The incoming executive knew they had a tough challenge, but they made it through the 2005 season and worked hard to get ready for the summer of 2006. Three of the Executive members met recently with Robert Kirwan, Publisher of Valley East Today to discuss plans for marketing and promotion of the league. Shown with Robert are, from the left, Robin Trottier, Secretary; Mandy Hnatiuk, President, and Natalie Raymond-Marois, Vice-President. Two other executive members were unable to attend the meeting. They are Nicki Trottier, Treasurer, and Paula Martel-Lavallee, Statistician.

    This year there are a total of ten (10) teams in the league, thanks in part to a decision by the League to drop the 'residency' restriction and allow teams and players from other municipalities. Two teams have joined with players who live in Rayside Balfour or Sudbury. Another positive change was the decision to allow girls who are 16 years of age and over. There are only a few younger players in the league, but at least they now have a place where they can enjoy this sport while in their late teens.

   As a result, there are over 200 women of all ages playing slo-pitch two nights a week during the 15 week season. They play at Centennial Ball Park every Monday and Wednesday evening, with games at 6:30, 8:00, and 9:30 p.m. It is a relatively inexpensive form of recreation for the ladies, with registration working out to approximately $100 per player. Each person provides her own equipment such as gloves, shoes, etc., and many even have their own personal bats.

   Mandy, Natalie, and Robin showed a great deal of optimism for the league during the league and much of the discussion turned to long-term goals for upcoming seasons. All three are around the age of 30 and it is obvious that they intend to work hard to build up the league image and eventually see a 16 team league within a few years. They want to continue to maintain the "recreational" league as a place where women can enjoy friendly competition with their friends well into their 40's and 50's. Information about the league will be placed on the community web site and also in the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre.

Not All Full-Time Laurentian University Students Happy About Having To Pay $135 For Transit System Pass This Fall
   After months of negotiations, Greater Sudbury Transit and Laurentian University have signed an agreement which will allow all students unlimited use of the transit system for the eight-month school year. The agreement was signed last week between the city, Laurentian's Students' General Association (SGA) and francophone students' association.
   Greater Sudbury Mayor David Courtemanche, SGA president Luke Norton, Gabrielle Lemieux, president of the francophone students' association and LU president Judith Woodsworth gathered at Thursday to announce a universal pass or "U Pass" will be available for all LU students this September.
   A referendum on whether to adopt the universal pass was held during student elections in March.
   Many students have voiced their concerns about having to pay for the transit pass whether they use it or not, but SGA president, Luke Norton says he doesn't expect any more complaints now that the fee has been reduced to $135 from the original $200.
   While the pass will be a good thing for students who use the transit system, many students from Valley East and other outlying areas feel that they should not have to pay for the transit pass if they find it more convenient to use their own vehicles. Students who use their vehicles must absorb the cost of paying for the automobile, gas and maintenance, as well as a parking fee of well over $100 to park at the university.
   The real test will be to see if ridership does in fact increase as a result of the student transit pass. Critics of the plan say that all this is doing is forcing all students to subsidize those who can avail themselves of transit services, particularly those living in the former City of Sudbury where most streets have access to bus routes. Students in outlying areas such as Valley East will still find it inconvenient to use the transit system to get to Laurentian University since they often must walk long distances to catch the bus.

   Pressure is mounting from local citizens to have pesticides which are used for cosmetic purposes banned  in Greater Sudbury because the chemicals are toxic to humans and animals.
   Over 100 other communities in Canada have already implemented such a ban. Council was presented with a petition sighed by 1,600 citizens who want a bylaw prohibiting the use of pesticides on lawns, gardens, golf courses, commercial property and city property. The ban would not apply to farmers or spraying to combat public health problems like West Nile Virus. A number of high profile medical organizations are actively lobbying for pesticide bans, she says.
   Councillors, such as Terry Kett, are reluctant to pass such a by-law until there are public meetings and a staff report. It is expected that the by-law is inevitable and will likely be ready for passage by next winter.

I Have Held Many Positions In My Life, But None More Important Than…

Editorial by Robert Kirwan

Sunday, June 18 is Fathers’ Day.
  
   This has always been a special day of reflection for me, and often it has been a day when I wish I could have turned back the clock and taken more time to appreciate all that is good about being a father. To illustrate this point, I would like to share a little story that has always been one of my favourites.
  
   Two little boys were dressed and ready to go. In fact, they had been ready now for more than an hour. Excitement flooded their faces and all their talk was about only one thing: their father had promised to take them to the circus that afternoon and they were only minutes away from leaving.
  
   As planned, Dad came home from work early that day, right after lunch and quickly changed into casual clothing. Then, just as the three of them were about to leave the house, the phone rang.
  
   The boys listened intently as their father talked with the person at the other end of the line. Bit by bit, their faces began to fall. This was obviously a business call, and some urgent matter was requiring their father’s attention back at work.
  
   Disappointment rolled into the room like a dark cloud. Their mother also overheard what she thought was the inevitable change of plans, and looked consolingly at her sons. She went over and stroked their hair, hugging them closely to her sides. She knew how terribly disappointed they would be when her husband got off the phone.
  
   And then, to the surprise of everyone, they heard Dad say, “No, I won’t be coming back in today. It will just have to wait until the morning.” Hanging up the phone he called for the boys to meet him at the car as he turned to kiss his wife good-bye. She smiled and with a twinge of fear that he may have made the wrong decision, she said, “The circus keeps coming back, you know.”
  
   The father replied, “Yes, I know. But childhood doesn’t.”
  
   Sometimes it takes a long time for a father to realize this. With young children around the house, there seems to be little time for the really important things to get done. There are always chores to do or things to repair. Work responsibilities often require overtime or a change of holidays.  
  
   Nevertheless, one must never forget to look at the world through the eyes of a child. Eyes that long for those precious few moments of time spent in play with their father. It doesn’t have to be much. The five minutes it takes to look at your child’s math test; waiting for your child to find his shoes so that he can come with you to the store to pick up some milk and bread; playing catch in the backyard for five minutes; crawling into the ‘cabin’ your child made behind the couch; sitting with your child at the hockey game instead of talking to the other fathers in the corner of the rink; taking twice as long to put out the garbage because you let your child help you carry it to the road.
  
   My own children are adults now, so I have gone through the ‘father routine’ for over 31 years. In fact, I have also been into the ‘grandfather routine’ for the past two years. For all my experience, I have two pieces of advice to give to young fathers. First, don’t ever feel that spending time with your children is less important than anything else you have to do in your life. Absolutely nothing is more important than spending time, even if it is just for a few moments with your children. Secondly, never pass up an opportunity to make your children realize that you are extremely proud to be their father.
  
   I have held many positions and accepted many responsibilities in my life, but my most important role, by far, is my role as a father. I know that this responsibility will continue for the rest of my life, and for that I am extremely grateful.
  
   Have a happy Fathers’ Day!

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Chico's Bowl Hosts Junior National Bowling Championships
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First Annual Antique Outboard Motor Show Held In Valley East
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Next Valley Community Theatre Production Opens Up On May 27
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Cercle Missionnaire De La Vallee Is Making A Huge Difference In Haiti
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Graduation Parties and Prom Nights Can Be Wonderful Events In The Life Of A Young Person 
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Share Your Heart! Share Your Home! Become A Family Home Provider With CLGS
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