The record, 6 mars 2002, Supplément 1

Brome County NEW Wednesday, March 6, 2002 Open Daily 8-10 p.m.m Wmmm is thinking of you Turn your groceries.into rewards Quality is our main ingredient.472 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton 243-6692 PENSE A TOI The Largest Circulation Weekly in Brome — Missisquoi «nil Annual show blooms in Burlington CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT Last weekend’s annual Vermont Flower Show, held at the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington, Vt., attracted gardening aficionados of all ages from across the state and the Townships.See Page 8 for more.Vt.storytellers spin special tales Teacher provides workshop to help parents ‘model’ good reading habts By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent Reading and writing, like any learned activities, require patience and systematic practice.TTie Traveling Storyteller and Company, featuring storyteller Ernie Hemingway and her assistant Rina Chouniere, recently traveled to Cowansville to offer a Saturday morning workshop teaching reading strategies to parents of young children.The free workshop, held at the offices of the Ya-maska Literacy Council was funded by a donation from Honda Canada.Hemingway, the founder of the Traveling Storyteller and Company, is no novice to the subject of reading.She holds a Master of Arts degree in early education and language arts and reading and has 14 years of experience as an elementary school teacher.She has also accumulated 14 years of experience as a drama teacher in after school programs for elementary and middle school students.See Storyteller, Page 3 TLB closer to buying theatre Acquisition committee hopes to close by June By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent Theatre Lac Brome supporters are halfway toward realizing their dream of owning and operating their own theatre.Fundraising efforts by a committee chaired by director Diana Severs have thus far raised nearly $175,000 in pledges toward the Phase I target of $350,000 needed to purchase the former Pub Playhouse and an additional acre of land from owner Gerry Wood.Severs described the plan to purchase and renovate the building as a two-phase plan.Phase I requires raising $280,000 needed to purchase the theatre and one additional acre of land that would provide both room for expansion and street access from Mount Echo Road.The remaining $70,000 would be used for neces-sary renovations, including the construction of a new lobby, a box office, landscaping, a new parking lot and the purchase of equipment.Phase II, which Severs emphasizes will not proceed until Phase I has been completed, consists of longer-term capital improvements to the building and site.There is no firm budget or time frame for these improvements, Severs says, which may include enlargement of the building and the addition of extras like a theatre shop or gallery space.“We have been very encouraged by the positive response from everyone,” said Severs, adding that individual pledges, which account for most of the $175,000 pledged thus far, range from the very small to the largest individual gift of $100,000.See Theatre, Page 7 MAURICE CROSSFIELD TLB fundraising director Diana Severs.r.Brunch every Sunday 11.00a.fli.tfl 2.30p.m.v Don’t forget EASTER Reservations please 243-6183 50 Victoria St., Knowlton flflNO PC MOKtfAGf ^WELDmlHEATRE Membre ASBQ Certifié par SAÈ Complete insurance 54B Principal© N, Sutton Quebec 104 N.Main St.St.Albans, Vt.TIME MACHINE [^1 MAR.8-14 umiMIKHKHIS Daly: 7,9 Hat: 7,9 [jj] dw SNOW DOGS swum Sat,Sun.:2 g NiMuCVEIUID n Mr 7 SR, Sw : 2 0 AML Der.£ temp r JOHN Q Daly: 9 sat.Sun.: 4 WEB Qjj»] Vlmrum'e dim CotftuaJ- rrwdcn 9 imii mura.DEEP END „ Ike.lia 11:7 |i ity 0 50) 538-5858 1 (877) 538-5858/%^ Coming: CroaaRoads, lea Aga, Wa Ware Soldiers yv into.' Résidence pour les Aînés / Retirement Residence “A place to call home!” 28 Mount Echo, Knowlton (450) 242-4663 Website: manoir1acbrome.com J page 2 Wednesday, March 6, 2002 Brome County News Brome County Community Billboard Community Calendar March 6,13 & 20 ECUMENICAL LENTEN LUNCHES sponsored by the Churches of Sutton at Grace Anglican Church, 54 Principale Sud, Sutton at 12 noon.Also, ADVANCED NOTICE: March 29, Good Friday Walk beginning at St.Andre’s Church at 10 a.m.followed by lunch.All money raised goes to World Development.March 8 Royal Canadian Legion SOUP AND DESSERT LUNCHEON at 120 Davignon St., Cowansville, 11:30 a.m.to 1 p.m.Admission, $5.Organized by the Ladies Auxiliary.Reservations or info: Gloria, 450-295-2114, or the Legion, 450-263-3543.Members and non-members are welcome! March 9 MENTAL HEALTH & WELL BEING MEETING at St.Paul’s Church (basement), Knowlton, 2 p.m.Do you or someone you know suffer from some form of depression?Are words like Schizophrenia, Manic Depression, Bipolar Disorder confusing to you?Do you have difficulty knowing how to cope with these conditions or to support someone who struggles with them?Info, call Linda 450-243-0928.WORKSHOP on Homeopathic Remedies for Family First Aid at Muir Clinic (Conference Room), 44 Victoria St., Knowlton, 1 - 4 p.m.Homeopathic remedies are a safe and natural approach to self-care and are complementary to conventional medicine.Guest Speaker: Tutti Gould DC, ND Homeopath.Course Fee: $50 per person.Registration: 450-242-2299 or 538-4041.BENEFIT SPAGHETTI SUPPER - All You Can Eat’ at the Sutton Legion, 2 Curley St., Sutton, 5 to 7 p.m.Cost: $10 per Théâtre I AM SAM (English) Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur.: 6 p.m.ON HOMME D’EXCEPTION (French) |m] | Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur.: 9 p.m.POTTER À L’ÉCOLE DES SORCIERS (French) [g] Fri, Sat, Sun.: noon, 3 p.m.Thur: 4 p.m.From Mar.8"1 to Mar.14lh Web site: www.theatreprincess.com For info: 263-5900 • MATINEES • • FRI., MON., • • TUES., * • WED.* : $5.00: person, children under seven yrs., free.All benefits go to Fire Victims, Murray and Mae Demers.Info: 450-538-5165.Royal Canadian Legion ‘SOUVLAKI (PORK & BEEF) SUPPER’ with rice, cae-sar salad at 120 Davignon St., Cowansville.Supper & Dance, $8 per person.Supper, 5 to 7 p.m.Dance, 8 p.m., $3 per person.Orchestra ‘South Street Band’.Info: 450-263-3543.Everyone welcome! Townships Bluegrass 8r Old-Tyme Music Society ACOUSTIC JAMMING 1 to 5:30 p.m., supper at 6 p.m.Live Blue-grass and Old-tyme music bands, 7 to 10:30 p.m.at Canadian Legion, 77 Lewis St., Waterloo.Jam Captain: Bob Tetreault, 819-346-2435.Winter Concert Series tickets now available, m Contact any Director: G.Cameron 450-539-0333, T.Howell, 819-875-533, C.McBurney 819-889-2629, J.Petronko 514-488-8160, R.Tetreault 819-346-2435.March 10 Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #82 Philipsburg ANNUAL CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE DINNER from 4 to 8 p.m.Donation, $10 all tax included.Entertainment: Irish Dancing.Everyone welcome! Come bring friends and start celebrating St.Patrick’s Day early! Royal Canadian Legion CRIB TOURNAMENT at 120 Davignon St., Cowansville.Registration at 1 p.m.$5 per person.March 12 COFFEE PARTY, sponsored by the Friendly Society and friends, at Trinity Anglican Church, 409 South St., Cowansville, 10 to 11:30 a.m.Variety of food, coffee, and conversation with friends.Donations only.Info: 450-263-3329.March 15 The Wellness Volunteer Centre invites seniors to a ST.PATRICK’S DAY LUNCHEON at TBL Community Centre, Knowlton, at 11:30 a.m.Information ses- sion on the new Info Medic Program with speaker Rene Claude Gagnon of Uniprix following luncheon.No charge.Reservations by March 12.Info: 450-242-2020.Transportation available if needed.March 16 St.Patrick’s Day WOOD CUTTING CONTEST to benefit Mansonville Scouts, Cubs 8r Beavers at Bar 243, 377 Rte de Mansonville.Registration: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.Starts: 10:30 sharp.Competitions: four person teams, cut, split and pile ($30).Info: Joanne George, 450-292-5864/292-4408 or Wendy Goerge, 450-292-3434.March 19 Missisquoi Historical Society BASKETRY WORKSHOP for beginners with Nancy Gunson at Stanbridge East Community Centre, 7 to 9 p.m.Admission: $15 (supplies included) R.S.V.P.by March 12.Info: 450-248-3153.March 23 Townships Toddlers Benefit ROAST BEEF AND PORT BBQ, for Mtl.Childrens’ and B.M.P.Hospitals at Oddfellows Hall, Knowlton, 5 to 7 p.m.Dance to follow with Borderline 8i Silverado.Tickets, $10 per person.Information or reservations 450-266-1716.Bring your favourite recipes for our fall cookbook! April 27 Annual FLEA MARKET sponsored by Colfax Rebekah Lodge #29 of Knowlton to be held at Oddfellows Hall, 476 Knowlton Rd, Knowlton, 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.Table reservations: Laura 450-243-5480.Canteen on premises Arts Calendar March 10 SECOND SUNDAYS AT SEVEN presented by storyland3.Improv cabaret hosted by Brian Wrench; On The Spot Players, 2000 Just For Laughs, World Theatre Sports Champions at the Knowlton Pub (Upstairs) at 7 p.m.Admission: $6.For information 450-538-0921.March 14 to 24 KNOWLTON PLAYERS proudly present Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring.Directed by Christopher Free- man at Theatre Lac Brome.Evening performances, 8 p.m., Sunday matinees, 2 p.m.Admission: $10 adults, $5 children.Reservations: 450-263-1061.Opening night benefits BMP Hospital Foundation.Tickets also available at Brome Lake Books and L.L.Brome.April 20 KNOWLTON HARMONY BAND spring concert 2002 at Knowlton Pub Playhouse, 267 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton at 8 p.m.Matinee performance, Sunday, 2 p.m.Tickets, $10 at door or reservations.Info: Bob Quilliams, 450-297-2797; Wade Johnston, 450-243-5432.Church Services KNOWLTON/CREEK PASTORAL CHARGE: Worship and song by members & Rev.Burn Purdon.Creek United, Foster, 9:30 a.m.Knowlton United, Knowlton, 11 a.m.Everyone welcome.St.PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH: 24 St.Paul’s Rd., Knowlton.We wish to know Jesus Christ and to make Him known.Sunday services: 8 & 10 a.m.Sunday school and nursery, 10 a.m.The Rev.Ralph T.Leavitt - Pastor.PARISH OF BROME: Anglican Worship Service on the second Sunday of every month: 9 a.m.Holy Communion, Church of the Ascension, West Brome; 11 a.m„ Holy Communion, St.John the Evangelist, Brome Village; 7:30 p.m., Evening prayer, Holy Trinity, Iron Hill.All are welcome! Call the Rev.Rick Gariepy 450-243-6096.ST.PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH.WATERLOO: Sunday services at 11 a.m.COWANSVILLE AREA PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH: Worship and Sunday school at Emmanuel United Church, 203 rue Principale, at 10:30 a.m.Choir practice at 9 a.m.Rev.Mary MacPherson officiating.All welcome.GRACE ANGLICAN CHURCH SUTTON: Warmly welcomes you to join us in worship of the Lord.Sunday services at 10:30 a.m.at 52 Principale Sud.The Rev.Canon Tim Smart, Rector.SUTTON-DUNHAM UNITED: Everyone is cordially invited to attend services at 10:30 a.m.in Sutton on the first and second, Sundays and in Dunham on the third and fourth Sundays of each month.Come, let us worship together.BAPTIST CHURCHES: Sunday services: Mansonville Baptist, 9:30 a.m.; Olivet Baptist, Sutton, 11 a)m.All welcome.nüüüôî R0CH VALLIÈRES Contractor LICENCE RBQ-.MMI5J2 Machinery work • Hydraulic hammer (rock breaker) Private road • Land shaping • Drainage • Artificial lake/pond • Septic system • Demolition - Foundation Topsoil - Aggregate • Sand • Gravel !nc.\ , pieidstone (450)242-2544 n , ch.Glen, Bolton-Ouest Brome County NEWS 88 Lakeside, Knowlton, Quebec, JOE 1V0 Tel: (450) 242-1188 / 242-6892 Fax: (450) 243-5155 Published weekly by 1195 Galt I., Sherbrooke, —, the—-Quebec, JIG 1Ï7 TO pfOR fl PAX: I8'9) 569-3945 E-Mail: f\Lv.Vyt\iv newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com website: www.sherbrookerecord.com Randy Kinnear Publisher.800 463-9525 Sharon McCully Editor/Off.Mgr.(450) 242-1188 Alison Steel Secretary .(450) 242-1188 Lynda bellavance Advertising .(450) 242-6892 Michel Duval Advertising .800 463-9525 Jamie Zachary Corresp.Editor .800 463-9525 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.800 463-9525 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman.800 463-9525 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.800 463-9525 CIRCULATION Distributed to all Record subscribers every Wednesday as an insert, and to all households and businesses in Abercom, Bedford, Brigham, Brome, Bromont, Cowansville, East Famham, Foster, Fulford, Knowlton (Brome Lake), Sutton, Bolton Centre, West Brome.SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 114.40 8.01 9.18 $131.59 6 MONTHS 59.00 4.13 4.73 $67.86 3 MONTHS 30.00 2.10 2.41 $34.51 Out of Quebec residents do not include PST.Rates for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday.Back copies of The Record are available.The Record was founded on February 7.1897, and acquired the Sherbrooke Examiner (est.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by Hollinger Canadian Newspapers LP.Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA Brome County News Wednesday, March 6, 2002 page 3 Knowlton Players stage Arsenic and Old Lace By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent Knowlton Players will bring a modern American classic to the stage for an eight performance run front March 14 through Sunday March 24.Arsenic and Old Lace, Joseph Kesser-ling’s classic farce set in Brooklyn back in 1941, was immortalized in the 1944 Frank Capra film staring Cary Grant and Peter Lorre.Mortimer Brewster (Bill Jarand), a bachelor on the eve of marrying his next-door sweetheart Elaine (Danielle Grenier), discovers that his maiden aunts (Evie Johnston-Main and Aldyne Kerrigan) are serial murderers, poisoning lonely old gentlemen with their el- derberry wine and burying their bodies in the cellar.The aunts are not the only unusual members of the family: cousin Theodore (Jason Westover) buries them, believing that he is Teddy Roosevelt digging the Panama Canal.While Mortimer tries to determine what to do, his murderous brother Jonathan (Frank Johnston-Main) shows up with sidekick Dr.Einstein (Roger De la Mare).The two criminals intend to lie low while the bungling Einstein provides plastic surgery to disguise Jonathan’s identity.Director Chris Freeman, returning to direct his fourth play in three years with the Knowlton Players, says that the play melds several genres.“It has everything from the touch of an Agatha Christie murder mystery to romantic comedy,” explains Freeman.“Dead bodies throughout the house, under the eyes of an inept police force offer more slapstick relief.And when the menacing older brother and his sidekick arrive, the play becomes an eerie thriller, too.” The play features a charming collection of off-the-wall characters that showcase local talent.Familiar faces in the cast include Jim “Ace” McLellan, Reg Patterson, Chris Severs, Steve Trew as well as newcomer Eric Morrison.The play will run for eight days over two weeks, including Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m.and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.Tickets can be purchased at the door but reservations are strongly advised.To reserve tickets, call the box office at 450-263-1061.Opening night performances are available at Brome Lake Books and L.L.Brome in Knowlton.Knowlton Players provides amateur theatre opportunities and enjoyment to the region by regularly staging amateur “family-oriented” English language productions.Proceeds from its productions benefit charitable causes and support both amateur and professional theatre in Lac Brome.Toupe’s mission to expose children to literature Storytellers: Cont’d from Page 1 For the past eight years, Hemingway has served as the drama instructor for a summer program Suitcase Theatre, sponsored by the St.Albans Rotary Club.In 1998, with a grant of $800, the Sheldon (Vermont) resident, aided by friend Rina Chouniere and a motley band of teenage volunteers, took the show on the road.She began by going to Vermont libraries and later to special events.Since then, the troupe has performed almost every New England state as well as in Guatemala.The company made its Canadian debut in August 2000 at the first West Brome Storytelling Festival with its animated re-telling of the Three Bears incorporating song, dance, puppetry and, of course, storytelling.“As we expose children to literature, I believe that this must be an experience that involves the whole children drawing in all their senses,” writes Hemingway in the storytelling company’s mission statement.“Through ‘animated literacy’ the children become an active participant in literature with the careful guidance of a storyteller.The child becomes a part of the story and not a mere observer.” 1116 troupe’s performances, tailored to keep a pint-sized audience riveted, quickly draw in adults as well: everybody, at heart, loves a good story.The Traveling Storytellers’ workshop, animated by Hemingway and Chouniere, was designed for adults only, targeting parents concerned with improving their child’s reading and comprehension skills.Hemingway provided a package of tools to reinforce the mechanics of reading and writing as well as more advanced comprehension skills such as inference and causality.This “whole-family” approach encourages parents to “model” good reading behaviour by making shared reading part of the family routine.Choosing age-appropriate readings is important, as illustrated by one of her favourite readings for young audiences, Peggy Parish’s book, Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping, the story of a young girl who takes everything literally.“Read it to a grade 1 class and there is absolutely no laughter- they just don’t get it; the second graders are laughing their heads off,” says Hemingway.She encourages parents to expose their children to as many genres as possible and to keep reading interactive by asking questions or by encouraging the child to read as well.Hemmingway encourages parents to challenge young readers to re-tell a story, using the time-honoured formula of the “5 Ws” (who, what, where, why and when), encouraging them with questions that de velop comprehension (“what do you think is going to happen next?”).Her advice, as a teacher, a parent and a reading spe cialist is simple and proactive: “Address reading problems early, when kids are young.Don’t let it balloon.” Info: Call 802-933-5075.The troupe’s next performances are in Richford, Vt„ at the Public Library, 10 a.m.; March 24 and a special Easter Show at 2 p.m.March 24 at Philipsburg’s Mis-sisquoi Public Library.C.K.’s INCOME TAX SERVICE & BOOK-KEEPING Bilingual & Confidential Individual Income Tax returns Self-employed Small businesses Pick up # ttetivery Serviee.j/lvaihble 512 KNOWLTON RD.KNOWLTON Phone/Fax 243-6324 Carol Krainyk 1 Dining at a new level.Throughout the week MONDAYS Bring a friend! Buy one lunch or dinner & get your friend's entrée for 50% OFF! WEDNESDAYS OVER THE HUMP LUNCHEON BUFFET Clam chowder, vegetable soup, salad bar, bread table, 2 feature hot entrées, dessert 11 “"-2 •*"—s795 us THURSDAYS Mexican Night is the HOTTEST deal going! ::Jalopeno Peppers «Mexican Pizza.•Chicken Fajita «Beef Burito 6 Cheese «Enchilada «Beef & Chicken •Quesadilla Supreme «Vegetarian Nacho «Grande Supreme FRIDAYS PRIME RID NIGHT -FOUR DELICIOUS WAYS • Blackened • Hotel style • Barbequed • Au jus ONIYS10”US SUNDAYS 15% OFF SENIORS' DISCOUNT BREAKFAST BUFFET •Marmalade cream roll «Hor cross buns «Raspberry swirl buns «Apricot tarts •Scrambled eggs «Waffles •Pancakes «French roasr •Fresh fruit bowl «Chipped beef gravy «Sausage •Gravy ’N biscuits b baked ham Adults; ‘7WUS Child: s3,5ui 7:50 “-11:30 “ If exchange on Canadian dollars every Tuesday 25 / all other days 47 Landing St., Newport 802-334-2340 /^Courville Geriatric Center For the best in Nursing, and where caring is a living tradition Courville Home Care Full range of home care services are now available, give us a call.Since 1935 “Because We Care” Helping you help yourself ! Courville Residence 5,305 Courville Avenue, P.O.Box 580, Waterloo, Quebec Courville Gerontology Foundation Non-profit organization helping the elderly in the Waterloo area lead fuller lives.Tax receipts given for all donations.“Loving hearts and caring hands” (450) 539-1821 ext.227 www.courville.qc.ca Personalized Care - Short term / long term - Palliative / Emergencies page 4 Wednesday, March 6, 2002 Brome County News Canadians drive more, but have fewer accidents Motorists ignoring recall on dangerous airbags It seems like I spend a lot of time going on about safety, but it also seems that Canadian drivers are getting the message, apparently not just from me.In December, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development released a report on road fatalities.Here in Canada, that number dropped by 47 per cent between 1980 and 2000.“This turnaround was achieved despite a big increase in drivers and vehicles during this time,” said Emile Therien, president of the Canada Safety Council.Over the last two decades the number of vehicles on our roads went up 48 per cent, while the number of licenced drivers went up 37 per cent.This raises a question: Does this mean there are more licenced cars out there than there are people to drive them?Are there more unlicenced drivers on the road?Or do we have more drivers owning a whole pack of cars?The CSC didn’t answer these questions in their recent press release.Back to the good news: Only Austria, Switzerland and Germany cut their traffic fatality rates by more, topping the 50 per cent mark during the same period.The OECD study shows the safest places to drive are Britain, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, which have the lowest overall fatality rates, at about seven per 100,000 population.Here in Canada it’s about 10 per 100,000.But the CSC is quick to point out a big difference between us and them: They are all tiny little countries, while a lot of Canadians have to get into their car just to get to the dépanneur for beer and smokes.We Canuks drive an astounding 475 billion km a year, with the average licenced driver logging about 23,000 km.In the Netherlands, a 10-mile trip is a big deal, while here that distance is barely enough to get the windows defogged.“If kilometres driven were factored in, Canada would likely be number one in traffic safety,” Therrien said, adding it’s a sign our laws are working.The worst place to drive is Korea, where road fatalities went up by 59 per cent over the last two decades.And all this time we thought we were only good at hockey.Crowding Speaking of road accidents, as I was driving home a week ago last Friday I happened upon an accident scene at the top of the hill on Rte.139 in West Brome.No one was injured, but there was an insurance salesman having a migraine somewhere I’m sure.As far as I could figure out, someone was driving northbound and wanted to turn across the oncoming lane of traffic into a driveway.Someone coming up behind them didn’t realize the roads were icy, and rear-ended them, pushing the first car into an oncoming car.At the same time another car plowed into car number two, or went into the ditch to avoid hitting him.I may have misread the initial mishap that caused this mess, but there was no mistaking the fact that a number of vehicles sustained serious damage.By the time I got there everyone was out of their cars, apparently uninjured.The lesson out of all this is pretty clear: If these drivers had all given each other some more space, this accident probably wouldn’t have happened.Instead.they were all bunched up, and didn’t realize the roads were icy.When one driver had a problem it became all of their problems, in a heartbeat.Keeping your distance from other drivers is probably one of the most basic and important of road rules, especially in the winter.But motorists still insist on bunching up in groups, where one minor mishap can turn into a multiple vehicle crash.Space out, it makes driving easier, safer and less stressful.Airbag Recall Despite a massive recall and media campaign, only a handful of motorists with cars equipped with dangerous rebuilt airbags have had theirs replaced.This despite the fact they could literally blow up in your face.LlluuL March Events Open Dart Tournament Random Partner Draw Saturday, March 9th Registration 7 p.m.Start: 7:30 p.m.Triathelon Crib/Darts/Pool combined tournament 2 or 3 person teams Registration 12:00 p.m./start 12:30 Saturday, March 16th Followed by: St.foddy’s Day Celebration Dinner 6 p.m.to 8 p.m.R.S.V.P.Please Dance to Live Band 25 ch, Bolton Pass ' 243-0163 Last fall, Quebec’s automobile insurance board, the SAAQ, investigated and discovered a Quebec City company had been selling rebuilt airbags which used gunpowder and flung shards of metal when they deployed.Used airbags were being washed, and liquid paper used to blot out blood stains from the last time they were used.All in all, these things were nasty pieces of work, capable of inflicting serious injuries.The discovery led to a police investigation, a court injunction against the company involved and new rules concerning rebuilt cars.If you weren’t listening the first time and you have a car built since 1998, here’s what to look for: If it has been in an accident or had its airbags replaced, this could be you.If you bought it used and you don’t know for sure that it was never in an accident, then this could be you too.In all 11,418 rebuilt airbags were sold and installed in 7,487 vehicles across Canada.In Quebec some 7,795 airbags were installed in 5,155 cars.Despite this, only 372 Quebec motorists have come forward to have their airbags replaced.That leaves 4,783 cars cruising Quebec roads that are literally waiting to blow up in the faces of their owners.If you own one of these vehicles, or if you aren’t 100 per cent sure, call the SAAQ at 1-800-361-7620.Remember, a properly manufactured, properly functioning airbag is an excellent complement to wearing a seatbelt, and will save your life.But having one of these rebuilt bags adds to the level of danger.Brief Happy, Helath and Aging session in Cowansville Be sure to see Thursday’s Record for information on the next Happy Healthy and Aging information days to be held in Cowansville May 22 and Sherbrooke April 14.Read The Record each and every day for all the news of the Townships and for your opportunity to win great prizes.This month you could be the lucky winner of a pair of ski tickets to Mont Orford, a pair of tickets to see the Montreal Canadiens play the Ottawa Senators, or take home an Olympic hockey jersey, made in Granby and worn by winning teams in Salt Lake.To subscribe call 450-242-1188 and ask about our easy pre-autho-rized monthly payment plan that will have The Record delivered to you for only $11 a month.TAKE THE DOUBLE CHECK CHALLENGE 350 Principale St.Local 120 Cowansville, P.Q.Tel.: (450) 263-6405 Owner: Linda Domingue 35 Sherbrooke Magog, P.Q.(810) 843-6852 Mr.Lucien Pageau Did you overpay?We’ll double check last year’s return for free.* There WE DOUBLE DOG DAREYA.could be money in it for you.To learn more, call 1-800-HRBLOCK or visit hrblock.ca.02001 H&R Block Canada, Inc *Raflling faa may apply.At participating offices.H&R BLOCK just plain smart' 541 King St.E.Sherbrooke, P.Q.JIG 1B6 Tel.(819) 346-0034 Fax (819) 346-4546 Mr.Sylvain Ainslie 1-800-HRBIock www.hrblock.ca Under The Hood Maurice Crossfield Brome County News Wednesday, March 6, 2002 page 5 Avante Women’s Centre receives addition annual funding BARBARA BELLINGHAM/CORRESPONDENT mmim Pictured are Avante Coordinators, Sheri Craig and Linda Roberge.By Barbara Bellingham Record Correspondent The Avante Women’s Centre in Bedford is finally making headway in reaching out to English women in the Brome Missisquoi area.Last Wednesday night at the annual general meeting, the Centre announced it will receive annual financial support from the Soutien Organisme Communautaire.It also has a charity number which allows the Centre to give receipts for charitable donations and fundraisers.But organizers admit that getting funding has been a struggle.“I started here two years ago, and it was really discouraging,” said Avante co-ordinator Sheri Craig, referring to the public impression that the centre was solely a shelter for troubled women.“How was I going to get through to women around here that you don’t need to have something wrong to come in?” Founded in 1997, Avante was developed as a centre aimed specifically at English women who wanted help getting information about services and learning tools that were available to them.In the L’R Centre des Femmes organization, only three of the 91 centres were English.Now, there are four centres, and Avante has grown considerably.The Avante Centre offers a series of workshops, a resource centre with Internet access, a monthly “coffee break” and full time staff that are available from 8:30 a.m.to 3:30 p.m., five days a week.“When someone comes in, I make coffee and we sit and chat,” said Craig.“The work can wait.Whoever comes through the door is my first priority.“Last week I helped a woman find a job.We went on the Internet and looked through a few sites, and we found something for her.It was great.” Craig added that Avante’s workshops are becoming more popular as people hear about them.She said everyone is welcome, participants have come from Knowlton, Dunham, Farn-ham and Cowansville.All workshops are held in the evenings to accommodate working women.A babysitting service is also available in the next room for women with children, and transportation can even be arranged.“We want women to come in and learn.We also want them to know about all these associations that are available to help them,” Craig emphasized.To find out more about Avante’s services, call 450-248-0530, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m.to 3:30 p.m.Briefs Art exhibit on display at La Maison du Livre Two young multidisciplinary artists from Saint-Armand, S1RIS and GAMH will present a selection of their works at La Maison du Livre, located at 371 Rte 202 in Stanbridge-Station.The exhibit runs until April 30, on Tuesdays, between 1 and 7 p.m.Admission is free.A donation would be appreciated.For information call 248-3388.Missisquoi Briefs • Missisquoi Library/Art Books Exhibit: The Missisquoi Public Library, located at 187 Champlain in Philipsburg, is presenting an "Art Books Exhibit" until March 24 during the Library's regular opening hours, on Fri., Sat., Sun., between 1 and 4 p.m.Admission is free.A donation would be appreciated.Information: 248-4402.•Missisquoi Library/Unicef Cards: You can help Third World children in their struggle against poverty by selecting Unicef cards for all occasions at the Missisquoi Library, located at 187 Champlain in Philipsburg, during the Library's regular opening hours, on Fr„ Sat., Sun., from 1 - 4 p.m.For information call: 248-4402.Mark Vinet featured speaker for writer’s group Staff Author, historian, professor and lawyer Mark Vinet will be the featured speaker at the March 9 meeting of WARM Writers Group.Vinet will discuss the researching, writing, and selling of his book Canada and the American Civil War: Prelude to War, the little-known history of Canadian-born solders who fought in the American Civil War.Although Britain (and thus, Canada) remained officially neutral during the civil war, 50,000 Canadians served in armies of the North and South.According to Vinet’s research, four Canadians attained the rank of brigadier-general and 29 won the Congressional Medal of Honour.Prelude to War unveils how both neighbouring countries dealt with the contentious issues of sectionalism, slavery, slave rebellions, abolition and the Underground Railroad.Vinet was born in 1964 in Sorel into a family with bi- cultural ancestry.He is the founder of the Canada Civil War Association and the North American Historical Institute, which presents a series of lectures by Vinet on Canada and the American Civil War.He is currently at work on his second book, the Road to Secession: Canada and the American Civil War.Vinet is also the host of a weekly radio show on CHOD-FM 92.1 that covers history related topics as well as non-fiction books and biographies.Copies of his book will also be available for purchase.The talk will take place on Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m.in the second-floor auditorium of the Atwater Library, located at 1200 Atwater Avenue in Montreal.The talk is free for WARM members or open to the public with a $5 donation.For information, contact Jeanette Paul at 450-468-5410 or email (warmwrit-ers@canada.com).^ Bright Calors JZrt supplies Design Artist To 6etter serve you, by appointment ortiy Joanne Wallace Vachon Tel.: 450-242-2580 316 Knowlton Rd.Fax: 450-242-2741 Knowlton, PQ JOE 1V0 Cell: 405-8501 Brome County NEWS 88 Lakeside, Knowlton, Quebec JOE 1V0 Tel.: (450) 242-1188 / Fax: (450) 243-5155 Published weekly by 1195 Galt Street East.Sherbrooke J1G1Y7 fax: (819) 821-3179 E-mail: newsroom@sberbrookerecord.com website: www.sherbrookerecord.com RECORD SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE ONLY $33.36 tax included Canadian (450) 242-1108 STACY WIGHTHAN INCOME TAX RETURNS (fully computerized) • Individuals • Businesses • Corporations 55 Rte 202,Stanbridge East, QC (450) 248-2136 page 6 Wednesday, March 6, 2002 Brome County News Community Forum Letters to the Editor Signs of spring ' ' ¦» * ; * - , * i -¦ ¦ -, V - UL- ¦ ?m*;V V PHOTOS BY CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT It has been an unusual winter in the Townships.In one backyard garden in Clarenceville, snowdrops planted in an unprotected bed were in full bloom as of Feb.28.On neighbouring Missisquoi Bay, provisioners who rent ice-fishing cabins had a difficult year, while parts of the bay south of Jameson Point never froze over.At the head of the bay in Venise-en-Quebec, the cabins were only able to go out onto the ice for a few short weeks, a far cry from last year’s banner year.By the last week in February, all but a few cabins in Venise had been removed, two to three weeks ahead of normal.Elsewhere, snow geese flocks have been seen arriving back in the area and the sap is running.Letter writer has lost benefit of doubt Dear Editor, I am prepared to give anyone the benefit of the doubt until they prove that they don’t deserve it.With last week’s letter to the editor, Lloyd Sturtevant has lost the benefit of my doubt.It has become clear Mr.Sturtevant has an axe to grind with our mayor and council.Sturtevant’s obviously entitled to his opinion, however it is clearly unproductive to allow him unfettered access to your paper if he is deliberately spreading disinformation.I am not suggesting you muzzle him but allowing someone who is deliberately making false statements to dominate your editorial pages has become an abuse of your paper.The Record should find a way to deal with this situation or your credibility will become diminished as well.In response to the other points raised by Mr.Sturtevant.As far as whether or not Community Services needs a new facility.The shortcomings of the present facility are apparent to anyone familiar with Community Service’s programs and users.No organization is perfect, but Community Services is an excellent, transparent and responsive organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the quality of life in our community.I believe it would be constructive if The Record could provide a little leadership by helping to inform the community about the substantial issues facing Community Services.It would be a shame if we couldn’t get our act together to take advantage of Monday’s reported $10 million fund to upgrade Community Centres around Quebec.Chris Severs Knowlton Big difference between nationalism and patriotism Dear Editor I can not disagree more with Ms.Lowe’s endorsement of nationalism.Perhaps she is referring to patriotism, but the two are quite different.Patriotism is an expression by its citizens of respect for a nation and it’s principles.Nationalism is a form of pride that says our nation is superior, that the lives of our citizens have a much greater value than alien lives, and because we are the greatest country in the world if it’s in our “National Interest” we are justified in doing anything, anywhere.Nationalism is a sickness: Einstein said that “Nationalism is the measles of the Mind.” And while it’s basis is tribal in origin, the Nazis under Dr.Josef Goebels perfected it.Nationalism justifies war, killing, and assassination, it replaces moral judgment with hegemony, it converts the teachings of the Bible and of the Koran into national imperatives, it aids and abets leaders like George W.Bush to call for a “Crusade against an axis of evil.” or Bin Laden for a holy war against America, or John Ashcroft to declare his prisoner guilty even before he’s gone to trial.Nationalism is a license to perpetrate evil.Nationalism is an expression of individual narcissism on an epidemic scale.For Quebec nationalists, nationalism justifies their hate for English Canada’s “Red-Rag”, it has replaced a religion based on Christian charity and love with a religion based on State Supremacy and fear.On a world scale, nationalism encourages those who are rich to ignore those who are starving because they live beyond their borders; it makes spending a billion dollars a month on war preferable to spending even 10 per cent of that on education and rehabilitation.If it were not for nationalism, our world would be engaged in a war on poverty, instead of a war on terrorism.Nationalism is ignorance; it breeds prejudice.While George W.Bush didn’t find the “right person" in Pakistan (he has a brilliant State dept, to do that for him) he did tell the Pakistanis they had a choice: he’d declare war on them as evil people, or he’d give them a billion dollars! And let’s remember that his number three man, Jesse Helms, didn’t know the difference between Pakistan and India when he introduced the President of India to the U.S.Congress as the President of Pakistan.As for the campaign in Afghanistan against terrorism it’s not over, it’s just begun.Bin Laden is still at large, the terrorists are still at large, the interim government is only a facade, the only thing that’s changed for the better so far, is that the Taliban are no longer the government, but then, neither is anybody else.This was sup- posed to be a world wide war on terrorism, not an accidental liberation of Afghanistan.As for the Parliamentary system, if a majority agreed with you our PM could be out tomorrow in a vote of confidence, and if the USA had had a parliament, George W.Bush could never have been appointed president.D€NIS PARADIS, M.P.Brome-Missisquoi 21 Main St.Bedford (Québec) JOJ 1 AO (450) 248-1179 HOUSE OF COMMONS 104 South Street Suite 100B Cowansville (Québec) J2K 2X2 (450) 266-6062 Brian Timmins Knowlton JRD JOLY RIENDEAU 8.DUKE C H A R I £ R I O ACCOUNTANIS Taxation, Accounting, Financial Services, Estate Planning and Settlement, Farm Transfers Cowansville Knowlton Sherbrooke 127 Principale, Suite 105 560 Ch.Knowlton 3490 Galt West Cowansville Ville de Lac Brome Sherbrooke (450) 263-4123 (450) 243-5021 (819) 566-2575 KNOWLEDGE AND KNOW-HOW.REACH MORE PEOPLE! Our classifieds are online.www.iheibrooknecord.cam Wednesday, March 6, 2002 page 7 Brome County1^ews Pet of the week .Jake COURTESY SPCA I’m a nice, gentle, kind-of-shy, easy-going male.I have a slim build, and weigh about 35 to 40 lbs.I'm not exactly sure how old I am, but the guess is that I’m about one years old.I sure would love to get out of this noisy place.Come and visit me from 2 to 4 p.m., seven days a week, at the SPCA Montérégie, 178, ch.du Vide, Ste-Angèle-de-Monnoir.Call 45CM60-3075 or 450-242-2892.Theatre: Cont’d from Page 1 Severs said there has been extraordinary support from both linguistic communities as well as from amateur theatre groups like Sunshine Theatre and the Knowlton Players, both of whom are raising money for the acquisition fund.Other benefits are also in the works such as a variety show and several Montreal-based fundraisers, including a benefit concert at Pollack Hall.Severs said that the acquisition committee will soon start to approach corporations and foundations for money.Her goal is to close the deal with owner Wood by June 1.“The sooner we purchase, the sooner we stop paying rent,” said Severs, adding she believes the board’s decision to purchase the theatre was the right one.“It is very appealing to stay there.When you move, you lose a certain momentum.” She added the theatre has operated in the financial black for the last four years, not only because of the successful summer repertoiy theatre, but also because of the substantial volunteer support.Severs is hoping to tap into local volunteer talent to help landscape the theatre’s acre of land.However, costs are inevitable and she emphasizes the acquisition committee will exercise moderation of expectations, the clear separation of “want-to-haves from the must-haves”.TLB ANNOUNCES 2002 SEASON Theatre Lac Brome also recently announced the line-up for its 2002 repertory theatre season, running from June 21 to Aug.24.The line-up will include four plays, including a reprise of last year’s surprise hit, Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave.The repertory season opens with Old King Cole, a play by Ken Campbell and directed by Susan Cox, opening June 21.Ralph Steiner returns to the stage in Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave, a Canadian musical by Maynard Collins and directed by Nicholas Pynes.The play, based on the music and life of the king of country music, opens June 28.The wit of GJB.Shaw comes to the Townships in Village Wooding: a Comediettina for Two Voices in Three Conversations, directed by Greg Tuck.The romantic comedy, written by one of the greatest English-language playwrights, opens July 12.The action moves from comedy to mystery with the opening of Evelyn Strange, a mystery by Stewart Lemoine and directed by Greg Kramer.Written in the classic “film noir” style incorporates classic clichés: a woman wearing a trench coat arrives at a first tier box at the opera, not knowing who she is or why she is there.The play, billed as “a tale of intrigue, deceit and murder”, opens July 26.Theatre Lac Brome will also host several special events, including its opening party (June 22).Theatre-goers are invited to drop in for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a performance of Old King Cole.On July 10, the theatre will hold its popular annual House & Garden Tour, a tour of Lac Brome’s most beautiful homes.It follows that up on July 27 with its midsummer gala, an evening of music, mirth and merriment to benefit the theatre.On Aug.24, TLB will host a celebratory bash with “Patsy, Hank and maybe Elvis".Finally, from Aug.30 to 31 and Sept 1 to 2, Quebec’s best-known political troubadours, George Bowser and Ricky Blue, will return for one weekend only.For ticket information, call 450-242-2270 after June 1, or 450-242-1395 before June 1.' _ 'SfiiËP' More than 900 COMBINATIONS YET ONLY ONE AFFORDABLE PRICE.AMEUBLEMENT FRIGON INC.1303, South St., Cowansville, Quebec _____________ l Tel.: (450) 263-0747 Toll free: 1-866-263-0747 fax:263-5898 e-mail: frigon@sympatico.ca bhcrmog • Choose the table top Round, rectangular or oval • Choose the style of legs Casual, contemporary or country • Choose the chair Sides or armchairs Wood or upholstered seats • Choose the colour SOUD OR COMBINATIONS • Choose the fabric Choose the matching CASE PIECES page 8 Wednesday, March 6, 2002 Brome County News ccess Thedirt on the region's best annual flower i show I .' • „, - '\ ¦ ÏÏ By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent Burlington, VT Gardening is big business in the U.S, and just how big was illustrated by last weekend’s annual Vermont Flower Show, arguably one of the best regional shows dedicated solely to gardening.Visitors packed into the Sheraton Conference Center in Burlington, Vt.during the show’s three day run from March 1 to 3, checking out the spectacular indoor spring flower display, shopping for the latest in gardening stuff or attending educational seminars on a variety of gardening topics.The show is sponsored by the Vermont Association of Professional Horticulturists, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote a high standard of professionalism in the state’s horticultural industry.Undoubtedly there are some who pay the $10 US entrance fee just to catch an early glimpse of spring in the exhibits of potted spring flowers and shrubs.Speaker Charles Siegchrist described how fellow VAPH members annually donate hundreds of bulbs and shrubs kept in cold storage until January, when they are moved into donated greenhouse space and nursed into full bloom in time for the show.Volunteers truck the pots over to the hotel conference facilities where they are assembled in a vast indoor garden, complete with picket fences.“This is wonderfully chaotic beehive,” said Siegchrist.“Nobody knows what they’re doing, but somehow, it all gets done.” There is also the commercial aspect of the show as artisans showed off everything from hand-made Shaker garden baskets to wrought iron fences, and bent-twig furniture to purveyors of exotic and traditional seeds.In keeping with Vermont’s Yankee character, the show’s tone underscores concern for the environment and traditional landscape, humour and attention to quality that has given the expression “Made in Vermont” a special panache in the world of marketing.The balance between commercialism and education, however, was one of the most refreshing aspects of the show.Volunteer representatives from an array of both state and local recreational, agricultural, environmental and horticultural organizations distributed information on local campgrounds, parks, nature programs, display gardens open to the public, gardening and bonsai clubs or backyard stewardship programs.The Vermont Master Gardener program, managed by the University of Vermont extension and staffed entirely by its graduate, certified master gardeners, provided training in CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT ‘All gardening is landscape painting,’ said Alexander Pope.the rudiments of plant disease diagnosis, soil science and horticulture to interested volunteers who, once certified, work with schools, special groups and organizations to promote “successful, safe and environmentally prudent home horticultural practices”.There are many reasons Quebec residents might choose not to venture down 1-89 to the show, not the least of which is the punishing exchange rate that makes all purchases costly, especially when one can find first rate garden suppliers such as Vesey’s, Richter’s or Lee Valley Tools right at home.However, included in the cost of admission for the annual show were three days of back-to back seminars given by professional horticulturists and landscape architects.Many of the plantings recommended by the speakers were Vermont-tested for winterhardiness and thus, likely to survive in southern Quebec’s shared or adjacent climatic zones.Speakers also offered invaluable tips for cold-climate gardeners, knowledge often absent from generic gardening guides.The seminars are a popular element of the show: Judith Irven, a landscape designer and bed-and-breakfast owner from Goshen (Vermont), delivered two, one-hour slideshows on designing a legacy garden to standing-room only crowds.As the weekend came to a close, organizers said the show may soon become a victim of its own success.Heavy attendance and crowded hallways clearly illustrated an immense hunger for information on, and about, gardening and landscaping.Ironically, the Sheraton Conference Center is as big as facilities get in these parts, which means that the VAPH may have only one practical alternative, to add another day to the three-day show.That would probably suit the region’s gardening devotees just fine.Creating beautiful landscapes t'I ritish-bom landscape designer Judith Irven, owner ofOut-i-C door Spaces Landscape Designs of Goshen, Vt., gave a two-U hour lecture on creating beautiful landscapes and great gardens.“Every garden is a unique reflection of its owner’s desires and the special features of the site,” said Irven in a talk entitled From Dreams to Reality.“A well-designed garden is a harmonious whole created through careful planning and hard work.Its beauty pleases our senses, but its design must also meet our functional needs.” She offered the following outline of how any homeowner can create a lasting legacy in his or her own back yard.PART 1: Some basic ideas: •Create “garden rooms": Garden rooms, as Irven defines them, are outdoor spaces for human activities and pleasure, including relaxing, playing, entertaining, arrival, flower and kitchen gardens.• Consider connectivity and circulation: It is important to plan how you move between and within garden.Ask yourself what are the most heavily trafficked areas?Will a dirt or grass path suffice, or a field stone path, or is a paved foundation needed?• Balance function and aesthetics: Functional considerations include the width of the grass path needed to accommodate a lawn mower, sizing of steps for safety, accessibility of the kitchen garden.Aesthetic considerations include: pleasing shapes, colors, or architectural elements that draw the eye or enhance the landscape.• Consider elements of garden style: The degree of formality depends upon many things, including personal taste and the architectural style of the house.Consider focal points, visual boundaries and scale and proportion.•Perennials and woody plants become your design palette: “All gardening is landscape painting,” said Alexander Pope.“Woody plants provide the ’bones’ for your design; perennials give a longer season of colour, texture and fill out the planting design,” says Irven.• Let your imagination run: Peruse photographs, gardens, books and catalogues.Make a wish list of things you need, as well as things you want.Experiment! PART 2: A Step-By-Step Design Process • Analyze your site: Consider “tangibles”, such as patterns of sun and shade, exposure, soil conditions, grade change, etc.Also consider “intangibles”, such as the style of the house and its relationship to the land and the neighbourhood.• Measure and draw a base plan: “An accurate base plan is the starting point for developing a sound design," says Irven.Draw a “bird’s-eye view” of your property, drawn to scale.This will represent the horizontal plane, like a floor plan, listing the outline of all buildings and the site of existing plantings.Include only what you will retain in your design.• Divide the space into "outdoor rooms”: Use tracing paper over the base plan and experiment with spatial layouts.• Develop horizontal shapes: Using tracing paper, experiment with shapes of lawn, patio and planted areas.Focus on boundaries and emphasize gentle curves.Add strong vertical elements: “We live in a 3-D world,” observes Irven.Upright elements such as trees, shrubs, pergolas and fences add depth.Include evergreens for winter interest and bird cover.•Work with specific and simple color th«n«* : For example, yellow and orange with blue, yellow with purple and wine red, and hot pinks with white, pinks with blue and gray.Use texture contrasts with ornamental grasses and sedums, ferns and hosts, epimedium and bleeding heard.Add plants to enhance the winter garden: Plant small evergreens, red or yellow twigged dogwoods or shrubs that will provide colour (i.e., Ilex vertidllata, crabapples or heathers) • A final thought: “Find pleasure in each season and every passing year," concludes Irven.“Enjoy your garden, knowing that a real garden is never finished.” •••••• Judith Irven owns and operates Outdoor Spaces Landscape Designs of Goshen (Vermont).When not designing gardens, SHE AND HER HUSBAND OPERATE A SMALL BED-AND-BREAKFAST, JUDITH’S Garden.She can be reached by phone at 802-247-4707 OR BY EMAIL at gardenbb@together.net.- Mv'wK ' .> * ' c?—:.' 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