The record, 27 décembre 2006, mercredi 27 décembre 2006

THE RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#«M0007682 The Gift ooumnv muck ra*m Santa Claus and Sherbrooke firefighter Yankk Dumas watched this child react to a Christmas gift 1 tease see mitre rm page A No room at the soup kitchen.See Page 3 Christmas Eve fire destroys Usinex By Maurice Crossfield It was anything but a Merry Christmas for the owners and employees of Usinex in Milan, with the factory completely destroyed by fire Sunday night.At about 11 p.m.firefighters were called to Maisons Usinex, on Route 214 in Milan.In all some 60 firefighters from six area volunteer fire departments came to the scene, but were unable to stop the blaze.The factory, built in 1992, was completely destroyed.Sûreté du Quebec spokesman Const.Marc Butz said the damages are estimated at about $3 million.The cause appears to have been an electrical cable running from the factory in order to power demonstrator homes located next to the plant.“The cable was apparently used to keep the homes heated and lit,” Butz said.Exactly why the cable overheated during a relatively mild Christmas Eve is not yet clear.But the damage goes even beyond that: Some 75 employees are now out of work.Usinex was founded by six brothers of the Morin family.Using kiln-dried lumber, the plant built homes and then shipped them off to customers.By al- Please see Usinex on Page 9 page 2 Wednesday, December 27, 2006 I — THF.¦¦ RECORD Home for the holidays?Consider staying home even longer than this By Marie-France Lafaille ¦ ¦ Jie Make Way for YOUth program in the Coaticook MRC is looking for 15 young graduates to offer -A.them a special gift: Exploratory Weekends! But act quickly, because the places are disappearing fast.Make Way for YOUth has kicked off its 2007 Exploratory Weekends participant recruitment campaign.Completely free, the “exploratory weekends” are aimed at countering the exodus of youth toward large urban centres and helping them to settle and integrate into the regions.These weekends are offered to 18- to 35-year-old grads or soon-to-be graduates of vocational, college or university programs.They are scheduled for Jan.27 and 28, Feb.17 and 18, and March 17 and 18.Committed people Exploratory Weekends are sure to se- duce.On the menu: visits to tourist attractions, workshops, presentations and superb meals.But the pièce de resistance is the chance to meet a multitude of passionate and committed people from the region's political, socio-economic, cultural and business environments.Participants will find out about the realities and opportunities of the Coaticook region, and will also be able to build and enlarge their network of contacts.They will get to meet and speak with employers in the region, and who knows, perhaps even find a job.A BIG PAY-OFF Across Quebec, Make Way for YOUth (Place aux jeunes) has proven itself: Over 16 years and in more than 70 MRCs, two-thirds of the participants in the Exploratory Weekends have settled in the regions! According to Claudia Beauregard, a former participant from the Haut-Saint-François MRC, Make Way for YOUth gives participants a fresh look at rural life, and explodes the myth that the regions are boring and lack dynamism.Claudia, who worked 13 years in Montreal in communications, decided to move back and start her own business in her home region.She said, “Make Way for YOUth gave me the confidence and encouragement that helped me change my life.“By choosing my MRC, I chose to be closer to my family, to live a healthier lifestyle, and to live on a more human scale, where the effects of my participation in the community are visible.” The mission of Make Way for YOUth is to stem the flow of youth away from the regions of Quebec.The main goals are to: • Prevent and halt the exodus of youth to the large urban centres; • Promote and support the social engagement of youth in rural regions; • Promote and facilitate their professional integration into the regions; • Alert youths, their friends and family, as well as the local population, to the impact of this out-migration; Keeping In Touch Townshippers’ Association • Stimulate the creation of businesses in the region.Make Way for YOUth is made possible thanks to the financial support of the Quebec government’s youth secretariat (Secretariat à la Jeunesse), the Mouvement Desjardins, and many other businesses and organizations.The Coaticook project was proposed by Townshippers’ Association, Eastern Townships CEDEC and the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi des Cantons de l’Est, and is being carried out in close collaboration with the Carrefour jeunesse-emploi de la MRC de Coaticook.If you or someone you know would be interested in participating or finding out more about this initiative, visit the Make Way for YOUth website at www.placeaux-jeunes.qc.ca, or contact Marie-France Lafaille at mfl@townshippers.qc.ca or 819-849-7014 (toll free 1-866-566-5717).Marie-France Lafaille is the Make Way for Youth/Desjardins migration agent.Townshippers’ Association is a non-partisan, NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SERVING THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS English-speaking community.Contact www.townshippers.qc.ca; ta@township-pers.qc.ca; 257 Queen, Sherbrooke (819-566-5717; 1-866-566-5717) OR 203 Principale, Cowansville (450-263-4422; 1-866-263-4422).Draw Results: 2006-12-23 i « » i < » « i m i Q4 oe m 22 23 45 01 08 2Q 45 45 49 WINNI II:.8,786 150,457 2/6+ 89,197 .PHIZES $4,269,110.00 $50,822.70 $1,407.30 $54.30 $10.00 $5.00 Total sales: $15,433,610 I Next grand prizes (approx ): $8,000,000 WINNERS 16,649 Ventes totales : PRIZES $1,000,000.00 $50,000.00 $500.00 $50.00 $5.00 $518,117.50 I EQtra 7262320* $500,000 ’decomposable in both directions Draw Results: 2006-12-22 03 06 13 31 36 4Q 45 3Z EQtra 1744341 $500,000 WINNERS PRIZES 7/7 0 $30,000,000.00 6/7+ 14 $38,779.40 6/7 298 $1,821.80 5/7 18,043 $102.30 4/7 383,831 $10.00 3/7+ 351,032 $10.00 3/7 3,205,535 free play Total sales $46,870,760 •decomposable in both directions Next grand prizes (approx.) : $32,000.000 A DRAW EVERY DAY IN DECEMBER FOR A TOYOTA HIGHLANDSR HYBRID I lir the «vent ot discrepancy between this list and the ottxiai winning lis! ol Loro Qneher, the letter shaH prevail PLACE AUX JEUNES LES SOURCES The 15 participants from 2006 in the MRC Les Sources.Two-thirds of them chose to settle in the MRC after participating in the Exploratory Weekends.Weather Today; Cloudy with sunny periods and 60 per cent chance of flurries.High minus 4.Thursday: Sunny.Low minus 16.High minus 10.Friday: Sunny.Low minus 22.High minus 10.Saturday; Sunny.Low minus 18.High minus 1.Ben by Daniel Shelton J thank you for Y jpi \JHE PICTURE FRAMER f GUIS!.WE'RE CMlUGWldA l FOUR-PHOTO V^FRAME.y j WmfaFlLlï/ ^ A 0) A IN EACH X FRAME, A PHOTO >| OF ONE OF TOUR 0RANRS0NS, EXCEPT F0R0NE.WELÊFTIT PUNK.PONT >OU VVÜNPERWMY?' /you WANT USTOFUTA PICTURE OF 0UR5OVES, x RK5HTT .I THINK I KNOW WHY", NOOCXXfe JtECORD; Wednesday, December 27.2006 page 3 the blues?No room at the urn Depression spikes right after Christmas By Brion Robinson Sherbrooke This time of the year it’s not uncommon to be greeted with a “happy holidays”, but for many it’s anything but a holly jolly Christmas.Late December and early January can bring on feelings of loneliness and depression for many people, said Dr.Pierre Beauséjour, a psychiatrist at the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke’s adult mental health clinic.This is when researchers say the “seasonal spike" occurs in the number of calls to employee-assistance programs (EAPs) around depression, stress, substance abuse and violence, according to a study released by HAP firm Warren Shepell.Recent data compiled from about 200,000 employee case files across Canada showed a 50 per cent increase in the number of calls to access GAP help, such as mental-health services, from December to January.“There’s usually a spike right after Christmas,” Beauséjour said, noting it’s possible fewer people visit the clinic during this period because they’re spending time with family and friends.“Many may just want to get through Christmas,” he said.Beauséjour said mental health clinics are a good barometer of the mental health problems people are facing this time of the year.“Usually the ones coming in have depression-related problems,” he said.“A person that’s normally open will start to withdraw.” His clinic has 26 psychiatrist nurses and other staff, he said, adding they treat a variety of mental illness from bi-polar conditions to schizophrenia.The clinic receives patients from 18 to 100 years of age, and Beauséjour said referrals are almost evenly split between men and women.“We get eight to nine new referrals every day,” he said.People suffering from mental illness tend to spend more time alone, the doctor said, adding that family members need to reach out to them."If you’re interacting with other people you get a better sense of who you are," he explained.The doctor noted some lonely people turn on the radio or television to fill the social void, “but the best thing to have around is a real person.” Others turn to drugs and alcohol, a popular holiday activity Beauséjour doesn’t recommend.“Drugs and alcohol are depressants,” he said, noting their jolly effects wear off quickly and then the blues kick in.People who have been holding back depressive emotions may lose control after consuming too much alcohol, he added.“We all need time by ourselves." said Beauséjour.“But we also need time with others.“1 think the key is not to isolate yourself." For more information call the CHUS at 819-346-1110.Or check the phone book for your local CLSC number.Cent raide Thanks DAVID ANDERSON fust week at a small ceremony in Waterloo, Y von lessard, the Richelieu-Yamaska Centraide representative, handed out certificates thanking people for their hard work in fundraising.Waterloo donated an overage of $90 per employee (Mayor Pascal Russell is pictured at left).Also thanked were Centre d'action bénévole Waterloo director general Josée Archambault, as were Daniel Rondeau and Dominique Cabana, representing the Matson des jeunes de Waterloo.Melanie Malouin of the local Home Hardware store also received an award; her staff donated an average $X3 per employee to the fund.soup kitchen Space all booked up By Brion Robinson Sherbrooke The Gstrie region’s soup kitchens welcomed dozens of hungry people Dec.25 with a hot turkey suppers but many were sent home with empty stomachs "We had to turn some |hhv pie away Dec.25 because we didn't have enough space for everyone.” said François Lemieux, of la Chaudronnée de I'Gstne soup kitchen.Lemieux said there was lots of food But there was only enough room to feed about 80 people that night, he said, noting those who didn't reserve their place ahead of time weren't permitted inside.“People have to book their spot," Lemieux said Reservations open in early December and are usually tilled within three days He said those who were turned away may have found a meal with other social groups and churches in the city, such as the Salvation Army or the Grande Table Inc.Representatives of those organizations couldn't be reached for com ment Tuesday.The Chaudronnée soup kitchen, which has been oper.it ingon Bowen Street for years, serves breakfasts and dinners to some of the city’s most impoverished residents.Each meal costs $2.In 2003, the soup kitchen served some 30,000 people and many expect those numbers to rise by the thousands every year.rhe facility also provides services to help people find jobs and live more independently.Iemieux, who has been working at the soup kitchen lor four years, said most of the people who show for the supper are men who are alone.“About 75 per cent of our clientele are men," he said.The soup kitchen will be open throughout the holidays, but will be closed Monday, Jan.1.Almost half of Canadians, 49 percent, say they are just one or two missed pay cheques from being poor, act oi ding to information gathered by the Environics rescan.h firm in November.The firm, which interviewed 2.021 adult Canadians by telephone, considered the accuracy of the |Hill to be within 2.2 percentage points.The interviews also indicated that about two-thirds of Canadians (65 per cent) believe that most people have not benefited from Canada's economu growth and that benefits have mostly gone to the very rich brvbimon&shcrbrookvrt'i ord.com RECORD Yves Robert Advertising Consultant Sherbrooke - Magog - Stanslcad Tel.: 819-569-9515 • 8WM63-9525 email: production@sherbrookerecord.com V.-.________.BIRD VIIR OWN INTERNET BUSINESS • fcpir og •occ«*«fui ! g»v»n by Don«ttf Coyg«n f uq h»rth)« th# »*ough ill th# ifipi ''••did lo utiii md optriii • AH#r 10 you « »»»v# ynfh your own new Internet bueinett or your much improved existing business Course detail*: www.coggan.com/bromont Information Video: www.coggan.com/vidao Thst covfM I* oft*rs»d through l oflh* 0zomor»i *trtt»« branch*»* »nd partner in »f*fr»pr»r»»uriHip page 4 Wednesday, December 27, 2006 * i.mTHKmi RECORD Giving Santa a helping hand Sherbrooke firefighter Michel Valade was just one of the dozens of volunteers braving the rain while loading up delivery vehicles with toys for children.For the 66th year, Sherbrooke firefighters distributed toys for Christmas.The anticipation by more than 100 volunteers of seeing the joy on the faces of the children receiving gifts couldn’t stop the rain from falling outside, but it did warm the hearts of the participants.More than 40 donated vehicles formed a parade on Saturday along King Street be- tween Jacques Cartier Boulevard and 13th Avenue, delivering toys to almost 800 children in the Sherbrooke area.Photographs by Bruce Porter.Volunteers busily emptied the basement of Sherbrooke fire station #2 so that volunteers outside wouldn’t have to stay out in the rain am longer than necessary.-— NOTICE TO ALL SUBSCRIBERS H A P P Y H 0 im 1 D A Y S J S" HOLIDAY SCHEDULE December 11th to January 3rd Due to the rush during this time of year, should you be planning any changes to your subscription during this period (ex.: temporary stop, restart, address change, etc.), please let us know at least one week prior to the date of the change.Thank you! .the* RECORD .— •»—«> mm—- 819-569-9528 ¦mNP Sherbrooke firefighters Yanick Dumas and Gilles Feriand, supervised by Santa Gaus himself, helped the Beaulieu children open their boxes of gifts. h» TH» win » RECORD Wednesday, December 27, 2006 page 5 Bruis Sherbrooke garbage pickup Because of the holidays, the City of Sherbooke has pushed back garbage and recycling pickup.Pickups normally scheduled for Monday, Dec.25 and Monday, Jan.1 will instead be collected the following Friday — Dec.29 and Jan.5.Municipal offices will be closed through Tuesday, Jan.2.But Hydro-Sherbrooke has different hours.Its offices will be open today, Wednesday, as well as Dec.28 and 29, from 9 a.m.to noon, and again from 1 to 4 p.m.The offices will be closed Jan.1 and Jan.2.The Eva-Sénécal library will close at 3 p.m.on Sunday, Dec.31.It will also be closed Jan.1 and Jan.2.The ticket outlet at the Palais des sports Léopold-Drolet will be closed through Jan.2, although tickets will be available to Dec.30 for the bantam hockey tourney (see page 14).Skating rinks?The City of Sherbrooke has issued a press release about municipally-run skating rinks.“Outdoor rinks are obviously not yet open, but the city wishes to inform residents that employees are working on it.” The rinks are being watered at night, and staff are hoping that a cold spell will mean the rinks could soon open.“Skating fans must be patient as we wait for Mother Nature to cooperate.” Accused robber nabbed The Sûreté du Québec is crediting tipsters using the Info Crime line for catching a man suspected of robbing a corner store in Compton.On Nov.28 a man armed with a knife entered the Relais du Domaine and demanded the contents of the cash.He then fled.Looking to move the investigation forward, the Coaticook detachment of the SQ released information about the robbery to the public.That in turn generated information via the popular crime prevention line (where all calls are anonymous and confidential).On Dec.20, Michael Nadeau, 18, was arrested in Drummondville aboard a car.He put up no resistance and was brought in by police.He was also wanted on no less than seven arrest warrants, some for similar crimes to the Compton robbery.Nadeau appeared in court in Sherbrooke the following day, where he was charged with armed robbery and breaking the conditions of his bail.If you have any information about any crime, you can call the Info Crime line at 1-800-711-1800.Callers are given a file number which can be used to help collect a reward for the arrest and successful prosecution of the person who committed the crime.Effective January 1, your burden will be lighter.Effective January 1.2007, tax cuts of more than $800 million will lower the tax burden of Quebecers, in particular by: Increasing the deduction for workers from $500 to $1000, for tax savings of $288 million.Indexing the tax system, and thus reducing taxes by $340 million for all taxpayers.Reducing taxes for retired couples by $106 million.Improving the tax credit for maintaining an older person at home by a total of $74 million.2006 was a crucial year for Québec, fight control of public finances, the new Generations Fund created to reduce the debt and the upgrade to Quebec's cretiR rating are achievements we can all be proud of Together, we can enter 2007 with confidence.Québec a page 6 Wednesday, December 27, 2006 • mTHE — RECORD Community Forum REUF 4 TA* I AS»* wre/HEs ^ * i,w, Wtmr t Q +p •• • t oa^leeartoons com Tell us what you’re rrf imiiKiri The Record welcomes letters to the editor.By e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com By fax: 819-569-3945 or 450-243-5155 By post: 1195 Galt E„ Sherbrooke, JIG 1Y7 RECORD P.0 Box t200ShrrbrookeJlH 516 or 1195 Gilt E, Shertxrooke JIG 1Ï7 Fax: 8195693945 e-mail: nows iwm^sherixrookerecord com Website: »w*shf rbrookf rfcordram Randy Kinnkar Publisher .(819) 5699511 Eleanor Brown Editor .(819) 569*345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.(819) 5699931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 5699931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 569-4856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting Advertising Circulation Newsroom Knowlton office 88-A Lakeside.Knowlton.Quebec.JOE 1V0 Tel: (480) 242-1188 Fax: (450) 243 5155 (819) 5699511 (819) 5699525 (819) 5699528 (819) 5696345 MAIL SUBSCRIPTIONS GST PST TOTAL Canada: i year 120.00 720 954 S136.74 6 MONTHS 63 00 3 78 5.01 $71.79 3 MONTHS 32.00 192 254 $36.46 Out of Quriw residfnts do not mduiif PST Rotes for other services available on request.The Record is published daily Monday to Friday Back copies ofTbe Record are available The Reconi 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 Alta Newspaper Group Limited Partnership PM#0040007682 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to The Record.1195 Galt East.Sherbrooke.QC JIG 1Y7 Member ABC, CARD, CNA, QCNA vvv\v\vvc * ^ Letter to the Editor Did Irish monks got here first?Dear editor Those who, for many years, have followed my research in archaeology know very well that the Establishment is scandalized when I propose that the Americas witnessed European settlers long before Christopher Columbus’ celebrated voyage of 1492.Skeptics will be confounded! When I recently visited research colleagues in the state of Maine, 1 had the great pleasure of receiving a real Christmas gift: I was given a copy of the autographed Account of the International Catholic Scientific Congress held in Paris in April 1891.The topic of one of the speakers, Dr.Luka Jelic, was The Evangelization of America before Christopher Columbus.This 11-page document is outstanding.Dr.Jelic did not limit himself to the myths and legends of his time concerning pre-Columbian America, but searched into very ancient documents such as manuscripts, world maps and the Vatican Archives.Dr.Jelic put forward that the evangelization of the New World went as far back as around the year 500 of our era when Irish monks, led by Saint Brendan, crossed the Atlantic and spent time in these new lands.Later, beginning in the 10th century, the Vikings’ sagas tell of the Christian faith established not only in Greenland but also in the American Northeast including Labrador, the Maritime provinces and New England, then known as Vinland.At that time, all of these lands were under the diocese of Gardar located in Greenland.In the year 1050, the Saxon Bishop Jonus went to Vinland as a missionary where Norsemen had settled.Later on, in 1121, the Irish Bishop Eric-Upsi pursued evangelization there and his preaching was very fruitful.In addition, around 1390.Antonio Zeno reported the discovery of Latin books in Vinland.Another proof of the Catholic pre-Columbian worship in North America came from Father Christian Le Clerc, a French missionary in the Gaspé and Acadia territories beginning in 1675.He reported that all the “indigenous savages” (then called Porte-Croix or cross-bearers) who he encountered, held traditions based on the Bible, knew a prayer similar to ‘Our Father’ and expressed a great respect for the cross that was present in all walks of life.According to him, these religious traditions originated from missionaries who worshipped in these countries long before he did.The evangelization occurred at the time of the Crusades led by the Vatican wishing to reconquer the Holy Land.To finance these wars with the participation of the Knights Templar, the Pope needed a lot of money and heavily taxed all of his dioceses, including the far reaching ones in North America.Worshippers had to pay in cash or with goods.Accordingly, one finds in the Vatican Archives for the year 1307, tithes paid with goods from Vinland.These could have been either seal or walrus teeth, fish, copper or iron ore, or timber.These Catholic missions in the New World support the evidence of well established colonies and it is certain that the Knights Templar, founded in Jerusalem in 1118, contributed to this endeavour.These settlements flourished for years but vanished.Why and how?Dramatic cooling of the North Atlantic climate?The suppression of the Knights Templar in 1312?The Black Plague?Hostilities with Indians?Abandonment by the home countries?Probably a little of all that.More details in a book in preparation.I have summarized here the efforts of evangelization of the New World centuries long before Christopher Columbus’ voyage in 1492.Even though the history and archaeology Establishment refuses to admit a pre-Columbian European presence in the Americas, Dr.Jelic’s paper clearly confirms it.He added a new convincing argument in the file of the innumerable unexplained stone works which various researchers have described in the American Northeast.This is a presence that 1 have personally documented in Potton Township and elsewhere in the Eastern Townships.Gérard Leduc Potton Township THE RECORD Wednesday, December 27, 2006 page 7 *0n approved credit.Excludes items in Rob McIntosh China and Crystal Shops in selected Sears stores, purchases from Licensed Departments and items in our Toronto Street Shops.Jewellery & watches not available in all stores.While quantities last.Selection will vary by store.Offer valid at Sears Department stores only.“ * D/601 Furniture Shop; excludes baby furniture in Sears Department stores Sale prices start Tues., Dec.26, and end Mon., Jan.l, 2007, where open, unless otherwise stated.while quantities last.Some items may have been on sale during the past week.Personal shopping only.Good life.Great price After Christmas Specials! Sale prices start Tuesday, December 26,2006, and end Monday January \ 2007 where open, unless otherwise stated Plus everyday good values ' ' msm :j| 0ms ¦ ; .\*»***iw: 42" RCA HD PLASMA TV SAVE $500 Sears reg.1999.99.1499" #15925 lïJî'tîî Hot exactly as shown Plasma TVs on sale Use your Sears Card or Sears® MasterCard® and ^ save an extra 35 off the already-reduced clearance prices of women's fashions, men's fashions, kids' fashions, footwear, luggage, women's intimates, hosiery & accessories, jewellery & watches, housewares and bed & bath items All furniture** & sleep sets up to 400/° off! Sale prices end Friday, January 6 2007 SAVE 10°° on all national brand major appliances Sale prices end Sunday, December 31,2006, where open KitchenAkf Amana LG Frigidaire* GE Bosch' Jem-Air’ Whirlpool' KitchenAid: «Registered Tredemark of KitchenAid USA.XitchenArd Canoda licensee in Cinedt Whirlpool «Registered tride merk/IM Irede mark ol Whirlpool.USA whirlpool Cootdo loc .lire» sot to Conade page 8 Wednesday, December 27, 2006 ¦ • • ¦ IMlll P* m : ¦ .¦" 1 11 in—THE ¦!! 1 "" .___.RECORD m No ocean liner for us COURTESY Port Canaveral from the deck of the casino ship; our columnist played the 5 cent slots.Playing the slots on a tugboat’s spawn Yesterday, we took our first cruise of the season.I’m not talking about one of the magnificent ocean liners that sail out of Fort Lauderdale or Miami.Ours was a puny five-deck, 308-feet long boat that looked more like a cross between a tugboat and ferry.Here in Florida they call them casino cruise ships.From the inside, however, there was no way you could mistake her mission.Her 65-feet wide decks were equipped with rows and rows of bright colourful slot machines and game tables that included every game from blackjack to Caribbean stud poker.Instead of the usual long-in-advance reservation, a simple telephone call to the casino cruise line office is all that was required.After selecting the closest port, we were told a bus would pick us up at a nearby big-box store at 8:15 a.m.Had pur RV park’s local travel agent been able to find a sufficient number of interested residents, a deluxe bus , Henry R.Keyserlingk would have picked us up practically at our door at for the modest sum of $15 (“includes five hours of gambling, hot buffet $7 value and $10 in coins to start you gambling”).Just as we had been promised, a large luxurious bus pulled into the store parking lot and whisked us — within an hour and a half — to Port Canaveral, where the Sun Cruz XII was docked.The passengers seemed equally divided between both sexes and all were over 60.Very few projected a high-roller image.Like ourselves, most just wanted to have some fun and excitement.There were also a few who looked as if they’d gone through difficult times and were hoping to hit a jackpot.nfe to your donations FOND \TI0N ^tas ena6fe(f Cff’VS to purchase new equipment Centre hospitalier UNIVFRMTAIRP DE ShPRRROOKF Three microscopes Pathology at a cost of $20,000 The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, has equipped itself with three microscopes used by the pathology department.They allow magnifying the images between 40 and 600 times.This then allows the pathologist and residents in pathology to see and interpret the cells found on the slides.They allow users to establish a precise diagnostic in order for the surgeons to choose the appropriate course of treatment.Fondation du CHUS.580 Bowen Street S, Sherbrooke QC JtG 2E8 / (819) 820-6450 - 1-866-820-6450 '.foodftdonchut.org Proud to contribute for the better heallhol our community1 Iverythinq starts with trust dig PROMUTUEL And talk about cheap entertainment — not only was the transportation free, but the 100-mile trip provided a glimpse of the pleasant side of inland Florida.From Leesburg (where we picked up a half dozen gamblers) to Orlando, we were surprised by the gentle rolling terrain, lush parcels of land and occasional lakes.Boarding the ship was no big deal even though Port Canaveral is reputed to be one of busiest cruise ports in the United States.After showing our ID and going through the standard metal detector, we were met by a diminutivelooking captain in plain clothes who welcomed us aboard.For sailing aficionados turned RV landlubbers like ourselves, the five-hour cruise was a truly a pleasant change.At the same time it allowed us to see Port Canaveral from the Atlantic ocean along with Jetty Park (where we’ll be spending a week in February).After meeting a nice couple from St.Albans, Vermont, we spent a good two hours on the outside deck, sharing our respective sailing experiences on Lake Champlain while enjoying the sight of a pod of frolicking dolphins.No doubt to discourage the passengers from spending too much time away from the slots and gaming tables, the sitting arrangements were limited to old and uncomfortable plastic seats.As for the entertainment, there were two lone guitar players performing country classics, one on deck one, the other on five.But who's complaining — it was all free! During the two hours I played the five- and 25-cent slots, I actually made a few bucks, enough to easily offset my spouse Madeleine’s minor losses.There is something to be said about winning 1,000 five-cent credits while the ship is seesawing over large swells.As a further surprise, upon updating our Player’s Club card, we were given a $20 cash coupon for our next cruise.This wasn’t our first casino cruise Please see Casino on Page 9 i— »M» — RECORD Wednrsday, December 27, 2006 pace 9 that went nowhere.Neither will it be our last.The Florida casino industry has a variety of boats in operation ranging from the smallest in Key Largo (that carries 149 passengers) to the largest in Port Canaveral (which can cope with 1,800).Twice a day they sail the three miles into international waters, beyond the reach of the state’s anti-gambling laws.From the west coast, the boats travel nine miles out into the Gulf of Mexico.If we included a casino theme in this year’s trip through Florida, it wasn’t accidental.It all started when we decided to tack on a four-day cruise to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral and then changed our mind.We figured that since we were traveling on both coasts, why not use the fare on a dozen or so casino cruises?Would it be worth it?Without turning our odyssey into a gambling road trip, at worse we would have 12 days of fun and excitement to lose our money.Had we decided to spend it at Disney, two days would have been our max.At last count there were 10 ports offering casino cruises and except for Key Largo and Port Everglades, they all are on our winter circuit.The ports include Hollywood, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, Port Canaveral, Miami, Daytona Beach and Madeira Beach.Depending on the ship, port and agenda, this gives us some 80 cruise operations to choose from.The costs vary from free to a $5 boarding fee.Some ships charge up to $7 for the meal, while others offer a free all-day snack buffet, free coffee and soda, and free drinks to players.If time and location permit, we might even try our luck at a few land-based casinos, especially the ones which provide camping facilities.If I used the word “few”, it is mainly because gambling in Florida is also legal at Indian casinos, Greyhound dog tracks and horse racing tracks.On our way to Fort de Soto we plan to stop at the glitzy Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa.As for the one in Hollywood which has a 12-storey Mediterranean style hotel tower, it is on our list of definite stopovers, seeing as it allows overnight RV parking.One thing is certain, if we decide to stop off at all of Florida's 137 casinos and pari-mutuel facilities, we ll need a few extra months along with a loaded Brink’s security truck in tow.James Meat & Fish Market 135 Queen.Lennoxville 569-1 151 •cVmy PUnxtMM «(• ,9vÀr $nr! SALMON FILLETS 199 $89 COOKED ROAST BEEF PRIME RIB ROAST IWtll Aavni MEAT PIE FILLING s2i9 New tall hours closed Sundays Thur.-Fri.: 9-8 ¦Hi MARlNAHt) NEW YORK STEAKS SC 00 /*•- Mon Wed M Sat.9-5 74e Ultramar team and et uvuf eoeirm and c0& \4Cthb www.comics.com © 2006 by NEA, Inc Herman 12-27 O ». Mqmatcmai Inc-v'tX Unedes trian but practical approach.The contract rated to be .it worst on a finesse.The original declarer thought that West, because he led quickly, could see what he thought was a second defensive trick, lliis could In* only the spade king So South laid down his spade ace and conceded down one when West discarded.In general I approve of following one’s feelings, but not when they go so against the odds.The chance that West will have a singleton spade king is only 13 percent.East will have the spade king SO percent of the time, nearly four times more often.Declarer should have taken the spade finesse (twice, when the 3-0 split comes to light) and made Ins slam CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Paid player 4 Rugby formation 9 Sufficient 14 Debtor’s letters 15 “Common Sense” writer 16 Reveals 17 Dissension at the NCAA?20 Move upward 21 Microsoft man 22 Golf props 23 Maps in maps 26 Sort 29 Harris and McMahon 30 Cuts and splices 31 Emmy winner Falco 32 Quench Tuesday's Puzzle Solved 33 Basketball formation Dm da 41 Magic word 35 Dissension at the WBA?25 Long-time Yankee skipper 42 Barbeque sites, often 38 With 10D, Rosalind Russell 27 Describes the length of a fish?43 Masonic doorkeepers movie 28 Author Kesey 44 Fideles" 39 Merchandise 30 Sell designation 46 Singer fr*onard 40 Crimson and scarlet 31 Goes astray 47 Mil.morale grp 41 Gardner’s Mason 32 Some NCOs 48 Q-U connectors 42 School org.33 Fencing 50 In the past 45 Worldwide worker’s grp.34 Buffalo Rill 52 kleine Nachftnusik 46 Twisted into ringlets 35 Kindling 53 Cockney aspiration 48 Incursion 36 Habitually lazy 54 Soup legume 49 Floppy 37 Writer Vidal 55 Ducats 51 Mortar's partner 38 “Exodus" role 56 Israel follower 53 57 58 59 S T L o | J A M B s | R A z E H O O P A N O U K o B E Y 1 T W A S M Y P L E A s U R E M O s Q u E EJ L E V A T O R U R S A E T A L A B L E D A R T 1 M P S Z O E W E R E S E N O R A 1 w A S H A P P Y T O D O 1 T D E F C O N E V E N L O B E N Y A P L E A W A R Y R 1 T A S M E E S E A F R O N T 1 N T A K E 1 T W A S N T A P R O B L E M N A R c ft E R A T o 1 A D A M S T Y * D Y L A * " O N A (ClZOOeTitaana IMk SarvicM.Inc.1VZ7/W Dissension at the USGA?Old pieces of a pound Colossus Food scrap 60 Consumed 61 Kind of daisy 62 Compass dir.DOWN 1 Buccaneer 2 Awakened 3 Pound parts 4 Twirl 5 Office seeker 6 Fix a roulette wheel?7 Actress Merkel 8 Comes together 9 Is adjacent to 10 See 38A 11 Acted as chair 12 Writer Deighton 13 D.C hours 18 Old video game initials 19 Gangster's gun 24 Formula One driver 1 ?H 14 1 17 ?0 22 ?9 l?i H» t 10 11 13 r S3 54 57 ?0 J |«< By Philip J.Anderson 12/77/0* page 20 Wednesday, December 27, 2006 ——1 i ' ' ——— - —THE —i mmmm—mmmmmmmmmmmm—m—mm—mm RECORD Make your home less inviting Dear Annie: Dur- T\/to|1V|OY *nvitinS- ing the past year, *¦ a lTlallUUA Dear Annie: I am the mother and 92 years old.I was stepfather of some friends moved into a home that is just a couple of houses away from us.My husband and I have known these two for some years.In the past, we’ve chosen to avoid our friends’ parents as they both are drunks and the husband talks nonstop and has roaming hands.Unfortunately, my husband and I have become their favorite neighbors, and they often come over in the early evening to chat.They rarely leave, even when we tell them we have to eat dinner.They will tell us, “Go ahead.We’ll entertain ourselves,” which they do with the booze they brought.Sometimes I sense they are snooping around while out of our line of sight, so I often invite them to eat with us so we can keep an eye on them.Annie, the man creeps me out.While he can be very funny, he only talks about what he owns and who he knows.But the worst part is he always positions himself near me and finds some reason to squeeze past me in tight corners.He is very quick to brush off any crumb that appears on my blouse.The wife is totally oblivious to what is going on.I have discussed this with my husband, and we don’t know how to avoid this couple.Even telling them we don’t have time to visit doesn’t deter them.If we close the door or walk away, they say they’ll be back later.And they are.Should I talk to our friends and ask for help with their parents?— Can’t Stand Our Neighbors in Nuevo, Calif.Dear Nuevo: We doubt your friends can help.You must be more direct.Tell your intrusive neighbors that you need time to unwind when you get home and you cannot have visitors.Every single time they pop in unexpectedly, tell them it’s inconvenient and close the door.If you do it consistently, they will find their entertainment elsewhere.And if the husband gets too friendly, say in a loud voice, "Please keep your hands off me." In order for them to leave you alone, you must make your home less married to the most wonderful man for 70 years.We adored each other.A year ago, he began to have problems walking.Then came the cane, the walker and, just before he died, four months in a wheelchair.Every night I walked the floor crying, knowing he would soon be leaving me.A month before he died, he was in and out of a coma.Brokenhearted, I was forced to send him to a nursing home.I visited him every day from morning until night.When he died in my arms, 1 was crying, yet I had this overwhelming wave of relief.How could I be relieved when I loved him so much?I cry every time I think of him and am consumed with guilt.Please help me.— Suffering in Florida Dear Suffering: The relief you feel is normal.Your husband’s death ended both his suffering and your anguish over his impending loss.It has nothing to do with the depth of your love and devotion.Please consider some grief counseling.The nursing home should be able to recommend someone.Dear Annie: This is for “Had Enough,” whose friend, “Bob,” is grossly overweight and wrecks the chairs.Chances are.Bob already knows he damages the furniture, so I think it’s time “Had Enough" invested in folding camp chairs.My husband and I are big people, and one year at a local fair, we found someone selling camp chairs that hold up to 500 pounds.She can bring them out when Bob visits and put them away after.She is not being rude to request that Bob sit in those chairs.It’s HER house.And it may be a relief for him, too, not to end up on the floor after breaking another chair.Plus, everyone can relax and enjoy themselves.— Resting Easy Dear Resting: What a great suggestion.Thanks for passing it along.Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column.Lennoxville Golden Age Dec 5, on a sunny and crispy day, the club met upstairs for a fun afternoon Donna welcomed everyone and wished all a fun afternoon The Late Bloomer played some fine dancing music w hich many got up to dance.Dufferin Annesley read an article which brought many laughs.1 le also told a few stories.Very enjoyable.We also enjoyed a sing along.A surprise visit from Santa surprised all.I le enjoyed a dance with our president to the tune of Jingle Bells.Then gave everyone an orange.Before going down to a fabulous turkey supper Rev.Potter said grace, Donna thanked Peggy and helpers for the great meal.Supper was served 81 members.Thank you.May 1 lodge, for the festive table settings.Thanks to the UCW women for helping serve.Our past president Beulah was presented with a gift for all the hard work she had done in her term by Donna (pres.) Beulah thanked all who had helped her during her term.Wishing everyone Merry Christmas and 1 lappy New Year.In closing Donna reminded everyone the next meeting, January 9, 2007 and extended her wishes.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and good health.Submitted by Maryaret l mtinner mountain Fun NTJOYE .Are you dreaming of a white Xmas?Come to Montjoye ! We've got plenty of snow, so get out of the city for some fresh air.Come down to the mountain and see what we’ve prepared for you with our snow cannons! Join us in these activities HOLIDAY CAMPS DECEMBER «57, ES S> 33 ÉIMERQIE 106.1 SNOW BAU DECEMBER 30 EXTREME CAMPS DECEMBER HD TO JANUARY 3 Centre fWcréotourètique MONTJOYE www.mont joy e.qc.ca STS SHUTTLE OIM FRIDAYS SHERBROOKE O MONTJOYE www.montjoye.qc.c Voup An Unforgettable Holiday Experience!