Vankleek Hill, ON

Instead of sitting around wishing for spring to come, why not get out and enjoy the winter weather during the annual Champlain Winter Carnival?

This year's event is set to take place from Friday, February 3 to Sunday, February 12 and promises plenty of fun and excitement for the whole family.

The carnival will kick off Friday with the Pond Rocket Classic Tournament beginning at 6 p.m. at the community centre. The chili cook off and judging will take place in the upstairs hall of the community centre at 6:45 p.m.

Residents are being reminded to lock their car doors, following a number of thefts from unlocked vehicles in Vankleek Hill in recent weeks.

One resident told The Review that there have been between 10 and 15 thefts "over the last several weeks," adding those numbers appear to be increasing.

"Some of the thefts may not have even been reported as they are insignificant," he noted. "Each theft is usually insignificant so there is no linkage between the other thefts and the patrol units may not even be aware of the complaint."

Tom Touzel learned one of life's most important lessons, perhaps unintentionally, after deciding several years ago that he would not succumb to bladder cancer, chose to fight it, and won.

Touzel, who lives in Vankleek Hill but travels abroad on a regular basis, said despite having to undergo regular checkups for his health, he lives a relatively fit and active lifestyle - and he feels good.

Mark and Lisa Henderson are no strangers to tragedy.

As owners of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Vankleek Hill, the Hendersons are often called upon to help local individuals and families deal with the death of a loved one. Because they see death on an almost daily basis, the Hendersons never forget that completing all the necessary arrangements of a funeral service is a task most families face only a few times.

A few years ago, I was lucky enough to sit and listen to a Mayan elder speak at a gathering on the Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg reservation in Maniwaki.

The elder was teaching us about nature and the endless variety of plants, flowers and trees that can be used to assist with and heal numerous health problems.

Of all the things I learned that day, there is one thing that elder said that still remains with me to this day.

While the National Capital Junior Hockey League was on hiatus over the holiday season, the Vankleek Hill Cougars coaching staff was busy behind the scenes making a variety of changes.

Perhaps the biggest change to the Cougars roster is the lack of the team's top point getter, Pier-Olivier Poulin, who requested his release from the team in order to pursue a future with the Alexandria Glens of the Eastern Ontario Junior B Hockey League.

A community fundraiser is being held for the family members who lost their Pendleton Street home and possessions shortly before the new year.

The event is being held at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre on Saturday, February 11, from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m. There will be live music and a lunch near the end.

For admission, guests are asked to donate whatever amount they would like. For more information, call Herb's Travel Plaza at 613-525-2120.

Exactly one year and three days after a crash killed two teenagers near Vankleek Hill, the truck driver responsible for the flatbed trailers that were left unattended was sentenced to two years of conditional incarceration.

André Duquette, 44, who had pleaded guilty in L'Orignal court to two charges of criminal negligence, received his sentence on Friday, January 13.

It was the same week last year when Duquette had detached his truck from two loaded flatbed tandem trailers on Concession Road 2, several kilometres west of Vankleek Hill.