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Ottawa Report by Ross Stevenson, M.P. Durham There was a special birthday last week which brought a remarkable gift for all of us. It was the 40th anniversary of NATO -- the North Atlantic Trea- ty Organization. The gift was a genuine hope for real arms reduc- tion by the major world powers. NATO is one of those names we see regularly in the news and tend to take for granted without even understanding what it means. However it has been a very im- portant factor in the recent af- fairs of our world. NATO's origins are only dimly remembered now. The euphoria which followed the end of World War II was all too quickly replac- ed by growing tensions between east and west. The Iron Curtain descended across Europe, there was the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia, and the airlift to keep Berlin free. The NATO military alliance was created, with Canada playing a key role, to meet these perceiv- ed threats from the Communist nations. In response the nations in the Soviet sphere formed their own military alliance, the War- saw Pact. The result was a military stan- doff in Europe which, whatever else we may think of it, did pre- vent another major world war. A terrifying by-product was the massive build-up of nuclear and conventional weapons on both sides. While no sane person wanted a nuclear war, at times it looked like we might well stumble into one by accident. Today, fortunately, we live in a world that's almost unrecognizably changed from 40 years ago. Popular trends towards international trust and understanding are reflected in moves by the U.S. and Soviet leadership to reduce their armed forces and destroy their equipment. Last week, as foreign ministers of the member countries met in Brussels to mark NATO's 40th an- niversary, they endorsed U.S. proposals to reduce the number of troops and conventional weapons, and agreed to negotiate a reduc- tion in short-range nuclear missiles. Much remains to be settled, but this was an historic accomplish- ment. For the first time, those wanting nuclear arms control have something to cheer about. Peace built on trust and con- fidence, and not on nuclear deter- rents, is the wish of all Canadians. PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, June 13, 1989 -- 55 Long years of service rewarded Bill Barr was recognized by his peers last week, for his many years of service with the Scugog Chamber of Commerce. Bill served the Chamber in many different capacities over the past 14 years; as a Director, President and recently as the Secretary-Treasurer. In ad- dition to his hard work and strong efforts over the years, Bill was Instrumental in develop- ing the Canada Day celebration in Port Perry. At the semi-annual dinner, Fred Churchill presented Bill with a series of small gifts and some very warm wishes. You will be sorely missed Bill! Scugog Christian School wins three ribbons in Field day at Trent U. Our school came home from last week's Field Day at Trent University with three ribbons: Tanya Guenther won a third in long jump, William Michel plac- €d third in ball throw and Julie Stevens placed first in the ball throw! A great time was had by everyone. Last Friday Mr. Roy Comry was our chapel speaker and he gave a fascinating talk about the AUCTION FEAL SATURDAY, JUNE 17 SALE TIME: 5:00 p.m. Pethick Auction Barn, Haydon Extremely Large Antique, Household & Collectable Auction Toronto Estate, Whitby House and other households highlighted by exceptional 9 piece walnut din- Ing room suite, 4 other walnut or oak dining room suites, harvest table, washstand, oak library table and desk, office desk, 3 plece wicker set, rockers, dressers, vanities, beds, Royal Doultons, bronze turtle, excellent Karn plano, Thomas forte piano, violin, electric organ, harvest gold refrigerator and stove, washer and dryer, TV's, chester- field, hundreds of collectables and so much more. Huge sale. Two auction rings. Tools start 4:00 pm Household and collectables 5:00 p.m. Musical Instruments & anti- que furniture 7:00 p.m, Special surprise and door prize draw 11:00 p.m. "The Friendly Auc- tion" 263-8710. Steve Liptay -- Garry Powell. SATURDAY, JUNE 24 SALE TIME: 11:00 A.M. Property sold of: HARRY HALE, 8th Concession, former Township of Clarke, North on Cayjcadden Road. Antique fur- niture, roll up front kitchen cup- board, washstand, 5 oak chairs, Henry Herbert plano & stool, an- tique cane rocker chair, oil lamps, old pictures, dishes, Inter- national tractor, 8 h.p. riding lawnmower, rotortiller, Ap- ple/Lawn sprayer, logging chains, large pile of scrap iron, numerous other articles too numerous to mention. The owners & auctioneers will not be respon- sible for loss or accidents during day of sale. Terms: cash, proper 1.0. with cheques. Auctioneer: Don Stephenson - 623-1726. J 20 -r THURSDAY, JUNE 15 SALE TIME: 6:00 P.M. Farm Equipment, Furniture, Livestock Truck, Ponies Dispersal sale for AL & DEAN SQUELCH. Sale to be held at farm on Regional Rd. No. 2 east side, between Columbus & Raglan. Sale to include 1977 Ford livestock truck, manure spreader, rubber tired wagon, wooden wheel wagon, seed drill, sleighs, cutter, pony cart, bale elevator, grain auger, good walk- Ing plow, cultivator, horse harness, saddles, bridles, tools, new window units, 2 boat traller, wood stoves, approx. 70 bags cracked corn feed, quantity of scrap, 1yr. old Welsh pony mare, 2 yr. old Welsh pony mare, 8 yr. old Welsh pony mare and more. Terms: cash or good cheque. Auc- tioneer Steve Liptay - Garry Powell. 263-8710 or 985-0749. THURSDAY EVENING JUNE 15 SALE TIME: 6:00 P.M. Furniture & Antiques Auction Sale of Furniture & Anti- ques for MR. AND MRS. HOMAN, Uxbridge, & others, selling at the Wilson Sales Arena, Uxbridge, Ont., including Col- dspot fridge, Moffat stove, Wringer washer (like new), Kelvinator dryer, Inglis auto. washer & dryer, 5 pc. kitchen suite, antique desk, buffet, wing chair, antique wardrobe, ladder back chairs, Church pew, steamer trunk, bayonet, antique ash sideboard, blanket box, pearl bracelet, inlaid jewellery box, J- D Riding Lawnmower, MF 12 h.p. riding lawnmower, plus many other items. Sale managed & sold by Lloyd Wilson Auctions Ltd., * Uxbridge, 416-852-3524. mission work he has been involv- ed with for the last 27 years. He was in town for the Mission Em- phasis Week at the Port Perry Baptist Church. The Kindergarten class is busy learning lots of songs - some for the musical at the grade eight graduation, and some for a special play for their own kindergarten graduation. They are also learning simple phonics, in order to prepare themselves for all the reading they'll be doing in grade one! A week ago Thursday, the grade one and two class enjoyed Clown Day, a day in which they did *'Clown Math," "Clown Spell- ing," 'Clown Reading" and "Clown Art." Last Thursday the class trip took place, with both grades going to Ontario Place. The weather was perfect and a great time was had by all! In addition to their regular school work, the grades three, four and five began recorder lessons this month. The last spell- ing lessons have been completed by this class and fourth grade has finished their readers. They are now working on speed reading and comprehension and have begun the novel '"My Brother Stevie." Last Thursday the class went to Black Creek Pioneer Village and had a great time. The grade six, seven and eight class has finished their math studies for the year, and are hav- ing exams in both math and social studies. These exams will show the teachers what they have learned during the year and will also enable the students to learn to prepare for an exam by prac- tice. The class is looking forward to their Algonquin Park canoe trip and is busy preparing for the "Summer Olympic Day' at Guenther's, as they will be in charge of running the games. Grade six and seven is also busy making plans for the grade eight graduation dinner. They will be decorating the hall, serving the dinner and providing some entertainment. LIFEGUIDE By Rev. David Beesley I believe in the church. -- I believe in the church because when it is doing its job and doing it well, it has an important role in society. In fact, I will- argue in this brief article that religion and the church have the most important function in society. Here's why I believe that. In life, we must struggle with certain fundamental ques- tions: issues which are basic to our existence as human beings. To some this kind of talk sounds as exciting as watching iron rust. It's a shame they feel that way because those who never contemplate their own existence can never discover a reason for living. The unexamined life is not worth living. . But for those who do ask the great questions, there must come a realization that who we are and how we should act can only be answered by a religious faith and that can only be taught by the church. It is at this point that I want to express a deep concern about the serious neglect in our culture of spiritual values. We are ex- periencing alarming declines in church attendance and I'm con- vinced that the moral fabric of our society is beginning to unravel as a result. A recent feature article in Time magazine chronicles the unprecedented exodus of members from churches across North America. The article states that the spiritual and ethical vacuum that exists because of the loss of religious faith is threatening the moral foundations of society which are under attack by drugs, violence, pervasive greed and dishonesty. This is frightening, if we take seriously the observations of Toynbee and other historians who have argued that the fate of civilizations reflects the strength of the religious ethos around which they are built. We should fear more the barbarians within than without. Dr. Peter Kreeft reasons persuasively that the impending decline and death of our civilization can be directly related to the demise of personal religious faith. In this book, "For Heaven's Sake' he sets forth this bit of compelling logic: 1. Without morality, civilization dies. 2. Without religion, morality dies. 3. Therefore without religion, civilization dies. Remember Dostoyevsky's chilling axion: "If God does not exist, everything is permissible." The death of faith in God means the death of a moral order. Right now our civilization is manifesting the symptoms of approaching death. You may be thinking, "Oh boy, is this guy ever a doomsday prophet!" Well, I'm just realistic. Look at history. Each civiliza- tion that has fallen has fallen in proportion to its moral decay. Why should our civilization be the exception? The only thing that can restore our sense of moral health is a return to the religious underpinnings of the church. The only teaching that will take us from the brink of sel- destruction is the truth that there are absolute ethical principles of right and wrong. The only answer to our suicidal drift into oblivion is a renew- ed faith in a loving God and a recommittment to each other as children of God travelling to our eternal destinies. Rev. Beesley is pastor of Emmanual Pentecostal Church in Port Perry. a amd Aah ash. snd mam AE SE mn ee as a em ei