Frank Butler, honoured for 75 years of playing drums with the Stirling Citizens Band, drew much applause as he stepped up to the big drum, and the marches played on. Linda Jackson 22.FEB.07 Stirling - “Maurice Bell used to call me and say, ‘isn’t music grand, Frank?’” Frank Butler has been drumming with the Stirling Citizens Band for 75 years. “At one time, we thought, we might not be able to keep it going, but we did. The reason is, it is family oriented.” “Oh, Lord! I loved every minute of it.” Frank Butler suggested that the Stirling Citizen’s Band is akin to a family of music. With a grand flourish, members of the Stirling Citizens Band paid tribute to their drummer, who began drumming with the band in 1932, last Tuesday evening. With obvious pride and respect for this man, who recalls all the glories, as well as the struggles, the members of the band began their evening with a dinner, finishing with some lively stepped up marching music. A brief history of the band, by Bill Bell, the son of Frank Butler’s cohort, Maurice Bell, put the evening in perspective. With the band’s beginnings in 1873, by Jessie Nicks, the differences were noted; quality of instruments and affordability, with a need to feed and clothe a family, first. “In 1893, the band was affiliated with the Militia and became known as the 49th Regimental Band.” [more]

Margaret Brown with the activation team at the Stirling Manor listens to some fond memories of Gordon Foster, who recently celebrated 91 years. Linda Jackson 22.FEB.07 Stirling - “We are not encouraging visitors, but we are not shut down or closed to visitors.” Administrator for the Stirling Manor, Charmaine Jordan, said in an interview that, “We have had two outbreaks; a respiratory and an enteric and are strongly encouraging visitors to stay away.” “These outbreaks are not influenza, but can be transmitted,” said Jordan, adding that the Health Unit’s advisement, will continue until all residents are non-symptomatic, “probably about 10 to 14 days.” Telephoning residents at the manor is always a good way to stay in touch with a friend or relative during these times, Jordan suggested. Although popular programming at the Stirling Manor had to be cancelled on Valentine’s Day due to the outbreaks, memories of love continued with the efforts of the activation staff. As all residents had to be contained to their own floors to prevent the spread of respiratory and enteric infection, activation staff treated each floor with Valentine’s Day themes. [more]

Stirling - Stirling’s Rona Midgets split their opening weekend of OMHA quarter final action with the Elmvale Coyotes. On Saturday in Elmvale, the Blues overcame a two goal deficit in the third period with four unanswered goals en route to a 6 – 4 win. Brent Heusinkveld started the comeback with the opening goal of the third followed by Jimmy Robertson who tied the game. Pat Shearer notched the winner with brother Alex scoring an empty netter to cap off the victory. The Blues were outscored 4-2 in the second period with Derek McConnell and Robertson bulging the twine. McConnell and Alex Shearer had a pair of assists to go with their totals while Frank Bailey, Heusinkveld and Pat Shearer all had singles. Dan McPhee was solid between the pipes and earned the win.
On Sunday at home, the Blues started strongly and dominated the opening stanza but were unable to capitalize on their chances. They ran into penalty trouble in the second period and Elmvale made the most of their chances scoring three powerplay goals in a 3 – 1 win. Alex Shearer gave the hometown faithful a glimmer of hope for another comeback, scoring 17 seconds into the third, but that was all the offence the Blues could muster on the afternoon. Pat Shearer and Heusinkveld drew assists on the goal. Graham Lloyd played a strong game in goal, despite taking the loss. The Blues travel to Elmvale for game three on Feb. 23 and return home on Saturday the 24th for game four at 5:15 p.m.

Peter McInroy was presented with the Annual Cecil Solmes Award, last Sunday, for his dedication and committment to Stirling and District Minor Hockey. In the photo: Barry Wilson (L), representing SDMHA; recipient of the the award, Peter McInroy and Kevin Solmes. Photo: LJ Jackson

Stirling - Barry Wilson, representing the Stirling Minor Hockey League, took a few minutes in between games last Sunday to pay tribute to a gentleman who, “after he finished Juvenile, missed very few winters of coming to the arena.”
Peter McInroy was presented with the prestigious Cecil Solmes Award for his contribution and service to the Stirling District Minor Hockey Association. It was first presented in 1986.
During the hockey season of 1991/1992, Wilson said, “He was very instrumental in getting Tyke Hockey going, along with some other very well known hockey oldies.”
From 1996 until the present, Peter McInroy was commended for his contributions with coaching various Rep Team Divisions, one year coaching a boy on each of the two Rep Teams. Wilson added, “He has been very instrumental in reviving the Juvenile Team…”
Peter McInroy’s commitment extends to sitting on the executive for a number of years; president for a three-year term. The presentation last week recognized further, “He has also found time to help various coaches and shared his skills with them; donated graciously to fundraising auctions for minor hockey and helped a lot with the boundary dispute.”
From rearranging his work and hunting schedules to accommodate his hockey commitments to taking a puck in the face from one of his own players during warm-up, Peter McInroy demonstrated the commitment and dedication, deserving of the Cecil Solmes Award.

“The meaning of life is the meaning you bring to your life, by making the needs of others part of your own.” Who Is NOBODY will be implemented by Stephanie Manderville, when a mysterious box arrives in her Grade 7 classroom at Stirling Sr. PS.

Collecting glasses for World Vision, performing plays about Global Warming and organizing a used blanket drive for the Humane Society – are just three examples of 25 community out-reach projects that will be carried out over one school year, while using a program called Who Is NOBODY? that is supported by local Rotary Clubs and sponsored by The Printing House.
Students experience how helping others also helps themselves!
They will use a simple method to find their personal interests and abilities and then apply the curriculum (from six different subjects, including literacy) to real-life activities that exercise responsible citizenship, build character, help with career goals, build self-esteem and is also a preventative bullying strategy supporting Safe Schools Initiatives.
Posters, a 3-D collage and a colourful scrapbook with stories, pictures and photos documents each student’s efforts and captures this year-long project helping students take action locally, nationally and globally – exercising equality and celebrating diversity.
The program will be implemented by Stephanie Manderville, when a mysterious box arrives in her Grade 7 classroom at Stirling Sr. PS (HPEDSB) addressed:
Over 14 school boards across Ontario have been supported by over 25 Rotary Clubs and The Printing House who have donated materials and Who Is NOBODY? Kits – a “Character-in-ACTION” Education Program, launched this school year.
The Who Is NOBODY? Program supports students in personal projects to donate time, materials, funds and raise awareness on important issues.
Principal Heather Rutherford and Rotarian Nic Carey were instrumental in connecting the donated kit with Teacher Stephanie Manderville, by organizing a Who Is NOBODY? Workshop at Stirling Sr. PS on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007.
Students realize that EVERYBODY is SOMEBODY!
For more information about running this program in your school or sponsoring a program, contact Kelly Clark at 416-597-2011 or http://com www.whois
nobody.com

  

“Jelly” and “Jam” made a perfect sandwich for the Stirling District Nursery School fundraiser.

Stirling - “Jam and Jelly” got them rockin’ in their seats and in the aisles of the Stirling Theatre, last week, as the Stirling District Nursery School fundraiser, presented a performance of “Music and Magic.”
The duo, who has played with popular children’s singer, “Peanut Butter,” attracted the attention and spirit of the families at the Stirling Theatre. Minding the spirit of the country, Jam and Jelly took away the humdrums of winter, replacing it with lively songs of Canadian spirit; jiggling sounds of jelly and jam sandwiches, as well as the magical and the mysterious.
The audience roared as Captain Canada was discovered sitting quietly in the audience. Sitting quietly, would never do, for the energetic duo of Jelly and Jam. Captain Canada soon lost all reserve as he was led in dance and song and dressed in his “Captain Canada suit.”
As well, audience participation saw a line up of chickens,rooster, fish, a bunny that crawled, and even a skunk, dancing to the motions of “Turkey in the Straw.” Each of the participants interviewed by the professional performers were asked a few questions, such as where they were from. Two young talents from the audience, spoke up proudly, “I’m from Canada,” while most of the others were from, the “Stirling” area.
It was an afternoon of delight for the families, performers and the Stirling District Nursery School.

Bob West stands beside the photographs of his grandfather, father, uncles and brothers, who have continued a well-respected tradition of butter making at Stirling Creamery. he Stirling Creamery continues to be a family oriented business. Photo: LJ Jackson

A student of the renovations program from CHSS was one of the volunteers who attended a meeting with the Habitat for Humanity held at the Kiwanis Club at Madoc. In the photo: Richard Hofford, Vice Chair Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Hasting; Karel Vanek, President; Roy Young on the Family Select Committee; and CHSS student Campbell Thomson. Front Row: Bonnie Dobson, Chair Family Selection Committee and Ruth Peck, Chair for the Flinton Build Site. Photo: LJ Jackson Linda Jackson 16.FEB.07 By LJ Jackson “A world where everyone has a safe and decent place to live.” – the vision of the Habitat for Humanity for Prince Edward Hastings Habitat for Humanity is envisioning the near future, with the building of a new home on a 1.5 acre building site at the Upper Flinton Road. The lot and some support financing were donated by Chisholm’s (Roslin) Limited, a Chisholm family run lumber business since 1857. To mark their 150th birthday in 2007, president Doug Chisholm and his family and staff are celebrating by giving a special gift to the community that has supported them for so many years: Sponsorship of a Habitat for Humanity home. Applications for Habitat home ownership are now being accepted from qualified residents in the area, within a 30 mile radius of Flinton, which takes in the area of Madoc and Tweed as well. Flinton is located north east of Madoc and Tweed. [more]

The cast of the 1940s interactive radio show, “Dial NHL for Murder,” Chad Biltmore (Norm Berketa), Dorathy Alice Stewart (Gabrielle Mackenzie), Biff Chandler (Peter Dillon) and Skippy (Rob Lethbridge).