Youth learns new skill

Teenager Cole Condon of Lower Montague enjoys going to school at night. That's because every Monday night the 13-year-old goes to fly-tying class.

He is just one of the many students taking advantage of the classes at the Montague community school.

After a two-year closure due to lack of organizers, it has started up again.

Chair David MacNearney said there have been a few hiccups, but for the most part the school is running smoothly.

There are 65-70 people registered in the nine classes being offered, MacNearney said.

When Merril Condon, Cole's grandfather, showed him the list of courses he saw fly-tying.

"I could take that," Cole thought.

Cole, who has been trout fishing for his 'whole life', said he received a fly-tying kit for Christmas two years ago and really liked it so when he saw the course being offered he was excited.

Cole said bait fishing is fun, but he likes fly-fishing the best.

"It's different cause you have to always keep it(the line) moving. You get a better workout. Your arms get pretty sore after a full day of fly fishing," he said.

Trout fishing season on P.E.I. is from April 15-Sept. 15. Cole can be found casting his line most days during the season.

On school days he doesn't start fishing til 4.p.m, but if there's no school his day on the water starts as early as 9:30 a.m. and he goes till dark.

Cole said a couple of good spots to go are Sutherlands Hole near Valleyfield and Whitlocks Dam near Upton.

He said he can still get his fishing fix even when his dad, Bradley , or grandfather, Merrill, can't drive him.

"I can walk or peddle bike to a couple of spots around here."

But there's one spot Cole wouldn't give directions to.

He said the biggest fish he caught, a seven pounder, was there and only he, his dad and grandfather know about it.

There was one day his dad caught a 14 pounder at the same spot he said.

Cole is happy to spend his Monday nights making flys in preparation for April 15.

There are 14 people who are spending their Monday nights learning tai chi, a martial art geared towards personal health and well being.

Instructor Michael Page said he is teaching the form that is the most common in China.

Another popular class is quilting. There is a mixture of experienced and new quilters in the group.

Other courses include armchair travel, computer, guitar and rug-braiding.

Holland College student helps raise awareness about the Commonwealth

Mitchell Smith, Holland College Graphic Design student from Stratford, was this year's designer of the Commonwealth Day Poster.

The Royal Commonwealth Society of P.E.I. approaches the class every year with a challenge to make the poster.

This years theme was science, technology and society.

Smith, who admits science isn't his forte, used his creativity to disassemble a computer and photograph it. The photos served as a background for the poster.

Smith's version of the globe is imprinted on a CD and to incorporate the society he used strands of DNA.

The poster was used by the society to promote Commonwealth Day on March 8.

P.E.I. branch president Errol Monkley said 10 years ago a member came up with the idea to ask students at the Graphic Design department at Holland College to see if there was any interest .

The relationship still stands today and every year the society is pleased with the excellent work that comes out in the poster.

The Commonwealth is composed of 54 countries that come together to work for democracy.

Monkley said trade between the countries is an important element.

The P.E.I. branch was formed about 20 years ago and it's main focus is on raising funds for an annual bursary given out to a student attending UPEI who is from a Commonwealth country other than Canada. The award is usually $1000.

The branch has 80 members at present and in the past most have been recruited by word of mouth.

Monkley said anyone is welcome to join the society. Members come from all walks of life and while the bulk of members are from the greater Charlottetown area, the membership is made up of people from all across P.E.I.

Society member, Kep Holloway, said one third of the Commonwealth population is under 25.

Because of this growing trend it is all the more important for the society to promote projects that involve youth.

There were over 200 people on hand at the celebration of Commonwealth Day held at the Trinity United Church on March 8.

Smith said it was a good networking opportunity for him.

He is in his final year of the program and has done a lot of pro bono work throughout his studies.

That work has opened a lot of doors for him and with just two months to go, Smith said he has a good client list built up to start work on his own.