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

Brooklin Optimist Club makes teens' fairy tales come true More than 120 lucky Grade 8 and Grade 12 students in Durham Region will be able to borrow a dress or suit for their prom this year thanks to the Optimist Club of Brooklin. The new program called Fairy Godmother's Closet started as an idea of Brooklin resident Ethel Scullion and her daughter. As a new member of the Optimist Club of Brooklin, and with her daughter looking for a way to re-use or donate her dress from her recent prom, Ms. Scullion presented their idea at a club meeting in October. After putting out the word of the new program through social media and word-of-mouth, dresses, suits and accessories started coming in quickly. "The quality of the clothing is fantastic and we even have a designer tuxedo that may suit a smaller student," explained Ms. Scullion. "We are doing this to enable all kids to enjoy this rite of passage without the additional financial burden put on families. Being short on money was not a good enough reason in our eyes for these kids to miss grad or prom." The outfits are free to borrow for Grade 8 or Grade 12 students living in Durham and planning on going to their prom or graduation this year. Students can make slight alterations if needed and, thanks to sponsor K and M Cleaners, all outfits will be professionally cleaned. The fittings will be held on Sunday, March 8 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Brooklin Community Centre, 8 Vipond Rd., in Brooklin. Students are welcome to drop in, however priority will be given to students who book appointments in advance by contacting Ms. Scullion at Ethel.scullion@gmail.com or 905-410-0738. Grade 8 students must bring their parents. High school students must bring student ID and can bring one guest. The Optimist Club of Brooklin is still accepting clothing and accessories such as jewelry, belts, ties, etc. Anyone with clothing donations or any local businesses that would like to help out are encouraged to contact Ms. Scullion. Thank you to everyone for sharing your many stories and events from around Brooklin. If you have a story or upcoming event, please email me at news@hometownmusic.ca. Rob Hanson is the executive director for the Hometown Music Council, workshop director for Brooklin's Mini Idol and a director for the Brooklin Spring Fair. RoB Hanson Community Chilling together in Brooklin BROOKLIN -- Friends Ava Hayes, left, and Lauren Mackay enjoyed an afternoon of free public skating at the Luther Vipond Memorial Arena in Brooklin on Sunday, Dec. 28. New and experienced skaters filled the ice with family and friends. KAITLIN ABEELE / METROLAND