The Journal - Thursday, October 22nd 2020 by Your Local Journal

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VOL. 20 NO. 33

HUDSON, ST. LAZARE // VAUDREUIL-DORION, RIGAUD, PINCOURT, ÎLE-PERROT, N.D.I.P. & SAINTE-ANNE-DE-BELLEVUE

Keeping the spirit alive Despite the many COVID-19 restrictions placed on Halloween activities this year several towns in the re-

gion are encouraging their residents to decorate their homes, like the one pictured above in Notre-Dame-de-

l’Île-Perrot, in a friendly competition to welcome in the perennial favourite celebration. (See story on page 7).

“The farther we’ve gotten from the magic and mystery of our past, the more we’ve come to need Halloween.” – Paula Guran

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Inside Possible referendum for Vaudreuil-Dorion mosque

Pincourt’s preservation pledge

Safe trick-or-treating tips

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THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

CENTRIS # 19142106 - SAINT-LAZARE. Commercial land on Cote St-Charles in St-Lazare.

Vaudreuil-Dorion waiting to hear from Muslim group about plans for mosque John Jantak

Project could be scrapped “This means that people have asked us to go ahead with a referendum,” Pilon The City of Vaudreuil-Dorion is awaittold The Journal. “We have two weeks to ing word from the promoter and repredecide whether we will go ahead with it sentatives from the Islamic Cultural Cenor not. We will decide at the next countre as to whether they want to proceed cil meeting on Nowith their intenvember 2 whether I’m always surprised we will proceed tion to relocate to a larger building or when there are a couple with the referenwhether they will dum.” of citizens who can comscrap their plans The hiatus is to altogether. pletely break a project allow the develTheir decisions of the project that seems to be okay for oper are needed for the and the Islamic the neighbourhood, but Cultural Centre city to determine whether it will that’s part of the demo- members the opproceed with the portunity to decratic process. motions to hold an termine whether upcoming referenthey want to carry - Vaudreuil-Dorion Mayor Guy Pilon dum that will deon with the projcide the fate of the ect under the curproposed new mosque that is planned rent conditions. for the site of the former Sunny’s Bar If the parties involved in the project and Grill at 2400 Rue Saint-Antoine at decide not to proceed with the project the corner of Rue Chicoine. before the next council meeting, it will Mayor Guy Pilon said enough sigbe scrapped and a referendum will not natures were collected in the registry be held. If they decide to forge on, the against the project to proceed with a date for the referendum will be set. referendum. A minimum 59 signatures Possible referendum were needed but 157 people signed the “If the people who are involved in registry. this project – the promoter and the The Journal

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Vaudreuil-Dorion will decide at its next council meeting on November 2 whether it will hold a referendum to determine if the Islamic Cultural Centre on Harwood Blvd will be able to move from its current facility to a new location at 2400 Rue Saint-Antoine or whether they will abandon their plans to relocate.

Muslim community – decide not to go ahead, we will stop it now. If for any reason they decide to go right to the end and have a referendum, we will have the referendum just like we had for other projects. They have to make a decision, one way or the other,” Pilon added. The mayor said there were two or three people who were instrumental in persuading area residents living near the

proposed new Islamic Cultural Centre to sign the registry opposing the project. “I’m always surprised when there are a couple of citizens who can completely break a project that seems to be okay for a neighbourhood, but that’s part of the democratic process,” said Pilon. Continued on page 6

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THE JOURNAL

EDITOR’S CORNER

Photo of the week

Voter beware Fifty-nine signatures were needed to halt a proposed project that would transform a former restaurant, in a sparsely populated area, into a Community Centre/Mosque for the area Muslim community in VaudreuilDorion. A total of 157 were gathered, more than double. What does that say about the area residents? The last available report of crime statistics and police activity for Vaudreuil-Soulanges detail a number of commonly reported incidents in the region and indications on whether they’re on the rise or decreasing. While there was an increase in automotive collisions, serious injuries were down. There was an increase in tickets issued for municipal by-law traffic infractions including illegal U-turns, drag racing, and screeching tires with 1659 reports this year as opposed to 1127 in the last corresponding report. Assault, including sexual assault, cases were up due to widespread sensitization campaigns educating victims on what legally constitutes abuse. There were decreases in reported arsons and break and enters, consistent numbers in fraud, and increases in property and car thefts. All pretty run-of-the-mill stuff. What’s completely absent from the annual report is any mention of crimes perpetrated by marauding groups of Muslims. If preventing a house of worship from being constructed in a largely industrial area is first and foremost in people’s minds to force the matter to a town-wide referendum, it paints a sad portrait of intolerance in a town whose administration has worked extremely diligently on becoming a welcome place for a diverse population and has won international awards for its ‘Je Suis’ program based on cultural inclusion. If a referendum is successful in blocking the project, and the building instead becomes the source of complaints and contributions to future annual police reports, we can only hope the voters will be satisfied with their choice.

The Journal PUBLISHER: EDITOR: JOURNALIST: STAFF WRITER: COLUMNISTS:

GENERAL MANAGER: ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: SALES COORDINATOR: ADVERTISING CONSULTANT: CONTRIBUTORS:

DELIVERY TEAM:

MONIQUE BISSONNETTE CARMEN MARIE FABIO JOHN JANTAK NICK ZACHARIAS BRIAN GALLAGHER KELLY MIYAMOTO MATT MILLER LAUREN MITCHELL SABREENA MOHAMED KAREN SIMMONS LUCIE BRODEUR JULES-PIERRE MALARTRE TERRY O’SHAUGHNESSY CJ MAXWELL BETH SHILLIBEER KYLE SHILLIBEER

THE JOURNAL SUPPORTS YOUR COMMUNITY AND IS LOCALLY PRODUCED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY YOUR NEIGHBOURS.

PHOTO BY DINO PACIFICI

Pincourt resident Dino Pacifici captured this long-exposure of an old wooden lock system of the Soulanges Canal in Pointe-des- Cascades. We’re switching up our Photo of the Week contest this year. Photos will not be limited to the Vaudreuil-Soulanges region and we will be offering three prizes at the end of the year - $200 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. Interested? Send your entries to editor@yourlocaljournal.ca. We will showcase all submissions on our website at www.yourlocaljournal.ca/photo-of-the-week.

Dear Editor: editor@yourlocaljournal.ca Happy with paving on Main Road Dear Editor, This afternoon we watched the paving of Main Road in front of our property. I found it very exciting to see the skill and efficiency with which these workers from Asphalte Meloche Sintra applied the new strips. Fascinating how each one maneuvered his machine or steamroller making sure the surface was smooth right to the edge. With this kind of work, the road should last for years! Un gros merci! What a relief to see some progress on the main road through our lovely town after so much patching here and there! Sincerely, Gay Campbell Hudson Paying tribute despite COVID-19 Dear Editor, As there will be no Remembrance Day ceremony this year, it would be nice of your paper to ask people to stand outside their doors at 11 a.m. in silence for two minutes on November 11 this year. Thanks, from the daughter of a World War II veteran. Lynda Trenholme Hudson Great editorial Dear Editor, Thanks for those encouraging words in your editorial of October 15, 2020 concerning the Rousseau Woods in Pincourt. We truly appreciate them, particularly in these times when our voices seem to be silenced. Today I contacted our MNA Marie-Claude Nichols to ask what can be done for us to gain access to our town council meetings since they are closed and the council is passing bylaws with no feedback from residents. Nichols’ assistant replied with a link to the

COVID-19 website about handwashing and the link to the City of Pincourt. So democracy really does die in darkness. Let’s pray our forest doesn’t get bulldozed. Thanks for your continued support. It is truly appreciated. Regards, Shelagh McNally Pincourt Thanks for the editorial Dear Editor, In the last two paragraphs of your editorial titled ‘In everyone’s backyard’ (The Journal, October 15), you really nailed exactly what we are trying to do – to make every citizen in every little city aware that they too can save the little forests in their backyards. I hope everyone read last week’s The Journal. I’m sending the link to everyone I know. Carole Reed Pincourt APPELE-Québec is a con job Dear Editor, The Journal’s logo is ‘Democratically serving the public interest.’ As a candidate for LBPSB chair, I would also like to serve the ‘public interest’ by responding to the October 15 letter of Geoffrey Kelley - Chair of APPELE-Québec. He wrote that I accused him of ‘hypocrisy.’ That’s true. I wrote that in my October 8 letter but now, following his letter, allow me to add ‘disingenuous.’ Consider his comments on Bill 86 (2016) and the hearings on Bill 40 at the Court of Appeal (2020). Mr. Kelley wrote, “Mr. Eustace is not a fan of school boards,” and neither was the Liberal party (Bill 86) nor the CAQ with its present Bill 40. Continued on page 7

3100 Route Harwood, Suite 201, Vaudreuil-Dorion (QC) J7V 8P2

Tel: (450) 510-4007 • Fax: (450) 455-9769

email: admin@yourlocaljournal.ca / editor@yourlocaljournal.ca www.yourlocaljournal.ca

TheJournalYLJ 4

THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

The Journal - Democratically serving the public interest.

THE JOURNAL FILE PHOTO/CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Pincourt residents have until November 9 to submit their feedback to the town on the decision to purchase the plot of forested land that Mayor Yvan Cardinal says he and council want to preserve.

Mayor Cardinal says Pincourt committed to saving Rousseau Forest John Jantak

The Journal

Pincourt Mayor Yvan Cardinal said the city is adamant in its desire to save Rousseau Forest. His comment comes after the city extended the voting period for its public consultation process which gives all property owners throughout the city who oppose the

Sms C D ra prog

initiative more time learn about the issue. “We made a decision to send the letter directly to all the citizens of Pincourt so that we can get feedback from those who are against it,” Cardinal told The Journal during a telephone interview on October 21. “This will make our intentions clear for everyone. The city wants to protect the Rousseau

Woodlands.” November 9 deadline “If citizens do not agree with our proposal, we’re asking them to send in the form to the city. This way it gives everyone the opportunity to voice their opinions,” said Cardinal. The extension comes right after the initial deadline for the first public consultation process expired just before

midnight on Tuesday night. The new extension gives people who oppose the city’s plans but haven’t responded to their request until November 9 to send in their submissions. More information about the loan by-law is available on the city website at: villepincourt.qc.ca/en/citizen-s-services/environment/project-rousseauwoodland Loan-by law tax distribution The $4.3 million loan by-law means that property owners who live on the streets directly behind the forest in Pool 1 will have to pay a special tax of $283.10 annually. The tax share rate for property owners in Pool 2 directly across the street from the forest will be $215.10 annually. All Pincourt property owners, including property owners in Pools 1 and 2, will have to pay an additional $36.61 annually to preserve the woodlands. The terms of the loan by-law, which was adopted at the October 9 council meeting, will have property owners paying the additional tax for the forest’s preservation over the next 30 years. Referendum possible Cardinal dismissed concerns voiced by some citizens over the past two weeks that the consultation process and new two-week extension is being disguised as an unofficial referendum that would allow the city to rescind its plans to purchase the forest. Continued on page 7

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THE JOURNAL

THE SOAPBOX CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Behind the counter At the risk of sounding like one of those elderly folks who begin each story with, “Back in my day…” and proceed to tell how we walked miles to school in the rain or snow, uphill, both ways, etc., I don’t recall my seasonal allergies ever being so bad. And it’s not that I’m sneezing and blowing my nose incessantly (although that’s still happening to a degree) it’s that the inside of the right side of my head seems to be filling up with some kind of fluid, causing pain and pressure and intense itching in my right ear. I’m sorry for sharing that… Even my dogs come in from their time outside chewing at their paws and, in the case of my Doberman/Shepherd mix, running his face along the edge of the couch or bed to scratch the sides of his nose. I don’t recall allergies existing when I was a kid. We all had pets. We all ate peanut butter. We all played outside in the fields before everything developed into a nondescript suburban sprawl. We got dirty, we ate over at the neighbour’s house (whatever was put in front of us) and if we were stung by a bee or wasp, we yelled, cried, and got on with it. Somewhere around my second year of university, things changed. In hindsight, I lay blame on an old-school photography class in which we developed our own film and made prints on photographic paper using chemicals that were known ‘sensitizers.’ I should have been tipped off by the 27-year-old instructor with snow-white hair who looked like he was about 82. But I’ll never know for sure if that was the culprit. I started having reactions to foods I had previously eaten without any problem to the point where my mouth, tongue, and lips would swell up and the inside of my cheeks would itch like mad. My boyfriend also started having weird reactions to foods and even seemingly airborne allergens left him looking like he had a fat lip. By the time our Black Labrador started suffering as well, we had already terminated our lease and moved, hoping it would alleviate the problem. It didn’t. Some years are better than others but this fall, for whatever reason, has been particularly problematic. Finally turning to ‘The Google,’ it recommended I try an antihistamine with a decongestant factor. Fine. Only I couldn’t locate it on my local pharmacy shelves. Approaching the pharmacist I discovered it as a ‘Behind the counter’ medication. And while my first thought (and eye-roll) was accompanied by the thought that, “We can’t have society running around decongesting themselves,” I’ve since found out that it contains pseudoephedrine which can be used in the manufacture of methamphetamines. Although at the price I paid, I strongly suspect making methamphetamines would not be the wisest or most cost-effective use of these pills. Add this to the list of seemingly benign drugs that only humans would be capable of abusing – like iron pills which can be toxic in large quantities, strong lice shampoos, Tylenol with codeine and, for some reason, antibiotic eye and ear drops. “Got product? Polysporin? C’mon man, help a sister out.” I can’t quite picture it. At this writing my head still feels like an axe has cleaved my corpus callosum but thanks to a pleasant pharmacist’s advice, the itch and pressure are subsiding somewhat. I am very much looking forward to the first frost.

THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Letters

Continued from page 4 The former voted in by 1.7 million voters, the latter 1.5 million - and I supported both of them. Let’s review. Bill 86: Former Premier Philippe Couillard was very clear, at the time, when he said, “The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) has neither the political support nor the legal legitimacy to represent the English-speaking citizens of Quebec.”(Le Devoir, Sept 16, 2015, «Les commissions c’est bel et bien terminé. »)MNA David Birnbaum, who was QESBA’s executive officer for ten years, was equally comprehensible. Here is an excerpt from his Opinion piece in the December 16, 2015, Montreal Gazette, titled: “Bill 86’s school board reforms are no threat to the Anglophone community.” He wrote, “Let’s be clear: Englishspeaking Quebecers will retain the constitutional right to exercise control and management over the public schools that serve them.” Meanwhile, regarding draft Bill 86, Mr. Kelley now writes, “I was a member of the Cabinet and of the Liberal caucus. I took an oath not to reveal the nature of those discussions.” Huh? Court of Appeal: Mr. Kelley writes, “Mr. Eustace does not appear to be concerned about the defence of minority rights as regards to Bill 40.” I do care about minority language educational rights. This is evident by my Mémoires submitted to the National Assembly, many letters to the editors and most recently my appearances and briefs submitted to Quebec’s Superior Court and Court of Appeal. All dealing with minority rights. However, my most memorable battle regarding educational rights is based on page 1, Division 1, Chapter 1 of the Education Act: “STUDENTS’ RIGHTS.” Simply put, the law says whenever a new program starts, students must be supplied free textbooks. However, the front-page headline of the Montreal Gazette on March 11, 2008, screamed, “English textbooks don’t exist.”

This was a direct result of the negligence of the QESBA and English-speaking MNAS who ignored the reported pleas of the teachers of PCHS, a school piloting curriculum reform. How ironic that two of those MNAS are presently heading the QESBA (Russell Copeman) and APPELE-Québec (Geoff Kelley). Lastly, Mr. Kelley uses an excerpt of the decision rendered by the Court of Appeal to boost his argument of the value of school boards. He neglected to give a complete quote. He used an ellipsis (...) which replaced words, “at first glance, at least.” The words were used three times in the decision. Leaving those words out is somewhat disingenuous. In my brief on Bill 40 to the National Assembly on November 11, 2019, I referred to APPELE-Québec as a “bit of a con job.” I said the same thing, in my talk to the Superior Court, on June 26, 2020, and at a press conference at the courthouse after the Court of Appeal decision was rendered on September 20, 2020. The Journal published an instructive letter on February 6, 2020, which also serves the public interest: “APPELE-QUÉBEC is no real friend of the Anglo community.” It is a con job. Chris Eustace Pierrefonds A message from Hudson Chamber Music Series Dear supporters, We would normally be starting our 38th winter season this Sunday, but due to the COVID-19 restrictions we have had to postpone both the October and the November concerts. This email is above all to thank you, our wonderful supporters. Whether a season ticket buyer, a sponsor, a partner, an advertiser or a volunteer you have contributed directly to our success, and we are extremely grateful. The artists we had lined up for you are as eager to perform as we are to host them, so let us hope we can give you some positive information about the 2021 concerts early in the New Year. Once again our sincere thanks - we could not have done it without you! Mark Drake (for HCMS) Hudson

Vaudreuil-Dorion Continued from page 3 New mural The city has commissioned a mural that will adorn the side wall of the former Dorion City Hall building at 190 Saint-Charles Ave. The building currently houses the city’s human resources department and hosts various community activities that are held in the basement. The fresco will be painted by artist Monke from the ASHOP collective, the same group that created the large fresco that adorns the city’s water tower on Harwood Blvd which was officially inaugurated last summer. Beautifying the city “This is the second project we’re doing with ASHOP. I would eventually like to see more murals in Vaudreuil-Dorion.

PHOTO BY JOHN JANTAK

Vaudreuil-Dorion has commissioned a mural to adorn a side wall of the former Dorion City Hall that will be painted by the same group who created the large fresco currently displayed on the city’s water tower on Harwood Blvd.

We’ll see how it goes. We’re doing this to make our city look more beautiful and more welcoming,” said Pilon. The cost of the new mural is just under $28,000 and is expected to be completed before the start of winter.

Halloween in full view in Saint-Lazare Nick Zacharias

The Journal

The town of Saint-Lazare is one of the area cities stepping things up for Halloween this year, offering cash prizes for the best decorated properties in a new contest judged by residents. A top prize of $300 is on the line, along with $200 and $100 prizes for second and third place winners. “We wanted to do something special this year for the community,” said Rachel Gauthier-Langlois, Event Coordinator for the Town of Saint-Lazare. The decision to encourage Halloween decorating with a contest was made before they knew whether or not the provincial government was even going to allow trick-or-treating during the pandemic. “Whatever the decision on distributing candy, we knew people love the spirit of Halloween and we wanted to do our part to encourage that spirit.” Treats a bonus Said Gauthier-Langlois, “Morale has been down lately with all the stress and the restrictions of COVID-19, especially for kids. Even if we weren’t allowed a normal Halloween, we thought we could encourage a lot of decorating to raise spirits.” If nothing else, at least the atmosphere would be festive and families could go for walks and enjoy the spooky décor – the fact that trick or treating has now been approved is just a bonus. “That candy distribution can happen is even better,” she says, “but we still ask that people respect all the sanitary precautions.” That means trick-or-treating only with people who live under the same roof, limiting your wanderings to your immediate neighbourhood and respecting two-metre distancing at all times.

Forest Continued from page 5 “This isn’t right. We’re just asking citizens if they agree with our plans to buy the land for $4.3 million to preserve Rousseau Forest. We want to protect the forest. This is why we adopted the loan by-law,” said Cardinal. It’s possible that if enough people voice their opposition to purchase the forest, the city would have to hold a city-wide referendum, Cardinal conceded. “This would be the next step. I don’t have the answer right now,” he said. Normal consultation process The mayor noted that the current consultation process regarding Rousseau Forest is the same type of procedure it holds regarding other major projects it undertakes, such as the re-

Deadline October 26 For those who wish to enter the contest, a registration form is available on the town’s website. It must be submitted by a Saint-Lazare resident 18 years of age or older no later than 4 p.m. on October 26. Take note that no haunted houses or directly interactive walk-through designs will be eligible (in keeping with the policy of limiting social contact). Over the following two days, a photographer hired by the town will visit and photograph each property that’s entered and the public will be invited to choose a winner by voting on the town’s Facebook page. Those who’d like to show their Halloween spirit but don’t want to attract any little ghouls or goblins are invited to download a ‘House without candies’ sign to post in their window or driveway. Once the winners have been

THE JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Several towns in the region are inviting residents to decorate their homes in seasonal spooky style (like the one above in Saint-Lazare in 2018) with the chance to win prizes for the best effort.

chosen, they’ll receive their cash prizes. “Of course,” said Gauthier-Langlois, “we are going to encourage the winners to treat themselves to something they buy in the local community with their winnings.” Community spirit Neighbouring communities like Hudson, Île Perrot, Notre-Dame-deL’ Île-Perrot and Sainte-Anne-deBellevue will be getting into the spirit with contests of their own, including

prizes for such things as house decorating, costumes, and even costumed pets. Said Gauthier-Langlois, “We are so happy to help support the community and to help raise spirits, so everyone can enjoy a safe, but super fun Halloween this year.” Full details on contest rules and sanitary precautions can be found on all of the towns’ websites.

PUBLIC NOTICE

GENERAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS: AUTHORIZED CANDIDATES

PHOTO BY CARMEN MARIE FABIO

Even if the candy collection may be somewhat curtailed this year, there are sure to be a number of visual displays to make Halloween 2020 a memorable one – for good reasons.

configuration of Chemin Duhamel into a partial pedestrian/bicycle promenade with one reserved lane for vehicular traffic and the construction of the new fire hall and municipal garage. “When we adopted the loan bylaw for Duhamel, we asked citizens the same question about the $15 million loan by-law to find out how many people opposed it. Now we’re asking people if they agree with the city’s loan-by law to save the forest,” said Cardinal. The issue has created a lot of consternation among residents on social media platforms, pitting those who support and oppose the loan by-law against each other. Cardinal said the extension of the consultation deadline is also meant to give people more time to learn about the city’s plans to preserve the forest. “It’s to give citizens more time so they can ask questions about our plans,” he said.

In accordance with section 206.16 of the Act respecting school elections, the Chief Electoral Officer informs the public that the following candidates have been authorized to solicit and collect contributions, to incur election expenses and to take out loans for the next general school elections, in accordance with the provisions of the Act. After polling day, authorized candidates may only solicit and collect contributions for the purpose of paying the debts arising from their election expenses. New Frontiers School Board LAST NAME, first name

DATE OF AUTHORIZATION

GIBBS, Howard P. LEDOUX, Raymond RYAN, John STUCKEY, Peter WRIGHT, Debra

2020-09-23 2020-09-27 2020-09-27 2020-09-26 2020-09-27

For more information, you can call the following toll-free number: 1-888-353-2846.

Thursday, October 22, 2020

YOUR LOCAL JOURNAL Date de parution : 22 octobre 2020 Format : 1/4 régulier (4,8125 ’’ X 6,25’’)

THE JOURNAL

KELLY’S KEYBOARD A MILLENNIAL’S VIEWPOINT

KELLY MIYAMOTO

House fire in Vaudreuil-Dorion

Among Us We’ve all had to make adjustments this year. Missing out on typical social interactions has been a big one. Social distancing measures meant all manner of precautions including no gatherings, no close contact with others when out in public spaces, and no being around anyone outside your quarantine bubble. Isolation has taken its toll. We’ve done what we can to cope. Video calls, long-distance movie watch-parties, dusting off old board games to play or puzzles to work on… it seems that since lockdown began there’s been trend after trend of whatever the newest thing is that we can do to soothe our need for connection with others. One of the latest is an online game called Among Us. Among Us has been around since 2018 but it wasn’t hugely popular for a while after its release. Then COVID-19 happened. Needless to say, it blew up. With its simple and charming gameplay, as well as its teamworkbased format, it’s a very appropriate and timely game to have grown so popular when it did. When you play a round of Among Us, you are part of a group of up to 10 players. Everyone is either a ‘crewmate’ or an ‘impostor’ aboard a spaceship. Crewmates work on various tasks to keep the ship functional while trying to identify one or multiple impostors before they can kill off the whole crew. Impostors can sabotage the ship while they pick off crewmembers one by one. If the crewmates complete all tasks or identify the impostors, they win. During the game, players can vote someone out after discussing who they think the impostor is. Teamwork is crucial for the crew to succeed. And nobody wants to get thrown into the empty nothingness of space. Beyond a bright animated aesthetic and simple rules, Among Us also succeeds by helping us connect with people and alleviate some of the stress of today. It’s a game designed around group dynamics, collaboration, and engagement with others. You can join open groups and play with strangers, but playing with friends and family adds to the tension and exhilaration because you know them so well - or at least you think you do. Social interaction has been in short supply for some time. Among Us combines the best of gaming and chatting online to give us back a bit of what we’ve been missing by creating a virtual space where we can gather and have socially-distant fun. The pandemic has made it very clear that we crave connections. Whether it’s by collaborating with strangers or bonding further with loved ones, playing ‘whodunit’ online can be a good way to make some. In-person interactions remain limited, but the online world is wide open to us. And what better use for the internet than for good-natured lying, betrayal, murder, and psychological warfare among friends? Games like Among Us bring us together safely in a time when both safety and togetherness are desperately needed. Happy playing!

THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

PHOTO BY VITOR MATEUS

A home on rue Maurice Richard in Vaudreuil-Dorion suffered extensive damages in the early morning hours of October 18. There are no reports of injuries and the cause of the blaze has not yet been disclosed. As of press time, the Vaudreuil-Dorion fire department did not respond to calls requesting more information.

Saint-Lazare residence searched in connection with illegal cannabis production network

PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

The ACCES team (Action concertée pour contrer les économies souterraines) of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) dismantled a network of illicit cannabis production and large-scale sales on October 20. The network controlled several places of production and fraudulently used medical cannabis cultivation permits from Health Canada. It was also involved in the processing of hashish. This criminal network distributed in the great metropolitan area of Montreal. During the morning hours, police carried out 17 searches in Montreal, Laval and an undisclosed location in Saint-Lazare in residences which were used for

the production of cannabis. The operation was carried out in collaboration with Hydro-Québec, the Sûreté du Québec and the Laval Police Department. At the end of the operation, the following was seized: 1,149 cannabis plants 487.5 lbs of marijuana 234 amphetamine tablets 1.24 kg of hashish 238 grams of cocaine 373 grams of psilocybin 26 grams of MDMA Over $100,000 in cash 1 stun gun 1 set of brass knuckles Arrests could follow.

FOR THE BIRDS

What It’s Like to Be a Bird Donald Attwood

Special Contributor

What is the fastest animal in the world? (Peregrine Falcon.) How fast are a hummingbird’s wingbeats? (More than 70 beats per second in some species.) Birds routinely exhibit remarkable abilities and behaviours. Some are superb navigators, and that includes the humble pigeon, which can navigate by sun and stars over unknown terrain. With an ability to sense the earth’s magnetic field, plus the combined use of other senses, pigeons can also navigate on cloudy days. These accomplishments, and many others by North American birds, are described in What It’s Like to Be a Bird, a lavishly illustrated large-format book by David Allen Sibley. This book will stimulate your interest in the beauty of birds and their extraordinary capabilities. Sibley is a self-taught artist who dropped out of college to study birds in the field. His first book for the general public, The Sibley Field Guide to Birds, was published in 2000 and became a hit with birdwatchers. Other much-valued Sibley guides have since appeared. This latest book is not a field guide but an enthusiastic introduction to the many things that make birds special, with roughly life-size illustrations of 96 species often seen in North America. “This book is a guide to the science of birds,” Sibley writes, but he’s not afraid of philosophic questions as well. “Maybe the feeling an oriole has when looking at its finished nest is similar to the feeling human

parents get when we look at a newly painted and decorated nursery.” You can explore this book by species, discovering how they look and how they live. Or you can explore by topics, such as how feathers evolved, how feathers and other features enable birds to fly, how birds sense the world around them, how they think and move, how they interact with humans. Whatever way you explore this book, you’ll learn wondrous things. In the pages on geese, swans, and ducks, you can learn how newly hatched goslings imprint on their parents, how geese migrate in V-formations to conserve energy, how feathers insulate waterfowl from cold and wet conditions. A double-page spread shows the nesting cycle of Mallards, from courtship to helping their ducklings find food and stay warm. There are similar spreads for the nesting cycles of Red-tailed hawks and robins. A curious child could learn much by asking why there are differences among these cycles. (Hint: what do these birds eat?) • Common Loons are embossed on our dollar coins, so they’re almost our national bird. They dive from the surface of the water to catch fish. Most dives are short, but loons can stay immersed for up to 15 minutes and dive to a depth of more than 60 metres. • Killdeers nest in open fields. If a fox approaches, the Killdeer hobbles away, dragging a broken wing. This distraction display lures predators from the nest. • Hovering demands extra energy, so

TheJournal

Democratically serving the public interest.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given by the undersigned to all citizens of the municipalities of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges, that the “Règlement de contrôle intérimaire numéro 229-3 modifiant le Règlement de contrôle intérimaire 229 - Mont Rigaud” came into effect on October 6th, 2020 following the approval of Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing / ministère des Affaires municipales et de l’Habitation and in accordance with Act respecting land use planning and development/Loi sur l’aménagement et l’urbanisme. You may consult it at the offices of the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges located at 280 Harwood Boulevard in Vaudreuil-Dorion, as well as on the MRC website. GIVEN AT VAUDREUIL-DORION, this 22nd day of October in the year two-thousand twenty (2020). GUY-LIN BEAUDOIN Executive Director and Secretary/Treasurer

•

hummingbirds must eat constantly. How do they survive, then, while resting at night? They become torpid: their temperature drops, their breathing slows, and their heart rate can drop from 500 to less than 50 beats per minute. Phoebes nest in the eaves of houses and barns. Like other flycatchers, they dart from perches to catch insects in midair. Their visual processing works more than twice as fast as ours, enabling them to see tiny prey while maneuvering at high speed. Parrots and corvids (crows, ravens, jays) are the most intelligent birds tested. Crows recognize people’s faces, remember who is friendly and who is not, and pass this information to other crows, including new generations. Crows and ravens are great problem solvers. California scrub-jays remember where they’ve stored thousands of seeds and bugs for winter. They conceal their stashes and move hidden items if they suspect that another jay saw where they were placed. (This suggests that jays, like chimps and humans, employ a ‘theory of mind’ – an ability to understand what others perceive and intend.) Common redpolls live year-round in the boreal forest, feeding on the seeds of birch trees, which produce large crops every second year. When seeds run short, Redpolls mi-

PHOTO COURTESY DONALD ATTWOOD

Bird facts and information abound in this book and it’s a visual treat for birders and non-birders alike, providing a deeper understanding of what common, mostly backyard, birds are doing – and why.

grate in winter to the sunny south (that is, here), where they appear at our feeders. This beautiful book will enhance anyone’s interest in the natural world. It belongs in every library, including school libraries, and in every household with children. Kids will start by looking at the pictures, then identify birds they’ve seen, then learn how science helps us understand what birds do.

Unidirectional flushing Dorion water system Until November 20, 2020 Between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on weekdays What does the work consist of ?

How might this affect you ?

Flushing involves increasing the speed of water flow through the system to remove particles and debris that may form on the conduit walls. The operations are carried out using pre-determined flushing routes that promote better cleaning.

This large-scale operation may cause a slight drop in water pressure with or without a reddish discoloration. This may give rise to certain problems such as stained clothing. The City recommends waiting until after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays to do the laundry, or until the weekend, throughout the period required to complete the work.

What should you do if the water is rust coloured ? Turn on the bath’s cold water tap and let the water run until it becomes clear. More information: 450-455-3371, Option 3 Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

KICK IN THE ARTS

BRIAN GALLAGHER

You better not pout – You better not cry With less than two weeks to go in our ‘mini-lockdown’ when we may be allowed to venture out into the world again, how have you all been managing beautiful people? Have you been good? Following the rules? Remember he knows when you’ve been sleeping, he knows when you’re awake. He knows if you’ve had Grandma over when you’re only really allowed to visit with her at Walmart or ‘accidentally’ bump into her at the mall – so be good for goodness sake. Now I am a pretty easy-going guy but I don’t like being pulled in several directions and having to listen to distorted messaging and double-speak. So in full disclosure, my friends, I will tell you I am not enjoying these ever-changing confounding rules very well at all. Not one little bit. How is it that I can sit and chat with my neighbours that I run into by happenstance at the park (if we are all properly distanced and wearing masks) but NOT in my front yard? Forty feet from my front door is acceptable but stepping off the asphalt and onto one blade of my own grass is not. So what has set me off? Well… let me tell you. As Halloween approaches our fearless leaders and powers that be have deemed, as of this writing, that we are allowed to have hordes of candy-devouring children banging on our doors like characters from The Living Dead desperately seeking sugar. Yeah, right. THIS makes sense. Super-spreaders on the loose ringing doorbells and knocking on doors shouting, “Trick or treat!” at the top of their lungs, panting as they run from door to door in the mad quest to fill those pillowcases with as much heavenly sucrose as their little arms can carry. Coo coo ca choo, that’s just ticketyboo! Look, don’t get me wrong, the bestie and I love Halloween. We have always opened our doors and our hearts to meet and greet the cute little monsters and always enjoy all the innovative and adorable costumes adorning shy little unicorns, witches, and Kardashians (no, not that, scratch that last one) and I feel that the little ones will be disappointed, maybe even devastated, that no lights will be on and very few doorways will be lit up inviting them to come on up and grab some candy. I tell you, dear readers, it is indeed a dilemma. One I am sure many of us share. To open or not to open? We want to be safe. We want to be healthy. We want to be good citizens and neighbours. We want to follow the ‘oh so helpful and oh so clear’ guidelines of the government to ensure that we, as a society, will be able to put this pandemic behind us as quickly and safely as humanly possible. But I still cannot comprehend how a group of children (sometimes accompanied by parents) can show up on my doorstep and accept candy from a household that they do not know, from strangers that may or not have the virus; but if Grandma and Grandpa wander over to my front stoop, it is a whopping $1500 ticket. Can’t wait to see what this shrewd and enlightened regime does to poor old Santa in a couple of months. Guess there’s no need to clean out the chimney for the old fella this year... but maybe to hoodwink big brother he will canvas the neighbourhoods dressed up as Miss Piggy and ring the doorbell like the little Kardashians are allowed to do. But if he does… just to be safe and because we are a little light in the pocketbook these days, I’ll have Grandma answer the door. She has a pension to draw on. Rant over. Gallagher out. Stay well, stay safe and keep up-to-date on everything you need to know with The Journal each Thursday and everyday online (www.yourlocaljournal.ca) for all the news on event cancellations and events that are still happening here and there; in and around the Vaudreuil-Soulanges area. Sociable!

THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL FILE PHOTO/CARMEN MARIE FABIO

One of these three costumes will pass the COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations but the other two would be equally as frightening if the kids were masked – particularly the one in the middle.

Don’t be scared, just be prepared this Halloween Jackie Danes

Special contributor

So we have the green light from the Quebec government for the kids to go trick or treating this Halloween. Not an easy decision for the government or for parents to make during a pandemic (remember the innocent days of a year ago when all there was to fret about at Halloween was a little rain?) but given all the stresses the kids have been through over the past several months, and all the healthy physical and social activities they’ve had taken away while still attending school five days a week, it feels like some normal seasonal fun is needed – especially when it’s fun that happens outdoors. While trick or treating is officially being discouraged in nearby COVID-19 hotspots, notably Ottawa and Toronto, it feels like a little release will do a world of good for the mental and emotional health of kids who (lets face it) are gathering in groups all day anyway. That isn’t to say we should throw all caution to the wind, but there are ways to make sure trick or treating works safely. Embrace the mask This year of all years, it’s time to embrace the Halloween mask – finally a mask that’s fun again! While most years we advise caution with putting masks on young ones, this seems like the perfect time to work a mask into the costume plan. Of course, it’s still a good idea to make sure they can see and breathe clearly, but this one seems like a nobrainer. I’m imagining a spike in the popularity of young doctor (or perhaps epidemiologist?) costumes this year. Think scary surgeon, bandana-faced bandit or balaclava’d bank robber – the possibilities are endless. Arm yourself Not that way – don’t take the bank robber reference too literally – but many people are making creative plans to get equipped to distribute treats while maintaining the all-important social distance. Whether that means arming your-

self with a pair of extra-long barbeque tongs for dropping treats into bags, or contriving some sort of elaborate candy delivery chute out of PVC pipe or empty wrapping paper tubes, there are ways to have a lot of fun with this. A candy catapult comes to mind, but that might be going too far… Another easy option is setting out well-spaced treats on a folding table (and re-supplying as they go) so kids can keep their distance while keeping Halloween traditions alive. Don’t forget ‘normal’ safety I’d be remiss not to give a nod to ‘normal’ Halloween safety in all of this. While it’s easy to get wrapped up in the perils of the pandemic, Halloween has never been a normal night of the year and it’s a good idea to remind ourselves of what to watch out for. That means a reminder to drivers to be extra cautious on the streets along with a refresher on road crossing safety for kids. Make sure that costumes aren’t so long as to trip kids up (I have heard that on occasion they get excited and start running), give everyone a flashlight and don’t forget to do the annual inspection to make sure that whatever comes home in the haul passes muster for allergens or any other contents that might be of concern. Don’t be scared There’s no reason to fear saying no to traditional Halloween – if you are concerned for your own health or that of a loved one there’s no obligation to open your doors, or opt for a ‘decoration only’ version this year. Halloween has always been a participation of the willing affair and this one will be no different. But for those who do embrace the spirit, there’s no reason this Halloween shouldn’t be a safe one in our region as long as a little extra vigilance is respected. Maintaining distancing, avoiding indoor gatherings and sticking to established groups will help the kids stay healthy and safe while getting a desperately needed outlet for a bit of fun.

Because Christmas will arrive anyway The Centre d’action bénévole L’Actuel is calling on everyone to find godparents for its Christmas Sponsorship programs in order to offer support to low-income people at the end of this very difficult and special year. “Our Christmas Sponsorships have been around for a long time,” said Stéphanie Aubert, Head of Services at L’Actuel. “This year-end aid is always a great comfort to low-income people who knock on our door. And donors are very happy to help brighten up their holiday season.” Sponsorships in transformation Early in the history of sponsorship, godparents would bring a large grocery order, toys, and all kinds of surprises for the family they were matched with. Over time, L’Actuel’s Christmas Sponsorships have evolved and transformed to meet the needs of vulnerable users. Gift cards have carved out a favoured place in this end-of-year support for L’Actuel users. “With the pandemic, L’Actuel has no other choice but to adapt to limit the handling of donations and avoid travel,” said Aubert. “That’s why, this year, we will be asking our godparents to obtain surprises and gift cards that can fit in an envelope.” Donors will be able to choose to sponsor a family, a couple, or a single

person depending on the extent of the sponsorship they wish to make. In addition, the organization invites citizens to offer one or more gift cards according to their financial capacity. L’Actuel will thus be able to group them together and carry out additional sponsorships. Rising needs Last year, thanks to the work of the L’Actuel team and the generosity of donors, the organization was able to offer 47 Christmas sponsorships. As throughout the year, single people, couples and seniors were very important. With COVID-19 not looking ready to bow out, L’Actuel is anticipating an increase in needs and demands for December. “Some food drives and Christmas basket distributions will not be able to take place this year. However, there will be a Christmas anyway. There are people who will need help to put something on the table and under the tree,” said Aubert, who hopes to carry out around 60 Christmas Sponsorships. L’Actuel Christmas Sponsorships will be conducted in complete confidentiality. Citizens and businesses wishing to participate are invited to contact Stéphanie Aubert at (450) 4553331 ext. 227 or by email at sponsor-

DID YOU KNOW

that buying local... encourages local business owners?

THE JOURNAL FILE PHOTO/JOHN JANTAK

Organizers of the Centre d’action bénévole L’Actuel’s Christmas sponsorship program are anticipating a higher need this year and are hoping to help out 60 families through the holiday season.

ships@lactuel.org. The deadline for registering and sponsoring is Friday,

December 4.

Have an opinion on a current event or situation? Go to our website, click on Letters to the Editor and tell the community!

9/10

CANADIANS READ PRINT/ NEWSPAPERS DIGITAL EACH WEEK

Do you buy local? YOUNGER CANADIANS ARE READING NEWSPAPERS, ALMOST AS MUCH AS BOOMERS

90%

Visit

BOOMERS

read newspapers weekly

ACHATLOCALVS.COM

88%

MILLENIALS

read newspapers weekly

93%

BUSINESS DECISION MAKERS read newspapers weekly

Source: Totum Research; Canadians 18+, weekly readership, March 2019. Newspaper platforms include: printed newspapers, computers, smartphones, tablets

Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

Senior life

Red Hat Society soldiers on through pandemic C.J. Maxwell

Special contributor

A chance encounter 15 years ago, seeing a group of older women sitting together adorned in red hats and purple blouses, intrigued Kirkland resident France Medicoff enough to do some research and discover the Red Hat Society leading her to form her own chapter. Based on the 1961 poem ‘Warning’ by Jenny Joseph, the opening lines read, “When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple… “With a red hat which doesn’t go and doesn’t suit me.” The poem, which Joseph wrote at the age of 29, goes on to detail all the ways she will defy convention of the expectations of proper behaviour when one reaches a certain age. And the Red Hat Society’s goal, according to their website, is to allow women who’ve given their all to family, career, and community to step back and finally take some time for themselves and to have fun with like-minded women. “We’re not very well-known,” said Medicoff, “especially in Quebec.” Pandemic effects on group Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the group – which consists of about 22

members from the West Island out to Les Cèdres – would meet on a monthly basis to socialize and support one another in the daily struggles some of the elderly women face. “It’s a great group for active seniors,” said Medicoff who holds the title ‘Queen,’ “… through no qualification of mine,” she hastened to add. Restaurant meals or tea room visits were organized so that members would be seated randomly, allowing everyone in the group a chance to get to know the other women. Many of the members are widowed and now, with the isolation imposed by the pandemic, the group is feeling the effects of the withdrawal from their redhatted sisters. “Normally we would get together for lunch once a month,” said 12-year Red Hat member and Vaudreuil-Dorion resident Mary Bissonnette, “and the Queen organized some outdoor activities in the summer. But I haven’t seen any of them for months now.” Bissonnette credits the group for their loyal support through the years, helping her through the death of her husband Joe over three years ago. “We watch out for each other,” she

PHOTO COURTESY MARY BISSONNETTE

Back in pre-pandemic times, the Red Hat Society women – this chapter named the West Island Beautiful Bowlers – celebrated their 5th anniversary in 2013 at the Côte de Vaudreuil Vineyard on Harwood in Vaudreuil-Dorion where they were given an escorted tour of the property by owner, Serge Primi (front, left, kneeling).

said. Connecting through technology Though the group keeps in touch on Facebook and with small Zoom meetings of four or five members at a time, all inperson meetings have been suspended. “Zoom meetings help but it’s just not the same,” said Medicoff. The platform lacks the in-person touch and many of the seniors have encountered difficulty

Happy 80 Birthday

with trying to navigate the technology. While the Red Hat Society is open to women aged 55 and older, Medicoff said the median age of her group is older and even when COVID-19 restrictions were lessened during the summer months, many of the members still were not comfortable attending outdoor meetings. Continued on page 25

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THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Please take a moment to call or write (a note or email) to let Gay know you appreciate her and to wish her well!

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Fall Colours Senior life

Legion News Rod L. Hodgson – President

Special contributor

Twelve new small plaques were installed on the posts around Place Vimy this week and also two brass plaques on the park bench honouring those who donated it to us. I believe we have one of the finest looking cenotaphs in Canada. Right at the moment it is absolutely beautiful with the poppies growing up around the red mums and of course the plaques and now the Place Vimy park bench. Thanks go out to Georgia and

Doug Jesty for keeping the area nicely groomed this fall. We are now accepting payments for your 2021 Legion dues. You can mail your payment to Hudson Legion Br. #115, 56 Beach Road, Hudson, QC, J0P 1H0. The fee is $60 and on the memo line of your check mark 2021 dues. At the moment we are not doing e-transfers. We will keep you up to date on other ways to pay your 2021 dues in the weeks to come. Stay safe. Continued get-well wishes go out once again to our dear friend Rollie Normandeau who is currently in the Valleyfield Hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are extended with open arms to you. Lest we forget…

ALWAYS IN YOUR COMFORT ZONE

• PROPANE AND NATURAL GAS • ELECTRIC or OIL FURNACES • HEAT PUMPS • HEATING OIL • DUCT CLEANING • BI-ENERGY *Installation by a member of the

PHOTO BY COURTESY ROD HODGSON

A recap on our most popular feature from the previous edition that elicited the most ‘hits’ on social media. Last week’s birthday wishes for Dorothy (Doris) Blaise on celebrating her 102 years young was by far our most popular post on social media. Photos were submitted both by the Hudson Legion Branch #115 and by her granddaughter Tammy Keatley. At last count, the post reached 2591 readers and garnered 117 ‘Likes,’ ‘Loves’ and ‘Cares.’ Doris is obviously a very popular lady!

SINCE 1951

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Life is better, TOGETHER. Chartwell retirement residences are safe and social places to call home, where you or a loved one can benefit from support, connection and convenient services that can make life better. With safety precautions in place, our residents continue to enjoy safe social opportunities and engaging activities that bring them happiness and fulfillment. More than 95% of residents, their family and friends feel their Chartwell residence has taken important measures to keep them safe during COVID-19.* *Chartwell’s Listening to Serve You Better Survey, 2020, from almost 13,500 respondents.

Chartwell Le Prescott Experience a worry-free lifestyle Buy or rent today!

Book your personalized virtual or on-site tour today at 1 844 478-6473 or chartwell.com CHARTWELL LE PRESCOTT | 1335, rue Émile-Bouchard, Vaudreuil-Dorion CHARTWELL LE WELLESLEY | 230, boulevard Hymus, Pointe-Claire CHARTWELL MANOIR KIRKLAND | 2, rue Canvin, Kirkland Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

The health of others is in our hands COVID Alert app

The COVID Alert app is a complementary tool that you can use to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. It lets you know if you have been in contact with a person who has contracted COVID-19. You will receive a notification and recommendations if you have spent more than 15 minutes less than two metres away from someone who has tested positive in the past 14 days. The app is free, easily accessible and keeps your personal information safe. The app does not replace health measures such as handwashing, social distancing and wearing a mask.

THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

MCE_AppMobile_DPS_EN_Hebdos_20,5x13,825.indd 1

COVID Alert does the COVID Alert following three things: does not do the following: Notifies you if you might 1 have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

Access, collect or archive your personal information or information on your health status;

Directs you to relevant information concerning the steps to follow after you receive the exposure notification.

Use the GPS on your device determine your location or any other personal information.

If you test positive, informs other users, anonymously and without sharing personal information, that they were in contact with someone who reported a positive COVID-19 test through the app.

Use of the COVID Alert app is completely voluntary. You are free to download it, use it or delete it. The more people use the app, the more effective it will be in curbing transmission of the virus.

To download the app: Québec.ca/CovidAlert

How does it work? The COVID Alert app runs in the background on your device, without hampering or interrupting your activities. The app uses Bluetooth on smartphones to determine how far away you are from other people using the app. Every five minutes, it exchanges random codes with app users nearby. The random codes cannot be used to identify you or determine your location. It stores the codes on your phone for 14 days. Every day, when your device connects to the Internet, the COVID Alert app will match your random codes and those of individuals who have indicated through the app that they have tested positive. Even if the app finds matching codes, it is impossible to link them to individuals. Your identity and the identities of other app users remain confidential. If the app finds matching codes, this means that within the past two weeks, for a period of more than 15 minutes, you were less than two metres from another user of the app who has since tested positive and agreed to share that information with other users.

You will therefore receive an alert notification:

• that you may have been exposed to COVID-19;

• that informs you of the next steps to follow.

No personal information or location data is shared. It is, therefore, impossible to know when and where you were in contact with an infected individuall.

Your privacy is protected. COVID Alert does not use your smartphone’s GPS and does not obtain your name, telephone number, personal details or any other health-related information.

Using the COVID Alert app protects you and your loved ones.

How do you indicate in the app that you have tested positive? If you have tested positive and public health authorities have contacted you, you can request a one-time key. To do so:

• Promptly call the telephone number indicated in the app.

• Make note of the key that you receive once your identity and test result have been verified.

• Enter the key in the app within

24 hours, after which it will expire.

If you choose to share your positive result with other users of the app, COVID Alert will not share any information that might identify you. The decision to share your diagnosis is up to you. Your anonymity will always be maintained.

Québec.ca/coronavirus 1 877 644-4545

Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

20-10-08 3:06 p.m.

Halloween spirit

Local hauntings – Exorcism on l’Île-Perrot

Jules-Pierre Malartre

Special contributor

Over the next few weeks, in the spirit of Halloween, we will review some of the local supernatural folklore. Anyone with an interest in the occult knows about the most infamous haunted houses in VaudreuilSoulanges but local legends tell much more than just ghost stories. The area is also known for its tales of werewolves, sorcerers, pacts with the devil, cursed battlegrounds and other spooky things. Most horror fans have seen one or two exorcism movies and the most fearless managed to sit through William Peter Blatty’s ‘The Exorcist,’ the seminal work of the genre against which all other films pale in comparison. But despite the fiction there are many who say they have witnessed real exorcisms. While actual cases of exorcism are not usually as extreme as what we see in the movies, many priests and experts of the occult have been called to exorcise malevolent spirits. In the most ‘mundane’ cases, the exorcism is performed to rid a home of an evil presence and not necessarily to exorcise a demon out of a person. Regarding exorcism, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “When the Church asks publicly and authoritatively in the name of Jesus Christ that a person or object be protected against the power of the Evil One and withdrawn from his dominion, it is called exorcism.” The catechism goes on to acknowledges that while possession is a very different matter than psychological illnesses, it stresses the importance of ascertaining that one is dealing with the presence of the ‘Evil One’ and not

an illness before performing an exorcism. Strange sounds According to an article published in The Atlantic, Catholic exorcisms are gaining popularity in the US, but you don’t have to go to the US to read about exorcisms... right here in our region, a desperate homeowner called on a priest to help them deal with a wicked presence in their home. In order to protect the privacy of all concerned, the Catholic priest who performed the exorcism and the homeowner will remain anonymous, and the date and exact location of the events will not be divulged beyond the fact that this happened in the recent past on l’Île-Perrot. It all began when the homeowner started experiencing strange sounds in their home. They dispelled those noises as normal occurrences, at first. When the incidents started occurring more regularly, they began to wonder. They got concerned when they ran out of natural causes to explain away the events. And when it became evident that there was a dark will behind the incidents, they decided to call a priest. The priest stated that the church provides special prayers (sacramentals, in Catholic church vernacular) for such cases. The priest performed the exorcism, and the house has been peaceful since then. Something in the neighbourhood But others in that same neighbourhood have reported similar events occurring in their homes. This is a third-person account but a witness testifies that her neighbour’s house was haunted. She claims a Protestant priest once had to leave her neighbour’s home during a visit because she felt a presence in the house that she could not withstand. Another resident in that same neighbourhood reports several

PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

A theory exists that a certain neighbourhood on the island of Île-Perrot was the site of many battles centuries ago between the Iroquois and Huron tribes where much blood was allegedly spilled.

strange happenings in his home, including eerie floating lights, unexplained sounds, and waking up in the morning with scratches on his body. He consulted a medium and her answers scared him more than anything else; according to her, there were three entities in his home: one was of human origin, one animal, and the other... something else. She could not (or would not) identify the nature of the third entity. The owner took it upon himself to rid his home of those entities. He performed various rituals based on different faiths or belief systems until the strange occurrences ceased to occur. Priest’s theory It’s hard to say why that particular neighbourhood seems to be affected by such odd occurrences. The priest who performed the exorcism offers a theory: That area of the island was an important meeting point for native tribes long before the colonists arrived in the region. It was a

main landing point for natives when they disembarked on the island. Iroquois and Huron fought many battles there. Much blood was spilled on that ground. It is believed that sites where people met violent deaths are often haunted by the spirits of the people who died there and that they often attract other entities. There is no science behind any of these claims, and even the historical accuracy of the natives’ activities on that stretch of the island cannot be confirmed. Still, given the different testimonials listed here, one has to wonder.... All Hallows Eve is fast approaching, and this year it will coincide with the full Hunter’s Moon (also known as the Blood Moon, or the Sanguine Moon), and one can’t help but worry what other entities might be lurking in that area on the night when it is said that the spirits of the dead wander under the moonlight.

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

MOVIE REVIEW MATT MILLER

Spooktacular movies you might have missed This Halloween, we live through a pandemic that we’ve only ever seen before on screen. While it may mean a deficit of tricks and/or treats, there is one silver lining – it’s a perfect excuse to cozy up on the couch and watch some of the finest scary movies. This week, don’t think for yourselves, and instead, watch some of these movies focusing on the most terrifying of cults. Listen, I’m going to be honest. For as much as I love the classic Hollywood monster, from Dracula and Frankenstein to Freddy and Jason, they don’t personally elicit fear from me. I have never gone to bed worried about Michael Myers (either the slasher or the Shag-a-delic version) being in my closet. Maybe it’s because, logically, I know the odds of a deranged serial murderer chasing me down are slim to none. What is infinitely more terrifying, and not to mention likely, is a fate that befalls many people, especially during times of desperation and loneliness. The threat of losing your individuality and power of free-thought is not some cooked up Hollywood monster, but instead the reality of falling victim to a cult. Midsommar (2019), available on Amazon Prime I say this with the utmost respect – I hope director Ari Aster never makes another movie in his life. After making one of the most unsettling horror films of the past decade in Hereditary (also on Netflix), he turned from the demonic occult to make Midsommar, a gorgeously shot look into a secretive real-life cult in northern Sweden. What range! The setup is almost cliché; a group of anthropology students wander far out of cell service to study this isolated group for their master’s thesis, only to be picked off one by one. But don’t let the lack of creative plotting throw you off. Midsommar is really about loss and depression as it follows Dani’s (Florence Pugh) attempt to rebuild her life after losing her family. With this slow burn of a build, Aster accomplishes two impressive feats. First, he makes bright, open daylight foreboding as the whole town can seemingly see your every move. Secondly, he makes us sympathize and even understand why some can fall prey to cult groups in the first place. The Invitation (2015), available on Netflix Dinner parties are the worst. We linger in small talk, watch others overindulge in wine, listen to obnoxious opinions, all the while trying our best to find the first polite opportunity to leave. In The Invitation, these tendencies and distrusts are ratcheted up as our hero, Will, is forced into a dinner party with old friends… including his ex-wife and her new husband. To make matters worse, their divorce stemmed from a horrific accident that resulted in their son’s death at that very house. While initially a study in grief and trauma, The Invitation quickly adds a layer of paranoia. Will assumed his ex-wife would be a mess, just like him, but she instead seems happier than ever before. Will’s suspicions grow deeper as he starts to believe she and others have fallen victim to a cult. Is Will going crazy? Why do the others not see what he does? Maybe the guests feel the same as Will, but are more afraid of an even scarier fate: Committing a social faux pas. With a stunning third act, The Invitation truly is the dinner party from hell. Rosemary’s Baby (1968), available on Amazon Prime. Having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, Rosemary’s Baby is a classic that should be a horror staple for many more generations to come. Newly pregnant Rosemary Woodhouse is growing increasingly concerned about her neighbours. Originally finding them simply irritating and nosey, she begins to fear their growing interest in her unborn child. Soon she begins to think that they are part of a demonic cult, and that she may be carrying the Antichrist himself. Eschewing gore and violence, Rosemary’s Baby allows us to fully invest in our lead. Many horror films fail to grow female characters, and often dispose of them quickly and unceremoniously. With Rosemary, we instead feel her complete vulnerability as a woman trapped within her own apartment, isolated and pregnant. People begin to treat her differently and she stops becoming an individual, now defined only by what she is carrying inside her. As her child grows, so too does her paranoia. Whether she is correct in her suspicion hardly matters, as this film works incredibly well as a look into the horrors of giving birth and antepartum depression. One of the first ever cult-horror films, Rosemary’s Baby played an important role in giving birth (sorry!) to one of the creepiest subgenres in horror. 18

THE JOURNAL

Thursday, October 22, 2020

PHOTO COURTESY SHUTTERSTOCK

Though the full moon will appear only twice in the October skies this year, technically (and nominally) it will comprise three moon phases to behold.

The three moons of October, 2020 Jules-Pierre Malartre

Special contributor

October offers some of the best opportunities to stargaze before the weather gets too cold to stand outside to look skyward at stars and planets. The cool temperatures have served to settle the air and whatever you look at in the sky, whether it’s with the naked eye or through binoculars, will appear much sharper. October is also the month this year that offers the most chances to gaze at the moon. We’ve all heard the expression ‘Once in a blue moon’ but what does it mean? Then there is the ‘Harvest Moon,’ and, lastly, the ‘Hunter’s Moon.’ What are we to make of all these moons? This is the perfect time to shed some light on these terms since October will play host to all three of these moons. Let’s start with what all three have in common (besides all of them sharing our night sky this October) – all three are full moons. The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to our autumnal equinox which marks the beginning of fall and on that day, night and day are of equal length. This means that either September’s or October’s full moon can take on the name. This year in Canada (and in the rest of the Northern Hemisphere, which includes the US, Europe, and some parts of Africa, South America and Asia), the autumn equinox occurred on September 22. Therefore, the October 1 full moon is also 2020’s Harvest Moon. The Harvest Moon won’t occur again in October until 2028. It will come back every year, but September will be its host until that date. The Harvest Moon may be behind us this year, but do not worry, an

even more spectacular full moon still awaits us before the month is out. The Hunter’s Moon is mentioned in several sources as the full moon of October. It coincides with the time when ancient tribes would gather food and prepare for the coming winter. Some also refer to it as the Blood Moon or the Sanguine Moon, which are references to the hunting season when game is fat and ready for the hunt. And this year, the Hunter’s Moon coincides with Halloween, which would lend the normally spooky holiday an additional eerie factor were it not for COVID-19 precluding the customary trick-ortreating. A full moon on Halloween is extremely rare, occurring only about every 18 or 19 years. Since the month of October will play host to two full moons, the Halloween full moon will also be known as a Blue Moon; the term refers to the second full moon to occur within the same calendar month. (It can also refer to the third full moon to occur in a calendar season.) This explains why the expression is often used to describe a really rare occasion. This will indeed make October’s second full moon extra special; we may even call it the “Hunter’s Blue Moon on Halloween.” So, this is why October offers us (sorta) three moons. If you can’t go trick or treating because of COVID-19, you can watch the spooky Halloween full moon instead. It will reach peak brilliance early during the day and should be readily visible. It will still be very bright come the evening for even better observing or for serving as a spooky mood enhancer for those who will make the best of trickor-treating possibly being cancelled by binge watching their favourite horror flicks.

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Home and Estate Feature

PLAN 17 PLAN 16

PHOTO HABITATIONS ROBERT

Ravin Boisé is much more than a suburban residential development boasting more than 100 residential building lots – it’s a vision inspiring in its beauty; a covenant with nature and the land. A development where 50 per cent of the land will remain untouched. Continued on page 20

Thursday, October 22, 2020

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Home and Estate PLAN 16

Fun Halloween finger food

PLAN 20

Featured home

Continued from page 19 Ravin Boisé stems from a single idea where successful structures become part of nature’s tapestry. Ravin Boisé will become a community drawn together by a shared vision and respect for its concept. Furthermore, the project is the first of its kind offering lots over 20 000 sq. ft. with full municipal services (water and sewer). A first of its kind in the greater West Island. This offers future buyers the best of both worlds. Setting Ravin Boisé is distinctive since it’s the only property offering a stunning ravine to be appreciated by all residents. In addition, at the entrance of the project Vert Development created a deeded conservation park perpetual for life in favour of all its residents to enjoy with over 1 million sq. ft. of land full of walking trails. An additional municipal park will be created for children in a wooded setting keeping the natural beauty of the forest. The project will be characterized by the creation of walking trails throughout the property enabling each owner to have easy access. These trails will be available for snowshoeing in the winter months. Half of the property will remain untouched for all residents to enjoy. This unconventional thinking

• Ravin Boisé Vaudreuil-Ouest, QC • Starting at $600,000 including standard land and taxes

• Habitations Robert

PHOTOS BY C.J. MAXWELL

C.J. MAXWELL

Visits by appointment

Special Contributor

450-510-3076

With Halloween up in the air this year, you can still help your kids celebrate at home with a fabulous frightening feast of scary-themed food… think of eyeballs using canned lychees stuffed with small purple grapes, Rice Krispy marshmallow brains, or black Jell-O poured into spider or skull head ice cube trays. Warty witches’ fingers • 1 package Pillsbury Weiner Wrap or Pizza Dough • Dry roasted almonds • ½ cup prepared pearl couscous (optional) • 1 egg Cook the pearl couscous according to package directions. Cut dough into strips roughly 1 inch by 3 inches and roll into tubes thinner than a finger – the dough will poof up as it cooks. Press an almond onto the end of the tube. Score the tube in the middle to resemble knuckle creases. Press a few couscous pearls onto the finger to resemble warts. Brush with a slightly beaten egg then bake at 350° F. Check for doneness before the recommended timing on the package. Remove from oven when golden brown. Serve with ketchup ‘blood’ for that extra touch.

habitationsrobert.ca

is what makes Ravin Boisé unique and distinctive.

Laurence Kieffer

Residential Real Estate Broker

Ikieffer@propriodirect.com

514-268-9754 propriodirect.com Office: 514-268-9754

Mummy dogs • 1 package of hot dogs of your choice • 1 package of Pillsbury Weiner Wrap • Pimento-stuffed olives, sliced • 1 egg Using a pizza cutter, unroll the dough and cut it into thin strips. Begin wrapping the strips around the hot dogs, leaving some room for the eyes. When all hot dogs are wrapped, brush with a slightly beaten egg then bake at 350° F. Place the sliced olives on the mummy’s ‘face’ and serve with dipping sauces of your choice. Happy Halloween!

PHOTOS BY C.J. MAXWELL

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Thursday, October 22, 2020

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#16956166 Rigaud Mountain - $215,000 Desirable buildable lot, one of the last available on Rigaud Mountain, beautiful location, backing directly onto groomed cross country/walking trail network. Helen Henshaw (514) 703-8981 www.helenhenshaw.ca

Waterfront Rigaud - $649,000 Spectacular property w/spacious 4 bdrm home, gorgeous water views, private boat ramp, only 45 min to downtown Montreal, & 1 hour to Ottawa. Helen Henshaw (514) 703-8981 www.helenhenshaw.ca

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Kennel Rigaud - $569,000 + GST & PST A popular facility for boarding, breeding, and/or training dogs w/charming 3 bdrm rebuilt log home. Easy access off Highway 40. Helen Henshaw (514) 703-8981 www.helenhenshaw.ca

Saint-Lazare This high end home sold for above asking price! Call for a free market evaluation.

Hudson - $875,000 Stunning autumnal views over the Lake from this waterfront home...it can be yours in time for the Holidays. Central location in the Village where everything is in walking distance. Margaret LagimodiĂ¨re

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Saint-Lazare - $725,000 Outstanding executive 5-bedroom home in the prestigious CHANTEREL. Excellent floor plan with a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere. Patricia Wright (514) 942-4092

Paul & Diane Laflamme (514) 793-4514

A beautiful log home located on a quiet crescent...a warm and inviting interior with cathedral ceilings.. this home is a winner. The back gardens offer an inground pool and mature gardens. Quick occupancy will be possible. (450) 458-5365 Cell (514) 781-5611

Saint-Lazare - $799,900 Stunning Chanterel home with 4 bedrooms on a 21,000 sqft lot. 4 fireplaces, 9ft ceilings, Cross hall floor plan off the bright 2 story foyer. Outstanding property! Tania Ellerbeck (450) 458-5365 Cell (514) 793-7653

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LISTINGS NEEDED We have clients looking to buy in Hudson, Saint-Lazare, Rigaud and Vaudreuil Areas. Call for a Free Market Evaluation. Paul & Diane Laflamme (514) 793-4514

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(450) 458-5365 Cell (514) 781-5611 Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

Home and Estate The weekend gardener Pumpkins not only for pie TM O’Shaughnessy

Special contributor

The common garden gourd called the pumpkin is about as cozy as it gets. It has come to stand for cheerful October scenes, delicious pie and excited children going trick-or-treating at Halloween. But the origins of it are darker and intriguing – and a reminder of how our gardens hold the pagan remnants of our ancient past. Consider the ‘jack-o-lantern,’ for example. As we happily carve away into a fleshy pumpkin we’ve grown all summer, often creating jolly toothless smiles, how fascinating that the practice was once used to scare away spirits and

demons. For centuries, from All Hallows Eve on October 31, to All Saints Day and then All Souls Day on November 2, it was accepted that the boundary between the living and the dead thinned out to a gossamer thread, and that all the souls of eternity could walk the earth for a few days. It is said that the tradition of carving jack-o-lanterns began in Ireland and the Scottish Highlands, the heart of the Celtic world. Turnips or other gourds would be carved into grotesque faces and a candle be put inside to ward off evil spirits. This was the season of Samhain, after all, a time when supernatural beings could pay their yearly visit to

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Thursday, October 22, 2020

mere mortals. This ritual then travelled to North America with the wave of Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine, and the Scottish Highlanders who were now landless following the Clearances in Scotland when their ancestral clan territories were confiscated. Turnips were harder to find in the new world, it seems, and so the more common pumpkin was adapted to the purpose. (And honestly, as anyone who ever dealt with a turnip knows, it’s hard enough to carve it just for boiling up, never mind hollowing it out and making a face out of it). Of course, the tradition of warding off evil has been alive and well in many cultures around the globe, evil not being picky. Just think of the Dia de Muertos holiday in Mexico where the dead are celebrated with sugar skulls, food and candles. But the tradition of jacko-lanterns has really taken hold almost everywhere. Where the name came from is anyone’s guess. One theory argues it has a British origin in the term they used for night watchmen. Back in the day, when you didn’t know the name of a man, you simply called him ‘Jack.’ And if his occupation required a hand-held lantern, i.e., night watchmen in particular, you simply referred to him as ‘Jack of the lantern.’ Other historians say that the original

PHOTO BY T.M. O’SHAUGHNESSY

Pumpkins wait for their big moment – being carved into jack-o-lanterns for Halloween when they can fight off any evil spirit lurking in the city, suburb or countryside.

jack-o-lanterns point to a natural phenomenon. Decaying plants in marshy areas at this time of the year emit phosphorescent gases that can spontaneously ignite. Called ‘foolish fire’ by medieval scribes, the term eventually came to be known as ‘will of the wisp.’ Medieval people viewed these incidental fires as supernatural sightings, a viewpoint that could lead to all sorts of mischievous fun, it seems. Continued on to page 23

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Gardener

Continued from page 22 Younger folk would carve faces out of root vegetables and put flaming twigs into them, hiding them along paths and scaring their parents silly along the way. Whatever particular tradition appeals

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Up for adoption Minie, a 7-year-old femail Chihuahua, recently made the journey from the Dominican Republic with her two puppies. The pups have gone to their new families, and Minie is with her Foster Mom. She gets along with the cats and dogs, but finds her big, goofy foster brother a bit much. She is very tiny and fragile (3 1/2 lbs) and needs to be introduced to people slowly. Minnie needs a family where the children are over 12 years old and respectful. Another small dog in the home would be great. Despite her size, she has a loud voice, so no apartments or condos. She needs some work on toi-

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let training. If you can give this little angel the love and stability she needs, fill out the form and ask for Minie. For more information on Minie or any of the other dogs available for adoption, go to www.animatch.ca to you, the carving of pumpkins at Halloween offers whatever version you desire. But it’s always exceptionally pleasing for any gardener who likes to dabble in the netherworld and grow evil-fighting pumpkins all summer. Because now is the moment for this remnant of our pagan-hearted past, and we are equal to the task.

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Dear readers and advertisers,

PHOTO BY KAYLEE FREDENSBORG

Welcome to our feature showcasing and celebrating the many companion animals we have in our region. This week features fish-owner Kaylee Fredensborg, pictured here with her aquarium which houses three Mollies. One is black, one is white, and one has leopard print skin. If she puts her finger in the tank, her fish swim to ‘kiss’ her finger! If you’d like us to feature your pet in our weekly section – dog, cat, rabbit, horse, lizard, possum (possum?) etc., send us a photo of you and your pet together, along with a short description, to editor@yourlocaljournal.ca.

Yes, we’re open but our day-today operations will reflect our new reality. Our offices will not be open to foot traffic. All communication will be handled by phone, email, or online through our website www.yourlocaljournal.ca. We will continue to take classified ads and obituaries by phone or via our online platform but for the moment, no cash transactions are possible. We look forward to continuing to serve the community and are happy, as always, to hear from you.

The Journal Team

Thursday, October 22, 2020

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Home and Estate

CLASSIFIEDS

SECTIONS 100- For Sale 125- For Rent 150- Services

175- Wanted 200- Careers/Employment 225- Financial Services

View, submit & pay your ad before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, online at www.yourlocaljournal.ca or e-mail: classifieds@yourlocaljournal.ca

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250- Real Estate Sale 275- Garage/Moving Sale 300- Miscellaneous

325- Autos for Sale $24.95 until it sells (max. 3 months)

350- Legal

1 week $15 2 weeks $20 3 weeks $25

100 – FOR SALE

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150 - SERVICES

200 – CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT

Cage for small rodent(s). Comes with attachable water bottle and plasticLfood D! SO suitFIEDrabbits, bowl. Not suitable for SIdwarf S A L C L A ISU able for rats, gerbils, hamsters, etc. $50. V Contact Lauren at (514)806-9486 Vintage 1940 Louis XV by Birks sterling silver dinner flatware. Set of 12. Total of 100 pieces. 450-455-7319 (201022)

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT. Six spacious offices, reception area, kitchenette and powder room. Offices are on the second floor of the Hudson Shopping Centre. Available November 1, 2020. $2,000/month. Call Marcel Leduc (514)602-4313

SINGING LESSONS. Private or SemiPrivate. In my home (St-Lazare). Sing the songs you love! Call Morgan. 514-6071308 References available.

Cleaning company seeking a cleaning person to join her team. Must have your own vehicle and a strong work ethic. Parttime and max 15 hours per week. For more information, please contact Deneise at (514) 865-1973

Large assortment of used/new backyard sports equipment. Softball, bacce, badminton, volleyball, horse shoes, & much more. $100 for everything. Text 514231-3234. See photo at www.yourlocaljournal.ca/visual-classifieds. 2 twin beds, solid wood, French provincial style. 80”x 32.5” x 72” (height). Very good condition. $200/each. China cabinet with hutch. Natural oak. Provincial style. 55” x 16” x 83” (height). Illuminated, adjustable, glass shelves. Excellent condition. $600. Available November 1st. 514-292-6151. See photos at www.yourlocaljournal.ca/visual-classifieds. (201029)

Google Nest Hub, brand new, never opened. View and control connected devices from a single dashboard. Simply use your voice to watch YouTube and play songs from YouTube Music. $50. Text 438491-0133. See www.yourlocaljournal.ca/ visual-classifieds. All season winter tires. Used only one winter. $350 FOR SET OF FOUR (4) CONTINENTAL TRUE CONTACT 205/55/R16 91H TIRES. From our Mercedes B200. Please call Rodney at 450-458-788. Check new price at Canadian Tire for $227.99 each (201029) Large dog cage. Measures 29.5” wide X 48” long X 33” high. Dog not included. $100. Please call 514-425-5965 and leave a message. See photo at www.yourlocaljournal.ca/visual-classifieds Firewood for sale. Mostly maple. Well dried. $120 per chord. Call 514-758-5700 (201022) Five large beveled mirrors. Two measuring 19.5” by 40” and three measuring 21” by 45”. $100 for everything. Pick up. Text 514-3463234.

Apartment available. 2 1/2 with full kitchen, washer/dryer, separate washroom/shower. Heat and hydro included. 5 minutes from town centre, no smokers, no pets. $550 per month. 514-294-3627 (201105)

Registered Gun Smith. We buy new and used guns, restricted and non-restricted. 514-453-5018 Lawn Maintenance business: Hedge trimming, lawn cutting contracts, spring clean up, trim bushes, also top soil and seed lawns. Good rates. Call 514-884-5959

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¿Moving? All jobs. Reliable, reasonable, fully equipped. Local and Ontario, Maritimes, USA. 35 yrs experience. Call Bill or Ryan 514-457-2063.

APPLE MAC SUPPORT since 1983 Variable rates Initial hour free ** Preventive maintenance ** Upgrades Troubleshooting Bootable backups System analysis & Advice terry@cloudbyteconsulting.com www.cloudbyteconsulting.com 450-853-0534

ASPIRATEURS HUDSON VACUUM. Canister and Central Vacuum Cleaners. Sales and repair all brands. SEBO Vacuum Cleaner, 10 year warranty $398. (Electrolux, Filter Queen, Kenmore and uprights; other brands available, $75 and up). New Central Vac with bag, hose, accessories $579 and up. Repair and service central vacuum systems. Parts and bags (all makes). Biodegradable cleaning supplies. Toilet paper 500 sheets per roll, $37.95/48 rolls per case. Sharpening scissors, knives and gardening tools. 67 McNaughten, Hudson, Quebec 450-458-7488

Piano Lanco - Experienced local piano technicians offering quality tunings and skillful repairs. Improve the sound and touch of your piano with hammer voicing and action regulation. info@pianolanco.com 514-7707438

175 - WANTED

“MAN WITH A VAN” MOVING. Whole house. Small moves, too! Quebec/Local/ Ontario. Experienced/Equipped. Please leave a message 514-605-3868 MIKE THE MOVING MAN. Serge Guindon Inc. Excavation and Levelling 514-269-8281

325 – AUTOS FOR SALE ‘73 Lincoln Continental 4 door. Excellent mechanical condition. Call Brendan at 514241-4635 (201029) White Nissan Versa 2009. 120,000 km. No accidents, new battery, new brakes. Four winter tires on rims. $4,500. 514-668-9718 (201210) Chevrolet HHR 2007. Dark blue, grey interior. 179,255 km. Good condition, 5 speed manual. New battery, new clutch and gears, and brakes. $2,000, as is. 450-202-0718 (201217) 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe V6 automatic Moka Frost. Runs well, recent brakes, radiator, alternator and battery. Bodywork good. Only 205,300 km. Second car no longer needed.

SOLD!

2005 GMC Sierra 1500 STE, white. Club cab, 4 wheel drive, 5.3l, 190,000km. Clean but rusting rocker panels, many components recently replaced. Currently leaking Prestone and service engine light on. Winter tires also available (210121)

Continued on page 25

$ Buy car for scrap. Running or not, 24/7. www.scrapvehicule.com Call 514-715-7845 A Military Collector looking for medals, flags, swords, uniforms, documents, helmets, hats, all related war memorabilia WWI, WWII, Canadian/German or others. Antiques, collectibles, aviation, nautical, coins, badges, maps, signs. Please contact Patrick 450-458-4319, patrick148@ca.inter. net, 2760A Côte St-Charles, St-Lazare, Reni Decors (210211)

@thejournalnewspaper

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY ACCOUNTANTS

KARAVOLAS BOILY & TRIMARCHI CPA INC. Taxes and Accounting 438 Main Road, Hudson Tel : 450-458-0406

ARCHITECT

Chloe Hutchison Architect, PA LEED™

chutchison@live.ca • 514-806-8952 BOOKKEEPING

Bryan Todd, B. Comm (Acct.)

Business and Personal Accounting Services, Tax Preparations & Filings Ph. (514) 730-5966

DENTISTS Dr. Don Littner, Dr. Morty Baker & Dr. Natalie Liu New patients welcome 472 Main Rd., Suite I, Hudson 450.458.5334

THE JOURNAL

HOME CARE NURSING

LIFE COACH

PSYCHOLOGIST

Nova Hudson

Caroline Courey Life Coach

Sylvi Lafontaine

Nursing care, palliative care, cancer care, foot care, family support, volunteer services and adult day centre. 465 Main Rd, Hudson, Suite 202 (450) 458-5727

caroline.courey@gmail.com 450-853-0616 www.courey.com International Coach Federation ICF

IMMIGRATION

ORTHODONTISTS

Brazolot Migration Group 450 Rue Main, Hudson, QC (450) 458-2186 info@brazolotgroup.com

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Mark Quenneville

Associate Investment Advisor Quenneville Walsh Private Wealth Management / Raymond James Ltd. 450-202-0999 mark.quenneville@raymondjames.ca

Thursday, October 22, 2020

Dr. Amy Archambault Dr. Paul Morton

Your Local Specialists in Orthodontics 3206, boul. de la Gare, Suite 160 Vaudreuil-Dorion (450 )218-1892

TheJournal

Psychologist 450.458.0944 sylvilafontaine@gmail.com Bilingual Services • Cdn & US trained

Dr. Astrid Kleis, Ph.D.

Psychologist / Psychotherapist 514-836-3903 astridkleis@montrealtherapy.com

Indiv. (adults/children) & Couples Therapy multilingual

drs. Martina Kleine-Beck Psychologist 514.265.1386 martinakb _ 58@ hotmail.com

JOIN THE PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORY Contact us today 450-510-4007 • admin@yourlocaljournal.ca

CLASSIFIEDS

View, submit & pay your ad online at www.yourlocaljournal.ca or e-mail: classifieds@yourlocaljournal.ca • 450 510-4007

VISUAL CLASSIFIEDS

200 – CAREERS/EMPLOYMENT

A picture may be worth a thousand words but we’ll only charge you $5. The Journal now brings you our NEW VISUAL CLASSIFIEDS section. Take a print classified in our paper for the usual low cost ($15/one week, $20/two weeks, $25/ three weeks) and for an additional $5, we’ll post your ad and photo of what you’re selling on our website. Your ad will STAY POSTED online until your item is sold. Try it out – we look forward to seeing your ad. Email your ad request and photo to admin@yourlocaljournal.ca. Ads will be updated online every Thursday.

C.V., presentation letter, immigration, mentoring, computer workshops, social networks.

info@reseauxvs.ca • 450 424-5727 • reseauxvs.ca 125 - FOR RENT

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT Six spacious offices, reception area, kitchenette and powder room. Offices are on the second floor of the Hudson Shopping Centre. Available November 1st - $2,000/month

Call Marcel Leduc (514)602-4313

Red hats

Continued from page 12 With the upcoming winter season and the current state of infection levels in the province, Medicoff is hopeful all members will be open to using the Zoom platform to continue meeting and keep everyone’s morale boosted. In the meantime, members stay connected via telephone. “We have one member who’s currently ill but people stay in touch, giving her calls.” Staving off loneliness “It’s not easy,” Medicoff added. “For seniors, loneliness is more difficult than

for any other group. We’re trying not to go out at all so if you’re getting your groceries delivered, you’re not seeing anyone.” She said the second wave of the virus has been more difficult on the seniors than the initial outbreak. “The first one we were ready to accept it because we sort of saw the light at the end of the tunnel. But now, with winter and the holidays coming, it makes it more difficult.” But Medicoff stands firm in her belief in the strength of the group. “I believe we’ll cope. I intend to do another Zoom meeting or two. And yes, we’ll all be wearing our red hats.” For more information consulty www. redhatsociety.com

In Memoriam

Lee (Leona) Mitchell January 2, 1936 - October 6, 2020

CLASSIFIEDS WORK! Get G et y you our a ad d sseen een by b yo ove ver 5 54,0 4,00 00 0 lloca ocal read readers ers by by plac placing ing it it in in

Lee (Leona) Mitchell, born Mychalina (nee Drul) On January 2, 1936 - It is with heavy hearts that we announce that Lee/mom passed away peacefully on October 6th, 2020 with family at her side. After a month of dealing with new and multiple health conditions, her prayers were answered to go “home” above to be with her Saviour and Lord. Beloved wife to Ken Mitchell. Beloved Mother of Michael (Manuela), Stephen (Kathryn) and Lisa (Chris), Gregor (Monique), and Malcolm. Cherished grandmother/“Baba Lee” to Shannon (Jim), David (Laura), Nicholas, Alexander (Kristina), Meghan, Connor, Colton, Joseph, Lauren and great-grandmother of Brooklyn, Lilah, Barrett, Linnea, Wyatt, Aria, Capri, Luna, Callum, Ava and Presley. Predeceased by her brothers Dennis, Victor, and Boris and ex-husband Pat Sowsun, survived by sisters Olecia and Martha and brother Nestor. She will be greatly missed by her many nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and neighbours.

Cont C onta act ct u uss at at :

cclassiﬁ lassiﬁeds@y eds@yo ourloc urlocaljour aljournal.ca nal.ca

450 4 50--51 510 0-4 -40 007 07

Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

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More chances to win!

Our Photo of the Week contest culminates every December with our â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Photo of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; winner chosen by one of our sponsors. This year, there are more chances to win! The top prize will be $200, second place will be $100 and third place $50 for photos taken by our readers. Have your cameras and phones ready to capture flora, fauna, artistry, and architecture. Every photo printed in the paper has a chance at winning the top prize! Send your entries to editor@yourlocaljournal.ca.

#STAYHEALTHY

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Our Focus...Your News

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34. Garments 38. Slippery one 39. Knee or elbow 40. Confederation 45. Folks 47. Eighteen-wheelers 50. Pay to play 52. Campfire residue 53. Hacks 54. Greek theaters 55. Lounge about 56. Onion cousin 57. Neighbor to Algeria 58. Wander 59. Sandwich shop 63. Set on fire

1985-1993 5. Korean or Chinese, e.g. 6. Speak from memory 7. Golf club 8. "Game of Thrones" actress Headey 9. Grieves 10. Hillside shelter 11. Gator's cousin 12. Mandlikova of the courts 15. "Moonstruck" Oscar winner 20. Coronet 21. "Teenage ___ Ninja Turtles" 24. Brusque 25. Flavoring herb 27. It may precede saw or tennis 28. Brewer's product 30. Animal in a Geico ad 31. Tolerate 32. City near Tahoe 33. Raced

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1. Small amount 2. Guitarist Clapton 3. Bristle 4. World chess champion,

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1. Laptop site 5. Seed coat 9. ___ one: speed of sound 13. Neighborhood 14. Withered 15. Charmer's serpent 16. Tiny pieces 17. Windows symbol 18. Erie's neighbor 19. Star-spangled comic book hero 22. ___ Misbehavin' 23. Coffee server 24. GWTW locale 26. State: Fr. 29. Battle memento 33. La Paz lady 35. Chicken-king connector 36. Pres. nickname 37. 1980 Goldie Hawn film 41. Sigmoid curve 42. ___ Aviv 43. Mudhens' town 44. Profound 46. "___ a song go out . . ." 48. Winnie ___ Pu 49. Auricle 51. Hindu princess 53. "Clue" character 60. Take to oneself 61. Apiece 62. Holiday song 64. 2017 Emma Watson role 65. Actress Sommer 66. Colombian city 67. Bargain-hunter's quest 68. Peck or buss 69. Give off

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Crossword and Sudoku

Why should you avoid private gatherings? Avoiding getting together with family and friends limits contact and curbs the spread of the virus. We need to react now.

Lavez vos mains

Gardez vos distances

QuĂŠbec.ca/coronavirus 1 877 644-4545

Thursday, October 22, 2020

THE JOURNAL

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