April 1, 2016 April 1, 2016 | Page 16

Page 16 The Colebrook Chronicle Friday, April 1, 2016 Around The Region Cookshire’s Surete Quebec Police Chief J. Rose has announced his retirement after 28 years. Corey Bellam photo. (Continued from page 14) $1.17 million project, which has a final completion date of Nov. 18, 2016. YOUR AD LOOKS GOOD IN THE CLASSIFIEDS!! Call us at 246-8998 Or stop by our office at 82 Main Street in downtown Colebrook NEWPORT ORCHESTRA CONCERT The Now Playing Newport Music Series is happy to present a Benefit Concert for the Newport Area Community Orchestra on Sunday, April 10, beginning at 3 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Second Street, Newport. The orchestra, under the direction of Ken Michelli has been a avid supporter of the Series by presenting several programs by its members each year, including its Annual Member Recital in December. The orchestra, founded in 2011, is communitybased serving the Northeast Kingdom and surrounding communities and is dedicated to quality performances in settings that provide educational and cultural relationships between musicians and audience. This program will present some of the best of classical compositions from both members and friends of the Orchestra. Participating is Steven Tatum, bassoon; Howie Arzt, Clarinet; Mark Violette, piano; Paula Hansen Graveline, flute; Thurmond Knight, cello; Lee Story, piano; Chris Maginnis, clarinet; Heather Webster, flute; Chris Nicotera, harp; Anne Steinberg, flute; Steven Tatum, oboe; David Harrison, vocalist;, Megan Carpenter, french horn; Rachel Keck, viola; Kevin Emerson, trumpet; David Killam, piano; Jim McKimm, organ, and Iain McHarg, bagpipe. The program will conclude by a haunting, yet majestic “Highland Cathedral” with flute, bagpipe, and organ. For the complete program, visit the Series website at www.nowplayingnewport.com. Refreshments will be served during the intermission, provided by members and friends of the orchestra and St. Mark's. Tickets are $10 and are available online at www.nowplayingnewport.com. Organizers expect this to be a sold out performance, so get tickets well in advance to assure a place in the audience. POLICE CHIEF J. ROSE RETIRES 28 years ago, a young officer by the name of J. Rose started with the Surete Quebec Police Force. He worked his way up, working in Cowansville, Weedon, Lac Megantic and finally working ten years in Cookshire, Que., serving as Chief of Police at this Detachment of the Surete Quebec. We got to know Chief Rose about eight years ago through many media adventures covering everything from drug busts, drownings, fires and even a manhunt in Ascot Corner a few years ago. We also spent many times with him at Surete Quebec blood drives, events and even met up with him at the recent George Canyon country music show in Lennoxville. There, he told us that he was retiring April on 1 from his duties at the HautSaint-Francois Detachment of the Surete Quebec Police Force in Cookshire. This past week the Chronicle paid him a visit before he retires. Upon entering we found Chief Rose grinning from ear to ear and ready for a visit. We asked him what he was going to do first after retiring. We were told he was going to relax and enjoy his family and maybe catch his breath a little after 28 years. Rose told us that he has always had a dream of riding Route 66 on his motorcycle with his wife, a dream that just might come true this summer. After that he wants to get back into Police work by teaching Police Sciences to up and coming Surete Quebec officers in 2017. Once an officer, always an officer. We have been on many scenes with Chief J. Rose and it has always been a pleasure to work with him and his officers. The new Chief that will be replacing Rose on April 1 is going to be Yves Beaudoin from Lac Megantic's Surete Quebec detachment. We have dealt with Chief Beaudoin many times through the recent train explosion and look forward to many future meetings. We wish Chief Rose all the best in his new adventure of retirement and hope he lives his Route 66 dream to the fullest. –Corey Bellam VERNA WESTGATE TURNS 108 On March 15, 2016, Verna Westgate celebrated her 108th birthday surrounded by f amily, friends, and her extended family of residents, staff and volunteers from Grace Village, Lennoxville, Que. The day started with a surprise gift of 108 homemade cupcakes, gifts from friends Sylvia Marlin Vachon and Lynda Pelser. The cupcakes were distributed throughout and enjoyed by all at Grace Village. Four generations of Verna’s family and friends gathered in the Tea Room later in the day for a birthday party complete with her favorite homemade cake. David Price, president for the Borough of Lennoxville, and Jim Crook, Treasurer for the Dr. W. J. Klinck Foundation, came to pay tribute. Later in the day Verna (Continued on page 19)