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iH ------ i, 5 oc 6- PORT PERRY STAR - Wednesday, December 28 1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" LOKI DERI STAR EDITORIAL NAHI \ a al NOTIN \M 4 A \ Editorial Comment Ao TET or : | Decision time | / \ IN Bosnia A feature story in this week's edition of The Star raises some serious and perti- nent questions about the presence of United Nations peacekeeping forces in the war-torn landscape that was once Yu- goslavia. Kevin Zenglein, a 23-year-old Port Perry native now based with the Canadi- an armed forces in Pettawawa, returned just before Christmas from a two-month tour of duty in the hell of Bosnia, where he came under fire four times and wit- nessed numerous acts of cruelty and bar- barism. His primary frustration -- this young man, proud to wear the uniform of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Blue Beret of the UN peacekeepers -- was that he and his colleagues were essentially targets, sitting in the midst of a war all but ARAN pe i n,m. a Se HH) ) 2/1, H) We, I Ei A han y po unable to do anything to help the people whose lives he was sent there to save. And he wondered at the will of the combatants to help foster any kind of peace that might be brought about. "They're bastards," he said flatly. "The value of life is nothing there." And he was even so bold as to suggest that there may be little point now in at- tempting to save a country which, it ap- pears, does not want to be saved, but would rather continue to fold in upon it- self, violence compounding violence until nothing is left at all. There is no simple answer. The real victims in the war, the children and peaceful civilians, ought to be aided and protected. But one wonders for how long we can continue to send our gallant young peacekeepers, only to have them taunted and threatened by snipers and butchers. The situation in Yugoslavia cries out for a solution, and positive, definite action. Waffling and posing with hollow threats means nothing. If air strikes are threat- ened in the face of continued harrasment and violence, they ought to be pursued. It makes no sense to draw a line in the sand before the combatants, then step back and draw another when they bra- zenly step over it. If the powers whose combined forces have become mired in Yugoslavia cannot now make a stand, they ought to with- draw from the region. That said, it is appropriate for us to thank Kevin Zenglein and all the other Canadians who have done their country so proud in the carrying out of their du- ties. They have served us well. v -- R ALigia. Pictured Is Fairview Ave. at Nestleton Station (date unknown). Binnie LETTER OF THE WEEK Stock thanks all for great Christmas party To the Editor: Stock Transportation Ltd., would like to take this opportunity to thank the businesses and people in the community who so generously donated their wares and services to our very first annual Stock Christmas Stocking Dinner. With- out all of your generous donations, this event would not have been possible. On Saturday, Dec. 17, we managed to create and serve a wonderful turkey din- ner for 106 of the lesser fortunate resi- + dents of Durham and Victoria regions. On arrival, each group was shown to their seats and offered a steamy mug of hot apple cider by one of our elves. The hall filled quickly and with 70 children there, we elected EIf Freida (who was never quite grown up herself) to lead everyone in song, accompanied by Carolyn on the piano. It was soon time for dinner tobe served. The kitchen was ably managed by the multi-talented Cody Storry, and with the help of 12 hard working elves and Mrs. Claus scurrying about with piping hot platters, piled high with food our guests were able to eat until they could simply eat no more. After a quick clean up and a few more songs the guest of honor arrived. Yes, the jolly old man himself, Santa Claus. Everyone received a Christmas bag full of gifts and goodies and high and happy spirits were everywhere. All too soon it was time to say good-bye to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Shortly after Turn to page 7 by J. Peter Hvidsten SO THIS IS WINTER, EH! If you, like |, were dreaming of a White Christmas, it looks like we'll have to wait for another year. With temperatures near record highs on both Christmas and Boxing Day, instead of hustling the kids off to toboggan on local slopes or skate on the lake, many families were seen stroll- ing along streets and in the park, with coats over their arms. In Palmer Park, the swings and slides at the kiddies play- ground were busy as a summer's day, with lightly clad youngsters Monday afternoon. In fact it was so nice, Nancy and | sat on lawnchairs in the driveway, sipping on hot coffee, while the kids salvaged thé last bit of snow to enjoy their toboggan and snowboard for more than an hour. Out on Lake Scugog, the dangerously thin ice didn't deter some anxious snow- mobilers, who took great pleasure in speeding across the wet surface and occasional open stretch of water. Temperatures recorded on Christmas Day reached a high of 7° C, the highest for that day since 1987 when it reached a balmy 8° C in southern Ontario. But for records, the pages must be turned back 12 years to 1982, when we basked in temperatures slightly warmer than 16° C. According to weather forecasters, we can set aside our snowshovels and heavy outerwear for a little longer as they expect mild weather to stay with us for at least the rest of this week. Average winter tem- peratures for this time of the year are nor- mally in the minus 15 - 20° C range. While all this mild weather is welcomed by many, in Scugog it has put a damper on the start-up of the Open Air Ice Palace. And here's little doubt this late start to the winter season must be causing concern for organizers of the Scugog Snow Flake Festival and Sled Dog Races, which are scheduled to take place January 21-22 at the lakefront. But for those who remember, and who doesn't, last winter when the temperature stayed in the minus 25 - 40° C range for six weeks, this year's mild temperatures are truly a blessing. But don't put away the coats, hats and boots just yet... winter is on its way, soon!