2011-02-23

Pontiac seeks Fire Chief, from Pontiac Journal

Fire Department seeks chief, direction, stability

Kate Aley
Luskville -

The Pontiac Fire department, which serves Luskville, Quyon and Breckenridge, finds itself without a fire chief as of February 28, 2011.

Long time fire chief Tom Howard resigned his position at the last council meeting and neither the names of his replacement or the interim chief were available at press time.

Quyon Waterfront Revitalisation Project from Pontiac Journal

Life long volunteer gets community Revitalisation under way.

Kate Aley

Quyon – Rolly Bernier was never someone to ‘blow his own trumpet’, much preferring to play guitar on stage. But on February 12th 2011, Bernier was called up on stage to be honoured as a lifelong volunteer at a banquet held at the Quyon Lions Club hall.

“He just won’t, he can’t say no; it’s not in his vocabulary,” related Betty Kennedy, MC for the evening. “He’s someone we think represents the best of us.”

Quyon Lions Club president Glen Leach described Bernier’s 20 years of involvement from parades, parties, and playing Santa Claus. Charlene Graham of the Quyon Lionettes made Bernier an honorary member. Plaques were presented by Eddie McCann of the Municipality of Pontiac , MNA Charlotte L’Ecuyer and Gerry Phillippe for MP Laurence Cannon.

Bill Hamilton, owner of Mountainview Turf Farms and a long time volunteer himself, brought the room to another focus of the evening: a renewed call to government and community to show support for the exciting developments planned for the waterfront area of Quyon dubbed the Waterfront Revitalization Project. “Based on current costs, Phase One will cost 1.3 to 1.5 million. We as a group are committed to raising half the Municipalities share, and our funds now stand at $30 000 tonight.”

Improvements to the dock area will coincide with the new ferry project. A historic boardwalk with information signs, benches and lights will lead visitors to the entirely rebuilt Lions Club, which will serve as a function room and community centre as well. An enlarged and refurbished children’s playground by the new building will be named after Bernier.

Champion dog from Pontiac, from the Pontiac Journal

Kate Aley
Luskville -

‘Cataraqui Indian Summer’, a three year old Rhodesian Ridgeback dog known simply as Indy to her family, competed at the prestigious the Westminster Kennel Club Show on February 14, 2011.

As a one-year-old, she became the number one Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch in Canada and number two in the breed. By her second birthday, she became an American Champion and later that same year, she won a Best in Specialty Show award and became the number 1 Ridgeback in the country, only the second time in Canadian history that a female has taken the top spot.

While spending most of her time on Ferme Cataraqui on Mountain Road in Luskville, either running through the woods with her siblings or hanging out with the goats, Indy took her first trip to New York City and the most prestigious dog show in North America in her stride.

“We didn’t go expecting to win,” related breeder and owner Valerie Michaud after Indy failed to win a place at Westminster. “There’s a no show in the world that so many great dogs are defeated. It was such an honour to simply compete there, and a treat to see such beautiful dogs... sometimes I got goose bumps. I was so proud to see Indy, a Pontiac dog born and raised, on her first trip to a colossal show like Westminster, not cringing once.”

Newly pregnant, Indy will take on a new challenge of motherhood in early April. Meanwhile Michaud’s attention turns to Thomba, Indy’s brother, who also shows every sign of being a champion.

“At the end of the day, what matters to breed great dogs,” she emphasises. “To give them great minds and bodies and find them families that love them.”

2011-02-22

Action Pontiac is here

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