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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 20, 1996 Farming provides a great Part 2: A look at the important role women play on the farm. This week Mary Benschop tells why it's a great way of life. By Heather McCrae The Port Perry Star IF SOMEONE were to ask Mary Benschop if she'd recommend farm- ing, she'd likely answer this way: "It's one of the best ways of life, but," she cautions, "I can't recommend it for everyone". "Several decisions you make on a farm can be a matter of life and death. You have to be firm, know what you're doing and really want todo it (farming)™: Mary knows a lot about farming. After all, she was brought up on a farm near Sandford. ; When Mary married Bastiaan Benschop, a Port Perry farmer, in 1979, she was teaching at a public school in Oshawa. Over the next couple of years two significant things occurred, which have enhanced her life since. First, she became a Christian in 1980. And a year later became a mother to their firstborn, Elizabeth. Still teaching at that time, she learned from students that their parents were often gone from the home early in the morning until late at night. "This, was quality time they wer- en"t sharing as a family," she said. She began to seriously think about home teaching her children. After Elizabeth, Joanna and Gabriel were born and became school age, Mary chose to home teach instead of having her children attend public school. . "I felt my occupation was to be a housewife, mother, and now, educator," she said. And her love and hard work has paid off. Joanne will be in Grade 8 this fall, while Gabriel wll be studying Grade 7 subjects. After Elizabeth graduated from Grade 8 she attended Cartwright High School, and will be entering Grade 10 this fall. Mary Benschop at home on the farm. She says rural living is the best scenario for raising a family. While Mary could have taught Elizabeth after pot school, he family felt the high school's currengequip- ment and technology could offer more ovér 'home education. And their choices have paid off. "They can do practically everything, whether it be the house, the barn or around the farm," Mary says. "They can all cook, clean, run the milker, or feed the animals." And the family does everything as a unit. : "We do everything together. It's a real blessing for us to --_ Volunteer services for seniors Community Care holding tag days to fund efforts By Kelly Lown Port Perry Star Scugog Community Care will be holding two tag days this weekend in an effort to raise funds for the local service. Volunteers will be out selling tags from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday at various Port Perry locations. While the community service is partially funded by the government, there is an onus on the group to raise theirown funds. This is the first time the organization has held a tag day and is hoping it will be an overwhelming success. While handing out tags the volunteers will also be hoping to raise Watch for dhe Poul Peven Shae 130th Anniversary Edition coming soon more awareness of the necessary service that provides services for both seniors and those with special needs. Scugog Community Care relies heavily on vol- unteers to help area cli- ents. The volunteers are the basis of the service. Last year 129 volun- teers spent some 6,400 hours servicing clients. Services include Meals On Wheels, transporation, home maintenance, foot care, friendly visitor calls, telephone reassurance and form preparation, amongother duties. The help of the volun- teers allows several sen- iors to remain in their own homes instead of entering full-care facilities.