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Vol.15 No.22
Pelham’s independent news source from the Heart of Niagara
The
VOICE
Cadets closer to Vimy Ridge. Page 2
Lessons in love! Page 3
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Art campers paint big! Page 7
Fonthill boy gets taste of Stanley Cup success BY TINA CHIVERS VOICE Staff When Fonthill goaltender, Evan Macpherson, won the Bill Cracknell Cup, he had no idea how it would ultimately affect him. The nine-year-old hockey player was so proud of his team’s prize, he brought it everywhere he went. The Bill Cracknell Cup is a consolation prize given out by the Ontario Minor Hockey Association to an atom AE finalist team, and Macpherson’s team won the coveted cup last season. The cup, which is an honour to have earned, went with the young Macpherson to family dinners, to his brother’s soccer game, and also, to the Mandarin Restaurant—for all to see. Evan and his team, the Pelham Giant Tiger Panthers, won the cup after coming in second place at a provincial championship. In the end, Collingwood took top prize after a four-game final. However, having won the Bill Cracknell Trophy
is still impressive, and each team member began taking turns taking the trophy home. So when Welland native and NHL star, Dan Paille, brought the Lord Stanley Cup to Welland for a day (on July 27), it’s not surprising that Evan was one of the first in line to see both the athlete and the prestigious cup. “We were in line [at the Civic Square] since 8:30 am,” says Evan. “We waited for four hours.” Joining Evan in line was his dad, Stuart, who was equally excited to see the Lord Stanley Cup. “It was exciting to see the Stanley Cup, but more so, to see the connection that it made with Evan,” says Stuart. “Evan has enjoyed playing hockey, but it wasn’t until he won the Bill Cracknell Cup that I watched his aspirations grow; and seeing the Stanley Cup and Paille, I knew that Evan saw that a goal like that is achievable.” Stuart says that he used the inspirational day to affirm a lesson to his son—that Paille is just a regular guy, from a small
city, who worked hard and was able to achieve a dream of a lifetime. According to Stuart, winning the Bill Cracknell Trophy gave his son a thirst for success. “And seeing Paille and the Stanley Cup proved to Evan that anybody can indeed do this,” says Stuart. Wearing his Paille-autographed hockey hoodie, Evan excitedly chats about his upcoming hockey tryouts. “I have tryouts at the end of August,” says Evan. Last season, Evan spent three days a week on the ice, and played 70 hockey games. He says that, following the example of professional hockey players, success takes hard work and determination. “Those athletes work very hard, they eat well, and they have to stay hydrated,” says Evan. “When they come off the ice, they’re just dripping with sweat.” Not wanting to miss out on a teachable moment, Stuart then reminds his son that “those athletes work that hard even dur-
Nine-year-old Evan Macpherson pairs his Bill Cracknell Trophy with NHL hockey star Dan Paille’s Lord Stanley Cup at the Welland Civic Square on July 27. /Special to the Voice ing practices”. Nodding his agreement, Evan says he has aspirations of one day playing professional hockey for
the Toronto Maple Leafs. “It was so exciting to touch the Stanley Cup,” says Evan. “Most kids don’t get the chance to
touch the cup, and winning my trophy was kind of like winning the Stanley Cup.”
Town ends contract with fire chief McLeod BY TINA CHIVERS VOICE Staff
During a special Town Council meeting on Friday afternoon, the town announced, effective August 10, that the employment contract with Scott McLeod, director of fire services, will end. Mayor Dave Augustyn said that council approved the action at the special council meeting. Jim Phelps, former fire chief and district chief for Pelham Fire Station No. 3, will assume the role of acting chief until a new Ask The Experts:
Jim Pedlar & Tina Moessner
fire chief is hired. McLeod was appointed fire chief in 1999. Prior to his employment in Pelham, he served in the fire service in Marathon, Ontario. “Chief McLeod has been a strong presence in the Town for many years,” says Augustyn. “I appreciate his work in leading Pelham’s fire service since 1999.” The Pelham Fire Department has 87 part-time firefighters and three full-time staff—a fire chief, a fire prevention officer, and an administrative assistant. The fire service provides fire and accident response,
resuscitation services, extrication from motor vehicle accidents, fire inspections and fire safety education, the town said in its announcement. The Pelham Fire Department operates out of three stations: Pelham Station No. 1, 177 Hwy 20 W. in Fonthill; Pelham Station No. 2, 766 Welland Road in Fenwick; and Pelham Station No. 3, 597 Sixteen Road, in North Pelham. Augustyn said the town will now start looking for a new fire chief, and expects to have someone in place by the fall.