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12 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, March 11, 2010 Volunteers suffering from `post-Olympic syndrome' through for week two and Whistler was incredible, just a sea of red wherever you went." One of the biggest challenges for the hill crew Some local-area residents who recently re- was to ward off would-be daredevils who had acturned from working or volunteering at the Win- cess to public areas of the mountain and wanted ter Olympics in B.C. are still basking in the glow to try out the harrowing Olympic course after of the experience. the day's races were complete. Despite unseasonably warm weather, some or"We had people hiding in trees, trying to get ganizational problems and the tragic death of a on the race course and we needed to bring in Latvian luger on the eve of the 2010 Games, those some police to help stop them," she said. working behind-the-scenes, such as Georgetown "And wildlife. Because of the warm weather, chef Lori Gysel, say they'll never forwe had bears waking up early from get the the atmosphere on display hibernation and wandering onto the through the 16 days of competition. hill. There was also a lynx that broke "The streets were thronged with through one of the fences and onto the people dressed in red and white and course. For the most part though, the everyone was in such good spirits, spectators were great and I was lucky high-fiving complete strangers and to have a lot of public interaction." spontaneously breaking into singSargent worked 14-hour days on ing O Canada" said Gysel, one of five her skis and met a Georgetown native head chefs working at the massive in her 53-person crew, Ursula Schultz, Molson Canadian Hockey House who now resides in Squamish, B.C. venue. Annette Graydon was indoors JACQUELINE "It's delightful to be back home most of the time during her stay, atSARGENT with my family but someone mentending to the needs and wants of tioned to me that I must be going those staying at the athletes' village through post-Olympic syndrome. at Whistler. It's kind of like Christmas in that Her resourcefulness was tested when German you plan so long ahead of time for it and then cross-country skier Claudia Nystad came lookit's over just like that. There's a bit of a letdown ing for a sewing machine to make alterations to feeling." her one-piece suit. Gysel estimates she worked about 70 hours Because the outfit was made out of spandex each week and that the kitchen at the Hockey and lycra material, a special machine was reHouse served about 5,000 meals a day from a quired for the job and Graydon's billet for the large menu, including private parties for mem- Olympics, her aunt Elly Johnston, had one at her bers of the Canadian men's and women's hockey home in Whistler. teams, as well as the Great One, Wayne Gretzky. An hour later, the suit was fixed to Nystad's Georgetown's Jacqueline Sargent was a volun- satisfaction and she went on to win a gold medal teer race steward at Whistler Mountain for the in an individual sprint event. five alpine ski events, ensuring that spectators, "My aunt said later she should have sewn a athletes, support staff and media were where Canadian flag into the back of her suit, but the they were supposed to be on the slopes. Canadian connection was lucky anyway," Gray"I'm now just coming out of my depression of don joked. realizing that it's over," said Sargent, one of about "It was a terrific experience, I'd recommend 550 volunteers on the men's alpine course. it to anyone and am so very glad that I got the "I learned a lot and worked with athletes and opportunity to participate in such a wonderful people from all over the world. The weather was Canadian event! I am so proud of our achieveunpredictable the first week but the sun broke ment, both athletically and socially." By EAMONN MAHER Staff Writer Halton Hills resident Annette Graydon (right) poses with double Olympic medalist Claudia Nystad of Germany at the recent Winter Games in Whistler. Graydon, a volunteer at the athletes' village, arranged to have some adjustments made to Nystad's racing suit that the crosscountry skier would later wear while winning a gold medal. Submitted photo Halton Police nab 245 drivers for using hand-held devices It appears some drivers in Halton didn't get the call telling them about the provincial ban on using handheld cellphones. Halton Police issued 245 tickets last month under the distracted driver law which came into effect on February 1. They included 13 tickets issued in Halton Hills. For context, the Ontario Provincial Police, which patrols major highways, issued 470 tickets over the same time period. Hamilton police issued 118 tickets, according to thespec.com. Halton Police aren't out hunting drivers using hand-held electronic devices or staring at a laptop while driving, clarified Halton Police Sgt. Brian Carr. The service's officers have been catching offenders simply by keeping their eyes open, he said. The fine for the offence is $125, with a surcharge of $25 and $5 in court costs, making the total fine $155, according to Halton Police. Drivers can also be given three demerit points for a charge under the new legislation. Ontario's distracted driver law came into effect October 26. Police began issuing tickets February 1 following a three-month grace period of issuing drivers with warnings. The law makes it illegal for drivers to talk, text, type, dial or email using handheld cell phones and other hand-held communications and entertainment devices.