Welcome to The Eganville Leader

Independently owned since 1902. 106th Year No. 10 - Wednesday March 10, 2010 Eganville, ON 1.25 GST Inc.

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In This Edition of
THE LEADER

Deputy ambassador Michalski takes in the Kashubian embroidery class held at George Vanier School in Combermere during his one-day, whirlwind tour of the Wilno, Barry’s Bay, Combermere region last week. Sickness kept the guest of honour, the new Polish ambassador to Canada, Zenon Kosiniak-Kamysz away away but that only means the Wilno Heritage Society gets to give its grand tour once more.

Bonnechere Valley resident Doyne Ahern was honoured by the Bernadette McCann House on International Women’s Day for the difference she makes in her community. The chair of the local library board also volunteers with Literacy Plus and Valley Festival to make a difference in her adopted home.

Johanna Dwyer of Douglas is one of several entertainers performing during intermissions at this year’s Irish play presented by the Knights of Columbus Dramatic Club of Pembroke which is presenting Quiet Weekend on March 15, 16 and 17 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Pembroke. The director of the three-act comedy is Muriel Verch and the musical director is Joan Hewitt, both of Rankin. The play was presented to the residents of Miramichi Lodge on Sunday.

MEET THE STAFF

Gerald Tracey is publisher of the Eganville Leader. He entered the business in 1973, joining his older brother, Ron, who retired after 51 years in the business, in 2007. Gerald and his wife, Wanda, a retired teacher and both graduates of Opeongo High School, have two grown children, Brady, and Katrina. Outside his duties at the Leader, Gerald is involved in community projects and has spearheaded several community fundraising projects. He is president of the Eganville and Area Long Term Care Corporation, which is responsible for Fairfields, a non-profit assisted living residence for seniors.

Terry Fleurie was born and raised in Eganville into the Fleurie Hardware business. Terry joined the reporting staff at the Leader in 1997. He and wife, Karen, a teacher at Eganville District Public School, have two young children, Noah and Isabella. He also has two grown children from a previous marriage, Jordan and Nicole. Away from the office, Terry enjoys spending time with his family, curling, running the minor ball program in the community and watching sporting events. Terry and Karen are graduates of Opeongo High School.

Debbi Christinck was born in Chile and raised in Colombia. She joined the reporting staff in 1993. The daughter of Roy and Joyce Wyatt, she married Ralph Christinck of Golden Lake in 1989. The couple have three children: Elisa, Robert and Sammy. Away from the office, Debbi’s interests include scrap booking, knitting and travel. Active in her church, she is also involved in activities with her children such as the Eganville Figure Skating Club and the Golden Lake Swim Club. She is chair of the local Terry Fox Run each September.

Judy Handke is the senior graphic artist at the Leader. Born in the South Algona Ward of Bonnechere Valley Township, she also graduated from Opeongo High School. Judy joined the staff in 1990. Married to Brian Handke, the couple have two sons, Hal and Hayden. Judy enjoys fishing, travelling and reading.

Leanne Enright is a native of the Cobden area. She joined the Leader staff in 2006 as a graphic artist. Married to Michael Enright, they have three children: Devon, Savanna and Brandon. The Enrights live along the Barr Line in Admaston/Bromley Township where they have a dairy operation.

Rosemary Donohue is a native of the Cobden area who joined the Leader staff in 2002 as the bookkeeper. A graduate of Opeongo High School, she is married to John Donohue of Douglas where they reside. They have three children: Elizabeth, Caitlyn and Ryan. In her spare time Rosemary enjoys spending time with her husband and children and taking them to their extra-curricular activities.

Caroll Kutschke is a native of Mattawa and is married to Wayne Kutschke of Golden Lake. The couple have two grown children, Wayne Jr. and Wendy. The Kutschkes live on the shores of Lake Dore -- the world’s largest freshwater lake without an island -- where they enjoy boating and swimming.

Ray Menard has been with the Leader for 29 years. He looks after the small commercial printing department and is also involved in the weekly mailing and delivery of the newspaper. Everyone knows Ray as Blackie, a nick-name he earned soon after running black ink on the presses. A native of Eganville, Ray enjoys getting up before the break of dawn and touring the local countryside before arriving at work.

Neil Etienne joined the Eganville Leader in June of 2008. A former magazine editor, long-time newspaper photographer, reporter and editor, Neil was raised in Renfrew and is a graduate of RCI. After getting his start in newspapers in Renfrew about 14 years ago and holding numerous positions across the country, he is gladly enjoying his return to the Valley. An avid outdoorsman, back-country camper, paddler and admittedly fledgling fisher, there’s no better place to call home. Passionate about literacy and media issues, Neil is also a staunch supporter of the MS Society and borders on fanatical about football and baseball.