The world isn't going to end in 2012

Well, folks, by now you probably have all heard of the rumors that the world will end on December 21, 2012.

Many of these rumors are based on predictions of ancient calendars that danger is approaching, or that an end is near.

Tomorrow is the first day of 2012, which inspired me to write this commentary.

Movies have been made about the idea that the world will end in disaster on December 21, 2012. I think these movies have been created as part of Hollywood's efforts to spread this fear propoganda, manipulate people and generate more money for their pockets. I have not seen the film 2012, therefore, I cannot form a valid opinion on it.

Needless to say, I think that doomsday predictions are huge hoaxes created in effort to draw attention to oneself and scare others. The problem is, this is not a unique situation. Other similar predictions have been made within the past decade (just in my lifetime).

I often question how one can predict an end to the world. And I do not understand why we as human beings are naive and gullible enough to believe this nonsense.

Facebook, a popular social networking website, has a number of pages convincing users that the idea of an end to the world in December 2012 is a load of crap. I have seen pages titled "2012 is fake," and "Shut up, the world isn't going to end in 2012." My favorite one of all is "In 2013, I will watch the movie 2012 and laugh."

If the world ever does come to an end, let's hope it doesn't happen in my lifetime ... or any lifetime. Once again, that is if it ends at all.

Note: The opinions expressed in this commentary are the sole opinions of the author. They may not reflect the opinions of The Shiretown Blogger's readers or other experts whom the expressed opinions may concern. 

The Shiretown Blogger's New Year's Message

Saturday, December 31, 2011

The Shiretown Blogger was launched on July 19, 2011. The blog had 200 pageviews within its first month of being up and running.

Nathan DeLong, the sixteen-year-old young man behind it, then set a target to reach 1,000 hits by December. The thousandth total pageview mark was surpassed by September 24th.

The blog's total hit count exceeds 4,400 as I am writing this (Friday, December 30th, 2011). I think it is remarkable to achieve so many positive things in such a small amount of time. In only five months, the blog received over 4,400 pageviews, and has over 190 posts of many different sizes.

The Shiretown Blogger includes community news and stories, a local history page, and a page containing links to various websites in the community. The blog has a Facebook page, where readers can ask questions and share things.

None of my blog's achievements could be reached without the continued support of the readers. Feedback from the blog's readers and the general public has been generally positive. The rate of growth has been overwhelming. I cannot express in words how grateful I am for the community's endless support of this project.

-Nathan DeLong

(By the way, my new target is to reach 10,000 pageviews by July 19, 2012, which is The Shiretown Blogger's one-year anniversary). 

2011 - Year in Review

The following post is The Shiretown Blogger's ways of looking back on the year 2011. The stories and highlights of the past year will include a combination of local, national and international happenings.

January:

• January 1, 2011: Woodstock's annual Mayor's Levee took place in ceremonial fashion at the historic Connell House. Mayor Art Slipp looked back on the year 2010 and what it was like for the town, and handed out awards to members of the community who travel the extra mile to make it a better place. There was a special twist to the ceremony, though. A time capsule which had been placed in the cornerstone of the Carleton Memorial Hospital in June of 1954 was opened. The contents, which had been hidden for over five decades, were revealed to the public. 

Kellie Blue-McQuade, the Executive Director of the Carleton County Historical Society, and John Winslow look over one of the items from the Carleton Memorial Hospital time capsule, while Upper River Valley Hospital administrator Dean Cummings looks on. The contents, which had been hidden sinze 1954, were revealed and donated to the historical society.

February:

• February 7, 2011: New Brunswick's Finance Minister Blaine Higgs held a meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 in Woodstock as part of the provincial government's efforts to consult with New Brunswickers prior to unveiling his government's first budget on March 22nd. 

From left: Victoria-Tobique MLA Wes McLean, Finance Minister Blaine Higgs, and Premier David Alward. Minister Higgs is seen here answering a question at the pre-budget meeting in February.

March:

• March 22, 2011: David Alward's administration tabled their first budget in the New Brunswick Legislature in Fredericton. Every government department had been asked to trim their spending by one per cent for the first budget. When the Alward government took office, New Brunswick was facing a spending deficit in excess of $800 million, and a net debt of approximately $8.3 billion. In their first budget, the Alward government reduced the deficit to $420 million through spending cuts and increases to the gas and tobacco taxes. 

April:

• April 29, 2011: Approximately two billion people worldwide watch the royal wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine Middleton at Westminister Abbey in London, England. 

May:

• May 1, 2011: American President Barack Obama announced that Al-Qaeda founder and leader Osama bin Laden had been killed by a team of United States Navy Seals while on an American military operation in Pakistan. bin Laden is noted for his involvement in the planning and carrying out of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 on the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, among other targets.

• May 2, 2011: In a general federal election, Stephen Harper, incumbent Prime Minister of Canada, was re-elected and received a majority government. Harper led a minority administration from 2006 to 2011. Another federal election was held in 2008 and the election in 2011 was caused mainly by the opposition voting against the Conservative government's budget. 

June:

• June 6, 2011: It officially became illegal to use a cellular phone or program a GPS device while operating a motor vehicle in the province of New Brunswick. New Brunswick was one of the last few Canadian provinces to implement such legislation. 

July:

• July 19, 2011: The Shiretown Blogger was launched by sixteen-year-old Woodstock resident Nathan DeLong. The blog had 200 pageviews in its first month of being up and running. It now has over 4,400 hits and more than 190 posts, although it has only been operating for five months. 

• July 29-August 6, 2011: The 64th Annual Old Home Week was held in Woodstock. Evidently, the event was a success, as it has been for the past six decades (and counting). 

August:

• August 10-13, 2011: The 3rd Annual Dooryard Arts Festival was held in Woodstock. The festival's organizers, who are also members of the Woodstock-based River Valley Arts Alliance, make attempts to have a bigger and better festival every year. The Shiretown Blogger enjoyed covering the festival this year, and looks forward to the festival in 2012. 

Woodstock native Colin Kelly Brewer, who now resides in China, can be seen here performing one of his original songs on August 10, 2011 at the Dooryard Arts Festival in Woodstock. 

• August 22, 2011: Canadian federal New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton lost his battle with cancer. His death was mourned across the nation, and Bath native Rev. Brent Hawkes spoke at Layton's state funeral. 

• August 23, 2011: The famous RCMP Musical Ride made a stop in Woodstock, performing at the Connell Park racetrack. There were few seats in sight as the grandstand and hill behind the Carleton Civic Centre were packed with people. The event was done in support of the Western Valley Special Olympics, and was named in memory of RCMP Sgt. Mark Gallagher, a Mountie from Woodstock who perished in the Haitian earthquake in January 2010 while on a UN mission. 

September:

• September 16, 2011: The Woodstock Slammers opened their 2011-2012 season with a 7-2 win over the Miramichi Timberwolves. The Slammers remained undefeated into mid-November, and have climbed the ranks to become the top-ranked junior A squad in Canada. At the time of this writing, they also top their division rankings. 

October:

• October 20, 2011: Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was shot to death near his Libyan hometown of Sirte, following a civil war and painstaking search for the longtime ruler of the African country. 

November:

• November 11, 2011: Despite wet weather, large crowds still came out for Remembrance Day services across the region. This is a sign that the memory of the brave troops who made the supreme sacrifice for our freedom is still alive and well. Let's keep it that way. 

This was the sight at the Woodstock cenotaph during the Remembrance Day ceremonies of 2011.

December:

• December 2011: The month of December was filled with unusual weather. For at least a week at the beginning of the month, temperatures seemed unseasonably mild. Any snow dumped on the region did not last long as the area received more storms consisting of rain and/or freezing rain. 

New column on The Shiretown Blogger - The Blogger Speaks

Greetings, readers! Nathan DeLong here. I would like to thank you for reading my commentary, which I hope to include as a regular feature on The Shiretown Blogger, along with the other news and updates you are used to reading on the blog.

I will provide a brief background for those of you who may not be familiar with who I am. I am a sixteen-year-old Woodstock resident with a love for the world around me. I am a passionate writer and local history buff. I also describe myself as a people person--I am extremely approachable.

One thing I cannot emphasize enough is that the opinions expressed in this commentary are the sole opinions of the author (Nathan DeLong). I do not doubt that some of my personal opinions may conflict with those of other individuals. Because we live in a free society, there is no way I can prevent that from occurring, and I support the right for one to express their thoughts and feelings.

In closing, I would like to thank The Shiretown Blogger's readers for the endless support demonstrated towards me and my blogging endeavors. (More on that later). 

A Few Highlights of 2011

The year 2011 was a year of many good and not-so-good things combined.

Beginning with the good things. New Brunswick adopted driver distraction legislation (despite being one of the last Canadian provinces to do so). This legislation, which prohibits the use of cellular phones and global positioning devices while driving, is long overdue. The use of hand-held devices such as cell phones is becoming more common by the year, but is more trouble than it is worth in the long run. The penalty for being "technologically under the influence" is a fine of $172.50 and a deduction of three demerit points from one's license.

On an even more local scale, Woodstock saw the installation of a set of traffic lights at the intersection of Connell Park Road and Connell Street. This is a step in the right direction for making Woodstock's streets safer.

Woodstock's Deakin Drive, King Street, Connell Street and Main Street received new blacktops. The Town of Woodstock makes great effort to maintain the streets within our lovely municipality year round. Keep up the good work!

On the flip side, several European nations and the United States were plagued by economic (and in Europe - civil) crises throughout 2011. Many key players in the European union are carrying massive debt loads, and angry citizens have been displaying their anger with the governments in the streets. Here's hoping that these nations and any other nation with economic and/or fiscal woes can resolve their complications before they end up on my doorstep.

The Shiretown Blogger would like to wish everyone a happy new year. May the year 2012 bring you nothing but the best. 

Snow storm on Christmas Eve

These photos were taken at mid-day on December 24, 2011. All of the snow dumped on the region on Christmas Eve was lost yesterday as a result of the rain received. 

Carleton County Court House at night

This picture was taken on December 16, 2011. The cenotaph is in the foreground.

Woodstock area to lose three businesses

The new year will bring a loss of three businesses in Woodstock.

Acorn Books in downtown Woodstock will close its doors for good after nearly three decades of serving area book lovers.

Originally called the Owl Book Place, the store was in a few different locations in downtown Woodstock before relocating to the Carleton Mall. The store was then purchased by a young couple who moved it back to Woodstock's downtown core. It was renamed the Owl Book and Gift Shop and was located in the Capitol Square building on Queen Street.

It then was purchased by Glen Piercy, who owned it when it relocated to Carleton Mall, and renamed Acorn Books. In late 2010, Acorn Books moved out to Main Street, next to the Pantry Shop.

Piercy has decided it is time to retire.

The Bargain Shop in the Carleton Mall has been holding large sales since early December to liquidate merchandise. Employees The Shiretown Blogger has spoken to have said that The Bargain Shop is having difficulty competing with the nearby Wal-Mart and Atlantic Superstore.

The closure of The Bargain Shop in Woodstock will have a huge impact on local charities. The Woodstock location has been a huge supporter of Easter Seals for many years. This store's support for the charity dates back to when SAAN was in that location.

Lazer & Co., a jean store in Carleton Mall, is also closing. The closure of Lazer & Co. is said to be due to a lack of customer support and lack of visibility in the mall.

The loss of Acorn Books will definitely create a void in the community. "The Acorn" was the only book store in Woodstock. The Bargain Shop's decision to close will not only hurt charities, but will cause a loss of a few jobs and the store will be missed by shoppers. Lazer & Co.'s closure will also mean a few people out of work. 

Construction on new K-8 schools scheduled to begin in 2013

The greater Woodstock area will see the construction of two new kindergarten to grade eight schools, but not as early as previously hoped.

New Brunswick Minister of Education Jody Carr unveiled his department's capital estimates in the provincial legislature on Wednesday, December 14th. His speech stated that funding has been allotted for completion of architectural planning of both projects. An original press release from the Department of Education said that the new facilities, which will replace Southern Carleton Elementary School, Woodstock Centennial Elementary School, Debec Elementary School and Woodstock Middle School, would be constructed as early as this year. However, the report presented to the legislature said otherwise.

Carr told the legislature that this year's capital budget has confirmed plans to move forward with a new K-8 school to replace Southern Carleton Elementary School in Bedell. Woodstock Middle School currently operates at full capacity and has a portable classroom on site.

Woodstock Middle School

The new school to be erected will have a capacity of approximately 650 students. The project to replace WCES will be similar. 

Woodstock looks to expand civic centre, library and WHS theatre

The Carleton Civic Centre, L.P. Fisher Library and Woodstock High School theatre could get bigger in the future.

The town of Woodstock is looking at a project which will allow for the expansion of the civic centre complex, library and high school theatre down the road.

The project, which is estimated to cost $12 million, will be funded by the provincial and federal governments. The town council is working with both levels of government and the Woodstock Rotary Club as the project moves through the development phase. The project has three categories: health and wellness, literacy, and arts and culture. The civic centre improvements fall under health and wellness, while the library project is included in literacy, and the high school theatre expansion and retrofit can be placed in the arts and culture sector.

In the civic centre expansion and upgrade, the facility's seating capacity will be increased from 800 to between 1,800 and 2,000. A field house, large heated open-concept space for indoor soccer, basketball, track and field, gymnastics, martial arts, and other activities and events. The committee working on the civic centre expansion project also hopes to upgrade fitness centre facilities and increase the size of general community and meeting space.

An analysis was done that determined that the library needs certain upgrades, such as improved entrances, more room for staff and storage, and room for more access to computers. An area is also needed to display the W.O. Raymond Collection and the Dalton Camp Canadiana Collection.

L.P. Fisher Public Library

The arts and wellness aspect consists of plans to improve the Woodstock High School theatre in effort to improve community access. The town agreed that the existing facilities need an upgrade, and updating current facilities is a better option than constructing a new theatre. Planned improvements to the theatre include an increase to the size of the stage, and the construction of a new entrance for easier access. There are also plans to improve green rooms, dressing rooms and storage space. 

The committee working on the project hopes to be able to make an announcement by April 2012. 

With files from the Bugle-Observer.

Woodstock Slammers to kick off 2012 with road games

The Woodstock Slammers will begin the new year with a road trip.

The top-ranked junior A team in the nation is in the midst of a three-week Christmas break. The squad will play three away games in the first two weeks of 2012.

On Friday, January 6th, 2012, the Slammers will face the Bridgewater Lumberjacks at 7:00 pm in Bridgewater.

The Slammers will then face the Yarmouth Mariners on Saturday, January 7th at 7:30 pm in Yarmouth.

On Sunday, January 8th, the Slammers will visit the Metro Marauders at 1:00 pm.

The Slammers' next home game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th, 2012, at 7:30 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre. They will face off against the Campbellton Tigers.

Three Slammers suspended

A few of the Slammers will be getting a longer Christmas break. 

Three Slammers (two players and a coach) have been suspended by the MHL in connection to a brawl which occured during the home game on Friday, December 16th, 2011 against the Summerside Western Capitals. 

Mapledale native and Slammers winger Colton Stairs will sit out for ten games. Stairs' suspension consists of six games for leaving the player bench, along with four games as a result of a slashing major penalty. 

Colton Stairs

Stairs fought Summerside netminder Jared Kelly in the brawl, which began following a goal netted by Woodstock's Nick Huard with five and a half minutes remaining in the third period.

 Some pushing, shoving and face-washing took place. 

The officials appeared to have restored order, but Kelly left the Capitals' net to challenge Woodstock netminder Matt Murphy to a fight. Stairs then left the Shiretown bench and defended Murphy by fighting Kelly. Things went downhill from there. 

Jake Logan received a one-game suspension for his seventh fighting major penalty. MHL regulations state that when a player receives their seventh fighting major penalty in a season, they are automatically awarded a one-game suspension. Logan will sit out an additional two games for fighting twice on the same stoppage of play. 

As a result of Colton Stairs' unauthorized departure from the bench, Slammers head coach Jason Tatarnic was suspended for two games for failing to control his bench. 

Summerside was not immune to the disciplinary action taken by the league. 

Capitals' goaltender Jared Kelly was issued a five-game suspension for leaving his crease, plus another five games for instigating a multiple fight situation. Kelly will sit out for a total of ten games. 

Steve Brazil of the Capitals was suspended for six games for leaving the player bench. 

The MHL suspended Brendan Carter for two games for his involvement in a multiple fight situation. 

Summerside's head coach, Billy McGuigan, was also suspended for failing to control his team's bench. He will not be seen behind the bench for five games. 

Jason Tatarnic decided not to appeal the suspensions. Tatarnic commented on the suspensions in a press release on the Slammers' website. 

"I accept our team suspension's and I understand the league's position. The situation easily could have been avoided[,]" Tatarnic noted. "The initial skirmish was over and the referee's had control of the situation until their goaltender received direction from the bench to leave his crease to engage in a fight with our goaltender. Nothing else happens if the goaltender stays in his crease, plain and simple in my opinion."

Slammers top in division ranks

Not only are the Woodstock Slammers the top-ranked team in the nation, but they are also first in their division, the Meek Division. The following are the MHL standings as of Wednesday, December 28, 2011.

Roger Meek Division

1. Woodstock Slammers 

2. Summerside Western Capitals

3. Dieppe Commandos

4. Miramichi Timberwolves 

5. Campbellton Tigers 

Maurice Bent Division

1. Amherst Ramblers 

2. Yarmouth Mariners 

3. Metro Marauders 

4. Weeks Crushers 

5. CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks 

With files from www.slammershockey.ca, www.themhl.ca and the Bugle-Observer

Another Christmas season in the record books

Another holiday season has come and gone. It will soon be time for the Christmas tree disposal days to begin. Pay close attention to the news updates in the coming days for an announcement regarding Christmas tree disposal.

The year 2011 will also join the record books over the next few days. The past year has been a busy and eventful one. Over the next few days, The Shiretown Blogger will be looking over some of its top stories from the year 2011.

The Shiretown Blogger looks forward to seeing the many great things the year 2012 will likely bring. 

Ten safe items to use for teething babies

Paul Taylor has recently submitted a link via email to The Shiretown Blogger. The link leads to an article about safe items to use when infants are in the teething stage. The link is as follows:

http://www.babysittingjobs.com/blog/10-safe-items-to-use-for-teething-babies/

The Shiretown Blogger would like to thank Paul Taylor for submitting this. Very interesting article! 

Slammers fight their way to a 5-3 victory over Summerside, defeat Campbellton

In a rough game on home ice on Friday, December 16th, the Woodstock Slammers defeated the Summerside Western Capitals 5-3.

The scoring was opened by Summerside winger Brock Morrison on the power play at 7:04. Steven Brazil of the Western Capitals also scored for Summerside at 9:23 in the first period. Evan Carmody netted the Slammers' first goal of the evening.

In the second period, the Slammers' most recent acquisition, Ben MacSwain, scored at 12:02. MacSwain was acquired from the Miramichi Timberwolves along with future considerations and draft picks in exchange for Justin O'Reilly.

Ben MacSwain heads to the penalty box on Friday night. 

Justin O'Reilly (right) following Connor Tresham to the Slammers' bench for the Shootout for Life competition on November 25, 2011.

In period three, Nick Huard scored the only goal for the Slammers, which was the game-winning goal. Huard netted the goal at 14:30. 

Nick Huard. December 16, 2011.

Only seconds later, several other fights broke out at the opposite end of the ice. 

A total of thirty two penalties were given at 14:30 in period three. Woodstock's Colton Stairs received seven of them. Slammers netminder Matt Murphy received two: a five-minute major for fighting and a game misconduct penalty for the second fight on the same stoppage of play. 

On Sunday, December 18th, the Slammers visited the Campbellton Tigers, where the Slammers prowled the Tigers to a 5-3 loss. Woodstock's first goal was netted by Robert Visca only twenty seven seconds into the contest. Connor Tresham scored two goals for the Slammers, one fifty four seconds into the game, and another at 16:28. Tresham netted the rubber for a third time in period three at 18:51. 

Slammers netminder Sam Renault stopped twenty six of twenty nine shots faced against the Tigers. 

The Woodstock Slammers also whipped the Weeks Crushers 4-1 in New Glasgow on Thursday, December 15th. Woodstock's goals were scored by Tim Campbell, Ben Miller, Connor Tresham, and Philip Fife. 

The Slammers will be taking a rest for the holiday season which will span a few weeks. Their next game will be an away game on Friday, January 6th, 2012 against the Bridgewater Lumberjacks. They will go on a three-game road trip, and their next home game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11th, 2012. The Woodstock Slammers will be facing the Campbellton Tigers at 7:30 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre. 

The Slammers head into the Christmas season with an overall record of 31-2-0-1.


With files from www.slammershockey.ca and www.themhl.ca . 

New website and blog encourage tourists to Visit Woodstock NB

The long list of websites in cyberspace today just got longer.

Visit Woodstock NB, a new site with an emphasis on tourism for the Woodstock area, was launched this morning by Joe DeMerchant, a Toronto-based graphic designer who hails from Woodstock.

The website offers information on everything one needs to know when planning a visit to Woodstock, from accommodations to activities. The site can be accessed by visiting http://visitwoodstocknb.com. 

Woodstock Slammers gain two wins in one week against same team, top Bridgewater by five

The Woodstock Slammers spanked the Dieppe Commandos on two different occasions this past week.

The Slammers commanded the Commandos 7-4 on Wednesday, December 7th, at the Arthur J. Leblanc Arena in Dieppe.

Alex Murray (MHL Image)

Two goals were scored by both Connor Tresham of the Slammers and Alex Murray of Dieppe. Murray, a Woodstock native, has scored nine goals in thirty games with the Commandos.

Slammers defense man Jake Logan opened the scoring in Wednesday night's game at 4:22.

The game-winning goal was netted by Connor Tresham at 19:12 in the third period.

On Friday, December 9th, the Slammers whooped Dieppe 12-1 on home ice. The scoring was opened by Bradley Greene thirty seven seconds into the game. Woodstock's winning goal was scored by Philip Fife at 18:34.

Woodstock netminder Sam Renault blocked a total of twenty of twenty one shots in Friday night's contest. The Dieppe Commandos currently stand at a record of 12-6-1-2.

Brayden Wood (left).

Andrew Schriver (right)

Chris Rygus

Netminder Sam Renault

On Sunday, December 11th, the Slammers (28-2-0-1) dumped the Bridgewater CIBC Wood Gundy Lumberjacks (11-20-1-0) by a score of 8-3 on home ice. Nick Huard led the Shiretown squad with two goals followed by two assists, and team captain Andrew Langan had two goals and one assist. Bradley Greene and Connor Tresham gave their two cents worth with one goal and two assists each. 

The scoring was opened by Langan twenty nine seconds into the contest, followed by a goal netted by Nick Huard forty one seconds into the game. A power play goal scored by Bridgewater's Mitchell Hennebury at 16:33 in the first period got the Lumberjacks on the scoreboard. 

After a scoreless second period, Bridgewater gained two points as a result of two goals netted by Michael Crawley on the power play at 1:25 and Brennan Saulnier at 2:21 in period three. The Slammers' eighth goal was scored by Evan Carmody at 18:52. 

The Woodstock Slammers will travel to Truro on Thursday, December 15th to face the Weeks Crushers, then will return home to play the Summerside Western Capitals on Friday, December 16th. The game is scheduled for 7:30 pm at the Carleton Civic Centre. 

(With files from www.slammershockey.ca and www.themhl.ca) 

Slammers defeat Ramblers, promote Two Fools on a Roof and Special Olympics, fall to Bearcats

After doubling the Amherst Ramblers 6-3 on Friday, December 2nd on home ice, the Woodstock Slammers fell to the Truro Bearcats on Saturday, December 3rd on the road.

The scoring in Friday night's contest was opened by Amherst centre Jamie Bishop on a power play at 4:31 in period one, while Woodstock's first goal of the evening was netted by Nick Huard at 19:10.

The Slammers' only second period goal was scored by Travis Fernley at 13:52. Scoring in the third period was dominated by the Shiretown side, and the winning goal was scored by Woodstock captain Andrew Langan at 18:29.

Matt Murphy

From left: Andrew Langan, Andrew Schriver and Tim Rose.

Brandon Leonardo #4.

Zach Shannon

Mackenzie Brown

Andrew Schriver and Philip Fife

Colton Stairs

Scott Dunlop and Andrew Garnett (the Two Fools on a Roof) skated out onto the ice during the first intermission to discuss their cause (garnering funds for Relay for Life by camping out on a roof for one whole weekend in May). In the second intermission, the Western Valley Special Olympics paraded onto the ice following behind an ATV donated by Dave's Sports Centre to discuss the Law Enforcement Torch Run. The Special Olympians were escorted onto the ice by Canada Border Services Agency representatives.

The following is a You Tube video of the parade:

On Saturday, December 3rd, the Truro Bearcats shut out the Slammers 2-0. To make matters worse for the Woodstock side, the Slammers took a total of approximately eleven penalties and a total of approximately 35 penalty minutes.

The Slammers will play the Dieppe Commandos on Wednesday, December 7th. They will also face the Commandos during their next home game on Friday, December 9th at the Carleton Civic Centre at 7:30 pm.

Woodstock High School Journalism class takes field trip to CJ 104 radio station and Bugle-Observer office

Woodstock High School's Journalism 120 class took a field trip to the local radio station and newspaper office this afternoon.

Stiles, along with student teacher Jason Wilson, accompanied a class of approximately twenty students to the CJ 104 studio and the Bugle-Observer office for a tour. Angela Ferguson, CJ 104's news director, toured the class around the studio and introduced the class to the staff members and announcers Tim Durling,  Terry Mann and Rick McGuire, who also serves as the station's manager. Ferguson also showed the class her news studio. She allowed The Shiretown Blogger to record a brief news clip as well, which was an interesting experience.

Tim Durling, left, and Angela Ferguson

Terry Mann

Terry Mann and Angela Ferguson

 Students Dallas Tomah, left, and Emma Smith listening to Terry Mann.

 Woodstock's radio station was known as "CJCJ" upon its establishment in 1959. It became "EZ Rock 104 FM" in the 1990s, and was renamed "CJ 104" around 2009.

Angela Ferguson preparing The Shiretown Blogger (Nathan DeLong) to announce a sample newscast.

The class then walked from the CJ 104 studio across Carleton Street to the Bugle-Observer office, where newspaper editor Jim Dumville showed the class a newspaper layout (we got a sneak peek of tomorrow's issue of the Bugle-Observer), and introduced the class to reporter Doug Dickinson. Dumville also showed the class the new and improved Bugle-Observer website, scheduled for launch next week. He even introduced the class to reporter Bryan Tait.

Bugle-Observer Managing Editor Jim Dumville

Reporter Doug Dickinson

Jim Dumville explaining the layout of the Friday, December 2, 2011 issue of the Bugle-Observer.

Jim Dumville explaining the upgraded website for the Bugle-Observer and other newspapers owned by the Irving-owned firm Brunswick News Inc.

The trip was an interesting and informative one. It was a pleasure meeting the CJ 104 staff and the Bugle-Observer crew, and I personally learned a lot about work in journalism in two different settings. The Shiretown Blogger would like to thank Angela Ferguson, Tim Durling, Terry Mann, Jim Dumville, Doug Dickinson, and Bryan Tait.