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Wednesday, March 17, 2004 Orono Weekly Times - 3 From Around Home by Roy Forrester On Sunday, while taking part in a hike organized by the chairpersons of the Oak Ridges Trail Association in the Crown Lands west of Orono, Rick and Barb Patterson and myself soon became aware of the chattering chattering of a pair of Cardinals. In the brief time I had before the hike started, I was unable to see either of the two birds. As usual they were deep in the shrubby thickets along the waterway that flows easterly to the Orono Creek. On arriving home following following the walk, I pulled out the Birdhouse book to see if it was possible that they might like some form of a manmade manmade bird house. After all, during last year, bird boxes had attracted a pair of Great Crested Flycatchers who made their presence known. The box is some eight to nine feet above the. ground and some twelve feet from the bush area. Adding to the activity in the back yard was a pair of Tree Swallows who were kept busy raising two families families before leaving for the south. They nested in a bird- house some five feet above thé ground in the middle of the flower garden. They also had plenty of flight area around the box and their coming and going was most notable. This box has also attracted Chickadees in the past. Maybe we are in a position position to now.consider a high rise condominium for the flower garden area. Certainly we will not try the condo-. minium plan just yet but we could add a second box plus some form of screening between the boxes using flowers. On looking through the Birdhouse book, we were surprised surprised to find that the Red- Bellied Woodpecker can be attracted to use wood constructed constructed bird houses. You might recall some weeks ago when Don Lycett and I attended the property of Shelley Heritage on the 6th Concession some 2 kms east of 115 and as well the McDonnell's property on Pollard Road hoping to sight Red-Bellied Woodpeckers that have been dining at feeders feeders at these two, areas. The Red-Bellied Woodpecker Woodpecker is somewhat rare to these parts but there is no doubt that these two birds have been sighted at the feeders. feeders. This particular woodpecker woodpecker can be attracted to a wood-. eh box that is somewhat larger larger than a Bluebird box. It is mentioned to make the box more attractive for this specie of bird by adding some one to two inches of small wood chips in the bottom of the box. We shall give it a try. A last minute update: I received an early morning morning call Tuesday that the Red- Bellied Woodpecker was at the McDonnell's. Don Lycett and I were quick to make the trip over there resulting in a successful sighting. Our thanks go out to the McDonnells. March Hikes Wednesday, March 17, 1:30 pm., 2 hours (Clarington Map 8). Cross country ski/hike in the Ganaraska Forest. Meet on Wilcox Road just off Hwy 115. Roy Forrester 905-983-5147. Saturday, March 20, 10 a.m., 2 hours (Clarington Map 8). Slow paced hike/snowshoe/sleigh. Bring the kids. Great finish for March Break. Enjoy hot chocolate and talk with naturalist at the halfway point. Meet at Darlington Concession Rd. 8 and Darlington/Clarke Townline. Rick Patterson 905- 623-2184. Saturday, March 20, 2 p.m., 2 hours (Clarington Map 8). Slowpaced hike/snowshoe/sleigh. Bring the kids. Great finish for March Break. Enjoy hot chocolate and talk with naturalist at half way point. Meet at Darlington Concession Rd. 8 and Darlington/Clarke Townline. Rick Patterson 905- 623-2184. The Heather Rebekah Lodge donated a cheque for $100 to the Orono Path Finders in support support of their trip to England this summer. Front - Lorna Atkins, Jessica Dee, Bertha White Noble Grand. Back - Jackie Borremans, Sarah Schoenmaker, Hannah Watts, Ashley Morrison and Pam Allin. Jaworski Continued from page 2 increase ($10,000 for the mayor and $4,000 for each of the six councillors)? Is there a cap on the amount they could have voted themselves? Why stop at $34,000? Why not fleece " us for twice that? The Governor General could be used as a role model. A referendum. That would have been a good idea. In fact, it is still a good idea. I humbly suggest that our representatives representatives put this to something something like a referendum. It ; would demonstrate respect for our tax dollars, and give us a chance to really judge whether or not they should get it. All $34,000 of it. As I see it, if there are good reasons to think that a wage increase is the right idea, then we should be convinced convinced that they should get it. I would also suggest that such wage increases be applied only after the next election. This way, it doesn't appear as though anyone is trying to line their own pockets, but genuinely thinks that a wage increase is appropriate. After all, if it is applied after an election, other folks, might benefit from it. And this would simply make it look a lot better than it does. TOBY For every bottle of TOBY purchased Natural Sense Aromatherapy will 1 ' donate $1.00 to the Pet Trust Fund at the Ontario Veterinary College, Aromatherapy University of Guelph. I 'oi* l)»i;s Now Available in the Clarington, Durham & Peterborough Areas Ask at your local Vet Clinic or Pet Valu Stores Also available at The Durham Farmers Co-Op, Taunton Rd. and Taunton Gate Market, Taunton Rd. For more information visit www.naturalsense.com - HAPPENINGS ~ il it to 1 pm., $8.00. at Rebekah Centre. Luaoheon Iiklti.lt.id,, II salad, dinner rolls, pie, cake, beverage. Sponsored by Heather Rebekah Social Club 62. For tickets call: Viola 905-983-9571, Connie 905-983-5726, Lorna 905-983-5608 OronoTow^HaVspaghetti Dinner & Auction Fundraiser - 7 p.m. John Yates on piano. Tickets $20. Call Ann 905-983-5903 or Jeanne 905-983-5230. Orono Rrc^ghtm' Dance - 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Orono Arena. DJ - Mike's Music. Includes door prizes, spot dances, light buffet. Tickets - call Marly Trachsler 905-983-1125, Angela Lynde-Sinclair 905-983-8253 or any Station #3 firefighter. St Andrewl"Presbyterian Church 4th Victorian Tea - 2 to 4 p.m. at 47 Tmpcrancc St., Bowmanville. Costumes, prizes, entertainment. Adults $8 and Children $5. . or tickets cull Dot McGill 905-983-9553. Turkey S Sup|»er and Euchre - Orono Oddfellows & Rebcknh's Centre id 6 p.m. I iekols $12 Advance tiikets only - Call Norma 905-983-5358 or Irene 905-983-9590. fundraising lor a new roof (sponsored by Hall Board.)