Pontiac High joins World Vision famine: Pontiac High School students climbed on the bandwagon with about 150,000 students across Canada to support World Vision’s 30-hour famine last weekend.

By noon Saturday, they had raised over $4,000 for needy children around the world and donations were still pouring in.

The president of the organizing committee, grade 11 student Erin Hudson, has been participating in the famine since she was in grade seven.

“(The famine) brings the school together and we’re raising money for a good cause,” Hudson said.

This year’s event included performances by the bands “Foil For Ana” from Hull and “Rav” from Campbell’s Bay.

Pastor Sharon Rivest talked about her visit to the Ivory Coast and Jean-Claude Rivest sang.

A portion of this year’s 30-hour famine funds will go to the 800,000 left homeless by floods in Mozambique, World Vision said.

Esprit Rafting wins ATO tourism award: Esprit Rafting won the top award for adventure and outdoor tourism at the 15th annual Outaouais Tourist Association (ATO) awards gala at the Hull Casino April 1.

They will advance to the provincial competition in Quebec City in May.

Esprit, owned and operated by Jim and Erin Coffey, was one of three companies competing for the award.

Their competitors included a bicycle tour company and a summer camp.

Esprit cooperates with Chutes Coulonge and Laurentian Trails and has set up a youth hostel under Hosteling International.

“It’s really made us a bit of a tourism focal point for the Pontiac,” Coffey said.