Teachers practice for strike nobody wants: Teachers at all the schools in Shawville demonstrated outside their schools before classes last Thursday morning. Teachers at the two Protestant schools are disturbed by what seems to them to be delaying tactics of the Quebec Association of Protestant School Boards in negotiating with the teachers.

The staff at Victoria Avenue High School demonstrated briefly before the classes also, mainly to show solidarity within the teachers unions across the province.

Some of the placards carried read: “School is open but Bourassa’s mind is closed”. “More work – Less Pay – No way”. “We want a contract”. “The time to negotiate is now!”

Benefit dance planned for Pontiac Community Hospital: With a need for equipment and supplies beyond the budget allowed by Quebec, Pontiac Community Hospital must depend on funds raised locally.

This year the Pontiac Assistant Nurses Association has decided to inaugurate an annual ball to help raise some of these funds. The first one will be held on Saturday, February 21st at the Dr. S.E. McDowell school with Art Jamieson’s orchestra.

Conveners are Mrs. Leslie Smart and Mrs. Laird Murray. Mrs. Smart says that the immediate need is for additional equipment for the operating room as well as other items for the hospital in general.

Recently, says Mrs Smart, the Board of Directors has approved a general appeal to the public. If the dance is a financial success they hope it will achieve needed improvements in the medical and surgical care for area patients admitted to our hospital.

Minor hockey night in Shawville: Friday January 30th is Minor Hockey Night in Shawville. This being Minor Hockey Week across Canada gives us a great opportunity to acknowledge all our hard working coaches namely Frank Bell, Keith Harris, Peter MacIntosh, Neil Sharpe, Art MacIntyre, Art Rennick, Brian Holt, Bernie MacDonell, Richard Meisner, Leslie Smart, Cecil Orr, Edward Tanner, Graeme Howie, Jerry Chevalier, Larry Tanner, Brian Corrigall, Ron Draper, Jim Hodgins, Lloyd Sylvester, Bob Findlay, Everett Arthurs, Wilbour Sparling, Bill Kuehl, Jerry Hearty, Gabby Beaudoin, Donald Lavalee, Mike Rolland, Jerry Barber, Gary McCredie, Dennis Findlay, Joyce McCagg, John Armstrong, Al Davis, Royce Richardson, Leo Piché.

These men spend at least two hours each week at the rink. Our thanks and appreciation can be shown by attending games and supporting them however we can.