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131st Year, Issue 52
December 29, 2011 | 28 Pages
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New name, goals for Grove friends JOHN CARTER john.carter@metroland.com
NEW YEAR’S QUIZ 2011 was a year of triumphs and challenges. Test your knowledge of Arnprior and area in Part one of our New Year’s Quiz. 7, 9
The organization that sprang from the group that preserved Gillies Grove has a new name and a fresh list of priorities. The newly-named Friends of Gillies Grove wants to attract more visitors to the protected old-growth forest enclave, improve the Division Street entrance, and increase public and student participation in maintaining the area. The volunteer organization is considering holding work bees and information sessions and adding signs to boost local interest in the
Grove. About 15 people gathered at the Galilee Centre Dec. 11 for the annual meeting of the Land Preservation Society of the Ottawa Valley, which had been revived last year after being dormant for several years after the Grove was saved. Most of the 10 directors elected last year are staying on, including president Brad Moore, who will serve at least one more year in that post. Joining Moore on the executive are vice-president Tara Pockett, secretary Alex Winter and treasurer Gerry White. See ‘GROVE’ Page 6
Photo by Derek Dunn
SNOW-BLOWING SAVIOUR Harold Neumann is the snow-blowing saviour of the avenues. He was on Third Avenue on Wednesday afternoon clearing another driveway as a courtesy after Mother Nature dumped about 10 centimetres of snow overnight.
Elderly homeowner’s Christmas Eve engulfed by fire DEREK DUNN derek.dunn@metroland.com
FAMILY GIFT An Arnprior couple received a special gift for Christmas - a family portrait at a very special location. 26
It was a Christmas Eve one Riverwood Estates woman will remember for all the wrong reasons. A mini-fridge sparked a fire that climbed the basement walls at 50 Melville St., at the corner of Moe Robillard, at about noon on Dec. 24. Smoke was seeping through the kitchen registers and sockets by the time elderly homeowner, Rose Costello, could phone emergency services.
Meanwhile, Coun. Lyle Anderson was across the street working in his garage when Arnprior’s volunteer firefighters landed in his driveway to hook up to the hydrant. Council contributes to fire equipment and other costs through the town’s budget, often considered an abstract exercise. Anderson didn’t expect to get a hands-on lesson in how the money is used. The councillor was given a mask and he walked through the remains after crews isolated and contained the fire. He said there was much effort involved in
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tracking down another owner at the side-byside triplex. That’s why he recommends folks let someone nearby know if they are leaving town. An extra set of keys could prevent emergency crews from busting down a front door to check for spreading fire. Anderson recognized Peter Boyce and Brian Jahn at the scene; both were commemorated for their upcoming retirements at a council meeting four days beforehand. See ‘NEW FULL-TIME’ Page 3