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a 5 | i : ary a re Sn i Rar id pln i oh CLP PIRTQ PERRY For most Canadian families the Yueltide season isn't com- plete without a Christmas tree well covered with attractive de- corations and bright lights. The tradition of illuminating Christmas trees dates back to Germany, over 450 years ago. The story goes that Martin Lu- ther, while walking home one night, was so impressed with the bright twinkling stars, that he put candles on his Christmas tree to illustrate their splendor to his family. Now electric lights have re- placed the flickering candle flame, but decorated trees still must be properly cared for so they will not be a fire hazard. "Safety should be the fore- most concern, when purchasing and installing your decorations this season," says Robert Price, electrical inspection superin- tendent in Ontario Hydro's Central Region. : To ensure a safe and happy holiday, unmarred by the dan- gers of fire, Mr. Price recom- mends the following Christmas safety suggestions: = 1. When purchasing decora- tive lighting sets and electrical appliances be sure they bear the Canadian Standards Asso- ciation seal of approval. The large "C"' enclosing the letters "SA" means that your pur- chases have passed the severe approval tests of CSA which have been established for your protection. 2. Store the tree in a cool place until you put it up. 1 : Editorial Page Make It A Safe Christmas 4. Do not block an exit with the tree. 0. Make sure that all orna- ments and things like cotton batting, placed at base of the tree, are fireproof and that cir- cuits aren't overloaded with holiday lights. 6. Check both indoor and out- door tree-lighting equipment for frayed wires, cracked or brittle insulation, broken lamp sockets or damaged plugs. Throw away or replace deteri- orated lighting sets. 7. If a fuse blows, check first for defects in the lighting sets. If the trouble persists, call an electrical contractor for assist- ance. 8. Turn off the lights when you go out or leave the room. 9. Never use electric lights on metal Christmas trees and keep metal icicles away from lighting sets. 10. Manufacturers' instrue- tions on lighting equipment should be followed carefully. The safety features built into them may be nullified by care- less or improper handling. 11. Take down the tree as quickly as possible when the season is over and store all lights in a dry place. Outdoor i sets should also be put away as the wiring deteriorates quickly from summer sun and heat. 12. When you purchase new appliances or electrical toys as gifts examine each device for the CSA mark of approval. These few safety tips from .Ontario Hydro will assure that 3. Keep it in a water-filled you do have a truly "Merry container. A RR 0 BRERA Christmas?' nn oN San ERERRGCRR 50 YEARS AGO Thurs., Dec. 13th, 1917 The members of the Edith Cavell Society, Port Perry have decided to ac- cept donations of money and good warm clothing, to be forwarded to the sufferers from the disas- ter at Halifax. Dr. F..E. Luke, Optician from Toronto, and a lead- ing eye sight specialist for glasses, can be consulted about your eyes at A. J. Daivs Drug Store, Port Perry, on Dec. 20th. Mr. D. Carnegie went to join his wife and children in Florida. They have been there for two weeks. 25 YEARS AGO Thurs., Dec. 17th, 1942 Gunner Arch Anderson, R.C.A. has been transferr- ed from Debert, Nova Sco- tia, to Toronto for further training. Dr. M. B. Dymond was the guest speaker at the meeting of the Lions Club last Friday evening. He gave a very practical and informative talk on "First Aid". A Port Perry man, Fly- ing Officer Glen McMaster was killed along with five others, in a crash landing which took place in east- ern passage way at Hali- fax. 15 YEARS AGO Thurs., Dec. 18th, 1952 A Scugog truck driver, Robert Eade, escaped in- jury and death when his tractor trailer overturned and burst into flames. The truck was completely destroyed. "U Turns on Port Perry's street are no longer legal. As a result of heavier vol- ume of traffic council passed a By-Law prohibit- ing "U" turns. The one exception is at the_inter- section of Queen & Water streets. The new telephone ex- change at Blackstock was ( MN Do You Remember? officially opened last week by Henry Thompson, who spoke by telephone to Grant Thompson at his home. 10. YEARS AGO Thurs, Dec. 19th, 1957 Winner of the clown contest during the Santa Claus Parade were 1st Larry Mark; 2nd Barry Oke; 3rd Douglas Eden- borough. The lucky winners of dance prizes at the Teen Town dance last week were Jim Wilson, Mary Lynn Hodgins, Joyce Cook- son and Barry Fletcher. The proceeds of a Fowl Draw sponsored by the Fire Dept. amounted to $200.00. Winners of the prizes were Archie Men- zies (2 turkeys), Rae Web- ster (1 goose), Glen Wana- maker (capon) and Johnny Greaves (2 broilers). wi "RAINCHECKS! Get yer raincheck in case the game is called! BILL SMILEY ES BEWARE TINY KIM Maybe it was the approach of Christmas that got me thinking about money. Maybe it was Kim asking me what '"'collateral" was. In trying to explain, I got into gold re- serves and depreciation of the pound and inflation, and we both wound up refresh- inglv bewildered. Only thing of any value that came out of it was the ridiculous nature of modern 'money. Money, or some form of it, is as old as man, whether it be wampum, bits of ele- phant tusk or fancy seashells. Gold early became the favorite, because it was heavy, malleable, decorative and hard to get hold of. Silver and copper made up the unholy trinitv, and we were in business. But from early times, and even into the last century, money was real. You could feel it, bite it, smell it, heft it, look at it shine, and listen to it ring. It had weight, substance. You could put it in a sock and feel like a banker. You could bury it in the ground when you heard the tax collector was com- ing. Try that with modern currency. What fun it must have been to go into a tavern with friends, spin a gold guinea on the table and shout: "Landlord! re game pies, a haunch of vension and three gallons of your best brandy." And get ten jingling «<hillings in change. Mine host stirs the fire, cooks bustle happily off-stage and waiters scurry, tug- ging at their forelock and brimming up the tankards. Compare. Today you go into a tavern with friends. Half an hour later, when vour - eves have adiusted to the gloom, a waiter, either surly or insolent, hands you a large piece of paver. This, eventually, produces a very small drink at a very large price. After a suitably lengthy period of anaes- thetisation, in preparation for the coming shock, another waiter, this one morose or bellicose, hands you another large piece of paper. Eventually, this produces a platter of something which you're lucky it's too dark to see. PIPES 40 ERR fic CREAR SMR Three Later, he brings another very small piece of paver, with a figure on it which you're alco lucky it's too dark to see. In turn, vou show him a piece of plastic, called a credit = card, and sign a paper. Or if you're just a peasant, you hand over a number of pieces of colored paver. He takes it away and comes back, prompt- ly this time, with a little tray. All your paper is gone and there is a quarter and four pennies on the tray. He stands, glow- «= ering, until you put another piece of paper on the tray. He grunts, snatches it, and departs. On the way out, you fork over the quar- ter to ransom your overcoat. You are left with four pennies. They don't exactly jingle. Point is, no real money has changed hands. There is no personal contact, and therefore no satisfaction in it. Every month, I receive a piece of paper with figures on it. The figure at the ex- treme left is fairly substantial. Then there PORT PERRY STAR COMPANY, LIMITED Serving Port Perry, Brooklin and Surrounding Areas J P. HVIDSTEN, Publisher WM. T. HARRISON, Editor Member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Member of the Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association Published every Thursday by The Port Perry Star Co. Ltd.,, Port Perry, Ontario. Authorized as second class mail by thé Post | Office Department, Ottawa, and for payment of postage in cash. Subscription Rates, In Canada $8.00 per yr., Elsewhere, $4.50 per year. Single Copy 10c.