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.

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.

Valley East Waves Host Car Wash At The Hanmer Valley Shopping Centre on Saturday, June 3, 2006

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.

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 .

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 '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.

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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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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