October 8, 2004

Friday, Oct. 8, 2004
Local sports coverage on page 24
Niagara Wine Festival on pages 13, 14-15
Niagara wants
more funding
By JARRETT POWELL
Staff Writer
Niagara College is vying for a
bigger slice of the pie: the
$25-million pie, that is.
Bob Christie, Ontario’s deputy
minister of training, colleges and
universities, on a recent visit to
the
college,
listened
to
arguments from the board of
governors as to why Niagara
College needs better funding.
Niagara College received the
second lowest amount from the
College Sustainability Fund.
“It is almost as if Niagara
College is being penalized for our
good fiscal management,” says
Darrell Neufeld, manager of
corporate communications, at the
board’s Sept. 23 meeting at the
Welland campus.
The College Sustainability
Fund was a one-time grant given
to all 24 colleges by the Ontario
government in its spring budget.
The amount of the grant was
$25 million, which was dispersed
among the colleges according to
the deficits they are running.
Niagara College received
$337,991 from the fund.
“It is just wrong. It is very,
very wrong. We need a change,”
says James Ryan, vice-chair of
the board.
Kingston’s
St.
Lawrence
College received the largest sum
from the fund, yet did not run the
largest deficit.
The largest deficit was
incurred by Algonquin College in
Ottawa, which received the
second largest sum.
Alan Goddard, chair of Niagara
College’s board of governors,
says, “While other colleges were
running up deficits, Niagara
College was running a surplus,
but it didn’t come without costs.”
Continued on page 2
Help those in need
... make friends
By ERIN MACGILLIVARY
Staff Writer
The peer services office at
Niagara College isn’t just
another pretty door.
The services offered behind
that door include notetaking,
scribing, proctoring and peer
tutoring, all of which are free
and beneficial to students.
Josie Tremonte, of Thorold,
has been peer services assistant
at the Welland campus since
September 2002.
One of her jobs is to match
students with other students who
need help.
She says she wanted to work
in peer services because she
“was looking for something
where I would have direct
contact with people.”
Notetaking, scribing and
proctoring are services that are
offered only to students with
disabilities.
Notetakers are matched
up with a student with a
disability. They attends their
student’s classes and take
their notes.
They can be paid anywhere
from $75 to $200 a term
depending on how many notes
they are taking and for how
many credits.
Scribing is for students
who require someone to
write out tests for them
while
they
dictate
the
answers,
and
a
proctor
oversees
students
with
disabilities while they are taking
tests in the test centre. The wage
for both jobs is $8 an hour.
Tremonte says, in most cases,
she likes to hire tutors to do the
scribing,
notetaking
and
proctoring because they are
already on her payroll.
Peer tutoring is a service
offered to all students to help
them in any courses in which
they are having trouble.
Tremonte says she can match
most people with a tutor in
less than a week and almost
“instantly” if it is later in the
term.
Continued on page 2
Volume 35, Issue 2
Open wide!
First-year Dental Assistant program students Hayley Hewitson and Jordan Baker encourage students to get their teeth checked. Niagara College’s dental clinic is open Tuesdays and Thursdays
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The clinic, on the third floor of the Simcoe building,
is also open on Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Photo by Kevin McNaughton
A room with a view
By MELISSA HUNT
Staff Writer
Most students going to a school
away from home are concerned
about finding a place to live.
In January, the College Student
Alliance
(CSA)
endorsed
www.places4students.com, an
online site to find housing in
different school areas.
In a press release, both
places4students.com and CSA
promoted online housing.
Kyle MacDonald, president of
places4students.com, said the first
objective was to design an
easy-to-use program that lets
students find excellent off-campus
housing without the hassle.
General Manager of CSA Frank
Cappadocia finished the press
release backing this statement.
“When I was in college, access
to this kind of information simply
wasn’t available. Now within a
matter of minutes, students can
narrow their housing search and
focus their energies on the places
they really want to check out.”
Eight months after releasing
those statements, Cappadocia says
places4students.com is continuing
to grow and develop and is
starting to include American
universities and colleges as well
as Canadian institutions.
“A number of similar services
have recently either re-branded or
launched as competitors to
places4students.com. Given these
activities, I’m sure that our
original concept and objectives
around online off-campus housing
have now been confirmed.”
Cappadocia
says
some
institutions appear to be uncomfortable about changing their
off-campus housing processes.
“Change is never an easy thing
for large organizations, but over
time I’m sure that these anxieties
will fade, and as the program
continues to succeed, those institutions will also join the program.”
At Niagara College, a similar
system
exists
at
www.ontariostudentrentals.ca.
The website states the main focus
is to make the renting process
easier for students and landlords.
Ashley Newman, 17, a firstyear student in the Early
Childhood Education program,
says not only did she use the
Internet to find her house, but that
it’s important because so many
others have relied on the site to
find off-campus housing.
With only 234 spots in
residence, the majority of students
will need to find a place off
campus.
The Niagara College site offers
searches for houses, limiting it to
exactly what a student is looking
for in rent, location, type of home
and more. It allows the student to
look for a roommate or at an
events calendar and shows
pictures of the houses.
As to why it’s better than
posting at the school, Newman
says it benefits people who don’t
live in Welland.
“Some people who live far
away are able to access it.”
Online postings don’t just
benefit students but landlords too.
Continued on page 2
index
Editorials
6
Columns
7
Entertainment
18
Sports
22
Crossword
25
Page 2, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
By JANINE WESTERA
Staff Writer
Niagara College offers students
an opportunity to gain work experience within their chosen field, in
order to ensure a better chance in
the workforce.
Niagara College provides programs with two forms of job experience: co-ops and internships.
“Co-op programs were put into
place to satisfy employers’ needs,
to provide them with employees
who have experience, which
makes it a win-win situation,”
says Meghan McCready, consultant, Co-operative Education
works at the Job Centre at the
Welland campus.
McCready works with individuals on job searching skills and has
worked at Niagara College since
February.
Co-op students receive guidance from Niagara College in a
career planning course for six to
seven weeks.
The course teaches skills on job
searching, preparing for professional interviews, as well as
preparing professional resumés
and cover letters.
In the winter of 2004 the co-op
placement statistics showed a 100
per cent placement rate.
There are 22 co-op programs in
which students earn an average
wage of $11.14 an hour.
Cory Baranieski, 23, of St.
Catharines, a third-year student in
the
Electronic
Engineering
Technology program, recently
received a co-op placement at
Lightning Circuits in St. Catharines.
He says the co-op consultants
didn’t help him “very much” find-
ing a co-op but they did help him
in learning how to find a co-op.
“It helped in a lot of ways,” says
Baranieski. “You have to have to
find your own co-op placement,
and you have to learn how to network yourself.”
Another type of job placement
program in the college is internships.
Internships are different from
co-ops because co-ops are paid
placements and internships are
not.The college has 27 internship
programs.
One program that offers students this experience is the
Public
Relations
Graduate
Certificate program.
Martha Gleddie, internship
development officer for the program, says, “I like seeing us help
the non-profit sector because it
benefits everybody.”
Christina Oegema, 22, a program graduate, did her internship
at the Family and Children
Services agency in St. Catharines.
Oegema is one of 32 graduates
from the Public Relations program.
“I contact employers and
inform them about the program.
If the internship is PR (public
relations) related, then I would
set up an interview,” says
Gleddie, who has been at the college for five years.
Oegema says a month was “too
short” and there wasn’t enough
time to learn but it did broaden her
perspective and gave her a good
realistic experience rather than
learning from a textbook.
“It’s one thing to learn it in
school but it’s a whole different
experience when you’re learning it
first-hand,” says Oegema.
File photo
Co-ops, internships provide experience in field
MARTHA GLEDDIE
Fund gives college second-lowest amount
Continued from page 1
Those costs are starting to add up and a
more long-term solution has to be found.
The sustainability fund was never meant
to be a long-term solution, says Christie.
“We are very aware of the challenges the
colleges have faced over the last 10 years.”
In
Niagara
College’s
Capital
Infrastructure
Report,
released
in
September, infrastructure is a large portion
of the budget.
Infrastructure is a fancy term for repair costs.
The estimated cost for maintenance is $29
million and is increasing annually.
Repairs are needed to the roof on the
Mackenzie building at the Welland campus,
and the elevator in the Simcoe building needs
to be replaced to meet safety standards.
The report states that there is “a signifi-
cant amount of deferred maintenance in the
college system, including Niagara College,
as a result of underfunding.”
This has the board crying foul because the
college is also unqualified to meet the criteria
needed to receive a Northern and Rural Grant.
That grant was established in the 1980s to
assist colleges in rural and northern areas
that faced specific cost issues because of
their location.
In order to be eligible for a rural grant,
three criteria must be met.
First, the campuses of any one college must
be a minimum of 80 kilometres apart. Second,
the population density of the community in
which the college resides must be 200 people
per square kilometre or less. Third, student
enrolment must be 4,600 or less.
“We’re the only college outside of an
urban centre that does not receive a rural
grant,” says Neufeld.
In fact, Niagara College’s address for the
Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake is
listed as RR#4.
Although the college’s three campuses are
less than 80 kilometres apart, “the Niagara
region does not have sufficient public transportation,” noted Dan Patterson, Niagara
College’s president.
An appeal to Christie is only part of the
process.
The college hoped to have a strong showing at the Bob Rae Review Panel on PostSecondary Education, which came to the
Glendale campus last night in a town-hallstyle meeting from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Information
on
the
website,
raereview.on.ca, states the review is
designed to “review the design and funding
of Ontario’s post secondary education systems and recommend innovative ways in
which our institutions can provide the best
education to students and support Ontario’s
prosperity.”
The meetings are a public event, so if you
have any concerns come out and express them.
Former Ontario premier Rae and a sevenmember advisory panel front the review.
For more information, or for a complete
timetable, consult the website.
Recently, Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs) have become another criteria for
funding.
In KPIs conducted for the 2003/04 academic year Niagara College placed first in
employer satisfaction and second in graduate satisfaction.
Peer tutoring important to college, benefits everyone
Continued from page 1
Dawn Irick, 34, of Welland, a second-year student in the
Educational Assistant — Special Needs Support program at
the Welland campus, has been out of school for 14 years and
says she thinks the tutoring program is “great.”
She says she has one tutor for all of her classes who helps
her go over her notes and learn the information rather than
just memorize it.
“When I first came I wasn’t doing so well, but with the
tutoring I have brought my average up from a 60 per cent
to a 79 per cent. I’ve learned to study again. I’ve learned to
look at each thing as it comes rather than be overwhelmed.”
Joshua Taylor, 24, of St. Catharines, a fourth-year student in
the Electronics Engineering Technology program at the
Welland campus, has been a tutor at the college for three years.
Taylor has tutored eight subjects so far but says he is
“qualified to teach many, many more.”
He says he became interested in the program when he
began to help one of his friends in his program and “wanted to make some extra money.”
Taylor says some of his teaching methods are “reexplaining the original teacher’s method, providing at least
one other point of view on the information and breaking
down complex topics and ideas into simple, easy to understand ones.”
Although it takes up a lot of his time, Taylor says, he finds
the results are “worthwhile, both to me and the learner.”
“Once the learner understands a concept, I’m able to pick
up on how they learn, and that helps me help them. It’s winwin all around. I think the learners really appreciate it.”
Taylor says he would recommend the program to other
students “if they are patient and willing to accept that some
students don’t grasp some of the concepts as quickly as others ... it looks great on a resumé, gives you a feeling of helping out, and the extra money doesn’t hurt.”
For more information on services available, visit
Tremonte in SE102A at the Welland campus, or Valerie
Chambers, at the Learning Resource Centre, at the
Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
College’s off-campus housing online site good for students
Continued from page 1
Once a place has been rented
out, landlords can immediately
take their posting off the site, or,
if they want to change any of the
information, they can do that
right away.
Steven Kealey, president of
Castle Properties Ltd., is the
owner of a property on St George
Street, which he rents to 14 students attending Niagara College.
He says 11 of the 14 students
have come from his online listing
this past year.
“In my online posting I always
include a reference to my property
web page and I find that students
love being able to view my property’s website since it has more
photos and a lot more details than
those that fit into the online listing
they first view.”
Kealey says each listing with the
online service is placed on an
index card, which is posted on the
college’s housing board, but “it
seems that very few students look
at this housing board as the
Internet is a much more convenient and efficient way to access
the housing listings.”
Kealey says most of the new
tenants this year were able to
access the online listings from
their homes during the summer
break, rather than look for houses
in the winter and spring months.
He says the Internet has helped
the students to quickly access
many listings, so the listings are
good for competition.
“Landlords must invest more into
the quality of their accommodations in order to differentiate their
properties from the competition.”
Kealey says it’s a “great situation” for students to be in because
they have lots of places to choose
from and are able to pick which
accommodations suit them best.
“The Internet is giving the information and the power where it
should be - with the consumer and
in this case with the students - and
this is leading to an increasing
trend toward higher quality housing for students.”
As Cappadocia said in the
January press release, “online offcampus housing services are the
way of the future.”
Steven Kealey’s house on 24 St. George St. is home to 14
Niagara College students.
Photo by Melissa Hunt
Pick up a copy of the next edition of news@niagara on Oct. 22
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 3
College aids
storm victims
By TAMARA SARGENT
Staff Writer
Students and staff at Niagara
College are offering a helping
hand to the victims of recent hurricanes in the Southern United
States and Caribbean.
The Student Administration
Council (SAC) has donated
funds, and the staff from the
International Education and
Development department has
held a coin drive. All monies go
to the Canadian Red Cross,
which is providing supplies to
the ravaged areas.
“People in Grenada, the
Cayman Islands, Haiti and
Jamaica will be living with this
(damage) for years,” says the Red
Cross’ Community Service Coordinator Nancy Twerdohlib.
“They not only lost their homes
and possessions, (but) they lost
the way to get it back ... that’s
why it’s so important.”
The Welland campus’ SAC
donated $500.
“One-hundred dollars is not
enough and $1,000 is too much,”
says SAC President Mark
Hardwick. “I think $500 is a fair
number.”
Shari Virtue, English as a
Second Language instructor, says
her
department
personnel
“thought collecting spare change
was something we could do, so
we just put out the jar and sign.”
Her department’s efforts began
on Sept. 15 and ended on Sept.
23, raising over $60.
“People are great,” she says. “I
hear little clinks all day.”
The Canadian Red Cross has
raised over $1.2 million.
“We know students don’t have
a lot of dispensable income,” says
Twerdohlib, “but you never know
when (something like this) will
happen to you.”
Hardwick says the SAC donation came from “a certain amount
of money for donations” put aside
each year. This year, $25,000 has
been budgeted for donations of
this sort.
“The
money’s
there,”
Hardwick says. “It’s just the
right thing to do.”
Items were offered from the
Lost and Found, but the Red
Cross could only accept money
donations. Not only does this
save the cost of shipping, but the
donated monies are used to buy
supplies “in or as close (as possible) to the country” that will
receive them, says Twerdohlib.
“This also helps build up the
economy (in the damaged countries).”
The Caribbean has suffered
through four major hurricanes this
season: Charley, Frances, Ivan
and, most recently, Jeanne.
In Grenada, 90 per cent of the
country’s
buildings
were
destroyed, leaving more than
50,000 people without homes or
possessions. Mass graves have
been dug in Haiti as final resting
places for the over 700 bodies
recovered to date.
“If we had a hurricane,” says
Hardwick, “I’m sure we would
want people to help us out.”
People internationally are
thinking the same as Hardwick,
and students at Niagara are no
different.
“The (donation) jar gets heavier
each day,” says Virtue.
To get more information or to
make a donation, call the Red
Cross at 1-800-418-1111, or visit
the website at http://www.redcross.ca.
President by day,
student by night
By JANINE
and continue to work on
WESTERA
it in a couple days.
Staff Writer
“I’m very proud that
Niagara College’s
he achieved something
president is experithat meant so much to
encing the “trials and
him,” says Saundra.
tribulations of a stuPatterson based his
dent” as well as
draft thesis on the
maintaining
his
industrial-educational
employed position.
partnership.
Dan
Patterson
“The main point of
studied
at
the
my thesis was to talk
University
of
about the role that colToronto
in
the
leges play in the ecoCommunity College
nomic
community,”
Leadership
prosays Patterson.
gram. He is one of
His thesis is based
20 people in his
on a case study of the
class who took this
local auto industry
five-year part-time
with Niagara College.
studies
program.
He looked at the past
Patterson
was
10-year relationship
required to combetween the college
plete eight courses,
and General Motors
attend two summer
Canada.
Patterson
institutes and comlooked at how to keep
plete his draft thejobs in the Niagara
sis.
region and ensure job
“He understands
opportunities by prowhat it’s like to be a
viding a well-trained
student,” says Dr.
workforce.
Roy Giroux, viceAs Patterson reflects
president emeritus at
on his latest accomHumber College, in
plishment, he offers
Etobicoke.
words of wisdom to the
Niagara College President Dan Patterson displays his
Giroux is an assostudents at the college
ciate professor at draft thesis.
and in the community:
Photo by Janine Westera “My message is that
Ontario’s Institute for
Studies in Education, of an outstanding scholar,” also work to pay the bills lifelong learning is
and then have some kind worth every penny, not
the
University
of says Giroux.
Throughout
the
five
of social life. Somehow only so you get it
Toronto. He is one of
three professors in the years it took Patterson things get sacrificed.”
returned in recognition
Patterson’s
wife, and advancement opporprogram on the Doctrine to complete his draft
Exam Committee work- program, he remem- Saundra, said Dan bal- tunities, but you are a
ing with and advising bered what it was like to anced his time wisely. richer, stronger person.
Saundra was one of Education is something
Patterson with his thesis. be a student.
“I went through all the Patterson’s main sup- that gives you new life,
Giroux says it is
“remarkable” for someone trials and tribulations of porters throughout his new perspectives and a
to carry on the role of col- a student. What really “rough time.” When greater appreciation for
said
she many things.”
lege president, as well as hits me is how difficult it Saundra
is to concentrate on dif- believed Dan was trying
work on a doctorate.
Although Patterson’s
“I think Mr. Patterson ferent competing inter- to do too many things at draft thesis is still waitis one of the leading ests when you are trying once and he was “ready ing to be approved, he
presidents in the college to study, to write, to get to throw in the towel,” hopes he will soon
system. He is an out- assignments in on time she would tell him to become
Dr.
Dan
standing leader but also and go to lectures and pack it up for the day Patterson.
Sneak peak behind news@niagara
Mike Melitzer, plant manager and part owner of CanWeb Inc.,
examines a newspaper just off the presses.
Photo by Ivan Zatelli
By IVAN ZATELLI
Staff Writer
It’s almost 7 p.m. on Wed., Sept.
22, and the first edition of
news@niagara is complete.
When
the
second-year
Journalism-Print program students
are finished paginating the newspaper, only half of the job is done.
CanWeb Inc., of Grimsby, prints
the Niagara College’s student
newspaper, news@niagara, along
with books, flyers, magazines,
competitors’ newspapers and an
assortment of other small jobs.
CanWeb printing is about 30
kilometres east down the Queen
Elizabeth Highway at 185 South
Service Rd., Grimsby.
Leo Tiberi, dean of information
and media studies and publisher of
news@niagara, says CanWeb provides the price and quality within
the bid specifications that the college uses in the tendering process.
Mike Melitzer, 49, of Grimsby,
is the plant manager and part
owner of CanWeb. He started at
CanWeb in 1997 five years after
its opening in 1992.
Melitzer says his presses aren’t
quite as sophisticated as some
fully automated printing facilities.
He says, “You don’t have to
spend $5 million on fancy consoles to produce 2,000 or 3,000
newspapers copies or 10,000
newspaper copies.”
Asked if he thought, with the
addition of other newspaper weeklies, his business would increase,
he says, “We always have our
sights set on expansion,” but with
expansion he needs to add another
colour unit to the line because of
the call for colour in newspapers.
Asked why more colour is needed, Melitzer says, “People find
colour is more attractive.”
Advertisers like to see colour in
their ads and are willing to pay
more for it.
The colour must be of quality to
satisfy the customers’ needs,
Melitzer says, “news@niagara is
important to this company. It’s not
a huge job, but even small jobs are
very important to us.”
Melitzer says it would take up to
two hours to print the 44 pages of
the news@niagara Sept. 24 edition. After the film is outputted,
stripping and plating take place
before the run of the newspaper
can start.
Steve Brisbois, one of approximately 50 full-time and part-time
employees at CanWeb, is at the
controls refining the colour in the
newspaper. He manipulates the
controls to bring clear, focused
colours to the paper. He checks
the original prints and compares
them with the news copy already
made. He looks for colour differences between the originals he
keeps on his brightly lit workbench and those of the paper
coming off the line.
Brisbois says, “If you’re colour
blind, you can’t do this job.”
Page 4, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
By AZRA MOMIN
Staff Writer
Her smile is as bright as her sunlit office.
Holly Seebach, co-ordinator of
the Business Administration –
Human Resources program at
Niagara College’s Glendale campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, says
she loves working with students.
“I love coaching, mentoring,
teaching. People are so interested
in learning that it’s a very rewarding experience,” she says.
The three-year program has an
average of 27 students enrolled in
it, with a record 35 this year. Most
students come in with a university
degree or college diploma, and,
Seebach says, the degrees are
heavily weighted in the humanities
and social sciences. Students do
300 hours of internship as part of
the program and typically find
work in the public and private sector. They can work in any of the
several aspects of human resource
management, like health and safety, benefits and recruiting, and are
employed by the tourism, hospitality and manufacturing industries. Some join cultural organizations such as the Ontario Arts
Council.
With a string of degrees
attached to her own name,
Seebach is working on a doctorate of education at the University
of Toronto. She plans to specialize
in
leadership
development.
Different leadership practices have
different impacts, she says, and
she wants to study the phenomenon of leadership development
and how the different practices
influence it.
“Fifty years ago corporations
focused on the mechanics of
Start Right designed
to help students, parents
By MATTHEW RUSSO
Staff Writer
First-year students taking part in
the $30-a-head Start Right program information sessions have an
advantage. The event is facilitated
by Student Services as a part of
Orientation week at the Welland
and Glendale campuses.
The Start Right program began
25 years ago as a way to help new
Niagara College students adjust
more smoothly to the college
experience and also to allay any
fears they may have about their
safety or dealing with their course
workloads.
The big story, though, is the continued growth of parental involvement in these sessions. In its first
year, the parents-only portion of
the program drew about 25 parents. Now in its fifth year, more
than 120 parents were in attendance at the 2-1/2 hour sessions.
“The parents-only sessions
began when we noticed more and
more parents joining their children
at the programs seminars. We
knew it was time to address the
parents’ needs more specifically,”
says Brigitte Chiki, the college’s
director of student services.
“Each year we have been able to
modify the sessions based on the
needs of the parents and the questions that they ask. We usually
leave 30 to 45 minutes at the end
of the sessions to answer questions, but even that is not enough
and we end up talking over
lunch,” says Chiki.
“Parents need to know their
children are in a good place, and
they also need to know what they
can expect from their investment.”
Chiki says she has noticed a
direct relationship between tuition
increases and parental involvement in the program.
With about 75 per cent of the
students attending from outside
the area, the program is also
designed to help students and parents know more about the community and its resources, campus
safety, money management and a
host of other topics.
“It’s an important thing for the
college that we recognize the important role that parents play in their
children’s education,” says Chiki.
Student Services is sending out
thank-you letters to all the parents
that attend. Included in the package are a copy of the news@niagara, copies of articles from the
Welland Tribune and the St.
Catharines Standard, as well as
the results of the questionnaires
parents completed during their
information session.
Parents pointed out in the questionnaires that the college’s
course selection, its location and
its reputation ranked highest as
the reason their children choose
Niagara College. Parents also
specified that their greatest concerns were that their children
would have success in the program they entered, would be safe
while attending the college and
could keep focused and learn time
management skills.
The future of the Start Right
program, Chiki says, includes
finding a way to communicate
with the thousands of parents who
are unable to attend these sessions.
You Know
You Want
it!
Catch the next News@Niagara
October 24
Photo by Azra Momin
Interested learners make co-ordinator’s job ‘rewarding’
HOLLY SEEBACH
human resources: hiring, paying,
benefits. As the field evolved we
learnt that human resource management can be an agent of
change, even though the functional areas are very, very
important.
“The expertise that human
resources managers now bring to
the table enables them to have a
broad outlook that can influence
the culture of an organization in a
positive way.”
Ashley Hallett, 19, a secondyear student of the program, says
she intends to pursue higher education after she graduates.
“I became a student rep to get
more experience and to work on
my interpersonal skills. I think
there are a lot of job opportunities
out there,” she says.
Another student, Jenni Gabor,
25, says she wants to use her
advanced diploma to find work
with people, because that’s what
she enjoys doing.
“I really enjoy the program and
the teachers,” she says. “They
have a very positive energy.”
“The Glendale campus is a wonderful place to work in, especially
in good weather,” says the dean of
the School of Business and
Entrepreneurship, Neal Chartrand,
pointing to the lush greenery
around the campus, “and Holly is
one of the best people we have
working here.”
“It’s all about human capital,”
says Seebach.
“Organizations need to treat
human resource management as a
strategic business partner and
recognize the value of human
capital.”
To know more about the program, contact Seebach at 905-6412252, ext. 4137, or e-mail her at
[email protected].
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news@niagara,, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 5
Church hosts spaghetti dinner
‘Free food rules. Free food is key’
By ANGELA HARDIE
Staff Writer
Free food. College students.
Put those two together and get a
spaghetti dinner served in the
basement
of
Rice
Road
Community Church in Welland
two weeks ago.
A three-course meal consisting
of Caesar salad, spaghetti with
meat sauce and a chocolate
dessert was offered free of
charge to all Niagara College
students to help alleviate the
stress of grocery shopping and
cooking for at least one night.
Students who attend the
church and the college collectively cooked and served the
meal to 18 students who darkened the doorstep.
Long paper-covered tables
with crayons for absent-minded
doodling were set up to make the
room look like a restaurant.
Two sittings, at 5:30 p.m. and
at 6:30 p.m., meshed into one, as
students trickled in after classes
ended.
Gill Allen, 22, a second-year
Social Service Worker program
student, was helping with the
event. Allen says enough food
was prepared for about 150 students. Church congregation
members donated the food.
“I don’t think too many people
knew about it (the dinner),” she
says, adding, “We didn’t put up
many signs up around the school.
When we do it (the dinner) next
time, we’ll have to advertise
more.”
The extra spaghetti will be
donated to a local food bank.
Allen says she thinks the basement can accommodate 70 students at a time.
Alex Peers, 20, who attended
the dinner with roommates, says
he liked the free food idea.
“It was so good,” he says.
The second-year Broadcasting
- Radio, Television and Film program student, says, “Free food
rules. Free food is key.”
Peers says he heard about the
dinner a day before it happened.
“There wasn’t much advertising, but then again, it is early in
the school year, so maybe people
aren’t starving yet.”
Allen says a second dinner is
“in the works,” but they’ll try
something different.
“I think we should serve hamburgers. I like hamburgers,” she
says.
The church is at 305 Rice Rd.,
across the street from the
Mackenzie building at the college’s Welland campus.
Alex Peers, left, and his hungry roommates eat their fill of spaghetti.
Photo by Angela Hardie
Purple ribbons
create awareness
By NATALIE MICHLEWICZ
Staff Writer
Throughout October, purple
ribbons will circulate in the
Niagara region.
This year marks the 12th
Annual Purple Ribbon campaign,
in which Family and Children’s
Services (FACS) Niagara will be
participating.
October is Child Abuse
Prevention Month, and FACS
Niagara hopes to inform the community that “awareness is key,” said
William Charron, executive director
of FACS.
FACS is your local Children’s
Aid Society. It is a charitable, nonprofit agency funded by the
Ministry of Community, Family
and Children’s Services.
Its objectives are to investigate
the abuse and neglect of children
and to provide protection, foster
care and adoption services.
FACS also offers counselling,
support services, a family resource
centre and a nursery school/family
enrichment program.
More than 5,000 ribbons will be
distributed during October.
“Generally we will be sending
them out to regional and municipal
councils, schools and Family and
Children Services,” said Ann
Godfrey, of FACS, in St.
Catharines.
The main purpose of the Purple
Ribbon Campaign is to help raise
awareness, said Godfrey.
“Child abuse and neglect are topics people don’t like to talk about,
but are present in every community.” She adds, “Each and everyone
of us has a responsibility.”
FACS’ vision is for every child to
be in a caring family.
How can the community help?
By volunteering, making a
donation, wearing a ribbon, or
being a foster parent. “We all
have a responsibility to protect
children,” Godfrey said.
“If you have a concern about
someone - abuse or neglect - pick
up the phone and call.” Godfrey
stresses the importance of community help and said, even if you are
not sure or have no proof, “if you’re
concerned, call and the people on
the other end will take your information and assess the situation.”
In 2003-2004 FACS had a successful year.
“Last year alone, we responded to
more than 5,300 child-protection concerns and conducted
3,438 investigations into the
possible abuse and neglect of
children living here in our community,” said Charron.
FACS also offered its protection
services to 1,281 families, put 672
children in foster care, increased
foster homes to 271, finalized 39
adoptions, and placed 36 children
with adoptive families.
“We would not be able to reach
out to those children or help those
families if we didn’t have help from
the community in identifying those
in need or those at risk,” said
Charron.
FACS offers six locations in the
Niagara Region: St. Catharines,
Welland, Fort Erie, Niagara Falls,
Grimsby and Port Colborne.
Godfrey said people who would
like ribbons should call the agency.
For more information about child
abuse, the Purple Ribbon Campaign
or how you can help, call FACS at
905-937-7731 or toll free at 1-888937-7731, ext. 3304.
Tourism students host fundraiser for winter cruise
By ASHLEY CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
Everybody’s a winner when it comes
time to fundraise.
The second-year Tourism Marketing and
Operations students held an auction and
raffle at the Annual All-You-Can-Eat Lions
Club Harvest Breakfast on Sept. 26 to raise
money for their January 2005 Caribbean
cruise.
The event was held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at the Stamford Lions Club on Portage
Road in Niagara Falls.
A portion of the proceeds raised by the
students will go to Project Share, the local
food bank of Niagara. After each fundraising event, part of the proceeds will be
donated to a charity of choice.
“It’s important for us to donate a portion
of what we raise back to the community
and to worthwhile causes. Although the
students are trying to raise money to help
fund their educational trip, we realize there
are more important issues and we would
like to help support organizations like
Project Share,” says Christine Blane, a professor in the Hospitality and Tourism
Division. Blane has been helping the students organize all of the fundraisers.
“It’s just something we should do,” says
Sarah Mallette, 19, of Brantford, Ont., and
a second-year student in the program.
“It’s a great opportunity for them (Lions
Club and Project Share) and for us.
Everybody wins in the end,” says Kelly
Caron, 19, of Sudbury, Ont., a second-year
student in the program.
The college and the community, includ-
ing the Niagara College Culinary
Institute, the Niagara College Teaching
Winery and the college greenhouse, as
well as numerous local restaurants,
attractions and area golf courses, donated the prizes. Tickets for the prizes could
be purchased at 10 for $2 or 30 for $5.
“It’s great. I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it (support and donations).
Compliments to the Lions,” says Caron.
The students were able to hold their
auction and raffle at the Lions Club free
of charge, provided that they help with
the breakfast.
“It’s good that people are supporting
the college and the tourism students,”
says Mallette.
More than $500 was raised at the
Sept. 26 raffle and auction. A portion of
the total will be used to purchase food
for Project Share.
“We’re also trying to get a local grocery store to match our contribution to
maximize the donation,” says Blane.
A goal of $2,000 has been set by the
fundraising committee to help lower the
cost for about 20 students going on the
upcoming cruise that will take place Jan.
2 to Jan. 9, 2005. The next confirmed
event will be the Family Breakfast held at
the Lions Club in St. Davids, Ont., on
Second-year students in the Tourism Marketing and Operations program held a silent
Sunday, Oct. 31.
auction at the Stamford Lion’s Club in Niagara Falls on Sunday, Sept. 26. Back row from
“The prize list is growing and tickets for
left to right are Professor Christine Blane, students Sarah Mallette, 19, of Brantford, Ont., the auction can be pre-purchased through
Kimberly Parris, 20, of Toronto, and Jenn Goorts, 20, of Cambridge, Ont. Front row from the students, so even if you don’t want to
join us for a great, inexpensive breakfast
left to right are students Rachel Cashmore, 20, of Niagara Falls, and Kelly Caron, 19, of
you can still have the opportunity to parSudbury, Ont.
Photo by Ashley Campbell ticipate in the auction,” says Blane.
Page 6, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Editorials
Publisher: Leo Tiberi
Managing Editor: Phyllis Barnatt
Associate Managing Editor: Gary Erb
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Klapatiuk
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Assistant Editor
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Mail: V10, 300 Woodlawn Rd., Welland, Ont.
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news@niagara is a practical lab for students in the Journalism-Print program, covering the college community and other areas of interest.
Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the management of the newspaper or the administration of Niagara College.
Society puts censor on expression
She was asking for it ...
These few words (with an ellipsis mark) have
sparked a storm of controversy that has included
Dalton McGuinty, premier of Ontario, as one who has
spoken out against them.
The words are from a T-shirt sold at Cherry Bomb
Apparel in St. Catharines. A picture of a bloody hammer accompanies the words.
The shirt has been protested, called “reprehensible”
by McGuinty, attacked by Attorney General Michael
Bryant and dubbed “totally unacceptable” by St.
Catharines MPP Jim Bradley.
Protestors demanded its immediate removal from
the store. Gillian Dooley, Women’s Place executive
director, says she hopes the government can find a way
to prevent more of the U.S.-made shirts from entering
Canada, in a story in The Standard on Sept. 24.
The shirt is even being reviewed to see if it violates
hate crime laws.
All this controversy over a simple T-shirt?
Oddly enough, Cherry Bomb sells a companion shirt
with the words “He had it coming ...” accompanied by
a pair of bloody scissors, which only garnered one
short paragraph in the same story from The Standard.
There is no protesting or controversy over that shirt.
The message the shirt conveys is only one of the
issues.
Censorship is one of the bigger issues.
Voltaire once said, “I may disagree with what you
have to say, but I shall defend to the death your right
to say it.”
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms clearly states that everyone has the freedom of thought,
belief, opinion and expression.
Somewhere along the way, society as a whole has
forgotten this.
With the rise of special interest groups and a general loss of humour, we are now expected to watch
everything we say, for fear of offending someone.
We live in a Band-Aid society in which, no matter
what you say, someone is guaranteed to find offence
with it.
If you are offended by something, you probably
deserve to be.
As a whole, society needs to lighten up and stop taking things so seriously. It is no wonder why heart disease and strokes are the leading cause of death.
Call it pessimistic if you will, but it is only existence. You can’t take it too seriously because one day
you will cease to exist, and everything that you may
have said or heard won’t matter.
We should be wary of censorship in any form, or we
all may be the ones asking for it .
JARRETT POWELL
United we stand, divided we fall
With all of the support the Niagara area gives
Niagara College, it’s only fair the college community
give back.
The United Way is a worldwide organization committed to providing support for people and agencies in
need. It supports more than 56 programs in 26 affiliated agencies.
This year the United Way of South Niagara has a
college campaign with a fundraising goal of $980,000.
That goal will not be a reality without our help.
Niagara College has been a proud supporter of the
United Way for more than 30 years. We will continue to
support it in any way we can. This is where you come in.
If 300 students donated $1 each, that’s $300. With
6,000 students enrolled, a donation of $1 each would
raise $6,000. Sounds easy, right?
Think about how many times you find loose change
in your pockets or under the couch. Every penny
counts and every penny can go towards helping those
in need.
It is astonishing to see that only 35.5 per cent of the
college community made donations to the college
campaign last year. This year, we are asking for all of
our students to step up and be involved.
Every dollar raised stays within the community in
which it is donated. The money you contribute returns
to provide food, shelter, clothing and transportation.
Donations go toward providing support services and
shelters for abused women, programs to help those
with physical or mental disabilities, health care and
counselling.
Turn to the person next to you in class. Ask yourself
this: “If that person needed help and I could have a
hand in making that happen, would I?” Of course, you
would. Here is your chance.
It is a new year. The United Way is asking us for our
help. Let’s give it the best Niagara College can offer
and blow that fundraising goal away.
To make a donation to the college campaign, contact
Betty Ann Chandler, at the Welland campus, 905-7352211, ext. 7519.
STEPHANIE DIPIETRO
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 7
Columns
Big Apple captures the heart of girl
RANDI CODISPODI
Staff Writer
For a girl who loves her sleep,
you would imagine that the “city
that never sleeps” would be the
last place she would want to go.
My trip to New York City began
with a 3 a.m. wake-up to get to the
airport.
Keep in mind that I was in
Toronto the night before until 1
a.m at the Curiosa Festival.
My aunt Susie, my cousin Gage
and I got to the Big Apple around
9:30 a.m. and made our way to our
hotel, the Hilton New York.
We were up for 20 hours that
day, between flying to the city and
roaming the streets until late at
night.
On our second day, we took a
tour so we could see the entire
island at a decent price.
First, we saw a group of people
in their underwear. Apparently it
was National Underwear Day.
We saw the naked cowboy, a
man who hangs out in Times
Square in his underwear and a
cowboy hat, playing his guitar.
This happens every day.
We met a woman from
California who lived beside
Nicole Simpson, O.J. Simpson’s
deceased wife.
We met a boy from Scotland
who had the greatest accent ever.
However, not all of New York is
glitz and glamour.
We saw a homeless man in
Times Square with a sign that
read: Will let you yell at me for $2.
We met the manager of
American Eagle Outfitters in
Soho, which is located just blocks
away from Ground Zero. Hearing
this man’s first-hand account of
the atmosphere around the city
weeks later was jaw dropping. I
can’t get the description out of my
head of the smell of human flesh
still burning for a month after the
attacks.
On a final note, ladies, the shopping is everything you imagine it
to be and more.
The heart of Times Square is one of the most popular places in New York City.
Photo by Randi Codispodi
Smile! You just made someone’s day
JESSICA KONKLE
Staff Writer
I am a bartender at a local pub and I deal with all sorts of
people each day.
To work with the public you need to have good social
skills and a polite attitude and to know how to deal with customer complaints and issues in a positive, mature manner.
It is important for a company to make sure that all the
employees understand the importance of being friendly to
customers, whether it is at the local donut shop or a high-
end fine dining restaurant. If the customer is not
satisfied, that customer won’t go back. Not only
that, the customer will not hesitate to tell others
about the bad experience.
When I go into an establishment and buy
something, I, as well as many others, expect
friendly service. Working with the public makes
me aware of how people treat their customers. It
isn’t always pretty.
Crystal Bentley, 21, of Beamsville, Ont., works at a local
store where she deals with customers all day. She says, “If a
customer treats me with respect, I will do the same for them.
There have been incidents when customers are demanding,
and it gets irritating because they don’t think twice about
being nice to me.”
Why not be nice to everyone? When I smile at people,
they smile back and then go on about their day, smiling at
someone else, I hope.
It also takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.
If we made a point to say “Thank you” and smile at the lady
at Tim Hortons and smile at the man holding the stop sign
in a construction zone, chances are both will smile at the
next person they see because of us.
Bentley says, “Smiles are contagious so I try to be a
happy employee so I will have happy customers.”
I understand that we all have bad days and the last thing
we care about is smiling, but take it into consideration. If
you’re behind a counter dealing with people, be nice. If you
don’t like the public, then you shouldn’t work with them.
It’s time to get a new job.
Two Christmases are not as fun as it may seem
Mom plays essential role for daughter during divorce
Photo
Unavailable
PAM HALLMAN
Staff Writer
You would think that having two separate
families would be fun. Two Christmases,
more food around holidays and, best of all,
more presents. Well, I can say that I don’t
have the best of both worlds.
Every weekend when I go home to visit
my family, I have
to choose which
one I’m going to
see first. Around
holidays I have to
make sure that
both families are
not planning the
event on the same day.
My mom and dad separated when I was
eight months old. My mom remarried and my
dad remarried. Not too many kids can say that
they have two moms, two dads, a stepsister, a
half brother, yet they’re an only child.
Recently my mom divorced my stepdad of
nine years, so again I feel a little piece of me
has been broken off.
Everyone asks me, “How is your mom?” or
“Is everything OK?” Why does no one ever
ask how I’m feeling?
I had to listen to the fighting and bickering back and forth between them. I had to
pack all my stuff and move into a brand new
home. Most important, I was stuck in the
middle and affected the most because I
couldn’t do anything to help the person that
I love the most, my mom.
People divorce for a reason. They cannot
help the problems, but when children are
thrown into the problem, it hurts them just
as much.
My mom and I, at age 20, are finding a
new beginning.
All things happen for a reason, and that
is what I keep telling myself. My mom
and I will get through this obstacle in life
and everything will be fine and perfect in
the end.
As my mom always says, “Who needs men?”
Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be balanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns. In columns, the feelings and opinions of
reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated lightly. Our columns, which
are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College administration or the management
of news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.
Page 8, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Columns
Exploring Canada goal for student
THEA DUXBURY
Staff Writer
There isn’t anything I love better in my life than being
Canadian.
My friends and family endlessly tease me about my patriotic ways, but I do not care. Canada is my life. Small-town
Canada is my roots, and exploring more of my vast country
is one of many goals in my life.
Taking pride in where we live is what we must do to feel
part of each other. That is all we have.
We are Canadians, not North Americans, and certainly not
American. Our ethnicities range from people from all over
the world. Our heritages are all different, but at the end of
the day even if we don’t speak the same language, we are
Canadian, and for that we should be proud.
We live in a beautiful country that, for the most part, has
prospered in some degree of peace.
We are not an intolerant people, and we are open to other
cultures and ways of life. For this we must be grateful, and
let others come to our home and make it theirs, one of the
safest countries in the world.
For a taste of the metro life, we have at least two
major cities in each province. Although cities are
the centre of each province financially and culturally, it is small-town Canadian life that defines us
at the end of the day. Every province has its own
flavour, its own mark that it leaves you with.
Whether it is the warm people and serene coasts of the
Maritimes, or the culturally diverse streets of Vancouver,
Canada can offer us much more than we think.
As I was growing up, fellow classmates or friends would
say to me that they could not wait to leave the small town
we grew up in, and that they would be off to California or
Florida when they grew up. To them I say, shame on you!
All we have is where we’re from. All we have is who we
are, so to reach for something else, instead of embracing
what is ours, seems truly sad.
Yes, Canada is a cold country, but we also have beautiful,
hot summers, a warm spring and crisp falls. We are very
lucky to live in a part of the world where the seasons
change. What would our Christmases be like without snow
or our Thanksgivings without the first hint of frost? With
each season comes a rebirth, a new time to start fresh and
uncover old memories of seasons past.
I have only been to a few parts of Canada: Prince Edward
Island, Quebec and Newfoundland. Although I have seen
most of Europe and other places, Canada is what I seek to
explore now. I want to see it all, from Nova Scotia to
Nunavut and back down the British Columbia coast. I want
to meet Canadians, share Canadian stories and see what the
rest of my country is like.
I can call Canada my home all I want, but at the end of the
day, what’s a home if you’ve only see two or three parts of
it?
As the youth of this country, we should embrace who we
are and enjoy being a part of something that is much bigger
than what we know.
Knowing our country better helps us to define ourselves
in a world where the lines between Canada and America
have become all too blurred.
Whether it is at the cottage up north looking at loons grazing the smooth Kawartha Lakes, or watching a hockey game
with my Dad on a cold winter’s night, these are the
moments, however culturally clichéd, that I am most
Canadian. With all my heart, I could not be prouder or want
to be anywhere else in the whole world.
I say to anyone planning a trip to Florida next spring, take a
look at a Canadian map. Where haven’t you been? What do
you want to see? If you take this venture into the unknown,
your results are guaranteed to be both rich and fulfilling.
Paintballing: ‘It’s just chaos and fun’
CRAIG SEBERT
Staff Writer
It was dark, hot and slightly humid. Our group of about
15 people moved down the dirt path past the many trees
and bushes. Eventually, we came to a large clearing.
There were some trees, but the rest of the ground was
covered in tires, large pieces of plastic and wooden
debris, broken picnic tables, a busted car and two abandoned outhouses.
The only light came from the several floodlights overhead. Around them were swarms of flies and other winged
insects. Our group was led by two gentlemen with walkytalkies and several large black boxes.
“Everyone to the car in the centre of the arena. Keep your
weapon’s safety on until I say you can take them off,”
shouts one of them.
Our group consisted of two teams, Red and Blue. The
people on Red team moved to one side of the car, and the
other team moved to the other side. I was Blue. “OK,” said
the leader. “When I sound the horn, each team will run to
their far side, touch the barrel and begin the round.” The
team members for each side readied themselves
to sprint. “Safeties off,” the leader yells.
The loud, high-pitched sound of the horn went
off, and thus began the epic 2 1/2 hours of glorious paintball battle.
Paintball is a game in which you get to shoot
people – not with real guns, of course, but with
paint, wrapped in a thin plastic coating that rips apart when
it hits you. They are fired at about 25 km/h, and they leave
a bruise when they splatter you with multi-coloured paint.
The object of the game is usually pretty simple. Either
you must eliminate the members of the opposing team by
shooting them and leaving a paint mark, or you must capture the opponent’s flag. I played elimination, so it was pure,
all-out war.
Paintball is an odd sport. You know in your mind that it is
all for fun, but before the game begins, each person thinks
of the worst possible scenario, like how painful it will be
when you get shot at point blank range, your mask coming
off in the heat of battle and getting shot in the eye. All of
these concerns disappear though when the sound of the horn
goes off. After that, it’s just chaos and fun.
The chaos comes from not being able to see clearly half
the time. The darkness doesn’t help either. After about 15
minutes, you are breathing so hard your mask fogs up and
you struggle to determine friend from foe. The moderate-
ly loud sound of the many guns going off adds to your
paranoia that your enemy is really close, but you can’t
see anyone, so you hide behind anything that gives you
cover. When you decide to move, you get up slowly, look
around and then sprint as fast as your legs can carry you
to wherever you want to go, which is usually no more
than 10 feet away.
The fun comes when you run as fast as you can into the
fray with your friends or teammates, start screaming military lingo like “Cover me” or “Flank them” and shooting at
your opponents as much as you can whether or not they are
out in the open.
There are two different ways you react when you get hit.
The first way is you feel it, and then you stand there looking around for the person who hit you, then searching for the
paint. This can make things confusing if you have been hit
many times the previous rounds and you don’t know
whether or not the paint is new or old.
The second way is getting hit and being knocked on your rear
end. It is not the force of the hit that does this, but the shock.
Each round lasts about 10 minutes. After each round, each
team is given two minutes to grab more ammunition, get
water, sit down and wipe the paint off your mask. Then it is
back into the fray.
If you like excitement, exercise, shooting people and in
turn getting shot at, I suggest you try paintball.
Society needs many more changes made
STEVE SIMON
Staff Writer
I hate today’s society, especially people around my age.
We are nothing more than ignorant, rude, unwelcoming
people who do not show respect for the elderly and will
not hold the door open for other people. Just how hard is it
to say thank you?
What are we angry about?
What annoys you so much that it’s reflected in
your attitude toward me? What have I done to
make you angry with me?
What good is today’s society when the
slightest thing annoys you? If someone took
your parking spot, are you going to have a little episode about it? If you do, please think
yourself over.
We get all uptight about everything. Tim Hortons prices
went up, and people flipped. The new steeped tea is here,
and not many people are happy about that. Many people are
angry at a price hike at Tim Hortons, yet no one is angry at
what happened in Russia when Chechen militants took a full
school for hostage, killing many children.
When people say, “I hate what’s going on in Iraq,” there’s
a good chance these people have no idea what is going on in
Iraq in the first place.
Society today needs a swift kick in the head. Let me
rephrase that. Society today needs to be flushed away and
never come back again.
Now, I do not hate everything about society. I think we
have a terrific government, free health care, fair laws, but
there are people who cannot stand these rules. It seems that
anarchy, is the only way they will cope. There is no solution
to this problem though, and that’s the sad thing.
Journalists, including those in the Journalism-Print program at Niagara College, are taught that their reporting must be balanced, fair and as objective as possible. That rule must also exist for columns. In columns, the feelings and opinions of
reporters are welcome, but balance, fairness and objectivity must never be disregarded or treated lightly. Our columns, which
are clearly identified as such, do not reflect the opinions or feelings of the Niagara College administration or the management
of news@niagara. Columns reflect the opinion of only one person: the writer.
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 9
Advanced Paramedic students
inspired to ‘expand horizons’
By ALLISON SMITH
Staff Writer
Students of the new Advanced
Care Paramedic (ACP) program at
Niagara College are inspired to
return to school because they want
to “expand their horizons” and
challenge themselves, says James
Gray, 32, a student in the program.
The ACP program is a graduate
certificate program taught at the
drugs, and advanced cardiac therapy such as cardiac pacing for a
patient suffering from a very slow
heart beat, electric cardioversion
for life-threatening dysrhythmias,
and manual defibrillation,” says
Taylor.
ACPs need another year of
training.
A defibrillator is part of the cardiac monitor that tries to correct a
Marcotte, 35.
Students will be learning how to
provide that care in the practical
component of the program, in
which they will have a 240-hour
hospital placement before moving
on to a 400-hour placement riding
in an ambulance. In the 240 hours,
the students work in departments
such as the emergency room, the
operating room, day surgery and
Students of the new Advanced Care Paramedic program at Niagara College’s Welland campus start
the year with program co-ordinator Cheryl Taylor, far right.
Photo by Allison Smith
Welland campus. It is open to all eli- life-threatening rhythm by deliver- the pediatric department. Learned
gible Primary Care Paramedics ing an electrical current to the skills from the lab setting are
(PCPs) in Ontario, as stated in heart. An automatic defibrillator applied in a controlled environNiagara
College’s
website talks to the person who has applied ment. In the 400-hour component,
(http://niagarac.on.ca). Among the it and turned it on. A semi-auto- students help and are supervised
students are alumni of the college. matic defibrillator requires the by an ACP.
The ACP is a mentor to the stuStarting Sept. 7, the program lets operator to have more education to
PCPs get their diplomas to become operate it. A manual defibrillator dent and provides a critique of
does not do any of the thinking. their performance to the college.
ACPs.
The 16 students enrolled in the The ACP is trained in using this, The student PCP works as a team
player, performing skills and theoprogram know each other and says Taylor.
Sean Brown, 40, was inspired to ry learned in the classroom on real
have worked together in the field,
in Niagara and surrounding areas take the program out of necessity. patients.
Asked what aspects of the prosuch as Hamilton, says Rick He says increased employability
Chandler, a faculty member in the inspired him to pick the program, gram she is looking forward to
and that it takes years to get a job studying, Marcotte says she wants
Paramedic program.
to learn the skills and the theory
He says the procedure involved as a PCP.
“I’m married with a wife and behind the skills. “I suppose the
in choosing the students for the
program is complicated and “very kids. There is no way to survive on application of the skills as well ...
part-time hours. It’s absolutely we’ll know the what, the why and
subjective.”
The procedure involves compar- necessary to get a full-time pay- the how of what we’re doing ...
ing factors such as the amount of cheque.” He states that ACPs are how to apply the knowledge and
time a prospective student has more employable than PCPs and be comfortable with it and know
been working and what kind of can choose their service, schedule why we’re doing some thing ...
work experience the student has. and pay rate by “shopping how it’s going to be a benefit for a
The student must have two years’ around.” PCPs are lucky to get a positive outcome.”
Brown says the trend of employpart-time job anywhere.
work experience as a PCP.
There is a significant difference ing ACPs will continue because of
The job description of the PCP
is to perform at an advanced first in the ratio of ACPs to PCPs in the aging population, increasing
aid level, supplying medication to Ontario. There are about 4000 medical needs for the elderly, and
PCPs and 1000 ACPs, as stated by increasing expectations of medical
patients in emergency situations.
These medications include the Ontario Paramedic Association care because people are more edu“nitro for the patient having a website (http://www.ontariopara- cated about what care is available.
People have higher expectations
heart attack or chest pain, or epi- medic.ca).
“There’s a lot of PCPs in the of that care. Politically, governnephrine for the patient having a
severe allergic reaction, or province, not a lot of ACPs, so it’s ments are providing higher levels
glucagons injection for the diabet- definitely the major reason for me. of care, including ACPs.
Brown says there was a time
ic with a low blood-sugar prob- I’ve always wanted to (be an
lem,” says Cheryl Taylor, co-ordi- ACP), but there’s a sense of when there were no ACPs, about
nator for the Paramedic program, urgency because of the employa- 30 years ago.
“Niagara has always been a
bility issue,” says Brown.
in an e-mail interview.
One of this year’s students was forerunner of advanced care. They
The PCP performs semi-automated defibrillation and analyzes inspired to come back because she were the first to do manual defibwanted to give more care to rillation. They implemented 9-1-1
cardiac rhythms.
... they were early providers of
ACPs perform more in-depth patients.
“I’ve been a paramedic for 15 advanced levels of care. ... They
duties in providing medication to
years. Just seeing the extra care we want a service that provides a lot
patients.
They “are trained in everything can provide to patients is why I’m more advanced paramedic coverthe PCP is, plus they are trained in here. There is a high level of care age. They want to hire ACPs. It’s
advanced airway management, that we can provide and I want to really easy to get a job when you
intravenous therapy, many more be a part of it,” says Evelyn
Continued on page 17
Paramedic profession
‘adrenaline rush’
By ALLISON SMITH
Staff Writer
“One, two, three, LIFT!”
The patient is lifted out of the
car seat and put on the stretcher,
where the paramedics start the
procedure to revive the victim of
a car accident. An oxygen pump
is applied to the mouth of the
patient to help her breathe.
Although this is only a scenario
in which second-year students of
the Primary Care Paramedic program are learning the protocol at
an accident scene, soon they will
be performing these procedures
in the field.
Sarah Webster, 25, of St.
Catharines, says the professors
“make everything interesting
(and) are very knowledgeable
and experienced.”
Matt Wiedrick, 23, of Norfolk
County, Ont., says, “Labs are fun,
but our final and mid-term tests
are really stressful ... you have to
pass two out of three scenarios
(to continue in the program). It’s
a pass or fail thing ... very
intense.”
He says a group of full-time
paramedics comes in, and one of
them pretends to be hurt while
students go through the same protocol they would as if they were
at a real scene attending to a real
victim.
Laura Williams, 20, of
Hamilton, says she enjoys applying her skills she learned in lab
and in the classroom.
She likes “going on ride-outs,
getting to a call that you get to
actually use what you’ve learned
Second-year Primary Care Paramedic student Sandy Gent
plays the role of an accident victim in the lab class at the
Welland campus.
Photo by Allison Smith
Professor Brian Postna has
been teaching for the Ministry of
Health for seven years. His first
time teaching the program’s lab
class was on Sept. 28.
In the two-hour lab at Niagara
College’s Welland campus, students learn the physical aspect of
caring for patients with injuries
and how to use medical equipment such as the defibrillator and
oxygen pump.
in class ... the learning experiences that you see on the rideouts.”
Asked how they feel about the
range of duties they will have,
such as responding to gunshot
wounds, burns and working
under such high pressure,
Williams says, “It can be stressful
because some calls are not routine. (The calls where you are
Continued on page 17
September 2004
n behalf of Welland City Council and the citizens of
Welland, I would like to officially welcome you to
our great community. I extend sincere best wishes as
you begin a new year at Niagara College.
I hope you will find time to enjoy the diverse recreational and cultural activities of our area and enjoy the
warmth and friendship of the people of the “Rose City”.
Best wishes for a very successful year!
O
Damian Goulbourne
MAYOR
Page 10, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Schools combine to provide opportunities
By CHELSEY SPINOSA
Staff Writer
Niagara College and Brock University are making it possible
to graduate with a diploma and a degree in four years.
The Collaborative Studies in Policing and Criminal Justice
program, formed in 2002, is a result of an articulation agreement. This means it creates a pathway between two institutions,
says Gino Arcaro, the co-ordinator and professor of the Police
Foundations and Law and Security Administrations programs at
the college.
This articulation agreement is between the college and Brock
University in St. Catharines.
Arcaro says that there are two ways to get into what is called
the accelerator program.
“One is already having a degree, so you come here in your
fifth year. The second is that you go to Brock for two years, for
either sociology, psychology, or political science, maintain a 75
per cent average, pass a general aptitude test battery (GAT-B)
and apply for admission. If you get accepted, you do year two
here, which is year three at Brock, and then go back for year
four at Brock. At the end of four years you graduate with both
documents.”
This program has been well received by employers, says Arcaro,
adding that he views this program as a three-way partnership
between Niagara College, Brock University and the Niagara
Regional Police, who were all part of the forming process.
Asked how this program came about, Arcaro says the previous vice-president academic, Bonnie Rose, informally mentioned that Niagara College and the education system were
looking for more partnerships.
“I contacted Professor Will Webster (dean of social sciences
at the time) at Brock and simply proposed the idea in writing,
and he could not have been more receptive. “
Arcaro says he would like to quote Webster because he
agrees with him: “Twenty years ago this never would have
happened. Universities and colleges were just two different
academic institutions.”
Arcaro says this is a hard program to get into. “The
Collaborative program and Police Foundations program are
popular, but we house a lot of students.”
“The most sound advice I can give is to make every
student get as much information that is humanly possi-
Vanessa Mammoliti, a second-year political science student at Brock University, plans to apply to the
Collaborative Studies in Policing and Criminal Justice program at Niagara College.
Photo by Chelsey Spinosa
ble from both institutions about the requirements of the degree in political science and diploma in police foundations at
program. Like any decision, make it an informed one. the same time because this would give me a variety of choices
They should meet with me or my counterpart at Brock, with my career upon graduation,” she says.
Professor David. E. Battista.”
Asked if she plans on pursuing a career in the police founVanessa Mammoliti, 19, of Welland, is a political science dations field, Mammoliti says, “I’m looking to become a
major at Brock University. She is in her second year and says detective and you need to be a cop before becoming a detecshe hopes to get into the Collaborative Studies in Policing and tive, so I’m leaning towards that angle.”
Criminal Justice program.
She says she plans to take her GAT-B test in the next two
“I want to take this program because I’m interested in law and months and would like to meet with the people who run the
criminology, and the Collaborative program is a good opportu- program to see what they have to say about it.
nity for me to further my learning in these areas.”
“It may be a challenge to get in, but that shouldn’t push peoMammoliti says she decided to do this in one of her first-year ple away from the idea of applying. This is a really worthwhile
classes because the idea was brought up then.
program, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I get to be a
“I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to obtain my part of it.”
Dream comes true for Niagara police graduate
By STEPHANIE DIPIETRO
Staff Writer
A local resident and Niagara College graduate has successfully fulfilled his lifelong dream
before the age of 23.
Eric Bell, 22, of Wainfleet, is a police officer
with the Niagara Regional Police Service
(NRP) in Port Colborne.
He graduated from the Police
Foundations program at the college in April
2003. Some of the courses he studied within the program are psychology, sociology,
the Criminal Code of Canada Act, the
Police Services Act, physical education and
conflict management.
After graduating from the college, he
attended the Ontario Police College in
Aylmer, Ont., from September 2003 to
December 2003.
Bell says the college curriculum was
75 per cent academics and 25 per cent
practical. Some of his academic classes
included the Mental Health Act, Liquor
Licence Act, Child and Family Services
Act, Firearms Act and the Controlled
Drug Substance Act.
Some of the practical classes he studied
included firearms training, defensive tactics, police vehicle operations and “lots and
lots of scenarios and role playing.”
He worked as a security guard at the
Welland County General Hospital, and he
was pro shop manager at the Welland Golf
Course and the vice-chair for the Welland
Community Policing for three years.
He volunteered with the Big Brothers
Association for three years and completed 48
hours of ride-along with the NRP while at the
college.
He says he completed more than 600 hours
of community service before becoming a
police officer.
Sarah Mitchell, 21, of Welland, has
been dating Eric for four years. The two
met in high school and the friendship
grew into a romance during their first
year of university, she says.
“Eric has wanted to be a cop since as long as
I have known him, and according to him, it has
been the only thing he has ever wanted to do
with his life.”
She says he enjoyed the program at the
college because he “was interested in the
material he was learning and there was also
some teachers that heightened his experi- geous, patient, intelligent, caring, eager and
ence there.”
extremely kind. He can be stern, assertive and
Being in a relationship with a police aggressive when need be, but is also kind, carofficer can be “emotionally draining at ing and compassionate. I think the traits he
times,” she says.
possesses are the perfect mixture for his job.”
“In the back of your mind, you are
Allen says, “Eric is a nice guy and he defalways worried about their safety: how initely deserves everything he has accomthey are, what they are doing, and if they plished.”
are OK. If he doesn’t call during a shift,
Bell says he has “the best job in the
which he usually does, my mind can play world.”
horrible tricks on me. But nonetheless, I
“Every day is different. I am challenged
have never been more proud of a person constantly, which makes every day on the
in my entire life. I am so happy that he is job different and new. Some things are
able to be in a career that he truly enjoys hard, like being the bearer of bad news, but
and loves.”
it’s a part of my job. You have to accept the
Bell has advice for those in the Police bad with the good.”
Foundations program: “Work hard.
Listen to what
you’re
being
taught. Volunteer as
much as possible,
and establish yourself in a job-related
field.”
Gillian Allen, 22,
of Fenwick, is a
second-year student at Niagara
College in the
Social
Service
Worker program.
Legislative Building
“I went to high
Queen’s Park
school with Eric,
and he always
Toronto, Ontario
seemed like he
M7A 1A5
would do some(416) 325-7106
thing big with his
Constituency Office
life,” she says.
Mitchell says,
60 King St., unit 103
“Eric is completely
Welland, Ontario
perfect for the job.
L3B 6A4
He is extremely
responsible,
telephone: (905) 732-6884
respectful,
fax: (905) 732-9782
assertive, coura-
Peter Kormos, MPP
Eric Bell is a police officer with the
Niagara Regional Police in Port
Colborne.
Photo by Stephanie Dipietro
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 11
Fixing things leads
to studies in Canada
Hamood Ali Al-Husein studies in Niagara College's cafeteria
between classes.
Photo by Priasto Probosutedjo
By PRIASTO
PROBOSUTEDJO
Staff Writer
Being a college student will
not be easy.
Hamood Ali Al-Husein, 23,
originally from the United Arab
Emirates, is a first-year student
in the Electronic Engineering
program at Niagara College's
Welland campus.
He said before he registered in
that program he was studying
English as a Second Language
(ESL) and courses in the
General Arts and Science program at the same campus.
"ESL is more harder than my
program because ESL is about
English language and it's hard to
understand for me as a foreigner,"
said Husein, who has been in
Canada since December 2002.
After graduating from the ESL
program, he took the General Arts
and Science program.
"What I think is, this program
gives you an introduction about
technology," said Husein, adding
that now he is a student of electronic engineering at Niagara
College's Welland campus.
He said he took this program
because he likes to fix things.
"When I was 17 years old, I was
trying to fix a television, but then I
broke it."
"I like to play with tools and try
to create some stuff," Husein said,
telling how he modified a remote
control car into a better one.
He said he chose Canada as his
source of education because he
likes Canada.
"I heard Canada is a nice and
friendly country. There are many
cultures here."
When he just arrived in Canada,
he said he was nervous dealing
with the new culture and new
people and was worried about his
English language skills.
In his program, he took college
English, math for technology,
electronics fundamentals, electric
fundamentals, and computer
"I like the math, electronic and
electric fundamentals classes, but I
find difficulties because my
English is still bad," said Husein,
explaining he couldn't understand
what
his
teachers
are
talking about.
He said he doesn't like computer class because he doesn't know
anything about computers and it
gives him "a headache."
"I can't go home because I'm
looking for my career and my
future, even (though) I really miss
my homeland and my family,"
said Husein, explaining why he
can't go home after he
completes his studies in Canada.
For this edition’s PDF
and Archives
Visit: www.technology.
niagarac.on.ca/newspaper
All college departments
gear up, welcome students
from 50 international countries
By KIM POWELL
Staff Writer
People come from more than 50
different countries to become
students and gain knowledge of
Canadian culture, people and
language.
Niagara College's English as a
Second
Language
(ESL)
program brings a great cultural mix
to the community. The 15-week
September
term
has
90
students, ranging from ages 18 to
40, who study 25 hours a week.
The program courses include
reading,
writing,
speaking,
grammar and listening.
Terms begin in January, May,
July and September, and are 15
weeks each except in July, when it
is eight weeks. The students study
at basic through advanced levels.
The average class size is 12
students. A certificate is presented
to the students to show they have
successfully completed the term.
Advanced level students have
the privilege of taking free regular
college credit courses at night and
receiving individual help from ESL
teachers.
All of the ESL teachers have
their Teaching English as a Second
Language (TESL) certification and
are experienced. The college has a
full-time international student
adviser and international housing
co-ordinator who help with all
services, requests and questions.
The housing co-ordinator carefully
selects families and their homes for
the students to stay in while
attending college, unless they
choose to stay in the college
residence.
Great opportunities for the
students exist. Multicultural
Buddies is a program in which
student pairs with a Canadian
student of the same program.
Conversation Partners is a
program that has international
students pair with a Canadian
student for one hour a week to help
the international student communicate in English.
Social activities are planned for
each month to give students a
chance to see some of the area and
meet people in the community.
Recently students had the
opportunity to go to the Niagara
Regional Exhibition, Niagara Food
Festival and the Niagara Wine
Festival parade. Other activities
include picnics, gym time and
activity hours.
Christine Jung, 22, of Welland,
studies ESL at Niagara College.
Jung has been in Canada for two
weeks and says she chose this
college because her friend studied
here and recommended it. Jung
says, "Every Canadian has helped"
her and "everyone is so kind."
Jung says she likes the college
because the teachers are enthusiastic and active and there are so many
program choices. Jung says she is
taking the ESL program "because
in Korea you need English to get a
nice job."
Jung says she finds the program
interesting and is very excited
about it. She says the students are
interesting because they are from
different countries and she can
learn many other cultures.
Jung says she really likes it here
and hopes to travel around Canada
and the United States when she
gets her certificate.
Jia Qi, 21, of Welland, has been
in Canada for one year and five
months and is from China. Qi says
the "teachers and students are
friendly and always helpful."
Qi took the ESL program at
Niagara College because "speaking
English is very important" and a
friend said "it is a good school."
Qi says he hopes to take a computer or marketing course when he
receives his certificate.
Miho Kawagishi, 19, of
Welland, says she chose Canada
because it's a "safe place" and
because of Niagara Falls.
Kawagishi is from Japan and has
been here for three months.
Asked what she thinks about
Canada,
Kawagishi
says,
"Everything is so big" and that she
was "so surprised."
She says that Canada is different
because people have time to form
themselves and that the Japanese
work too hard, too young.
Kawagishi says she likes
"meeting other people and the
culture" and likes that "students
help each other." Kawagishi says
she "hopes to enter the
Environmental
Technician
program" when she receives her
certificate.
Page 12, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Getting tattoo expression of personality
Students use their body as a canvas with more artistic diversity
By IVAN ZATELLI
Staff Writer
Tattoos are a personal expression that last a lifetime.
According to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, tattoo is
defined as the marking of the skin with indelible design by
puncturing the skin and inserting pigments.
Getting a tattoo today is quite popular and easy to have
done. With some research and planning, you can create artwork you will be happy with and will last a lifetime.
Artistic Impressions has been at 37 Geneva St. in St.
Catharines since August 1994.
Owner Brian Macphee says he has two locations, one in
Welland and one in Niagara Falls.
Today the art is more diverse, and getting a tattoo is less
painful.
Macphee says the pain from getting a tattoo is minor.
“It’s like a safety pin. You feel sharpness but nothing
goes into your skin; blood work is worse.” Today the
average age of his clients is 18 to 30, but he will tattoo
everyone, even grandmothers.
Macphee recommends getting a tattoo from an artist
with a portfolio. He says being comfortable with the sur-
The tattooing process begins as Lloyd Grice, 31, of
Port Colborne, puts the needle to the back of Jesse
Crawford, 25, of Welland.
Photo by Jen Goddard
roundings and the artist is important.
“Good artists will work with you.” A good artist will
give advice in the positioning of the tattoo, making sure
the tattoo is in the right spot, he adds.
Jarrett Powell, 29, of St. Catharines, is a second-year
Journalism-Print program student who has many tattoos.
He says he got his first tattoo out of interest when he was
17 years old.
Powell says, “It was just my state of mind,” as he began
to change and started to become a “non-conformist.”
Powell says he gets them because “I feel they are an art
form, and my body the canvas.” He designs his own tattoos, and every tattoo he has, except for one, is his own
design. “I like to be distinct.”
For Powell, getting a tattoo is a way to commemorate
events. Every time he wanted to remember an event, he
got a tattoo.
Powell’s long-term plan is to sleeve his left arm.
Sleeving is tattooing your arm with tattoos and showing
no exposed skin.
Powell says, “This is personal, and it’s a way to express
myself.”
Jason Kreamer, 19, of Welland, is in his first-year of the
Child and Youth Worker program. He says he got his first
tattoo at the age of 15.
“I wanted a tatty, and it looked cool,” says Kreamer.
Thea Duxbury, 19, of Caledonia, Ont., in her secondyear of the Journalism-Print program, says tattoos “are
cool” as long as you don’t get cliché tattoos.
She says she regrets getting her tattoo because everybody
else has the same one. If you can come up with something
individual, “that’s cool,” says Duxbury.
She isn’t worried about her tattoos when it comes to getting a job. She says she can always hide them.
Sinkin Inks in Hamilton’s Hess Village applied Duxbury’s
tattoos.
Duxbury was 16 when she got her first tattoo. Her father
accompanied her to the tattoo studio.
He became friendly and bought coffee for the artists about
to work on his daughter.
Duxbury says, “I was very nervous and almost started
crying.”
She received her first tattoo and returned for another,
receiving two in total.
Asked if she would like another tattoo, Duxbury says
she’s thinking about getting another but doesn’t know if it
Brian Macphee, owner of Artistic Impressions, carefully tattoos Stace’s arm. Stace is a repeat customer who
wanted only to be known as Stace.
Photo by Ivan Zatelli
will happen. She says she would like to put a little more
thought into it and decide later.
Duxbury originally got her first tattoo “for the rush of it.
I wanted to see what it was like.” The tattoos have meaning
for Duxbury. The crescent moon with three stars represents
her three siblings.
Second-year Journalism-Print program student Janine
Westera, 22, of St. Catharines, says she saw a design she
liked with a cat on it and incorporated it into her tattoo. The
tattoo of a black cat sits squarely between her shoulder
blades.
Westera says tattoos are a personal preference and an
expression of yourself.
Asked if she worries about the tattoo when she gets older,
Westera says, “It’s my expression. It’s who I am.”
Westera got her tattoo at Artistic Impressions in downtown St. Catharines and says she will be getting more within the year.
She says she hopes to get a paw print of her cat or something to do with cats.
Herbal Essences has streaking party booth at college
By ANGELA HARDIE
and JARRETT POWELL
Staff Writers
Never underestimate the power of herbal.
Or should you?
A booth, manned (or “womanned”) by three bare-shouldered young women clad in only fluffy white towels and
green flip-flop sandals, was set up on Sept. 24 at the
Welland campus next to the cafeteria, promoting Herbal
Essences’ hair highlighting comb.
The comb is used for putting different coloured streaks
in one’s hair without making a mess of it.
The slogan for the new comb reads, “Join the streaking
party!” Niagara College students had the opportunity to
“join” by having a Polaroid picture taken of themselves
standing behind cardboard cutout of a towel-clad woman’s
body.
This picture was then inserted into a frame with the
words “I’m a streaker!” printed across the top.
Carol Dohn, 30, of Welland, a student in the Teaching
English as a Second Language program, says she “wasn’t
offended” by the display.
“I found it odd,” she says.
“I think they’re doing a good job,” says 20-year-old
Anthony Stranges, adding, “They are wearing those short
towels which brings people towards them.”
The first-year Law and Security Administration program
student says he doesn’t think the ad campaign is degrading
to women.
“They (the models) have to look good. They can’t be
fat.”
Nick Fortuna, 18, a first-year Electrical Engineering student disagrees.
“From a guy’s perspective, it’s good. From a woman’s,
it’s bad. Why would they (women) want to see that?”
Nineteen-year-old Mike Castrilli, of Niagara Falls, a
first-year Electrical Technician program student, says the
booth isn’t degrading because “they (the models) were
asked to do this.”
Castrilli says there are “probably better ways to advertise,” adding, “It all depends on the marketing.”
Herbal Essences shampoo and body wash commercials
advertised on television usually portray a woman in the
shower experiencing intense pleasure while washing her
hair and use sexual innuendo as a marketing scheme.
Dohn says this campaign won’t convince her to use
Herbal Essences’ new highlighting comb.
“I know people who find this (method of advertising)
degrading.”
Fortuna says he doesn’t use Herbal Essences products.
“I like my own salon products, but I like staring at them
(the models).”
To find out how to join the streaking party,visit
http://www.streakingparty.com for more information.
Broadcasting graduate jets off to Athens for Olympic games
By IVAN ZATELLI
Staff Writer
Like a leap year, the Olympic games come around
every four years. A graduate of the Broadcasting —
Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program at Niagara
College had the chance to work at the Olympics during
the summer.
Lisa Hardie, 36, originally from St. Catharines and
now living in Toronto, graduated in 1999.
After graduating as a mature student, Hardie was asked
if she would like a job as the television assistant (TA) at
Niagara College for the first-year BRTF students.
She accepted the position and worked as the TA for two
years.
In 2003, Hardie moved to Toronto with her son Jacob,
9, and has worked on such television productions as the
Junos, the Genies and Little Missy.
Last November, Hardie accepted a job at the Canadian
Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to work for the
Olympic Unit in the sports department.
In August, she flew to Athens, Greece, to take the position of assistant to the executive producer for CBC at the
Olympics.
Hardie was in charge of about 200 staff and freelance
crew members on location for four weeks. She was in
charge of logistics, such as booking flights and hotels for
staff as well as being the point person with answers to
questions.
Previous to the on-location work, Hardie worked “very
closely” with the executive producer in the planning stages.
Hardie says she was never concerned for her safety
because of the possibility of terrorism while she was at the
Olympics. She says the people in Athens had a different
lifestyle, as people walk the streets any time. “It was like
walking on a movie set.”
Asked about wages, Hardie says, freelancing has
“greater” pay rates. The CBC pays a little differently. It has
more control over its money and how it spends it.
Hardie, in her spare time, says she likes to get out and run
or inline skate, when she can, but she hasn’t had a chance
lately.
“I’ve been so busy.” She still has found the time to pursue
acting classes, taught by the husband and wife team of Sears
and Switzer, at one of the best-known acting schools in
Toronto.
Asked what her 10-year plan is, Hardie says, she probably won’t be in Toronto.
Alysha Henderson, BRTF co-ordinator, when asked about
hiring Hardie for the program assistant post, says, “It wasn’t the marks. It was skill, attitude, ability and interpersonal
skills.”
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 13
Heritage festival keeps Wainfleet in full swing
By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHT
Staff Writer
Labour Day weekend found
Wainfleet in full swing with the
Marshville Heritage Festival. The
fairgrounds were full of vendors
dressed in 19th-century garb selling their wares.
Children were treated to apple
cider, wagon rides, a juggler and a
glimpse of the past.
There were old cars, antique
tractors and an old planer used by
the Shoalts family, a well-known
and respected family in Wainfleet.
Crafts included birdhouses,
picture frames, keychains, ornaments to hang on your walls, hair
accessories and wind chimes, to
name a few. Clothing ranged
from old-fashioned nightgowns
to Sunday best.
Patrons could tantalize tastebuds with freshly popped popcorn cooked in a large kettle, or
try roast pig on a bun, cooked
over an open spit.
The fairgrounds are home to
many buildings, some of which
have been restored and placed at
the Marshville Heritage Village.
One such building is the old
schoolhouse, with its restored
wooden interior.
In a corner sits the infamous
dunce cap that Kayla Knight, 9, of
Grassie, says, “It would be cool to
wear.” Margaret Krueger, a volunteer says, “It (wearing the cap) was
a humiliating experience; the children were teased and taunted.”
The rows of desks come complete with a slate, pen, inkwell and
different grade readers.
Photographs of former students
are scattered around the room, and
the Union Jack hangs from the wall.
Peanut Gallery owners, Bob
and Sally Kyler of Waterloo, say
they buy the peanuts raw and
roast them in an old-fashioned
roasting machine, one of few still
in existence.
“The peanuts you buy in the
store are already roasted,” says
Bob.
The Kylers do many local shows
including
the
Balls
Falls
Thanksgiving Festival. Along
with their freshly roasted peanuts,
the couple makes their own peanut
butter and peanut brittle. “It’s a
hobby,” says Sally.
Antique telephones in The
Patrons’ of Industry Hall displayed several different phones;
some were easy to use but others
were more difficult. “It’s like the
evolution of the phone,” says
Ralph Rittner, of Ridgeway. He
says the coolest phone was the
motorcycle one.
Your admission ticket and $2 will
buy you a chance to win a handmade, cedar-strip canoe made by
the Marshville Heritage Carvers.
The group meets Wednesdays
from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the meeting hall on the fairgrounds.
“We learn to carve with old
tools, the old-fashioned way,” says
Harwood Armitage, one of many
carvers who put their time into
making the canoe.
The course is offered in the
spring and fall. Each session is 10
weeks. A small membership fee
covers the cost of the heat and
hydro of the building.
The festival is “a great family
day; you see three generations
and grandparents reminiscing,”
says Beth Armitage, a first-year
volunteer.
The evening ended with the
entertainment of the gospel
singing group Torchmen Quartet,
with Mike Moran as baritone, John
Hisey, bass, Jeff Tritton, tenor, and
Stephen Ash, lead vocalist. “What
we’re singing about, we believe,”
says Moran.
Bob and Sally Kyler, The Peanut Gallery owners, have been selling at the Marshville Festival for 10 years. Sally says, “This is one
of the nicer festivals.” Their homemade peanut butter and peanut
brittle make them a popular vendor, says the couple. “We weren’t
here last year and everyone missed us,” says Bob.
Photo by Beverley J. Knight
“The Bay Boys are mostly from comes every year with her family.
The fairgrounds re-open in
Newfoundland and play downhome music, Newfie music,” says December for the annual
Donna Lusk, of Dunnville, who Christmas in the Village.
College’s international students celebrate in St. Catharines
By TIZA SHANZI
Staff Writer
Fall represents a time of closure
to yet another harvest season in the
Niagara region.
Niagara College’s international
students joined in the celebration
of the Niagara Wine Festival at the
53rd annual Pen Centre Grande
Parade on Sept. 25, in the festival’s host city of St. Catharines.
“We go there every year,” says
Erika Lee, English as a Second
Language (ESL) teacher.
“We are trying to give the international students a Canadian cultural experience. Winemaking in
Niagara is an important event.”
This year’s 53rd celebrations
were planned with an abundance
of special activities, including
winery tours, seminars, regional
cuisine tastings, entertainment,
parades and arts and crafts displays at some of the venues.
“The event was planned for students to see the parade. If they
wanted to stay for the other activities, they were welcome to do so.”
About 40 students left in two
buses from Niagara College’s
Welland campus and arrived on
the streets of downtown St.
Catharines by 10:30 a.m., eagerly
waiting the colour and pageantry
of one of North America’s foremost street parades.
The parade started at 10 a.m.,
from James Street, moving on to
Church Street, then Ontario Street
and, lastly, St. Paul Street.
“I have never seen the parade
before. That’s why I volunteered
to go with the students. It was
OK,” Lee says.
The parade presented an outstanding array of floats, marching
bands, drum corps, majorettes,
costumed characters and steel
bands.
With free parade shuttle buses
running to and from the parade
route and the Pen Centre, the
parade attracted many spectators
to the streets of downtown St.
Catharines.
“It was fun. I have never been to
a parade before, so it was really
exciting and intriguing for me,”
says Ifeanyi Obikili, 19, of
Wine Festival tickles your senses
By CAITLIN MCLACHLAN
Staff Writer
September means returning to
school, and for many, returning
to the city of Welland. It is a
common complaint among students new to the area that there is
nothing to do but watch TV. The
International Education and
Development department offers a
terrific solution for bored
students.
The event calendar outlines
various opportunities for fun at
little to no expense. One of these
was a trip to the Niagara Wine
Festival held at Montebello Park
in St. Catharines.
Intrigued, I went to see for
myself just what the experience
is all about.
The day was warm and I could
feel the sun pouring heat upon
my face while a gentle breeze
cooled my cheeks.
Walking down Ontario Street
in St. Catharines was like stepping into a sea of colour whose
unyielding tides pull you deeper.
All around reds, blues and yellows blured together. Sweet,
sticky smells of body lotions,
perfumes and shampoos filled
my nostrils as I passed a row of
glaringly white tents.
Slim women in fitted shirts
swarmed like ants to sample the
silky lotions that promise
smoother skin.
Their husbands and boyfriends
wait patiently with children or
alone while their female partners
satisfy the indulgence of beauty.
Continuing along the narrow
path of people, I passed vendors’
smiling faces, noted the children’s candy-encrusted fingers
and then broke through the
crowd.
The sunlight flickers through
the leaves like nature’s disco
ball. I could have done the electric slide, but the smooth, brassy
tunes that glide from the jazz
band’s instruments made me
think otherwise.
Below, the grass was green and
flattened by the hundreds of feet
that passed before me. Shards of
plastic and glass twinkled like
pearly seashells in the sand.
They looked pretty, but I didn’t
sit down. White plastic chairs
swayed beneath the weight of
fidgeting children while parents
chated loudly with slim wine
glasses in hand.Flat circular
tokens dulled with use, buy a cup
of fine red wine. Thick and
warm, it slid down my throat and
settled smoothly in my stomach.
The white wine I sip next is
sweet and punchy. It snaps
between my cheeks and sizzles
all the way down.
No wonder people are smiling.
Lazily, I made my way through
the sea of colour, once again
passing sleeping children with
candied digits and swarming
women with silky lotions.
The jazz music faded and the
buzz
of
St.
Catharines’
Montebello Park grew quiet as I
walked further away smiling, satisfied with what the Niagara
Wine Festival has to offer.
Nigeria, a first-year student in the
Electronics Engineering Technology
program.
The theme of the parade was
Hockey Homecoming: The Pride
is Back, celebrating 50 years of
junior hockey in St. Catharines.
Obikili says he came to watch
the parade because he wanted to
have something fun to do on his
birthday. He thought that some
groups in the parade needed more
practice.
The parade ended at about 2 p.m.,
leaving more time for other activities planned for the day. Students
were driven back to the Welland
campus, with the exception of those
who wanted to remain and continue
with the celebration.
“I would have loved to stay for
the last part. I would have loved to
stay and drink the wine. The
school should have given us more
time to do that.”
By the end of the day, each student had a personal opinion about
the festival.
“I didn’t expect it to be like this.
For me, it was boring. I expected
more people and more fun,” says
Kuey Hsteh, of Taiwan, an ESL
student.
“Some of the students really
enjoyed it. I think most of them
expected more, but no one said
they hated it. I think they had
mixed opinions,” says Lee.
Madonna sells out in Toronto
By CHELSEY SPINOSA
Staff Writer
After a 13-year absence,
Madonna came back to Toronto to
play three sold-out shows at the
Air Canada Centre.
On July 19, the Material Girl
looked better than ever as she took
the stage of her Re-Invention Tour.
After a unique video called The
Beast Within played on two moving screens in front of the stage,
Madonna appeared to sing Vogue.
Proving she is possibly in the best
shape of her life, she did handstands and poses expected of a
gymnast rather than a 45-year-old
woman.
In a shimmering corset the
Queen of Pop marched around the
stage to the deafening screams of
the crowd.
Krystle Corriveau, 22, of
Welland, says that attending the
concert was a last-minute decision, but the best last-minute decision she has ever made.
“Her performance was the best
I’ve ever seen. She just does not
stop. Madonna is simply amazing.”
Madonna followed up Vogue
with Nobody Knows Me, a song
off her latest album, American
Life. At this time she danced to the
techno vibe on a moving conveyor
belt and was lifted onto platforms,
where she danced and thrust herself over the audience.
After a sizzling opening, the
diva took time to slow things
down and sang the song Frozen,
captivating the audience with
every word. Her voice never
sounded better.
The controversial Madonna was
not absent from this performance,
as she went into a war segment of
the show.
Madonna, as well as her
dancers, appeared on stage dressed
as soldiers equipped with rifles to
perform the song American Life. It
was at this point Madonna brought
herself closer to her fans as a large
catwalk lowered from the ceiling
and carried her out into the middle
of the arena.
Continued on page 18
Page 14, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 15
It was another successful Niagara Grape and Wine
Festival in St. Catharines. This year’s festival attracted
one of the largest crowds in the event’s 53-year history. A
wide variety of activities highlighted the annual parade.
Photos by Tiza Shanzi and Riley MacDonald
Page 16, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Education bridges cultures, Greene says
Business professor never thought of teaching as a career choice
By AZRA MOMIN
Staff Reporter
Einstein broods from his office
wall, with a quotation by him
underneath his picture in big,
black lettering.
The quotation is in Chinese.
Robert S. Greene, professor in
the Business and Entrepreneurship
division of Niagara College’s
Glendale campus, says a lady
observed him looking at the poster
while he was visiting Shanghai
and sent him a copy.
“I taught an international marketing course in Shanghai for 25 days
last year, and it was a fascinating
experience,” he says.
“It’s fascinating because you
find that other countries have different ways of doing business, but
they also have some same ways.”
Greene, 33, from Toronto,
teaches human resource management, marketing, operations and
entrepreneurship.
He says he never thought of
teaching as a career choice until he
realized that he had been teaching
all along as camp counsellor,
swimming coach, trainer and business coach with the YMCA.
After two years at the Glendale
campus, Greene says he likes to
meet with students and to hear
their ideas in the classroom.
“The community college system in Ontario has some of the
best courses that students can
take. They are more practical and
work-world related and teach
more people skills.”
With several degrees and diplomas to his credit, Greene says he
chose to work at Niagara College’s
Glendale campus because of its
modern teaching environment and
the good management and faculty.
“Education is a great bridge
between cultures and countries,
and I see more international business, more demand for technology,
in the future.”
Greene says he loves to travel
and hopes he gets to make more
trips to other countries.
“Canada has unlimited potential for international business,”
he says, “and students have
opportunities that have never
been around before.”
He says that Dean Neal
Chartrand has provided an international focus to the programs
because he recognizes the increasing demand for international skills
in the 21st century workplace.
Khadija Abu Jazar, 30, a first-
year student of the Human
Resources Management program,
says she chose the course because it
is only a year long and because she
“found it can lead to a new career.”
She has a degree in zoology.
Another student, Debra Smith,
48, has a master’s degree in psychology and used to run a small
business developing computer software for psychological applications.
“I find what I’m learning is very
practical,” she says, “and the professors are very dynamic and
bring a lot of positive energy into
the classroom.”
Rosey Montreuil, 25, says, “The
co-op places you somewhere, and
that’s great. I really enjoy this
course, and some of the teachers
are excellent.”
“Robert has a lot of charisma,
and some really unique ways of
motivating people, like having us
draw happy faces and then voting
for the best one.”
“Through international business
we can meet new people and
learn how different cultures do
business,” says Greene. “It’s a
great way of bridging the gap.”
What advice is Einstein giving
him?
“The quotation speaks about
the importance of enlightenment
and personal growth through education,” Greene says.
“I hope there’s more funding
provided by the provincial and
federal governments to enable
colleges to provide more opportunities for students.”
Greene is faculty adviser for
Advancing
Canadian
Entrepreneurship (ACE), an organization that holds workshops,
seminars and camps teaching people from all walks of life how they
can make a difference.
He won an award last year for
the volunteer work he put into
ACE and would like anybody who
wants join to contact him at
[email protected].
Robert Greene, a professor in the School of Business and
Entrepreneurship, says he sees an expansion in global business
in the future.
Photo by Azra Momin
NCI sponsors pavilion at wine festival
By ALICIA ANN JANSEN
Staff Writer
The air in Montebello Park in
St. Catharines was flooded with
the sound of booming music,
laughing children and the scent
of many delicious foods being
cooked as the crowd jostled its
way to the Niagara Culinary
Institute’s pavilion.
From Friday, Sept. 17, to
Sunday, Sept. 26, the Niagara
Wine Festival was celebrated in
downtown St. Catharines, on
Ontario Street. Surrounding
roads had their parking areas
filled to capacity.
The pavilion was divided between
wineries and restaurants, with students from Niagara College helping
to run some of the booths.
A square was made out of tables,
as a group of people inside the
square were serving wine samples
and discussing different vintages
with curious passersby.
Lining the back wall of the
pavilion was a full kitchen in
which chefs showed off their
cooking talents for the crowd that
could sit in front of the stage.
The sides of the cooking hall
were lined with small tables
equipped with hotplates and
mini-ovens where the chefs sold
samples of food.
Dustin Campbell, an 18-year-old
from Beamsv.0ille, Ont., is in the
Culinary Management program.
He says that the students work at
different stations every week, so
they are always cooking different
types of food.
One table served crab cakes and
noodles. Another served Asian dishes. The varieties of food as one
walked around the pavilion filled the
room with a wide range of aromas.
Tokens like those in arcades could
be purchased from small kiosks
around Montebello Park for buying
food from the various booths.
Each token cost $2.50, with a
bag of 10 for $25. Food booths
charged different amounts; small
cups of wine cost two tokens
apiece or the equivalent of $5.
Surrounding the pavilion were
various venders. Some were
advertising for large companies
such as Telus, a phone company,
or the daily newspaper The
Standard, which sponsored a
performance stage.
Other people brought their own
goods for sale. Objects varied
from beaded jewelry to wooden
carvings, as well as quilts and
crocheted ponchos.
Big plans for NIC Culinary Theatre
College hopes satellite connections will create distance education
The Niagara Wine Festival had a wide variety of food, prepared
in front of the customers as they waited.
Photo by Alicia Ann Jansen
By ALICIA ANN JANSEN
Staff Writer
Big plans are developing for the
Niagara Culinary Institute’s (NIC)
Culinary Theatre.
The 120-seat capacity theatre,
spanning two floors in the NIC,
was designed for many uses.
As well as being a lecture hall,
it is equipped with a kitchen and
an area to operate the room’s
technical services.
These are designed to allow a
guest speaker to talk to several
classes of students at one time.
“This room has a lot of capabilities,” says David Taylor, dean of
the Hospitality and Tourism division at the Glendale campus in
Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Three video cameras surround
the kitchen area, controlled by a
partially enclosed computer area.
The cameras’ images are projected
onto a screen, showing what the
speaker is working on. If no one is
in the room to operate the cameras,
the speaker can control the units
by three preset buttons behind the
countertop.
The lecture podium is also
equipped with a computer to control the electronics, including a
drawer that slides out from the
side.
It contains a “visual presenter,”
which is a tablet with a camera
attached, used to magnify and project papers or other objects onto
the overhead screen.
Students say they like the setup
of the room.
“I think it’s really cool. It’s
really neat,” says 20-year-old
Aaron Myers, of Oshawa, Ont., a
first-year student in the ChefTraining program.
Toronto resident Leuc Pieklo,
21, agrees, saying, “I think the
cameras and projection screen
are helpful tools and aid in the
learning process.”
As to future facility plans, Taylor
says he hopes to be able to create a
satellite link within the room.
“We can access remote expertise
from anywhere so long as they
have the proper setup.”
With satellite capabilities in the
room, any guest speaker who is
not within a reasonable driving
distance to the campus can still
teach students.
Taylor adds he hopes to have the
system work in reverse with “distance education.” That’s the ability
to take some classes online.
This would also help students
who are working in the industry or
elsewhere but who still need to
finish their courses. It gives them a
more “flexible schedule.”
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 17
Extreme sports become addictive
By KATIE VANSLACK
Staff Writer
What’s the thrill of flying
13,500 feet in the air and going 90
mph? Jumping out.
Skydiving is an extreme sport to
which Tim Grech says he’s
addicted. “It’s the adrenaline, the
addiction to adrenaline.”
Grech, 40, of Lowbanks, Ont., is
the owner of Niagara Skydive
Centre in Dunnville, Ont., which
opened in June 2002.
Grech, a six-year pilot, says he
opened the business in Dunnville
because there was an airport. “It’s
a great facility and it’s privately
owned.”
According
to
http://www.tourismhaldimand.com/
rcaf.html, Dunnville’s airport was
the No. 6 Service Flying Training
School, used from 1940 to 1944 for
dogfight training during the Second
World War.
Grech was 20 when he took his
first plunge out of a plane at the
Borguse Parachute School in
Simcoe, Ont. He says the reason
he kept jumping was for the
adrenaline.
For first-time jumpers there are
three different types of jumps that
can be done.
The first is a tandem jump. In
this jump, an instructor is
strapped to a student’s back.
According to http://www.niagaraskydive.com, the student has
a half-hour class time before the
jump. Attached to the instructor,
and at 13,500 feet altitude, the
student will have a freefall of 35
seconds. This jump costs $265.
The second type of jump is
called
instructor-assisted
deployment (IAD), or solo.
There is a longer training time of
five hours. The student will
climb out of the plane, hold onto
the strut and wait for the instructor to say, “Go.” This jump is at
3,500 feet, giving the student a
freefall of three seconds. Grech
says this jump costs $199.
The final jump, says Grech, is
called a progressive free fall (PFF)
jump. It requires a five-hour training course, with an additional hour
with two trained instructors.
According to the website, the student will jump out with the two
instructors at 13,500 feet. The student will deploy his/her own parachute at 5,500 feet with 35 seconds
freefall. This jump costs $399.
Prices are cheaper during the
week, at $10 off. If you bring 10 or
more people, it’s $20 off. He says
that there is also a campground
where people can stay for free if
they’re skydiving.
Niagara Skydive Centre is open
year round, weather permitting,
“but it’s really from April 1 until
the end of October.”
There are two planes used for skydiving, says Grech: a Cessna 182,
which holds five people, and the
King Air, which holds 16 people.
“It depends on how many people
are here. During the week we use
the Cessna a lot, but on the weekend
we usually use the King Air.”
Grech says that although there
has never been a student fatality,
Bob Semmens, 50, of St. Catharines, an instructor at Niagara Skydive, jumps from 13,500 feet.
Photo by Katie VanSlack
there has been an experienced
jumper’s fatality.
“He had been jumping for 24
years and had a low pull. He
pulled his parachute too low,”
Grech says. “People die driving
cars, and people die skydiving as
well, but it’s very rare up there.”
“It’s a highly regulated sport,
which leads to high quality standards,” says Grech.
Chris Walsh, 30, of Oshawa, is
Military service has benefits for all
By VALERIE LITTLE
Staff Writer
They live to serve Canada and are as young as
16 years of age.
If you like a lot of physical fitness training and
are looking for a career or income supplement, the
army might be for you, offering full-time and parttime options. This is an option for students attending college or university wanting to work weekends for extra money.
Becoming a member of the Canadian Forces
has benefits. You get into top physical condition,
receive medical and dental care, uniforms, equipment, accommodations, meals, pension plan,
allowances, yearly vacations and a pay cheque.
Soldiers are paid $71.38 a day in the reserves
and $2,218 a month in the regular force.
Officer Cadet Joy Samborski, 23, of Brantford,
is one of the recruiters at the Lake Street
Armouries in St. Catharines.
Samborski has been in the army for two years.
“It’s a lot of physical training, but I love it.”
Sergeant Tim Caudle, 43, of St. Catharines, is
another recruiter at the armouries and has been in
the army for years.
“We get about 20 co-op students and 20 to 30
other people joining the forces every year,” says
Caudle.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age,
must be a Canadian citizen, must have achieved a
minimum of 15 academic credits and must pass
the medical.
There is a lot of physical fitness training in the
army. Applicants need to prove they are able to
keep up with the training by performing a preenrolment fitness evaluation. This includes a step
test that is equivalent to a 2.4-kilometre run, a
handgrip test, pushups and situps.
Master Corporal Ryan Martinsen, 30, of Port
Colborne, is the training sergeant at the armouries.
Martinsen became a member of the forces 10
years ago and says he has never regretted his decision, “not even for a second.”
In addition to being the training sergeant at the
Unexpected calls add
excitement to job
for student Williams
Continued from page 9
caring for patients with chest pain,
shortness of breath or diabetic
complications) you do without
thinking about them. But if you get
a call where a baby needs to be
delivered and you’ve never seen
one before ... it’s a big adrenaline
rush. It’s exciting to do a call that
most people haven’t done, like
delivering a baby.”
This is the kind of job Ellen
Stager, 36, of Hamilton, wants.
“I wanted a job where I worked
outside, moved around and it (the
circumstances and situations)
changed. It’s a very rewarding
job. You get to help people. There
are good calls and bad calls. It
depends on your perception of
good and bad.”
Stager says she likes calls where
there is action and people are in
need of urgent care.
armouries, he has been trained as a section commander. In that posting, he is responsible for
teaching, training, mentoring and promoting the
welfare of the soldiers under his command.
Martinsen started out as a co-op student. His
grandfather was a member of the Royal Canadian
Legion and he became one too.
“My grandfather was the oldest member and I
was the youngest member in the Legion.”
He says before he started basic training he was
“full of trepidation, not knowing, uncertainty, and
knew it was going to be tough with a lot of
yelling.”
“In retrospect, it was a wonderful thing. It’s
more than just an individual thing. When you
come out of it, it’s ‘we are going to be successful.’
That’s where the camaraderie comes in. It’s no
longer a forced issue. You just realize you can’t do
it alone.”
You can call the armouries at 905-685-6777 to
become one of the many Canadians who form
Canada’s army.
Program will make
improvements for future
Continued from page 9
are successful in the program.”
With the program being in its
first year, it will be improved in
the future depending on the new
skills required for working paramedics. Any time paramedics in
the field have new skills added
to their job, these skills are
taught at the college level, says
Taylor.
All programs have standards.
Any new program content is
added to the course each year.
The program requirements to
graduate are decided by the
Ministry of Health and Long
Term Care, and the Paramedic
Program Standards, which were
developed by all colleges in
Ontario offering the Paramedic
program.
“Every year our program
undergoes changes in order to
remain current, and meet the
demands/expectations placed on
our students by the work world
of paramedicine ... our goal is to
make sure our students have the
highest education possible, making them very employable and
successful,” says Taylor.
an experienced jumper who says
he comes to Niagara Skydive
Centre almost every weekend.
“It’s the best around. All this land,
and the washrooms are great,” he
laughs.
10%
OFF
THIS COUPON
ENTITLES YOU
TO 10% OFF
YOUR FIRST
TANDEM
SKYDIVE
• Limit 1 coupon per
customer
• Coupon expires 12/31/04
Niagara Skydive
Centre Inc.
1 866 564 jump (5867)
www.niagaraskydive.com
Page 18, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Entertainment
Memorable Green Day performance in Toronto
By RANDI CODISPODI
Staff Writer
Because American Idiot was
released only four days prior to
Green Day’s show at the Phoenix
in Toronto, loyal fans appeared to
know the CD inside out.
On Friday, Sept. 2, over 1,000
screaming fans waited for the
California-based band Green Day
to put on a memorable
performance.
With Billie Joe Armstrong on
vocals and guitar, Mike Dirnt on
bass and Tré Cool on drums, the
show was sure to be a success.
Green Day started the night off
with its first single from the new
album, American Idiot. From
there, the band performed the rest
of its new material in the same
order as it is on the CD.
“That’s it for American Idiot,”
Armstrong said, as the night
appeared to be coming to an end.
Fans started chanting, “Green
Day, Green Day, Green Day.”
The encore came as the band
made its way back on to the stage.
Hits such as Longview, Brain
Stew, Jaded and Minority were
heard throughout the concert
theatre.
“All
right,,
Torontoooo,”
Armstrong’s voice echoed through
the small room.
Fans followed Armstrong’s
every move, from the hand
clapping to screaming “Hey!”
every time he did.
Green Day finished the show
with a version of We Are The
Champions, originally performed
by Queen.
The fans went wild, waving
their arms in the air along with
every beat of the song.
Lindsay Adler, 23, of Stoney
Creek, says, “This is my second
time seeing Green Day and,
honestly, I have not been let down.
I’m already excited for their next
show in the area.”
“That was amazing,” says Luke
Reed, 25, of Hamilton. “The finale
was the best part. I don’t think any
of us expected the rendition of
Queen. You have to love Queen.”
From the immediate reaction
after the grand finale, Green Day
has proven it is still as strong as
ever. Catch the band on Nov. 2 at
the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
CC=1779
Editors note=have 2 pics
Billie Joe Armstrong, on guitar, Tré Cool, on drums, and Mike Dirnt, on bass, perform for adoring
fans.
Photo by Randi Codispodi
Niagara’s Glendale campus’ pub, renamed The Armoury
By RANDI CODISPODI
Staff Writer
The grand opening of the
re-named Glendale campus pub in
Niagara-on-the-Lake on Sept. 23
turned out to be a success as about
75 students and staff attended the
celbratory event. The Armoury is
the new name for the former
Alexander Davidson’s.
Jason Burgoyne, 28, of
Chatham, is the pub manager.
“I think they wanted a name that
students can identify with.
Alexander Davidson was the first
mayor of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
They just wanted something that
kind of went together with the
whole
Niagara
Knights,”
Burgoone says.
Belinda Langguth, 35, of St.
Catharines, is a second-year
Environmental Technician —
Field and Laboratory program
student, who says she goes to the
pub often, mainly because of the
social aspect.
“I like The Armoury better (than
Alexander Davidson’s). It just has
attitude and strength behind it. It’s
great,” Langguth says.
The opening of the pub featured
leis being handed out at the door, a
barbecue outside and food inside
to munch on.
The ribbon was cut just before
the entertainment was about to hit
the stage.
“I declare The Armoury
officially open,” Mark Molnar, of
St. Catharines, said as the official
town crier of the event.
At 4:30 p.m., the band Klear took
the stage as many of the
people attending sat down to watch.
The sound quality at the pub
was at a professional level, and
each of the band members’
instruments was clearly heard.
The band consists of Fred
Shafer on guitar/vocals, Bruce
Wojick on guitar/vocals, Leo
McDonald on bass, Denny
Pelczynski, on drums and Dan
DeLano on keyboard/vocals.
The band’s producer is the
bassist from the Goo Goo Dolls,
Robby Takac.
As the band performed, Tommy
Tedesco, the band’s manager, set
up a booth selling band
merchandise such as T-shirts and
CDs.
Following its hit debut CD 7500
Miles, Klear’s new CD, Makin’
Noise, was released on Sept. 28.
“It’d be great if you all picked it
up,” Shafer said to the crowd on
Thursday afternoon.
Madonna proved she still has what it takes
Continued from page13
Madonna then dove back into her
classic upbeat hit, Express Yourself.
The crowd went wild for this one,
and you could see she was having as
much fun as the audience.
Kristy Spinosa, 22, of Welland,
says that she paid $320 to sit in the
front row.“I had to do it. This is
exactly the way I wanted to see
Madonna, but never thought I
would. It was worth every penny.”
Going on with the the me of
reinvention, Madonna played the
guitar to songs like Burning Up and
Material Girl. Rocking out to these
songs proved that Madonna is not
burning out with time but simply
getting better with age. The Dick
Tracey classic Hanky Panky allowed
Madonna to show her sexy ,sultry
side and make sure that as alluring
as if this were 20 years ago.
“Just spank me,” Madonna sang out
in her red and white body suit, while
the
audience
ate
up
her
flirtatious motions. They would have
gladly done whatever she asked.
The dramatics of a Madonna concert did not go unnoticed. She
always expresses herself very artistically, and she did so here through
songs like Die Another Day and
Lament, when , from an electric
chair, she acted as if she were in the
last moments of her life.
The mood was quickly lifted as
Madonna went into songs such as
Don’t Tell Me and Like a Prayer.
During Don’t Tell Me, Madonna
and her dancers dressed as cowboys
and mimicked the dance routine
from
the
video
without
missing a beat.
Like a Prayer brought tears to
many eyes as she made plenty of
contact with the first few rows.
“Like a Prayer has been my
favourite song ever since I can
remember. When she looked down
at me, arms outstretched, only two
feet away, I wanted to cry. She’s my
idol. It was so surreal and I will
never forget that moment,” says
Spinosa.
A touching part of the concert was
when Madonna did a cover of John
Lennon’s song, Imagine. The whole
crowd was lit up with lighters while
Madonna’s powerful voice filled the
arena.
As well, when singing the ballad,
Crazy For You, Madonna, now
dressed in a floor-length kilt and an
“Italians do it Better” T-shirt, dedicated this song to all the fans who
stuck by her though the years. She
then removed her shirt and threw it
into the crowd.
The catwalk lowered once again
when it was time for the finale. Her
last song of the night, Holiday, left
the crowd hungry for more.
Madonna fell walking up the steps
of the catwalk, but kept her composure and the crowd just screamed for
more. Confetti fell in thick blankets,
and before you knew it, as quickly
as the night began, it was over.
Madonna proved she still has
what it takes to put on a spectacle
unlike any other.
The official town crier of the grand opening of the armoury stands
proudly.
Photo by Randi Codispodi
Background photo by Jarrett Powell
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 19
Entertainment
Balls Falls
Thanksgiving
By BEVERLEY J. KNIGHT
Staff Writer
The Ball’s Falls Thanksgiving
Festival in Vineland runs Oct. 8
to Oct. 11 and is hosted by the
Niagara Peninsula Conservation
Authority (NPCA). The festival
offers something for everyone.
Among the mature maples
enjoy the arts and crafts of more
than 140 artisans.
The Showmobile Stage has continual music as you wander the
park and take in shows with the
wandering minstrels, puppeteers,
magicians and musicians.
Children can enjoy hands-on
activities in the Kidz Tent, pony
rides, machinery displays and a
live raptor display.
Jams, jellies, sauces and
chocolates can be purchased at
the Country Store Tent.
On the final day of the festival,
a Giving Thanks Sing-Along
will be held in St. George’s
Church.
For more information, contact
the NPCA, by calling 905-7883135 or visit its website at
http://www.conservation-niagara.on.ca.
Cedar Point Wicked Twister number 1
By JARRETT POWELL
Staff Writer
The tension builds long before
the ride begins. It can start as early
as planning a trip to an amusement
park, especially one as famed for
its roller-coasters as is Cedar Point
in Sandusky, Ohio.
For those unfamiliar with Cedar
Point, it is officially the roller-coaster capital of the world, although it
emphasizes itself as the roller-coaster of the universe, but who knows?
Among its arsenal of thrilling rides
are an impressive 16 roller-coasters,
more than any park on Earth.
Cedar Point holds records for
almost every class of roller-coaster: sit-down, stand-up, suspended
and inverted.
“What is an inverted rollercoaster?” you may ask.
It’s a suspended roller-coaster, but
one that spends the majority of its
time either upside down or vertical.
Cedar Point’s inverted coaster is
aptly called Wicked Twister and is
ranked number 1 in the world. It
reaches a top speed of 72 m.p.h., has
a lift height of 215 feet and a drop
height of 206 feet, straight down.
Other infamous roller-coasters
at Cedar Point include Top Thrill
Dragster, Millennium Force and
Magnum XL-200.
Top Thrill Dragster is the tallest
and fastest steel coaster in the world.
It launches you out of the station at a
top speed of 120 m.p.h., a speed you
reach in less than four seconds.
The speed is needed for the lift
height of the coaster, an astounding 420 feet. The drop height is
400 feet, straight down.
Millennium Force was recently
voted the top-ranked steel coaster in
the world by Amusement Today
newspaper, an Arlington, Texasbased publication that covers international amusement park news.
Millennium Force’s specs are a
310-foot lift height, 300-foot drop
at an 80-degree angle, and it reaches a top speed of 93 m.p.h.
In the same poll, Cedar Point
was ranked the best amusement
park in the world for the seventh
year in a row.
All of this is fascinating as you
are ascending that first hill, teeth
clenched, nails digging into your
thighs and heart pounding through
your chest, but it is even more so
when you understand how rollercoasters work.
Roller-coasters operate by simple laws of physics and motion.
If we remember back to our high
school physics class, we will remember the laws of motion and gravity
that Isaac Newton helped to codify.
Here goes: Inertia is the principle whereby objects in motion
tend to stay in motion until acted
upon by an external force.
Throw in the law of thermodynamics, the law that governs how
energy is transferred from one form
to another with the rule of what goes
up must come down and there you
have it, a working roller-coaster.
This all means that it is the acceleration from the original drop height,
as well as any subsequent drops that
carries the train through the ride.
As the train is carried to the top
of the first hill, potential energy is
being stored that will be transferred to kinetic energy as it drops.
As the coaster gets higher in the
air, there is greater distance gravity can pull it down.
This is the reason the greatest
drops on roller-coasters are always
at the beginning and the reason
Top Thrill Dragster needs such
velocity right at the beginning.
That’s another mystery of the
universe solved.
Now that you know, though, it
may take the fun out of it.
Or not.
Cheers to Guinness!
By KIM POWELL
Staff Writer
Column
I’m here in Ireland stepping
out of the car into a small town
called Trim.
My opportunities seem as endless as the miles of perfectly
green fields.
The air is clean and fresh, yet the
skies are dull and grey, fighting to
rain on me. Spiralling back in centuries I see shops made of roughhewn stone with old-fashioned type
on the signs.
King’s Castle is to my right
(where the film Braveheart was
shot), and to my left, a sign reading
McCormick’s in dark green.
From here it looks dark and
quiet through the windows. It’s
2:30 on a May afternoon, and I
haven’t slept in 46 hours.
I look both ways and cross the
street on which cars are travelling on the right side of the road
but in the wrong direction.
Mental note to self: Look
right, then left, next time.
I enter the pub; it looks the same
as it appeared through the window
from across the street yet it’s not
as dead as it seemed.
I notice that dim lights and
wood surround me: wooden floor,
wooden walls, wooden bar and
stools, wooden tables and chairs
and wooden booths.
Now I notice a slightly chubby,
less-than-average-height young
man in his mid-20s with a shaggy
haircut smiling a big goofy smile
at me from behind the wooden
bar.
He’s cute (little boy cute).
The air’s not as clear as it was
three minutes ago. I look up at the
horserace on the television, and
my eyes trace down to a cloud of
smoke beneath.
I see the old men sitting next to
each other filling up the stools
from one end of the bar to the
next, all with a pint of Guinness
in front of them, some full, some
half full, one empty and another
on its way.
Tourist is written all over me.
That’s a given. One of the old
men is calling me over. He’s
about 65 maybe (I can’t tell if
he’s bald) and is wearing a plaid
rugged-looking hat.
He’s smoking a cigarette and
his fingers are stained dark
orange. His eyebrows are grey
and bushy, and his nose is large
with bristly hair poking out in
every direction.
He’s friendly. Everyone else is
still focused on the horserace.
Probably they have money put
down on it. He’s telling me a wonderful story about the farm his
father used to own outside of town
and to make sure I take a tour of the
castle. I order my first Guinness
ever. It looks beautiful as the
barman pours it into the
Guinness-labeled pint glass.
Three-quarters smooth black and
one-quarter white. Perfect. He
sets out a cardboard coaster and
places my pint on top.
“Cheers,” I say, (something I
overheard a Dubliner say at the
airport) and he smiles at me again.
I’m very thirsty, but one sip is
enough. Drinking this beer is
indeed an acquired taste. It could
be a meal on its own, but I’m in a
new country, so no holds barred.
I down the beer, pay the lad and
head for the door. I go to a shop
and buy a bottle of water to
quench my thirst.
Mantis is the third-ranked stand-up roller-coaster in the world. It boasts a 137-foot drop at a speed
of 60 m.p.h.
Photo by Jarrett Powell
Page 20, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Entertainment
Entrepreneurs making their dreams reality
By VALERIE LITTLE
Staff Writer
It’s a family affair.
The recent sale of The Schnitzel
Corner Tavern, at Turner’s
Corners, has turned into a family
owned and operated bar and
eatery.
The new owners changed the
name to the Roadhouse Bar and
Grill, just one modification in
making their dreams reality.
These entrepreneurs are a family that works together as a team
running their new business. The
main shareholder is Elise Come,
55, of St. Catharines. Elise has
four sons who have partnered with
him in this venture: Gilbert, 34, of
Welland, Robert, 33, of Niagara
Falls, Albert, 27, of Niagara Falls,
and Norbert, 25, of Thorold.
Norbert is the chef, Albert runs
the karaoke, Robert is a server and
bartender, and Gilbert is part of the
decision-making, but is busy running Gran Drywall, a company he
owns with his three brothers.
In addition, Robert’s fiancée,
Paula Laramee, 23, of Niagara
Falls, Albert’s wife, Crystal Come,
25, of Niagara Falls, and Norbert’s
girlfriend, Jenna Richey, 19, of
Thorold, work as servers and bartenders. Elise’s wife, Marlene
The Molson Girls and a Molson sales associate, from left, Ella
Zalewska, Matt Osborne and Shaleen Cuffe, were on hand for the
Roadhouse’s grand opening on Oct. 2.
Photo by Valerie Little
Come, 53, of St. Catharines, will 101.1 and the Molson Girls were
be working as a server as well.
there, as was live entertainment
Their official grand opening was and a free pig and corn roast.
Oct. 2. The radio station Wild
The Molson Girls, Shaleen
Cuffe, 21, of Unionville, and Ella
Zalewska, 19, of St. Catharines,
both said they found out about this
job when they were out one night
at a bar.
Cuffe says she has been a
Molson Girl for about one month,
adding, “I love it. It’s a good job.
Always excitement.”
Zalewska says she has been a
Molson Girl for about two months,
adding, “I am never bored.”
To be a Molson Girl, you need
to undergo an interview that consists of many “tough situational
questions,” says Zalewska.
They work in the Niagara
region, mostly during the week,
with occasional weekends and
work for Molson under a contract.
“We are paid enough to keep us
happy,” says Cuffe.
Zalewska is a student at Brock
University in St. Catharines studying Sociology-Criminal Justice
and says she wants to work with
young offenders.
Cuffe is in her third year at
Brock University as a student in
Speech Language Pathology,
which will provide her with a
career as a speech therapist.
The live entertainment portion
of the evening was a band. Reg
Denis and his wife, Patti Warden,
both in their early 50s, of
Burlington, are the two members
of the band Crackers.
“We have been together 33
years, playing music in Canada
and the U.S. We spend five
months in Florida every year. We
will be here (Roadhouse) every
Sunday starting in November.
We do a variety show that combines music and comedy, fiddle
tunes, 50s and 60s and rock ‘n’
roll. We perform at fairs, corporate functions and biker events.
We have two albums. They were
by Daniel Langlois, who did
albums for U2 and Willy
Nelson,” says Denis.
The Roadhouse has karaoke,
live entertainment and D.J. nights,
a change from karaoke every night
previously.
Robert says they “have
expanded the menu, and there is
an apartment in the back of the
building we are thinking of converting into more bar space that
can be closed off for private parties and events.”
“We make our own pizza and
we are going to be delivering it,”
says Albert. “After two or three
years people won’t recognize
this place. If you come here,
you’re guaranteed to have fun.“
Patrick Sheehan’s, green isle of St. Catharines
By RAY SPITERI
Staff Writer
When you walk into Patrick
Sheehan’s, you can’t help but feel
like you’re in Dublin.
Everything, from the windows to
the pictures on the wall, was flown
over from Ireland and you can say
the atmosphere came along with it.
Mark Graham, 38, from England,
is the owner of the pub on the corner of St. Paul and Queen street in
St. Catharines and says owning a
pub is what he loves to do.
“I owned a pub in Scotland
called Flanaghan’s before coming
to Canada. When I was told about
the large British community in St.
Catharines, I thought I could bring
the same enthusiasm that was in
Britain to the Niagara region.”
Graham, who has lived in St.
Catharines for five years, says the
name of the pub was brainstormed
while in Ireland.
“I was in a pub in Dublin and
was flipping through a phonebook
and came across the name Patrick
Sheehan’s and I liked it, so when it
came to giving a name to the pub it
was an easy choice.”
The pub, since its inception in
1999, has been a hot commodity
because of its welcoming staff,
wide variety of items on the menu
and nights of entertainment.
“It is one of the nicest places in
town. We never have any problems
with customers and we notice people
coming back all of the time,” says
Francia Leiva, a waitress at Patrick
Sheehan’s.
Chantelle Chandroo, a waitress at
the pub, says the cultural foods and
imported drinks are what make
Patrick Sheehan’s so popular.
“The food here is excellent and we
have meals that everyone can enjoy.
The younger people like their wings
and hamburgers, while the older customers have got their Shepherd’s Pie,
steak and salads.”
On Sundays and Mondays, during football season, Patrick
Sheehan’s has a special, so if you
buy a pitcher of Alexander Keith’s
you will receive a sausage on a bun
and home cooked fries for free.
On Wednesdays and Thursdays,
the pub has live bands that play different styles of music including East
Coast Canadian music and Brit-Pop.
“Big Sugar and Great Big Sea have
played here in the past and we got
some great bands that put on a good
show for the customers,” says
Graham.
Frequent customer Meredith
McCreadie and former employee of
Patrick Sheehan’s, Melissa Shriner,
say that they can’t help but come
back to the pub because of the people they have met.
“I love the unique personalities
that come here. It’s like a circus in
a good way,” says Shriner.
The 28-year-old St. Catharines
native says she enjoyed her time at
the pub.
“I felt proud working at Patrick
Sheehan’s. The staff was friendly
and the food was awesome. I wish
Canada had more pubs like this.”
McCreadie, 29, from St.
Catharines, says she is a satisfied
customer.
“The chips and curry here is fabulous, the owner is a great guy and
you feel like part of a family at
Patrick Sheehan’s.”
Of all the dishes and drinks available at Patrick Sheehan’s, Graham
says the Guinness and the Guinness
wings are among the favourites.
“We make our sauce for the wings
with Guinness, and it seems to be a
big hit with our customers. We sell
the most Guinness in the Niagara
region and are the biggest expander
yearly in Ontario.”
The pub delivers lunchtime wraps
for $6 and a free bottle of water to
several companies.
“We deliver to larger offices,
schools and telephone companies.
Our wraps are made with real meat,
real beef and are soon going to be
calorie counted. I guess you can say
it’s the Real McCoy,” says Graham.
Visit the pub’s website at
(http://www.niagarairishpub.com).
The Roadhouse
Corner of Merritville Hwy. and Hwy. 20 Welland
NIAGARA PENINSULA
ROADHOUSE IDOL
STARTING SATURDAY OCT.9
PRIZE IS AN ALL-EXPENSE PAID
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FREE POOL
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 21
Sink or Swim: financial guide for students
By MELISSA HUNT
Staff Writer
If you have been digging through
old coat pockets or looking under
sofa cushions for money to pay for
rent or groceries, Sarah Deveau
wrote Sink or Swim for you.
Deveau, 26, of Calgary, Alta.,
has been writing since high school.
She wrote more than 50 articles
for the Calgary Herald’s youth
page and began writing freelance
articles after finishing the
University
of
Calgary’s
Communication Studies program.
Deveau has been published in
places such as the Calgary Herald,
and Toronto Sun, and has appeared
on shows such as Canada AM and
Shaw TV Edmonton.
Sink or Swim: Get Your Degree
Without Drowning in Debt is a
finance book specifically for students. Deveau says she came up
with the idea for a student financial
guide while she was still in school.
“I was talking to other students
in my classes and was amazed at
how many of them didn’t seem to
have to work part-time, pinch pennies, etc., but discovered many of
them were surviving on student
loans, while I was doing everything possible to avoid loans.”
She says many students hadn’t
given much thought to what they
were doing, and one or two suggested she write a book about it
someday. Eventually, she says, she
“had the opportunity.”
Deveau says she’s not an expert
on finance and money, rather an
expert at learning from hers and
other people’s mistakes.
“I learned what I know from
watching financial shows, reading
books, researching the Internet
and talking to students and financial experts.”
She says much of the book focuses on lifestyle and decision-making
instead of number crunching.
“I’d say 50 per cent of the
advice in the book I lived while in
school, and the other 50 per cent in
hindsight — what I should have
done.” She says she watched how
others got through with strategies
she had never considered.
Deveau says writing the book was
tough in terms of time commitment
since she was more used to writing
850 words for a story rather than
65,000 words for a book. She says
she tackled the project as though she
were writing a series of articles.
“I looked at advice-type books I
liked, and the ones I found easiest
and most enjoyable to read were very
broken down into ideas and topics.”
Jen Easter, sales and marketing
co-ordinator for Dundurn Press in
Toronto, says Deveau was the perfect person to write this book
because she was a recent graduate
who successfully completed her
degree without racking up tens of
thousands of dollars.
“In addition to her experiences as
a student, she had lots of creative
ideas and a writing style that we felt
a lot of students could relate to.”
For anyone who hasn’t had a
chance to read the book, Deveau
says it’s a lifestyle and financial
guide that can help them get through
school with as little debt as possible.
“In the book I tried to provide as
many options for people as possible, so as not to preach a one-sizefits-all approach, because every student goes in with a different situa-
tion, and 100 per cent of the graduating body being debt free isn’t realistic, and I didn’t want to say it is.”
Will Ferguson, of Calgary, Alta.,
is a best-selling Canadian author.
He has known Deveau since she
was a university student and did the
forward for her book Sink or Swim.
He says Deveau had clear goals
Deveau’s Five Frosh Faults
* Though living with mom and
dad may cramp your social life,
you’ll still have money to party with
(as long as you’re home for curfew).
* You want to repair carburetors,
but your parents insist on law
school. Don’t enrol in a program
you won’t enjoy or finish. Take the
time to decide where you really
want to invest your time and money.
* University isn’t the fashion
show high school was. Now’s the
time to stop spending your hardearned money on threads, wheels
and other materialistic things.
* Every September, credit card
companies hire attractive young
students to push their credit cards.
The astronomical interest rates can
quickly overwhelm a student after
a few nights of “this round is on
me.”
* Despite what you see in the
movies, college life is not supposed to be a non-stop kegger.
The more you party, the less
you’ll study, ensuring that you
will lose your tuition and your
credits.
and a clear idea of what she wanted to do. He says too many people
expect life to simply give them
what they want and then get bitter
when they don’t succeed, but
“Sarah was not like that at all.”
He says she was upbeat, organized and positive in her thinking.
“I found that refreshing. Her book
project reflected this: it was clear,
well thought out and smart.”
Deveau says students have the
wrong underlying assumptions
about school and money.
“If you think you have to go
$20,000 into debt, you will.
Students need to challenge that
assumption, and their behaviour,
to break free from the stereotype.”
Sean Cillis, 22, a student in the
General Arts and Science pro-
gram, says students go so far in
debt “because the prices of education, books and other necessities
are too high for the average midclass student/family.”
Cillis says the main items students spend their money on are partying, food and clothes and that parttime work, scholarships and bursaries could help minimize the debt.
“I believe that it is possible to
get through school with a small
amount of debt.”
Deveau says there are five frosh
faults that contribute to gaining debt:
moving out too soon, choosing the
wrong program, showing off the
bling bling, signing up for a credit
card and overdoing the partying.
Cillis says he agrees with the list.
“If these items were cut back or cut
out, then the debt wouldn’t be as
high. This book would be a guideline for upcoming students on how
to spend their money wisely.”
Easter says the book appealed to
Dundurn Press because it taps into
a “very hot” topic, which is the
staggering cost of earning a postsecondary degree in this country.
“Sarah had achieved something
that seemed nearly impossible:
graduating with only $6,000 worth
of debt. The best part is that she
accomplished this by doing something that every student is capable
of doing: living practically.”
Everyone from The Globe and
Mail to the Winnipeg Sun has had
something to say about this book.
Fast Forward Weekly, a magazine in Calgary, says Deveau
writes in a conversational style
and provides realistic advice that
is practical without taking the condescending tone of many of the
budgeting books that flood the
financial planning market.
The University of Calgary
Gauntlet says the book is a practical guide in which Deveau masterfully balances reckless optimism
with bleak realism and tough love.
For anyone who has money
trouble in college or university, the
book is available at many local
libraries or you can buy it at your
local bookstore.
Deveau can be reached at
[email protected] or visit
the book’s website for more information at http://www.sinkorswim.ca.
JOHN MALONEY, M.P.
WELLAND
Main Office: 50 Division St., Welland
Port Colborne Office: 92 Charlotte St.
Thorold Office: 50 Chapel St. S.,
905-788-2204
(905) 788-2204
(Fri. 8:30-4:30)
(Tues. 9 -4:30)
[email protected]
Sarah Deveau’s book, Sink or Swim, is a lifestyle and financial
guide to help get students through school with minimal debt.
Photo by Melissa Hunt
news@niagara
2004-2005
PUBLICATION DATES
OCT. 8, 2004
WELCOME BACK EDITION
OCT. 22, 2004,
PREPARING FOR HALLOWEEN
NOV. 5, 2004
SPOTLIGHTING
STUDENT APPRECIATION DAYS
& REMEBRANCE DAY
NOV. 19, 2004
DEC. 3, 2004
CHRISTMAS GREETING EDITION
& WELCOME IN THE NEW YEAR
JAN. 21, 2005
JAN. 28, 2005
FEB. 4, 2005
FEB 11, 2005
VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL
FEB. 18, 2005
MAR. 18, 2005
THE MARCH BREAK SPECIAL
MAR 24, 2005
APR. 8, 2005
APR. 22, 2005
GRADUATION (GRAD) SPECIAL
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Please be sure to include
your name and contact
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Cell : (905) 733-0327
Page 22, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Sports
Tackle football team loses season opener
By KEVIN MCNAUGHTON
Staff Writer
After suffering a 150-kilometrelong bus ride and a 60-minute wait
to get across the border, Niagara
College’s men’s tackle football
team suffered a 28-point loss in
their season opener against the
Saint John Fisher Cardinals, of
Rochester, N.Y.
Canadian singer Bryan Adams’
Summer of ‘69 was played as the
Niagara Knights took to the field
for pre-game warm-ups on Sept.
26, The Cardinals scored early
with a field goal six minutes and
57 seconds into the game, which
ended 34-6 for Saint John Fisher.
“We lost in the off-season,” said
coach Gino Arcaro, 47, of
Welland. “Their players are the
same as ours except for one thing:
they are the product of the weight
room.”
Penalties seemed to be
Niagara’s downfall in the first half
as the scoreboard showed 34-0 at
halftime.
“We put ourselves down 17-0.
You can’t do that to a team of this
calibre,” Arcaro said after the
game.
He added this is not the first
time he has brought a team to
America and lost the first game.
“They have to see the level of
commitment where football is religion,” said Arcaro.
In the second half, Niagara
appeared to be a completely new
team, as the defence shut down
everything the Cardinals could
throw at them.
With 11 minutes left in the
fourth quarter, quarterback Tim
Burke, 19, of Niagara Falls, found
tight end, Bryce Denisko, in the
end zone, for a touchdown, putting
six points on the board for the
Niagara Knights.
“It felt good to get the football
in finally. We should have had
more, but we made some small
mistakes,” said Burke.
Although the Knights lost,
Arcaro said he was “very proud”
of how the team played in the second half.
The team was able to put out
impressive statistics, including
333 total yards passing and other
individual statistics.
Free safety and punt returner
Bill McGarrigle, 19, of Thorold,
made 10 tackles, caused a fumble
against the Cardinals and recovered a fumbled ball. Simon
Wallace, 19, of Welland, made 13
tackles.
Before the game, the Cardinals’
Junior Varsity team’s coach, Kevin
Moravec, 24, of Rochester, said he
was excited to play a Canadian
team.
“I think it will be interesting. It’s
a big move for a new program to
Niagara College’s men’s tackle football team members put an end to a Saint John Fisher run.
Photo by Kevin McNaughton
step up.”
McGarrigle talked about playing
Arcaro said he does not like to
Cardinals’ wide receiver, Doug American-rules football. “It was pick out individual players,
Teadt, 19, of Rochester, said, dur- kind of different because in but Burke was the “dominant”
ing pre-game warm-ups, adding, Canada they have to give you five player of the second half.
the game will be a good yards (after receiving a kick) and
“We will not face a better
experience.
here they are all over you,” he quarterback,” said Arcaro, adding,
“It breaks boundaries. Maybe said, adding, “The ball is in the “Tim has developed into a
more Canadian teams will come air, and they are waiting to high-level recruit. He might be the
out.” On the bus ride home, hit you.”
next Tom Denison.”
Junior boys first time in tourney
By STEVE SIMON
Staff Writer
Men’s high school volleyball teams from
around Ontario came here to compete in the
eighth annual Niagara College High School
Invitational last weekend.
This was the first year that the junior boys
faced tournament action. The games were played
on Sunday, Oct. 3.
The senior boys tournament was on Saturday,
Oct. 2.
“It’s exposure for high school students to see
co
lege,”
says
Kerby
Bentley,
of
Welland, Niagara College’s recreation assistant
and men’s volleyball coach.
Bentley says 20 teams were in the senior volleyball tournament and 10 teams in the junior
volleyball tournament.
“We had teams far from Barrie, Leamington,
Windsor, Toronto and Sarnia,” says Bentley.
Some schools in the Niagara region competing
were Centennial High School, from Welland,
Jean Vanier, from Welland, Confederation, from
Welland, and Westlane, of Niagara Falls.
Last year’s tournament champion, McGregor
High School, of Chatham, did not defend its title
as this year there was be a new tournament
champion.
The senior championship game saw competition between two Hamilton high schools.
Ancaster defeated Barton in the championship
game.
The junior championship game brought two
Niagara region high schools to the court. Jean
Vanier came from behind to defeat Westlane,
winning the first junior tournament.
Bentley says this tournament can help with
scouting for college players next year.
“If they can help out with our team next year,
that’ll be great.”
Both tournaments were organized by the men’s
and woman’s volleyball teams.
Two top-five finishes for Niagara
By PAT PARKINSON
Staff Writer
It was a successful start for the
Niagara College golf team.
Niagara ended first and third
with two separate teams entered
in the Fanshawe College Fall
Classic played in London on Sept.
18, and a Niagara team ended in
third place at the St. Clair College
Invitational in Windsor on
Sept. 16.
Niagara’s team of Kyle Markey,
Wendell Touhey, Andrew Walpole
and Darrell Thomson won the
London event, while the team of
Michael Clare, Trevor Hessel,
Peter Kenneford and Drew
Collins finished in third spot.
Oshawa’s Durham College
ended in second.
Markey fired a two-under-par
69 to tie Fanshawe’s Matt Tindale
for medal honours. Tindale won
in a two-hole sudden death
playoff.
The St. Clair Invitational was a
two-day, 36-hole tournament won
by Etobicoke’s Humber College,
with Durham College ending
second.
Niagara’s golf team competed
this week in the Ontario College
Athletic Association (OCAA)
Provincial Championships at the
New Dundee Golf Club in
Kitchener.
The Niagara team will also be
hosting
and
competing
in
the
Canadian
College
Athletic Association National
Championship at the Links of
Niagara in Niagara Falls from
Oct. 13 to Oct. 16. The Links of
Niagara is an 18-hole, par 72
course, totalling 6,724 yards.
Wayne Triano is coach of the
Niagara team.
Fitness and Health Promotion student Ben Gutowski dunks while
training in the gymnasium.
Photo by Sandor Ligetfalvy
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 23
Sports
Casino marathon attracts people worldwide
By RAY SPITERI
Staff Writer
On Oct. 24, more than 4,000
athletes will participate in the only
marathon in the world that takes
its participants from one country
to another.
The 2004 Casino Niagara
International Marathon begins at
Lincoln Parkway in Buffalo, N.Y.,
and concludes 42.195 kilometres
later at the Niagara Parkway in
Niagara Falls, Ont.
Race Director Jim Ralston, 56,
says the growing popularity of
running has led to more people
getting involved in the sport.
“Running has become more
popular over time and has garnered a lot of interest with both
genders, which wasn’t always the
case. A while back there were
more males participating in running, but now it is quite even.”
The native of Scotland says the
fans of marathon running have an
advantage over those in other sports.
“If you look at the most popular
sports, the fans have to spend lots of
money to watch the athletes play to
get paid, whereas those who support
marathon running can come out for
free and the runners don’t have to
spend a fortune on equipment.”
The marathon, which was established in 1974 as the Annual
Buffalo to Niagara Falls Skylon
International Marathon, was resurrected in 1998 by Casino Niagara,
its official sponsor.
Since then, Ralston joined on as
race director and with his dedication to the sport of running and the
support of 28 sponsors behind the
event, nearly 30 countries’ repre-
sentatives now participate.
There were people from as far as
Germany, the United Kingdom,
and Kenya as well as from other
provinces in Canada last year.
“You should see Niagara Falls
the day of the event. It will be an
interesting sight. We had people
from 28 countries participate in
the race last year, and we expect
more this year,” says Ralston.
Meredith Maxwell, 27, from
Jordan, Ont., says running is
something a person does naturally.
“Everybody can run. It is a good
way to stay healthy and keeps you
in great shape.”
Maxwell is the marathon coordinator and says running is a
hobby of hers.
“I love to run. I’ve done the
five-kilometre race in the past and
it is always interesting to try and
beat your personal best.”
The marathon has conditions
and regulations, as well as different races runners can enter, and a
new school program.
There is the full marathon that is
the whole 42.195 kilometre race
costing $75, the half-marathon
being clocked at 21.975 kilometres
with the cost being $50 and finally,
the 5K Race at $20.
The new program will enable
children to join the race.
“We have created a program
called The Schools’ Marathon
Challenge that we hope will keep
kids away from the computers and
engage in more athletics,” says
Ralston.
The setup is a unique one, with
children, ranging from Grade 4 to
Grade 8, running 26.2 miles, but
not all in one day.
Physical education teachers at
the schools will document all of
the students’ miles during gym
class equalling to 25 miles.
The students will then be taken
by bus to the 25-mile point on the
course and run the final 1.2 miles
to the finish line.
After they finish the race, the
students will all receive a finisher’s medal made by local companies and have an after-race party.
That is not the end of school
participation in this year’s event.
Ralston says that at every mile,
a water station will have high
school students handing out water
to the runners.
“There will be about 800 highschool students coming out to aid
the runners and to cheer them on.
It is a great way for the kids to give
to the community and have a good
experience watching the event.”
The landmarks that some of the
runners will see have been
favourites of past participants.
When the athletes begin their
journey at Lincoln Parkway in
Buffalo, they will see the Buffalo
Zoo, golf courses and historic
parts of the city.
Runners will also get the chance
to see the world-famous AlbrightKnox Gallery and the Delaware
Park Casino and Rose Garden.
Ralston says when the runners
make their way onto the Peace
Bridge, they will be amazed by
what they see.
“Runners in the past have said
that they can see the mist from the
falls and even see Cleveland in
the distance.”
Meredith Maxwell, the marathon co-ordinator, and Jim Ralston,
the race director, are just two, in a group of many, in charge of getting the Casino Niagara International Marathon ready for Oct. 24.
Photo by Ray Spiteri
Both Ralston and Maxwell say Club Italia after the race. It gives
they want the runners to be excited them a chance to chat with other
before the race and to have a sense of runners and describe the emotions
satisfaction when they complete it.
that they went through.”
“We want everyone satisfied.
The event will be handing out
We always get great feedback,” $40,000 in prize money and bonussays Maxwell.
es for the first male and female
“The runners enjoy the party at Canadian to cross the finish line.
Mountain biking club being established at Niagara
Team hopes to be official
by final race on Oct. 25
By CAITLIN MCLACHLAN
Staff Writer
The Niagara Wine Festival held
its annual Squeezer on Sept. 26. It
is a mountain biking race with
tricky paths, beginning at
Montebello Park in St. Catharines.
Men, women and children participated. Some dressed in formfitting spandex suits, while others
simply donned shorts and a T-shirt.
No matter what they looked like in
the beginning, they all looked the
same in the end: covered in dirt,
exhausted and smiling.
Though you missed your chance
to participate in this event, grit and
glory are still calling your name: a
mountain biking club is in the
making for students of Niagara
College.
“Come on out. The more the merrier,” says Michael Fletcher, 19, of
Erin, Ont. Fletcher, in his second
year of the Fitness and Health
Promotions program, says he has
always been interested in mountain
biking. The club will be competing
in tournaments in Ontario areas
such as Barrie and London.
Students who are interested in joining should start training now.
“Bike for at least an hour every
three days,” says Fletcher. To be a
member, students should have
access to a mountain bike, preferably one with an aluminium frame,
easy-release tires and a helmet.
Fletcher also recommends getting a
patching kit for tires that have holes.
The details for the club are still
being worked out and, Fletcher
says, he must create a budget list
and fill it in for processing.
“It takes up to three weeks to get
the team official,” says Fletcher.
He hopes it will be in time for the
final race on Oct. 25.
For training Fletcher and three
other team members bike to St.
Catharines and take the trails
behind Brock University.
“They’re very good for training,” say Fletcher. He says one
trail has a “slope with rocky projections about six inches high and
two inches across. They looked
like rock knives.”
A mountain biker stretches in Montebello Park before tackling the tricky paths of the Niagara Wine
Festival annual Squeezer, held on Sept 26.
Photo by Caitlin McLachlan
“The best way to train for a
sport is to do that sport, so we
bike,” says Fletcher.
Though the process of becoming
official is slow, he says the most
challenging problem the club faces
is transportation.
“Transportation is what’s hurting
us right now,” says Fletcher. “To
get to a place we’d have to rent a
van, drive all the way out there and
be back in the same day.”
Fletcher says he expects to
schedule team meetings once a
week to get together and practice
being on the trails with other bikers.
To learn more about how you
can join the mountain biking club
contact Fletcher by e-mail at [email protected],
or
the
teacher representative for the
Welland campus, Louise Blais, at
[email protected]. The teacher
representative for the Glendale
campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake is
Malcolm Howe. He can be reached
at [email protected].
Page 24, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Canadians suffer first defeat on home ice
Fort Erie Meteors beat Welland Canadians 5-2
By RAY SPITERI
Staff Writer
A hat trick by Fort Erie Meteors
left winger Carmen Minor was the
difference as the Welland Jr.
Canadians suffered their first
home defeat of the 2004/2005
Junior B hockey season.
An uninspired Canadians club
went down 5-2 in a game in which
they were second best for most of
the contest.
Rodney Inglis opened the
scoring for the Meteors while on a
five-minute power play.
Inglis tipped home a shot from
the blue line with 48 seconds
remaining on Ryan Beaudoin's
five-minute major for hitting from
behind. The 18-year-old centre hit
the showers early when he
received a game misconduct along
with the major penalty.
The sluggish Canadians failed
to create much in the way of
offence, managing only three
shots on net in the first.
Jason Hill, the Canadians'
sniper, managed to break away
from the tight checking of Fort
Erie for his club's best chance of
the period, but backhanded wide,
letting the Meteors off the hook.
The visitors struck again,
extending their lead to two, as
Minor got his first of three on the
night.
A wrist shot from the hash
marks beat Canadians' netminder
Michael Tardif as he could only
get a piece of the shot.
Fort Erie's hard work and
dedication to the forecheck
continued in the second period,
and they were rewarded with
their third goal of the night and
Minor's second.
Minor was left all alone in front
of the net with Welland's defence
nowhere near him as he put his
club in a commanding 3-0 lead.
Down by three, the Canadians'
desperation began to set in as
they, for the first time in the game,
showed some energy.
Welland began putting more
pressure on Fort Erie's defence,
taking the body more, resulting in
some minor penalties for the road
team.
They got back in the game on
the power play as Shane Jackman
recorded his first goal of the
season, with assists going to Hill
and Steve Chappell.
The game evened out with
Welland asking more questions of
Ryan Fowler, the Meteors' starting
goaltender.
Fowler responded by making
several key saves for his club,
keeping the Canadians' deficit to
two.
Coming into the third, Welland
knew they had tough work ahead
of them if they wanted anything
from the game and came out
better than in the previous two
periods.
They clawed back to within one
with a beautiful one-timer by
Jesse Bedard on a tape-to-tape
pass by teammate Chase
Langenraap.
It seemed the Canadians had the
spirit they have shown in the
previous home games this season
but an undisciplined roughing
penalty to goalkeeper, Tardif,
eliminated any chance of a
comeback.
Chris Luxton, the 20-year-old
Ryan Fowler makes a glove save with Canadians' forward Jesse Bedard looking for a rebound.
Fowler made 30 saves on the night.
Photo by Ray Spiteri
forward of the Meteors, scored on
Tardif's minor giving his club
their two-goal lead.
Up 4-2, Fort Erie began playing
smarter. They never forced the
play, rather dumping the puck out
whenever they felt Welland
pressuring.
All that was left to be decided
was whether Minor would get his
hat trick. He did, scoring the
easiest of the three.
Atkinson’s family cheers him on every game
By RAY SPITERI
Staff Writer
Welland native Jordan Atkinson
can expect to be well supported
when he steps onto the ice every
home game.
The 16-year-old Welland Jr.
Canadians forward had a corner of
the Welland Arena cheering him
on in his team's 5-2 home opening
victory over the Niagara Falls
Canucks on Sept. 19 in Junior B
hockey action.
Doug Kelly, Jordan's uncle, says
family
and
friends
are
excited to see the teen play on the
Canadians' roster.
"This is his first season with the
Canadians. He was called up last
year for a few games but this is his
first full year with the club."
Kelly says his nephew did well
in making the team.
"He scored a few goals in
pre-season and is getting better
every game.
“The whole family is excited to
see him play and he can expect our
support every time he steps on the
ice."
OCCA Men’s Volleyball
OCCA Men’s Basketball
Intramural Ball Hockey
Standings
Standings:
W
L
Standings:
W
L
Pct.
Niagara
Nipissing
George Brown
St. Clair
Canadore
Fanshawe
Redeemer
Genesee
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Niagara
Sault
Algoma
Redeemer
St. Clair
Lambton
Fanshawe
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
OCCA Women’s Basketball
OCCA Women’s Volleyball
Standings:
Niagara
Nipissing
Sault
Lambton
St. Clair
Candore
Fanshawe
Redeemer
Genesee
W
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
L
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Standings:
W
L
Pct.
Niagara
Algoma
Mohawk
Redeemer
St. Clair
Fanshawe
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
.000
As of Oct. 7, 2004
Points
Army of Darkness
Canadians
Ked Crew
Mullins Miracle
Sandstorm
The Pylons
Code 4
Fuming Eagles
Niagara Shooters
On Agains
Peter North Stars
Pub Punishers
Show Time
The Foundation
2
2
2
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Intramural ball hockey is played
every Wednesday.
Minor rushed up to the centre
ice line, making sure he did't ice
the puck and, with confidence,
wristed home his hat trick goal,
sending the majority of the crowd
at the Welland Arena home
disappointed.
After the game, several of the
Canadians were upset with the
effort the club put forth.
"We didn't click tonight," said
Shane Jackman, the 6'2"
defenseman.
"We had no intensity and
couldn't bury the puck when
chances came our way."
Mitch Dumont said the club
didn't play 60 minutes of hockey.
"There were times when we had
pressure but it wasn't consistent
enough. We have to play the
whole game with the same
intensity."
Jason Sardella, the gritty 5'10"
winger of the Canadians, said his
team didn't play physically
enough to win.
"We are a physical team, but
tonight we didn't show that kind
of desire that has been there for
our victories. We need to show
more heart and take the body as
much as possible."
The loss by the Canadians takes
their record to 3-3-1 and leaves
them winless in the last two
games. They had tied Stoney
Creek 2-2 on the road the night
before.
Their next home game is
Sunday, Oct. 10, at the Welland
Arena on King Street against their
archrival Port Colborne Sailors.
Game time is 7:15 p.m.
GOLDEN HORSESHOE JUNIOR B HOCKEY LEAGUE
Standings:
GP
W
L
T
OTL
PTs
Thorold
Niagara Falls
Welland
Port Colborne
Stoney Creek
Fort Erie
St. Catharines
6
7
7
6
8
7
5
4
5
3
2
2
2
1
2
2
3
1
4
4
2
0
0
1
2
2
1
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
10
8
7
7
6
5
4
Teams are awarded one point for an overtime loss. Overtime losses are not
counted in the loss column. (As of Oct. 6)
Friday, Oct. 8, Games
Fort Erie @ Port Colborne, 7:30 p.m.
Stoney Creek @ St. Catharines, 7:30 p.m.
Welland @ Niagara Falls, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 9, Games
Niagara Falls @ Port Colborne, 7:30 p.m.
St. Catharines @ Fort Erie, 7:45 p.m.
Thorold @ Stoney Creek, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 10, Games
Port Colborne @ Welland, 7:15 p.m.
Stats compiled by Steve Simon
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 25
Shop For Jobs assists students in job hunt
By KIM POWELL
Staff Writer
Pen Centre’s Shop For Jobs
gives students a hand in supporting themselves.
The Pen Centre in St.
Catharines held its annual Shop
For Jobs event on Sept. 21 from
10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Shop For Jobs helps employers
and prospective employees meet
face-to-face and do on-the-spot
interviews. Students interested in
applying for a position at participating stores arrive throughout the day
prepared with resumés and to communicate their skills to the store rep-
resentatives.
Kristin Thompson, 17, a Brock
University
student,
of
St.
Catharines, says she found out about
Shop For Jobs from the university,
where there were posters, displays
and pamphlets.
“All the people are really nice and
organized. Everybody has flashy displays that say ‘Choose me.’”
Thompson says she is looking
for a part-time job and this is her
first job fair. She finds it helpful
“because it’s better to be able to
talk to them (representatives)
about the type of job you’re getting yourself into, and you can
pick and choose.”
Thompson says not much could
be done to improve the fair and there
is nothing she doesn’t like about it.
Matt Lewicki, 20, a Brock
University student, has been to a
job fair before and says the Pen
Centre has “more selection. You
can pretty much go into any
store, really.”
Lewicki says he “thought people would be more aggressive
and lure you in.” He says they
“don’t seem like they care” and
“they look bored just sitting
there.”
Lewicki says Shop For Jobs
should be held for more than one day
in case people can’t get out of
school.
Christine
Cranfield,
of
Niagara Falls, is recruiting full-,
part-time and Christmas help for
La Senza. She is typically looking for business students.
Cranfield says the event helps
business signifcantly because
notice of the fair is posted at the
college and university so the
name gets out and the promotion
brings people that are not from
the local area into the mall.
Cranfield doesn’t consider
Shop For Jobs the best way to
find new employees because
“most girls leave in the summer,” although it is a “good”
way, she says.
Cranfield does on-the-spot
interviews and looks into availability. She says she has “taken
well over 100” and has had a
“huge response.”
Shop For Jobs occurs annually. It is produced and managed
by the centre’s marketing
department and designed to help
Pen Centre merchants find parttime sales staff while providing
employment for Niagara College
and Brock University students.
Volunteer Opportunity Fair broadens horizons for students
By TIZA SHANZI
and JESSE CRAWFORD
Staff Writers
It was as busy as rush-hour traffic.
There was a throng of volunteers and students as the Job
Centre kicked off its first-ever
Volunteer Opportunity Fair in
the mezzanine between the cafeteria and the Hamilton Room, at
the college’s Welland campus.
The four-hour event was held
Sept. 29 giving students an
opportunity to meet representatives from a multitude of volunteer agencies.
“We are very happy with this
event,” says Janet Forfar, consultant
– graduate services at the college’s
Job Centre, “since it’s the first time
Niagara College is having one.”
The fair opened up many and
varied possibilities for volunteer
work, giving students the chance
to give back to the community
and enhance their resumé.
“Volunteering is important
because it makes a difference in
the community. You enrich your
own life by helping others. Quite
often, it helps with your own
career that employers will value
when you put it on your
resumé,” says Forfar.
Monique Morin, of Welland,
consultant – graduate employment, says the volunteer opportunity fair was held for two reasons: first, letting students, especially those from outside of the
region, know where they can
volunteer; and second, giving
international students, who
aren’t allowed to work off campus, a chance to get some work
experience in Canada.
Preparations for the fair involved
a lot of planning and organization
by the Job Centre staff.
“We had flyers that we are giving out to students. We also
advertised it on the website
http://www.workopoliscampus.c
om and the college instructors
told the students about it,” says
Forfar, adding, “We used the cen-
tral mailing list for non-profitable organizations to get in contact with the agencies.”
Many fair-goers admitted to
being slightly overwhelmed by
all the choices of prospects and
freebie candy.
Morin says they had originally
expected 20 to 25 volunteer companies set up in the halls, but ultimately got about 45 agencies.
Representatives
running
booths say they are pleased with
the number of students stopping
by to learn about the specifics of
their groups.
“It’s been great, excellent.
I’ve had a lot of interested people stop by. Unfortunately, we
only utilize women,” says Cheri
Huys, of Welland, volunteer coordinator for Niagara Region
Sexual Assault Centre.
“It’s more comfortable to
respond to a female on the crisis
line than a male because most
people being assaulted are
female,” Huys says.
Still, men are interested in
volunteering for other agencies
despite the need for females on
the crisis line.
Llyod Powell, 38, of Niagara
Falls, and Rick Zonneveld, 39,
of West Lincoln, are in the
Social Service Worker program.
They say they find the fair interesting and are looking for volunteer
work as a part of their program.
Powell says it’s hard to choose
among so many interesting agencies.
Nevertheless,
worlds
of
opportunities are extended from
the smiling faces of representatives from various organizations.
Val-Ann
Stepanchuk,
of
Ridgeway, Ont., a volunteer and
friendly visiting co-ordinator for
AIDS Niagara, says she enjoyed
the fair.
“I really didn’t expect to give
out that many applications. I like
it at Niagara College. The college is good because they gave
us free parking.”
“Apart from recruiting volun-
teers,” says Stepanchuk, “we
want to promote safe sex by giving out condoms because that’s
always a part of it.”
Students are able to match their
skills and interests with different
volunteer prospects. “There is a
good variety,” says Kristin Arbour,
23, of Guelph, Ont.
The Public Relations (PR)
Graduate Certificate program student says because she is new to the
community it gives her an idea of
what is close by.
Many students are attracted to volunteering for a range of positions:
from The Niagara Employment Help
Centre, which trains and re-trains
individuals, to the “disease with
1,000 faces,” the Lupus Foundation
of Ontario (LFO).
Although the fair has passed, students are still welcome to apply for
volunteer work. Interested applicants should contact the Job Centre
at 905-735-2211 ext. 7777 or check
the website http://www.niagarac.on.ca/jobcentre.
On-Campus Job Posting
Public Announcer and Scorekeepers.
Part-time job at Welland and Glendale campus.
Company URL: http://www.niagarac.on.ca/ces/
Contact e-mail: [email protected]
Apply online at:
http://www.workopoliscampus.com
and visit The Job Centre, SE101 at the
Welland campus and W115 at the Glendale
campus.
ACROSS
1) A four leaf clover
3) You put a lime in it
5) I AM...
8) The Australian Beer
11) Blue skies, sunlight
12) Only 2.5 grams of carbs
14) That’s one dirty garden
16) Do you know where your friends are?
18) Only 0.5% alcohol
19) The other blonde (type of beer)
20) Ned Flanders yells this to Marge Simpson in
the play “On the Waterfront”
21) Dark and heavy (type of beer)
DOWN
1) 24 for 24, a buck a beer
2) This calls for a...
4) The pride of Nova Scotia
5) The silver bullet
6) “Blue” is a product of this company
7) A large cat
9) The king of beers
10) This is one genuine beer
13) As thick and dark as molasses
14) It’s the Dutch beer in the green bottle
15) Honey Brown, Red, Pale
17) Canadian and Stella are these types of beers
Page 26, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Sharpe receives 30-year service award
By RANDI CODISPODI
Staff Writer
Barry Sharpe, 57, of Welland,
has just received his 30-year service award for working at Niagara
College since 1974.
Sharpe is the dean of foundation studies and associate vicepresident academic. Vice-president academic Alan Davis
appointed him to his newest post
last year.
“My major role is to manage the
Foundation Studies division to
benefit students all across the programs on both campuses.
Foundation Studies include all of
the post-secondary math, English
and computer literacy as well as
the academic courses in those
areas with an apprenticeship,”
Sharpe explains.
Prior to his current posts, he
taught at the college in the School
of Business for 18 years. His
courses included economics, marketing, operations management
and personal finance.
“Within the first semester, I was
teaching, I think, 21 classes a
week, driving back and forth (from
Hamilton to Welland) and just loving every single minute of it.”
While attending the University
of Guelph, Sharpe received an
undergraduate degree in economics and business administration
and, after returning to the university, he received his master’s degree
in economics.
Sharpe is at the college because
of an advertisement to which he
responded. It was for an accounting teacher position. Although that
particular opportunity did not
work out, he received a call a
week later asking if he would be
interested in a job teaching economics at the college.
“It didn’t take me very long to
decide that what I had seen here at
the college was the kind of environment I wanted to get involved in.”
Sharpe says students who have
difficult academic issues or problems that aren’t resolved by the
teachers or the co-ordinators
should seen him..
“I hope they come to me for the
leadership that I bring as somebody who taught here at the college for almost 20 years and who
has been a manager in a number of
areas for the last 12 years.”
Everyone is “thrilled” about
the enrolment numbers this year,
says Sharpe.
The quality of the learning environment at the Welland campus is
what Sharpe would like to work
on, he says.
“I think we do a great job with
what we have. We’ve come a long
way, but we’re not at the level we
want to be at and student responses, through the student satisfaction
surveys, keep reminding us that
students want a better environ-
ment, and they deserve a better
environment, and we know that
quality education only takes place
in quality space.”
He himself has two good reasons to be concerned. Sharpe has
two grandsons, a four-year-old and
a two-year-old.
“Family always has been important to me over the years.”
Sharpe says he enjoys spending
as much time with his grandsons
as possible.
Until seven years ago, Sharpe
played all types of sports. He plays
golf now with a group of college
staff in the spring.
“I keep trying not to get any
worse at that as the years go by,”
Sharpe laughs.
He is involved in the Welland
Junior B hockey team and is the
assistant general manager of the
Welland Junior Canadians. He
says he enjoys working with
junior teams because there are a
“handful” of college students on
the teams.
“Like so many people in this
country, I just love hockey.”
Besides spending time with
the family, Sharpe does remodelling work around his house.
This, he says, takes up most of a
typical day.
In 2003, Sharpe was elected to
the city council of Welland as a
councillor. He says if he was not
where he is today, a political
This cowboy loves his horses
Students busy at college
By KATIE VANSLACK
Staff Writer
By FAITH SIBTHORPE
Staff Writer
Robert Mason, 58, of Port
Dover, Ont., is a cowboy living
peacefully amidst a fast-paced
world. He owns Black Creek
Stables, and it is truly where his
heart belongs.
Mason was brought into the
world in the comfort of his family’s old country home, which still
stands on the property today. The
white farmhouse is charming as it
greets you at the end of the long
driveway. Every piece of wood on
the house is drenched in history,
holding many tales of the Mason
family in its walls.
Another house was built after
Mason was married to his softspoken wife, Connie Mason. They
were wed Sept. 28, 1968. Her natural beauty is an asset to the farm.
The animals adore her.
Mason spoke of a time when his
wife was cutting grass in the backfield. When she was finished, she
rode the tractor back up to the
house, not leaving a scent. Her
devoted dog was beside himself
trying to find her, but her scent
was nowhere to be found. The dog
was in the back fields for hours
trying to find her.
Her grace is comforting as she
tends to the horses on the farm.
Picking burrs out of tails and tending to sores are almost a full-time
job for her. “I’m an expert at this,”
she says, as she carefully picks
burrs from a horse’s tail.
Mason ran his land as a dairy
farm for 35 years; however, he sold
the cows in 1996. The farm is now
a stable, the residence for 35 horses.
His entire income revolves
around his love for the horses: trail
Barry Sharpe has worn many front-line hats in his roles as
teacher, dean and associate vice-president, academic.
Photo by Randi Codispodi
career would have been just as Sharpe is available in ME206 of
good, or being part of the manage- the Welland campus and has an
ment staff of a professional hock- office in the west wing at the
ey team with a winning record. Glendale campus in Niagara-onExplaining his political interests, the-Lake. Sharpe says both of his
Sharpe says he enjoys argumenta- administrative assistants are
tion and logic.
“wonderfully invitational,” so stuHaving an open-door policy, dents should feel welcome.
Robert Mason, 58, sitting on his beloved horse “Little Joe” at his
home in Port Dover, Ont.
Photo by Faith Sibthorpe
rides, lessons, day camps and the dream. All the horses are grazing
warm welcome to just come out in their quiet beauty. They’re calm
and visit with the horses that but unmistakably majestic.
Mason and fellow volunteers feel
At the sight of Mason, the horsare more like friends. Seth es come, one by one, to say hello.
Shelley, 16, of Simcoe, Ont., has Each horse has its distinct personbonded immensely with the horses ality. Their human-like characterat Black Creek Stables. Shelley istics are astounding. Friendly and
volunteers his time to take people loving they compete for Mason’s
out on trail rides.
attention.
“I love the horses, and trail
“They get a little jealous somerides is the perfect opportunity times, so you have to watch out,”
to spend time with them,” he he laughs.
says. Shelley tells about his love
Mason pets his horse Forest
for a 22-year-old Belgian draft affectionately as he tells about his
horse named Buddy. “I’m blown family: “The farm has been in the
away by his gentle nature.” my family for 100 years.” He says
Shelley says that the personali- he will keep it in the family, passties of the horses reflect how ing it on to his son.
kind the Masons are.
Horseback riding is a unique
Walking into the pasture was way to discover the romantic, genlike walking into a horse lover’s tle rolling hills of Ontario.
In a “hands-on” field, students at
Niagara College are staying busy.
“Every day is a project,” says
Dave Robinson, 57, of Port
Dalhousie, co-ordinator of the
Interactive Multimedia Graduate
Certificate program at the
Welland campus of Niagara
College.
This one-year program has a
lower enrolment compared with
last year’s.
Robinson says, “We’re a little
disappointed this year. The program is able to take 40 students,
but we only have 27.” He
explains that the college considered how many would be accepted this term based on the enrolment of last February.
Niagara College started this
program in 1995. Since then, he
has been the co-ordinator,
although he has been working at
the college since 1980 when he
taught night school.
Robinson says the program is a
graduate program, although there
is not a specific discipline’s diploma that is required for entry.
“This program has become a
generalist program in that you
learn a number of software and
applications,” says Robinson.
“However, this program does focus
on web-based applications.”
“What’s really interesting is the
people who come. It’s a neat
mix.” He says that different people bring different skills into the
program, based on what they hold
a degree in.
Robinson says there are a number of job opportunities students
will have after graduation. He
says they range from web design
to CD developing, audio/video
editing, to graphic arts, “any discipline you can imagine.”
He says that some projects
students will be working on
involve making promotional
CDs and setting up non-profit
organization websites.
“We’re working on an international CD that will help prepare
students for studying in Canada.
This will both educate students
and promote the college.”
Robinson says that they will
also be working on a promotional
CD for two of Niagara College’s
Glendale campus’ programs. He
says one is for the Horticultural
program and the other is for the
Virtual Reality lab. “That’s still in
the preliminary stage. It’s hard to
say exactly what we’re going to
do with it.”
Robinson says that these experiences for the students are a
“great resumé builder,” and can
also be “enrichment for students.”
“This is a 100 per cent handson program. That’s the way we
teach,” says Robinson, explaining that in a fast-paced field, it’s
better to learn hands-on than to
be taught and then apply the
techniques.
He says, “It’s a really good lab,
almost totally up to date. We’re
happy with the students, but
we’re disappointed with the
placements.” He explains that the
industry is constantly changing
and as a result keeping up to date
can be difficult.
He says the faculty is constantly learning new technology.
“It makes life interesting, keeps
us on our toes. I don’t know if it
keeps us young and happy,” he
says with a smile, “but it keeps us
busy.”
news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004, Page 27
Nurse says excess caffeine ‘will kill you’
By NATALIE MICHLEWICZ
Staff Writer
The
Addiction
Research
Foundation of Ontario (ARFO)
says caffeine is the world’s most
popular drug.
Caffeine is a mild stimulant to the
central nervous system and, although
it is not addictive, its effectiveness
can become habit-forming. Thus,
dependency on caffeine may result.
The college’s nurse for 14 years,
Carolyn Gould, says, “Any addiction
that takes away from your healthy
lifestyle is not a good thing.”
“Regular use of upwards of
350 mg of caffeine a day causes
physical dependence on the
drug.
This
means
that
interruption of the regular use
produces a characteristic withdrawal syndrome,” says ARFO.
Gould says Health Canada
recommends no more than two
cups daily.
How much is too much? “Forty
cups will kill you,” says Gould.
Coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate
milk, chocolate products, as well
as cola and other soft drinks, all
contain caffeine and are consumed
daily worldwide. It is important,
therefore, to be educated on the
effects of caffeine, both positive
and negative.
Gould says the effects of caffeine
can last up to four hours. When taken
in liquid form, “it reaches all tissues
of the body within five minutes, and
peak blood levels are reached in 30
minutes.” Caffeine “clears fat, stimulates the brain, increases temperature
of the body and postpones fatigue.”
There are short-term and longterm effects.
Short-term effects include mild
physiological effects. Metabolism,
rate of breathing, temperature, levels
of fatty acids in the blood and of gastric acid in the stomach all increase,
ARFO says.
Gould says caffeine “is a psychoaddictive drug. People think it
enhances performance.” If too much
caffeine is consumed, Gould says,
insomnia, anxiety, tremors (shaking)
and headaches may result.
Negative aspects of caffeine
consumption more commonly are
displayed in the long-term effects,
which can be severe.
“Long-term effects of a toxic
nature do not appear evident when
regular caffeine use is below about
650 mg a day, equivalent to about
eight or nine average cups of coffee.” Above this level, ARFO says,
chronic
insomnia,
anxiety,
depression, stomach ulcers, irregu-
lar heartbeat and raised cholesterol
may occur.
Advice Gould offers for students
who depend on caffeine is to ask
themselves, “What is the source of
need? What do you get out of it?
What can I do?”
Caffeine creates two addictions,
Gould says, physical and mental.
She suggests moderation, to try to
cut back, to switch to decaffeinated
coffee or tea and to stop drinking
coffee from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Caffeine consumption among students at Niagara College is high.
Ricki-Leigh Nadon, 23, Tim
Hortons employee for four years at
Niagara College, says, they are “really busy” from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Coffee is sold most often, says
Nadon. “We sell one tea for every 10
cups of coffee.”
Between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.,
Nadon says, her booth sells 40 to 50
pots of coffee. That’s about 200 to
250 large coffees.
Students are using caffeine to stay
awake, says Gould.
There are alternative methods of
gaining energy rather than caffeine
consumption, especially if you are
trying to quit or cut back.
First, a good night’s sleep is
imperative. If you feel tired or worn
out during the day, taking a short nap
or a brisk walk can help re-energize
you. Regular, healthful eating habits
are helpful for energy. Skipping and
delaying meals or eating a large meal
may create fatigue.
Dependency on caffeine is not
good. Now is the time to cut back
or quit.
“Addictions, whether good or bad,
are not a good thing ... everything in
moderation,” says Gould.
Painting Hamilton green, abolishing toker shame
By CHRIS MCNAMEE
Staff Writer
Light up, everybody; join us in
this celebration.
A small café in the heart of downtown Hamilton has been the hot
topic of conversation along the legal
trail. The Up in Smoke café is
Hamilton’s “first and finest” marijuana-friendly zone. Chris Goodwin
and Ryan Clark, in association with
the Hamilton Compassion Society (a
not-for-profit social club), have
created a place for marijuana tokers
to abolish shame and break free from
the restraints and taboos assigned by
government and society.
The concept spawned from the
then-20-year-old Milton native
Clark’s
misadventures
in
Amsterdam, Holland, in 1998. After
seeing what a “progressive society”
the Dutch enjoy, he brought back
with him a dream. The only thing he
had to declare at customs that day
was the vision of revolutionizing
marijuana tolerance and liberating
fellow tokers out from their grow
closets and into a unity known as the
Up in Smoke café.
After working in many cannabis
shops in the greater Hamilton area,
Clark and co-owner Goodwin got
the “kahones big enough” to open
such a café. On Aug. 21 their dream
became a reality.
There are three fundamental
beliefs supporting the newfound
liberation.
Step One: Hempology – The
motto behind this step is legalization
through education.
Step Two: Smoke In – The ideal of
this is to remove any shame or fear
surrounding marijuana and replace it
with an image of having fun, all the
while still maintaining responsibility
and peace.
Step Three: The Dutch Embassy –
In order to open a smokehouse café
one must first do at least a
recommended one-year period of
rising awareness via rallies,
advertisements, posters, whatever it
takes. The most important part of this
aspect is for people to understand
exactly what it is you are trying to
accomplish because without that the
majority of your audience may
assume you’re just a criminal. “We
just want our customers to know
we’re fighting for decriminalization,” says Clark.
As with many any other social
clubs, there are membership
requirements. Membership fees start
at $1 for a single session, $5 for a
six-month membership and $10 for a
year’s worth of sessions.
Members, young and old, receive
special benefits and privileges over
that of a non-membership-holding
supporter. For example, discounted
purchases and invitations to attend
special events and functions.
However, there is another way to
receive discounted merchandise and,
finally, provide a reason to succeed
in school.
The Up in Smoke Report Card
Discount Program provides selected
discounts given the post-secondary
average of any of the cafe’s supporters. Upon receiving your post-secondary transcript, check your overall
average. If 60 per cent is maintained
you would get a five per cent discount, 70 per cent means 10 per cent
off, 80 per cent equals 15 per cent off
and for all the scholars 90 per cent
entitles you to 20 per cent off store
merchandise.
More products are added to the
inventory with every opportunity. So
far, the café has a large selection of
pipes, bongs, seeds, paraphernalia
and, of course, munchies. Soon
enough the stock will grow
considerably by adding many new
products specifically deriving from
the hemp plant. Hemp literature and
Internet education centres to help aid
in
teaching
about
marijuana and its use will also be
available.
“We’re trying to make this as
much a place of study and
entertainment as we can,” says
Clark. “You can’t really control what
people want, so you have to have a
regulated place.” Thus, education is
a key factor in the decriminalization
and/or legalization of cannabis.
In a business such as this respect is
a critical part for the café and its
hemployees and to the police officers
who parade throughout the streets
surrounding the café. The rules for
the café are quite simple, and if you
are unsure just use common sense.
There is no consumption of liquor
or arriving drunk permitted. Out of
respect for your fellow tokers, be
sure to be courteous and remember
no dealing, asking, fishing or
mooching. All patrons must be at
least 18 years of age, and no pets are
allowed in the facility because of
Health Canada regulations.
Seating is at a maximum of one
From left are Andrew Haines, owner of 420 graphics, Earid Kayhan, hemployee/councillor, Wayne
Phillips, who provided artwork for the café, and co-owners Ryan Clark and Chris Goodwin.
Photo by Chris McNamee
He goes on to explain how
hour and it is a restaurant, which sees a peaceful resolution,
“the marijuana issue has never
means you must buy something to Goodwin will not go quietly.
He calls upon tokers and asks, received more attention than
remain there. Finally, you must pro“How many people here are now” and believes that because
vide membership details on record.
The rules and regulations have prepared to get arrested for what of this it is critical to come to a
been adapted from Toronto’s own they believe in? Tons of you bet- solution soon.
“I’m tired of fence-post-sitter,
Hotbox Café and have proven ter put your hands up because
successful. These rules are that’s what it’s going to take to do-nothing critics telling us how
to do it.”
practiced merely to “point out what get pot legalized.”
people could expect from coming to
our club and the legal liability of it,”
says Clark.
In the spirit of being respectful,
this also includes respect for the men
and women of Hamilton’s law
enforcement team (in other words,
the police).
“It’s hard for them because we
scrutinize them,” says Clark. “We
have to be courteous and pleasant
with them.”
As hypocritical as this may sound,
now more than ever tokers must
unite
with
a
former
arch-nemesis. What must be
understood is that not all officers are
looking to cause trouble. They’re
merely doing their job and, in order
for a cannabis café to exist, tokers
must play by the government’s rules
and use them to their advantage, for
the smokescreen to be broken
between this underground society of
cannabis smokers and the world that
denies them.
Even within the ranks of the
business, the café’s owners have
a difference of opinion on the
topic of rebellion. While Clark
The St. Catharines Right to Life
is pleased to announce its new location at
3 King Street, Suite 2
in downtown St. Catharines
Drop in or call
Your complete pro-life resource
library on abortion and euthanasia
·Information for student papers
and presentations
·Referrals for those in crisis
www.ChooseLife.ca
[email protected]
905-684-7505
Page 28, news@niagara, Oct. 8, 2004
Every step moves closer to cancer cure
The Run for the Cure took place on Oct. 3, as 170,000 people participated across Canada to raise $19.2 million for breast cancer research.
By RILEY MACDONALD
Staff Writer
One in nine women will be
diagnosed with breast cancer in
her lifetime. About 5,300
women died of breast cancer
last year. Breast cancer is the
leading cause of death in
women ages 35 to 55.
These facts are only part of
the reason staff at Niagara
College participated in the
CIBC Run for the Cure.
Since 1986 the Canadian
Breast Cancer Foundation has
been the largest charitable organization in Canada, dedicated to
raising awareness and money
for breast cancer research and
education.
Last year, the CIBC Run for
the Cure broke every record and
exceeded its highest expectations with more than $17 million being raised and over
160,000 people participating
across
Canada.
Locally,
$403,000 was raised this year
with another $30,000 expected,
said organizer Mary Ann
Edwards.
This
year,
Carol
Barr
Overholt is one of the staff
members at the college who ran
for the cure. Barr Overholt, 45,
of St. Catharines, is a professor
in the Dental Assistant program
and has participated in the run
for two years with her dog
Maisy. Barr Overholt lost her
mother, aunt and most recently,
her brother-in-law to breast can-
cer and is running in memory of
them.
This year, Barr Overholt says
she has decided to run for the
cure rather than walk for it. She
says she decided to run not only
to get in shape, but also because
she realizes that she is half way
to 90 years old. With a clear history of cancer in her family, and
also having high blood pressure,
she is at risk of heart disease.
She says she is trying to minimize her risks.
Barr Overholt says she talks
to the students she teaches as
well as patients about breast
cancer to raise awareness.
“It’s important to return the
gratitude to the community.”
She knows first-hand how cancer affects a family.
“It leaves kids without moms
and grandkids without grandmas.”
Barr Overholt ran on a team,
organized by her sister-in-law,
called “Greg’s dream team.”
Josie Tremonte is another
staff member at Niagara who
participated “in memory of
Molly” on a team consisting of
family and friends The team is
named after her mother, who
lost her life to breast cancer in
January 1995.
“If a family member has
breast cancer, everyone suffers.
It’s a family disease.”
Tremonte, 36, of Thorold, is
the peer services assistant at the
college and has participated in
Trump conference
hits Niagara Falls
It’s not too late to register.
On Oct. 13, Niagara College
will sponsor – presented live
via satellite – a unique one-day
leadership conference featuring
entrepreneur and television personality Donald Trump, former
New York City mayor Rudy
Giuliani, MSNBC television
personality Suze Orman, and
former General Electric chairman Jack Welch.
The conference begins at
10:45 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. at
the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel
and Conference Centre on
Fallsview Avenue in Niagara
Falls. The conference is entitled
Leadership from the Ground
Up: Effectiveness in Changing
Times.
The cost is $249, which
includes lunch and materials.
The leadership conference
also features a Fortune 500
panel of Michael Jordan, chief
executive officer of EDS; Doug
Conant, chief executive officer
of Campbell Soup; and
Lawrence Kellner, chief executive officer of Continental
Airlines.
Anyone seeking more information can contact Niagara
College at 905-735-2211, ext.
7510, or Shirley Tomovic at the
college at ext. 7521 or e-mail
[email protected].
the run for five years.
Tremonte says she wears the
trademark pink ribbon to support breast cancer awareness.
She also is an avid collector of
breast cancer “trinkets” purchased through Avon.
In Memory of Molly raised
$4,200, which surpassed the
goal of $3,000.
Carol Smith, of Fenwick, a
program assistant in the School
of Public Safety and Security at
the college, participated on a
16-member staff team simply
named “Niagara College Staff.”
Smith has participated for four
years, but for only two of those
on the staff team. Niagara
College Staff raised about
$2,000
“I feel like it’s a good event. I
feel like you are helping.” As a
part of raising public awareness,
she urges her Law and Security
Administration students as well
as her Police Foundations students to volunteer at the event
to help with crowd control,
parking and the barbecue.
She says 15 to 20 students
used to help out, but this year
55 students did.
“It’s awesome. I called the
organizer of the run to tell her
and I think she about fell off her
chair.”
Experiencing breast cancer
through a family member is one
thing, but experiencing it firsthand is another as Phyllis
Barnatt, the co-ordinator of the
Journalism-Print program at
Niagara, did. Barnatt was diagnosed with breast cancer in
1996 at the age of 40. She says
she found the lump while in the
shower. She went to the family
doctor on a Tuesday, hand the
doctor then sent her to a surgeon
on Thursday. She was scheduled
for a lumpectomy, which is
removing just the lump and surrounding tissue, not the whole
breast, the following Monday.
“The care was outstanding.
There was no wait.”
Although it sounds easy
Photo by Jarrett Powell
enough, that was only the
beginning of the treatment.
Following the lumpectomy,
Barnatt then underwent six
months of chemotherapy at the
Hotel Dieu Hospital in St.
Catharines. After the six months
there, she says she had to wait
another month to undergo 25
radiation
treatments
at
Henderson
Hospital
in
Hamilton.
Technically Barnatt went into
remission on the day of her
lumpectomy, but, she says, she
didn’t start counting until after
the radiation was over, Jan. 1,
1997.
She says she raises public
awareness by encouraging students to write stories about it.
She also makes charitable donations, as well as contributing to
the letter-writing campaign
through the Canadian Cancer
Society’s communications division. This involves writing letters to encourage politicians to
continue funding for research.
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