TRENTON, ON (24/05/13) – Barb Neri of the National Air Force Museum of Canada stands beside a mock-up simulator of a CT-114 Tutor. Which is the same aircraft that the R.C.A.F. Snowbirds aerobatic team use. Photo By: Trevor Doctor

By Trevor Doctor

The National Air Force Museum in Trenton has finished its $1.2 million renovation expansion and is now open to the public.

The renovations took place over the winter, beginning in October 2012. The museum was open during the renovations but the expansion that houses the Halifax bomber was closed off to the public.

Museum public relations coordinator Barb Neri said, “We have new interesting displays being built. Revamped and much more interactive display coming for our great escape exhibit. We have displays on different forms of training starting back in the 1930’s. With the BCATP, which is the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, was established in Canada with other Commonwealth countries. So that this would be the place where all their flight people were trained. Before they were shipped back over to Europe to go to war.”

The museum was given a $1.2 million grant from the Directorate of History and Heritage. This group helps to preserve the history of the Canadian Forces. They are responsible for maintaining archives, records and collections. As well as also funding museums, which look after the same things.

The museum has two more renovation phases to come. They hope to have them completed within the next 5 years. Future renovation plans for the museum include a new larger gift shop, more collections, and more permanent archival storage.

The museum hopes to have its whole collection moved into the addition, which houses the Halifax. They hope to use the old curling rink portion as workshops for restorations, and offices and storage.

“This won’t be completed over night. I say probably 10 years from now. The museum only has a limited budget. So we are taking small steps towards the bigger goal, “ said Neri.

BELLEVILLE- Taren Singh plays soccer at Bayside Secondary School.

From the day Taren Singh started playing sports, he has been wearing a turban.

Singh was shocked when he heard about the Quebec Soccer Federations (QSF) ban on turbans.

People like Singh living in Quebec now face a problem with wearing their turban while playing soccer.

The QSF has cited issues related to safety that was not endorsed by FIFA.

Singh is a student at Bayside Secondary School and has been playing various sports in Belleville. He couldn’t believe the news coming from the QSF.

“I was shocked to hear that they banned turbans. I thought that in today’s society that racism and discrimination was over,” said Singh.

He has been playing sports for over 15 years and has never had any safety issues with his turban.

“Since the day I started playing sports I have always had my turban on. Basketball, soccer, volleyball, a wide variety of sports,” he said.

Singh said he has seen a lot of multiculture in Toronto and everyone is open to it.

“Throughout my high school career I have been playing sports, not one issue. When I was playing down in Toronto there was nothing, there is a lot of multi culture down there. It’s very open and equally fair. Coaches don’t say anything, refs don’t say anything,”

Much like Quebec Sikh soccer players, Singh is frustrated with the QSF’s ruling on turbans and doesn’t understand the reasoning behind it.

“Just because we wear something on our heads doesn’t mean they can tell us we can’t play. People wear headbands in sports. Lebron James wears a headband, that’s something similar. We are wearing a turban, why can’t we wear it in soccer? Just because it covers all of our head?”

For people like Singh, a turban is very important, and he won’t take it off just to play a sport. Turbans are commonly worn by Sikh men to cover their long hair, which is in respect of God’s creation.

“It’s more of a religious idea than anything. We are trying to respect what our ancestors did back before we were born. Taking it off just to play a sport would be defeating the purpose behind that,” he said.

FIFA has authorized turbans and has suspended the QSF for it’s decision to ban them.

Soccer players around the country are taking a stand against the issue. 20 teams are pulling out of a tournament in Montreal. Some players are even wearing turbans to protest.

Singh is proud of his turban and his religion

“It helps identify me as a person. It’s who I am. It helps show people that I believe in something and I believe in my religion. It helps me standup for who I am,” he said.

With increasing needs at the local food bank, a Loyalist grad is continuing an unusual idea to collect 4,000 pounds of goods this week.

It’s called Fill-That-Bus, and without it, Gleaners Food Bank may struggle to make it through summer.

As part of her Public Relations class, Erica Holgate pitched the Fill-That-Bus idea to teachers and students in 2010.

“That particular year was when Jim Parkhurst passed away and they used to do all the Christmas parades. When he passed that year in November I had an idea that we should fill a bus, just like Jim would of. After the first year we raised 3000 pounds of food we decided it was something we should continue,” says Holgate.

Outfitting a Parkhurst double decker bus with lights and music, Holgate and her team hits the streets of Belleville, collecting donations from businesses.

After a long day, the bus parks for the evening at a central location in the community.

“This has been the first year we have seen a lot of people actually come out and participate in the community side of things. We filled four barrels based off community donations, which is awesome,” she says

Now in its third year, Fill-That-Bus has collected over 13,000 pounds of food.

This year, Holgate and her team set their sights high.

“Our goal was to almost double again but it’s been a little bit slower this year. We have seen a lot more in the monetary donation, which will go a long way because Gleaners can buy things at cost,” she said.

For Susanne Quinlan and the rest of the staff at Gleaner’s food bank, summer means an apparent lack of donations.

“Schools are closing so they don’t do anymore food drives. Summer is when we can spend up to $40,000 buying food because donations are down so much,” she said.

Gleaners had a great deal of help in getting through these difficult months.

Of the $1,100 raised already, Gleaners can purchase roughly 2,500 pounds of food.

“It’ s nice having this amount of food to help us get through the summer, because in October we do our citywide food drive. That can bring in between 18 and 20 tons of food, so were in a cycle yet again,” stressed Quinlan

This year alone Gleaners has seen an eight per cent increase in families using the food bank.

Nick Donato of Tech Tronics Inc. introduces the new technology that Loyalist College has received. Tech Tronics held a contest to give away $15000 worth of equipment to the college with the most votes. Loyalist won the contest and the Broadcasting Engineering Technology program received their award on Friday. Photo by Shelden Rogers

BELLEVILLE, ON [08/06/2013] Karen McNichol looks on anxiously as her dog Cosmo, a seven year old black labrador, takes off the Ultimate Air Dogs Canada dock during the eighth annual Strut for Strays fundraising event in West Zwick’s Park. The event is held each year in support of Fixed Fur Life, a local charity which spays and neuters cats and dogs to help with overpopulation, and keeps strays from being euthanized by provding a network of over 50 volunteer foster homes. Photo by Kaitlin Abeele

Andrew Shaw and Dustin Walsh pose for a picture during their time together as kids in Quinte AAA hockey.

By Shelden Rogers

The city of Belleville was buzzing on Thursday morning after hometown hero Andrew Shaw scored one of the biggest goals of his career.

Shaw scored the game-winning goal last night in triple overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 1-0 series lead against the Boston Bruins.

The city is watching as Belleville’s own Shaw and the Blackhawks are three wins away from NHL’s holy grail.

Shaw is in his second year of NHL action and at the age of 21, has the chance to bring the Stanley Cup to his hometown.

Andrew’s mother Darlene Shaw still can’t believe what her son has accomplished.

“It’s unbelievable. We understand that yes, it is his second year in the league and he is playing for the biggest cup there is in hockey. When you get in that Chicago arena, I think your body just tingles. You realize, wow, how did this all happen in two years,” said Darlene in an interview before leaving to Chicago on Tuesday.

Her son has not only become popular in the Chicago arena, but around the entire NHL as well. Darlene loves seeing fans at the arena with her family name written on the back of their jerseys.

“I remember one person a couple weeks ago, said to me thank God you had him. I said wow that is quite a statement. You just smile and say thank you, we believe the people when they talk about him,” she said.

Both Darlene and her husband Doug can’t even put into words what it would mean to them if their son won the Stanley Cup.

“I can’t even think about that right now. It’s just not quite real yet. For Doug and I we just think one game at a time,” said Darlene.

Growing up in Belleville, Shaw spent a lot of his minor hockey playing with the Quinte Red Devils.

His Red Devils coach Carl Mackenzie couldn’t be prouder of Andrew.

“I’m just so happy that he is doing so well. You look at all the highlights, they are showing Andrew all the time. He’s like the new hot player of the NHL. He’s just doing fantastic,” said Mackenzie.

When Mackenzie found out that Shaw scored the game winning goal in game one of the Stanley Cup final he couldn’t believe his eyes.

“I woke up at four o clock and I looked at my phone and I said to my wife he did it again,”

Mackenzie said Shaw wasn’t the best player he ever coached, but he had the most heart.

“Andrew wouldn’t stop. He just kept going. He wouldn’t take no for an answer. He would listen to everything you say. He was a dream to coach,” he said.

Mackenzie said Shaw was a role model for other players. He was respected on and off the ice.

“He was very well liked. He was raised right. He was a very polite young man, he had a great sense of humour,” he said.

Mackenzie watches Shaw’s games at his neighbours house and brags about the player he coached. He is cheering louder than ever, in hopes that Shaw will return home with a Stanley Cup.

“I am so happy for him. I hope he comes back with a Stanley Cup ring. That would just be amazing for him. He’s living the dream for sure,” he said.

Another person cheering more than ever is Shaw’s best friend Dustin Walsh.

Shaw and Walsh have been playing hockey together from the age of 13. Even with both of their busy schedules the two have remained close friends.

Walsh watches Shaw’s games as much as he can, including game one of the Stanley Cup final.

“It was pretty exciting. I was watching it with my brother, we both thought he was playing one of the best games that we have seen him play. He was doing so much that we were like it’s going to be his line that ends up putting it in,” said Walsh.

Even with all the fame, Walsh said Shaw doesn’t let it go to his head. He is still the same guy that he knew when he was 13.

“He’s a really down to earth guy, a lot of fun. You would never know hanging out with him that he played a season in the NHL. He’s the type of guy where it doesn’t go to his head or anything,” said Walsh.

Walsh and the city now wait for game two of the Stanley Cup final on Friday night in Chicago.

Bellville, ON (June 1/11) – 11-year-old jujitsu champion Tyler Banez shows off his award in recognition of his athletic achievement. He stands with his father Mark Banez who is also a dedicated martial artist.

Story and Photo by John R. Moodie

He was the smallest and possibly the youngest athlete to be recognized that night. Though Eleven-year-old Tyler Banez may be small he compensates with strength of character.

Banez became the first athlete to be recognized for Brazilian jujitsu by the City of Belleville. On Tuesday Belleville hosted its honors and awards event to recognize local athletes for their achievements at the provincial, national and international level.

“Its not all about strength, its about technique and speed. If you’re a lot stronger than a person you’re not necessarily going to beat them,“ said Banez.

The event was held at the Belleville Sports Centre and was hosted by councilor Jack Miller. Athletes were honored for floor ball, rugby, gymnastics, swimming, power lifting and speed skating. Athletes are nominated by coaches and teachers.

“Its very hockey dominated or its floor hockey or ball hockey, but jujitsu we have never had that before,” said recreation program supervisor Tanya Grierson.

He was honoured for winning four gold medals in 2012 at the Ontario provincial level.

“You have to be fast, you have to know what to do and when to do it and you have to do it well,” said Banez.

Banez worked his way up to a brown belt in karate before he switched to Brazilian jujitsu.

He said he would like to someday compete in boxing or mixed martial arts. His father who is supportive and also a martial artist was surprised by his son’s announcement.

“You do? That’s news to me,” said Mark Banez, Tyler’s father.

Tyler said he also wants to earn his black belt in jujitsu. His father said it can take up to ten years to get a black belt in jujitsu.

Mark Banez has been into martial arts since he was Tyler’s age. He has his black belt in karate. Tyler’s father said he began taking jujitsu classes when his son became involved in the sport.

The father and son on occasion spar together. It can get competitive at times.

“He will catch me every once in a while. If I make a mistake he will make sure I know about it,” said Mark.

Listen to Tyler Banez’s story here:

Inline hockey player, Jackie Jarrell was also honoured. She was awarded the Robinson Kelleher Memorial Award as Belleville’s athlete of the year.

“There are a lot of amazing athletes in this area. I am grateful that they picked me. I am humbled and honoured,” said Jarrell.

Jarrell was a member the Canadian championship team that won a gold medal at the worlds in 2012. She led her team with 15 point in six games for the tournament.

Miller who is a local sportscaster remembers Jarrell as a young up-and-coming hockey player. Miller recalls Jarrell playing boys peewee hockey at a time when girls’ hockey hadn’t yet taken off.

“She played with the boys they were her peers and she didn’t take a back seat to anybody,” said Miller.

Prince Edward County, ON (June 1/13) – -owner of Reynolds Farm, Larry Reynolds, looks out at his water-logged corn fields. Reynolds is just one of many farmers who is unhappy with the wet weather.

Story and photo Alisa Howlett

Farmers in the Quinte region are concerned for this season’s crop after all of the recent rainfall.

“It’s kind of like we all need some psychiatric help,” said local farmer, Lloyd Crowe. “We’re kind of helping each other, encouraging each other and saying, ‘it’s going to dry up and it will stop raining.’”

A record-breaking rainfall of more than an inch occurred on June 10of this year, said the Weather Office at CFB Trenton. The last record was set 62 years ago.

“We have had a pretty good planting season starting in early May, it went well. Since the rain started it has slowed down planting,” said Crowe, co-owner of Reynolds Farms and the Prince Edward County delegate of Grain Farmers of Ontario.

The northern end of PEC suffered a rainstorm that brought farming from Belleville through Napanee to a halt. Hundreds of acres have yet to be planted, said Crowe.

“I can’t remember so much water laying in the fields at this time of year. Usually you can’t buy a rain,” he said.

Farmers that have already planted their seeds are wary of how they might turn out.

“There’s a lot of worry, there’s a lot of things we’re watching for,” said Bette Jean Crews, former president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “Everything looks good, but with no heat they aren’t growing as fast as they should.”

Farmers that haven’t been able to plant might experience later difficulties.

“If you didn’t get [the seeds] in before that downpour rain, it takes a long time for that to dry up enough to get a tractor in the ground,” Crews said.

Cash crop farmers are not the only ones who have been affected by the inclement weather. Dairy farmers are experiencing set backs as well.

“The rainfall hasn’t affected the cattle too much, although the variation in temperature is hard on the cattle. With the up and down in the temperature they tend to have more pneumonia,” said Mark Donnan, Donnondale Farms owner.

Earlier this spring Donnan suffered a small loss in production when he treated a few of his calves for pneumonia. He was able to nurse all of them back to health with the assistance of a veterinarian. He store feeds his cattle so he has not been concerned about the quality of his pasture, he said.

Although Brent Siwicky, Cricklewood Farm Co-owner, still has some planting to do he is looking on the bright side of the dark weather.

With lower crop yields, the prices might remain firmer, he said.

The wet weather has ultimately delayed local farmers’ production time and caused a loss in yield, said Crews.

The Unseeded Acreage Benefit covers farmers’ expenses when the weather is unsatisfactory.

“You don’t make any money, they cover your expenses and you hope for another year,” Crowe said.

The owners of Reynolds Farms are hopeful and are making the best of their time waiting for the rain to stop.

“You try and look busy,” Crowe said. “There’s always things to be repaired or fixed, as cash crop farmers we rely heavily on machinery.”

Crowe and co-owner, Larry Reynolds, have just begun the construction of a machine shop. It has been a dream of theirs for a while, Crowe said.

In the meantime, farmers throughout the area are gearing up to work for when the land is ready again, he said.