The record, 14 février 2007, mercredi 14 février 2007

THE RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 - ¦ ¦——————-I 75 cents + taxes PM#0040007682 Wednesday, February 14, 2007 Constant care is exhausting T burst into tears’ By Brion Robinson Magog Many Eastern Townships natural caregivers aren’t aware of their contribution to the province’s health care system and should know more about what public aid is available for them.“I’m familiar with the system and I don’t know about all the available resources,” said Nicole Guillemet, a member of the Memphrémagog Caregiver’s Network.Guillemet recently took care of her mom, who was dying of cancer.“It was six months of day and night service,” Guillemet said.Guillemet moved into her mother’s house to take care of her, and had to clean, cook the meals and provide basic medical services.Gillette said a nurse, who dropped by once a week to perform medical tests and evaluations, wasn’t enough.“I needed help at night,” she said, noting not everyone can afford full-time help.The caregivers’ group released its winter and spring activity schedule Tuesday, which includes sessions about being a caregiver and how to adjust to the new role.Members say that during the 1980s Quebec was one of the top provinces to Please see Care on Page 4 Snow, snow, snow Yl : u may want to stay home and curl up with your Record today, rather than venture out into more than 30 centimetres of snow.The weather system is moving up from the northeastern US, and will likely bring more snow in a single day than the Townships has faced in the last couple of years.Visibility will be greatly reduced by 30 to 50 km winds.The daily high temperature will reach minus 11 Celsius, but with the wind chill it will feel like minus 28 C at times.The snow will taper off Wednesday night, with some periods of snow Thursday and a chilly high of minus 15 C.In Flames ns!** : mm PERRY BEATON A garage at Scierie Hunting went up in smoke Tuesday morning.Please see our story on page 4. page 2 Wednesday, February 14, 2007 ; him THF, ni RECORD *v - «•'>1 COURTESY MICHELLE LEPITRE The 4-H BOP Team! Four Quebec 4-H members gave a presentation on Building Outstanding Partnerships (BOP) to members ofTownshippers' Association staff, board and committee members.This workshop was another step towards stimulating youth engagement within Townshippers’ Association and the English-speaking community.Pictured are Angie Neal, Gillian MacDougall, Tyler McCann (president of Quebec 4-H) and Jenna Soesbergen.Voulez-vous tester your French avec moi?You can by reading ceci Are you really bilingual?How can you tell?The Public Service Commission of Canada can.Find out how.Townshippers’ Association is hosting a free workshop by the Public Service Commission, given by Kevin Chung and Christian McIntyre, on the federal government’s recruitment process and second language requirements (written and oral).The government of Canada offers a wide array of careers across many diverse fields.Many have second-language requirements.In the interview process, candidates are asked to undergo a written and/or oral examination.The very thought of that can be extremely stressful, but if you already have a handle on the way the government defines “fluency,” and you already have a good idea of your own level of bilingualism, the stress subsides to a livable level.Workshop participants will see a DVD showing examples of French-second-language speakers and learn how their bilingualism was rated by the __________ Government of Canada Public Service Commission.Based on that, you can self-assess your own level of bilingualism! The career you want has a higher language requirement than you currently have?No worries! This workshop will give you information about how to achieve the level of bilingualism you desire.So stop by Townshippers’ Association's booth at Bishop’s University’s Gait 2 Jobs Career Fair today from 9:30 a.m.to 4 p.m.in the Marjorie Donald Building to sign up for the bilingualism workshop.(The Gait is the student pub, located right near the bookstore.) Alternatively, you can contact Cathy Turner at 819-566-5717 (toll free 1-866-566-5717) or email ct@townshippers.qc.ca.Remember, this is totally free.Register in Townshippers’ Association KEEPING advance; first come, first IN TOUCH served! Spaces are limited.You can attend this workshop either on Monday, Feb._______19, from 6 to 9 p.m.or Tuesday, Feb.20, from 9:30 a.m.to 12:30 p.m., at 257 Queen, Sherbrooke (Lennoxville).Let’s Talk Health! Building on the success of the telehealth sessions, Townshippers’ Association, in collaboration with the Community Health and Social Services Network (CHSSN) and CJMQ88.9 FM, is carrying out a pilot project using community radio as a distribution channel for health and social services information.Let’s Talk Health! are two radio talk shows devoted to health issues.Each show features a public health expert.Listeners are encouraged to call in with questions on the particular show’s topic.On Tuesday, Feb.27, the topic will be Dependencies with Danielle Pinson-neau of the Centre Jean Patrice Chias-son in Sherbrooke.On March 13 we will discuss Mental Health with Judy Ross, executive director of Mental Health Es-trie.The shows will be broadcast live on CJMQ88.9 FM in Lennoxville from 1 to 2 p.m.You can also listen live online at www.cjmq.fm (a high-speed connection is required).For more information on the Let’s Talk Health! talk shows, please contact Valérie Bridger, assistant executive director at Townshippers’ Association’s Sherbrooke office or by e-mail at ta@townshippers.qc.ca.Oh, and happy Valentine’s Day! “Love all, trust a few.Do wrong to none.” - William Shakespeare Townshippers’ Association is a nonpartisan, NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SERVING THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS English-speaking community.Contact WWW.TOWNSHIPPERS.CiC.CA; TA@TOWN- shippers.qc.ca; 257 Queen, Sherbrooke (819-566-5717; 1-866-566-5717) OR 203 Principale, Cowansville (450-263-4422; 1-866-263-4422).Weather Ben by Daniel Shelton Today: Snow (possibly more than 20 cm).Wind becoming 30 km/h gusting to 50 in the afternoon and evening.High minus 11.Cold wind chill minus 28.Thursday; Periods of snow.Low minus 19.High minus 15.Friday; Cloudy with 60 per cent chance of flurries.Low minus 21.High minus 13.Saturday; Cloudy with 60 per cent chance of flurries.Low minus 15.High minus 4. : «—THE m.i RECORD Wednesday, February 14, 2007 page 3 CLAUDIA VILLE MAI RE 0H| I Jean Marc Richer, director of the Windsor branch of Caisse Desjardins, flanked by Val François MRC prefect Gerry Badger, and local luminaries at Tuesday’s launch of a subsidy project.Buy a home, get some back Office is empty No Global reporter in the Townships By Rita Legault Sherbrooke Global Quebec denies it intends to close its Sherbrooke bureau, but despite past commitments to provide regional programming from Sherbrooke, there are no plans to staff the Eastern Township’s office anywhere in the near future.“We’re certainly not completely closing it down,” said Global Quebec’s News Director Karen MacDonald, who admitted the bureau will remain empty for many more months.In the meantime, she promised Global television will send a reporter from Montreal to cover major news events.That was confirmed by Global Quebec Station Manager Maureen Rogers, who insisted the news service is still committed to serving the Townships.Rogers said that rather than filling two vacancies in the Sherbrooke bureau — one permanent and one temporary — they will cover the Townships from Montreal.The makeshift measures that will leave the Sherbrooke bureau vacant for the coming months have some Town-shippers concerned they will see themselves reflected less often on the regional broadcaster.Townshippers’ Association’s position on the issue of regional coverage has not changed, president Michael van Lierop said in a statement.“The more coverage the community has the better.There are 41,000 English speakers in the Eastern Townships.Certainly that merits coverage by Global as well as other media.” Executive director Rachel Garber said Townshippers’ Association supported Global in the past, when it sought a license in 1997 and later when Global petitioned the CRTC for a signal on ExpressVu satellite service.“We would do that for any media outlet that was committed to providing regular coverage of the Townships,” Garber told The Record.“The fact that they are not doing that is a problem.We would like to see them reinstate a reporter.” Typically, Global has had a reporter and a camera operator/editor in Sherbrooke, station chief Rogers said.Sherbrooke’s latest reporter, Vanessa Lee, left in August for the Global affiliate in Calgary.That left a permanent vacancy in the Sherbrooke bureau.Following Lee’s departure, longtime Global cameraman and editor Marco Guérin attended news meetings at Global’s cousin network TVA Sherbrooke, and, whenever possible, called in reporters from Montreal to cover major stories.But a few weeks ago Guérin obtained a six-month leave of absence and now the office is empty.Phone calls are rerouted to Montreal and the fax line Please see Global on Page 12 Fin an cial in cen tive to settle By Claudia Villemaire Richmond Tihe Val St.François Caisse Desjardins unveiled a special project Tuesday designed to encourage young people and families to settle in what boosters describe as one of the most desirable areas of the Eastern Tov/nships.After several studies and seminars searching out ways to either persuade young people to stay in the region or attract new residents and entrepreneurs, those who purchase a home could benefit from some fiscal encouragement — but there’s a catch or three.They must take out a mortgage at a particular financial institution.“Young adults between 18 and 35 years of age, hoping to purchase a property in the Val St François, will be eligible for a base grant of $1,000 with an additional grant of $500 per child to a maximum of $2,000,” explained Jean Marc Richer, director of the Windsor Caisse Desjardins branch.“Of course, they must be members and clients of the caisse, their mortgage with the caisse must be $40,000 or more and they must have a three-year contract with the caisse involved.” (Other areas offer settlement and baby bonuses — such as the municipality of Stanstead.Under a “welcome policy", first-time Stanstead home-owners get $500 from the city and a matching grant from the local Caisse Populaire.And new parents get $50 per child.) Val St.François MRC prefect Gerry Badger talked up the virtues of the area yesterday.“We are situated in a very privileged region with access routes, a growing industrial base and reasonably priced real estate.“We are a rural setting located a short distance from much larger urban centres.We have well developed recreational activities, many lakes and rivers, all of which could be an added incentive to young people searching for a place to put down roots.” - Jjjfe j f O T I ¦ WALES NOTICE H O M I RICHMOND Please be advised: No visitors will be allowed to the Wales Home due to the !!u.Please call us before coming to the Wales Home to check the flu situation.We thank you for your cooperation.The Wales Home 819-826-3266 „ni4 Don’t get all bent out of shape paying business taxes l+l Canada Revenue Agence du revenu Agency du Canada Point.Click, it’s that quick! Canada There are online tools to make the job quicker and easier.Balance owing?You can pay online through most major financial institutions.It’s just one of the secure, timesaving e-services for business at cra.gc.ca/eservices page 4 Wednesday, February 14, 2007 .I.—THE—i RECORD Sawmill fire started in garage New fire chief Manseau investigates By Jen Young Record correspondent Lennoxville firefighters were the first on the scene Tuesday morning after a 7:15 a.m.call about Scierie Hunting on Route 147 in Waterville, and the fire was contained to a garage.According to Sherbrooke Division Chief Gaétan Drouin, an emergency second alarm was sounded.“When the men arrived on sight they knew that the fire was worst in the garage,” he said.“They immediately asked for a second alarm and 35 fire fighters responded.” Drouin said the firefighters came from Lennoxville, Sherbrooke and Deauville.“The hardest part for the men was the cold,” he said.“It was a difficult fire because the garage is an old building and the fire was in the roof.” He also stated that an oil spill — some barrels were in storage — made matters worse.However, there was no environmental contamination.The fire was completely extinguished by 9 a.m.and Onyx, an environment protection and hazardous waste recovery service, was on site to dean the materials ruined by the oil.No one was in the building at the time and no one was injured.Damage to the warehouse is estimated at about $200,000.The saw mill itself was untouched and the investigation, which is being lead by newly appointed Waterville fire chief Sebastien Manseau, is expected to take no longer than a few days.Care: CONT’D FROM PAGE 1 support home care.Now it’s one of the last.“Caregivers deserve financial aid to help pay for services, or publicly funded services,” Guillemet said.The Memphremagog network estimates about 10 per cent of the regional population (that works out to some 4,000 people) care for a sick loved one.It says people in these situations find themselves with more and more responsibilities.For many, the 24-7 workload is too much to handle.“I found myself in the kitchen one day and I burst into tears,” said Georgeville resident Roch Bissonnette.Bissonnette, who cared for his terminally ill wife for about two years, said constantly cooking and cleaning for his dying spouse was exhausting — both physically and mentally.Bissonnette, who has no close family living nearby, said he wasn’t aware of the help that was available.Like Guillemet, he said he had a nurse come by once a week to examine his wife and give her a bath, but he said he deserved more.“Caregivers provide services that save the provincial government billions of dollars every year,” he said, but they aren’t properly compensated.“In other provinces they get some credit for what they do,” Bissonnette said.Network statistics state Quebec family members, such as Bissonnette, provide 80 per cent of aid for incapacitated relatives.It also estimates their services shave billions off the provincial government’s health care expenses.Since his wife’s death, Bissonnette said he’s adjusting to life alone and keeps in close contact with his family.Lynn Wood, coordinator for home support services at Stanstead’s Centre d’action bénévole (CAB) R.H.Rivière centre, said many anglophone caregivers look for help within the family.“Many want to be independent and not ask for anything,” Wood said, noting others may think most services may be available to francophones.“Many don’t realize they are caregivers,” she said, because they see it as their duty to take care of their loved one.However Wood, coordinator of the centre for nine years, said more people are beginning to identify themselves as caregivers because more information is available.She also said the aging population has created more natural caregivers (those taking care of a spouse or other family member).Wood’s service area includes dozens of English-speaking caregivers.She said the centre organizes biweekly activities for anglophones to teach them about home care techniques PERRY BEATON Roch Bissonnette is comforted by Nicole Guillemet.or to pass on medical information.In addition, many activities that are available in French involve bilingual people.“I think caregiving can be difficult whether you speak English or French,” she said.No one was available for comment about government services for caregivers from the Estrie region’s health and social services agency, Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de TEstrie.But last year, The Record reported the Lennoxville and District Community Aid set up a support service for natural caregivers.The service includes regular conferences and lectures on a variety of topics that will help caregivers be better prepared for their role.Topics are to range from tax breaks for caregivers to dealing with specific diseases like Alzheimer’s, and even relaxation therapies to deal with stress.In Canada, there are some 2.8 million family caregivers — often spouses looking after spouses and baby boomers caring for parents.And the number of caregivers is growing with the graying of the population.For more information about the Memphremagog Caregiver's Network, call Anick Métivier at 819-843-2572, ext.2318.brobinson@sherbrookerecord.com ^SUBSCRIBE?SI — Get RECORD delivered to your home 5 days a week and Save on newsstand prices! News from the Townships as it happens in the region’s only English daily newspaper.819-569-952 Mail in the attached coupon with payment to: ¦ THE ¦¦ RECORD P.O.Box 1200, Sherbrooke (Quebec) J1H 5L6 Subscription order for RECORD Name Address Phone: Payment enclosed d 3 months ?6 months Q 12 months Cheque Money order ?Visa U MasterCard ?If gift subscription, please attach sheet with name & address of person to receive subscription Stay in touch! Place your subscription order today! 3 months $3646 6 months $y-| 79 12 months $13674 all taxes irtlcuded 450-242-1188 1-800-463-9525 : '¦¦THE i RECORD Wednesday, February 14, 2007 page 5 Bishop’s pleased with BAPE plans for the 410 Public meeting planned By Jen Young Record correspondent Bishop's supports the Highway 410 extension route proposed late last month by the province’s environmental stewardship panel, according to university vice president Mark McLaughlin.“We’re very pleased.We’ve been pushing for this for 15 years,” said McLaughlin.An information session has been scheduled on campus for Friday with the provincial transport ministry — and the public is welcome to attend.Following a series of public hearings, the BAPE (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement) released a report recommending that the originally proposed northern route should be moved farther north.Commissioners want to replace the planned interchange at Route 216 with an interchange at Dunant Street in Sherbrooke.McLaughlin said the proposed route will demand that 40 per cent of Lennoxville’s traffic will be rerouted out of the borough’s downtown area.He said this will alleviate a major safety concern.“The route is supposed to come out by Spring Road, just down from Alexander Galt High School.Fifteen hundred trucks use College Street daily and with the train and other elements it causes congestion, which poses a serious safety concern.“The Lennoxville area is recognized as one with the most accidents and it’s a dangerous scenario.People have already been hit and there have already been accidents.” McLaughlin was referring to pedestrians using College Street and the crosswalk located right near Little Forks.Though the university backs the BAPE report, McLaughlin said certain concerns still must be addressed.“When we went to the BAPE we presented a brief that consisted of certain environment concerns, like light pollution and saltwater run off,” he said.“The ministry (of transport, or MTQ) has men- tioned forming a type of watchdog committee that would be responsible for observing environmental affects and implications and we have asked to be a part of that committee.“We support this project.Our concerns are not meant to prevent the project, they are simply elements that we want to make sure are taken into consideration.” He said that students have requested an information session with the ministry, which the university has opened to the public.“The students want more information so on February 16th the MTQ has agreed to come, explain the project, and answer questions,” McLaughlin said.The Friday information session will begin at 2 p.m.and will be held in the Nichols 2 building.Brief Busted in Coaticook Three suspects have been arrested in connection with dozens of thefts from cottages and vehicles in the Coaticook region during operation “Chariot.” A press release from the Sûreté du Québec stated the suspects, who police believe robbed most of the cottages at night during the weekends, were apprehended with help from public tips.The SQ apprehended 26-year-old Yves Boutin Feb.7.The Coaticook native is facing charges of breaking and entering and theft of under $5,000.Two other unidentified men, aged 20 and 21, were also arrested; one is from the Sherbrooke, the other from Coaticook.Following the arrest, the police have shut the books on 14 files.Other arrests may follow, police say.200?0% 09 IO KEEP ON ENJOYING LIFE A f STEP-UP BONDS FIXED-RATE BONDS STOCK INDEX BONDS SECURI+ BONDS DISCOUNT BONDS SAVINGS BONDS FLEXI-PLUS SAVINGS PERIODIC SAVINGS PLAN ÉPARGNE YOUR PLACEMENTS guarantee' QUEBEC 100% 1 800 463-5229 I www.epq.gouv.qc.ca MAKE SURE YOU KEEP LIVING LIFE ON YOUR TERMS FIXED-RATE BONDS + Choice of terms from 1 to 10 years.+ Interest rate set in accordance with the term selected.+ Redeemable at maturity.+ No management or administration fees.the first year on new RRSP funds TERM 1yr 2yrs 3yrs 4yre Syrsie^tyre 8yrs SyrsflOyts ANNUAL RATE* 3.50 3.70 3.80 3.85 4.00 4.05 4.10 4,15 4.20 4.25 •Excluding the bonus o( 1 % the first year for new RRSP funds.Posted rates may vary with market conditions.Épargne Placements Québec q ca ca ci page 6 Wednesday, February 14, 2007 î ¦ ¦ni THE mii* i* - RECORD Community Forum Mft.HMSENPfEFBR, ANY IDEA WHAT TI WE IT IÇ?! ÇCU001S FtUDER CELL FHOÆ BAN Giving a darn Feet don’t fail me now As president of the World Bank, Paul Wolfowitz is handsomely remunerated, to the tune of a $300,000 US tax-free salary, along with a mortgage allowance and golf club membership.So it’s no surprise that Wolfowitz cuts an impressive figure, with a sartorial style that includes fancy shoes and designer suits.You might even been tempted to say that he looks smashing from head to toe — but it’s probably best if you don’t say that.In fact, it’s best you don’t mention Wolfowitz’s toes at all since they’ve received enough, um, exposure.You see, the World Bank prez found himself in Edirne, Turkey, recently, and did what many dignitaries do: He visited the Ottoman-era Selimiye mosque.Further, he did what anyone does when visiting a mosque: He removed his shoes.So far so good.But as Wolfowitz was leaving, those ubiquitous paparazzi were waiting for him, and they managed to catch him with his pants down — or at least with his shoes off.And wouldn’t you know it, it seems Wolfowitz was a little behind with his laundry that day, since he had not one, but two large holes in the toes of his socks.Now there are several possible explanations for Wolfowitz’s footloose and fancy-free attitude.Although it seems unlikely, perhaps the president of the World Bank has fallen on hard times, hard enough to prevent him buying a decent pair of socks.Or perhaps he’s making a statement here, one that says the president of World Bank is willing operate on an, um, shoestring budget to ensure that his money — and yours — is not wasted.But we think there’s a simpler explanation: Perhaps Wolfowitz just doesn’t give a hoot, since he obviously doesn’t give a darn.- Vancouver Sun Auditor warns Letter to the Editor Sand in Dunham In regards to an article in The Record on Feb.9 concerning the conditions of the back roads in the Dunham area (“Road sends school bus skidding”), I too question, where is the sand?Last week was just one example of the icy conditions we have had to deal with this winter.Not a speck of sand all week with extremely slippery road conditions.On Monday, the day before a major snow storm, lo and behold my road, Childerhouse is sanded.By Tuesday (yesterday), that same sand will be plowed onto my front lawn.Did school bus driver Robert Martin’s questioning wake up the sand man?A few weeks.and many avoidable accidents too late.I don’t drive a bus, but I do drive a car almost the size of a bus, and I don’t drive like a cowboy (not that Mr.Martin does), yet I am having trouble getting out of second gear some days.because I do have to get to work all in one piece.Please sir, can I have more sand.Susan Keays Dunham ¦ ¦THF.-¦ RECORD P.0.Bax 1200 Sherbrooke J1H 5L6 or 119S Galt E„Shert>rookeJlG 1Y7 Fax: 819-5693945 e-mail: newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com Website: www.sheriirookerecord.com Randy Kinnear Publisher .(819) 569-9511 Eleanor Brown Editor .(819) 569-6345 Richard Lessard Prod.Mgr.(819) 569-9931 Serge Gagnon Chief Pressman .(819) 569-9931 Francine Thibault Prod.Superv.(819) 569-4856 DEPARTMENTS Accounting .(819)5699511 Advertising .(819)5699525 Circulation.(819) 5699528 Newsroom .(819)5696345 Knowlton office 88-A Lakeside.Knowlton, Qliebec.JOE l VO Tel: (450) 242-1188 Fax:(450)243-5155 mail subscriptions GST PST TOTAL Canada: 1 year 120.00 7.20 9.54 $136.74 6 MONTHS 63.00 3.78 5.01 $71.79 3 MONTHS 32.00 1.92 2.54 $36.46 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 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 heritage buildings at risk Federal heritage buildings are at “considerable risk” of being lost to the wrecking ball in the coming years because of the government’s weak conservation regime, warns Auditor General Sheila Fraser.Fraser described a precarious situation for the growing number of “designated” federal buildings in her status report on the conservation of heritage edifices and sites in the country.“The loss of heritage buildings and sites means that future generations will no longer have access to significant aspects of our history.It is, therefore, important that the federal government strengthen its conservation regime for built heritage.It also needs to set priorities to decide which heritage buildings and sites should be preserved,” said Fraser.The federal government owns about 1,300 federal heritage buildings and 206 national historic sites.The auditor’s report found that Parks Canada, which oversees about one-third of the buildings, has improved its management of heritage since her last review in 2003, although sites such as the Superintendent’s House at Carillon Canal on the Ottawa River remain closed to the public for safety reasons.But, it found conservation of heritage buildings and national historic sites that belong to other federal departments, such as Defence and Public Works, are at risk because of significant “gaps” in the Treasury Board Heritage Buildings Policy.The report said the auditors found only “sporadic” conservation of the heritage character of these federal buildings, giving the installation of an access ramp at the Canadian Forces Museum in Quebec City as an example.The current policy allows federal departments to demolish or sell heritage buildings even after they’ve been designated once they turn 40 years old.It also cited the undecided future of the Halifax Armoury, considered one of the finest specimens of training and recruitment centres built for the militia at the end of the 19th Century.The Defence Department is considering a $7-million restoration project.The government’s heritage policy, recently revamped, still does not connect the designation of heritage buildings with their conservation, which the auditor identified as an important obstacle to preservation.“Designation and conservation are separate functions.As a result, while there are a growing number of designated heritage buildings that require protection, there is no parallel growth in the financial capacity of custodial departments and agencies for conservation,” the report concluded.- Ottawa Citizen :• - ¦¦i.iiHfc ¦¦ ¦ ., RECORD Wednesday, February 14, 2007 page 7 SS1S* 1 ¦ ; Uk"' Call our flduertisirïqldepartment to reserue uour spat^ COURTESY HENRY KEYSER1INGK Our columnist’s spouse Madeleine cuddles a seven-week-old Labrador puppy who may grow up to be a guide dog.And then another, and another If your love for dogs exceeds your available time and space or even financial means, I may have found you the perfect solution.How about offering your services at any one of the many guide dog schools that are located all across North America?If you’re looking to make a difference with your spare time, there’s no lack of opportunities.The many schools share the same purpose, namely to offer blind men and women the opportunity to achieve independence through the use of professionally trained canines.One of the most recognized schools in Florida is Southern Guide Dog Inc., which was only a few miles from where Madeleine and I were staying in Palmetto.Unlike the smaller institutions, the 24-acre campus has its own training grounds, dormitories, kennels for breeding, puppies and receiving along with administra-____ tive offices.Following our tour, one conclusion became clear: despite a staff of 47 and a budget in the millions, the school depends on the generosity of many hundreds of dedicated volunteers.For the puppy socializing phase alone, volunteers are required to regularly play and cuddle the six- to nine week-old puppies, most of which are Labradors.Others come to groom and exercise the puppies as well as to expose them to new people and situations.Equally important are the Henry R.Keyserlingk select number ot trained volunteers assigned to interact with new mothers and their puppies from one week of their birth.Not to be forgotten are the volunteers who take the puppies to hospices, hospitals and nursing homes as part of pet therapy.The same is true for the many who devote their time and effort to various administrative tasks in any way they can.Most significant, however, are the few hundred volunteers who open their home and hearts to a little Fido and raise it with lots of love and special training.In doing so they assume the responsibility for their care and safety, as well as teaching basic obedience skills.Their devotion to the cause is all the more evident seeing how after a year they must return their lovable puppy so it can undergo guide dog training.Their sacrifice is all the more meaningful seeing how the bond between an animal and a human can be as deep as between any two humans.Although the _______ program requires a good deal of personal time, responsibility and commitment, many puppy raisers find the experience so rewarding they participate year after year.From the moment a dog is selected, trained and assigned to a blind person, both partners Please see Dogs on Page 9 Res.enu.at lonTdeTdlirTe slféGiæijgflS Gambling makes you lie to those closest to you, When you play this game, yon can lose even more.Gambling: help and referral.l-;7ilil- IdI illli] Luckily, there’s someone on the other end who's ready to help you become yourself again.www,DontBetltAII.com Love means saying good-bye to a dog Québec££ « f y • » ¦ ' ^ » ' ' » ‘ « « « page 8 Wednesday, February 14, 2007 ¦ ¦¦¦THF.» RECORD mk mm - llL#t I «#***£* Boot hockey was a popular outdoor event.Among the outdoor options during Carnival was skiing at Mount Orford.Our School’s Page Stanstead College held Saturday, Feb.24 at the College from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.Among local students currently attending the college, 55 per cent are receiving some form of scholarship and/or financial aid.Several scholarships are available, including one full scholarship for a student entering Grade 10.For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 819-876-2223 or admis-sions@stansteadcollege.com.Winter carnival Stanstead College tackled winter January 25 to 28 with its annual Winter Carnival.Sure, it was cold but the students and faculty kept warm with high spirits and great fun over the four days.On Thursday, the prefects and faculty faced off in the annual broomball grudge match.This year, the prefects won, earning a free-dress day for their fellow students on the following Monday.On Friday, students headed out for their choice of skiing at Mount Orford, skating along the edge of frozen Lake Memphremagog, tubing in the Coati-cook Gorge or curling here in Stanstead.Other events included a performance by a hypnotist, outdoor games, a three-on-three basketball tournament, sleigh rides, a bonfire and a special Québécois meal.The houses also competed in a snow-sculpting contest, which was won by the senior boys in Davis House with their impressive frozen Shrek.Sharing cultures with area schools On Thursday, March 22, Stanstead College students will share their cultur- al heritage with area elementary students during “Celebrating Our United Nations.” Grade 6 and 8 students from 10 schools in the Eastern Townships and neighbouring Vermont will enrich their knowledge of geography, language, history, social sciences and community through games and activities led by Stanstead’s own multicultural students.This year’s students come from Canada, China, El Salvador, France, French West Indies, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and the US.Visiting students will receive a passport for their journey which they will have validated as they participate in each activity: taste-testing new cuisine, listening to music, learning new languages, creating unique crafts, playing games and seeing some traditional dress.For more information, contact Joanne Ross at 819-876-7891, ext.311.Scholarship exam The second in the school’s two scheduled scholarship examinations will be Career Students learned curling basics at an afternoon tournament at the Beebe Curling Club.Students tested their outdoor agility anc balance in the snow at the obstacle course.Davis House's prize-winning Shrek.Fondation de l’Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Sherbrooke Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute Foundation The Sherbrooke Geriatric University Institute Foundation is searching for a dynamic person to join their team as DIRECTOR The Foundation is committed to the health and well being of all those who use the services of the Health and Social Services Centre - University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke.That is why the Foundation raises funds, accepts and administers legacies in order to fulfil its mission.Answering to the Board of Directors, the director will be responsible for the development and co-ordination of different fund raising activities and campaigns with the business community, the population, employees, residents and their families.Qualifications Leadership, creativity, versatility: University degree in marketing, communication or in a related discipline: Bilingual French and English (spoken and written); Excellent knowledge of business community; Experience in philanthropy; Knowledge of health care network an asset.Salary will be based on the competence and experience of chosen candidate.Interested candidates should send their resumé no later than 5:00 p.m.February 26, 2007 to : M.Marcel Camden President SGUI Foundation 1036, me Belvédère Sud Sherbrooke (Québec) J1H 4C4 Fax: 819 829-7150 E-mail: fondiugs.csss-iugs @ ssss.gouv.qc.ca We are an equal opportunity employer.2749o Wednesday^ February 14, 20.0.7 j>ag.e 9 : «THE- — RECORD= Dogs: Cont’d from Page 7 will live together on campus in order to undergo the final phase of training.At Southern, canines that lack the necessary skills to become working guide dogs don’t necessarily find themselves without jobs.Since 2002, some are assigned to volunteers who provide pet therapy, others to a family member with special medical needs, or, finally, to a multitude of law-enforcement agencies.Aside from the sound of dogs barking, what really caught our attention when we first arrived at the Southern Guide Dog campus were the park-like grounds.All around the kennels were trees, manicured gardens, fenced-in fields, ponds, gazebos, park benches and winding paths.If anything, the complex made many of our RV resorts look more like glorified parking lots.We later learned that the pathways were designed as part of the dog guide training program.Weekday mini-tours include a short video, puppy hugging, dog walking and a question-and-answer period.On a Saturday, we found kennel assistant Paul Freeland.The young man in his 30s driving a golf cart took us on a fascinating tour.When asked about his own background he explained that he used to work in the computer industry, “in an office that had no windows”.The experience of raising three dogs for the blind in England helped lead to his decision a year ago to change jobs “even if it meant taking a considerable drop in salary.” Our tour began with the six-run main training kennel, where dozens of healthy and happy dogs were waiting to undergo their rigorous education.Since 1991 when the kennel was built, more than 3,500 dogs, we were told, had passed through the kennel doors on their way to graduation.From there we walked over to the puppy kennel where Paul led us to the different rooms and introduced us to the many pups and their mothers.It was obvious that great care was given to keeping the electrically heated floors spic and span and to provide the mothers and their puppies with a constant flow of clean towels and blankets.Due to the generous contribution of a local artist, paintings of puppies were on every cement wall.To say the many puppies were thrilled to see us should come as no surprise.Once we stepped inside the main enclosure used by volunteers and visitors to play and cuddle the six- to nine-week-old puppies, they expected nothing less.Dozens of Labrador puppies squealed with delight while jumping on our legs and demanding our undivided attention.As we returned to our campground, I decided then and there that I would dedicate today’s column to all of the de voted volunteers.Even if it was Saturday morning and consequently only a skele ton staff was on duty, Paul had made his point.Without their involvement, none of these puppies could be transformed into guide dogs and thus change the lives of so many blind persons.Comments: henryk@endirect.qc.ca NOTICE TO OUR CUSTOMERS ADJUSTMENTS TO SERVICES MARCH 5, 2007 Hereunder is a resume of the service adjustments effective as of March 5, 2007.Examples : LINE 1 : 8:05 departure BOWEN — TALBOT is moved back to 8:00 LINE 3 : a 7:10 departure 13th AVENUE — 24 JUIN is added LINE 7 : 22:10 departure ANDRE — THIBAULT is extended to CEGEP You can get a new leaflet in the buses or from of our dealers.You can also check and download the leaflets from our internet site.1 MON TO FRI » CARREFOUR MAR 5 ¦ 7 [BOWEN-TALBOT 8:05 | 8:00 CÉGEP 7:09 7:11 CÉGEP 7:44 7:42 CARREFOUR 16:21 16:22 i U.BISHOP’S 7:01 f^oo OXFORD 8:15 8:13 OXFORD 10:44 10:41 OXFORD 11:43 11:41 OXFORO 12:44 12:41 OXFORD 13:43 13:41 OXFORD 14:45 14:42 OXFORD 16:46 16:44 CEGEP 10:16 10:15 CÉGEP 12:14 12:13 CÉGEP 14:15 14:14 CÉGEP 18:23 18:25 OXFORD 11:42 11:41 OXFORD 12:42 12:41 OXFORD 13:42 13:41 OXFORD 14:42 14:40 OXFORD 15:45 15:43 CÉGEP 12:14 12:13 CÉGEP 14:14 14:12 CÉGEP 16:16 16:14 IBIS HALLÉE-BELVÉDÈRE 6:50 6:47 HALLÉE-BELVÉDÈRE 7:22 7:20 ANDRÉ-THIBAULT 8:00 7:52 ANDRÉ-THIBAULT 22:10 BECOMES EXTENDED CÉGEP DEPOT 6:33 6:30 CÉGEP 7:00 6:57 DÉPÔT 9:30 9:32 CÉGEP 21:05 21:00 CÉGEP AD0ED 7:51 CÉGEP 8:57 8:56 CÉGEP ADDED 16:07 fu7oES 7:23 I [cÉGEP ^^^^2o!45l 20:431 13e AV.- 24-JUIN 6:29 6:27 13EAV.- 24-JUIN ADDED 7:10 13'AV.-24-JUIN ADDED CÉGEP 23:26 7:48 23:24 13e AV.— 24-JUIN 8:12 8:07| CHALUMEAU 7:06 7:04 [CHALUMEAU 8:19 8:20 CÉGEP 6:44 6:42 CARREFOUR 16:27 16:30 U.DE S.6:45 6:46 U.DE S.7:12 7:09 DÉPÔT 7:44 7:42 DÉPÔT 9:56 9:53 DÉPÔT 10:56 10:53 DÉPÔT 12:56 12:53 DÉPÔT 13:56 13:53 U.DES.14:11 14:10 DÉPÔT 14:58 14:52 U.DES.ADDED 15:30 U.DE S.16:05 16:00 U.DE S.16:42 16:38 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 7:30 7:29 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 10:20 10:17 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 11:20 11:17 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 13:20 13:17 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 14:20 14:17 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 14:55 14:53 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 15:19 15:16 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 15:52 15:54 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 16:20 16:17 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 16:48 16:45 CHUS FLEURIM0NT 17:23 17:20 CHARDONNERETS 8:20 I BECOMES EXTENDED 8:16 CHARDONNERETS 17:13 17:16 CHARDONNERETS 17:48 I 17:45 U.DE S.ADDED 13:13 U.DES.ADDED 15:10 I PROSPECT-DUVERNAY 8:05 Ij.-CARTIER-PROSPECT becomesI «mol U.DE S.SPECIAL FRONTENAC 7:31 U.DE S.EXTENDED 11:15 U.DE S.EXTENDED 15:17 U.DE S.18:42 18:38 U.DE S.20:42 20:32 U.DES.21:10 21:07 CARREFOUR 8:50 CARREFOUR 16:49 8:53 16:51 U.DE S.8:49 8:52 U.DE S.16:47 16:49 ST-R8CH - É.-F0NTAINE 6:32 « DES._ 6:47] 6:28 6:43 I CARREFOUR URBAN BUS " 7=51 | 9 MON TO FRI » CHARDONNERETS j MAR 5 16:481 16:51 I CEGEP 1 ST-ROCH - STE-CATHERINE 6:56 L 6:52| 13e AV.- 24-JUIN 6:28 6:26] 13e AV.- 24-JUIN 1£38| 17:40 j rcÉGEP 17:20 17:221 6 MON TO FRI » U.DE S.LISIEUX - LACHINE ANDRÉ-THIBAULT 12:07 12:05 ANDRÉ-THIBAULT 13:07 13:05 U.BISHOP’S 16:12 16:10 McGREGOR ADDED 9:06 CARREFOUR 11:36 11:34 CARREFOUR 12:36 12:34 CARREFOUR ADDED 17:15 CARREFOUR 17:42 17:45 TERRASSES r!fORES^^^6-5?6:48 ST-ROCH - É.-F0NTAINE 17:00 17:05 ST-ROCH - É.-F0NTAINE 17:45 17:50 ST-ROCH - É.-F0NTAINE 1B:30 18:35 8:181 8:201 CARFIEFOUR ^^^7-51 7:48 CARREFOUR 9:30 9:33 INDUSTRIEL (LETELLIER) arrival INDUSTRIEL (LETELLIER) departure 23:56 0:01 MJÉPÔT jn27j CARREFOUR ADDED 7:51 PL.ST-JOSEPH ADDED 7:56 servicexlientele@sts.qc.ca 819-564-2687 sts.qc.ca &