TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2006 EDITION |
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It’s
Time To Bring Out The Bats & Gloves And “Play Ball” |
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Doug Rollins, President of the Valley East Mens’
Slo Pitch League, takes a breather after running the bases
during the opening game of the 2006 season. With sixteen (16)
teams in action every Tuesday and Thursday night from now
until the end of September, Doug and his executive are ready
for anything! Doug plays on the Hanmer Home Hardware club this
season.
There are several new rule changes being adopted this
year, but one of the ones that will be watched carefully is
the ‘home run rule’. For the first time the league has
adopted the “match plus one” home run limit. This rule
will help keep the games a bit closer during the first half of
the season when all teams play each other. Some games in the
past were absolute blow-outs with stronger teams running up
the score against weaker opponents because of their home-run
hitters. This year, you will only be allowed to hit “one
more” home run than your competition. Previously, you were
limited to one home run per inning per team. Weaker teams
often had difficulty hitting that single home run, while
stronger teams hit one every inning. With the new rule, if
your opponent doesn’t hit any home runs, you will only be
able to hit one all game.
On the other hand, when you have two very strong teams
facing each other, instead of being allowed to hit a maximum
of 14 home runs in the game, it will be theoretically possible
to accumulate a total of 27 home runs between the two clubs,
thus creating a slug-fest the likes of which have never been
seen in Valley East.
Local residents are always welcome to drop in and watch
some of the action every Tuesday and Thursday evening,
beginning at
6:30 p.m.
Each evening there is a triple header on the two Centennial
Fields behind Centennial Arena as well as a double header at
the
Lions
Park
beside the Valley East Lion’s Den.
The Ladies’ League is in action on the same fields
every Monday and Wednesday. Make sure you drop in for some
great action and enjoy the summer with your friends and
neighbours.
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VISIT OUR
MUNICIPAL
ELECTION
SECTION
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VISIT OUR
BUSINESS
SECTION
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VISIT THE
VALLEY
EAST
TODAY
COMMUNITY
WEB SITE
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FOR ALL PAST ISSUES
OF THE VALLEY EAST TODAY WEEKLY ONLINE NEWS MAGAZINE
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Kin Club of
Valley East Still Optimistic About Their Mission Despite Break In
During Victoria Weekend Holiday |
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Manon and Scott Bolger stand
inside the steel container at the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre, looking
over some of the fireworks on sale by the Kin Club of Valley East during
the Victoria Day Weekend. The club also sells fireworks for the Canada Day
celebrations. Funds generated are then distributed by the Kin Club to
local Food Banks and several other organizations in need of financial
support. The Kin Club operates out of the playground building in
Blezard
Valley
where it is open Monday to Wednesday from
6:30
to
8:30
during the summer months to provide
refreshments to the minor baseball players. The club house is also open
whenever weekend tournaments are held at the fields.
Bob and Mary-Lou Bolger,
have been involved in a variety of leadership positions with the local
group for over 20 years. “Serving the community’s greatest needs”
has been the motto for the Kin Club of Valley East, which has been quietly
working to improve the quality of life for so many residents for so many
years.
Besides being one of
the most successful years every held with respect to sales of fireworks
for the Victoria Day holiday, this was also one of the most disappointing
for members of the Kin Club – disappointing because some unknown people,
for some unknown reason chose to interfere with their efforts.
Early Morning Break-In
Sometime between
12:30 a.m.
and
5:30 a.m.
on the morning of
Monday, May 22, 2006
, someone cut the lock on the storage container
and made off with a significant amount of fireworks which still remained
inside. The culprits may have thought this was some kind of childish
prank, but in reality their thoughtless action will result in some small
children doing without extra food or clothing this year. The cost of the
stolen supplies had to be paid for out of other sales and thus reduced the
total amount of money available to be donated to those in need.
Perhaps, however, this
is the wake-up call to residents of
Valley East
and Capreol need to be pro-active when they
see groups of young people roaming the streets in the early hours of the
morning. Perhaps they will now
call the police first and let them know about the situation so that the
authorities can intervene. Perhaps, too, it will be a wake up call to
parents who allow their teenage and even pre-teenage sons and daughters to
stay out until all hours of the night, just asking for trouble.
Our young people need
discipline and direction. They also need to know that there will be
serious consequences for breaking the law. There is absolutely no need to
“take it easy” on a 12 or 13 year old boy or girl who is caught doing
something illegal. These teenagers know full well the difference between
right and wrong. They also count on the fact that most adults in the court
system will take pity on them and show mercy, thus teaching them that it
is all right to break the law.
When the people who broke into the container and stole the
fireworks from the Kin Club of Valley East are finally caught, there
should be no mercy, regardless of their age. They should be forced to sit
at a food bank for weeks on end, witnessing the distressed looks on the
faces of young children who have to go hungry because some young punks
thought it would be funny to steal fireworks.
If you are looking at
purchasing fireworks for the July 1 holiday, give some thought to
supporting the Kin Club of Valley East. The fireworks are less expensive
than you will find most other places and all of the profits go directly
back into the community.
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VALLEY EAST MENS' SLO PITCH
Each week during the 2006 season, Brian Beaupre will be providing us
with up-to-date standings from the Valley East Mens' Slo Pitch
League. You will be able to open up the standings in a WORD DOCUMENT
and save them to your own computer if you wish. We appreciate
Brian's efforts in providing us with this important service.
CLICK
HERE FOR THE STANDINGS AS OF MAY 28, 2006 |
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Ontario Metis
Aboriginal Association Conducts Free Blood Glucose
Screening Clinic |
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Dean Giroux
(Diabetes Prevention Worker), Susan Cole (Community
Wellness Worker), and Sharon Fox (Healthy Babies -
Healthy Children) are shown during a special Blood
Glucose Screening Clinic which was held at the Hanmer
Valley Shopping Centre on May 26, 2006. The clinic is
part of the public outreach program of the Ontario Metis
Aboriginal Association. They were in the mall all
morning doing screening for shoppers and answering
specific questions about general health care. |
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Healthy Babies -
Health Children
By Helping Young Mothers Before & After Birth |
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Sharon Fox is a health care professional
with the Ontario Metis Aboriginal Association. She is
responsible for making pre- and post-natal visits to
aboriginal women and for promoting healthy choices that
will lead to healthy babies and children.
"I provide help to young mothers and expectant
mothers on anything that a baby might need," Sharon
explained. "We can provide some materials, but we
mostly try to increase awareness about choices that will
lead to much healthier babies. I talk a lot about Fetal
Alcohol Syndrome and make sure that expectant mothers
know the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant. We
also get into parenting techniques and the effects of
smoking."
Sharon has been in the health care business for over
13 years, dealing with everyone from babies to seniors,
but she is definitely enjoying the work she is doing
right now. If you are interested in speaking to Sharon,
you can call her at (705) 692-4251 |
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9th ANNUAL
WALK-AND-WHEEL
FOR DYSTONIA SUPPORT GROUP
Sunday, June 11, 2006 at 9:30 a.m.
Howard Armstrong Recreation Centre
For Information Call
Mary Guy at 524-0606 |
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CAROLINE PROVIDES
INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGES THAT UNITE AND EMPOWER ALL
TO BETTER LOVE THEMSELVES SO THAT THEY IN TURN CAN
BETTER LOVE AND SERVE THE REST OF HUMANITY
See
what Caroline has to say this week>>>> |
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Young
Friends Take Part In Relay For Life Project To Stay Together
During Post-Secondary Years
Julie Demore, on the left, and her friend, Kristine
Lescault, are part of a group of eleven young ladies who
attend post-secondary institutions in the Greater Sudbury
Area. Julie is finishing her 2nd year in the Massage Therapy
program at Collage Boreal, while Kristine is in her 2nd year
of a Double-Minor program in French and English.
The girls, along with their friends, sponsored a
fund-raising penny table and bake table sale at the Hanmer
Valley Shopping Centre during the last weekend of May to raise
some money in support of the Relay For Life Event which is
held at Laurentian University on June 2, 2006.
The Relay For Life is a 'relay' event which runs for twelve
hours straight from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., raising money for Cancer
Research.
"Our friend, Stephanie Hebert, who is the Captain of
the team, took part in this last year and she asked us to form
a team this year," Kristine explained. "We've all
been touched by cancer in some way, so we thought it would be
a good idea and would help us keep in contact with each other
during the school year."
Each girl in the group was responsible for raising $100 on
their own, and they decided to run a penny table & bake
table sale to add to the total. Their team goal was $4000.
Other members of the group include:
Krista Regaudie; Maggie Frampton; Christine Lebeau; Natalie
Rochon; Melanie Roussy; Josee Valiquette; Kathryn Cossar and Elyse
Gervais.
The girls were grateful for the support they received over
the weekend from all shoppers and expressed their appreciation
to Sole Mates Family Footwear and to Bradley Pharmacy for
their corporate support. |
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Valley East Waves Host Car
Wash At The Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre on Saturday, June 3,
2006 |
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Community Groups & Organizations;
Churches; Schools - Are All Are Invited To Use Mall Facilities Free Of
Charge To Raise Money and Promote Their Activities
The
Valley East Waves are just one of the many groups and organizations that
take advantage of an open invitation by the Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre
to use its facilities to promote their activities and raise money through
fund raisers such as car washes, penny tables, raffle sales and bake
tables. There is absolutely no charge for the use of the facilities and
the mall even provides tables, chairs and other material to help the
groups. The owners of the mall, Val and Violet Mazzuca, have been strong
supporters of Valley East and Capreol and will bend over backwards to help
out in any way they can. Here you see Lori Leclair of the Valley East
Waves supervising a car wash last summer. They will be doing the first car
wash of the season at the mall on Saturday, June 3, 2006. |
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Windows In Time
Section Of Valley East Today Community Web Site Brings Back
Fond Memories
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Mr. Bernard Raymond was born in Metcalf Ontario and joined the air force
at the age of 18 and was stationed on different bases until he reached
the Radar Base in Hanmer, this is how he met Leonne Proulx who was
born and raised in Hanmer.
Mr. Raymond then left the Air Force and wed Leonne and got hired with
Inco.
A few years later he left Inco and became and Iron Worker were he
worked for many years until he became ill, and retired at an early
age.
Leonne Proulx Raymond started working at a very young age, she would
help her mother Florestine teach school. She graduated High School at a
very young age and went on to Business College.
After college she worked for the Bank of Montreal and Toronto
Dominion Bank then she was hired as the first bank teller for the Royal
Bank in the Hanmer Mall. She worked there for over twenty years and was
very well respected by her customers. She was forced to take an early
retirement due to illness.
Leonne Proulx Raymond died of cancer on June 16, 1984 at the young
age of 49, and Bernard Raymond died of a heart attack on March 29, 1987
also at the young age of 48.
They have two children Monique Raymond Grenon ( husband Daniel) of
Hanmer and Carole Raymond Nadeau ( husband Carl) of Val Caron. Carole
has followed in her mothers footsteps and has been working for the Royal
Bank for twenty years.
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Other special photos are included in the Windows In Time
section of the community web site can be found by going
to the following link:
Windows In Time is sponsored in part by Ron Gladu Photos
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Province Wide Clean Air
Bylaw Takes Effect
May 31, 2006
The Ontario
Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson is touring the
province
of
Ontario
promoting the province wide clean-air bylaw, which takes
effect at
midnight
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
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Smoking will be banned from all public places, including
outdoor patios with roofs.
In addition,
before selling cigarettes to anyone who looks 25 and younger,
store owners must ask for proof that buyers are at least 18
years old.
The public seems to have accepted the idea of a smoking ban
from public places, while there is a small minority that is
still fighting the idea. It appears to be a losing cause. Even
homeowners can be found standing outside their house smoking
as spouses agree that second-hand smoke is bad for children.
Fear
of Home Invasions Making Local Residents More Aware of
Security Systems
With the
summer months upon us, we are hearing of a number of
frightening home invasions. Recently two men tried to forcibly
enter a
Valley East
home with shotguns. The homeowner was able to push them out
the door and call police.
About 20% of
all homes are now equipped with security detection systems,
but security companies indicate that many people do not turn
them on during the night while they are asleep.
Police warn
residents that if they do confront a home-invader, the best
thing to do is simply comply with their wishes. Do not try to
fight them.
The cost of
home alarm systems range from $400 to $3000.
Financial
Incentives For Athletes Now Available At Ontario Universities
Starting with
the 2007-08 academic year, athletic financial awards will be
available for Ontario University Athletics student-athletes.
This is great news for Universities who have been
competing with American schools for top athletes seeking
scholarships.
The award is eligible to those student-athletes entering with
an average of 80 per cent or better.
Under the current system,
Ontario
universities can only offer returning student-athletes with a
70 per cent average a combination of scholarships and
bursaries worth as much as $3,500 a year, but are unable to
offer entering first-year athletes any sort of incentive.
Now, first-year students, too, can receive up to $3,500
annually.
For students
attending Laurentian University, this means that a
student-athlete who qualifies will receive a total of $5000
towards his/her studies. Laurentian already automatically
offers students entering with an 80 percent average a $1500
scholarship.
This is good
news for local student-athletes who can now live at home while
developing their skills in their favourite sport at the
University level. It means that many will be able to
concentrate on academics and sports without the need to work
part-time.
Plan to Combat Childhood Obesity Raises
Issue of Lack of Adequate Recreation Facilities In City
A plan to combat childhood obesity, proposed by the Mayor
and Council’s Children First Roundtable was approved
recently by the city’s priorities committee.
The
Sudbury
and District Obesity Action Plan outlines ways to work with
school boards, Ministry of Education, province, city,
employers and parents to encourage exercise and good
nutrition.
However, many local residents are stating that if the City
had better playground facilities throughout the region, this
would be a far better way of fighting obesity than wasting
time on a report. |
Greater
Sudbury
Official Plan Approved By City Council With Minor
Changes
Greater
Sudbury
's Official Plan will establish goals, objectives and policies
that will direct land use decisions at city hall for the next
20 years. The plan was approved at a special meeting of the
planning committee on Monday, May 15, 2006 and City Council
approved the submission of the plan with a couple of minor
changes to the agricultural land use section.
Ward 3 Councillor Andre Rivest wanted to upgrade the
Barrydowne Extension from long-term to short-term, but Council
rejected his request, claiming that Council could change the
designations at any time if they felt demand warranted it.
The plan must now go to the province for approval and/or
amendments. |
City
Reminds Residents of Swimming Pool By-Law
In
a news release from the Department of Infrastructure &
Emergency Services, Greater Sudbury Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) reminds residents that backyard swimming pools,
including inflatable models, pose a safety hazard that could
lead to tragedy. It is a City of
Greater
Sudbury
bylaw
that privately owned outdoor swimming pools with a capacity of
more than 24 inches (61 cm) of water must be enclosed to
render the pool area inaccessible to small children, whether
or not a fence already exists.
"Drowning
is the second leading cause of accidental death in children
under five," said Joseph Nicholls, Chief of Emergency
Medical Services. "Never leave your children alone in or
near a pool, even for a moment. Make sure your pool is
surrounded by a proper enclosure. Most accidents occur when
young children wander out of the house and fall into a pool.
An ounce of prevention can prevent a lifetime of sorrow."
Privately
owned outdoor swimming pools capable of holding more than 24
inches (61 cm) of water cannot be filled unless a Pool
Enclosure Permit has been approved and issued by the City of
Greater
Sudbury
.
Swimming pool gates and enclosures, including decks, must
follow specifications contained in the municipal bylaw and the
Ontario Building Code. For more information, please call
671-CITY (2489) or visit www.greatersudbury.ca. |
Community
Solutions Schedule Announced
Residents from across Greater Sudbury are being called
upon to participate in the Community Solutions Team public
input sessions.
The Greater Sudbury City Council established a Community
Solutions Team to engage citizens on issues raised by
residents and businesses in the city's outlying areas.
The seven-member team of volunteers– headed up by
former Nickel Belt MPP, Ontario Minister of Finance and Deputy
Premier Floyd Laughren– will launch a series of public
meetings in 20 communities across the city in an effort to
clarify the issues and identify potential solutions.
Meetings will be held at the Capreol Arena on June 8 at 7
p.m.; at the Centennial Arena on June 11 at 7 p.m.; at the Ray
Plourde Arena on June 19 at 7 p.m.; and at the Rheal Belisle
Centre in Blezard Valley on June 29 at 5 p.m. |
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"DELIVERANCE
AT HAND!"
District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses
The "Deliverance At Hand!"
Conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses will be held
across the world during 2006 - 2007. All sessions
are open to the public and there are never any
fees or collections taken. The Northern Ontario
congregations have invited everyone to attend the
three-day convention which will be held at the
Sudbury Arena from June 9 to June 11, 2006. This
is one of 36 such conventions to be held across
Canada and expect a record number to be in
attendance in Sudbury. For more information,
contact Harry Nelson at (705) 673-8685. |
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Death
Is Not The Enemy of Life, But It’s Friend…
Editorial
by Robert Kirwan
When
my Father-in-law, Ignace Starcevic, passed away in 1982,
my wife asked me to come up with something nice to have
engraved on his tombstone. I was only 32 at the
time and we were in the process of raising three young
sons, aged 3, 5 and 7.
It was a hectic time of our lives and we were
typical parents – running ourselves ragged as we
encountered all of the normal experiences and challenges
faced by all other young parents.
Last
fall, when my Mother-in-law, Helen Starcevic, died, we
found ourselves in a completely different set of
circumstances. The other day, as I was making
arrangements with Ellero to have the tombstone engraved
with the date of her death, I took a long look at the
inscription I had selected 24 years ago and it seemed as
if time had stood still. I paused to ask myself where
those 24 years had gone, and moreover, what had changed
in my life?
My
wife and I are still living a hectic life; probably more
hectic and busy than we’ve ever been. True; our once
young sons are now 27, 29 and 31, each with lives of
their own to live. My oldest is almost the same age as I
was at the time of the death of his grandfather. As I
look at him and his wife, I see myself 24 years ago.
They are typical parents – running themselves ragged
as they encounter the change of life that comes from
having two young daughters, one aged 3 months and the
other turning 2 years old this summer. I remember when I
was my son’s age and remembered how I thought of
myself as young, energetic and still with a full life
ahead of me. I could handle the world and anything that
came along. I was invincible, and yet I was also a bit
frightened about what the future would hold.
I
recall that when choosing the inscription for my
Father-in-law’s tombstone, even back then it struck me
as a very profound statement. And yet, with the passing
of time I realize that I am only now beginning to
appreciate and understand the significance of its
meaning. As a 32 year old, it was impossible to fully
comprehend its message.
The
inscription I selected is: DEATH IS NOT THE ENEMY OF
LIFE, BUT ITS FRIEND. FOR IT IS THE KNOWLEDGE THAT OUR
YEARS ARE LIMITED WHICH MAKES THEM SO PRECIOUS.
My wife and I look at our situation today and
other than the fact that we have aged a bit, nothing
much has changed. Our life is still hectic. We spend
every possible moment we can with our two
granddaughters. It seems as if we are always going
somewhere or doing something, and we seldom have time to
simply put up our feet and rest. And yet, even though I
am just as “busy” as ever and still trying to “get
it all in”, I feel much more relaxed than I was 24
years ago. I think it is because for the past 24 years I
was simply “accumulating”
experiences in an effort to define who I was and while I
was doing that I was too focused on the responsibilities
of being a husband and father to take time to appreciate
those experiences.
Now,
while I think I am in many ways doing much more with my
life than I ever have, I don’t feel as rushed or
pressured. When my granddaughter wants me to sit down
with her to read a book, I stop what I am doing and get
down on the floor with her. All of a sudden, deadlines,
dinner, cutting the grass, and appointments don’t seem
quite as important as they once were. And yet, when I
eat dinner, cut the grass, meet with people, write these
editorials – indeed, when I do anything now, I enjoy
the experience much more than ever before. I have
discovered that “taking time to smell the roses”
doesn’t mean that you have to “slow down” or
“miss out on anything”, it just means that you have
learned that you can actually “enjoy what you are
doing” and still get the most out of your many
experiences.
The
biggest difference from 24 years ago – I know that my
years are limited. I know that I am not invincible. And
I do feel that each and every day is a wonderful,
precious gift. If only I had realized that 24 years ago.
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ROBERT KIRWAN'S
FOOD FOR THOUGHT |
For a
complete selection of stories and editorials that will
help you to reflect upon life's priorities, inspiring
you to take on the daily challenges you face very day... |
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Announcement of First Annual
Lions Club of Valley East Charity Days Receiving Great
Response From Local Residents
"Keeping The Spirit Alive" in Valley East is one
of the definite outcomes that this town can use when the Lions of Valley
East host their First Annual Charity Days on September 8 and 9. For
More>>>>
CO-OP
EDUCATION PROGRAM AT BISHOP ALEXANDER CARTER CATHOLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL
PROVIDES VALUABLE REAL-LIFE EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS
The Co-op Education Program is one of the best things that
ever happened to the Ontario Education System. Students who enrol in the
program have an opportunity to work for half a day in a real-life business
setting while earning two credits towards their secondary school diploma. More importantly, these students get practical, hands-on experience
which will help them decide on an appropriate career choice. For
More>>>>
Special
Olympics Bowling League Celebrates With Annual Banquet
At Lions' Den
For the past 22 years, a group of Physically and
Emotionally Challenged individuals have enjoyed
participating in a Tuesday Night bowling league. Their
story touches the heart of every local resident. For
More>>>>
CLUB
OPTIMISTE DE LA VALLEE Holds Annual Bike Rodeo
The CLUB OPTIMISTE DE LA VALLEE held its annual bike
rodeo on Saturday, May 13 at Neil's Independent Grocers.
This is not only a popular event for the children, it is
something that may save their life. For
More>>>>
M&M
MEAT SHOPS Hosts 18th Annual Charity BBQ Day For Crohn's
& Colitis
The largest crowd ever turned out for the 18th Annual
M&M MEAT SHOPS Annual Charity BBQ Day in Val Caron. For
More>>>>
Chico's
Bowl Hosts Junior National Bowling Championships
Junior bowlers range in age from 11 to 13. The Nationals
brought teams from British Columbia, Alberta,
Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland, Southern
Ontario and Northern Ontario to Chico's Bowl. For
More>>>>
First
Annual Antique Outboard Motor Show Held In Valley East
Al Lockhart belongs to the Antique Outboard Motor Club
Inc., which has more than 2600 members worldwide. He is
also a member of the 250 strong Maple Leaf Chapter out
of Toronto, which is a division of the AOMCI. He and the
other six members who live in the Greater Sudbury Area
all have a passion for collecting vintage outboards of
all makes. For
More>>>>
Next
Valley Community Theatre Production Opens Up On May 27
It's called, 'Intimate & Interactive". The show
will be held on Friday, May 26, 2006 and Saturday, May
27, 2006. Both shows will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will be
held at the Howard Armstrong Recreation Centre on
Elmview Drive. Tickets are only $10 each and light
refreshments will be served. For
More>>>>
Cercle
Missionnaire De La Vallee Is Making A Huge Difference In
Haiti
Georgette Bergeron and her 160 volunteers ship out about
120 tons of food and supplies every year to Haiti. Their
entire operation depends on donations and support from
local residents. They operate out of the old Public
Works Building on Desmarais Road. For
More>>>>
Graduation
Parties and Prom Nights Can Be Wonderful Events In The
Life Of A Young Person
The Sudbury District Health Unit Grad Turkey Program is
aimed at helping protect young people from terrible
mistakes on Graduation Night. For
More>>>>
Share
Your Heart! Share Your Home! Become A Family Home
Provider With CLGS
There are many individuals with a developmental
challenge capable of thriving in a home setting. There
are also many sensitive and caring families, couples and
individuals within our community who would happily
welcome the opportunity to share their hearts and their
homes. For
More>>>>
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A Full-Size Online Living
History Book About The Community of Valley East
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For The Political
Section
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For The Business
Section
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For The full Valley
East Community Web Site go to www.valleyeasttoday.ca |
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