Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
Only in Uxbridge
When news spread of the vandalism that occurred around the arena on Friday, September 22, I’m sure there was a feeling of disgust, and sadness that swept across our community. Right thinking people who are so proud to call Uxbridge home fail to understand how a small segment of small minded youth can find joy in carrying out these senseless and cowardly acts.
It was actually quite a happy night as the Bruins were victorious in their home opener and fans left with a good feeling that we have a very strong and hard-working team this season. In the community hall students from grades 4 to 7 were winding down a fun dance and it was great to see their energy and happiness spilling over as they left with their parents.
Then the goons took over. The list of damages makes one wonder how they could do all this without the police arriving and taking control. During the rampage they scratched cars in the parking lot, trampled plants and damaged portable toilets at the rear of the arena. They also found many beer and liquor bottles smashed in the parking lot. It is also my understanding that they harassed people using the tennis courts.
The question that needs to be asked is, where are the parents of these young people? Well, Facilities Manager Bob Ferguson answered that, saying that parents drop their kids off believing they will be attending the Bruins game. Apparently this doesn’t always happen and many of the youths head out the back door for party time in the parking lot. That’s where the drinking and partying takes place and, too often, results in the actions that occurred on the 22nd.
We have such a large number of young people who are really good kids and involved in many community activities; to have their reputation tarnished by a few bad apples who have no respect for themselves or others, is not fair. Mayor O’Connor says Council will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and, hopefully, we will see a larger police presence around the arena from now on. It is obvious this is not a one-off occasion so, in my opinion, the police shouldn’t have to be called. They should be patrolling the arena on a continuous basis every Friday night.
One bright light could be what is on the surveillance cameras that surround the arena. Managers and staff are scouring the tapes trying to identify the individuals involved. Once identified, those involved should face charges and, in many cases, the parents rightfully held responsible for the costs involved. To me a slap on the wrist means nothing. This kind of blatant disrespect for the law and other people’s property calls for tough love.
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The sign every golfer in Uxbridge has been waiting for appeared at the entrance to Foxbridge Golf Club Saturday afternoon. “Congratulations to Mac Boucher who received his Canadian Tour Playing Card”.
Mac is a fine young Uxbridge resident who worked at both Foxbridge Golf Club and Wooden Sticks Golf Club and is well known to local golfers. Right from the start Mac took to the game and the clubhouse was soon buzzing about how well Mac played the game.
We watched as Mac competed in various tournaments around North America and although he wasn’t always successful we were impressed with his work ethic and knew it would only be a matter of time before he would earn the right to compete with the big boys.
So you’ve finally made it, Mac. Go for it and if the support from all your friends in Uxbridge has anything to do with it, then it won’t be long until your name appears well up the leader board.
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And speaking of local residents doing well, I was really impressed that we would have the famous RCMP Musical Ride performed right here in our Elgin Park. And what a spectacular show they provided to large crowds during both the afternoon and evening performances.
There were many highlights during the show but my favourite came at the end when riders were recognized from the provinces they came from. What a nice surprise to have the announcer single out the ‘rider from Uxbridge’ Christine Tribbling. Christine is the daughter of Pam and Don Tribbling.
Her proud father told me that Christine and a school friend applied to the RCMP 12 years ago, were accepted, sent to Regina and after initial training Christine was posted to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Her love of horses prompted Christine to apply for a position with the musical ride. To her delight she was accepted and has been there ever since. Besides participating in the ride she now breaks and trains new horses as well as working with new riders. This is her third year helping to take the show on the road.
It takes a lot of work in the background to bring an event like this to Uxbridge, so Christine and her parents hatched the plan several years ago and finally, after seven years they were rewarded for their efforts. Don said they received a lot of support from various groups and couldn’t give enough praise to the members of the Uxbridge Horsemen’s Association for coming onside and to the volunteers who helped keep the track in top condition before and during the show.
Way to go Christine. I’m sure I won’t be the only Uxbridgeite who will now watch the RCMP Musical Ride with renewed interest knowing one of ours is involved.
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Good news for those among us who weren’t blessed with the good health that many of us take for granted. The Handicapable Friends Group is now up and running again at Trinity United Church and the welcome mat is out every Wednesday starting at 7 p.m.
This event was so welcome right from the start and I was pleased to hear that it is growing every year. Wonderful to see the enthusiasm of those attending be it games, music or just visiting with friends. I noticed that the new minister, Kirby Constable, is a bit of a rock star so, who knows, maybe he’ll drop in with his guitar and entertain.
If you would like more information about this wonderful program, give the Church office a call at 905-852-6213.
