Gananoque Secondary School’s students definitely caught the attention of the folks who were at the national and provincial eliminations of the Skills Canada competitions.

Doing the school proud were Peyton Campbell, who took home a provincial gold and a national silver for the restaurant service event; Tyler Carr, who bagged a silver for the job interview event in the provincial level; and Jeremy Nichols, who took gold for the job skills event in the provincial level. Nichols also won the Dickies Award of Excellence, and an added cash prize of $1,500 for getting the best results at the provincials. With a perfect score of 1,800 points, he easily beat out the other participants. Both Tyler and Jeremy are employed in the kitchen at the Gananoque Inn and are found to be remarkable and very talented young men and well appreciated by the owners and their fellow workers.

Campbell, who joined her 2nd provincial level competition, met her goal of improving last year’s provincial silver win. Her silver at the nationals was unexpected, especially after how she was so nervous competing in such a big stage.

Carr also felt the same way, but kept to what he knew, pulling off a silver in the process.

For Nichols, hardly anything could’ve been sweeter than his silver win in the cooking event. Aside from being busy with school, both Tyler Carr and Jeremy Nichols are working at the Gananoque Inn. They are remarkable and very talented young men and well appreciated by the owners and their fellow workers.

Their teacher Diane Kirkby could not have been any prouder of them. She adds that watching her students win is no doubt the highlight of her career.

In an effort to have some of the community’s questions answered, Eric McElwain, owner of Gananoque Pharmasave, requested the presence of Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark for a meeting in town last Friday.

This was done because of the government’s recent decision to end the old system of providing professional allowances and reduce the prices of generic drugs by up to 25% compared to the drug’s brand name equivalent. These professional allowances used to be given to pharmacies by generic drug companies as a way of compensating them for selling their products. Surprisingly, this system was implemented by the government itself. It was ended due to alleged abuse by some pharmacies.

According to local health manager Chris Couper, most of the public only hear about the reduced generic drug prices, but that’s not all there is to it.

McElwain added that the drugs will indeed cost les, but his store will have to jack up their fee rates as a way of compensating for the elimination of professional allowances. Other generic drug stores will be hit harder, he pointed out. They will most likely have to reduce their store hours, lay off people, and maybe even close down, he said.

This problem prompted McElwain to invite MPP Clark and see what he has to say. After touring hundreds of pharmacies, Clark understands that this recent development will have a devastating impact on these small-town businesses. He promised to work things out.

In an effort to have some of the community’s questions answered, Eric McElwain, owner of Gananoque Pharmasave, requested the presence of Leeds-Grenville MPP Steve Clark for a meeting in town last Friday.

This was done because of the government’s recent decision to end the old system of providing professional allowances and reduce the prices of generic drugs by up to 25% compared to the drug’s brand name equivalent. These professional allowances used to be given to pharmacies by generic drug companies as a way of compensating them for selling their products. Surprisingly, this system was implemented by the government itself. It was ended due to alleged abuse by some pharmacies.

According to local health manager Chris Couper, most of the public only hear about the reduced generic drug prices, but that’s not all there is to it.

McElwain added that the drugs will indeed cost les, but his store will have to jack up their fee rates as a way of compensating for the elimination of professional allowances. Other generic drug stores will be hit harder, he pointed out. They will most likely have to reduce their store hours, lay off people, and maybe even close down, he said.

This problem prompted McElwain to invite MPP Clark and see what he has to say. After touring hundreds of pharmacies, Clark understands that this recent development will have a devastating impact on these small-town businesses. He promised to work things out.

Gananoque’s elections are getting pretty exciting, and with the addition of a third candidate running for councilor, it looks like things are going to get even more tense.

Joe Jansen recently threw his hat in the ring and announced his candidacy for Gananoque Town Council. The 48-year old said that his desire to be in public service was first sparked when a subdivision near his neighborhood was proposed. After working together with a group of residents who took their concerns and questions to council, Jensen admits that the process piqued his interest.

It was during that time, he said, that his interest to work for the town was really developed. He’s done other similar work shortly afterwards, including a stint with town planner Brenda Guy. The two worked on a couple of projects, such as the installment of a new sign at Dreams in Motion Performing Arts School.

Aside from working in the development and planning sector, Jansen works at the Portsmouth Community Correctional Center as a parole officer, and has also been a hostage negotiator at one point. However, it’s with the youth that Jansen places his real interest in. He points out that the only way the town can flourish in the future is if council pays attention to its youth.

To kick off the 2010 season, the Thousand Islands Playhouse puts it mark on the newest comedy sensation to come out of Broadway, The 39 Steps. Patrick Barlow’s hilarious adaptation of Hitchcock’s 1935 spy thriller has received rave reviews in the US and across the pond, and Playhouse Artistic Director Greg Wanless is thrilled its Canadian premiere will take place at the Thousand Islands Playhouse.

The story begins in London in 1935. Richard Hannay (Brendan Murray), is a world weary man with a boring life. As he struggles to find a way to rid himself of his ennui, he meets a woman with a thick accent who says she’s a spy. The mysterious beauty asks to hide in his apartment, but during the night she is stabbed, and with her dying breath she warns Richard to beware ‘The 39 Steps’. He soon finds himself on the lam, fleeing the law and some very threatening representatives of that mysterious organization. Along his journey Richard is aided – but more often hindered – by a crazy list of characters, from curmudgeonly Scottish inn keepers and beautiful women, to Nazi henchmen, spies and bumbling police officers, all played by a talented trio of actors.

The production is directed Stratford vet by Dayna Tekatch. Tekatch’s last appearance at the Playhouse was as choreographer of The Drowsy Chaperone, and she’ll be using all her talents to facilitate the many locations and split second character changes this ‘thriller/romance/comedy’ demands. In the midst of this whirlwind, Tekatch is also committed to remaining true to the storytelling, style and sensibility of Hitchcock’s thriller.

The Playhouse is thrilled to announce the cast assembled to bring The 39 Steps to Playhouse audiences. Brendan Murray has appeared at theatres across the country including The Globe Theatre, the NAC, Canadian Stage and several seasons at Stratford. The three actors who populate the The 39 Steps so coulorfully need to be able to change accents and even genders as fast as they change hats, and Matthew Gibson, Jacob James and Amy Sellors audiences each bring impressive comedic skills to the production.

Set and costumes are designed by Elizabeth Nutting, lighting by Tim Fort, sound by Adair Redish and Tekatch has enlisted the considerable skills of Kingston musician Scott Davey to compose original music for this production. The 39 Steps is stage managed by Erin Robertson and Liz Campbell.

This 2-time Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, countless zany characters, fascinating spy chases, an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and a good old-fashioned romance! Come and enjoy the magic and hilarity of this Playhouse Canadian premiere.

The 39 Steps at the Thousand Islands Playhouse Springer Theatre previews May 13,
opens Saturday May 15 and closes Saturday June 12.

Showtimes: Wednesday to Saturday at 8 pm, with 2:30 pm matinees every Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ticket Prices*: Regular – $32 65+ – $30 Under 30 – $25 Students – $16.
*Prices do not include taxes or fees.
5 & 8 show Season Subscriptions are on sale now – great savings, great entertainment!

Visit www.1000islandsplayhouse.com for more details.

The Town of Gananoque has a new chiropractor joining its medical community, and he’s tasked to make sure that his patients get to learn how to live healthy and active lifestyles, and also how to prevent catching common diseases caused by unhealthy habits.

Dr. Peter C. Burgess, a chiropractor who just got his license, is opening up shop in the same building where his father, who is a dentist, has his clinic.

According to the younger Burgess, his father was happy to welcome him to the building, where he started attending to patients on the 26^th of April. Already, a steady stream of people visit Dr. Burgess’ clinic to have their body pains checked out.

He added that the town and its people have always had  special spot in his heart. Burgess spent his younger years in the 1000 Islands, and since day one, Gananoque would always be the town where he wanted to open a practice.

Dr. Burgess’ interest in chiropractics was first sparked when he suffered a back injury when playing minor hockey. He says that he was amazed at how a chiropractor profoundly reduced his pain, without any surgery or serious procedure of any sort.

The Town of Gananoque has a new chiropractor joining its medical community, and he’s tasked to make sure that his patients get to learn how to live healthy and active lifestyles, and also how to prevent catching common diseases caused by unhealthy habits.

Dr. Peter C. Burgess, a chiropractor who just got his license, is opening up shop in the same building where his father, who is a dentist, has his clinic.

According to the younger Burgess, his father was happy to welcome him to the building, where he started attending to patients on the 26th of April. Already, a steady stream of people visit Dr. Burgess’ clinic to have their body pains checked out.

He added that the town and its people have always had  special spot in his heart. Burgess spent his younger years in the 1000 Islands, and since day one, Gananoque would always be the town where he wanted to open a practice.

Dr. Burgess’ interest in chiropractics was first sparked when he suffered a back injury when playing minor hockey. He says that he was amazed at how a chiropractor profoundly reduced his pain, without any surgery or serious procedure of any sort.