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Serving the Mapleton Community
Community News Volume 46 Issue 02
Drayton, Ontario
1 Year GIC - 2.00% 3 Year GIC - 2.40% 5 Year GIC - 2.56% Daily Interest 1.65%
Friday, January 11, 2013
Alma residents ready to take the plunge by Kelly Waterhouse ALMA - One of the favourite community winter traditions here is the Optimist Club’s annual Plunger Plop, set to return for the 31st edition on the outdoor ice rink on Feb. 2. “We were sold out right away, which is wonderful,” said Jim de Bock, organizer. One of the first in line was Jeff Fines, who arrived at the Alma Community Centre early in the morning on Jan. 5 to get a number just to register a team. “I’ve been involved in this since I was in grade school,” said Fines, who is now in his 12th year competing. “I wouldn’t miss it. I’ve won it twice.” In 2006, Fines made a YouTube video, (found by searching Alma Plunger Toss) as part of a college class project, capturing the spirit of fun and camaraderie. “We opened the doors of the Community Centre at 6:35am,” said de Bock, who notes that many of the participants are farmers who needed to register in between chores. “In previous years, I’ve had
Tossing in a team - The line-up for registration for the 31st annual Alma Optimist Plunger Plop began early in the morning on Jan. 5 at the Alma Community Centre with a take-a-number registration system. Lucky applicants then returned at 1pm to officially register a team. In total, 56 teams secured a coveted spot by the afternoon check-in and the waiting list for teams hoping for a spot had begun. photo by Kelly Waterhouse
people even camped out on my lawn,” he joked. “We’ve done things differently this year,” said de Bock. People were to arrive early to get a number for registration and then return at 1pm to officially register a team. By the 1pm deadline, 56 teams were registered and a waiting list had begun. “The 56 teams will compete
on two sheets of ice, broken into 28 teams at a time,” de Bock said. “Each team will play four games in the morning before the knock-out tournament in the afternoon.” He adds that all teams, each paying $40 to participate, are ranked in the final positions, with top trophies for the gold, silver and bronze winners, with
Kindergarten building projects approved
Pitching in for Canada - Moorefield’s Lydia Kalbfleisch, shown pitching for the Durham College Lords, has been selected to play for Canada’s team at the Maccabi Games in Israel this summer.
photo by Al Fournier
Moorefield hurler picked for Team Canada squad MAPLETON - Moorefield native Lydia Kalbfleisch of the Durham College women’s fastball team has been selected to represent Team Canada at the 19th annual Maccabi Games, which take place in Israel from July 17 to 31. Kalbfleisch, who played competitive ball locally in the Palmerston Marlins organization, will be joining Durham women’s fastball assistant coach Rosemary Theriault on Team Canada as Theriault was selected as a co-coach for the international event. The Maccabi Games are quadrennial “Jewish Olympics,” held in Israel the year following the Olympic Games. Every four years, the best Jewish athletes from around the world compete in Open, Masters, Juniors, and Disabled competitions. The games are one of the top three gatherings of athletes in the world. Over 7,000 athletes represent over 55 countries and compete for gold, silver and bronze medals in their respective sports.
Upon learning she had been selected to Team Canada, Kalbfleisch was excited about the opportunity and challenges ahead. “I was overjoyed and excited at the same time,” said Kalbfleisch. “I felt so privileged to receive the opportunity.” Kalbfleisch is in her first year of the sport management program at Durham College. She had an outstanding freshman year with the Lords, earning a silver medal at the provincial and national championships. She was second in OCAA wins (5) and had a 3.80 ERA with 29 strikeouts. Along with the excitement of the games, Kalbfleisch is also looking forward to the level of competition she is going to see at the national level while keeping her expectations in check. “I am hoping that we do really well as a team. I would ultimately like to win gold, but if we don’t, then I will feel honoured representing my country.”
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prizes for every team. “We’re signing up four teams each,” said Matt Fines, who stood with a group of friends all set to compete. The Alma Optimist Plunger Plop takes place Feb. 2 at 9am at the Cow Palace, located on the corners of King Street N., and Graham Street E. For more information contact Jim de Bock at 519-846-5124.
Hitting the twine - A number of local youngsters took advantage of the holiday break to enjoy some pickup hockey on the Cow Palace outdoor rink in Alma. photo by Patrick Raftis
Weekly Wag
esterday, Learn from y . for tomorrow e p o h , y a d to live for in - Albert Einste
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GUELPH - Upper Grand District School Board trustees have approved project descriptions for renovations and additions required to implement full-day kindergarten in 15 elementary schools, including four in Wellington County, by 2014. Project descriptions for Maryborough Public School in Moorefield, Eramosa Public School in GuelphEramosa, Ross R. Mckay in Hillsburgh and James McQueen Public School in Fergus were approved at the Dec. 18 board of trustees meeting. Also approved were descriptions for projects in Guelph, Orangeville, East Garafraxa and MonoAmaranth. The projects range from conversion of regular classrooms into purpose-built kindergarten rooms, to additions. Estimated costs are between $200,000 and $1.8 million. Projects over $250,000 require approval by the Ministry of Education.
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