County Line Courier

community powered stories and events

Paxton Cole Named 2013 Easter Seals Ambassador The ambassador for this year’s PEI Easter Seals campaign is tenyear-old Paxton Cole, a grade five student at Queen Elizabeth Elementary School in Kensington.

Paxton, daughter of Patricia and Ewen Cole lives in New London, Prince Edward Island.

Paxton has Cerebral Palsy. Paxton’s wish is to tell others to see what people with challenges CAN do and not what they CAN’T do! She faces each day with a smile and a positive attitude and loves to do what every other girl her age likes to do. She enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, is a Girl Guide of Canada and loves horseback riding with Joyriders.

Paxton is ecstatic to be

the 2013 Easter Seals Ambassador and feels honored to have this chance to help other people with disabilities. Her motto is “See my smile and my positive attitude not my walker”. “I am so excited to be the Easter Seals Ambassador,” said Paxton.

Paxton will travel across PEI visiting schools during the annual Tim Horton’s Easter Seals School Tour scheduled for six days from April 17th to April 24th – 65 schools from tip to tip!

The Easter Seals Campaign is a franchised project of the Charlottetown Rotary Club, and supported by Rotary Clubs in Summerside and Montague. A direct mail campaign, Tim Horton’s Ambassador’s School Tour, Paper Egg

Welcome Community of Kinkora Kinkora, a community that pulls together, is a vibrant community with a host of dedicated volunteers, entertainers, talented citizens, businesses, groups, and organizations investing in their community.

To take advantage of an excellent opportunity to showcase and promote the services of nonprofit groups, organizations, sport teams etc. in the Kinkora area (updates, programs, awards & achievments) see page 3 for contact information.

The County Line Courier, a community based newspaper powered by stories and events, is published twice monthly with a circulation of approxmore on p. 11 imately 2900 per issue.

Schools/Community Groups/Sports Youth Groups/Library/Musical Artists Maple Leaf Seniors Club/Human Interest Stories Advertising Opportunities for Businesses/Entrepreneurs Circulation approx. 2900 per issue Interested in increasing your profile, visibility and sales opportunities?

For reasonable Ad rates see p. 3 for contact info.

campaign, Montague Variety Concert, Storm basketball game, PEI Rocket Toonie Toss, Easter Beef Show and Sale, Dooly’s Pool Tournament, Montague Variety Concert, Montague Fireman and RCMP Charity Hockey Game, Airport Authority BBQ, North River Fire Department Pancake Breakfast, Tulip Festival U-pick Day, PEILCC Golf Tournament and many other fundraising initiatives enable Easter Seals to help provide programs and equipment for people with disabilities on Prince Edward Island.

The PEI Easter Seals Society has provided financial assistance to support programs in PEI for the past 56 years. These programs include: Cerebral Palsy Association,

March 20, 2013 Vol 21 No 6

Camp Gencheff, Stars for Life for Autism, PEI Rehabilitation Council, Joy Riders, CADS-PEI (disabled skiers association) and many other worthy organizations. The Society encourages businesses or organizations interested in supporting this year’s Easter Seals Campaign to contact Margaret Wilton, Campaign Coordinator, through her office at 902-651-2373 or email margaret@eastersealspei.org To donate online and for a complete list of events visit the Easter Seals PEI website at www.eastersealspei.org.

Follow us on facebook and Twitter. All funds raised stay on Prince Edward Island to assist children and adults with disabilities.

cont’d on p. 5

Buffie Boily Photographic Arts

2013 Easter Seals Ambassador Paxton Cole

Skating Club’s Annual Ice Show “A Salute to The Beatles” The Kensington Area Figure Skating Club put on its Annual Ice Show, “A Salute To The Beatles” this past weekend, at Community Gardens.

Participating in the show were more than 75 budding skaters from Kensington and area.

Each Ice Show number was skated and choreographed to a Beatles song.

The show highlighted the

cont’d on p. 9

Skaters don tie -dye T-shirts in psychedelic colors for The Beatles number “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”.

front - three skaters perform to songs from the Sgt Pepper’s album “Help” and “When I’m 64”

March 20, 2013

King George Place 61 Broadway Street Kensington, Prince Edward Island Published twice monthly by MJS Marketing and Promotions. The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright. To make use of any of the material, you must first obtain permission from the publisher.

Publisher: Michael J. Smith Editor: Isabel Smith Feature Article(s): Andy Walker Mailing address: PO Box 601, Kensington, PE, C0B 1M0 Tel: 902 836-3196 Fax: 902 836-4889 E-mail: thecourier@eastlink.ca We Welcome Your Letters: The County Line Courier welcomes letters on topics of interest to our readers. Publishing of any letter is at the discretion of the editor. Any submitted articles, letters or features, may be edited for length, clarity, grammar and content. All letters must be signed with the writer’s name and telephone number for verification purposes.

Unsigned or anonymous letters will not be considered for publication. Short letters have more impact.

Opinions expressed are those of the people who submit them and not necessarily those of The County Line Courier.

Next edition April 10 (deadline for submissions for this issue is April 3)

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Patient Support Group Works To Save ISLANDWIDE DIALYSIS In May of 2012, a one year moratorium was placed on the decision to close Islandwide Dialysis access.

PEI Islandwide Dialysis Patient Support Group has made several requests for written government rationale supporting this decision and have received no response to that request.

PEI Islandwide Dialysis Patient Support Group has been very public in supporting Islandwide Dialysis and has been clear in its position that the best health outcome and lowest cost is achieved through the current Islandwide Dialysis available. Furthermore, PEI Islandwide Dialysis Patient Support Group has advocated that the appointment of an organ transplant coordinator would radically enhance patient health/ life and would save the Province millions of dollars in dialysis treatment expenses.

In support of that Islandwide Dialysis, PEI Islandwide Dialysis Patient Support Group has commissioned a report to examine the medical evidence and the cost rationale associated with such a decision. Alan Buchanan, former Minister of Health for PEI, was commissioned for this report - Ensuring Access to Healthcare: Maintaining Local Dialysis. The report was presented publicly on World Kidney Day, March 14, 2013 7-9 pm at St Mary’s Hall.

The PEI Islandwide Dialysis Support Group has invited Government Representatives involved in this decision to be in attendance as participants in a Roundtable Discussion – to be hosted at the Murphy CenterRoom 207, Richmond Street Charlottetown – 7 pm, March 26, 2013. The Roundtable will be to discuss the rationale for the policy proposal to close Islandwide dialysis centers versus maintaining Islandwide Dialysis Centers.

Invited to speak on behalf of the Government are - Premier Robert Ghiz, Minister of Health Doug Currie and CEO of Health PEI – Dr. Richard Wedge.

Speaking for the PEI Islandwide Dialysis Patient Support Group are – Nathan Bushey, President PEIIDPSG, Mathew MacFarlane PEI Kidney Foundation and Alan Buchanan, former Minister of Health and author of a report for the PEIIDPSG. The report will be made available to the public on Facebook – “Help Save Souris Dialysis” or by request to peidialysis@ gmail.com.

Report Highlights Patients in Local Dialysis •Evidence that travel time to dialysis has serious implications for health outcomes, including a strong association with a significantly higher probability of death.

•When presented with

Nathan Bushey on dialysis reviewing Mr. Buchanan’s most excellent report. Nathan spends approximately 650 hours a year on this machine. ( 4 hours x 156 days at a minimum) Closure of Islandwide Dialysis would have a significant negative impact on a dialysis patient’s health, add over 300 additional hours of driving time and create over $10,000 for each patient’s travel costs. choices of home, satellite, and in-centre dialysis, patients were willing to forgo 23 months of life expectancy in order to decrease their travel time.

•By abandoning local dialysis in favour of the larger centre, Health PEI would seem to be promoting the most expensive and inappropriate level of care, while at the same time creating inequities in access, and attaining questionable quality returns.

•Not only are satellite dialysis units as effective as main hemodialysis units, but they offer the patients improved access and a more acceptable form of treatment.

Cost and Trend Of Dialysis •The average cost per year for patients at the satellite (low- volume) facilities, was 28.5% lower than the per-patient cost of an in-centre unit.

•One of the most salient characteristics of kidney disease is the alarming and insidious rate at which it is growing, especially among seniors and low socioeconomic groups.

•Islanders report a rate of chronic disease above that of the rest of Canada and in Kings County the rate is higher than the rest of PEI. •The Macdonald Laurier Institute assesses PEI as having a 57% probability of defaulting on its loans and declaring insolvency—driven largely by increasing health care costs.

•The maintenance of local dialysis is the best approach to satisfy the goals outlined by Health PEI and the financial restraints of the Province.

Future of Local Dialysis Needs •In fact the most sensible decision to meet Health PEI aims may not only be the maintenance of satellite dialysis clinics but to expand satellite dialysis clinics.

•There is no evidence that most patient care or safety is materially improved by concentrating all hospital services into fewer, bigger hospitals.

•Frequency of dialysisbased physician visits did not factor in the five most crucial best practices.

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Plenty of Suggestions For Senate Reform

by Andy Walker Editor, Island Farmer / Freelance journalist President, Canadian Association of Journalist, PEI Vice president, Atlantic Farm Writers Association The expense scandal that has played out in the Senate over the past several months has many Canadians asking how the “chamber of sober second thought” can be revamped.

It is not a new discussion by any means.

Federal governments of both Liberal and Conservative stripes have made attempts over the years.

However, even if there is widespread agreement that change is needed

(and that is probably the case now as much as any time in recent memory), change does not come easy.

Major reform of the Senate requires a constitutional amendment, and that requires the agreement of the majority of the provinces. That has meant what has happened over the year has been mostly tinkering— one of the major changes has been implementing a retirement age of

75—previously Senators had been appointed for life.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has tried his hand at reform as well.

He has urged the provinces to hold elections, saying he would be willing to appoint the successful candidates. Currently, he is asking the Supreme Court to define exactly how much power Ottawa has to act unilaterally on Senate reform.

In the meantime, federal New Democratic Leader Thomas Mulcair is advocating what amounts to abolishing the Red Chamber through attrition. He

is proposing that all of the major parties come to a gentlemen’s agreement not to appoint any Senators while they hold office.

With an average age of close to 65, the Senate would effectively disappear within a decade if there were no new appointees. However, the big question is how the institution would function in the meantime. Even with diminished numbers, the Senate would still have its constitutional power to hold up legislation for a review—admittedly, it is a power that is seldom used, but it is there.

It could lead to a situation where a handful of Senators make a last stand, if you will, trying to block legislation. Unless the constitution was changed, as long as there was still one Senator holding office, the chamber would still exist.

Virtually all of the provinces have signaled their intention to become involved with the Supreme Court cases as intervenors. Their solutions run from abolishing the chamber to holding Senate election. PEI is advocating elected senators, but with a twist.

Premier Robert Ghiz is arguing that all provinces should have the same number of Senators regardless of population. This, of course, is modeled after the situation south of the border, where the House of Representatives is based on population but each state gets two senators.

It’s easy to see why PEI would advocate this position, but the reality is it has little chance of ever becoming reality. It is unlikely the court would impose any constitutional settlement and none of the other provinces would ever agree to parity.

In the event the Senate was ever abolished, PEI would have to demand the constitutional guarantee that guarantees us four House of Commons seats stayed in place. If population were the sole factor, the Island would only have one MP in Ottawa. However, the constitution provides that no province can have fewer MP’s than it has Senators.

March 20, 2013

The four PEI MP’s (regardless of their political stripe) have limited impact in the scheme of things in Ottawa due to their small numbers.

Reducing that from four seats to the one we are entitled to by virtue of population would make a bad situation worse.

That fact seems to be well recognized by Island politicians. Premier Robert Ghiz has indicated that is his prime concern in any talk of Senate reform.

Provincial New Democratic Party Leader Michael Redmond backs the federal drive to abolish the senate but argues “Whether the Senate ends up being elected or completely abolished, P.E.I. should use the leverage of our provincial government status to ensure our four House of Commons seats are preserved. That is the best position for the government of Prince Edward Island to take on this issue.”

There is no telling how long the Supreme Court will decide to make a decision on the issue, although the country’s top court is not noted for making speedy rulings. In the meantime, the Senators who found themselves in trouble over their expenses (including Mike Duffy) are taking steps to pay back expense money that may be in dispute.

That will likely force attention away from the issue—the news cycle is short for most issues and Senate reform isn’t exactly a topic that excites people.

March 20, 2013

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Parenting Picky Eaters March is nutrition month. Ask any parent about feeding their little ones and they will likely tell you that the best nutrition for their children is of primary importance. What many will also probably tell you about is the challenges they face getting their kids to eat healthy. How can parents ensure their children are getting the nutrition they need— especially those with “picky eaters”?

IWK dietitian, Pam Ross, and Feeding Specialist Anne Napier Phillips, work with the IWK Feeding Clinic to support parents and children with feeding issues. They shared the following information based on their experience working with

countless families.

What is a picky eater?

A picky eater might be described as a child who likes a limited number of foods or a child who eats a wide variety of foods in small amounts.

In our clinics we often see young children (1-2 years old) who are described by their parents as being picky eaters. It is important for parents to remember that growth slows after the first birthday and at this time the appetite often shrinks.

Parents often expect children to eat more as they get older, so this normal decrease in appetite may cause stress. This concern often leads to coaxing or bribing at mealtimes.

Sometimes what ap-

pears to be picky eating is normal toddler behaviour.

What are some of the common challenges with toddlers who are picky eaters?

We consider picky eaters to include: children who refuse to sit at the table/in their high chair, refuse new foods on their plate, prefer to drink rather than to eat, and those who have trouble with transitioning to more difficult textures.

What are some of the techniques that may help parents of picky eaters?

Make an eating schedule. It is important to offer meals and snacks at regularly scheduled times and limit meal times to no more than 20 or 30 minutes. While it

Easter Seals Ambassador cont’d from p. 1

I face each day with a smile and a positive attitude and I love to do what every other girl my age likes to do! I enjoy spending time with my friends and listening to music (especially ONE DIRECTION). I love horseback riding with Joyriders and I am also a Girl Guide. I can do anything I set my mind to- sometimes I just need to figure out the Paxton way to do it!!

Thank you to the Easter Seals committee for giving me this awesome opportunity to help others and let everyone know that people who have challenges are just like everyone else!

I am very lucky to live in such a great community and Province, I receive a lot of encouragement and support and I feel that there is nothing I can’t do. I hope that with your help all people living with challenges can feel the way I do!!

Easter Seals PEI Our Mission: The Easter Seals Society of PEI is committed to fully enhancing the quality of life, self esteem and self determination of Islanders with disabilities.

The Easter Seals Society of PEI responds to the needs and aspirations of children, youth, and adults with disabilities by providing services and support to enable access, inclusion and opportunity to promote increased activity and involvement.

We support fundraising, services, public and consumer education, research and increased awareness of disability issues in the private, volunteer and government sectors The History of Easter Seals PEI: 1960 saw the Charlottetown Rotary Club adopt The Easter Seals Society of PEI Campaign as a franchised project and has participated under a verbal agreement since 1956.

In 1988 the Rotary clubs in Summerside and Montague were added to the franchise agreement. Easter Seals operates under a provincial committee com-

A letter from Paxton; Hi my name is Paxton Cole and I am very excited to be this year’s Easter Seals Ambassador. Easter Seals supports so many important programs and I feel honored to have this chance to help other people with challenges like mine.

I am 10 years old and a grade 5 student at Queen Elizabeth Elementary School in Kensington. I live with my parents Ewen and Patricia and my sisters Ellen and Claya. I have Cerebral Palsy and my parents tell me it is because my twin sister Ellen and I were born very prematurely. CP is a condition that affects my muscles and makes it difficult for me to walk without my walker or crutches!

My wish is to tell others to see what people with challenges CAN do and not what they can’t do!! “See my smile, not my walker”.

Paxton

may be challenging, after this time we suggest that parents remove the uneaten food and close the kitchen until the next meal or snack time.

Don’t fill up on fluids.

We recommend limiting juice to no more than a half cup each day. We recommend limiting milk as well, especially once the children reach toddler age, to 2-3 cups a day and preferably at mealtimes.

Parents might consider providing water between meals for good dental hy-

giene and overall health.

Don’t be a short order cook! Making separate meals or offering many choices often enables children to become picky eaters. The goal is for the whole family to eat the same meal. Keep in mind, young children may need foods finely diced or mashed, or with less spice.

Keep trying. It is important to realize that children need multiple opportunities to learn to like a new food. It can

prised of the three Rotary clubs with one part-time paid coordinator.

Our Ambassadors: The Easter Seals Society of PEI Ambassador plays an important role in the annual campaign.

The Ambassador is always a young person with a disability. The Ambassador appears live in news broadcasts, appears in promotions, visits all schools on the tour, attends the Easter Beef Show and Sale Banquet, the Kick-off and Wrap-up meetings of the Charlottetown Rotary Club and other events as they arise from year to year.

The Ambassadors are local children, living with a disability, who represent all the children of our Island helped by Easter Seals.

Being an Ambassador provides the child a rewarding opportunity to serve their community, develop confidence in public speaking, and leadership skills.

The 2013 Easter Seals Society of PEI Ambassador was announced March 4th, 2013 at the Charlottetown Rotary Meeting at the Delta Prince Edward Our Projects For more than 65 years Easter Seals Society of PEI Campaigns have been a great success because of the generosity of Islanders.

Easter Seals Society of PEI Campaigns have raised more than $3 million in the past 56 years.

Virtually every cent raised has been put back into the community to assist fellow Islanders with disabilities.

Funds are donated to organizations that assist them, not to individuals. Originally focused on those children affected by the several polio epidemics we had here on PEI, the pro-

gram is now more broadly based on assisting persons with disabilities, irrespective of the cause.

Just Kids?

No. The Easter Seals Society of PEI is committed to helping children AND adults with physical and mental disabilities and special needs resulting from any cause - whether diagnosed at birth or incurred through disease, accidental injury or the aging process.

Where Does the Money Go? The monies raised by Islanders for Islanders are used to help children and adults here on PEI. It is split between the clubs based on geographical location and population.

Currently 50% is allocated to Charlottetown and 30% to Summerside with 20% to the Montague club.

Some of the major beneficiaries of those campaign funds have been: •Camp Gencheff (in the earlier years, contributions were made to the Camp through the Polio Foundation of Prince Edward Island) •Rehabilitation Council of PEl •Education Coalition •Joy Riders •PEI Cerebral Palsy Association •Stars for Life Foundation for Autism •Glen Stewart Greater Grounds •Canadian Association for the Disabled Skiers for specialized equipment •Charlottetown Area Recreation Inc. for a pool lift for persons with disabilities •Queen Elizabeth Hospital Physical Medicine Department for specialized equipment

Page 5 take 10-20 times of tasting or trying a new food before it will be readily accepted.

When should parents be concerned?

Parents need to feel comfortable when their kids don’t eat well at every meal. It’s okay and perfectly normal.

There should be a concern if the child is losing weight or restricts his/ her eating to very limited food groups. In these cases, an oral nutritional supplement or multivitamin may be recommended. Parents should check with their health providers if they are concerned.

For more information about coping with picky eaters: www.ellynsatter.com http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/News/ DrPat/Pages/Picky-eater.aspx http://novascotia.ca/ hpp/publications/09047_ L C 1 t o 3 Ye a r s B o o k _ En.pdf http://iwk.nshealth.ca •PEl Recreation and Sports Association for the Disabled for a sports wheelchair •PEl Council of People with Disabilities • S h e r wo o d - Pa rk d a l e Head Start •PEl Special Olympics •Tremploy Physicallychallenged high school students who receive scholarships to study at post-secondary institutions.

Over the past 25 years, other fund-raising projects conducted as part of the Easter Seals Campaign have been: Tim Hortons School Tour, CBC Telethon; Parade of Supporters Corporate Donations; Paper Egg Sales; Golf Tournaments; Banana Split Day at Dairy Queen; Bacon Burgers at Burger King; Tuna Challenge, Motorcycle Rally; Dooleys Pool Tournament; Brunches; Variety Concerts; Pancake Breakfast; Premier’s Breakfast; Kick-off Breakfasts in Summerside, Charlottetown and Montague; Imperial Oil’s Thankful Tankful; Snowaramas; Wheelchair Basketball Tournament; Easter Seals Pace; The Anna McGoldrick Evening; and, Hockey Games, sometimes involving RCMP & City Police forces, sometimes even politicians and many other events.

Why choose Easter Seals as your Charity of Choice?

Provide help, hope and answers to Islanders living with disabilities and the families who love them.

Assist in providing: •exceptional services •education •outreach •advocacy

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March 20, 2013

PEI Command Royal Canadian Legion Literary Contest Winners

Kensington Intermediate Senior High Winners Lois Brown, Emily Kelly, Joe Arsenault and Emma MacLean.

Comrade Lois Brown-Chair of the Branch No. 9 Literary Contest and Joe Arsenault-2nd Vice Branch No 9 were pleased to present and congratulate the winners of the 2012 PEI Command Royal Canadian Legion Literary Contest at KISH. Winners received a prize from Dominion Command and from Provincial Command Branch No. 9.

Emily Kelly of KISH won 1st Place in the Intermediate Poem category (grade 7-9) and Emma MacLean of KISH won 2nd Place in the Senior Poem category (grades 10-12).

Prince Edward Hospital Foundation Announces New Executive Committee Gordon Coffin, second from left, is welcomed in as the new President of the Prince County Hospital Foundation by Past President Bill Thompson, third from left. Coffin and Thompson are flanked by Board Executive members Sandy Rundle, Vice President, left; Heather Matheson, Managing Director, right; and Wayne Carew, treasurer, second from right.

Mr. Coffin has been a board member since 2003, having served in various executive roles as well as the head of several committees.

Says President Coffin, “Over the course of my presidency, the PCH Foundation will be facing some challenging, but exciting campaigns that will only improve our hospital. I look forward to leading our team over the next 3 years and to the challenges ahead. I am confident in our caring communities and their support of the Prince County Hospital Foundation, our hospital, and the patients it serves.�

Queen Elizabeth Elementary School Winners Lois Brown, Samantha Schurman, Rodney MacArthur-Principal QEES, Shianne Adams, Paige Arden, Joe Arsenault and Logan Saulnier.

Comrade Lois Brown and Joe Arsenault presented and congratulated winners of the 2012 PEI Command Royal Canadian Legion Literary Contest at QEES. Winners received a prize from Dominion Command and from Provincial Command Branch No. 9. Samantha Schurman 1st Place Primary Colour Poster category (Kindergarten to grade 3) , Paige Arden 2nd Place Jr. Colour Poster category (grades 4-6), Logan Saulnier 1st Place Jr. Black & White Poster category and Shianne Adams 3rd Place in Jr. Essay category.

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MARCH BREAK

March 20, 2013 GOOD FRIDAY March 29th No classes

Kensington Intermediate Senior High School News

March 18th – 22nd Enjoy a well deserved break!!

“Knowledge, Inclusion Success, Health”

EASTER MONDAY April 1st No classes

KISH STANDS UP

Bullying Stops Here

Grad Action Prom tickets are on sale this week. The theme is “Under the Sea” and the date has been confirmed as June 1.

Special Recognition The“KISH Stands UP “group organized a great week of activities for our students hoping to spread the message that “Bullying Stops Here”. Staff members were encouraged to catch students doing random acts of kindness throughout the week.

Tuesday morning started energetically with a Mo Mo in the cafeteria which involved song and a video presentation. Wednesday was “Pink Shirt” Day, and

started with a Bully Fact and Song on the PA before school. A school assembly was held and a school picture was taken of the sea of pink t-shirts, followed by an informative anti-bullying video and message from the “KISH Stands UP group”. On Friday, March 1, Diversity Day celebrated our uniqueness. Students wore multi-colours in recognition of this. A big thank you to teacher advisors and the” KISH Stands UP” group.

KISH Science Fair Congratulations to the following students who will represent the school at the provincial fair in April:

1st – Abby Donald”Does Organic Matter Matter?”

2nd – Chloe Champion – Sodium Loaded 3rd – Mary Kate Picketts “Do You Want Fries With That?”/ “ Veux –tu les frites avec ca?”

4th - Patrick Corcoran/ Noah Rogerson – Sound Barriers 5th - Brielle Clark/ Lauren Cassisdy - “Les Effets sur les plantes Congratulations also to Brittany Powell on her PowerPoint presentation at Credit Union Place to 200 of her fellow peer helpers. Brittany spoke eloquently on the subject of Autism and was very well received.

Highschool Hockey Tournament all money raised comes back to the school Schedule •Tuesday March 26 Girls @ 3pm and Boys @ 430pm •Wednesday March 27 Boys @ 430pm and Girls @ 6pm •Thursday March 28 Boys @ 3pm and Girls @ 6pm All games are at Community Gardens (championship games are in Charlottetown on Saturday March 30) Tickets are available at the school or at the door (6 years & under are free)

In recognition of the 35th anniversary of the 77-78 Kensington Highschool team winning the Island Championship there will be an on ice ceremony at 530pm on Thursday March 28 before the women’s game. The team members are invited to join us at Community Gardens for the ceremony Any highschool hockey alumni interested in playing in an alumni game can contact Maribeth Rogers at KISH at 836-8901 or

mb.h.rogers@googlemail. com Photo right shows hockey players selling ticket to former player, coach, and principal.

L-R: Mitch Murphy (assistant captain of 77-78 Island Champs), Mikayla Clark (Women’s team player), Nathan Burt (highschool men’s team player), Garth Campbell (assistant coach of 77-78 Island Champs), and Michelle Beaman (KISH principal)

Athletics Congratulations to the following student athletes on being named All Stars Basketball season, Emma MacLean, Aidan Harrington and Jake Reynolds.

High school hockey is back! High Schools across the Island are participating in a hockey tournament from March 25-30.

Tickets are on sale at the high school and can also be purchased the night of the games. Be sure to show your support!

We are looking for 5 Kensington Alumni Hockey players pre 1991 who would be interested in playing in an Alumni

game between the two High School championship games on March 30th. If interested, please contact Maribeth Rogers 836-8901 Parents For French are promoting several activities for students in the French Immersion program at KISH to expand and encourage student interests and use of French in several ways.

On April 5th, Maurice Bernard is offering a sculpting Class in French at KISH after school. Session will be approx. 1hr and 30 min long. There is a cost per student which will include the cost of Maurice’s time and supplies. Please email Tara

Davison taradavison2@ msn.com to register.

There is a French Tutor at KISH available to students. She is a Grade 12 exchange student named Victoire Barbe. She will be tutoring from her home (there is a cost per hour).

If you are interested please contact her directly or Lori Coulson at roblo@ islandtelecom.com Upcoming •March 25th – March 30th – Senior High Hockey Tournament (Boys and Girls) •March 28th– John Mitchell presentation for grades 7, 8 & 9.

March 20, 2013 Ice Show cont’d from p. 1 club’s season showcasing the skills and techniques the skaters have learned.

‘A Salute To The Beatles’ included solos, duets and large group numbers with skaters ranging from the CanSkate program to the senior skat-

Page 9

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This year’s theme offered fabulous music, colorful costumes and fun numbers that skaters performed for family and friends.

There is a tremendous amount of time, work and effort that goes into making an ice show a success.

Coaches Bonnie Woodside and Cindy Stavert go through an extensive list: choosing a theme, music selections, costumes ideas, ice routines, backdrops, lighting and many hours of ice show practice.

On behalf of the executive, Diane Huestis, Ice Show Chair, expressed

a heartfelt thanks to the club’s Sponsors, the staff of Community Gardens for all their assistance, the tireless coaching from Bonnie Woodside and Cindy Stavert, KAFSC skaters, parents and, the countless number of dedicated volunteers who helped make this year’s show such a success.

See You Next Year !

Lindsay Ramsay, Kensington Area Figure Skating senior skater, sets up a jump for a Ice Show number.

photo left With guitars at the ready 9 skaters perform to The Beatles classic “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, written by George Harrison and first recorded by the Beatles in 1968 for their album ‘The White Album’.

at KISH

in the gym with Jessica Cormier Each WEDNESDAY in April (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th) at 7:00pm Small cost or donation applies.

In support of the KISH Female Track & Field Team travelling to a national event The NIKE Grand Prix in Toronto in May.

...Quote....

Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.

-Carol Welch

Team Members are L-R: Emma MacLean, Ashley Harding, Shannon McFadden, Johanna Reid, Bryanna Leclair, and Ellen Murray.

The girls will be travelling to the Naional Nike Grand Prix Track and Field Event in Toronto in May.

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Army Cadet Corps Promotes One of Its Own

Scotiabank - Supporting Community Hockey Programs

March 20, 2013

The Cadet Experience 1231 Kensington Army Cadets

FUN - CHALLENGE - FRIENDS

Captain Tracy Enman (left), Commanding Officer of the 1231 Kensington Army Cadets, at the swearing in ceremony for volunteer Lori Pearce.

Kensington Midget Girls IceCats

On Monday, March 11 in Slemon Park, the 1231 Kensington Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps promoted its newest member. Army Cadet League Volunteer Lori Pearce, was sworn in to the Canadian Armed Forces, Cadet Instructor Branch and is now Officer Cadet Lori Pearce. OCdt Pearce has been volunteering with the unit for two years and is excited to start her Basic Officer Training Course in June.

Benefit Auction Dawn Marie McGuirk of Kensington Saturday, March 30 at Kensington Legion

Dawn Marie McGuirk has been diagnosed with T-Cell Lymphoma cancer and is presently undergoing treatments and is unable to work.

A Benefit Auction will be held at the Kensington Legion on Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 7pm. Auctioneer is Allison Smith with music by Undertow (Mark Wall).

If intereted in donating items for the benefit they can be dropped off at the Kensington Legion or Family & Friends Restaurant.

An account has been set up for Dawn Marie at Malpeque Bay Credit Union in Kensington.

Contact for further info: Charlene Gill 902-836-4626 Cindy McGuirk 902-836-3007 Stacey Homes 902-598-8017

Kensington Bantam A IceCats Through the Scotiabank Community Hockey Program, Cindy Doucette, Manager Customer Service of Kensington Branch presents cheques to the Kensington Midget A Girls IceCats (top photo) and the Kensington Bantam A IceCats Teams. Scotiabank proudly supports the Minor Hockey association each year through this program.

Page 12

The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper

March 20, 2013

Millview Bird Watcher Has a Busy and Interesting Backyard

Hosted by PEE WEE ‘AA’ At The Kensington Arena March 22-24 Schedule of Events Thurs. March 21

Thurs.

March Fri. March 22 21

Sat. March 23

Sun. March 24

Edith Perry of Millview sent the following letter: “ A White Breasted Nuthatch has begun to visit my feeding site. I haven’t seen these perky little mites at the feeders for several years though I know they were around in the wooded area of the yard. This is the first time it has visited the feeders this winter. It even picks up seeds from the bottom of the wicker basket I’ve hung from the clothes line. Each time it gathers a seed it hops up onto the rim to pick it apart.

There has been at least one Tree Sparrow as a regular feeder this winter - the first time I’ve noticed this type of song bird over the winter. Of course a group of 6 gold Finches have wintered here for several years. The Pine Siskin pair were not around this winter though they have been for several winters before. Lots of Juncos and some of them even use the hanging basket to feed from.

I was alarmed that no Woodpeckers were around even with suet out since the first snow fall. Lo and behold last week a pair of Downys appeared. No sign of them all winter and then, bingo, here they are.

A huge flock of Mourning Doves have been regular feeders. But, tragedy struck early this week. A Hawk caught one and ate it right on the spot. I am not sure if it was a Coopers or a Sharp Shinnec.

It flew off so quickly when my cat came to investigate that I wasn’t able to check the shape of its tail.

About 8 Blue Jays are regulars. I am sure that this is the same family expanding each year. Of course 6-8 Chickadees visit every day and likely nest around the yard.

I have had a huge flock of Cedar Waxwings occupy the apple trees when they were beginning to bud. They stayed in the several apple trees for two days. Other times they feed in the Ash trees, usually in the fall. But they never seem to hang around.

Red Polls and Purple Finches have been fairly regular visitors summer and winter. None sighted here this winter though.

And, I have a whole “tribe” of squirrels. My cat keeps them at bay from inhabiting the house so they come scurrying from various parts of the trees and shrubs around the yard. They chew the bark off the branches of the sumac shrubs near the feeder site. I hope this won’t cause the sumac to die off.

A pair of foxes and some raccoons call my

acreage home too. I believe that wild rabbits manage to survive as do some grouse. The latter enjoy the apple tree buds too and, once in a while in the winter, when it has been mild, I will see them “harvesting”.

The “murder” of crows have called Millview home for years but very seldom visit my feeders. Too much food elsewhere since farmers began growing corn.

So Nature continues to entertain me.”

Thank you, Edith, for a very interesting and informative letter. I, too, have an acreage, albeit a small one, but when it comes to wildlife, there’s nothing here like you have. Possibly along the creek at the back there’s more action but I don’t get to see it. However, considering the shortage of trees in the immediate area, I do consider myself to be very lucky with the assortment of birds that visit our feeders.

Murray River Reader Reports...

I recently received a letter from Carolyn Strickland of Murray River area. She tells us that she still has a song sparrow visiting her feeders but she hasn’t heard it sing yet. That will likely come when the warm weather arrives. A Northern Flicker arrived at the feeders at the same time as the song sparrow. The flicker eats cracked corn off the ground. It doesn’t seem to like to eat with the other birds.

Carolyn also has 4 red squirrels that she finds fun to watch - they will even chase a crow away.

And indoors? Her amaryllis had 7 beautiful blooms. Mine had only 6 - 4 on the first stalk and 2 on a later one.

Carolyn ended her letter on a very positive note, namely encouraging us to “Think Spring!”

A good question I had a query this evening from a reader who wished to remain anonymous. She wondered about a flock of birds that she had seen and, as

she didn’t manage to get a photo, she sent a word picture. She described the bird as medium gray in color with a splash of yellow and a tuft on its head. There aren’t many birds around here with a tuft on the head so my guess it is a cedar waxwing and they usually travel in flocks.

Reports Readers, we’d like to hear what’s going on at your bird feeders, be it much or little. Soon our redpolls and tree sparrows will be heading north and dozens of species that were south for the winter will be heading back here. Yes, let’s “Think Spring!”

Bird watching or Gardening comments or questions? Drop me a line at 471 New Glasgow Road, Ebenezer, PE, C1E 0S8 or bcobb06@pei.sympatico.ca

DEADLINE

8th Annual Tree Planting Ceremony is taking place at The International Children’s Memorial Place Scales Pond South Freetown Sunday, May 5th at 2:00pm Parents who have lost a child and wish to plant a tree in their memory, should contact Gus or Rhonda Houston @ 902.892.3267 or email ghouston@pei.sympatico.ca before March 31st.

For more information check the web-site www.icmplace.com

Page 14

The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper

Our Community Churches Events Calendar

Anglican Parish of New London Rev. Margie Fagan Palm Sunday March 24 9am - St. Mark’s; 11 am - St. Stephen’s & St. Thomas’ Maundy Thursday March 28 – St. Mark’s 7pm Good Friday March 29 St. Thomas’ – 12:00 pm Easter Sat.Vigil of Easter and Holy Baptism: March 30 - St. Stephen’s – 7:00 pm Easter Sunday 7am – St. Thomas’ 8:30 am – St. Mark’s 10am – St. Elizabeth’s 11:15am-St. Stephen’s

Kensington Nazarene Community Church 47 Victoria St., Kensington Pastor Ray Hinchey •Worship Meeting: Sunday 11:00 a.m.

•Adult Study and Discussion Group Wednesday 7:00 p.m.

Kensington United Church of Canada Rev. Robert McCarthy March 24 9:30 Handbell Practice 10:30 Worship Service Wednesdays Feb. 20 – March 20 Lenten Midweek Communion Service at 7:00 p.m. in Amy MacKay Parlour.

For updated information and to view all our programs,check out our website at: www.kensingtonunited.ca <http://www.kensingtonunited.ca>

Kensington Community Church Pastor Gene Carson Where: Mt. Zion Masonic Lodge Victoria Street Kensington Every Sunday Evening at 6:30pm Pastor Gene Carson RR1 Kensington, PEI, C0B 1M0 Tel: (902) 836-5220 CSSM Ministries

Women’s Institute District Conventions, History Book Launch and Founding Gala Preparations A snapshot of the March calender denotes a busy month for WI members as the centennial year of Women’s Institute unfolds into the next set of traditional and celebratory events. A nutrition challenge is also issued for this month.

Individual Institute Branches members will join together at various WI District conventions across PEI this month. Close to one hundred Branches in seventeen Districts under the Women’s Institute umbrella in PEI will play host to a variety of themes, activities and information sharing across the Island until March 31. Branch Members are reminded to join in on the Convention in their respective districts, and for women interested in learning more, please contact the WI office for information on the convention meetings in your area.

A provincial wide Centennial history book event will take place in late March. The book “Reco gnizing...Reflecting...

Responding... A history of the Federated Women’s Institute of Prince Edward Island 1913-2013” will be officially launched by the PEIWI Board and Author George Doughart on March 21, 7pm, at the

Farm Centre in Charlottetown (Storm date March 22). All are welcome to attend and listen to some of the highlights of the publication’s research and memorable content. The historical edition will be available for purchase the evening of March 21 and in the PEIWI Office.

Several other publications have also become available this month. The recently published Centennial Cookbook brings the best of 100 years of recipes in one spiral bound offering. An interesting blend of recipes and tips were included from members, previously printed WI cookbooks and to those used in kitchens today. Also available at the WI office is the Exhibition Handbook for this year’s Handcrafts, Horticulture and Arts Show of the Provincial Exhibition.

Join dignitaries and WI members at the Founding Gala event at The Confederation Centre of the Arts on the evening of April 2 at 6:30pm (Storm date: April 3). The evening features guest speaker The Honourable Marion Reid. During the evening history will be unveiled through decades of fashion and historical images. We encourage members of WI and community members to RSVP

St. Mary’s Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish Kensington Father John Molina Masses: Saturday: 7:00pm Sunday: 9:00am St James Church (Summerfield) Sunday at 10:30am Clinton View Lodge: Every first Friday.

Prayer Service At Clinton View Lodge every second Wed. at 1pm.

Fellowship: Last Sunday of the month following Mass in the parish centre.

Meetings: Knights of Columbus: Second Monday of the month at 8pm.

Catholic Women’s League: Second Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

Spiritual Meditation: Each Monday evening 6:00 to 7:00pm All are WELCOME.

Kensington New London Presbyterian Church Rev Alan Stewart Happy Easter March 24 Palm Sunday Kensington Worship & Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

New London Worship & Sunday School 11a.m.

March 31 Easter Sunday Kensington Worship & Sunday School 11a.m.

New London Worship & Sunday School 9:30 am

by March 22 to 368-4860 to ensure availability of seating. To complete the festive atmosphere dressing in Period Costume is most welcome.

The PEIWI Board of Directors is also delighted to announce the 13th Annual ‘Spring Is in the Air’ Gala Dinner will take place Saturday April 20, 2013 at the Holland College Tourism and Culinary Centre. Proceeds will be divided between the Souris Hospital and the Kings County Memorial Hospital. Tickets are available by contacting Provincial Board members or from the WI office (a charitable tax receipt for a portion will be available).

Deadline for ticket sales, and donated auction items is April 10.

Lastly, for students preparing for their fall studies a complete list of awards and scholarships are available at www.peiwi.ca or by contacting the WI Office.

March 20, 2013

Oh How Deep!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”

Psalm 103:1-2 (NKJV)

Margate Pastoral Charge Rev. Anne Dalziel Singer Princetown United Church Southwest River United Church new church office: 58 Victoria St. East

“All are welcome, all are welcome in this place.”

Palm Sunday: 9:30 am-Princetown 11 am – Southwest River Maundy Thursday: 6:30 pm-Southwest River (pot luck supper & worship) Good Friday: 7 pm-Princetown Easter Sunday: 9:30 am-Princetown 11 am-Southwest River PASTORAL CHARGE DINNER Monday, April 15, at Lotus Garden. Supper at 6:30, entertainment by Rodney Savidant. Tickets available.

Hall Rentals Do you have a special event, meeting or gathering coming up?

Why not rent the Murray Centre or Amy MacKay Parlour.

•Centrally located at 17 School St. •Affordable, and comfortable wheelchair accessible facilities •Ideal for small or large meetings and social events •Breakout rooms available

For more information please call: 902-836-4823 or email: kmccrentals@ gmail.com In the meantime, deadline for the Women in Agriculture Award and Adelaide Hoodless Award of Honor deadline is March 31.

Lastly, as March is nutrition month an eating healthy initiative has been launched from WI’s national body of FWIC titled “Growing a Healthier You”. For Take 10 Tips for this month check out www.fwic.ca. Highlights include - eat a new ‘green vegetable’, try a new vegetable recipe, plant seeds, enjoy a potluck, volunteer at a food bank or make a donation, and buy local produce.

This article is prepared

by Ellen MacPhail, Executive Director for the PEIWI. For more information on the PEI Women’s Institute, visit www.womensinstitute.pe.ca, phone 368-4860 or email wi@gov. pe.ca.

Lauretta Balderston free-lance writer This has been a week of challenge for myself and my faith, putting my words into sharper focus. My husband was admitted to hospital with double pneumonia and, naturally, I was worried about all the things that could go wrong. Should the children come home?

Am I being careful to relay all the necessary facts about their father to them so as not to worry them too? The ICU can be a scary place! For a little while I let my mind wander aimlessly from one weary thought to the next. Then I opened my Bible and saw these words, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Psalm 103:1 NKJV My mind rested after I allowed the impact of this verse to flow through me and cover me. I didn’t have to worry about tomorrow or even the next minute- God was here with me and with Ira. He was with the children so far away from us. God was, and is, with us and He knows our needs far better than we do! My faith was challenged to put my beliefs into practice and allow the grace of God to give us rest in this storm of life we are passing through.

Then my mind went back in time and I remembered as a child going with my Dad to get his paycheque on Saturday mornings. He was a coal miner and they had to pick up their pay each week. I was always left outside to wait for him so I would wander over to the large encased well of water. It was surrounded by a large wire fence to keep inquiring people,

(kids mainly, I guess!), from trying to get too close to the water inside.

I would throw stones in and listen very carefully for them to drop. I never heard the drop- the stones seemed to go on forever. I asked Daddy why there was never a sound of the stone dropping and he told me the water was too deep- it went way, way down too far for the sound to ever come back for us to hear.

For some unexplained reason this image came to my mind this week at the hospital. That deep, deep well of water that I could see only on the surface gave me a fresh understanding of how deep God’s well of love, care and strength are- He never tires of our insecurities and questions. He never wearies of our constant needs and prayers for help and hope. He is always available and ready to supply all our needs no matter what the circumstances of life.

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” 1John 4:18 NKJV “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19 (New American Standard Bible) My husband is still recovering! My faith too is recovering and has been secured in God and in the precious promises found in His Word! The journey of life, and our faith, has many curves, and sometimes potholes too, but I know He knows the way.

We will find in Him all we need to keep on keeping on!

“I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 NIV

Kensington United Church

Spring Chicken Salad Luncheon

Saturday, April 20th (two settings) 11:00am and 12 noon Take out Available!

Hope to See You There!!!

March 20, 2013

The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper

Seniors’ L.E.A.P. Program Open House

Front L-R: Virjene Cole, Ruby Cousins, Audrey Glover, Pearl MacCallum, Grace MacLeod. Back L-R: Gerald McCarville, Hon. Robert Henderson, Lois Brown, Mary Hickey, Iva Schurman, Barb Connick and Joan MacGillivray.

Fundraising Committee for Jenna Rogerson and Children

The L.E.A.P. Program Open House was held on March 13 from 1-3 p.m. at the Senior’s Centre, Kensington to display the Swedish Weaving pieces made by the ten participants under the leadership of instructor, Audrey Glover.

Ruby Cousins, coordinator of the program welcomed Hon. Robert Henderson, Minister of Tourism and Culture for PEI as well as the 30 in attendance. She gave thanks to the Town of Kensington for the space provided to the seniors to hold their various activities, to the County Line Courier for the publicity of this course as well as other activities of the Senior Surfer’s Club, to Audrey Glover for her very capable instruction of the course and to the participants who made the course so much fun by gaining new friendships as well as learning a craft which it is hoped will give them many hours of enjoyment in future weaving and the gift to teach others to do

...Quote....

Last year, as the rest of us were celebrating Valentine’s Day with our loved ones, Jenna (Murphy) Rogerson lost the love of her life; her husband Ryan Rogerson. His death was sudden and left Jenna with two small children and a third child on the way. It was a shock to all of us.

Ryan was a loving husband, father, brother, son and friend to many. He never hesitated to help with his time or give to others. He left behind a wonderful family and now they need our help. Jenna has returned to school to upgrade her education and moved back with her parents while she raises three small children.

You have the opportunity to help with a donation of an item or a service that can be auctioned for this very worthwhile cause at 7pm on April 13th at the New London Community Complex. A member of the fundraising committee will be in contact with you to ask that you give generously.

Thank you for your support.

Committee Members: Alan Brennan 888-9890, Carla Campbell 432-0089, Bill Drost 303-2767, Josh Gill 315-3150, Matthew MacKay 439-5257, Todd Murphy 432-4113, Victoria Roberts 439-7758, Ryan Simmons 432-0985.

Donation Drop-Off Location: Trailside Plaza, Rt 2, Kensington, PE, c/o Bay Winds Auto Sales.

Kensington

Recycle

In every community, there is work to be done.

In every nation there are wounds to heal.

In every heart, there is the power to do it.

- Marianne Williamson

Scouting Groups

Drive

Saturday April 6th Got Recyclables and can’t be bothered to take them to the Depot? No Problem!

Saturday April 6th. Beginning at 9am the Kensington Scouting Groups will be doing a Recycling Drive in your area, so leave your recyclables outside your door and we’ll pick them up for you and you’ll be helping out our groups as part of our fund raiser towards programs and camps. If we’ve missed you please call: Tara Davison 836-3235 (leave voice mail if needed), Shelley Cole 836-5108 (leave voice mail if needed), Roscoe Pendleton 836-3233 (leave voice mail if needed). Just a few examples: *Pop/Juice cans *Sealed Juice Cans(large) *Plastic bottles Canadian Tire money *Juice Boxes sm and Gable top beverage cartons (ie- tomato, orange or pineapple juice cartons).

the craft.

Ruby introduced Minister Henderson telling the attendants that the L.E.A.P. program was funded by Minister Henderson’s Department and the program was sponsored by the PEI Seniors’ Federation. We were delighted to know that our application was accepted for the project and that we would be looking to doing future programs funded by his department. After Minister Henderson spoke to the group he passed out 8 certificates to the participants present. (Lourdes McGrath and Maria Kowalski were unable to attend).

Gerald McCarville, President of the Senior Surfer’s Club comment-

Page 15 ed favourably on the work done by the group.

Later in the p.m. Rowan Caseley, Deputy Mayor of Kensington and Sister Norma Gallant, of the Senior Citizens Federation of P.E.I. brought greetings as reps from the Town of Kensington and the PEI Senior Citizens Federation.

Grace MacLeod and Mary Hickey presented gifts of appreciation on behalf of project group to Audrey, instructor and to Ruby ,coordinator of the project.

Lunch provided by the participants of the project was enjoyed as well as a social time ended a successful afternoon and a great project.