The record, 17 mai 2000, Supplément 1

Brome County NEW wÊÊÊÊ Wednesday, May 17, 2000 ROÇH TLR VALUERES INC.450-242-2544 Specialized General Contractor Excavation, hydraulic rock breaker, demolition, foundation, septic system, drainage, artificial ponds all sizes, public and private roads, landshaping, aggregate, top soil, field stone, bulk transport.The Largest Circulation Weekly in Brome—Missisquoi Alvin Law delivers message of hope to Massey-Vanier teens CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT Saskatchewan native Alvin Law addressed an assembly of Massey-Vanier students about the importance of attitude.His message, delivered in a rapid-fire monologue of anecdotes, personal observations and energetic demonstrations, riveted the teenage audience.‘Imagine bringing home a baby like me’ By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent Cowansville Alvin Law is one of Canada’s most popular speakers, delivering over 175 talks per year to audiences in the U.S., Canada and abroad.Financial planner Richard McCaw heard Law speak and consequently teamed up with local businessmen Douglas Johnston, Pierre Foisy and Hardy Craft to bring him to Cowansville for two speaking engagements.Last Friday, the Saskatchewan native addressed an assembly of Massey-Vanier students about the importance of attitude.His message, delivered in a rapid-fire monologue of anecdotes, personal observations and energetic demonstrations, riveted the teenage audience.Physical disabilities, says Law, are not so debilitating as the psychological ones that others impose upon us and that we impose upon ourselves.No one is more qualified to make that point.A victim of the thalidomide disaster of the 1960s, Alvin Law was born with no arms.At birth, he was given last rights and his doctor secretly hoped that he would die.see law, page 5 Annual antique, crafts and bake sale this Saturday By Philip A.Godin Record Correspondent Knowlton The Brome County Historical Society will be inaugurating its 103rd season this weekend, with its annual fund-raising bake sale on the Museum grounds on Saturday May 20, followed by the antique and craft sale on Sunday.The Society has been tracking and recording the history of Brome County since 1904, and displays a wide variety of artifacts in its museum situated on the corner of Lakeside and Victoria in Knowlton.This year, visitors will be treated to an exceptional exhibit of some 20 antique teapots, some dating back to the 18th century.Of interest to many will be the a unique display which focuses on the 5,000 or so “Home Children”, often waifs or orphans, who were sent from impoverished England to Canada between 1872 and 1915 through the “Knowlton distributing Home”.A few of these children were actually adopted, most being taken into homes under work contracts.Living conditions for the working children varied considerably; some were treated like family members while others suffered abuse.The building still stands on Lakeside road, its vocation having changed drastically.Reached at the Society’s office, curator Shirley Williams explained: “We also have fascinating permanent displays such as the General Store, the Fessenden exhibit and an actual WW1 Fokker D VII aircraft among other military artifacts.There is always a lot of interest in the original Knowlton Academy High School which was initially housed from 1854 to 1897 in what is now one of the Society’s buildings.” For more information on the Museum and archives, call 243-6782.“ftfinm&cur COWANSVILLE-KNOWLTON-FARNHAM-GRANBY /gy POELERIEC.B.G, ¦ 'Tfauv aelecUtMt STORES, FIREPLACES, FURNISHINGS ETC.571 bout J.J.Bertrand.Cowansville Tel: 266-1444^^^ marché OPEN DAILY 8-10 P.M.250 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton 243-6155 WELDmTHEATRE 104 N.Main St.St.Albans, Vt.V' MAY 19™ Walt Disney's ra DINOSAUR LJ 7,8:30; Mat.Sat.S Sun.: 2 - MAY 23"° GLADIATOR 6:45 & 9:30 _ Mat.Sat.& Sun.: 2 lj ü U571 ^ Jjgjl 7; Mat: Sat., Sun.: 2 mm John Travolta in f^t7| jgjjBATTLEFIELD EARTH Starts: Itey 24.Wed: MISSION «POSSIBLE V.Coiinff SHAHGHAIHOOW SEE PAGE 3 FOR DWIVE-IH BKO>i Résidence pour les Aînés / Retirement Residence Choice of deliciously prepared meals Social activities Ùf Caring personnel 28 Mount Echo, Knowlton (450) 242-4663 y page 2 Wednesday, May 17, 2000 Brome County News Brome County Community Billboard Community Calendar May 19 The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 77, 77 Lewis St„ Waterloo will star serving their Friday Night B.B.Q.’s on Friday May 19th and every Friday after for the rest of the summer from 5 - 7 p.m.Come and join us! Everyone is welcome! May 20 Living with Mental Illness: Informative presentations and question sessions cosponsored by St.Paul’s Church and AMI-Quebec (Alliance for the Mentally 111) at St.Paul’s Church, Knowlton.Registration 9:30 a.m.Morning Session: 10 a.m.to 12.Light lunch provided, 12 - 1 p.m.Afternoon sessions, 1 - 3:30 p.m.Registration, $5 (includes lunch).Info.243-0928.Canada Day Committee will hold a Car Wash on the grounds of the Charlie Bockus Garage, 1582 du Sud, Cowansville, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.The public is invited to this fund raising activity in aid of this year’s Canada Day celebrations.Tickets: $5 and include a coupon worth $1 that can be used, at the KFC outlet, to reduce the cost of a meal taken there, valid from May 30 until June 6.Tickets may be obtained from any committee member or on the site at the car wash.May 20 & 22 Flea Market at the Knowlton United Church, 234 Knowlton Rd., Knowlton, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.Tables, $15.Donations gratefully accepted.May 21 Royal Canadian Legion, branch #82, Philipsburg will hold a Chicken & Biscuits and dessert Supper from 5 - 7 p.m.Admission: $7 taxes included.All welcome.Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #158, ‘Western Breakfast, All You Can Eat at 2 Curley St., Sutton, 10 a.m.- 1 p.m.Admission: $5 per person, children under 10, $2.50.May 23 Brome Lake Aquatic Program.Red Cross and Lifesaving Society water safety and swimming courses for all ages: parent-tot, children, adults.Includes swim team.Bronze Médaillon, Bronze Cross, Leader and Instructor.Courses begin end of June at Douglas Beach.Registration, 4 -6:30 p.m.Call Brome Lake Community Centre for more information at 243-6912.General Meeting Of The Ladies Auxilliary of The Royal Canadian Legion at The Royal Canadian Legion, 120 Davignon St., Cowansville at 7:30 p.m.All Members are asked to attend.Gloria Poll-Stott, President.May 24 The Royal Canadian Legion.77 Lewis St., Waterloo will serve an Old-time Country Breakfast, 8 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.$4.50 adults, $2 children under 10 yrs.Live entertainment with Norm and Vel.Come and join in the fun! Everyone Welcome! May 26 & 27 Rummage Sale at St.Paul’s Anglican Church, Knowlton.Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 -11 a.m.Please bring donations on Thursday, May 25.May 27 P.RR.P.Abercom Annual Flea Market and Mini Auction at 11 Church St., W„ Abercorn, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.Auction starts at 10 a.m.Many local ventors.Bag sale of used clothing, large raffle, jams, jellies, foods and crafts.Come for the day and enjoy our hospitality.ADVANCED NOTICE Grace Anglican Church, Sutton is now accepting good resaleable items for Annual Rummage/Garage Sale.Items can be dropped off at Church Hall, 52 South Main St.,Sutton, on the following Mondays, May 22, 29 between 9 a.m.and noon.Actual sale dates, June 2nd, noon to 7 p.m.; June 3rd, 8:30 a.m.- noon.Thank you, your help is always needed and much appreciated.Call 538-6623.May 27 Chanterelles, an all-women’s choral group directed by Renee Larouche presents a joint concert with Choeur Leger an 8 mix voice group from St.Constant at St.Simon’s Church, 9 rue des Eglises, Abercorn at 8 p.m.Admission: $10, adults, $5, children, 5-11 yrs.Tel.538-5636 or 538-0678 for more information.May 28 Town of Brome Lake Benefit BBQ.for Youth Activities to be held at Knowlton Pub, Knowlton sponsored by TBL Community Services from 5 - 9 p.m.Live music provided by local talent.All proceeds from BBQ.and bar sales go directly toward youth programs.Tickets available at Brome Lake Town Hall, the Legion Community Centre or through your town councillor and the members of the board of directors of Community Services.Cost: $10, adults, $6 children 12 and under.Info.242-2020.June 10 Rock n' Roll Revue 2000 A real blast from the past featuring student singers and instrumentalists from Heroes, Knowlton, Farnham and Massey Vanier Schools accompanied by the Cowansville Community Choir.Bee-Bop your way over to the Massey Vanier Auditorium, Cowansville at 7 p.m.Put your glad rags on and your blue suade shoes.Bring your bucks to the door and loose your blues.Adults, $5, students, $3.Tickets sold at the door or in advance.All proceeds to local Music Departments of Knowlton Academy, Heroes Memorial, Farnham Elementary and Masser-Vanier.Please support your local school.Tel.263-3772 for more information.Arts Calendar Through May 21 Knowlton Players Tenth Anniversary Year.Think “Androcles and the Lion” is just for children?Well, think again.A family play with music in the style of Commedia dell Arte, adapted by Aurand Harris, directed by Christopher Freeman at the Knowlton Pub Playhouse.May 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20 at 8 p.m., May 14, 21 at 2 p.m.Tickets, $7, adults, $5, children under 13.Reservations 263-1061.May 20 Annual Bake Sale sponsored by Brome County Historical Society at 130 Lakeside St., Knowlton.We are open until 5 p.m.on Friday afternoon should you want to bring things in then or Sat.morning from 9 a.m.If you don’t bake perhaps you’d like to come buy.Tel.243-6782.We welcome your contribution.Parminou in collaboration with la Maison de la Culture Courvill Gerontology Foundation and local sponsors presents ‘Dare to Act’ at La Maison de la Culture, Waterloo to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Courville Geriatric Center Theatre.Tickets, $5.Reservations: Angele Ares-Ledoux (Centre Geriatrique Courville): 539-1821 Ext.228.May 20 & 21 Penguin Productions will hold Auditions for the musical ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ at Mandragore Theatre, 12a Main St., Sutton at 2 p.m.For more information call Richard Therriault at 538-8484 or 538-8194.May 21 Antique and Craft Market sponsored by Brome County Historical society on Museum Grounds, 130 Lakeside, Knowlton, 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.Tel.243-6782.Variety Show: Sunshine Theatre Productions is putting together a Variety Show of Townships talent for June 3 and 4 at Theatre Lac Brome in Knowlton.If you can sing, dance, act or tell jokes, this may be just the right venue for you.This show will be a fund-raiser for Theatre Lac Brome and for Sunshine Theatre’s next production.If you’d like to share your talent and support local theatre at the same time, please call 539-3604.Church Services ST.PAUL’S ANGLICAN CHURCH 24 St.Paul’s Road, 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.Allow us to welcome you! KNOWLTON/CREEK PASTORAL CHARGE Worship & Song by members & Rev.Burn Purdon Creek United, Foster, 9:30 a.m.Knowlton United, Knowlton, 11 a.m.Everyone welcome.PARISH OF BROME St.Aidan, Sutton Junction 1st service 2:30 p.m.& 3rd Sunday at 2 p.m.; Ascension, West Brome, all services at 9:30 a.m.; Holy Trinity, Iron Hill services on 1st, 3rd 8; 4th Sundays at 11 a.m., and 2nd at 7:30 p.m.; St.John Evangelist, Brome Village, services on 1st, 2nd 8i 3rd Sundays at 11 a.m.and 4th at 7:30 p.m.COWANSVILLE AREA PASTORAL CHARGE: Morning Worship and Sunday School at Emmanuel United Church, Cowansville, every Sunday at 10 a.m.All are welcome.TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH, COWANSVILLE invites you to worship and fellowship Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.and 10:30 a.m., 409 South St.This active little church has a nursery and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.and the youth meet once a month at The Connection.Drop in or call 263-2662.May God Bless You.The Rev.Richard Randall.GRACE ANGLICAN CHURCH SUTTON Warmly welcomes you to join us in Worship of the Lord.Service, Sundays, 10:30 a.m.at 52 Principale Sud.The Rev.Tim Smart, Rector.BEDFORD PASTORAL CHARGE invites you to come and worship with us.Stanbridge East United, Academy St.9:30 a.m.(Sunday School).Wesley United, Bedford, 51 River St., 11 a.m.(Sunday School).Mystic United, Mystic Rd., 12:30 p.m.Services are led by Rev.Brett Anningson.BAPTIST CHURCHES - Sunday Services: Mansonville Baptist, 9:30 a.m.; Olivet Baptist, Sutton, 11 a.m.All welcome.Community Notes Do you wish you could read better?Need help with basic math?Call the YAMASKA LITERACY COUNCIL.Work one-on-one with a tutor and learn at your own pace.Lessons are FREE, private and confidential.Learning can be fun so why not do something for yourself today?Call Wendy at 263-7503.Correction Please note: Mr.Pierre Beaucage of the University of Montreal, will give a presentation on Human Rights in Chiapas, Mexico on Saturday, May 27th instead of May 13th.The presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m.at Arts Sutton.As well, Julie Galipeau will talk about her upcoming trip to Guatemala with Projet Accompagnement Quebec-Guatemala.Brome County jL NEWS «Hit 88 Lakeside, Knowlton, Quebec; JOE 1V0 Tel: (430) 242-1188 / 242-6892 Fax: (450) 243-5155 Published weekly by 257 Queen St„ Li nnoxville, —— Quebec, JIM 1K7 D rr¦ "Y ¦ vn T > fax: (819) 569-3945 E-mail: fix iLV-A./r\l.J newsroom@sherbrookerccord .com websi te : www.s ho r b roo ke reeo rd.com Randy Kjnnear 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 Sunii.Mahtani Correse.Editor .800 463-9525 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.*.800 463-9525 Serge Gagnon Chile Pressman.800 463-9525 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.800 463-9525 CIRCULATION Distributed I» all Record subscribers every Wednesday as an Insert, and to all households and businesses in Abercorn, Bedford, Brigham.Brome, Bromont.Cowansville, East Farnham, Foster.Fulfard, Knowlton (Brome Lake).Sutton.Bolton Centre, West Brome.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 lest.1879) in 1905 and the Sherbrooke Gazette (est.1837) in 1908.The Record is published by UniMedia Company, a subsidiary of Hollinger Canadian Newspapers I P.SUBSCRIPriONS 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 Canadian Publications Mail Service Product Agreement No.0479675.X Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA cr ¦ Brome County News Wednesday, May 17, 2000 page 3 BCHS repairs tomb of one of E.T.’s founding fathers Gale monument restored By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent Cowansville Quebecers have been less than diligent in embracing an inclusive cultural past.In spite of this, a ' small but dedicated group of amateur and professional historians have gone far in the mission to keep the Eastern Townships’ loyalist heritage alive.The preservation of the Gale Monument is an example of a significant corner of Eastern Townships history that could easily have fallen by the wayside, were it not for the efforts of conscientious volunteers.Half-way between Bromont and Cowansville, on the forested slope of Gale Mountain stands a monument erected to Samuel Gale.An inconspicuous sign at 418 Pierre Laporte marks the meadow right-of-way secured by the Brome County Historical Society that leads up to plot.There, in a lonely but peaceful wooded spot is the final resting place of Gale, his wife, Rebecca Wells and daughter Hannah W.T.Gale.Flanked on either side by modern homes, the shady mountainside graveyard is the sole reminder of a thousand acre farm that Gale carved out of the virgin Missisquoi wilderness.In addition to managing his own homestead, Gale played a pivotal role, aiding incoming loyalist refugees seeking to rebuild their shattered lives and fortunes.Dick Eldridge, a long-time volunteer and past president of the Brome County Historical Society as well as a member of the Sir John Johnson Branch of the United Empire Loyalists, has been overseeing the restoration of the Gale monument.He noted that over the years, the historical society has acquired and maintained several significant monuments, including the Brome monument (at the corner ol Valley Road and Stagecoach Road in Brome village), the Austin monument (in Austin, Quebec) and the Collins monument (in West Brome, off Miltimore Road).“The Gale Monuments was one of the few monuments that we owned that we hadn’t done any work on,” said El- ___ dridge, speaking at the B.C.H.S.Annual General Meeting.Eldridge, who has researched the history of Gale, wrote in his historical brief that as early as 1899, B.C.H.S.secretary Ernest Taylor used Gale as proof that United Empire Loy- r .n Dick Eldridge beside the monument.alists settled in Brome, Missisquoi and Shefford Counties.According to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Samuel Gale was born 14 October 1747 in Kimpton, Hampshire, England and served as paymaster in the British Army.In or around 1770, he was appointed paymaster for the King’s armed forces in the New World.In 1791, Gale, also a trained surveyor, accepted the invitation of the chief justice of Lower Canada to become principal assistant to Surveyor General Samuel Johannes Holland.Gale’s organization of Quebec’s land records made possible the publication of the 1795 map showing land grants issued during and after the French régime and the boundaries of surveyed townships.He resigned his post in a salary dispute with Lord Dorch- CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT ester and took up the task of defending the claims of early settlers.In 1796, Gale was appointed private secretary to Lord Dorchester’s successor, Robert Prescott.In 1796, Gale returned to England where he continued to petition on behalf of the original land claimants, pointing out that of the hundreds of loyalists who had been promised land, only a handful had received land titles.Largely through his efforts, the Crown adopted a more lenient policy toward the early land claimants.Gale returned to Canada in 1804 and lived the life of a country squire on his farm until his death on June 27, 1826.Over time, the Gale farmhouse disappeared and in 1901 the B.C.H.S., then under the Honourable Warren Lynch, CONTINUED ON NEXT page ('üneUffte GALE CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT Gale cemetery sign.! DUKE, NOBLE, General Partnership Chartered Accountants Taxation, Accounting, Financial Services, Individuals and Corporations Estate Planning and Settlement, Farm Transfers Serving the Eastern Townships community for over 35 years.COWANSVILLE KNOWLTON 127 Principale St.Suite 105 339 Knowlton Rd.(450) 263-4123 (450) 243-5021 LENNOXVILLE 164-A Queen St.Suite 1 (819) 346-0333 THE SKULLS (English) Fri., Sat., Sun.: 7:00 p.m.^3 yj ROMEO DOIT MOURRIR (French) Fri., Sat., Sun.: 9 p.m, [J3~ÿj WHATEVER IT TAKES fisŸ| (English) Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs.: 7:10 p.m.HIGH FIDELITY OUI Mon., Tues., Wed., Thurs.: 9:00 p.m.MY DOG SKIP (English) CD Fri, Thurs.: 5:00 p.m.; Sat, Sun, 1:00 p.m,-3:00 p.m.From May 19"1 to May 25l" For info: 263-5900 mmem.«wM» '.G- • MATINEES « • FRI.MON.« • TUES.* • WED.* : $5.00: DRIVE-INS ARE FUN! ST.ALBANS DRIVE-IN Exit 20,1-89, St.Albans, Vt.802-524-2468 OPEN EVERY NIGHT Adults 1st at dusk ROAD TO ELDORADO PG 2nd ROAD TRIP Next Week: Gladiator in Commeoia deirArte style Adapted by Aurand Harris ¦ ’ _ Directed by Christopher Freeman May II, 12,13,18,19 & 20, 2000 8:00 PM May 14, & 21, 2000 2:00 PM Adults: $7.00 Children: $5.00 at Theatre Knowlton Pub Playhouse Reservations: (450) 263-1061 Brome County News page 4 Wednesday, May 17, 2000 The monument gradually fell into ruin - Eldrige 'ÀFIjWM ¦ ¦¦ CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT Dick Eldridge in the cemetery.CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 acquired title to the family cemetery.Three decades later, Margaret E.Stevens, writing for the Family Herald and Weekly Star, described her visit to the site: “At length, we stood by the gate of an iron paling enclosing a tiny graveyard.Rusted through years of weathering and disuse, the gate is reluctant now to admit visitors.Weeds have twined themselves in its meshes and it is with a grating protest that the gate finally swings open to allow the intruders to enter.On a base about 5-ft square are arranged in box fashion four slaps of white marble.Above these, in pyramidal shape rise four triangular slabs of gray slate stone, surmounted by a piece of gray granite, like an obelisk.” A white inscription stone read: “Here Rest Samuel Gale, Esquire, former deputy paymaster-general of His Majesty’s forces in the Southern Provinces, now the United States of America, subsequently secretary to his Excellency, the governor in council of His Majesty’s Dominion in North America, author of essays on Public Credit and other works, born We have prepared quite a sale :4; on all merchandise in store.Let us surprise you with our choice of articles at 50%!! From Saturday, May 20 to Sunday, May 28 .iutrht’f OPEN EVERY DAY '(fain DOMAINE DU PARC, COWANSVILLE 450-266-4747 Landscaping & Excavation • Sifted Top Soil • Field stone, etc.• Sewage System • Road Building • Artificial Pond • Clearing Land • Equipped with rake, V bucket 8 DITCH BUCKET William Sayers (450)248-2187 jNIBijU-j • Gracious living for retired people • Private rooms with bath • Home-cooked meals • Caring personnel on duty 24 hr./day • Doctor on call, generator emergency system, cable, TV • Delightful environment • Near central services; churches, banks, hospital, CLSC For more information call the Manager: 450-263-4404 at Kimpton, Hants, England Oct.11, 1747 O.S., died at Farnham, June 27, 1826.” Eldridge said that the monument gradually fell into ruin, collapsing onto itself.The inscription stone, in a manner reminiscent of the fate of the vault of Sir John Johnson, was removed to the B.C.H.S.for safekeeping.Official renovation of the site began in 1999.Brian Bidwell of Sutton’s Jenne Monuments, carried out the repairs, including the installation of new reinforcing straps to prevent the weight of the two tons of stone from collapsing inward.Bidwell has also reinstalled the inscription tablet.This summer, the final work on the site, including repair of its ancient iron fence and clean-up of the surrounding area, will be completed.Eldridge added a trip to the site is planned for sometime in October.That visit is intended to enable U.E.L.members, BCHS directors and trustees and interested members of the public to view the completed restoration.For more information on the visit, contact the B.C.H.S.or Arlene Royea (450) 243-6782.Cat didn’t come back A female tabby cat with long white and grey hair with a touch of brown was last seen in Sutton Junction in December of 1999.The cat also has white markings on the tips of her front paws.Missed by owner very much.Please call (450) 538-2753 if anyone knows of her whereabouts.T^ckoi 'TfCeuMtex '?uh&uxI and Serving all faiths.Townshippers serving Townshippers Denis Meunier Robert Farnam 402, Rivière.Cowansville (450) 266-6061 Brome County News Wednesday, May 17, 2000 page 5 ‘Perceptions can be all messed up’ Small Loads Large Loads BAGS also Available 292-4198 292-4231 S A\0 QHAvLi Hl I I OPS Oil SAMP GHAVtL HLl.TOPSOIL 54MD GHAVf 1 Fill TO^SOil SAND GHAVH hi, l Law: CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Within an hour of his birth, his distraught biological parents placed him up for adoption.Eventually, Jack and Hilda Law took the infant into their home, in spite of the fact that they were told that Alvin would probably die.“Could you imagine what it was to bring home a baby like me,” he asked the audience?When the baby did not die, the couple were told that the child would never be able sit up.“My mother loves to tell the story of how, one day, she was canning tomatoes and put me in a little box with my back propped against the side.I seemed to like it and she continued doing that.Two weeks later, I was sitting up myself.Can you imagine how her attitude changed from expecting nothing out of me to knowing that I could accomplish something?” Hilda’s experimentation expanded, first positioning his baby bottle on a pillow so that he could drink in his crib.Before long, Alvin had learned to pick the bottle up with his feet and feed himself.From that point on, he would be expected to participate fully in family life, be it going to a restaurant, taking out the garbage or shovelling snow.“Perceptions can be all messed up,” Law told the student body.“The moment I started using toes for fingers I ceased to have a disability.” In fact, his feet served double duty for locomotion and as a substitute for arms and hands.“Mom would give me a needle and thread and tell me to sew.Dad would bring home nuts and bolts and expect me to screw them together.” In his parents’ eyes, he was capable of doing almost anything.Yet the biggest challenge was “to compete with people who saw me as second rate,” from the principal who told his parents that there was no place for Alvin in the school for ‘normal’ kids, to the kids who refused to play with him because it was ‘uncool to play with the freak’.In spite of the fact that there was no place for a kid like Alvin on school sports teams, he dreamed of being a CFL quarterback, learning to toss a football by balancing it on his toes.He also learned to tap dance and, at his dad’s suggestion, learned to drive a car using his foot to steer and the other foot to accelerate and brake.Alvin’s most extraordinary talents, in the end, were musical but those too, got off to a rocky start when his mother brought a piano teacher home.Seeing Alvin’s disability, the teacher quickly found an excuse for why he Alvin Law jokes with using toes for fingers CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT his young audience.‘The moment I started I ceased to have a disability.’ would never be able to play.“When the piano teacher told me my toes were too short, the mistake that I made was that I listened,” he said before performing on the piano a two-foot number named in that teacher’s hon- our.As an 11-year old, he learned to play the drums from a supportive 16-year old (Unlike Ringo Starr, Law can do rolls).However, his tour de force was with the trombone: using a special prop to hold the trombone, he positioned the slide with his foot.Eventually, he became the lead chair in the Canadian All-Star Jazz Band and has won numerous competitions throughout Canada.Now married with a teenage son, Alvin Law has to contend with the competing demands of a speaking career and parenting.He has crossed all the barriers, quashed all the stereotypes.If the adult Alvin Law is wise, articulate and authentic, it is probably because the teenage Law survived the steady onslaught of prejudices beyond the imagination of the average human being.Yet he points to the tragic observation that many outwardly normal kids see themselves as without talent.Their insecurities are further reinforced by parents who have no time to foster their children’s own unique skills, by school systems too harried to address exceptions and to a consumer culture that values conformity and beauty.There is a certain amount of justice in the fact that Alvin Law, the kid who once sat alone during athletics because he was so ‘uncool’ is now a hot item on the corporate lecture circuit, the subject of a CBC documentary and a happy family man.If he has a message to the world at large it is that it is not the big events that shape a life, but the amalgam of small ones.Caring parents with positive expectations, a 16-year old who took the time to teach an 11-year old to play the drums and the clever tinkerer who built the child’s first trombone all saw Alvin Law for who he was, not for who he was not.ACCOUNTING SECRETARIAL STUDIES New programs The new vocational training programs are adapted to ”the work force requirements.I'Ve prepare specialized workers to meet the needs of the business world.A Bilingual environment; A Training in Windows 98 & Office 2000; A Power Point, Excel, Access, Word, Publisher; A Accpac, Payroll, Year-end accounting; A Business correspondence; A Using the internet, e-mail, etc.To obtain information on this course or on financial assistance programs ask for Georges Lizotte or Murielle Collin at: 450-263-7901 FULL TIME - ONE YEAR Receive your DEP certificate Duration: 1350 hours (accounting) 8:30 to 15:15 1480 hours (secretarial) 8:30 to 16:00 2000- 09-05 2001- 08-30 + (three weeks of entering the work force) $60 Starting: Finishing: Cost: ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Secondary School Diploma or the equivalent, or at least 16 years old and have earned the secondary IV credits in English, French and Mathematics; or 18 years of age and have the prerequisites.TO REGISTER BRING THE FOLLOWING: Official transcript from the MEQ Full size Birth Certificate (original) Commission scolaire 4* Vît t-Aei-Cerfo Commission scolaire EASTERN TOWNSHIPS I EASTERN TOWNSHIPS ¦ School Board Centre de l’éducation des adultes 180, rue Adélard-Godbout, Cowansville, QC, J2K 3X9 Tél.: 450-263-7901; Télécopieur: 450-263-0985 www.cea.csvdc.qc.ca Courriel: cea@csvdc.qc.ca SUTTON SATURDAY MARKET MAY 13-OCTOBER 7 IN ITS 30™ YEAR, OUR FRIENDLY MARKET ON CURLEY STREET FEATURES MAPLE PRODUCTS, GLASSWARE, JEWELLERY, BAKED GOODS, AVON, CRAFTS & SUPPLIES, TOOLS, A CANTINE PLUS MANY OTHER VENDORS.EVERYONE WELCOME SATURDAYS 8 A.M.- 3 P.M.INFORMATION: (450) 372-2176 page 6 Wednesday, May 17, 2000 Brome County N Adult Ed grads to face new challenges By Caroline Kehne Record Correspondent Cowansville Nearly 40 Adult Ed graduates had cause to celebrate Friday night.The new graduates, their families, teachers and staff of the Cowansville Adult Ed Centre packed into a banquet room of the Days Inn for the two and a half hour ceremony to recognize their accomplishments.“Some of you have completed the requirements for your Secondary School Diploma,” Centre director Walter Duszara told the audience.“Some have completed prerequisites for Vocational Education and some CEGEP.Some of you soon will be entering university.Some will be entering the workforce.” “Each of you has had to overcome numerous obstacles with courage, hard work, self-discipline and a persistent dedication to your dreams.Each of you has succeeded in completing a very significant and important phase of your education.But your journeys are far from over.In Adult Ed grads raise a fact, in a very real Paysagiste QCH Landscape Sod Irrigation systems Pesticide (certified) Tree cutting Stone walls and unistone Fertiliser program Hedge trimming (And much more) (Quality Clientele Honesty) (Qualité.Clientèle, Honnêteté) Tourbe Irrigation Insecticide (certifié) Émondage Mur de pierre et pavé-uni Programme de fertilisation Taille de haies (et plus encore.) FREE ESTIMATE - ESTIMATION GRADUITE 288, Spicer Rd., West Bolton, Qc Toll Free 1-877-362-4233 0ffice:(450) 242-4233 Cell: (450) 531-8811 Email: qchland@bigfoot.com toast.sense, they have only just begun.” Guest speaker Sally Meyer described to the audience her experience of juggling the pressures of a new marriage, blended family and return to school to the departing graduates.Teachers Kathy Childs, Barbara Cahill and Sheila GOLF INVERNESS GOLF -A.Discover the Scottish tradition SPRING SPECIAL FOUR PLAYERS & TWO GAS CARTS* FOR $100 Taxes included This offer is valid: 1) From Monday to Thursday only 2) Until the 15th of June 2000 3) Group of four persons only * Pending course conditions 511 Bondville Rd.(215) Lac Brome, Autoroute 10, exit 90, road 243 south and 215 south (800) 468-1595 (450) 242-1595 CAROLINE KEHNE/CORRESPONDENT Smith made presentations to each of the attending graduates, recognizing their personal contributions and strengths.Class Valedictorian Amy Woodard also gave a brief address on behalf of classmates.The next step for these grads is as varied as their makeup.Some will continue on with their current jobs and some will move on to better jobs.Others will be heading to further training, either in vocational programs, at CEGEP or to university.For others, it was fulfillment of a personal goal.For Noreen Almond, who graduated from Massey-Vanier last year and is studying biology at John Abbott in the fall, the Adult Ed program provided a chance to get the prerequisites for CEGEP entry and to raise a few key grades.“Actually, it was a pretty good experience,” concluded Almond.www.participaction.com Congrats, 2000 graduates! Secondary V Diploma recipients: Shane Brett Darren Chute Carolyn Cormier Alan Heckley Michel Michaud Todd Mullarkey Mary Rosevear Jennifer Royea Priscilla Schafer Sonia Swett Keri Lee Ten Eyck Jesse Wilson Ryan Chomiuk Jennifer Cook Samantha Duclos Maria Larivée Jason Miller Renata Pepin Jason Roy Melanie Salisbury Samantha Susée-Holmes Grant Symington Andrea Verville Amy Woodard Prerequisites for Dep: Nathalie Leavitte Jeffrey Perkins Wayne Mullarkey Prerequisites for CEGEP: Noreen Almond Sarah Campbell Ian Knowlton Wendy Sherrer Sarah Bockus Antje Czernohorsky Ben Ostiguy Prerequisites for university: Christopher Bennett Claire Heusdens Denise and Joseph Beaudry À L’ÉTAGE ANTIQUITÉS - ANTIQUES Assortment of glass and procelain - Furniture Knick-Knacks OPEN: Friday 1-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday Noon to 5 p.m.(450) 539-2303 - foster (Ville de Lac Brome) Brome County News Wednesday, May 17, 2000 page 7 Dont Miss Androcles! Letter To The Editor • ; v* j DAVID ANDHRSON/CORRFSPONDENT The Knowlton Players are wowing audiences with their production of the fable, Androcles and the Lion, by Aurand Harris.Director Chris Freeman describes the adaptation of Aesop’s fable of the slave and the lion as a play in the style of “corn-media dell arte,” a form with its roots in the mid-16th-century that satirizes politics and religion in everyday life.This form gave rise to the slapstick Punch and Judy shows that continue to amuse audiences today.“Actors often spent their entire career perfecting one of the ‘stock characters’ in the play,” said Freeman.The cast includes Roger de la Mare as Pantalone, Darken Bell as Androcles, Laura Boisvert Marsh as the Captain, Marty Carbonneau as Isebella, Julie Collins as Lelio and Jason Westover as the Lion.The community theatre troupe has been bringing family productions to Townships audiences since 1990.Tickets for Androcles and the Lion are available in advance or at the door at the Knowlton Pub Playhouse.Final evening performances will be held May 18,19 and 20 at 8 p.m.An afternoon matinee will be held on May 21 at 2 p.m.For ticket prices and advance reservations, call f450) 263-1061.Councillor demands apology Dear Editor, In reply to the letter by Mrs.M.Picard regarding, Mr.G.Swift and councillors not being fair: My decision to vote ‘No’ was based on phone calls and personal visits asking me to help put a stop to the procedure.The reference in respect to ‘retired people’ who moved here as weekenders and being ‘accepted’ is distasteful to say the least.My youth was spent in Call’s Mill area, West Brome, with my grand-parents.In 1960 with my wife and children we bought and rebuilt our home in West Brome.To give something back, I became a councillor.I have won my seat three times by acclamation.I am considered hon- stances and demand a written public apology in Brome County News.You, Mrs.Picard, will not tarnish my name or my honesty.Sincerely, George Bristol Councillor West Brome est, available hard-working.My volunteer work is with assisting BMP Hospital, O.M.H.low cost housing etc.Now, have I reached your estimation of a Townshipper and resident?Your accusation that money talks implies what! This I will not accept under any circum- iir illiams LAC MOHf MUSSELS All you can eat every Friday evening $12.95 Sunday BRUNCH 11 a.m.to 2 p.m.$18.95 BISTRO menu and Table d’hôte every evening ROOM AND MEAL PACKAGE from S159 for 2, service included 50 * off the room price, the second and the third night in week LOBSTER (16-20 ounces) & Seafood Festival Reception and meeting rooms with panoramic view, up to 100 Gift certificates available www.auberaeauilliams.com 572, ch.Lakeside, Lac Brome Rés.(450) 243-0404 1 -888-922-0404 and BACKACHE LES MAUX DE DOS A REAL EPIDEMIC! Have your back examined at the expense of Bromont Chiropractic Ctr.Offer valid until the end of May 2000 SPINAL SCREENING Pinched nerves deteriorates your health Do not ignore the alarm signals: • Migraine headaches • Low back pain • Pain in neck, arms • Sciatica shoulders • Nervousness, insomnia • Pain between shoulder • Respiratory problems blades • Fatigue and lack of energy • Numbness in feet • Otitis arthrosis.CENTRE CHIROPRATIQUE BROMONT Dr.Gilles Brunelle Dr.Louis Pierre Brunei Dr.Michael Chitaroni 103 Bromont Blvd., Bromont Pour rendez-vous, composez: 450-534-2533 for appointment 25th Anniversary Extravaganza Z Rien à paver avant will ut» •ont pay for 6 months choix de 3 couleurs -—i U IMITE a C APtPEf*- Tapis Cowansville Inc.548, Rivière.Cowansville