a Wednesday, February 10, 1993 @ Jonathan Green The Rangers’ Canadian scout, SPORTS REPORTER Jeff Derosa is heading to Florida next month, but surfing or seeing Dis- neyworld probably won’t be tops on his things-to-do list. The 20-year-old Genelle native will be attending the training camp of the ‘Texas Rangers in Port Charlotte after signing a minor league contract with the American League club last Mon- day in Vancouver. Back at home Thursday, Derosa said learning that the Rangers were interested was quite a shock. “It was a very welcome surprise,” he said. “Kind of like a new lease on life.” After putting some decent num- bers on the board playing college ball in Iowa and North Carolina, Derosa returned home in 1991 after receiving next-to-no interest from the majors. . “| figured after three years of play- ing college ball and getting older, it was time to get a job,” he said. “It didn’t look like there was much of a future in baseball.” That in mind, he headed home and got that job at Kalesnikoff Lumber in Thrums. But, unbeknownst to Derosa, Don Shwery saw that future in baseball. Shwery met Derosa at a baseball tournament last summer in Kam- loops. . Shwery said he’d heard stories about Derosa and snuck him off to a nearby diamond to watch him hit. After just a few minutes, Shwery knew what he had heard was true. “He knows how to handle a base- ball, he knows how to handle a glove, he knows how to handle a bat,” Shw- ery said from Vancouver Monday. “He’s a got all the attributes.” And because of those attributes, Shwery thinks Derosa and the Rangers will get along just fine. “He’s going to shine up alright,” he said. “I think he’s got the kind of stuff theyre looking for.” Despite playing a lot less ball than he would have liked to lately, Derosa doesn’t think he'll be at a disadvan- tage when training camp begins. He said once he puts on a uniform and heads out to his familiar spot at shortstop, the initial shock of being signed will wear off. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said. “It probably won't sink in until I get down there. “Once I get to swing a bat, I’m go- ing to feel a lot more comfortable.” @ Wednesday, February 10, 1993 158 Well, in the words of the im- mortal Porky Pig, “That’s all folks.” Of course, Mr. Pig had a rather unfortunate stutter when he said it, but ’'m not quite sure of the correct spelling so I’m not even going to try. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this issue of The Castlegar News will the last issue of The Castlegar News, a decision handed down by the suits from Vancouver on Mon- day. Ushering us into the press room like a herd of cattle going to the slaughterhouse that after- noon, we were told that our ser- vices were longer required, a de- cision precipitated by an appar- ent loss of copious amounts of cash. For most of us, the announce- ment came as no surprise. After all, there was an air of uncertain- ty about the paper’s survival even before I walked through the edi- torial door that cold winter night 15 months ago. Knowing that my future with the Castlegar News could be over before it even started, it wasn’t easy getting up for a job that may not be there the next day. But as a guy who knew what he wanted to do before he even got to junior high, the decision to leave the big city was a wise one. Heading away from Vancou- ver’s cold November rain, the place called Castlegar was as for- eign to me as nuclear physics, Sure, being a sports-minded guy, I knew that The ’Gar was Fe- lix Belczyk’s stomping grounds, but after that I might just as well have been heading to Yahk. Pulling into town that day, it was obvious that my idea of what Castlegar would be like and what it turned out to be were two very different things. The place looked so small and empty and the absence of a Mc- Donalds is generally a good indi- cator of what a certain city is all about. That was 15 months ago my friends, a long time to change an opinion from wondering why I was there to wondering why I was leaving. Actually, I don’t have to leave, but when the number of newspa- pers in a town drops from one to none, there isn’t any strong rea- a Jonny on the Spot JonathanGREEN son for a career-minded reporter to stick around. In that time, ’ve come to know what small-town Canada is all about and the fact that city living isn’t the be-all and end-all so many of us make it out to be. Sure, the small town has its dis- advantages but, so too does the big city. As annoying as it is to sit in one- lane traffic that isn’t moving at 4:00 every weekday, it’s nice to know that traffic jam is there be- cause the major employer in town is making a commitment. A quick look back at life in Castlegar The first story I ever wrote was a business feature on what local people thought about headaches caused by the Celgar expansion. The majority of the people I talked to said it’s only short term and that the long of it was how much the expansion would help the area. After all, without the expan- sion, there wouldn't be a Celgar. Without a Celgar, there wouldn’t be a Castlegar. Without a Castlegar, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet peo- ple like Richard Maddocks, the first person I ever interviewed and the first person who wel- comed me to town. People like Richard made my stay, for the most part, an enjoy- able one. Big city thinkers like him, like Heather Bonnett, like Dale Donaldson all showed me that living in a small town didn’t necessarily mean you had to think small town. And so, as I turn the page on the first chapter of my life as a jour- nalist, I look forward to finding another Castlegar wherever my career road takes me. Farewell Castlegar and thanks. Important information about the closure of The News FOR OUR SUBSCRIBERS: Nelson nips Castlegar NEWS STAFF Close don’t count, something the Castlegar Rebels are find- ing out too much of these days. Meeting the Nelson Maple Leafs in the Queen City Satur- day, a win would have given the Rebels a third-place tie with their northern rival in the KIJHL standings. A loss would have dropped them four points back of the Leafs with only seven games left to play, a time when every point counts. But, unfortunately for the Rebels, the points that count- ed that night were in Nelson’s favor. Breaking a 1-1 tie with some three minutes left to Bei play, the Leafs escaped with a O re ur profits. Rebels coach Garry Sauer said not being hungry enough cost his squad. “It was basically who want- ed it the most,” he said. “We ir didait have enough Se the a share in the year-end profits. This year, they'll be sharing over half a million dollars. So come in and talk to us about your The share each member will needs and join the Kootenay Savings receive is determined by the family. Then we can begin to extent of business we do together, : k g share our profits with you. Kootenay Savi We have something we like to share with you. FOR OUR CARRIERS: Your hard work and dedication has been much appreciated. Best wishes in the future. We thank you for your support. JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE Refunds for the remaining portion of your subscription will be mailed to you by February 22. If you have not received your refund by February 25, please contact the Castlegar News at 365-7266 Columbia Val. 19 20 0 az Carrier inquiries should be directed to our office, Arrangements will be made to finalize carrier accounts as quickly as possible. gees 88> a8ssa8 Neoeoeo Beaver Valley 15 23 |Rossland 3 FOR OUR ADVERTISERS: Thank you for your loyal support over the years.. FOR OUR SUPPLIERS: We appreciate your patience during this difficult time and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. In order to ensure that all outstanding accounts with our valued suppliers are settled in full, we ask that you submit, by Feb. 26, 1993, a detailed account of the amounts owed to you. Every customer of Kootenay Savings whether it’s borrowing or saving. Our is a member-owner. That means they members know that doing business have a say in how we do business, and_ with Kootenay Savings is a good way to invest in their community, their credit union and their future. To minimize the disruption to your advertising plans, if there are any previous advertisements or copy you require, please contact us at 365-7266 during normal business hours until February 26 Giving up a first-period shorthanded goal, the Rebels were back on even terms after Nino Da Costa’s second-period power play goal tied it at one. ki Try as they might, the visi- Gris, Nelson “50! tors couldn’t squeeze another Scherck, Grand Forks 21 61 290! b. 1 paf goalie Pat Gris. Rey. Cossoger ss Pant Coupled with recent losses to a and Grand Forks, gar apa the ones you want to win,” he said. “It would have been nice win that one for third place. “It was a tough one to lose.