The record, 23 décembre 2008, mardi 23 décembre 2008

r Ü1Ü HHsl See inside THE RECORD The voice of the Eastern Townships since 1897 i 75 CENTS + TAXES PM#(X)40007682 Tuesday, December 23, 2008 AL BARBER Baby it’s cold outside.and Christmas is but two days away.MABLE HASTINGS Joy to Mansonville’s annual Christmas concert.PAGE 8 of BCN He says, SHE SAYS.".there are people here who have to choose between paying bills or buying food.It feels like it is getting worse." Sue Comeau (THE RECORD, DECEMBER 22ND) Back to basics, buy local By Stephen McDougall RECORD CORRESPONDENT Danville A group of local farmers and artisans have put together a catalogue of products and services in hopes of promoting local consumption and environmental awareness.“We are trying to convince people to stop buying all their goods from large store chains and think of local products,” said Sylvie Berthaud, organizer of the Back to Basics, Buy Local (Retour aux Sources, Achat Local) catalogue.“We have 27 local operations, mostly farms and stores, who offer over 200 products and create about 100 jobs in the area.If we want these operations to stay here and possibly grow, we have to make people aware of their existance and let them know they have a choice.” The products include goat’s milk and cheese, baked goods, fruits and vegetables, beer, furniture, cosmetics, giftcards, prepared meals and herbal medicines.Ten of the 27 producers are located in Danville, many operating with the public market located in the town square.The other producers have farms and stores in Wotton, St.Adrien, St.Camille, Ham-Sud and St.Georges de Windsor.Berthaud argues that too much of the money that local residents spend on goods leaves the area because most of the items are imported from other countries.“We believe some of that spending should be local and promote simple farms and craftpeople.Otherwise, we finance big corporations and urban companies that do not contribute to our rural life.” Berthaud admits the producers listed have to follow strict guidelines as to the products and services they sell.SEE PRODUCTS PAGE 7 STEPHEN MCDOUGALL Bakers Nelly Chaveau and Tanya Coyle show off locally made goods at the l'Art de Boulanger bakery on Water Street in Danville.White Daffodils bacon and eggs PHOTO AND TEXT DAVID ANDERSON Waterloo—On Sunday morning a breakfast was held by the 19 member group, White Daffodils, which is group of cancer walk fund raisers, with the support from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #77 in Waterloo.The fundraiser was for the “Walk of Life” that is held each summer for the Canadian Cancer Society.Many volunteers gave of their time to make the well attended event a success.Over 275 plates were served of the hardy breakfast that was just perfect on a cold, first day of winter morning.Organizers for the Waterloo walk were present and very pleased with the turnout and thanked the many who have started raising funds well in advance of next summer's event.Last year the walk took place at the Waterloo beach and exceeded the financial expectations of the organizers.“We want to thank everybody and we really appreciate all the support.We were able to raise $1,100 profit for the walk." said White Daffodil organizer, Barbara Talbot.Treacherous travels By Rita Legault Sherbrooke ¦ •»¦ |here is no need to dream of a white Christmas this year.The ,s holidays are bound to be covered in a thick blanket of white snow thanks to more than 36 centimetres that fell on Sunday and last night and light snow falls anticipated throughout the week.The snow made driving conditions treacherous on Sunday as police and public safety officials suggested people just say no to venturing forth on the highways.see snow page 7 U wÊ^Ê PERRY BEATON EH O'neil ’SDQdE HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Placing trust in someone is like giving a gift.The holidays are without a doubt a time for giving and receiving.Take the time to savour these special moments with your loved ones.Thank you for placing your trust in us.It's more than a bank.It's Desjardins.desjardins.com Desjardins Money working for people page 2 Tuesday, December 23, 2008 ^RECORD Rwanda — Beyond the genocide f ***»¦.- .-.W- V " 'jr ^ '.v- ^ T ^ .^ By Stanbridge East’s Logan Broeckaert, a Canadian International Development Agency Intern presently in Rwanda In Rwanda, tradition often meets modernity in very surprising ways.While Rwandans have welcomed western influence and an Americanised western culture, some traditions have not yet been overshadowed.Indeed, one of these traditions-the dowry-has been given new life by the emergence of a new Rwandan middle-class largely supported by the proliferation of foreign-direct investment and western NGOs in Kigali, a class that can afford more elaborate dowry ceremonies that reflect their relative wealth.The dowry itself is negotiated in advance and, in Kigali where livestock cannot be legally kept, this usually means the exchange of cash rather than the more traditional cattle.The dowry ceremonies, in which the dowry is offered to the bride’s family are community events and allow the families as well as their friends to meet each other before the wedding, usually held the following week.There is always a display of traditional Rwandan dancing in traditional wedding attire.I was invited to a friend of a friend’s dowry, not uncommon in Rwanda where the friends of friends are also friends, on a hot Saturday.Although we were more than ninety minutes late, the ceremony had yet to begin as one of the bridesmaids was travelling with us and the ceremony could not begin without her.We were greeted by two of the many filles d’honneur who were holding banana leaf baskets filled with individually wrapped miniature roses.The roses, I would later find out, were to be distributed to the family of the groom when they arrived.Four-year-old Anthony Green has given The Record his masterpieces depicting your weather forecast.Weather Today: Sunny.Increasing cloudiness in the afternoon then light snow beginning late in the day.High minus 10.Tomorrow: Periods of snow.Low minus 10.High minus 1.Thursday: Flurries or rain showers.Low minus 1.High minus 1.Friday: A mix of sun and cloud.Low minus 16.High minus 5.It is tradition that the bride’s family host the dowry ceremony and since their property was too small to accommodate everyone, tents had been set up on the dirt road making it impossible for traffic to pass.By the time we arrived, the seats under the tents were all occupied and white plastic chairs had been set up in the shade of the neighbour’s wall.Dowry ceremonies, while important as the formal introduction of the two families, are all spectacle, elaborate theatre productions in which the negotiations are a comedy and the celebration that succeeds an accepted offer, a show of Rwandan culture.Both the men and the women are dressed in traditional robes—the women in printed sheer fabric tied at the shoulder like a sari and the men, dressed in the modified traditional clothes of the cattle herder, a wrapped chitenge and a white sari over their white collared shirts and black dress pants.The men carry ceremonial spears and shields.The women dance as the men protect them, displaying Rwandan culture at its very best, the women in perfect time moving their arms to symbolise the horns of the ever important cattle.The family of the bride, as the hosts, sat with their backs to the audience and was already assembled when Sandrine, Olive and 1 arrived.The groom’s family were seated facing the audience.Between the two families was a smaller tent, set up to welcome the bride and groom once the negotiations were complete.The ceremony began with Francine’s father thanking the guests for their attendance and the distribution of Fanta and beer to the audience.Glass clinked together and the sound of bottle openers and metal caps dropping in the dirt mingled with music from rented loudspeakers and the chatter among guests who may or may not have known one another before this day.When everyone had been served, the father of the groom formally asked the father of the bride for his daughter on behalf of his son.Everyone knew that the negotiations had already ended and that the day’s expense was a culmination of the union of these two families rather than its beginning.And yet, the father of the bride thanked the father of the groom kindly for the honour but maintained that Francine was unavailable to be married because she had fled to Rome to join a nunnery and thus had married herself to Jesus.In the context of Rwanda’s standoff with the German government over the detention of President Paul Kagame’s Chief of Protocol at Frankfurt airport and her subsequent extradition to France the same week as the dowry, the father of the groom replied that given that Francine had joined a convent under a German pope, it was probably best that his son not marry her anyway.The audience, fiercely loyal to the government, whistled and clapped.And the bargaining continued, as the fathers negotiated a theoretical price if Francine were to return from Rome and choose to marry Viateur.The audience laughed and shifted and people continued to talk to one another.The bride had yet to be seen and then all of a sudden, the negotiations were complete, and the fathers were hugging and sharing a glass of whiskey in celebration as the audience clapped on.Traditional Rwandan dowries are cattle based and despite the effect of globalisation on Rwandan culture, Orange Fanta, a product of the Coca-Cola Company, plays an integral role at the beginning of a dowry ceremony, cattle are still valued and are the basis of many cultural practices, including the national dance.It was dusk by the time the matter of the dowry had been settled and the men lit a small symbolic fire to keep the mosquitoes and tse-tse flies at bay, while a man from the bride’s party called the cattle through traditional song and dance.This, like the negotiations, was a sort of competition as a man from the groom’s party was also invited to call the cattle.1 had been assured that there would be no cattle exchanged, and 1 was surprised when I turned to watch the lighting of the fire to find eight head of cattle sniffing around the box of a pickup truck.The night ended with the emergence of the bride and her bridesmaids, an exchange of traditional Rwandan baskets known as agaseke and Viateur escorting Francine back to her father’s house.Rwandans in the capital often define themselves against the tradition of the countryside; and yet, having their legally married daughter-unusually, Viateur and Francine had had their civil marriage that morning, spend the night with her husband without the blessing of the church was out of the question for Francine’s parents.Tradition and modernity continue to coincide in Rwanda, as the country navigates its past and moves toward its future.Rather than marginalising traditions such as the dowry, western culture has altered them.The music is provided by loudspeakers rather than drummers and the whole event was filmed.Rather than tea and coffee and locally brewed banana beer, Fanta is offered to guests.Unfortunately, modernisation has also made these types of ceremonies unaffordable to all except the emerging middle-classes and the already westernised elites.Despite the evolution of some aspects of Rwandan culture, the cattle, once the only marker of wealth and position in Rwanda, are still called and in some cases, still come.Logan needs to raise $900 towards covering his internship in Rwanda.If you are interested in helping him out visit www.videa.ca, or contact Lesley Palmer at lpalmer@videa.ca for further information about how to donate and what the money will be used for.Ben by Daniel Shelton ;'SI6H: ONE MOKE CHRISTMAS TRADITION.MOMMY?MOMMY?YalmOST.ARE YOU Finisher?2 i — TlIK - RECORD Tuesday, December 23, 2008 page 3 Young carolers deliver toe Melbourne in tapping carol performance the black r m n COREY BEILAM Sawyerville-Children /rom the Sawyervillc Elementary School went caroling at Sawyerville Residence last Friday.About 50-55 students, the entire school, had the residents of the home singing along and tapping their feet to the Christmas carols.News in brief Ford thankful (LK)— Ford Motor Company of Canada is saying thanks but no thanks to the Canadian government’s offer to provide emergency loans.The response comes on the heels of a promise by the Ontario government and the Canadian federal government to loan $4 billion to CM Canada and Chrysler Canada.Ford of Canada CTO David Mondragon said in a statement Saturday that he applauds the immediate cooperative action taken by the Government of Ontario and the federal government, but believes the company is restructuring successfully.“At Ford of Canada, we are well on our way to transforming our company and do not need immediate access to government loans.Instead, we have asked the government for a ‘stand-by’ line of credit to be used only if the current economic crisis worsens,” Mondragon said.He acknowledges that one in seven jobs in Canada relies on the auto sector and says he welcomes the government’s plan to support car buyers through expanded credit.Last week, George W.Bush announced that GM Corps, and Chrysler LLC would re- ceive $13.4 billion in emergency loans.Like in Canada, the U.S.divisions of GM and Chrysler said they are putting the offer on hold while they negotiate a line of credit instead.GM working with stakeholders (LK) —General Motors of Canada has welcomed the Canadian and Ontario Governments announcement of emergency loans.In a statement Saturday GM President Arturo Elias said the offer “sends a significant signal of stability in the face of the economic and credit challenges faced by Canada’s auto sector.” Elias said they will work closely with governments and stakeholders to achieve a “lean, green and sustainable business.” Ford Canada has turned down the offer of loans, but praised the government for responding quickly and supporting its competitors.GM is centred in Oshawa, Ont, and employs about 12,000 people nationwide.STS holiday schedule (CP)—The Sherbrooke Transit Society (STS) will be operating on their holiday timetable starting December 22nd.Regular city service and adapted services will run on different schedules as posted on their “ETE et FETES” sheet.City Services December 24th: Saturday service ending at 7 p.m.Free all day.December 25th: No service.December 26th: Sunday service.December 31st: Wednesday service, ending at 7 p.m.Free all day Januarylst: No service.January 2nd: Sunday service Adapted services December 24th: 8 a.m.until 1 a.m.Free all day.December 31st: 7 a.m.until 1 a.m.Free all day.December 25th and January 1st: 9 a.m.until 11 p.m.Free all day.December 26th and January 2nd: 10 a.m.until 11 p.m.The STS will resume their regular transit schedule on January 4th 2009.For a details call the STS help line at 819-564-2687 (press 4) or visit their website, www.sts.qc.ca.By Claudia Villemaire Record Correspondent Melbourne Township With 2007 figures ending in the black, with a small cushion of surplus, and expenditures within the forecast limits set last Fall, Melbourne Township begins a new year with some budget predictions that could indicate an increase in taxes next year.During 2008 the municipality invested $68,900 in road repair with the purchase of calcium and road grader work totaling $108,600 due to a difficult winter.Big ticket expenditures during 2008 include snow removal at $180,000 as well as road work and gravel, including trucking, which cost $161,000.The Quebec government claimed a large chunk of the budget for civic and public protection by the Surete-$106,615, the MRC Val St Francois claimed its share of the pie - $49,602, sanitary land fill fees amounted to over $33,000, fire protection - $75,184, garbage removal, over $28,000 and a fire safety agreement with local industry Usi-natech cost $25,000.With $1,176,950 budgeted for 2008, expenditures totaled $1,003,586 at the year’s closing on October 31st.Included in the report was the status of the main entrance to the Town Hall, which has been designated to a heritage building to respect the architectural heritage of the building.A new urban planning and development by-law was presented and adopted in 2008 conforming to the specifications outlined by the MRC Val St Francois and for the first time, this fall the municipality participated in a fall leaf pick-up organized for members of the MRC.The Ministry of Transport has officially announced the construction of the long-awaited roadside rest stop at the intersection of Highway 55 and Route 243, Restaurant services, fuel (Esso), a convenience store, (Couche Tard), tourist information kiosk and an outdoor rest area should be available by next Fall.Presently the municipal management team is working on budget estimates as they adopt the new budget for 2009.Some estimates currently available are showing important increases.Snow removal, engaged in a new two-year contract will amount to $239,300, an increase of approximately 30 per cent blamed on important increases in the cost of fuel.The Surete du Quebec will claim $128,272, (last year the cost was $106,615), and based on an increase in the global evaluation, new requirements to conform to the fire safety board will see that cost jumping from $75,184 to $80,923.Spring will bring repairs to the water main that runs along route 243 SRi from Richmond’s limits for about one kilometer.le# selk Cost of this first leg is estimated at Si $500,000 but the » N municipality’s share in this pro- tY ject will be around $200,000.JÜI' Because of the Ç.« cost over-runs caused by last year’s winter, repairs scheduled • ! be done in 2009.CY The municipality l is also looking for help from the MRC Val St Francois for the cost of upkeep on Keenan Road, the access route to the St Francois 'Ji waste disposal site LY for garbage trucks coming from sev- $ | eral MRC munici- ¦.• palities.$ The Hut Wednesday, December starting at 9:00 p.m.Live musiejb RÛÜNEYBRAY m THE CQiMRYME! *17°° /person includes hot buffet served at midnight The Hut ANAF Unit 318 300 St.Francis St.Borough of Lennoxville io reserve tickets or for information cal 819-346-9122 after 4 p.m.Everyone Welcome! page 4 Tuesday, December 23, 2008 =RECORD: A Superstar of the Salers breed 1 ' "1 * ! f ' :: - ¦:*}' old and 2,015 pounds, there’s a trail of breeder and exhibitor banners, champion rosettes, red and blue ribbons behind him.He has come home with championship ribbons in his age category and over all age categories from just about every competition he has entered.This year, at Edmonton, the breeders’ choice award, along with his over-all championship for the Salers breed, is like the frosting on the cake.Quite an achievement for a calf that weighed 78 pounds at birth.” The Salers breed, originally from France, is usually dark red, occasionally with a bit of white on the under-belly and recently more black animals have made their appearance in the show ring.The Salers coat photo courtesy ofwindbec is thick, either straight or slightly curly, It's smiles all around as Windbec Superstar SI wins top honors at they are not as tall as the larger beef the Edmonton Farmfair International last November.Pictured is breeds, but carry a muscled body on a stur-Tammi McGee, Dr.Troy Drake, Ellen Hondl, Mona and Gerry dy frame.Their daily rate of gain is the Beware of holiday fraudsters McGee.By Claudia Villemaire Record correspondent Richmond Situated on Chemin Grande Ligne, which divides Richmond and Windsor, the Windbec Farm perches halfway up the steep incline that rises from the picturesque banks of the St.Francis.Gerry McGee and his wife Mona appreciate the view, but their attention these past 35 years has focused mainly on family and farming.Since the Edmonton Farmfair International exhibition held in November of this year, the proof they have done quite a few things right was tangible and real.With daughter Tammi at the halter, two-year-old Salers male- Superstar SI walked off with top honors and the top selling price at this year’s event, capping a lifetime of prize winning at local and regional competitions, which began for Salers as a calf at his mother’s side.“We still have his mother here,” McGee said proudly.“And although we no longer own his grandmother, I know she’s still hale and heary.” This breed is noted for its stamina, longevity, docility and maternal instincts.The females are protective mothers, produce a good supply of milk for their young but have little difficulty giving birth.The McGees, with their three daughters, Joanne, Christine and Tammi, are familiar figures at fairs and 4H events.Their expertise at preparing, fitting and exhibiting has played a major role in promoting the Salers breed in the province and beyond.“I recognized this calf was extra special as soon as he was born,” recalled McGee.“Now, at two years same, or better, than most beef breeds and they carry very little fat, resulting in higher yield compared to live weight.Still popular in France where the breed is used in dual-purpose operations, (producing both milk and beef) the animals are larger, but the North American variety while a bit smaller, is an efficient meat producer.Salers breeders are more numerous in western Canada and the USA but with this important win by a Quebec bred sire, breeders outside this province now have another source for quality herd -sire programs.“I have to emphasize how important the participation of the whole family has been.The girls have always been willing and supportive in our efforts here on the farm, which include such things as mucking out the stable, feeding, fencing and all the daily, routine tasks required to keep a farming operation going.They have always been the showper-sons through the years and Tammi is the one who put Superstar through his paces at Edmonton, putting Quebec bred and raised Salers firmly on the Canadian map of breeders of quality beef cattle.Mona and I are very proud of our daughters,” McGee was quick to add, his pride glowing, emotions running on high.The McGees are recognized as outstanding breeders throughout the province and now across Canada since they began with one half-bred Salers heifer years ago.With a room full of trophies, ribbons and banners, and three daughters whose love and support seems unshakable, the Windbec Farm traditions of a family working together and succeeding is sure to bring home more laurels and awards.“Now we’ll be working on developing quality animals sired by Superstar,” McGee concluded, looking forward to raising another prize-winner, By Corrinna Pole Sherbrooke ««he holiday season is a time of giving and a time when some people seek to take advantage of that generous spirit.Bogus charities or individuals false-JL.ly representing legitimate charities bilk Canadians of their hard earned money and often leave them humiliated.They also harm the real charities out there, which rely heavily on generous donations to carry out respectable work.In a recent press release the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) warned the public that there are no active door-to-door campaigns underway in the Eastern Townships.Fraudsters who are canvassing for donations for the CCS have no authorization to do so.The only sanctioned campaigns are the Relay for Life (Relais pour la vie) or Daffodil Days (Jours de la jonquille).The warning from the SCC is a reminder that the public needs to be diligent and cautious.There are essentially three steps in the battle against fraud, according to RCMP’s Phonebusters website, www.phonebusters.com.Recognize It, Report It and Stop It.Taking a few steps can keep you from becoming a victim of fraud.-Crosscheck charities before donating to be sure they actually exist.Some fraudulent groups use very similar names to well known charities.-Check to see if a canvasser for a charity has valid identification indicating they represent the organization they are collecting for or call the charity the person claims to represent to see if that charity is canvassing in the area.-Make sure you are given a valid receipt with a valid charitable tax number for the designated charity.Registered charities have a specific registration number that must appear on donation receipts.This number or their name can be checked on the Canada Revenue Agency website.The Canada Revenue Agency website, www.cra-arc.gc.ca, has a section entitled Charities and Giving which provides information about legitimate charities and a list of valid registered charities.The phonebusters website offers a list of the current known scams in an effort to educate the public.If you ever feel unsure about making a donation postpone it until you have researched the charity fully.Ask for written information, a phone number or a website where you can learn more.You can also call the nearest police agency to make sure the person collecting is associated with a legitimate charity.Suspicious requests for donations can be reported to the local police, or the commercial crime section of the RCMP online at www.phonebusters.com or by calling toll free 1-888-495-8501.To find out about approved local campaigns from the Canadian Cancer Society, call 819-562-8869.RECORD Yves Robert / jÆ j Advertising Consultant Sherbrooke - Magog - Stanstead v  Tel.: 819-569-9525 • 800463-9525 - *— email: production@sherbrookerecord.com Individual - Couple - Family Counselling • Interpersonal Conflicts • Marital Issues Lies Ouwerkerk • Separat i0 n/Divorce M.Ed., MFT • Stepfamilies (819) 842-3179 • Loss/Bereavement • D e p r ess io n / A n x iety North Hatley, QC • Stress Management • Eating Concerns a • Confidence Building ° La Maison Aube* Lumière POINSETTIAS SALE FUND-RAISING C A M P A i G N from November 20"’ to December 23"‘, 2008 Order Form Quantity to order 220 Kennedy Nord Sherbrooke QC IIE 2E7 819-821-3120 Name ______ Address _ City ______ Postal Code Tel Please deliver poinsettias to Honorary President: jacinthe Dubé Real estate broket Royal Lepage Name_______________________________________ Address ___________________________________ City ______________________________________ Postal Code ___________________________ Tel Delivery Dates I Check desired date) Monday 0 November 24 0 December I 0 Decembers 0 December is 0 December 22 Wednesday 0 November 26 0 December 3 0 December 10 0 December 17 Friday 0 November 21 0 December 5 0 December 12 0 December Id Paid Deposit Collect To be billed 6" x $20 = $ 6”C* x $30 = $ 8" x$30 = $ 8MC* x $40 = $ 10" x $40 = $ TOTAL = $ • Colour Poinsettias Please make cheque or money order to La Maison Aube-Lumière Deliveries tor Ascot.Bromptonville, Deauville, Fleurimo.nl, Lennoivllle, Rock Forest, Saint-Élie-d'Orford, Sherbrooke: check desired date Outside Sherbrooke metropolitan area, delivery dates are: December 4.December 11 and December 18, RECORD Tuesday, December 23, 2008 page 5 A Townships welcome — Why you ask?By Joan Windle Barnes You’re probably wondering why a woman who lives in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia is interested in goings on, past and present in the Eastern Townships of Quebec.I know you’re wondering because I’ve been asked.As I age I’m aware of an animal instinct in me to return to my roots.Whether that’s normal or not, that's how I feel and I'm going with the urge.I’ve attempted several times to return permanently to the Townships but there’s a hesitation inside which screams, “It’s not time yet.” I've learned the importance of going with the m m y “How far?” I asked.“I don’t know how far but it’s not likely we’ll be going.” The day came when our family would be leaving my beloved Eastern Townships.That year I was in Miss Hastings’ grade four class (a grade 4-5 mix) at Knowlton High School in 1950-51.1 stopped at Frizzle's to pick up The Record but there was no paper in our slot.I told Glen, the owner, who paused, looked at his wife, Francis, then went to the pile for the unsubscribed and handed me one.“I’ve got the paper,” I called as I walked into the house."It wasn’t in our slot so This picture is o/Miss Hastings’grade 4-5 class at Knowlton High School (as per the arti- Glen had to give me one from the pile,” su., ancl so’ untl .e message changes, I cle), taken spring of 1951.I have several people named but thought I would send it out and ‘,The reason there wasn’t one in the slot W1 ’ 'c < to my rivice-yearly research trips, see if we could collect more.Email newsroom@sherbrookerecord.com and put to the atten- *s because we cancelled the paper because At the time the urge to return emerged, [ion of loan.we’re moving to Ottawa ” I in form pH f ‘emerged, tionofjoan.so did a passion to learn more about my past and my people who lived and pioneered in the Townships.I had inherited old photographs which once belonged to my grandparents and great-grandparents as well as a multitude of papers and various documents.That material provided a place to start my research.I hate having pictures around of people and no idea who they are.I also hate the idea of throwing them away because they were of value to someone at one time; some have been around since the 1800's.After studying the old photos with a magnifying glass, comparing them to others and attempting to guess at genetic resemblances, I finally decided to go to the source or what was left of the source and make inquiries.With copies of my photos packed up I headed for the Townships, an all day trip, mostly by air, from where I live.This trek has been going on now for a number of years.I found people to be welcoming and I was invited into homes to chat with long-time residents who recalled my recent ancestors.I’ve had interesting experiences on this journey and I felt they were worth sharing.I approached editor, Jen Young with the idea of submitting articles to The Record.A couple of weeks ago Jen and I agreed I would write an article-a-week.I felt proud to be associated with this paper because The Record is my first experience with a newspaper.It was the paper subscribed to by my parents, my grandparents, my great-grandparents and a myriad of other family, friends and neighbours for decades.As a child I recall those first experiences.We lived in Knowlton in the tenement behind my grandfather’s house on the corner of Lakeside and Edgehill.It was a large house with a connecting door from our part to theirs.My great-grandmother, widowed in 1942, lived with my grandparents.We lived separately but all together.One of those extended family situations that rarely exists, in our culture today.I didn’t realize at the time how lucky I was to have experienced growing up that way.I appreciate it now and am grateful for the workings of the universe which caused it to happen.The little store up the road, once called Whittaker’s and then Frizzle’s was a snack bar which sold cigarettes, sandwiches and pickled eggs, chocolate bars and sodas, milk shakes, hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream (5