Arts teacher enjoys making impact
Conservation awards Time is running out to pay tribute to local environmental leaders who make our communities better places to live. The 4th Annual Tri-Valley Conserva- tion Awards Gala, to be held on April 18th at Rideau Valley Conservation in Manotick, recognizes and celebrates the voluntary work of ordinary people doing extraordinary things for our en- vironment in the South Nation, Rideau Valley and Mississippi Valley water- sheds. Nominations will be accepted until 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 1, in the fol- lowing categories: Primary Schools (JK- Grade 6); Intermediate/High School (grades 7-12); College/University; Agri- culture; Community Groups; Individu- als/Family Groups; Business; Municipalities; Lifetime Conservation Achievement in the Mississippi Valley; Lifetime Conservation Achievement in the Rideau Valley; Lifetime Conserva- tion Achievement in the South Nation Valley. Snowplow safety The city of Cornwall’s municipal works and services staff strives to pro- vide safe winter road conditions for ve- hicular and pedestrian traffic by optimizing the use of winter mainte- nance materials and equipment. Operators of snow and ice clearing equipment face many dangerous chal- lenges but two of the greatest dangers they face are drivers following too closely and drivers trying to pass them, according to the city. Keep a safe distance back from main- tenance equipment when you see blue flashing lights. To do the job right, snowplows and salt trucks must travel slower than regular traffic. Sight lines and visibility near a working snow- plow are significantly reduced by blow- ing snow. At no time should a vehicle pass a snow plow on the right-hand side. This could result in a severe or even fatal collision. One-stop service A one-window approach creating ef- ficiencies for property owners seeking septic system permits is now opera- tional in the South Nation River water- shed. Residents living throughout much of the watershed will deal with South Na- tion Conservation staff regarding issu- ing of septic permits for new construction, renovation and legal searches, said authority General Man- ager Dennis O’Grady. SNC staff is currently collaborating with staff at the EOHU to ensure a smooth program transition; fees will re- main the same and application forms - which are accepted beginning Jan. 3 - are available at www.nation.on.ca. Municipalities included in the new arrangement are East Hawkesbury, Al- fred-Plantagenet, Casselman, Clarence- Rockland, Champlain, La Nation, Russell, North and South Stormont, North and South Dundas. TO THE POINT News in brief from Cornwall and the surrounding area
By Lisa Etherington-Runions
Gisele Paquette, born and raised in Ile Perrot, Que., defines success as living life to the fullest, and impacting others in a positive way. She has been an art educator and specialist for over 20 years. She has taught dance in all settings, including at the university level and has organized events such as dance fes- tivals, and choreographed several musicals in Ontario and Quebec. The arts teacher, and eastern representa- tive for the Ontario Council of Drama and Dance Educators, said the reason why she went into teaching is because of her passion and love of the arts. When she sees students excel, no reward can be greater. She de- scribes herself as creative, and passionate with a sense of humour. Paquette’s father died when she was just a child; she was only 10 years old, and she was the youngest in her family. Her mother, while raising her family guided and sup- ported Paquette, and always told her she could do whatever she wanted to do in life. Paquette was also inspired by two impor- tant women, neighbours, Pierrette Cham- poux and her sister Simone. Pierrette was a Quebec journalist who sang, and Simone ran a private school in diction. They were strong, creative women who taught Paque- tte what culture was about. As a result Pa- quette learned that she could do anything whatever the circumstance or place. This re- lationship gave her a sense of pride and achievement. This learning experience coupled with her desire to excel in the arts, motivated Paque- tte to work very hard, and for several years
Photo by Lisa Etherington-Runions Gisele Paquette has taught dance in all settings, including at the university level and has organized events such as dance festivals, and choreographed several musicals in Ontario and Quebec.
stage and gave a stunning performance of an Edith Piaf song. Now as a mother of two boys, what Pa- quette values most is her family and stu- dents. “I want to make sure that I give my boys
and one day would like to go to Italy with her family and study the arts. In the future Paquette can envision a life in Europe, teaching and learning. Working in a foreign country like China is also one of her dreams. She loves interesting people and places. While Margaret Atwood is one of her favorite Canadian writers, she also enjoys reading biographies or suspense novels, and enjoys classical music and jazz. Paquette lives life by certain creeds: “Never judge a book by it’s cover”; and “Actions speak louder than words.” Paquette feels that if she could change one thing in this world it would be poverty and inequality. If there was anyone dead or alive she could meet and have a conversa- tion with, it would be Jesus, because she would like to knowwhat is the real purpose of life, and what is the ultimate goal of our existence. As a mother, teacher, and artist Paquette feels that her life so far has been enriching. When asked what she would like said about her as a eulogy, she simply said: “She lived as she loved and gave what she knew.”
worked with various teach- ers, including Mikaeline Provost, who succeeded in developing in Paquette a love for the interpretation of the word and song. Paquette started singing when she was 10, but it took till she was 37 years old to fi- nally break through various struggles that she had with her voice. “The hardest part about getting into a profes-
the best guidance possible so that they in turn can have a positive impact on the world. If I can do this that would be a great accom- plishment. The same goes for my students. Teaching is a ripple effect, what you give them in turn feeds the world. This is true for all of us,” she said.
“The hardest part about getting into a profession in the arts is that sometimes your vision and pas- sion is not shared by others . . .” Gisele Paquette
She feels her greatest ac- complishment or success so far is having a family that supports her, and being surrounded by love. “If you have a foundation that is strong, you can build anything whatever the cir- cumstances,” Paquette said. In her free time, Paquette can be found in her studio where she takes the time to pro- duce art. She has a passion for printmaking,
sion in the arts is that sometimes your vision and passion is not shared by others, and it is difficult to get things done. Negativity is a bad seed,” explains Paquette. Luckily her experience, and adaptability permits her to be comfortable in several set- tings, and she is confidant to accept any challenges. Most recently, she walked on
Have you herd? Final season for Cow Patti
As a guest once stated on his comment form ”If Laughter is the best medicine then all doc- tors’s should prescribe Cow Patti to every- one.”
Patti‘s success: Garfield Andrews, Susan Greenfield and myself, Lea said. “Beside Cow Patti’s known talent we have
The Journal
Cow Patti Theatre is being put out to pas- ture in eastern Ontario. “After 11 Seasons, 17 plays, 340 perform- ances, 42 benefit performances, 34,000 guests, 106 actors and countless crew we are closing the barn doors onCowPatti in easternOntario after our production of “Boeing- Boeing” Feb. 2-19,” said theatre company head AnnaMarie Lea. “We have been privileged to have produced for you for the last 11 years and are so grateful to have received such support and kindness from all of you: Our audiences, our actors our crews, our production teams, the media, and the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center.” “It has been my great pleasure to produce professional theatre in the Seaway Valley. With this show, I will recognize and represent all things Cow Patti stands for,” she said.
added three new talents to the final crop; Kate Gordon, Katie Lawson and Tim Huges, all stellar actors, who will fuse with the cast, keeping with our tradition of creating re- markable entertainment,” she said. As well, directing the show will be. Richard Bauer, often seen on stage inMorrisburg at Upper Canada Playhouse. Bauer had his directorial
“After 11 Seasons, 17 plays, 340 perform- ances, 42 benefit performances, 34,000 guests, 106 actors and countless crew we are closing the barn doors
The final production will be laughter and plenty of it: This is notably one of the wittiest farces of our time, Lea said. “The second ‘cow plop’ I want to embrace is the high standard of quality our audi- ences have come to expect,” Lea said.
on Cow Patti in eastern Ontario AnnaMarie Lea
For the last 11 years, Cow Patti has prided itself on creat- ing opportunity for Canadian artists and Boeing-Boeing will be no excep- tion. A good size of the cast of Boeing-Boeingwill be those who have played on our stage many times and have been a huge part of Cow
debut with Cow Patti four years ago with the production of “Don’t Dress For Dinner” since then he has worked this added talent, direct- ing shows throughout Ontario and has come back to direct this farewell show, Lea said.
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