Baby barn for diabetes

By Bo Ford

The Crossroads and Area Lions Club has finished its seventh baby barn and are set to sell it.

The Lions Club has been building baby barns for seven straight years, with all proceeds from the sale being donated to diabetes.

Clair Jenkins engineered this years project, the 35-year Lions Club member said the barn is just about finished.

“We just have to put the doors on it, and the barn is pretty well ready to be sold.”

Jenkins said diabetes was just something they picked when they first started the projects back in 2005.

“Every year we do it all of the donations go to diabetes, it’s just been the same every year.”

The club receives donations from different locations and all the donations really make the project come together.

All members have taken part in the project, if not this year in other years, even the president Avery Blaxland.

Jenkins said the baby barn does not go under auction, it’s just a straight sale.

If you are in the need of a baby barn or are just interested in purchasing it from the Crossroads and Area Lions Club, you can contact Clair Jenkins at 569-3610.

Remembering a great man

By Bo Ford

Some may remember him as a public servant, as a leader in sports, but most of all he will be greatly remembered as a loving son, brother, father and husband.

The funeral for the late Rory Beck was held this morning at the Central Christian Church, more then 500 people took in the service to remember a P.E.I legend.

The service touched on all the tremendous work Beck had done during his time spent on this earth as a public servant, in sports, but most of all as a loving family man.

Beck was the father of three sports oriented boys, Luke, Jacob and Dylan. He was the brother of four, Angus, Gordie, Callum and Norman, the son of Shirley and the late Dr. Malcom Beck, But more then anything a loving husband to his wife Gaylene.

Beck has left a giant footprint on the Island, in all characteristics in his life. His brother Angus read a poem about his family, it touched on all aspects of his family life, but during this time, he stressed Rory was the most like his father out of all five boys.

Longtime friend Kevin Murphy had lots of good things to say about Beck, as he put it, how couldn’t he, everybody who knew Rory, knew how great of a man he was. Murphy credited hockey for being the main reason the two friends were so close.

Beck, was well known in the hockey circle first as a player with the Charlottetown Islanders when they won the Hardy Cup in 1981, from there Beck would go on to become a UPEI Panther and then later in life become president of the Charlottetown Jr. A Abbies. Beck loved to coach and teach young people, not only into loving the game and becoming great players but also into young gentlemen.

His nephew, Rory spoke about how his uncle could talk for days and how he would always have the inside scoop on things. He was like a bicycle tube, all the spokes connected to him said nephew Rory.

Beck was known as the premier’s right hand man over the past couple of years. Robert Ghiz was on hand and shared a gospel reading during the funeral.

Beck’s pallbearers were some of his closest friends during his lifetime, Matt Bolger, Mac Giffin, Terry McKenna, Kevin Murphy, Brian Ostroski and Jeff Squires.

To show just how much Beck did for the people who knew him, the family made each and every person in attendance of the funeral consider themselves as honorary pallbearers for him.

The services ended with a song Beck had admired dearly. Those in attendance exited the church to Rise Up.

It is safe to say Rory left a mark on a lot of peoples lives, not only his family, but their friends, his friends and everyone on P.E.I.

Holland College students on the fence with tuition increase

By Bo Ford

Holland College announced yesterday they would be increasing it tuition costs for all full-time students next year.

The increase will be $200 to $250, the college hasn’t had an increase since 1998. The tuition increase is one of a series of measures that included targeted reductions, across the board cuts to departmental budgets, and the suspensions of two programs.

Eddie Zhakata who will be the Holland College Student Union president for 2012 said no student is ever happy with a tuition increase.

“Most students are okay with it. The increase isn’t all that much, and we haven’t had a tuition increase in over 14 years.”

The announcement came just days after the college announced a cut of two full-time programs for next year.

Dr. Brian McMillian, president of Holland College said in a press release, the current fiscal climate has required the college to make some difficult decisions.

“We have undergone a systematic review of all expenses and revenues. We have employed a balanced approach to cost reduction and revenue generation to ensure that our students continue to have access to the excellent learning environment to which they have become accustomed.”

 Holland College has several tuition levels. The majority of its program tuitions fall into three primary bands that vary from $3,250 to $5,500 per year.

Zhakata said they received no warning of either the course cancellations or the increase in tuition

“They told us there were going to be some changes made, but never specified what moves they were planning to make.”

Zhakata hasn’t had a meeting with the management of Holland College yet to figure out what other changes may come to not only the college but Student Union as well.

“Now that most of the changes have been implemented, we will meet with management and find out what changes are possible, and what we can do with the tuition increase,” said Zhakata.

Queen Charlotte students learn cameraless animation

 Grade seven student Natasha Beaton receives instruction from filmmaker JoDee Samuelson Monday at Queen Charlotte Intermediate. (Bo Ford photo)

By Bo Ford

Grade seven students at Queen Charlotte Intermediate in Charlottetown were guests of a presentation about cameraless animation yesterday.

The activity, which was presented by filmmakers JoDee Samuelson and Dave Ward, is part of lead-up activities for the Island Media Arts Festival that takes place May 8-13.

The students of Deborah Christie’s grade seven science class learned how the cameraless animation is produced and shown to viewers.

Cameraless animation is identical to shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy on television.

It all started over 100 years ago when plastic was first invented said Samuelson, the film is actually black but when lights hits the film it produces a chemical reaction and the picture appears.

Most people think computers make animation but Samuelson said it isn’t completely true.

“You still have to draw. The computer can make movement possible, but a person still has to draw the objects by hand.”

Samuelson talked about how much work goes into producing an animation film, she said 24 images would only be one second worth of film and 100 feet would be just two minutes of film

The students were first treat to a few short films, one of which was made by Samuelson herself. The film targeted the history of Charlottetown and how the city has changed over the years.

After seeing the film students in the class were asked to make there own animation Ward will collaborate together, the students will then add a soundtrack to the film and create there own cameraless animation.

It will be shown Thursday with comparisons to other classes that the duo will be working with at the school over the next three days.

 R.J. LeClair a grade seven student at Queen Charlottetown Intermediate takes tips from filmmaker JoDee Samuelson. (Bo Ford photo)

 R.J. LeClair works on his own animation as part of his grade seven class learning about cameraless filmmaking at Queen Charlottetown Intermediate on Monday. (Bo Ford photo)

Trotter sets the pace

PEISHOA President Tom Clarke presents co-owners Ralph Annear,left, and Steven Sorrie,right, with the Trotter of the Year award for Maple Leaf Spirit.(Bo Ford photo)

By Bo Ford

Three-year-old trotter Maple Leaf Spirit stole the show Saturday night at the P.E.I Horse Standardbred Horse Owners Association year end awards at the Dutch Inn in Cornwall.

The colt took home three awards including three-year-old Trotting Filly, Trotter of the year and Horse of the Year.

The  filly co-owned by Ralph Annear and Steven Sorrie, trained by Annear, enjoyed a one-of-a-kind season, from 13 starts in the Maritimes the filly won 11 of those and finished second in her other two starts producing over $40,000 in the process.

Charlottetown`s top driver in 2011, Marc Campbell, finished off his season with a bang at the awards banquet taking home three awards.

Marc Campbell receives his award for Leading Dash Winner from banquet committee chair Betty Gregan,left, and guest speaker Mark Ford,right.(Bo Ford photo)

Campbell was awarded two driver awards, Leading Dash Winner and Leading Percentage Driver. In partnership with completing his record setting season with a total of 122 wins and a UDRS of  .336, the awards were never in question

Campbell said it was a great way to end off a great season but said there will be room for improvement this season.

“Everybody in this game will tell you there is always room for improvement, but I love seeing my owners get trophies, and I like getting them myself.”

While most people know Campbell for his ability to drive, he also had a good season as a trainer, having seven horses from his stable nominated for awards.

 His trainee Malabrigo was the only one to win an award receiving two-year-old Pacing Filly. Owned by Greenoaks Farms, the award capped off a bitter sweet for both Campbell and The Greenoakes Farms.

“She fought through some adversity to win some big races. Marc did a great job with the filly, we all really happy,” said Angus Buntain from Greenoakes Farms.
 As for Campbell he said he couldn’t have had the year he did all on his own.

“I have good workers, I try and keep my workers young. That way they want to work and they’ll work even harder when were winning. They know who they are and I thank them for what they do.”

Leading Percentage Trainer Jackie Matheson receives his award for Leading Percentage Trainer from Minister responsible for harness racing on P.E.I Wes Sheridan,left, and Guest Speaker Mark Ford,right. (Bo Ford photo)

Jackie Matheson was named Leading Percentage Trainer with a .327 UDRS not to mention over 40 trips to the winner circle and three nominees at the award banquet. The first year trainer had much of the same to say about his award.

“It’s nice to win, but this is one of those awards that goes out to the whole barn, everyone in our barn was a part of this right from the horses, the grooms, the owners and the drivers.”

The other multiple award winner went to Charloettes Maggie, a three-year-old filly owned by Shaun MacIsaac and trained by Tom Weatherbie the filly made 16 starts in the Maritimes winning 12 of those and banking over           $35,000. She won the three-year-old-filly Pacer and the Pacer of the Year awards.

A crowd of over 300 packed the Dutch Inn listened to guest speaker Mark Ford Answer a few questions and give his insight on the state of the harness racing industry.

“It`s very refreshing to come to P.E.I. for the enthusiasm. Maybe there isn’t as much money here as other places, but the people actually enjoy racing. It`s a real breath of fresh air.’’

A winner of over $40 million in earnings and the youngest to ever accomplish the feat is staying positive about his situation in New York.

“Everybody wants to be a neigh sayer, it’s terrible, it’s terrible. It has never been better for me, we race for money than I’ve ever raced for and probably the generation before me. It’s very good right now.”

Ford said he thinks the best is yet to come, especially with a plan to bring gaming to the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

“It would be money like we’ve never seen before.”

Islanders encouraged to grow a beard for Heart and Stroke

By Bo Ford

It is that time of year again. Where you can’t turn on your television without seeing some sort of talk about the NHL playoffs.

With the playoffs in session the Heart and Stroke Foundation has launched the Beard-a-thon fundraiser for the second year in a row.

During the playoffs players are known to grow out their facial hair as long as their team stays in the playoffs. Last season the NHLPA joined with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to have people pledge money for players from the league or people from around Canada to grow a beard during the playoffs, with all the money going towards the foundation.

That’s right, you yourself can help the Heart and Stroke Foundation raise money, you can choose to grow a beard and receive pledges, pledge money to a friend or family member, or even pledge money to one of your favorite NHL players.

This year the Heart and Stroke Foundation of P.E.I. is calling on Islanders to throw away their razors and grow a beard in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation in the cause.

Last year over $200, 000 dollars was raised with 2,037 beard growers receiving pledges of at least $25. Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers has sent out a challenge to all Canadians to toss aside their razors and grow a playoff beard better then him. Last year Hartnell raised over $12,000 and was the leader among all Canadians.

Sharon Hollingsworth, Communications manager with the Heart and Stroke Foundation on P.E.I said the idea came from the annual Movemeber contest which supports prostate cancer.

“We want our volunteers, stake holders and supporters to grow a beard, or go online to make pledges,” said Hollingsworth.

Islanders looking for an NHL players to pledge for include players such as former P.E.I Rocket defenseman now Vancouver Canuck Marc-Andre Gragnani and teammate and another Rocket player Maxime Lapierre.

For people who choose to grow a beard for pledges, there will be prizes given out. For raising $25 you will be entered in a chance to win a signed jersey, raise over $1000 and be entered to win a grand prize trip to watch a NHLPA member play in a game next season.

For people interested in supporting this cause you can check out the website at www.beardathon.ca

PEISHOA set to hand out awards

The P.E.I. Standardbred Horse Owners Association awards banquet for the 2011 season happens this Saturday night at the Howard Johnston Dutch Inn in Cornwall with a reception starting at 6:30.

The association has announced Mark Ford will be the guest speaker for the banquet, which will close out the 2011 harness racing season on P.E.I.

Ford, best known for being the trainer of two-time O’Brien Award winner Gallo Blue Chip the richest pacer in the history of the sport with $4.2 million in earnings. He is the youngest trainer in history to reach $40 million in career earnings, during that time he has 17,332 starts as a trainer and 2,689 wins.

PEISHOA president Tom Clark said the committee is delighted to have Ford as a guest speaker for the banquet.

"He has perennially been one of the leading trainers in North America, and we really look forward to hearing about his operation and his views on the industry today.”

Expected to have a big night is the Island’s top driver for 2011 Marc Campbell who was the leading dash winner this season on the Island and also put up a big year as a trainer with likely 2-year-old filly nominee Malabrigo and a nominee in the direction of claiming horse Benny Rabbit is not out of the question.

Another likely candidate for Claiming Horse of the year comes from leading dash winning trainer Jackie Matheson in Keystone Dimitri, who enjoyed his first season in the Maritimes.

With Maritime Free-for-all stand out Formal Affair not eligible due to a start requirement, it gives local top class horses Ricarras Sun, Oakrock Almighty a chance at winning Aged Pacing Horse of the year.

The Aged Pacing Mare award will also be a toss up between a couple of iron tough mares including J K Special from the Joe Smallwood stable, the Wade Sorrie trainee Onehotvett, Grace and Harv trained by Wayne Bell, as well as the late addition to the Jackie Matheson barn General Luckypercy.

The most intriguing award of the night will likely come from the Two-year-old Pacing Colt category with a lot of local talent putting up some big numbers this season. Names such as Astronomical Union and Dukes Up trained by Albert Davies and owned by Reg MacPherson, as well Touch Of Lighting from the Earl Smith barn and Lyndale Royale trained by Terry Affleck and the late blooming Mr Thompson could all be in consideration for the award.

In the trotting category, three-year-old filly standout Maple Leaf Spirit is as strong of a sure thing as there can be, only being defeated twice in her sophomore season.

Aged Trotting mare will likely see Merdian Farms Warrawee Jade trained by Brian Andrew and Napanee Seelster trained and co-owned by Danny Macdonald nominated along side Campbell’s Diana Car.

For horses to be eligible for awards, owners must have their PEISHOA membership paid for the 2011 season.

Also included in the awards ceremony are Horsemen and Horsewomen of the year as well as the Fan Favourite award and Grooms of the Year.

Tickets for the banquet are $30 and can be purchased from PEISHOA committee members, Charlottetown Veterinary Clinic, or by contacting Tom Clark by email at tclark@clarkemotors.net .