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a PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, August 25, 1987 -- 5 Viewpoint by John B. McClelland THE PROJECT It was just about a year ago that I came up with what I thought was one of my better ideas. Walking along Queen Street one fine late summer's day a year ago, I stopped by the old lawn bowling green across from the IGA. Leaning against the railing, I thought to myself that the old green might make a great place for an open air skating rink. A few weeks later, I suggested the idea in this column space and received a lot of positive response from a lot of people who thought it was a good idea. Some even agreed to volunteer with the prepara- tion of the skating rink and the snow shovelling. Well, after a few false starts last December when the weather simply refused to co-operate, the rink got off the ground in mid-January and it was a pretty popular spot for about six weeks or so until the March weather turned the ice to slush and finally to water. I kept a diary of the work that went into the rink last winter and looking back on it now, I realize just how much darn work went into that "good idea' of mine. For example, I naively thought that flooding the surface could be handled by running a garden hose from the YMCA basement nearby. Thankfully, some members of the local volunteer fire department, with the approval of the Chief and the Township, chipped in with the pumper truck and hoses for the flooding. Con- of water was pumped onto the surface over a five week period, you can imagine how far I would have progress- 'ed with a single garden hose. Were it not for the help of volunteer firefighters Dave Obee, Gord Mahaffy, Dave Ballingall and Jamie Donaldson who spent many a nippy evening pouring water from the pumper, the rink simply would have gone nowhere last winter. I recall one very cold evening as we flooded the ice under the watchful eye of several diners in the Murray House who sat there warm and snug sipping their cof- fees and liquers by candlelight while a hardy band of fools froze their butts working an open air rink. But the cold fingers and toes were quickly forgot- ten when the rink finally took shape and people of all ages, laced on their skates and actually used it. Young kids, people in their teens, even a lot of so-called "older folk" got a lot of enjoyment there last winter, and it gave me a pretty good feeling, too. Brought back a lot of memories for me as open air rinks were such an important part of my youth during the long cold winters in the Ottawa Valley. Anyway, the point of the above musings is leading somewhere. It's not too early now to start thinking about whether this project should be tackled again this winter. After all, we are in the dregs of summer, September is just around the corner and the cold weather won't be too far behind. Is there anyone reading these words who would care i "everything happens in one day. to do a little cold-weather volunteer work: like helping with the flooding and the cleaning, especially if you own a small tractor equipped with a plow or op hel in duty snowblower. I found last winter that keeping the ice clear of snow the old-fashioned way (shovel power) was nearly impossible. If this project flies again this winter, some good volunteer help will be needed. Any takers out there? If so, give me a call at the Star office any weekday 985-7383 or at home in the evenings 985-8570. CRRA BRRERR ES Thinking of something to do with the kids on August 29, the last Saturday of the summer? Why not take in the Blackstock Fair? The Fair has been an annual affair in Blackstock for over a century and it's billed as the Fair where Even if your roots are totally non-farm, I think you'll find a lot of interesting things to do at the Blackstock Fair. Things start to get underway about 11:00 a.m. with a parade and opening ceremonies and for the rest of the day, there is a virtual non-stop lineup of events. : If you are one of the many new residents in the Scugog area, take the time to discover this fine rural Fair on August 29. You'll find it interesting and a lot of fun. CEES ES EL LET In a letter to the editor this week, Albert Harper takes me mildly to task about my opinions a week ago that the National Hockey League should turn down any (Turn to page 6) sidering that my diary shows that close to 20,000 gallons B Yesterday's Memories 70 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 22, 1917 Mrs. James McBrien, Prince Albert, is spending some time with her daughter Julia, at the Atlantic coast near Boston. Private Walter Rogers, Prospect, who was wounded and spent considerable time in a London, England hospital, has arrived home. Miss Elsie Bradley leaves this week for Harriston, where she will become a member of the teaching staff. 40 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 20, 1942 Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Sonley have moved to their new home, former- ly owned by the late James Lakey. - | Dr. N.L. and Mrs. Phoenix of Imperial, Sask., are visiting relatives in Greenbank. SR Mr. Lorne Fieiding's house, south of town, was completely destroyed by fire. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 21, 1952 Reach Council requested that a speed limit be set on 7A at Manchester. } Bernel Herbert, Bobcaygeon, has joined the bus driving staff of DeNure Bus Lines. W.F. Crosier, Manchester, won three 4th place ribbons at the No. 5 Zone Regional Swine Show at Oshawa Fair. The opening of the new Community Hospital in Port Perry is planned for around October 1st. The drive for funds is within $8,000 of the $25,000 objective. 20 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 24, 1967 Two local livestock breeders, N.D. Hogg & Son of Brookdale, and Malcolm Bailey of Epsom, made excellent showings at the Peter- borough Exhibition. Each had Grand Champions. Wayne King, Bill Holtby and Dianne Wallace qualified as On- tario Scholars, graduating from Port Perry High School. Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Asselstine, Floyd & Colin, Blackstock, have returned from a trip to the West Coast, where they took Mr. and Mrs. Alan Asselstine to fly to Australia. Miss Margaret Vernon, R.R.2, Port Perry, graduated from the Secretarial Course at the Shaw East Toronto College of Business in June. 10 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 24, 1977 Don Masterson of Blackstock was elected the 57th National Presi- dent of the Association of Kinsmen Clubs during the organization's Annual Convention held here this week. The developers of a 60-unit apartment in Port Perry, to be located on a piece of land fronting Bigelow Street and Regional Road 8, were prepared to start construction within two weeks and hoped to have the building ready for occupancy by May of next year. Canoeing enthusiasts Kathie and Carol Kane of Scugog Island recently competed in the six-mile Elk Lake Canoe Race held on the Montreal River and took second place. Letters Same pen different message To The Editor: Last week I read John B. McClelland's Viewpoint "The Pater- nal Refugee."" While not agreeing 100 percent I found it a very com- mendable article. This week (Aug. 18) I am looking at the same View- point entitled "Let them stay home."' It doesn't sound like it is from the same pen. I find it is about the 'possibility' of five hockey players from the Soviet Union com- ing to play hockey in the N.H.L. I'll agree they don't claim refugee status, but who knows, they may want to defect. Why is it so many people become paranoid when the word "Russia"' is mentioned. Apart from H. Ballard, Ronnie Reagan and some of the writers in the Toronto Sun. Signs are a hazard To The Editor: Thank you for your enthusiastic concurrence with my call for need- ed advance lights at the four corners of Highway 7A and Lilla St. With ut- most anticipation I shall await the desired effect. Now perhaps this other pet peeve of mine can garner like support and result. That is the inconsiderate and often very dangerous practice of various persons and interest groups placing signs at busy intersections -- with little or no regard to vision or safety. Surely there's a law whic.i forbids such obstruction, but if so, it ap- pears to be neither respected or enforced. For a close to home example; at * the busy intersection of the Oshawa and Shirley roads there are a number of large permanently affix- ed signs denoting many enchanting enterprises. These are fine as they are well back and non-obstructive. However, they seem to encourage any realtor, produce seller, yard sale promotor, or whatever, to slap up their signs with utter disregard to the serious hampering of vision to motorists attempting the already difficult task of entering the speeding traffic of the Oshawa Road. The most recent violator at this in- tersection and others, is our own M.P.P. Sam Cureatz, who of all peo- ple should know better. Election fever, notwithstanding, Sam should realize that wanton disregard for municipal property and peoples safety, will cost him more votes _than otherwise. I have noticed, with appreciation, that the only candidate which evidences respect for the regula- tions governing the placement of signs in this campaign is Marg Wilbur. I've yet to see any of her signs on other than consenting and private property. While I've never met the woman, this is but another good reason why she has generated our families support. Yours truly, Steve Melnichuk, R.R.2, Port Perry, (Shirley Road) So many of our sportswriters 'bewail the predominences of politics when applied to International Sports. However, I don't hear any outcry against Finnish, Swedish or Czechs playing in the N.H.L. nor do I hear any gnashing of teeth about all the ballplayers from the U.S. or Central America who take a few million out of the country. Nor do I hear any lamentations against U.K. soccer - players playing for European teams or players from South America playing in the U.K. I would think under the present at: mosphere we should be quite happy to play with or against Russia for the simple reason that it is one of the few countries capable of giving us the competition that goes to improve sports. As for quoting that paragon of vir- tue '""H. Ballard I am sure he could use some sort of infusion to improve some of those masquerades which he considers professional hockey. Also please don't give us that old cliche about not standing by to a vigorous N.H.L. schedule. Euro- peans have managed it. Yours truly, Albert S. Harper, Port Perry. ter to the editor. Letters to the Editor ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newpspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. ! Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters col- umn helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an angfiymous fet- While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer. N ! 3 i § 1 { 4