well-suited to attracting more government funding and support for summer sports.Canada’s top candidates to make a strong statement here in Melbourne are the gymnastics team, led by Athens gold medalist Kyle Shewfelt from Calgary: a powerful diving squad that includes Alexandre Despatie and Emilie Heymans; a track team that boasts nine of the 12 medalists from Manchester back to compete again; and a swim team resuscitated by an encouraging overall performance at the 2005 World Aquatics Championships in Montreal last summer.As many as six medals are expected from a competitive boxing team, as well, and podium finishes should come from shooting, synchro swimming and lawn bowling.With the XXIX Summer Olympics in Beijing a little more than two years away, these Games may well provide a telling snapshot of what to expect in China.Canada’s performances at the 2004 Games in Athens and 2000 in Sydney were, to say the least, underwhelming.The track team hasn’t won a medal at two straight Olympics, and both 100-metre hurdler Perdita Felicien and 400-metre runner Tyler Christopher are among a sizeable group of no-shows in Melbourne.The swim team was shut out in Athens before rebounding at the world championships to win five medals — none of them gold — and set 14 national records.“I can only control our lanes,” said head coach Pierre Lafontaine, who until nine months ago was the head man at the Australian Institute for Sport in Canberra.“But 1 can tell you that our kids are going to be very competitive.” The swimmers — led by Brittany Reimer, who won silver (800 metres) and bronze (1,500 metres) in Montreal — will be expected to improve on their times from the Games trials, emerge from this competition ranked higher than they were going in and win the close races, whether they’re for first, fifth, or 14th place.“If we live by these simple goals, anything is possible,” Lafontaine said.The hope is many of the Canadian athletes can deliver podium performances despite the timing of the Games, which means many athletes have competed minimally, if at all, this season.—CanWest News Service Wednesday, March 15, 2006 page 15 IM Till ¦! RECORD Milby Women’s Institute The March meeting of the Milby Women’s Institute was held at the home of Jean Naylor on March 9th.Winnona Kirby, President, opened the meeting and all repeated the Mary Stewart Collect, Salute to the Flag and Oath of Citizenship.She welcomed all and thanked Jean for being the hostess.Roll call was answered by eight members naming a famous woman.The motto for the month is: À woman is like tea: She doesn’t know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.Due to the absence of the secretary, the previous minutes were read by Meryl Nutbrown and after minor corrections they were approved.Marjorie Suitor, treasurer, reported that $113.22 was collected at the previous meeting for various things, one being $34.20 sent to Pat Hurley for our total in the waist measurement.A donation was given to Ross Patrick for auditing the books.Ruby Booth for Agriculture and Environment reported that eleven Gaspé residents are asking for maple quotas.They also requested new markets for maple syrup.She said that plastic popcorn that is used for packing can be placed in plant pots for good drainage.She then read two poems: “Spring Almost” and “March Rain”.Evelyn Suitor for education and development said the high school trip this year would be to Switzerland.Jean Naylor for Health and Community Living read an article about heart disease in women.She also mentioned that amaryllis lilies can be kept over or rested in a cool place for the winter and then induced to grow and bloom again in the spring.She then read a poem called “Season to Come”.Meryl Nutbrown for publicity thanked The Record for promptly printing the institute reports.Mildred Cairns for sunshine reported that she sent 4 cards and she then read an account of the history of Milby Women’s Institute between 1941 and 1951.Evelyn Suitor suggested that Jean Naylor inquire about a plaque on a door at Argyll Pavillion in Sherbrooke which was placed there by Sherbrooke County Women’s Institute because at one time a room was furnished by them when this was part of the Sherbrooke Hospital.Meryl Nutbrown read the county report prepared by Marina Evans.There was discussion concerning donating some money to Linda Hoy for assistance on travel to Red Deer, Alberta for the F.W.I.C.Convention I June.Meryl made a motion to donate $200 for her trip.Seconded by Mildred Cairns.Carried.The meeting was adjourned by Evelyn Suitor.Winnona Kirby then presented Ruby Booth with an Abby Pritchard throw to which she expressed her gratitude.Jean served a delicious lunch assisted by Evelyn Suitor.The lucky winner of the surprise package was Ruby Booth.Meryl Nutbrown Military Whist at St.Anne s Military Whist is a regular Thursday night event around Richmond, an activity that has remained popular for quite some time.This week’s game was held in St.Anne’s Church Hall on March 9, where many familiar faces had gathered to play, along with some welcome newcomers.Laughter, some close games and even some moans of defeat were heard as the evening progressed.Once the games were completed and the delicious lunch enjoyed, the prizes, all looking very Irish in their green paper, were distributed to the winners.First place went to the table of Frances Dewar, Grace Taylor, Eleanor Stalker and Marjorie Fraser.The runners-up were Ghislaine Redburn, Patsy Biggs, Alton Mills and Raymond Fortier.The low score was awarded to Elizabeth Mas-tine, Marion Coddington, Klea Mastine and Carol Boisvert.Twenty-three very green door prizes remained and these were chosen by Daisy McGee, George Lancaster, Hugh Lancaster, Tina Weare, Shirley Smith, Carol Boisvert, Jean Storry, Alton Mills, Debbie Knowles Johnston, Nancy Holliday, Eleanor Stalker, Ron Jones, Marjorie Fraser, Pauline Fecteux, Edna Smith, Nicole Clark, Elizabeth Mastine, Larry Cinnamon, Dora McCourt, Helen Knowles, Vicky Baldwin, Frances Dewar and Clara Boisvert.Two grocery boxes were selected by Mona Garrett and Michael Jones.Another enjoyable evening concluded and all the regular helpers sprang into action to clean up the kitchen and clear away the tables and chairs from the Hall, jobs which are done so willingly each month.Next month’s Whist will be held a week earlier, April 6, to avoid the Easter celebrations.All the prizes will be wrapped in Easter pastels.Submitted by Jean Storry Card ofThanks CLARK - We would like to thank everyone who sent cards, e-mails, flowers, brought food, gave donations and attended the service of the late Dorothy Clark.A special thank you to the Rev.Dave Lambie for conducting the service; to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #77, Waterloo for the lovely reception.Everything was greatly appreciated.Please consider this as our personal thank you.From the family, DOUGLAS, LOUISE, GWEN, CHARLES AND GRANDCHILDREN Birchton Eleanor Taylor Stan Taylor of Santa, Idaho, with his daughter Erica Rae Taylor of Moscow, Idaho, arrived on Valentine’s Day to visit their mother and grandmother, Eleanor Taylor for a week.I was so very glad to see them for it had been five years since Stan had been here and it had been ten years since I’d seen Erica.They flew from their nearest airport, Spokana, WA, to Montreal and came out to Birchton in a rental car.During their week in this area they were all entertained by their cousins Meryle and Rodger Heatherington at East Angus, then on another night by their cousin Karen Labonte MacLeod and her friend Bill Thorneloe in Marbleton for delicious dinner.On Wednesday, they drove with Eleanor down to Tamworth, N.H., to show Erica the house where her father had lived as a boy.Then they drove on to Portland, Maine, because Erica wanted to see the Atlantic Ocean, (although her grandmother told her Portland wasn’t on the ocean but on Casco Bay!!) Traffic in that city was very busy but we saw the salt water and wharf, also stopped at a place where we bought very fresh clams and white fish before heading north back home.Stan fried the fish and steamed the clams in his mother’s kitchen the following morning and these were really delicious.My guests left Birchton about 10 a.m., on Feb.21st to catch their northwest airlines flight back to Spokane airport, via Minneapo-lia.In Memoriams BIGGS - In loving memory of our dear parents, grandparents and great-grandparents, Ethel who passed away on March 15, 1996 and Fred on October 25, 2002.You both were taken so suddenly.No time to say goodbye.But silent thoughts and memories Will always keep you both near.Sadly missed by your CHILDREN GRANDCHILDREN GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN CHAMPEAU, Jean and Henry - In loving memory of our parents, Jean (March 17/03) and Henry (March 15/04).Gone but not forgotten.Love always, THE CHAMPEAU FAMILY *Kü: WARD, Anne Maybelle Cole (March 15, 1940 - September 6, 2004).If only you could be with us On this, your special day.We'd be at home with you To celebrate your birthday.But since God took you from us Up to the Heavens so blue.We hope you hear us now saying.“Happy Birthday" to you.So sadly missed by your sister, LORRAINE RATES and DEADLINES: ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICES BIRTH & DEATH NOTICES, CARDS OF THANKS, IN MEMORIAMS, BRIEFLETS: Text only: 32(5 per word.Minimum charge $8.00 ($9.20 taxes included) Discounts: 2 insertions -15% off, 3 insertions - 30% off With photo: additional $18.50.DEADLINE: 11 a.m., day before publication.BIRTHDAY, ANNIVERSARY & GET-WELL WISHES, ENGAGEMENT NOTICES: Text only: $7.00 (includes taxes) With photo: $20.00 ($23.01 taxes included) DEADLINE: 3 days before publication.WEDDING WRITE-UPS, OBITUARIES: $19.50 ($22.43 taxes included) WITH PHOTO: $29.50 ($33.94 taxes included) Please Note: All of the aforementioned (except death notices) must be submitted typewritten or neatly printed, and must include the signature and daytime telephone number of the contact person.They will not be taken by phone.DEADLINES FOR DEATH NOTICES: For Monday’s paper, call 819-569-4856 between 1 p.m.and 5 p.m.Sunday.For Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday’s edition, call 819-569-4856 or fax 819-569-1187 (please call to confirm transmission) between 9 a.m.and 5 p.m.the day prior to the day of publication.The Record cannot guarantee publication if another Record number is called. race 16 Wednesday, March 15, 2006 JRECORD: Intrusive Mother-in-Law Dear Annie: My mother-in-law visits our area every year for five months at a time.She doesn’t ask if it’s convenient, she just tells us when she’s coming.She stays at our house on the weekends and with other family members during the week.1 love her dearly, but she is totally oblivious to how intrusive she is.During the week, she stops by our house and lets herself in without knocking.On the weekends, she wakes up much earlier than the rest of us, so that when 1 get out of bed, I find her sitting in my chair, reading my newspaper and drinking out of my favorite coffee cup.Our youngest son started college last fall, and my husband and I were just beginning to enjoy our empty house.How can I nicely tell Mom that we need our privacy and to quit walking in without knocking?And how do I get her to stop usurping my chair and coffee cup?— Goldilocks’ Daughter-in-Law Dear Goldilocks’ DIL: First, present Annie’s Mailbox 90th Birthday Elva McGillivray will be celebrating her 90th birthday on March 24, 2006.Friends wishing to send Birthday Greetings, may do so to 556 21st Street N.E.Medicine Hat, Alberta, TIC 1H7.20th Wedding Anniversary Mom with her very own coffee cup (get one that has “Mom" printed on it), and say you hope she likes it.You won’t be able to get her out of your chair without asking her directly (we suspect it’s pretty comfortable), so either assign her a different chair, or live with it.As for entering your home without knocking, bolt the door.Tell her you feel safer that way.If none of this works, it’s time for your husband to have a little talk with his mother.Dear Annie: I am a 45-year-old woman, happily married for 16 years.I also became a chronic pain patient after an accident.I had a spinal fusion, which stabilized my spine and improved my condition enough that I could go back to work.Until this week, my husband, “Chuck,” was incredibly supportive and understanding.He does a lot around the house, and our children also pitch in.Suddenly, however, Chuck is starting _________________ to question my treatment.I thought he understood that in pain management, you don’t expect to be cured, only to keep your pain levels manageable.I’ve had injections, steroids, physical therapy and more.Sometimes treatment works, sometimes not, but I realize the goal is to control my pain so I can lead a semi-normal life.Now Chuck thinks I should find another doctor who will “make me better.” I’ve tried explaining things, and asked him to come to my next appointment, but nothing gets through.How can I make him understand that I’m never going to be the way I was before?— Still Functioning in Georgia Dear Georgia: While your pain has been difficult for you, don’t underestimate how stressful it has been for your husband.He is frustrated and disappointed, and having a hard time accepting that life has turned out differently than he expected.You both could benefit from some support.Please contact the American Chronic Pain Association (theacpa.org) at 1-800-533-3231.Dear Annie: I’m still upset after reading the solutions from teachers about how to deal with the “problem” of kids using the bathroom.I’ve taught middle school for 20 years, and I find these restrictions demeaning.I let my students use the bathroom whenever they need to.My colleagues say kids use it as an excuse to get out of my classroom.I say, so what?These kids have to sit at hard desks all day long with no breaks other than lunch.If they want to take a few minutes to stretch their legs and clear their minds, they deserve it.Never once has a student asked to use the bathroom in the middle of a lesson or test.Some actually have thanked me for this policy, since my class is the only time they can use the bathroom without feeling shamed or punished.It is a matter of dignity, biology and common sense.— Pissed Off (Pun Intended) in the Midwest Dear Midwest: You have made some excellent points, and your students obviously aren’t using bathroom breaks as a way to engage in less-than-acceptable behavior, but we suspect not all teachers are so fortunate.Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.Bury W.I.now the only branch in the once vivacious Compton County Women’s Institutes To my husband “George” I love you today as much as I did 20 years ago on our Wedding Day on Saturday, March 15, 1986 Your loving wife “Melinda” At the beginning of 2006, the Bury Women’s Institute, the only branch left in the former Compton County, with only 7 members doing their best to uphold the W.I.motto, “For Home and Country” which they have continued since its inception in January 1919.These few members have a great deal to be proud of in all their achievements, especially during the past 2 years.At the annual meeting in February 2005, Sandra Morrison retired from her last term as president, the secretary’s report, showed there were 11 members, with an average attendance of 6, while 4 of these had perfect attendance.They had hosted both County meetings and the County luncheon and card party for the benefit of the Bursary Fund.In September of that year, 2004, a special dinner was held in celebration of the 85th Anniversary of the branch.There were 8 members present, including our most senior member, Mrs.Lena Dougherty, formerly of Bury, plus 5 local guests and a special guest, Mrs.Linda Hoy, the Q.W.I.Provincial President.Other accomplishments noted in the annual reports, with Kay Olson ably fulfilling the office of president, fundraisers have included an annual Flea Market/ Craft Sale, Sales of slips, bulbs, plants, pickles, jellies, etc., Recipe booklets of soups and salads, and another of desserts.Life Memberships were presented to Lena Dougherty, Gladys Morrison and Sue Schmidt.Abbie Pritchard throws were presented to Frances Goodwin and Kay Olson.The annual Hallowe’en dinner was provided for the students at Pope Memorial School which included home made cookies, the UNICEF money was counted, rolled and deposited Monetary donations were given to the Bury Day Camp, towards public speaking prizes and class pins to students graduating and going on to AGRHS, to St.Paul’s Rest Home, the Wales Home, Sherbrooke Geriatric Institute , to students going on class trips and to Pope Memorial School Library in recognition of World Food Day, the Cookshire Fair Board, to families who were victims of fire and to a student who had excelled in a story writing competition and to Project of the North.A wedding gift was presented to a member.Sick and shut ins are remembered with cards and gifts at Easter.The cost of a wreath for Remembrance Day is shred with St.Paul’s Guild and non perishable food is sent to AGRHS for their Christmas baskets.Besides work, members enjoyed attending a W.I, Rally in Lennoxville, meetings are always interesting , informative and cheerful.There are appropriate Roll Calls and Mottos, informative and educational convenors’ reports which include both school and municipal news.A drawing is held at each meeting, also contests and games.Guests have included Myrna Lowry who talked about Yoga, and others when a Penny Fair was held.Mabel Mackay and Theda Lowry of the former Sawyerville branch which disbanded in 2004, after observing their 90th Anniversary, have been guests at several meetings.Each year following the annual meeting husbands and guest are invited to a Pot Luck supper followed by an evening of games and cards.It is interesting to note that 60 years ago in 1946, there were 9 branches of the Compton County Women’s Institutes with an active membership of 202 and that have done so much for “HOME AND COUNTRY” and now there is only one branch with 7 members, undertaking as much of the former business as possible, including the Bursary Fund.Nina Rowell I I I « Run in papers of Wednesday, March 15, 2006 CELEBRITY CIPHER by Luis Campos Celebrity Cipher cryptograms art creator! from quotations by famous people, past and present Each letter in the cipher stands lor another Today’s clue: O equals Y “AH GX V L C A VX CJX, CDU AH GXBHPX VLCA VX CJX BCWCQIX HE GXBHPNDS, NR A L X HDIO XDU HE INEX," - GCJTBL RWNDHYC PREVIOUS SOLUTION — “The dubious privilege of a free-lance writer is he’s given the freedom to starve anywhere.” - S.J.Perelman (c) 2006 by NEA, Inc.3-15 Kit n’ Carlyle I.wright2005@detnews.com LAST TÏ/VÆ I bf(Te /{ f JtS ^AT AWI> / hi VA|A/ A&ÔÜT you.www.comics.com ©2006 by NEA, Inc.Herman 3-15 ©Laughingstock International 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