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Vol. 14, No.5, Folio 10 Wednesday, February 4, 1981 28 pages, 25cents Wins nationals Orser crowned skating champ by Doug Reed Brian Orsier, Penetanguishene's 19- year-old figure skating sensation who _ skates out of the Midland Figure Skating Club, is this nation's new Canadian senior men's figure skating cham- pion. a crown he won on the weekend in Halifax. Orser, who placed last vear in Calgary, had to literally come from behind to grab the gold medal during three days of competition which started Thursday of last week in Halifax. He placed second in the figures and pressed hard in the short program. There again he placed second behind three-time Canadian of Calgary. However it was Orser's strong five minute program which made the difference. While Pockar had a few minor flaws in his program, especially a cross foot spin that gave him some trouble and a triple toe loop that wasn't as clean as it could have been the for Orser. Orser's program was flawless. His jumps were exciting to watch and a triple axle (three and a half rotations in the air) brought down the house of 5,000 spectators who gave the young skater a standing ovation at the end of his gruelling five minute program. fourth in the nationals Champion Brian Pockar Red letter day It was a red letter day at Midland Arena, Mondav evening, when Brian Orser, this nation's newest senior men's figure skating champion showed up to be honored by his fans and the town of Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny Township. story was quite different Most observers felt it Autograph superstar and weren't disappointed. Orser now is getting ready to compete in the world figure skating championships next month in the U.S. seekers pressed to a look at the new Officials are waiting for warmer weather so they can again attempt to raise the 70-foot tug Aburg off the bottom of Penetanguishene harbour at the foot of Main Street. The tug sank some time ago and since then plans were made to pump water out of the vessel in order to refloat her. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were devoted to this task however it is expected warmer weather will allow the pumps to run better. Rem Services of Tobermory is doing the work for Sub Services who own. the tug. Should the weather turn mild during the next few days workmen again will try to lift the tug which was tied at the wharf when she sank prior to: Christmas. Meanwhile the salvage operation attracts its share of spectators each time workmen and scuba divers are seen near where the tug went down. Only a beacon and antenna can be seen above the icy waters of the harbour. They stand as a mute reminder that below the surface a huge vessel is resting waiting to be eventually hauled up from "the deep."' was the best per- formance ever achieved by Orser and most of the seven judges must have felt the same way when he was awarded five 5.9s for technical merit plus two 5.9s for artistic impression. A couple of 5.6s brought boos from the fans sitting in the stands. y What it amounted to was this: Orser tried all the toughest moves and jumps and made them all. The worthy winner received his medal during an emotion-filled ceremony at the con- clusion of the com- petition. Now it back to practising for the World's Figure Skating Championships which are scheduled for March 5-8 in Hartford, Conn. One couldn't help but smile after Orser had completed his amazing five minute program when he was seen on national television sipping a drink out of a paper (Coke) cup since we all know his father Butch Orser is very much connected with Penetanguishene Bottling Co., bottlers of you know what. For more on Brian Orser's super victory please turn to today's sport page. They came to praise Brian Orser They jammed Midland arena Monday night to pay tribute to Brian Orser, Canada's newest senior men's Canadian figure skating champion. The motorcade that brought Orser into town was long and noisy, and properly so for a champion of Orser's stature. Tributes were bestowed on the 19-year- old figure skating sensation from Penetanguishene who prepares now for the world's in Hartford, Conn... early next month. Autograph seekers mobbed Orser as he made his way into the arena and they mobbed him once he was inside. ice lead van to cross line Michael Axten, 23, of Poyntz Street, was not seriously injured Monday morning when his van slid across the center line of Vinden Street in Midland and collided with a car. Both Axten and the other driver, Melville Smith. 52, of Barrie, received minor injuries which did not require treatment. Police did not assess charges. The road was very icy at the time of the mid-morning accident. Damage was estimated to be $1,000 to Axten's van and $3,000 to the car. The collision occurred on Vinden Street just west of Ninth Street. Heart fund volunteers asking for support Canvassers for the Ontario Heart Foun- dation already have come, or will be coming, to your door sometime this month. Money raised by the province-wide, month-long campaign will be used to fight heart disease. The local chapter will again this year sponsor its annual poster contest. All Grade Six students are eligible to enter. On Feb. 19a CPR demonstration will be held in the council chamber. Members of the public are invited. Persons wishing to volunteer their time can contact Anne Murphy at 549-8205. Odesse off to Australia Friday Mike Odesse, a local photographer, leaves for Australia Friday for a six week visit along with four other young business and professional men from this region of Ontario. He is a part of a Rotary Club Group Study exchange team. Each Group Study Exchange team consists of five outstanding men between 25 and 35 years of age, who are both non-Rotarians, and representative of a cross-section of the businesses and professions in the rotary district sponsoring their trip. The other men in the group are a high school teacher from Kapuskasing, a provincial government agricultural representative from Peterborough, a studio owner from North Bay, and a trust company manager from Orillia. ESPSS student Rotary choice to go overseas Ecole Secondaire Penetanguishene Secondary School student Inge Schwauss will be going overseas courtesy of the Midland and District Rotary Club. The Grade 12 student was one of three ESPSS students and three Midland Secondary School students interviewed by the Rotary Club. The club selects a student to visit a foreign country one year and accepts a visiting student for the next year, sending a student and hosting a student on alternate years. Inge has indicated an interest in spending next vear in one of West Germany, South Africa, or New Zealand. Teenagers face narcotics charges Two Penetanguishene teenagers will ap- pear in provincial court in Midland Feb. 9 charged with narcotics offences. As a result of an incident at Ecole Secon- daire Penetanguishene Secondary School last Thursday Colin Restrup, 17, of 103 Burke St., was charged by town police with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Christopher Sibbald, 17, of Anne St., was charged with possession of narcotics. Police also laid two charges under the Liquor Licence Act during the weekend. Letters Page 4 Lifestyle Page 7 District Page 10 Sports Page 16