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"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" So gach SE PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, May 9, «£ 7 LE TTERS from 3 ur readers Letter writer was uninformed To the Editor: Brigitte Holmes claims the yal industry is cruel (letter, May The misconceptions about agri- culture, most notably in the veal industry, are escalating and farmers need to take the time to speak out against misinforma- tion. Much of the problem lies with the point that it is human nature (i.e. easier) to believe a simple lie over the complicated truth. A few quick points: The igloo- like structures (calf hutches) she is referring to are actually used for all types of dairy calves, fe- male heifers and bull calves alike. Calf hutches are often rec- ommended by veterinarians as a housing method to keep calves healthy. The structure of the hutches, placement out of the wind, extra bedding and milk, all make this an excellent way to raise young animals for a short period of time. The concept is similar to a dog house. i The majority of calves raised in hutches are not intended for veal, but will become replacement cows in the milking herd. Exer- cise, or lack of it, has no influence on the tenderness of the meat, as the veal (bull) calves that are started in hutches are often moved to group pens where they can exercise freely. I encourage the writer and your readers to take the time to visit a dairy or veal farm and find out the complicated truth before forming an opinion or making a decision. Brenda Metcalf, Durham Region Agri-Food 'Awareness Team Get all the facts before criticizing To the Editor: This letter is being directed in response to the letter appearing in Tuesday, May 2 issue with the title "Veal industry a lesson in cruelty." Please, become informed be- fore you comment on what it is you have seen and only assume. A letter appearing in the editor's letter column on May 2 implies that a local farmer who is raising veal is treating them cruelly. The igloo-like structures to which the letter refers are called calf hutches. I would like to as- sume that the writer of this letter did not have the courtesy to speak with the farm owner to validate her writings. For example, did you confirm that the calves -They are stra housed in the hutches were for veal, did you inquire as to the lo- cation of the hutches regarding optimum placement for shade and breeze, have you so much as stepped into a calf hutch to expe- rience for yourself their degree of shelter, warmth, space? We utilize calf hutches on our farm. They have proven to be a healthy choice as our style of barn was not providing the proper en- vironment for &arly calf health. tofacally placed and moved in accordance with season- al weather to make optimum use of shade, shelter, breeze and warmth. Calf hutches are spa- cious, include proper ventilation and are a viable alternative to building additional housing. Is Island proposal dead? To the Editor: . Re: Proposed Scugog Island Ca- sino. The interim report from Dur- ham Region reported locally last week concerning road costs to up- ade the Island road at a cost of 155,000 highlights only a por- tion of taxpayer concerns about the casino. Since Oct. 17,1995 Chief Edgar has been remarkably.silent about their plans after promising coun--. cil full information on a continu- ingbasis. Is the casino dead? We hope it is. In the meantime we are study- ing the Rama- proposal which seems to be treading water. Joel W. Aldred, DFC Chair - Save Scugog Island Committee A Had you taken the time to speak with the farm owner some of your concerns may have been adequately addressed; may I sug- gest that in the future you consid- er trying this approach. Mrs. Beth Wilson, Emlane Farms Ltd., R.R.1, Port Perry Church has changed To the Editor: Re: your article on the pro- posed modification of the An- glican Church in Port Perry. - It should be noted that the front of the church has been modified once before. Appar- ently the 12th century church in England lacked a steeple. The steeple on the Anglican Church in Port Perry first adorned St. Agnes Anglican Church in Greenbank, which is now the Community Hall. Walter L. Phoenix, Greenbank A LONG SUMMER AWAITS THE LIVIN' IS EASY: Here it is a glorious Sunday morning, the first really fine weekend of this young spring. The sun is high, the breeze is warm... and the neighborhood kids are on the rampage. C They're roaming in a big, noisy- pack, occupying first one lawn, then the next. It's been quiet for a while, so | just know Il be next. Soon 15 to 20 of them will swoop in on their bikes and skate boards, or just come running in on foot, their sneakers flapping up the driveway. fal The bikes and skateboards are thrown to the ground and abandoned, so my yard looks like a juvenile biker bar. They descend, whooping, crying and bellowing, on the sandbox, the horseshoe pits, and the big heap of top soil my neighbor had dumped in his yard last year, when he had every good intention of levelling his property. They scream and fight and curse -- already today I've waded into the midst of several minor brawls, and have retreated inside to gather the strength for the next confrontation -- and then, just as quickly as they appeared, disperse, raging down the street bleeding, sweating, and so utterly happy as to instill wonder. It's gonna be a loooong summer. And these little hoodlums are gonna love every minute of it. CONGRATS: Here's to the ladies of the Honeydale women's Institute, who celebrated their 60th anniversary with a tiny- sandwich-and-tea luncheon this past week at the Latcham Centre in Port Perry. It was from a club history that | learned the philanthropic | works of the organization began, humbly enough, when a | bunch of local women got together to sew and raffle off a quilt for a man who had sustained a broken leg while working in the woods here. : They raised 43 bucks, and got hooked on the notion of working together for the betterment of their community. And we've all benefited as a result. Congratulations also to the folks at Community Memorial Hospital, where they're planning this week to finally unveil the shiny new Stephen B. Roman wing, and salute years of dedication, fundraising and hard work that reached all corners of the community. "Anyone who's toured the local hospital recently knows just what a splendid job has been done. Anyone who hasn't seen the facility's new look ought to go and see it for themselves. The community pride evident in the project -- and it's being made possible by the tireless support of Scugog people -- is truly something to wonder at. oo BACK Oil THE CHAIN GANG: A report this past week from Alabama says the state has reinstated roadside chain gangs. Prisoners are shackled together and spend their days in-the blazing sun, carrying out menial highway maintenance work. An official says it's meant to be a deterrent. Well: No fooling. 7 Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR WOMAN Kent Farndale, as head of the Wi / 1 d i Memorial Hospital will help open the $6 million Stephen B. Roman Wing this Friday and bring to an end more than nine years of plan- ning and construction. For this one day we can consider her to be the six million dollar woman, for she played a very signifi- cant role in making it a reality. As chair of the board, Kent has nurtured and pampered the project like a baby over the past year. And while she's done more than her share, there are many others who also deserve the com- munity's praise and appreciation for the tremen- board of governors of Community dous amount of time and effort it has taken to bring it to fruition. At a time when many Ontario hospitals are facing financial cuts, bed closings and in some cases full closures, itis indeed remarkable that Scugog Township is opening a new, modern, state-of-the- art facility this week. And while only a handful of people are responsi- ble for the actual planning, the entire community is to be congratulated for the important part they played in making this new wing a reality. It was the generosity and commitment of so many which enabled more than $4 million dollars to be raised for the expansion, a fact that is completely astounding considering the size of the township. This Friday is indeed a special day, and every member of this community is invited to take part in the official opening and unveiling of the donors arbour in the main entrance. Late word is that Premier Bob Rae will take time out from his election campaigning to take part in this special event for our community. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m. and tours will be conducted throughout the afternoon. Because of the number of people anticipated, tours must be booked by Wednesday, May 10. Call 985-7321, extension 304 and book your tour today. See you there! SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE This past weekend has been a busy one around Port Perry, with a variety of events suitable to almost every taste. For theatre buffs, the Millar Lights have been busy on stage at Town Hall 1873 with their pro- duction of Tin Pan Ali; lovers of art could meet some of Ontario's best artists and artisans at Artfest '95 held at Scugog Arena Saturday and Sunday; yard sales were abundant; Community Nursing Home held it's annual Spring Bazaar and Lake Scugog was bustling as boat owners launched their vessels for recreation or fishing for the first time this spring. Anyone who doesn't think there's much to do in this community is completely out of touch. All this activity is the sign of a thriving communi- ty, and Scugog is, without a doubt, just that!