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IF Sate be Lf Lae 4 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 17, 1987 Editorial Comments Another Painting With the bottom falling out of the world stock market, the U.S. dollar nose-diving and many industries looking warily over their shoulders, it is heartening to learn that somebody still has some loose change kicking around for the finer things in life. At a Southeby's art auction last week in New York City, an anonymous buyer paid $53.9 million (U.S.) for a single painting. Not included in the purchase price was a further $4.9 million to Southeby's in commisions, which in itself is not a bad day's work. The painting is called Irises by Vincent van Gogh. The record bid was made by telephone and the new owner of Irises was not im- mediately revealed. About one thousand people were in attendance at the auction, and it is reported that when the bidding topped the $40 million mark, many of them burst into polite applause. Why not, that doesn't cost them anything. Paintings by van Gogh seem to be selling quite nicely these days. A Japanese insurance company snapped up Sunflowers recently for $39 million and another one fetched a nifty $20 million. Vincent van Gogh committed suicide 97 years ago after living the last years of his life in an asylum. The garden at the asylum was the subject for Irises. Ironically, it is believed he never sold a pain- ting in his lifetime. Reaching The Kids Last Wednesday morning, at a Remembrance Day service in Blackstock, the Rev. Ansley Tucker spoke very eloquently about the vital need for those who have been through the horror of war to talk about their experiences to those generations who have no idea what it's like to watch a friend or comrade fall in battle. : Her argument was that all the generations who have never had to go-to war will never know the real meaning and significance of November 11. But they just might gain more insight, a better understanding and increased awareness if told first-hand of what it was like by those who were there. The suggestion has merit. Kids these days are familiar with Remembrance Day, of course. Many of them buy a poppy. The schools¥old special events on Remembrance Day, some write poems and essays. . But in the Cartwright Recreation Centre last Wednesday morn- ing as Rev. Tucker was speaking, her audience was small, maybe 50 people, and not a single youngster among them. In fact, there were very few under 40 in the audience that day. And when the service moved outside for the solemn laying of wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph, when the sounds of the bugle rippled in the air, when the names of the fallen were read aloud the moment of silence was observed, there was still not a youngster to be seen. How can children, teen-agers, people in their 20's, 30's and even 40's ever come to have a better comprehension about Remembrance Day if they're not even present for the ceremonies? Maybe the school kids should be there when the wreaths are placed at the foot of the Cenotaph. Maybe they should be allowed an hour off from class to actually attend a service. And maybe some of the veterans should take the time to talk to the youngsters, in- dividually or in small groups, about what they saw, felt and experienc- ed during those terrible times so many years ago. In some European countries these days, it is part of the cur- riculum for young children to actually go into the huge cemeteries of the war dead and plant flowers, tend the graves and the crosses. That is not possible in this country, of course, but are we doing enough to inform younger generations about Remembrance Day and the reasons why it has such special significance? ) KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES v Port Perry © A | fap N | Cl | | 19) \ <3 ) 235 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO _. Phone 985-7383 P.O.Box90 LOB INO J. PETER HVIDSTEN Member of the Publisher Canadian Community Newspaper Association ; and Ontario Community Newspaper Association Advertising Manager Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co Ltd, Port Perry Ontario J.B. MCCLELLAND Editor Authorized as second class mail by the Post Othce Department Ottawa. and for cash CATHY OLLIFFE ' payment of postage in cash News & Features Secon Class Mail Registration Number 0265 DIAN (Om ¥ Ry Gon LY \ al ws Subscription Rate: In Canada $20.00 per year Elsewhere $60 00 per year Single Copy 50° COPYRIGHT All layout and composihion of advertisements produced by the adver tising department of the Port Perry Star Company Limited are protected under copyright and may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher Chatterbox THE GHOST LIGHT I'm still haunted by the ghost light of Scugog Island. : Just when I think all those stories I wrote about it four years ago are memories, someone comes along to ask me questions about the mysterious motorcycle rider whose spirit glides endlessly up and down Ghost Road. Last winter, I had a whole crew of young peo- ple in my office, picking my brains for everything I know. They came all the way from Niagara College, to produce a documentary on the Ghost Road as a project for their film class. Their leader was director Richard Douglas, a serious, bespectacl- ed fellow who has relatives living in the Port Perry area. Through this family connection, Richard had heard the legend of Ghost Road, and, intrigued by the story, he convinced others in his group to do a documentary-style feature on the Island's most infamous attraction. As a result, the group made several trips to his area, researching, talking to local people, and ~ attempting to discover just what the mysterious light really is. They also ran up a lot of long distance phone calls, constantly quizzing me for information and contacts. This was, in itself, fine. Except that I wasn't really thrilled about jawing on the topic of Ghost Road. I'd had my fill of it, and as far as I was con- cerned, the topic was passe. But when the whole crew arrived, lights and cameras in hand, to film an interview with me, I suddenly got perky. Moi, in a documentary? Heh, heh. I co-operated, of course. How could one NOT co-operate with such enthusiastic young students (especially where fame is involved?) So they did the interview with me. And with Mayor Jerry Taylor. And with resident ghost expert Allene Kane. And with Island sceptic Ross Carter. And with a local psychic. | And I promptly forgot all about it. Until Hallowe'en, when Richard dropped off a copy of the film for me to have a look at. Naturally, I wasted no time in getting the old VCR warmed up. And other than the fact I think I look pretty ugly on the tape, I have to say I en- joyed the video. A lot. It's interesting. At times, it's exciting. And it's just plain neat seeing local people and local scenes on a TV screen. The students did a good job. And from what I understand, their efforts were rewarded with both good marks, and third place in the CBC's Telefest Canada competition, where student pro- ductions from colleges and universities all over Canada compete. Pretty darn impressive. Richard and his crew are to be congratulated on such a fine effort. By the way, if anybody is interested in see- ing this video, groups or individuals can borrow my copy anytime. Simply give me a call at 985-7383 and I'll be happy to lend it out. MONOPOLY MANIA I'm getting the fever again. It's been one year exactly since the enormous- by Cathy Olliffe ly successful Great Scugog Monopoly Tournament and I'm starting to get itchy thinking about another one. : By rights, I guess there should have been a tournament held this weekend, but I've been too darn busy 'these last few months to get around to the organizing. I've also been wondering how much interest there would be in a second tournament. After last year, those who were involved enthusiastically said they'd love to do it again. I'm hoping that en- thusiasm hasn't waned. - I think February will be a good time to host this year's extravaganza. Not too much goes on in this town in that month, with people looking to beat the winter blahs and such. And speaking of extravaganza, this year's looks like it will be even more grandoise than last year: This time, the Great Monopoly Tournament will be held on a Saturday night, for adults only (sorry kids, but we're going to license this one, in order to raise some bucks for a local charity. Some real bucks. This could be the fundraising venture of the year). Not to mention the event of the year. - We're talking an exhilarating, glitzy event with players dressed to the eyeballs, ruthless com- petition with some great cash prizes, champagne, music, and a dance to follow. A real Monte Carlo event. I haven't worked out any details yet, but I am getting started. What I'm looking for now is a sign of interest from people in the community who want to play. Again, the game itself will be limited to 25 players -- with five tables, and five players per table. If you're game for a spirited night of gambl- ing, willing to shake the dice with some high rollers, then please, give me a call, at 985-7383. You may grow yourself an ulcer, but by gawd, you'll have fun doing it. "BELEN BOWLING LONG, FARLEY?"