The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A week ago last Sunday the members and families of the various fire depots in the Town of Newcastle Newcastle held an enjoyable picnic at the Orono Park. There were plenty of games for all members of the family and above one stretches out to catch a fresh egg from their partner some sixty feet away. All repdrted an enjoyable outing. Autumn officially arrives tomorrow, tomorrow, September 22nd. Already trees are taking on a more rich, beautiful colour, the evenings are longer and cooler and there is a definite nip itrthe morning air. Preparations have begyn for the long stretch of winter ahead. No-this is not out of the late, late , show, nor is it Hallowe'en night! It is early fall and the ideal time for a social call from the big gray hearse and the friendly neighbourhood chimney sweep - maintenance man. Sootbuster..one of several sweeps in the area, came by to check out and clean our chimney. With popularity of the woodstove and fireplace surely on the increase, proper upkeep, 'cleaning and maintenance cannot be stressed too much. Mr. Richter had some high-priority recommendations; that everyone burning burning wood should consider 1) install at least one fire extinguisher, make 41 sure family members know how to use it; 2) install at least one (two if 2-storey home) smoke detectors; 3) have a fire escape plan - know it, rehearse it. Additonal tips: a "rain cap" is good to have atop thé chimney; when heating by wood, the chimney must be cleaned once a year; learn to build a fire properly, leave air space between between wood, and build from there, very hot fires prevent the dangerous build up of creosote. We feel safer already with our woodstove and chimney cleaned and set to go. Something to give serious thought to in your home perhaps. "Clowns" Clowns, clowns, clowns.. Here, there everywhere! Dancing here- Dancing there! Here's one There's one! Where do they go? Nobody knows clowns! by Shayne Goodwin Grade 3, Newtonville P.S. Newtonville School's Parents' Committee Chairperson Mrs. Jackie Higgins joins in the fun painting painting faces on Monday, September 19 as the jjunior students enjoyed Clown Day, . The Special Educâtion Class, the junior grades dressed up in all kinds of costumes and get-ups, enjoyed clown crafts and cupcakes and the artisitic talents of their teachers, and of face-painters, Mrs. J. O'Neill, Mrs.Jackie Higgins and Mrs. Lynda Farrow. Thanks to all - and to the students..I couldn't get over how quiet they were! Little Scoops - Our fine community of Newtonville Newtonville and area, with its growing population, and prime location near Highway # 2 and 401 makes us ideal candidates to get involved in, something special...something that will enhance the safety of our children. The Town of Newcastle Block Parent INc. Program needs Block Parents. With a "Block" sign in the window, a child who needs help knows he or she can go to this home safely. A Block Parent need not be a parent thenhselves, or have children at home, or be available 24 hours a day . Even a few hours a week, sign displayed, is indeed a help and a benefit to the community. Everyone wants their community to be a safe one for children to grow in. With this proven Block Parent Program showing results in the decline >of crimes in rural areas, what better way.to take an active, .positive part.. For safety's sake and more peace urono weekly limes, Wednesday, September 21, Many small towns and villages thriving Dispelling the popular myth that small towns and villages in Eastern Canada are dying out, University of Guelph geographer Fred Dahms says many are actually thriving. It's because they have what it takes to appeal to retirees, tourists and others who are hungry for clean air and heritage architecture. "In the 1970s, those who studied demograpy told us that a majority of Canadians would live in Montreal, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver by the year 2000," says Dahms. "But this has not happened. In fact, the most rapid population growth in some areas has been in the very villages, hamlets and towns that were supposed to die." This is especially true in plates dose to major employment centres, such as Erin and Belwood, southwest of Toronto in the Credit River Valley, and in villages with heritage architecture, like Blind River, one of the most historic settlements settlements in Northern Ontario. It's also true in towns with local scenic attractions, such as Bayfield, whose river and marina provide access to Lake Huron. Lion's Head in Northern Ontario is an example of a settlement that was dying when its fishing and logging logging industries declined and has been "reborn" as a retirement village. One-third of its present population is over 65 years of age. Most of these are people who have vacationed vacationed in the area, says Dahms. Many other small towns in Ontario, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes are experiencing the same kind of growth, says Dahms. Towns that were service centres for the surrounding surrounding agricultural communities or the fishing and lumber industries are taking on a residential function for retirees. of mind, call Newtonville's own Block Parent Chairman, Mrs. Patti Hutchineson at 786-2232 for any information information or an application. All applicants applicants are screened by Durham Regional Police. - Interested moms keep in mind that Newtonville's Play Place begins another fun season Wednesday, September 28th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Sunday School. The past year at Play Place has been nothing short of terrific; all mothers and their young children most welcome. Get togethers are every Wednesday morning; don't hesitate to come out, or to call Roberta Ransom, 786-2699. - Belated birthday wishes area extended extended to Lena Clysdale of Newtonville Newtonville who celebrated her special day, on September 12th with family and friends. Everyone who knows Lena would want to wish her all life's very best - Happy Birthday! - Thank you to the landowners and workers who made short order of the much talked about and publicized publicized wreckage along ,Hwy. 2. This past week, the final remains of the barn, house, garage and whatever else was stored there was beautifully pleaned up. This sight has been, for a long time, one of the worst in town and now it is gone, Bravo! In my continuing saga about fixing fixing up an old home - ours took us back to the age of our fore fathers a hundred years ago when We learned what a taste of life was like without water conveniences. Having the water pump stop cold turkey certainly makes one wonder and consider how those before us made it. Must have been a tougher ' breed. Never a dull moment! The towns that are thriving offer attractions ranging from scenery to heritage architecture and low-cost housing. Most retirees bring money into towns, opening the door for entrepreneurs who many successfully successfully turn an old general store into an antique shop, renovate a mill as a restaurant or establish an expensive ladies' clothing store. Increased bûsiness opportunities, the community's casual life-style or the nearness to recreational areas may attract younger people with families. New residents, old or young, bring new ideas for activities like the Blyth Festival, the Shelburne Fiddle Contest and the Fergus Highland Games. Population and econoniic growth may be beneficial for the town, but there is the danger of eventually killing the heritage atmosphere that attracted people to the village in the. first place. Flora is now on the brink of over-indulgence, says Dahms, and Niagara-on-the-Lake has.already succumbed. A professor in the University of Guelph's department of geography, Dahms has researched the process of settlement in Eastern Canada. In 1987, he travelled from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic coast, visiting towns and, villages with less than 5,000 people, studying their histories and interviewing residents. The results of Dahm's research on the past, present and future of rural communities has been summarized summarized in a new book, The Heart of the Country. Although written to appeal to the general public, the book is based on 10 years of solid research. "Geographers study places with characteristics that are inherently interesting," says Dahms. "The Heart is my attempt to communicate some important findings to-anyone who may be interested interested in our rich heritage of towns and villages." The CATERING CONNECTION ON THE SPOT CATERING Weddings - Anniversaries - AM Banquets CHEESE TRAYS - MEAT PLATTERS - SALADS Fred * Patricia Storsbergen Orono 983-9679 FAIRWINDS ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES ANTIQUES, MEMORBILIA & WE BUY AND SELL tUZS . (till 5 y 1 OpenThurs. -J^ynday-IO to 5V Monday to Wednesday by chant* 5028 MAIN STREET , ORONO, ONT. LOB 1M0 " , (416) 983-9806 EXCAVATING CONTRACTORS FRASER-MACK LIMITED ALL TYPES OF EXCAVATING Back-Filling' sod Grading - Trenching , Contact MIKE SAWYER Business-Phone 416-683-4212 Home Phone 983-9837