Submitted by: Karen Seward

The Bell Island Minor Hockey Association held its annual awards banquet on May 12,2001. A variety of awards were presented to some very deserving teams, individuals and volunteers. The Association's annual general meeting followed the supper where 38 people attended. A financial report was presented and followed by the election of officers. The minor hockey executive for the 2001-2002 season is as follows:

President: Mr. Norman King

Vice-president: Mr. Raymond Whalen

Secretary: Mrs. Karen Seward

Treasurer: Mrs. Sandi Zver

Registrar: Mr. Bob Seward

Hockey Co - ordinator: Mr. Gary Byrne

Fundraising Co - ordinator: Mr. Bob Mitchell

Public Relations Representative: Mrs. Valerie Ryan

Our motto this year is "Working as a team for all our teams". We feel our executive is a strong one. Our members have a combination of talents and experiences that will be a definite asset to our organization. We have all vowed to work diligently on behalf of the children of Bell Island. Our objective is to ensure that any child who wants to play hockey with our association is able to do so. We feel no child should be deprived of the experience because of financial reasons. In order to achieve this goal, we are striving to lower registration costs. We have a number of fund raising ideas that could make this dream a reality. We are in the process of establishing a $500.00 drawing for early July. The executive has decided that one-half of the amount of ticket sales raised by the children and parents will go toward that child's registration. For example: if a child sells $50.00 worth of tickets, $25.00 will be deducted from his or her registration. We feel this idea is a good one, as it will promote pride in the children.

They are working for something as opposed to just receiving it. Any parents interested in obtaining tickets to sell can contact the following team representatives:

Tim Bits or Novices: Mrs. Lydia Brazil

Atoms: Mrs. Judy Rees

Pee Wee: Mr. Norman King

Bantam: Mr. Kevin (Rusty) Clarke

You can also contact any member of the executive for further details.

In a small community such as Bell Island, we have to work together in order to provide a memorable hockey experience for our children. The Minor Hockey Association is not just about the game of hockey. It's about teaching our future leaders skills they will use in their everyday lives. It's about sportsmanship. It's about respecting your peers. It's about seeing parts of our province that these children may not otherwise get to see. It's about forming friendships that will sometimes last a lifetime. It's so much more than just a game. It's an experience that will help shape our children's lives for years to come. We are asking that all our parents join us in our efforts in working as a team for all our teams. Together, we can make it happen.

Submitted by: Marilyn Sheppard

We would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to all the people who have supported the FOOD BANK through this difficult winter. We were able to meet the heightened demands placed on us by the extreme cold weather and served everyone who needed it.

A tragedy for farmers in Prince Edward Island has proved a boon for hungry people across Canada. This has been the biggest single donation to the CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANK’S NATIONAL FOOD SHARING SYSTEM, more than 30-million 10-pound bags has been distributed in the past few months. We were so grateful to receive our share of them. Potatoes are a nutritious food that is easy to prepare. About 800,000 people make use of food banks each month, on an average we serve approximately 389 adults and 240 children with an increase of 3 to 4 families monthly in the past few months.

Rev Sheppard participated in his annual walk-a-thon on Saturday June 23^rd. He walked from Portugal Cove Ferry to the Avalon Mall. Proceeds from this will be given to the Bell Island Food Bank. Many thanks to those who sponsored him to make

it a great success.

Bell Island Day is fast approaching and we are all excited about it , do you remember when we were children and we would go to the Sports Field to watch our fathers pull in the Tug-O-War or pitch a horseshoe, and we would be there screaming our little lungs out for our fathers to win, that’s what we have planned for this year. So far we have five teams from different areas of Bell Island, if you can come up with a group of six people to make up a team for our Tug-O-War or you would like to enter our horseshoe competition call the Foodbank at 488-2656 or Dawn at 488-9244. Of course we will also have our Dunk Tank again this year with none other then our MHA Jim Walsh, an RCMP Officer , Joey Somerton and Tammy Taplin to name a few. Watch out or you may be nabbed for our JAIL so make sure you bring a good friend that would be willing to bail you out! Please make the effort to be there that day (remember this is what our children’s memories are made of). So come out and have a great time with your families and support your local organizations.

School will soon be out and we would like to wish all our young people and teachers a very safe and happy summer.

By Eileen Sweeney Metcalfe

On behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion, I would like to thank the following for their generous donations to our June 16^th Dart Tournament:

Byrne’s Easy Save, Clarke & Clarke, Gary Crane, House of Stoyles, Gary Hunt, Martin Hurley, Juke Box Junction, Dr. Alexa Laurie, Marilyn Pynn - the Personal Touch, Shirley Murphy - Beauty Salon, Tina’s Unisex, Mr. Home Move, Doris Noseworthy, Operation Sunshine, Walt Peddle, Ridgeway Variety, Skanes Foodland, Margaret Leonard, Shirley Noftall, and John Peddle.

I would also like to thank our Volunteers - Cynthia Fowler, Claudine McGrath, Susan Hann, Lydia Sweeney, Don Sweeney & Vic Jenkins, and of course a special thank you to all who participated in our Dart Tournament for their generosity & commitment, making this a very successful fund raiser for the Royal Canadian Legion.

By Sgt. Ron Andrews

The following is part of an article which I came across in the July 4^th publication of

The Compass by Cst. Marc Trioreau of the RCMP Trinity Conception District.

Marc quoted the following which was written by a student attending Columbine High School in Littlejohn, Colorado.

"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, but more problems; more medicine but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We’ve learned how to make a living but not a life. We’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour. We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space. We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We have higher incomes, but lower morals. We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.

It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to make a difference, or just hit delete.............

By Capt. Wayne Fitzgerald

Well the Cadet year has come to it’s official end as of June 3^rd. And the majority of cadets will be leaving to attend summer camp during July and August and returning to Cadets in September.

The Annual Ceremonial Review went well, with Capt. Sean McKnight being the reviewing officer. WO Cyril Duke attended on behalf of the ACO’s office and Lt. Selby Luffman on behalf of the Nfld. & Labrador Army Cadet League. The Cadets received high praise from all three. I would also like to thank all the parents, friends, invited guests and interested residents who attended the ACR, it was one of the best turn outs in several years. The cadets put off a tremendous demonstration of what it means to be a cadet, showing dedication, hard work, discipline and humor. All officers and volunteers with the Corps. were very proud to be involved with such a fine group of Bell Island youth.

A $1,000. scholarship was awarded to Grade XII students leaving to further their education. This year the scholarship was shared between CWO Naomi Wade and MWO Kim Dadd. Awards were presented to: Green Star - Cpl. Michael Churchill, Red Star - M/Cpl. Susan Fitzgerald, Silver Star - Sgt. Amanda Sparkes & Sgt. Samantha Fitzgerald, Jr. Band - M/Cpl. Crystal Sheppard, Sr. Band - Sgt. Michelle Sheppard, Most Improved - Sgt. Lawrence Churchill, Senior NCO - MWO Kim Dadd, Senior Proficiency - CWO Naomi Wade, Charles Kearley Memorial Award for Outstanding Effort - WO Crystel Churchill, Lord Stratcona - WO Rebecca Wade, Legion Medal of Excellence - WO Jennifer O’Keefe. ( I believe I have these all straight, I apologize if I don’t & will make the necessary corrections, if any, next month)

Cadets will be taking a break for the majority of the month of June, but will be holding a Cadets Caring for Canada day during June and will be attending the Royal Canadian Legion July 1^st parade for Canada Day. Cadets will restart either the 9^th or 16^th of September. Hope to see all cadets there and any new recruits who wish to join. Remember when you reach your 12^th birthday you are eligible to join one of the best youth movements in the world.

I hope everyone has a safe & happy summer and look forward to seeing you in September.

Capt. Wayne Fitzgerald

709-488-3057

By Cst. Roy Kendall

For the third year in a row the RCMPolice on Bell Island held a contest for grade three students at St. Augustine's school. The contest prize was police officer for a day. To enter the contest the children were required to write an essay in school on "the role of a police officer." The winners were Santanna Bickford and Colin O'Keefe. The young officers were presented their uniforms at school on Friday the 15th of June by Sgt. Andrews. On Monday June 18th the two young constables were picked up bright and early by police car and brought to school to show off their uniforms. Next was a tour of the RCMP office on Bell Island. They were taken to St. John's where they were given a tour of the RCMP "B" Division headquarters building. At our headquarters they were presented with official framed police officer certificates, and models of RCMP patrol cars. They also received a tour of the VOCM radio station and received gifts from VOCM as well as from NTV. The children also received a tour of the CBC Television studio. The young constables were permitted to occupy the driver's seat on the bridge of the MV Flanders under the supervision of Capt. Willis Glover during the trip to Portugal Cove and when they returned to Bell Island.

By Cst. Roy Kendall and Cst. Steve Harper

On Saturday, the 9th of June RCMP with the help of the Bell Island Kiwanis Club held their annual bike rodeo at the Monsignor Bartlett Memorial Arena. This event, as usual was well attended by the youth of Bell Island. Prior to the event a school talk and presentation on bike safety was given by Csts. Kendall and Harper. The children from kindergarten to grade three were required to pass a written exam at school in order to be eligible to participate in the bike rodeo. Various prizes were donated for this event which included two brand new bikes, donated by Co-Operators Insurance through VOCM radio. Other prizes of bike helmets were donated by the Kiwanis Club, Clarke's Home Hardware, Wabana Sports Bar in Cambridge, Ontario, Tom and Barbara Spracklin, Terry and Brenda Carter and Brenda Rees, all from Cambridge, Ontario. Special thanks also go out to Derek Hiscock with VOCM Radio who co-ordinated the donation of the bike prizes with Co-Operators Insurance. Also special thanks to Tom Spracklin who in spite of his wife's illness collected bike helmets and t-shirts for prizes. We would also like to thank Mr. Martin Hurley for the donation of coke cards to pass out to all participants and Mr. Frank Skanes for his donation of t-shirts and hats.

Congratulations to the winners of the bicycles, five year old Stephanie Johnson and six year old Rielly Mitchell.

We encourage children of all ages to wear their bicycle helmets. If we happen to see a child wearing a bike helmet during our regular patrol this summer they may receive a small prize which will be presented on the spot. Please do not report to our office wearing your bike helmet. We have to see you wearing it while we are on patrol.

By Cst. Roy Kendall

During police week an open house was given to the kindergarten students of St. Augustine’s School. The children were able to see first hand what it would be like to be locked in cells. They had their fingerprints taken and were given the opportunity to sit inside the police car, play with the lights and siren as well as talk on the police car's public announcement system.

A prize loot bag was given to every child attending St. Augustine's School.

By Cst. Scott Stephenson

Bell Island RCMP is seeking the public help with respect to a missing person.

George LEWIS went missing on November 1^st, 1994 from his residence on McDougall Street.

LEWIS was 36 years old at the time and is described at the time of his disappearance as;

-5'8

-sandy brown hair

-brown eyes

LEWIS would be 43 years of age now.

If anyone has any info as to the whereabouts of George LEWIS could they please contact the Bell Island RCMP at (709)488-3312, any police agency or Crime Stoppers.

By Cst. Scott Stephenson

-Unknown suspects set fire to the swings on Normore Cres. On May 10^th. The fire was extinguished before any major could occur. There were some youths around when the fire took place but they felt it wasn’t necessary to put it out.

-Two young males smashed the windows out of a van parked on Bennett St. The incident was reported to police on May 16^th.

-On May 19^th a 54 year-old Bell Island man was injured when his car went out of control while he was going down The Beach Hill. The vehicle came to rest at the bottom of the hill near the coffee shop.

-In the early morning hours of May 20^th a 22 year-old Bell Island woman reported to Police that she was assaulted by her 28 year-old boyfriend while they were walking home from a club.

-A 52 year-old Bell Island man will be appearing in court on July 18^th after he was arrested by police for assaulting his wife in the early hours of May 27^th.

-Charges of uttering threats have been laid against a 33 year-old Bell Island man in connection with an altercation with a 19 year-old man. He will appear in court on July 18^th.

-Police arrested a 22 year-old man from Bell Island for assault after a family disturbance on June 1^st. The male will appear in court on July 18^th.

-A 59 year-old Bell Island man was charged with impaired driving when he was stopped by police while operating his ATV in the West Mines area. He will appear in court on July 18^th

-Police attended a complaint of a fire at St. Boniface School on June 8^th. Culprits had set fire to their school books. The matter is still under investigation at this time.

-On June 11^th a 35 year-old Bell Island died after the ATV he was operating went out of control and went over the cliff in the Freshwater Beach area.

-An 18 year-old female was struck by a car while walking on No. 2 Rd. near the post office on June 25th. The driver of the vehicle has been identified and charges are being contemplated.

By Cst. Scott Stephenson

On Tuesday June 5^th the 2 Grade 5 classes at Immaculate Conception School held their DARE graduation at the school gymnasium. The students received DARE t-shirts and certificates in recognition of their efforts.

One of the requirements to take the DARE program was that each student had to complete an essay about what they learned in the program. All of the essays were excellent and it was obvious that a lot of time and effort went in to them. Eleven students were chosen to read their essays to the audience at the graduation.

The event was well attended by families, school staff and RCMP members. After the graduation a get together was had where soft drinks donated by Mr. Gary Hunt and Mr. Martin Hurley, tea, coffee and food were served.

A cake made by Mrs. Karen Seward with the DARE logo and all of the students names was on display and enjoyed by the students the next day.

This program is a new program that is being introduced in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador this past year. It has been very popular across Canada not only with the RCMP, but also with other Police Services across the country. Last year the RCMP here in Newfoundland and Labrador were able to train 8 new DARE Officers to make it a total of 10 in the province. The other 2 DARE Officers are, Cst. Tina Brake who had been posted in B.C. prior to being transferred to Trepassey last year, and myself received our DARE training while we were both stationed in B.C.

By Sgt. Ron Andrews

It is almost beyond belief that someone would stoop so low as to steal from the Church. Even worst then that steal from and damage the property of the Salvation Army cemetery.

Well folks that is just the case. During the night of July 2^nd , Person or persons yet unknown, actually took two newly erected metal fence posts and damaged several others and also took a small quantity of chain link fencing and accessories. What a disgrace to have such person(s) within our community.

I would ask anyone who has any information on this senseless crime to please come forward. All information received will be treated as confidential.

By Sgt Ron Andrews

Not so long ago seat belt usage in Nfld and Labrador was one of the highest in the Country. Recent studies now show that we have slipped to one of the lowest. Contrary to the hundreds of excuses people will give you SEAT BELTS DO SAVE LIVES.

In an effort to bring usage back up, the RCMP Bell Island Community Policing Office will be making a concerted effort to effect compliance with the seat belt regulations. This means that there will be strict enforcement of the seat belt laws and checkpoints throughout the summer. I would ask that everyone keep this in mind and BUCKLE UP BEFORE YOU HAVE TO PAY UP.

Well folks there is another new trend in crime on the Island. We have had a number of vehicles entered and items taken. There was also a vehicle stolen when the spare keys were found in the ash tray. I am also sure that quite a few vehicles were entered and the owners are not aware that this had occurred. Please be sure not to leave valuables in your vehicles and keep the vehicles locked, especially when parked overnight. Remember an ounce of prevention is better then a pound of cure.

By Cst. Scott Stephenson

By Peter Kent