Gore Bay exports music south
 

 by Michael Erskine MANITOULIN---Rhythms of the spirit have always run deep on Manitoulin Island, so it is of little wonder that each generation sends musical exports to enrich the lives of the rest of the world.

Drew Lane, of Gore Bay, like many of his age in each generation, has travelled south in search of work and he has taken his considerable musical talents with him. Together with five other young men in their mid-twenties (including four from Northern Ontario), Mr. Lane has formed 'If Nothing,' an original band whose music defies easy definition. "We describe our music as Groove-Core metal, very original," said Mr. Lane.

 "We don't want to sound like the thousands of copycat bands that are everywhere, on TV and radio, in the music industry today. We play all original songs...no covers." Members of the band include: Eric Girard, 25, supplies vocals and hails originally from Cochrane, Ontario; Mr. Lane, 25, who plays the guitar; Chris Bowles, 25, also plays the guitar and is originally from Sudbury; Jeff Brush, 23, thumps out the bass, and has his early origins in Port Elgin while Sudbury expatriate drummer Peter Wilura, is the 'old man' at 26.

 Band members describe their style as ranging from the very melodic, with singing that older generations can enjoy, to all out "heaviness, aggression and rage" with a "tonne of screaming" guaranteed to void the warranty on most hearing aids. Mr. Lane's musical influences include Korn, Metallica, Faith No More, Tool, Incubus, and the apply named, Deftones, while fellow 'Formaldehyde Dandelion' veteran Mr. Wilura cites Cradle of Filth, Type O Negative, Foo Fighters as influential in his musical development.

 Mr. Lane and Mr. Wilura began their musical careers together on Manitoulin Island in the band 'Formaldehyde Dandelion.' Mr. Wilura was also was involved in a band with Mr. Bowles, called 'Groundclaw,' while they were both living in Sudbury.

Mr. Bowles brought antecedent influences that included Faith No More, Stone Temple Pilots, and Dave Matthews. Jeff Brush will be familiar to Island music buffs having played a brief stint in the Manitoulin Island band, 'Project X,' where he joined Islanders Ben Leeson, Bud Spry and John Cranston in wowing their contemporaries.

When Mr. Bowles and Mr. Wilura moved to London three years ago to continue their academic studies, Groundclaw did not survive long. So when Mr. Lane moved to London the pair quickly snapped him up to join their new endevour 'If Nothing.' "We stumbled upon Jeff at a concert and remembered him from a few shows we had played together on the island many years ago," recalled Mr. Lane.

Mr. Brush brought influences from Tool and Pantera into the mix. The band began jamming together, writing a good number songs to define the sound while searching for just the right vocalist. "Then Eric came along," said Mr. Drew, and 'If Nothing' reached its present form. Mr. Girard developed while listening to Blind Melon, Metallica, Nirvana, Silverchair, Stone Temple Pilots, Beck and Korn. He fit in perfectly.

 The band is taking their music very seriously, they gather from all points for an evening once a week to practice in a southern London warehouse. Warehouses are great places for young bands and have the one thing crucial for people who like to play very loud: no neighbours.

 "We are planning several dates all around Southern Ontario after the holiday season is over-Windsor, Toronto, London, Barrie, St. Catherines," said Mr. Drew. "We are also planning on booking shows in some Northern Ontario communities such as Timmins, Sudbury, North Bay and there is the possibility of playing on the Island."

Band members say they have two overriding ambitions: "To play the music we love" and "to able to make a living traveling around the world doing it." As befits up-and-coming young artists in the information age, Mr. Drew and his bandmates have their own website, 'www.ifnothing.com,' where T-shirts and Cds can be purchased on-line.

Green Bay UC Parishioners hold final service at Green Bay United Church

 by Neil Zacharjewicz

GREEN BAY - "I'll always remember the little church on the hill." "I'm sure going to miss this place." "This church was a big part of my life." These were just some of the sentiments offered by many of the parishioners in attendance at the final service for the Green Bay United Church, held last Sunday afternoon.

Rev. Faye Stevens indicated she was proud to say she had been a little part of the history of the church. "This has been a noteworthy place on many people's faith journeys," Rev. Stevens suggested. "Closing this church is an occasion for sadness, but isn't it also an occasion to say 'isn't it great?'" She noted that many people went out from this church for other communities of faith, and she encouraged the parishioners to do the same.

"There is so much yeast and salt in this place that it shouldn't be lost. Put it in another loaf," she suggested. The parishioners were doubly encouraged by representatives of both the Little Current United Church and the Sheguiandah United Church, who extended invitations to the parishioners to come and worship with them each Sunday.

 "It's a sad time for you, but we must not look at it as a sad time, but as a new beginning," suggested Ed MacDonald, chair of the Sudbury Presbytery, who was on hand to declare the church no longer a place of meeting for the United Church of Canada.

The Green Bay United Church was first conceived in 1891 by Methodist missionaries, who felt the need for a church building in the Green Bay community, who had been meeting in the school house since 1882. The one acre lot in Bidwell Township was obtained at a cost of $70, and a building fund was started. Many socials and tea meetings were held during the winter of 1891-92, and Methodist ministers came from Manitowaning, Kagawong, Mindemoya and Little Current to support the Green Bay community's efforts.

Most of the timber and other building materials, as well as the labour, were donated. Donations were also made in kind by local farmers, who contributed wood, grain or vegetables to be sold, with proceeds going toward the building fund. In 1892, the church was built at a cost of $700, and was clear of all debt by the time the doors had been opened.

The church was painted in 1893, and in 1895, a horse shed was added to protect the horses during the winter services. The Green Bay Methodist Church became the Green Bay United Church through church union, and with Little Current and Sheguiandah (as well as Rockville, until 1963, and Honora Bay, until 1949), formed the Little Current Pastoral Charge in 1930.

"We give thanks for the many ways it has served the call of Jesus Christ," commented Maxine McVey, Presbytery's chair of pastoral oversight. Ken Ferguson, one of the many parishioners to reminisce about the history of the church during the service, pointed out that in many cases, it was the grandfathers and great-grandfathers of today's parishioners who were responsible for building the little church.

Mr. Ferguson pointed out that, over the years, the church had been served by "student" ministers, as well as ordained ministers. There were always Sunday activities for the kids, he noted. Barb Cranston, of Little Current, has for many years been at the early Sunday morning service to play the organ before attending church services or Little Current United Church where she is a choir member. "I did what I could to keep the little church going," she said recently.

At present, the future of the Green Bay United Church has yet to officially be decided, but Rev. Stevens indicated it is the desire of the parishioners to keep the building, rather than tear it down or sell it. She indicated it is their hope to hold an annual service at the site, and they are working toward finalizing the decisions about the building and its contents.

Wiky Police seeking leads following armed robbery

by Neil Zacharjewicz

MANITOWANING - The residents of Manitowaning have taken to locking their doors at night following a recent home invasion in their community. On the evening of Thursday, December 4, Jim and Donna Maguire were getting ready to prepare a late dinner when, at approximately 6:30 pm, two armed men crashed through their door. "They were dressed like one of those SWAT teams. One of them had a pistol," commented Mr. Maguire, who operates a Maguire Hardware and Maguires Hock Shop "It scared the s**t out of us.

" The men were wearing balaclavas, and one was carrying a wrecking bar. "They hit us suddenly," Mr. Maguire said. The pair threw the couple to the floor, and told them they were going to take them back to the store for the money. They told Mr. Maguire to put his slippers and jacket on. However, the crooks soured on the idea of going to the store when they learned that the back door was not accessible, and that they would have to go through the front door. "The whole street is full of people down there," Mr. Maguire explained.

 Mrs. Maguire offered the thieves $30 she had, and they also took the contents of Mr. Maguire's wallet. The thieves threw the couple's knife block across the room, scattering the knives everywhere. Holding the pistol to Mrs. Maguire's forehead, the robbers dragged the couple to the basement. They commanded the couple to get them some duct tape, but when the Maguires explained that they did not have any, they settled for some rope they found in the crawl space.

 They tied the couple to their tread mill, then left the building through the back door in the basement. The whole event took approximately 15 minutes, Mr. Maguire explained. Minutes after the thieves had left, Mrs. Maguire managed to free herself and untie her husband. "We weren't tied very well," Mr. Maguire noted.

The couple then proceeded to call 911. Officers with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded immediately, searching the area and setting up roadblocks with the assistance from officers from neighbouring detachments. "My wife is terrified," Mr. Maguire said.

"People in town are locking their doors now." Annette Virtanen, who heads up the local Neighbourhood Watch program, suggested residents have become even more vigilant. "A lot of businesses are taking extra precautions when they close," she said. She indicated parents are picking up their children who may be working late, spouses are going to meet one another after the day is done, and employees are leaving work in groups. "(This incident) has put all individuals on high alert, from home owners to business owners," Ms. Virtanen said.

"Sometimes I think our little town is untouchable, and then something like this happens," Ms. Virtanen said. "It wakes you up a little bit." The OPP report that in addition to the two suspects, there may have been another individual waiting nearby in a vehicle. The Manitoulin OPP and its Crime Unit, with some assistance from the Sudbury OPP Crime Unit, are continuing the investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Manitoulin OPP detachment or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Detective Constable Mike Corrigan stated any suggestion that this incident might be related to the recent armed robbery at Patsy's Family Restaurant in Wikwemikong, which took place on Saturday, November 22, would only be speculation, and that the investigation is continuing.

 Wikwemikong public meeting wrestles with public safety

WIKWEMIKONG---Residents filled the upstairs hall at the Wikwemikong arena last week to meet with Chief Walter Manitowabi, members of band council as well as Police Chief Garry Reid and members of his staff. Chief Manitowabi began the meeting, after a prayer by Hardy (Albert) Peltier, by asking the community to work together for solutions, rather than rehashing old complaints or pointing fingers.

"I want to be here for the community members," he said, "to make it better for years to come." Although the meeting discussed the various programs available in the community to deal with social issues, alternative justice and other long-term solutions that are being implemented, Chief Manitowabi recognized the frustration being felt in the community and he mirrored many of those frustrations in his remarks.

 Not only are the police services seriously understaffed for the size of the community and the number of calls, he said, but there are serious flaws in the criminal justice system itself. "The judicial system is failing our community," said Chief Manitowabi. The justice system serves the rights of the offenders, he said, but not those of the victims and their families.

"These aren't petty crimes anymore," said Chief Manitowabi, alluding to a recent armed robbery in the community. "We have to work together with the community." Chief Manitowabi called on community members to support the police force in dealing with the small number of offenders who are keeping the community under siege. "It is time to step forward and say: 'I will do whatever I can to help make this a safer community,'" said Chief Manitowabi.

Police Chief Reid spoke to the assembly about the challenges his officers face in trying to police the community with seriously understaffed conditions, but reiterated the difficulty his force was having without information from the community. "Somebody must know something, somebody must have seen something," he said. "We need those people to call us.

" If you see a kid walking down the street at 3 am, let us know, suggested Chief Manitowabi. Look to see if they are carrying something, like a television, he added, it may be your neighbour's. "This is a small rural community police force," said Police Chief Reid. "It is not like on TV, CSI, where you send the evidence to a lab in the morning have the results and the criminal later that day. It doesn't work like that." Chief Manitowabi noted that a youth in the community had come forward at a recent meeting to try and help get something done.

"It felt good," he said. Chief Manitowabi said the community needs to form an action plan, to consider what steps they will take to meet the challenge of keeping Wikwemikong's streets safe for community members. Neighbourhood watch, community patrols, Crimestoppers are some of the options considered, but Chief Manitowabi wanted to know if perhaps banishment from the community should be considered. "Do we really consider banishment?" he asked. "BCR'ing (Band council resolution) off the reserve, is that really an option?"

 All of the programs the community needs to deal with underlying issues are in place, noted Chief Manitowabi. "Reach out and ask for that help," he said. "It is okay to do that." Reports that people are keeping firearms close to hand have the police deeply disturbed. "Do you really want to go there? Do you need a gun? Do we want to go down this road? NO!" said Police Chief Reid.

 The decline of public safety in Wikwemikong is a very recent development, noted Police Chief Reid. "When I came here as a young man, it wasn't like that," he said. "We would take kids home and their parents dealt with it." Now, he noted, parents are more apt to vent anger at the police officer, and the child is often back downtown within minutes.

"We need to work together as a team," said Police Chief Reid. "You as a community have the right to say No!, we are not going to put up with it." Athena Lacarte, a liaison worker from the Ontario Provincial Police outlined programs available to help improve community safety, including Neighbourhood Watch, Crimestoppers and Block Parents, but Tribal Police Officer Diane Nadjiwon noted that the police officers need the support of community members to be able to do their jobs, urging people to seek help to lower calls that take up police time.

"We respond to all calls, of course," she said. "But if we are on a domestic call it will take longer to get there than we would like." Vigilance on the part of the community and a willingness to share information are critical for the police to be effective in doing their jobs, she noted. "We need your help," said Constable Nadjiwon.

A First Nation security system company representative spoke in Odawa, suggesting that it was in the community's best interests to purchase systems locally, rather than sending even more money out of the community. Some community suggestions included installing an 'Eye in the Sky' video camera similar to one in downtown Sudbury, to increase security, instituting a local call centre for emergency calls, and bringing in a community watch patrol like the 'Blue Knights.'

The Blue Knights are described as an urban community patrol organization. While some of the proposals would be too costly for the community's resources, noted Chief Reid, he was not discounting any idea at this time.

 "We need to explore all of our options," he said. "I am not ruling anything out." Over the next few weeks, the band council will be working on a community action plan to deal with the issues of community safety, said Chief Manitowabi. He and other councillors will need input from the community on what directions to pursue.

 A forest of hands rose when he asked who would be interested in joining a Neighbourhood Watch and other programs. At an earlier meeting, one of the police officers had said, 'I wish we could had the money to put a police officer in every home,' recalled Constable Nadjiwon.

"We do!" The members of the community must become part of the team. If anyone has any information on any of the incidents that have plagued the community in recent months, Chief Manitowabi and others at the meeting urged people to come forward, to speak with an officer, a band councillor, or the Chief, or to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-Tips. "My door is always open," said Chief Manitowabi. "We will protect each other."