County Line Courier March 6, 2013 edition

Vol 21 No 5

community powered stories and events

March 6, 2013

2013 ADL Junior Starskate Championships A Success Perfect weather prevailed for the 2013 ADL Junior Starskate Championships held Saturday, February 23 at Community Gardens. This year the championship saw 107 single skaters competing with six teams competing in the Preliminary Team Event, 9 teams competing in the Pre-Preliminary A Event, 8 teams in the PrePreliminary B Event, 2 Pre-Preliminary Dance Events and 1 Preliminary Dance Event.

Club Winner for the 2013 ADL Club Point Award was the Charlottetown Figure Skating Club.

Club Winner for the

2013 ADL Club Participation was the Summerside Figure Skating Club.

Winners from Kensington Pre-Preliminary Dance B 1st Place Emma Gillis/Marilyn Sheen Preliminary Dance 1st Place Shannan Hill/Kristan Coughlin Pre-Preliminary Team B 1st Place Kensington Team 2 Preliminary Team 3rd Place Kensington Team 1

Introductory Ladies B 1st Place Emma Gillis Pre-Preliminary Ladies B 1st Place Shannan Hill 2nd Place Marilyn Sheen INTRODUCTORY LADIES FRESTYLE “A” 1st Sophie Trainor Ch’town 2nd Jessica Gorveatt Ch’town 3rd Aimee Gallant S’side INTRODUCTORY LADIES FREESTYLE “B” 1st Emma Gillis Kensington 2nd Sarah Hart O’Leary 3rd Kiera Marshall Ch’town INTRODUCTORY LADIES FREESTYLE “C”

cont’d on p. 4 Preliminary Ladies B L-R: Laura Davison-Sherwood/Parkdale 3rd Place, Shannon Hill-Kensington 1st Place and Marilyn Sheen Kensington 2nd Place.

Supporting French Immersion at Kensington Intermediate High School

In photo right (front) Tara Davson-President of CPF KISH Chapter and (back) Lori Coulson-Past Treasurer and one of the founding members of CPF at KISH.

The Canadian Parents for French KISH Chapter, grades 7 to 9, is a group formed of parents

who are there to support the children and teachers of the French Immersion and core French

program. French Immersion teachers are: Mm. Johanna McLellan, Julie Delisle and Ghislaine

Duplain. The original executive have been instrumental, since the beginning of the late French

immersions creation, in supporting the teachers and students of KISH with their time and re-

sources.

At the beginning of this year they have passed the

cont’d on p. 2

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March 6, 2013

Seniors Plan Open House To Showcase Beautiful Art Form 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.

E-mail: thecourier@eastlink.ca

Next edition March 20 (deadline for submissions for this issue is March 13)

Members of the Kensington Seniors’ Group are looking forward to hosting an OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, March 13thfrom 1-3pm at the Seniors Centre on Garden Drive (storm date March 20) to showcase pieces of the beautiful art form ‘Swedish Weaving’ that they have crafted during a 10 week LEAP program (Learning Elders Arts Program).

The LEAP project, an initiative administered by the PEI Senior Citizens’ Federation and, funded from the PEI Department of Tourism and Culture under the direction of Minister Robert Henderson, provided area seniors with the opportunity to learn the art of Swedish Weaving from local artist and instructor

French Immersion cont’d on p. 2 torch on to a new executive and we would like to thank them tremendously for all their hard work and effort to the program,

NEW LONDON Community Complex

February Draw Winners

Brenda Montgomery and Fred Doughart

$1000 Dollar Winner Nancy Key

Summerside $100 Dollar Winners •Wayne & Pat Barlow, Kensington •Sandra Stavert Long River •Parkview Farms Cavendsh •Linda Durdle Kensington •Warren Ellis Summersdie Draw made by Brenda Montgomery.

Iva Schurman, Lois Brown, Maria Kowalski, Grace MacLeod, Ruby Cousins, Joan MacGillivray, Audrey Glover and Pearl MacCallum. Missing from photo: Lourdes McGrath, Virjene Cole, Barb Connick and Mary Hickey.

Audrey Glover.

Swedish Weaving is without you it would not have been possible.

Today we are supporting the students with French Board Games, motivational posters and magazine subscriptions

an old method of surface embroidery used to create beautiful af-

ghans, runners, towels etc..

to help with their learning in a fun and unique way.

some money. The public are welcome to rent a table of their own for a small fee per table. It will be first come first serve on table rentals. Flea Market will run from 8am -4pm. Set up will be available Saturday before between 6-9pm. If interested in booking a table please contact Tara Davison at taradavison2@msn.com or call 432-0066(after 6pm).

Funds raised from this will go towards supplies and support for KISH Students and Teachers.

The Chapter welcomes any parents and students to join us. The group meets at the KISH library the first Thursday of every month and we hope to see some more people get involved. Many hands make light work Flea Market April 21st: CPF will be having a Flea Market Fundraiser at the Kensington Legion.

Great time to spring clean, purge and make

cont’d on p. 4

March 6, 2013

Industries Working Together to Attract Workers

by Andy Walker Editor, Island Farmer/Freelance journalist President, Canadian Association of Journalist, PEI Vice president, Atlantic Farm Writers Association The province’s three main industries have strong roots in Kensington.

The town has long been a service centre to the surrounding farming and fishing communities. The area around the town boasts, and rightly so, of being one of the best potato growing areas in the province and, perhaps, the country. Harbours like Malpeque and French River have long seen some of the best seafood in the world come ashore at their ports.

The area has also been a long time tourism hub for visitors, and next year should be a milestone marking both the centennial of the town’s incorporation and the 150th anniversary of the 1864 Charlottetown Conference that laid the framework for Confederation three years later.

In the past several years, all three industries have faced significant challenges. Many of

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those problems are specific to that industry but there is one problem they have in common—trying to find workers.

Even in areas of high unemployment, the primary sectors have often been forced to rely on foreign workers from as far away as Mexico and Russia. It is not uncommon to find workers from other provinces at fish plants or campgrounds.

Now all three sectors are worried that new Employment Insurance rules that shorten the length of time seasonal workers can draw benefits may make the job even tougher. All three sectors are worried that some of the experienced workers they have been using from year to year will be forced to look for full-time employment, and there is a good chance that will be in Alberta.

The president of the PEI Fishermen’s Association is predicting there

could be a reduction of up to 30 per cent of workers returning to work on boats for this spring’s lobster season. Mike McGeoghegan said the feedback he has been hearing is people are reluctant to leave positions they have secured in Alberta for what could be an uncertain future on the water.

To help combat the problem, all three sectors have pledged greater cooperation when it comes to attracting and retaining workers. They started the process with a recent forum in Charlottetown that attracted over 40 people from all three sectors.

“We were really pleased with the turnout and the ideas that came forward,” said Lloyd Dalziel, the executive director of the PEI Agriculture Sector Council.

His organization cosponsored the event with the Tourism Human Resources Sector Council.

There was no shortage of ideas including the possibility of making it easier for workers to shift from sector to sector. Dalziel said the three industries

want to look at a pilot project that might allow a worker in the fishery sector, for example, to move into an agriculture job at the end of the fishing season.

The participants discussed such suggestions as greater sharing of resumes, expanding the seasonal employment services offered by the Agriculture Sector Council to include fisheries and tourism and, ways to enhance the profile of the three sectors within the education system.

One participant noted some professions like lawyers or doctors are “glamourized” by educators but occupations in the primary industries are often viewed as low skilled.

Participants suggested work could be done to profile the average worker within the three sectors, and see if there are opportunities to teach what were called “soft” skills like computer training, that are common to all the sectors.

There was also a suggestion to reach out to the PEI Association of Newcomers to Canada to make newcomers more aware of prospects in the three industries. The participants also suggested developing a Human Resources Committee with representatives from the three sectors and the development of employee focus groups to discuss with employees and potential employees how to attract people to primary industries.

Several

participants

suggested the three sectors approach government jointly to discuss a pilot project that could allow workers to move between sectors as well as a way to extend the length of employment for seasonal workers. Dalziel said there is no question the more weeks of employment a worker can get working within the primary industries on PEI, the greater the likelihood they will remain in the province from season to season.

“If a worker goes to Alberta and gets a full-time job, the chance they are going to leave to come back to PEI for seasonal work is slim,” another participant said.

Kathy Livingstone of the Tourism Human Re-

sources Sector Council characterized the forum as a “good beginning.”

She said the sector councils in the three industries can hopefully be the forum to co-ordinate the effort and allow for both sector to sector and operator to operator cooperation.

This effort has tremendous potential and, hopefully, the efforts will soon bear fruit. What is really bothersome is the attitude among many people that seasonal work has no value and that people should move if there are not full time jobs.

Perhaps if those people went hungry for a few days or rode out a storm in a fishing boat their attitude might change.

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

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The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper ADL Results cont’d from p. 1

Kensington Heritage Library 6 Commercial Street

836-3721

Hours of Operation Tues. 9:30am to 12:30pm 1:00pm to 3:00pm Email: kensington@gov.pe.ca Wed. 12 noon-5pm www.library.pe.ca Thurs. 2pm to 7pm Sat. 9:30-12:30pm to 1-3pm Ruth McKenna

March is here already and the days are getting warmer and longer!

On Valentine’s Day, we had a wonderful and fun evening here at the library. We had an InterGenerational Program where a group of children came in and met with a group of seniors who brought in some very interesting artifacts from days gone by.

The children asked questions and learned many interesting facts about how life has changed for children in the last few decades!

The children presented the seniors with Valentines which they had made for them. I want to thank all the ones involved

in this program--you all made it a great success!

A special “thank you” goes out to Lilah MacPherson-Pendleton and Ruby Cousins for helping me bring the two groups together.

We have a good selection of used books for sale so come on in to browse through them and stock up on some paperbacks.

See you at the library!

Your library Come on in!

March 6, 2013

1st Kathleen Mann S’side 2nd Sarah Hynes S’side 3rd Madeline MacDonald Sherwood/Parkdale INTRODUCTORY MEN’S FREESTYLE 1st Robert Greer Pownal PRE-PRELIMINARY “A” 1st Sara Rixon Ch’town 2nd Rachel MacKay Ch’town 3rd Drew Hackett Tignish PRE-PRELIMINARY “B” 1st Shannan Hill Kensington 2nd Marilyn Sheen Kensington 3rd Laura Davison Sherwood/Parkdale

PRE-PRELIMINARY “C” 1st Karina Terentiev Ch’town 2nd Madeline Smith O’Leary 3rd Isabelle Gallant Evangeline PRELIMINARY FREESTYLE “A” 1st Hannah Hardy S’side 2nd Tsukasa Iwamoto Sherwood/Parkdale 3rd Diana Shea Alberton PRELIMINARY FREESTYLE “B” 1st Samantha Milligan Tyne Valley 2nd Lucie Bauby Sherwood/Parkdale 3rd Nathalie Richard Evangeline PRE-PRELIMINARY DANCE “A” 1st Kaitlyn Smith/Jane Gillis Summerside 2nd

Rowan Caseley-Town of Kensington, Amy MacMillan-Section Chair Skate Canada PEI, Shannon Hill Kensington, Karina Terentiev Charlottetown, Rodney Mann-ADL Representative and Ivan Gallant representing the office of The Hon. Wes Sheridan.

Jessica Gorveatt/Jaclyn Chandler Charlottetown 3rd JuliaDavison/MadelineMacDonald Sherwood/Parkdale PRE-PRELIMINARY DANCE “B” 1st Emma Gillis/Marilyn Sheen

Kensington 2nd Colby Arsenault/Isabelle Gallant Evangeline 3rd Kathleen Mann/Sarah Hynes Summerside

PRELIMINARY DANCE 1st Shannan Hill/Kristan Coughlin Kensington 2nd Makenzie Hayes/Jerika Richard Evangeline 3rd Kourtney Mills/Anna Herget Alberton PRE-PRELIMINARY TEAM “A” 1st Summerside Sparklelites Summerside 2nd Evangeline Team 2

Evangeline 3rd Sherwood/Parkdale Team 2

Sherwood/Parkdale PRE-PRELIMINARY TEAM ‘B” 1st Kensington Team 2

Kensington 2nd S.S.J.J. Charlottetown 3rd Gangnam Girls

Charlottetown PRELIMINARY TEAM 1ST Sherwood/Parkdale Team 1 Sherwood/Parkdale 2nd Alberton Team 1

Alberton 3rd Kensington Team 1

Kensington

March 6, 2013 LEAP Program cont’d from p. 2 Maria Kowalski, formerly of Ontario but, who now makes her home in French River, was one of 10 participants taking part. Maria, who lives life to the fullest and is always open to new experiences, LEAPed at the opportunity to take part in the program.

Though she doesn’t consider herself a crafty person, Maria felt the LEAP Swedish Weaving Project offered her a fun opportunity to try a unique art form, meet new people, share some social time, expand her life experience and keep her mind sharp.

The County Line Courier ~ your community newspaper Maria feels that creativity in projects, such as the one the LEAP program offers, helps keep seniors healthy and, is an important element in keeping these old art forms alive so they are not lost. For Maria the Swedish Weaving project gets an A+ as it was fun and gave her a great sense of accomplishment when she completed her piece.

Ruby Cousins, Coordinator of the Swedish Weaving Project of the Kensington Seniors Group, invites Kensington and area residents to drop in to the Open House, March 13th to check out the beautifully crafted Swedish Weaving pieces and chat with the crafters.

Each person has his or her own place- running, painting, gardening, fishing, weaving. The activity itself is important but, no less important than the act of drawing on ones own resources.

Winner of the 4th Annual Valley Cup Snowmobile Race The 4th Annual Valley Cup Snowmobile Race was held on Friday, February 22 in Indian River.

Jamie Profitt (left) is shown presenting and congratulating Ashley MacMillan of Wilmot with the winning Valley Cup Trophy.

SPRING BEGINS

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March is known as the “Spring Equinox” in the northern hemisphere.

Why is it called equinox?

On the equinox, night and day are nearly exactly the same length – 12 hours – all over the world. This is the reason it’s called an “equinox”, derived from Latin, meaning “equal night”.

The March equinox occurs the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator – the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth’s equator – from south to north. On any other day of the year, the Earth’s axis tilts a little away from or towards the Sun. But on the two equinoxes, the Earth’s axis tilts neither away from nor towards the Sun.

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Area Volunteer Receives Diamond Jubilee Medal

March 6, 2013

Winter Camping Fun In A Quinzhee?

This prestigious award serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians within their community on the 60th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne.

Each receipient received a folder which included a group photo and an individual photo commemorating the special event.

MP Wayne Easter and Lieutenant Governor Frank Lewis present Isabel Campbell with the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal. Isabel has an extensive resume for her involvement in the agriculture industry, Women’s Institute, missionary society and her local church. She has been a valued volunteer and has made a significant contribution in all that she has been involved in.

Credit Union Makes Donation To QEES Playground Equipment Fund

Credit Union Donates $5,000 Marc LeClair, Manager of Malpeque Bay Credit Union, is shown presenting a cheque to Trevor Moase, Chairman of the F.I.T. Committee. Also pictured are Rodney MacArthur, Principal of Queen Elizabeth Elementary School, and Kim Crozier, Treasurer of the F.I.T. Committee.

Standing in front are Megan Moase and Ashton Bernard, students attending Queen Elizabeth Elementary School.

Mr. LeClair explained that it all started when the credit union decided to try to reduce the amount of paper it was generating thereby reducing its environmental footprint. Credit union clients were given the opportunity to stop receiving paper statements in the mail and instead view them on line. The credit union offered to donate $2.00 for every statement that they did not have to produce and mail.

The credit union would like to thank its members for jumping on this initiative. It is not only saving the environment, said Mr LeClair, but it has resulted in a donation to the QEES Playgound Fund of $5,000.

Ever wonder what a Quinzhee is? A quinzhee is a shelter made by hollowing out a pile of settled snow, in contrast to an igloo, which is made from blocks of hard snow. A quinzhee is for fun, winter camping and/or survival purposes.

The photo right depicts Maya Connick and her dad Arron Clark with a Quinzhee they made in their back yard. This is the second time this father and daughter team have made and slept in one. The above quinzhee is the biggest one they have made. Maya, who is 4’ 6 inches, is able to stand up in the middle of it while Arron, who is 6’ 8 inches had a little bit of trouble. The night they slept out it was -14 degrees with wind gusts up to 47km/h, but they said it was quite nice. They slept on a queen size air mattress, and dressed in regular fall camping gear.

March 6, 2013

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Scouting Groups Celebrate The Scouting Movement In Kensington

Kensington Scouting groups held their annual banquet Friday, February 22 to celebrate the anniversary of Scouting by honoring their own Scouts’ milestones and to acknowledge the birthday of founder Lord Baden Powell.

The banquet was held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 9 in Kensington with the hot turkey dinner prepared by many dedicated volunteers.

Master of Ceremonies Mark Wall welcomed Parents and Guests and thanked the following for their support to the Scouting movement in Kensington: Royal Canadian Legion Branch No 9 61+ years, the Group Committee, parents and the many dedicated volunteers.

Toasts to the Queen, Baden Powell, and to the Parents followed.

MC Mark Wall introduced special guests: Guest Speaker Senator Elizabeth Hubley, Deputy Mayor Rowan Caseley and his wife Melissa, Ivan Gallant representing the office of the Hon. Wes Sheridan, Carol Evans from Holy Family Parish who gave the blessing, Lester Davison-Branch No. 9 President, Linda Hunter1st Vice President Ladies Auxiliary, Bonnie MacRae, Malpeque Bay Credit

Union Rep, Waldron McDonald-Scouts Canada PEI Coucil and his wife Ann, Lois Brown-Kensington Scouts Group Committee Chair, Roscoe PendletonKensington Scouts Group Committee Secretary and his wife Jean and Scouting Leaders: BeaversLilah Pendleton/Trevor Moase; Cubs- Kevin Dyment/Katherine MacLeod, Scouts-Tara Davison/Kevin Arsenault and Venturer Shelley Cole.

Roscoe Pendleton welcomed and introduced Guest Speaker Senator Elizabeth Hubley. Senator Hubley noted that February 22nd marks the birthday of Lord Robert BadenPowell, the founder of the Scout Movement, and that it is celebrated as Founder’s Day. She also highlighted part of what Baden-Powell wrote in his final letter to the Scouts about Happiness ...make yourself healthy and strong while you are a boy, so that you can be useful and so you can enjoy life when you are a man ...but the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. ‘Be Prepared’. In closing Senator Hubley encouraged Scouting members to follow their dreams and be part of their community.

Area Volunteer Receives Diamond Jubilee Medal

This prestigious award serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians within their community on the 60th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s ascension to the throne.

To help mark and celebrate Lord Baden-Powell’s birthday Roscoe Pendleton and Lois Brown display a large birthday cake.

Venturer Ashton Cole is presented and congratulated by Waldron McDonald, Scouts Canada PEI Council with the Medal of the Maple. The Medal of the Maple is a service award presented to youth members of Scouts Canada to honour those youth who have significantly contributed to the Movement and the spirit of Scouting through community service, extraordinary Scouting participation and a solid system of personal values.

The award consists of a certificate signed by the Chief Commissioner of Scouts Canada, a cloth emblem and a medal on red and white striped emblem.

Waldron McDonald presents Trina Lockhart with the Alan Taylor Youth Award.

Allan Taylor was a dedicated and hardworking member of the PEI Scouting movement both as a youth member and an adult leader. Allan provided a supportive and encouraging environment for the youth to enjoy the various aspects of the scouting program and developed a stimulating and challenging program with opportunities for camping locally, in summer and winter and, at provincial and national events. Dedicated to running his prograam with nature as his backdrop. Allan did as much as possible to keep the “out” in scouting. His love of camping and outdoor activities was a valuable asset towards the operation and success of the Spring Park Troop. The Allan Taylor Youth Award is presented to a youth member who most represents and exhibits the attributes of a Scout: outdoor and environmental activities - camping, exploring the outdoors, and developing good conservation practices; citizenship and community service - relating with adults, being of service to others; leadership - developing self reliance, teamwork; personal development including individual interests, hobbies and skills - working cooperatively with others and achieving personal goals; with emphasis on outdoor activities (camping, including camping events within and outside the province, pioneering, hiking, map and compass, water activities, etc.).

Senator Elizabeth Hubley presents Lois Brown with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal at the annual Kensington Scouting Banquet. Lois, a WWII Veteran, is an active volunteer in the community and is involved in many special projects such as: Legion Children’s Christmas Party, Legion Christmas Baskets, Legion Poster & Essay Contest for Youth, committee member of group recording/photographing all war monuments on PEI for a book, committee member of group gathering information for new Kensington Legion History Book and also committee member of group gathering information and photos of Veterans who served in times of war for the legion Remembrance Booklets. Lois has been a valued volunteer and has made a significant contribution in all that she has been involved in.

Bonnie MacRae, Malpeque Bay Credit Union representative, presented a $1,000 cheque to Lois Brown, Group Committee Chair person. MBCU actively supports Kensington Scouting and this $1000 makes a total of $12,500 given to the Kensington Scout Movement over the last 12 years.

On behalf of the Town of Kensington Rowan Caseley, Deputy Mayor, presented a $2,000.00 cheque to Tara Davison, Scouts leader. The monies will help with the cost of sending 17 area Scouts to the upcoming CJ’13 Jamboree in Sylvan Lake, Alberta.

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March 6, 2013

WI Certificate of Appreciation Presented

Doreen Cole (left), Provincial President of the PEI Women’s Institute, presented Fannie Roberts, a member of the New London Women’s Institute, with a “Certificate of Appreciation” at their February meeting. The certificate recognizes Fannie’s 50+ Years of service in the W.I..

Fannie acknowledged and expressed her thanks to all the members present.

Kensington Scouts

March 17th 3pm

Do you like to Dance?

Well, this is the perfect event for you.

The objective is to dance until you can’t dance anymore. There wil be cash prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

e: Registration Dat m 2p 1, th 10 ch ar M n gio Le n at the Kensingto ntact

ts of children co Ages:12-19 (paren at 432-0066) Tara Davison

take place at Dance-athon to n L eg io n to the K en si n g sion) e Haunted Man (across from th

There will be a DJ, a concession stand with pop and chips and a 50/50 DRAW. NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL! Security will be at the door.

More rules to follow day of event!

We advise participants to be there at 2:30pm to sign in. Doors will close at 3pm sharp. Once you leave you do not get back in.

BULLYING IS PROHIBITED. You wil be immediately disqualified and removed from the Legion.

Show your support!

March 6, 2013

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EI Changes Going In Wrong Direction

by Andy Walker Editor, Island Farmer/Freelance journalist President, Canadian Association of Journalist, PEI Vice president, Atlantic Farm Writers Association Even those Canadians who agree that abusers of the Employment Insurance system should be dealt with harshly may begin to draw the line at the latest tactics being put in place by Human Resources Canada.

The department is now visiting random recipients in a bid, they say, to ensure compliance. This is, pure and simple, a tactic to instill fear in recipients.

After a series of protests in Tracadie, New Brunswick, the home visits were suspended in that area.

It goes hand in hand with the other bit of news to come out about the program in recent days. Those investigators collectively have a target of trimming $485,000 from the system annually. Critics of the move maintain that means the investigators have quotas they have to meet. Human Resources Minister Diane Finley admits the target, but denies the investigators have quotas they must meet.

Finley has left the impression that fraud is widespread and the losses come out of the pocket of Canadian taxpayers.

Both of those claims are questionable. The Employment Insurance system paid out over $20 billion in benefits annually before the current round of the changes was instituted. Even using the $485,000 “target”, that is still a small percentage.

The idea of house visits definitely has a big brother feel. The union that represents the workers has objected to the move, saying it puts the safety of workers at risk.

There must also be concerns raised about the legality of the visits. While homeowners have the right to restrict access to their residence, it is unlikely most people are going to exercise that right if they feel their benefits might be cut off.

It is a common misconception that Employment Insurance is a drain on taxpayers. In fact, that is far removed from the truth. While Ottawa does administer the program, it doesn’t pay for it. That comes from premiums

paid by both employers and employees.

of defeat” when he was in opposition.

The fact is the program is more than self- sustaining and it is not uncommon for governments to take surplus money and divert it to other government programs. The Liberal government of Jean Chretien, for example, moved some of the $57 billion surplus into general government spending to help combat a budget deficit. The Harper government introduced changes in 2011 that see the premium fluctuate with employment levels in an attempt to ensure large surpluses don’t happen in the future.

What is really insulting is the inference that farmers who work 12 to 16 hours, often for little in the way of profit, or fishermen who risk their lives on the water to deliver seafood to market, have no value. According to many of these critics, they are simply relics of a bygone time. I wonder how many of those people eat a lobster when they visit PEI—served, no doubt, by a seasonal tourism worker who I’m sure they feel has no value either.

Since Atlantic Canada has a higher percentage of seasonal workers than many other parts of the country, the changes have a bigger impact here. On PEI, for example, the three major industries of agriculture, fisheries and tourism all have a strong seasonal component.

Over the past few months, there has been no shortage of commentators and letter writers telling people in this region they should move if they can’t find fulltime work here. Critics of the Conservative government are also fond of pointing out the measure seems to fit in with Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s depiction of the region as having a “culture

It would be a minor political miracle if the Conservative Party didn’t suffer politically in this region when Canadians go to the polls in 2015.

Certainly, the precedents are there—the Progressive Conservatives lost seats when they made major reforms in early 1990’s. The Liberals were almost wiped out in Atlantic Canada in the 1997 election after they instituted major reforms.

That has to make Tory MP’s in the region, like National Revenue Minister Gail Shea, extremely nervous. However, so far, they have failed to deviate from the party line.

While that may win them brownie points with the prime minister, voters may well see things differently.

Kensington Lions Club Update

Page 9

Meeting the needs of our local communities The Kensington Lions Club held two meetings in February. The following donations were made: •$50.00 to Muscular Dystrophy Canada, •$50.00 to Autism Society of PEI, •$50.00 to the East Prince Music Festival •$100 to the Joyriders.

Card Party Results for: Friday, February 01 1st-Lois Sinclair 2nd-Glynn Paynter 3rd-Lindsey Seaman Low-Joyce Campbell Door PrizeTheo Crozier 50/50-Dot Paynter Friday, February 08 1st-Don MacLellan 2nd-Betty Carr 3rd-Wallace MacLeod Low-Walter Giovannini Door PrizeNancy MacKenzie 50/50-Betty Carr Friday, February 15 1st-Madeline Roberts 2nd-Duncan Cole 3rd-Dot Paynter Low-Lindsey Seaman Door PrizeErnestine Simpson 50/50-Marjorie Moase Friday, February 22 1st-Lois MacLeod 2nd-Joyce Campbell 3rd-Ronnie Clark Low-Emmett Hagen Door PrizeEleanor Harding 50/50-Diane Cole Crib Card results for: Tuesday, February 05

1st-Betty Carr & Ivan Gallant 2nd-Ronnie Clark & Wendy MacLeod 50/50-Ronnie Clark Free NightBarry Chappell High HandEmmett Hagen with 22 Tuesday, February 12 1st-Hilda Jorgensen & Connie Reeves 2nd-Ivan Gallant & Dana Coulson 50/50-Grant Buhanan Free NightBrad MacArthur High HandGrant Buchanan with 23 Tuesday, February 19 1st-Ken Simmons & Janet Lyle 2nd-Dana Coulson & Dave Walker 50/50-Dianne Evans Free Night-Betty Carr High HandMary Rogers with 24 Tuesday, February 26 1st-Doug Perry & Dana Coulson 2nd-Norbert Peters & Mary Rogers 50/50-Gail Chappell Free NightFannie Roberts High HandClaude Lyle with 24 Please let us know how we are doing in your community, by e-mail at kenlions@eastlink.ca or phone 836-5060.

We the Lions are there for you.

Our Moto is WE SERVE

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Cedar Waxwings Visit Privet Hedge The following is from an email from John Rowe of Union Road: I have been feeding the birds for many years and they never cease to entertain me. I have all the regulars: red polls; blue jays; chickadees; finches; juncos; crows; a couple of squirrels; the odd woodpecker; etc. However, what made me write, yesterday and today (Sunday and Monday) we were visited with a flock of cedar waxwings -- about two dozen strong.

Of course, the weather was too nasty to try and get a picture and they are pretty flighty birds anyway. Hadn’t seen them around all winter. They never went near the feeders but were dining on the buds and twigs in my English Privet hedge. It was quite a surprise. They don’t stay long and it is interesting to see their swooping flight as they take off.

I also saw a flock of snow buntings last week as I was driving up our road; first time this winter.”

Thanks for the email, John. It seems that I never hear of anyone seeing

“a” cedar waxwing. They tend to come in flocks and the Cornell website tells us that they tend to move about in flocks all year round. There’s a simple elegance to the cedar waxwing, unlike the dramatic beauty of the rose-breasted grosbeak or the stunning appearance of an evening grosbeak, for example.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology tells us that the cedar waxwing’s nest is built by the female bird.

She weaves “twigs, grasses, cattail down, blossoms, string , horsehair and similar materials” to form the main body of the nest. She lines it with fine roots, grasses and pine needles and may decorate the outside of it with “fruiting grasses and oak or hickory catkins”. It’s interesting to contemplate what is going through that little bird’s mind when it is

selecting the decorations for the outside. Cornell tells us that the male and female search for a suitable nest site together but she makes the final decision.

It is interesting to note that cowbirds that hatch out in a cedar waxwing’s nest typically don’t survive because the diet is largely berries.

They feed mainly on fruit yearround but do eat some insects in the summer.

You mentioned snow buntings, John. I’ve only seen them along the road once or twice this winter.

But I did have a solitary snow bunting dining on my deck on the weekend.

Nan Ross of Roseberry also reported seeing a lone snow bunting on several occasions this winter. I wonder how birds like that which are usually in large flocks manage to get off by themselves and I wonder what the future holds for them?

Five Star One blustery morning recently, to my surprise, what should be on my deck picking away at the sunflower seeds but a squirrel. You are likely wondering how that could

possibly be note-worthy but when you consider that it’s the first squirrel that we’ve seen in the four and a half years that we’ve been here......

So where is Mr. Squirrel holed up? He has five star accommodations.

Cozy, a short dash from a food source, private.....

He’s living in my wood shed. Once it’s cleared out, I expect that he’ll move on too.

Are you doing battle with squirrels at your feeders? Are they hauling away too much seed for your liking and, are they chewing your feeders to bits? I see that Veseys catalogue has a collection of feeders intended to befuddle the squirrels but they come at a price. One doubles as a shield from rain and snow as well as a squirrel baffler.

Seeds I’m always on the lookout for something new and different in the seed department. I acquired a copy of the Ontario Seed Company catalogue and they list what they call “micro clover”. It’s a tiny little clover that stays green when heat and drought have made turf grasses go dormant

– so they say. They also claim that it tolerates close mowing and wear and tear actually enhances it’s dominance in lawns. Might be worth a try if you have a spot where you know before you start that conventional grasses are going to have a struggle to survive.

These are the days to watch for deals on seeds – not in May. I like to pick and choose my sunflowers, for example, from the huge assortment that is available to us in seed catalogues. But when it comes to cosmos or alyssum, I’m happy with a run of the mill mix and if I can get three seed packages for a dollar, I’ll go for it.

Pondering seed catalogues? Read the descrip-

March 6, 2013 tions carefully.

What are you looking for in a crop? In sweet corn, for instance, I want flavor.

Compare the different listings in the same catalogue. What stands out with a given variety? Is there more said about the cold soil vigor and the rows of kernels than there is about the flavor?

It’s hard for a variety to be all things to all people.

I planted one variety a couple of years back that was very early but boring in flavor. Look for superlatives – like “Excellent eating quality”.

Bird watching comments or questions? Send us your backyard bird reports. Drop a line to 471 New Glasgow Road, ebenezer, PE, C1E 0S8 or bcobb06@gmail.com.

March 6, 2013

This Too Will Pass

Our Community Churches Events Calendar

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

Adult Study and Discussion Group at the Church Wednesday evening 7:00 p.m.

Anglican Parish of New London Rev. Margie Fagan March worship: 9 am – St. Mark’s 11 am – St. Stephen’s and St. Thomas’ Lenten Mid-week services: March 6, 13 and 20 at 7:00 pm at St. Mark’s Bible Study: March 7, 14 and 21 at 10:00 am at St. Mark’s Service of Ordination A service of Ordination of a Priest for Rev. Margie Fagan will take place on Sunday, March 17, at 4 pm at St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown.

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Kensington United Church of Canada Rev. Robert McCarthy March 10 9:30 Sr Sunday School & Handbell Practice 10:30 – Worship Service & Sunday School (Note: There is no Sunday School March 17th and March 24) Wednesdays from Feb. 20 – March 27 Lenten Midweek Communion Service 7 p.m. in Amy MacKay Parlour.

For updated information and to view all our programs,check out our website at: 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

St. Patrick’s Day Tea Sat., March 16 11am to 1pm (Storm date is March 23) hosted by The Kensington Church of The Nazarene

The tea will be held at the church at 47 Victoria St. East. Tickets are available from church members or at the door.

Proceeds for the Building Fund.

For more info contact Astrid Johnson 836-4200

Margate Pastoral Charge Rev. Anne Dalziel Singer Princetown United Church Southwest River United Church “All are welcome, all are welcome in this place.”

Worship and Sunday School: 9:30 am - Princetown 11 am - Southwest River

St. Mary’s Holy Family Roman Catholic Parish Kensington Father John Molina Masses: Saturday: Sunday:

7:00pm 9:00am

St James Church (Summerfield) Sunday at 10:30am

March 12 - Princetown UCW

Clinton View Lodge: Every first Friday.

March 19 - Southwest River UCW

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

Kensington New London Presbyterian Church Rev Alan Stewart March 10 •Kensington Worship & Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

•New London Worship & Sunday School 11am.

Guest Speaker Rev. Dawn Griffiths.

March 17 •Kensington Worship & Sunday School 11am •New London Worship & Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Guest Speaker Rev. Dawn Griffiths

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.

“Weepng may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:4 (NKJV) “His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22b, 23 (NKJV) Lauretta Balderston free-lance writer We live in an world of overloaded expectations and frantic routines. We place such high demands on ourselves to do everything that we sometimes wish we could run away and hide for just one whole day- alone!

One Friday I was dropping our daughter off at Brownies when she looked at me and said, “Oh, yeah. You need to bring sandwiches to the meeting because it’s parents’ night.” Those were the fastest sandwiches ever made! This too will pass.

Our son was not a morning person so Monday to Friday was a hectic push to get him out the door to school. I recall the morning he announced, as he exited the car, “I need to have my science project done today.” Needless to say, it wasn’t done and he had to ask for an extension. Did I feel I had failed? Sure, but I told myself, this too will pass.

Some weeks are all Mondays!

The week seems like it will never end and the tasks mount like an overloaded laundry hamper. But this too will pass. Tomorrow will come and some things left from yesterday will get done and new jobs will be added, but that’s ok.

God allows each day to be brand new. We can start fresh. “But to You I have cried out, O Lord, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.” Psalm 88:13 (NKJV) When we have nothing left, He supplies what we need to keep on, knowing that whatever difficulties we face, tomorrow will come and this too will pass.

Our children did get

their education and get out on their own. We may be a little ragged looking from the ordeal but we did survive.

Oh, even in retirement there are days when we need to stop, reassess what we are doing and realize that all the curve balls life throws at us don’t have to knock us down or lessen our joy.

We still need to remind ourselves that this too will pass. (Sometimes we still need to remind our grown children that this too will pass and tomorrow is a new day!)

God promises us that “joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:4b (NKJV) What a beautiful promise of hope!

We are all on a journey in life and our faith may be challenged, tested or even battered by illnesses, age, loneliness, frustrations or anything that may leave us feeling unappreciated or unworthy.

But remember, this too will pass!

We can strengthen our determination to face each new day with hope, love, enthusiasm and joy by claiming these words: “For to You I will pray, My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.” Psalm 5:2b, 3 (NKJV) No matter what we face or who challenges us, we have our God by our side, walking with us and whatever the problem- this too will pass!

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.” Psalm 145: 17-18a (NKJV) Claim it!

Believe it!

Live it!