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Celebrating anniversaries I have an anniversary coming up. It's our first anniversary, and we're really excited. Not sure how we'll celebrate-- maybe the two of us will go for a nice long drive. You see, January 12, me and the good ol' F150 have been together for a full year. It was 2 p.m., when we bonded that day. Man, I recall it like it was yesterday. Sitting there in the parking lot, that tough lookin' off-road 4X4 beckoned me from the moment our eyes met. (Okay, my eyes, his headlights). Now I'm the first to admit I have two other anniversaries that I also observe. The F150 farm truck and I were united January 12, 2009, the SUV and I hooked up April 4, 2004, and the L'il Red Rocket and I have been an item since July 5, 1997. All three of them are a bit like horses. The F150 is the heavy work horse in the stable, just sittin' there eagerly waiting for me to hook him to something heavy so he can lean right into it and pull away. The SUV is more like a driving horse, one of those who can haul a decent load, but is more in tune with speed, ready to leap any hurdle that might get in his way. Then there's the L'il Red Rocket, sort of the high-strung thoroughbred filly of the trio, just champing at the bit to get out on the road and fly. In spite of her advanced years, she can still kick up her heels and make tracks up the highway. Because of her age, the L'il Red Rocket has now achieved a special status, not stepping her tires into that nasty snow and salt stuff. She's resting in winter storage until the warmth of the spring sun, (April 20, to be exact) sees her back on the road to prance around for another six months. The SUV is my daily driver, and we've had some grand old times, especially during the wildest snow storms. Throw a foot of snow at him, and he'll start snorting with anticipation. The F150 is like an old friend, in spite of the fact we've only been together for a scant year. He's had other owners, but we've been a hit, tackling rain or shine, hot or cold, snow or dust. When you work with your partner, you create a unique CVC organizes workshop for green groups Community-based environmental groups are invited to participate in the upcoming Sharing Experiences Workshop, organized by Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) in partnership with local conservation authorities and stewardship councils. This one-day workshop, on March 27, gives community-based environmental groups the opportunity to learn from other environmental organizations. For more information, contact Jaime Overy at 905-525-2181, ext. 165, or jovery@conservationhamilton.ca. 7 Independent & Free Press, Friday, January 8, 2010 Ted Brown bond, and my F150 is right in there. Haul a load of hay, head out for some lumber or feed, or venture off the beaten track to the back 50 of the farm, he's ready and willing to go, at a moment's notice. I guess it's a guy thing, remembering the dates we were joined with our beloved vehicles. A year ago, it was snowing like mad when I hooked up with my F150. My first sight of him, co-worker Kevin drove me over to see him, sitting in the lot, buried under a foot of snow-- sheer power, just waiting to be fired up. I still vividly recall the morning I picked up the SUV. As I lay in bed, contemplating getting up and going to work, the lead story on the morning news announced we had a major spike in the price of gas overnight-- and I was picking up a 4X4 SUV? Was I nuts? Then there's the L'il Red Rocket... sigh... We went for a long drive before we were officially connected. She was nimble and quick, and I picked her up on a hot Saturday at noon, July 5, 1997 between games at a fastball tournament in which my daughters were playing. The rest is L'il Red Rocket history. Now the female readers out there might wonder if those are the only anniversaries that I observe. Of course not-- I'm hurt you ladies would even think that. The Sidekick and I have an anniversary too. Let's see, it was cold-- I had to drive the SUV, cuz the L'il Red Rocket was in storage. That means it had to be sometime after October 20. Okay, that narrows it down a bit. Right, no Christmas decorations, so it must have been November... Now what was that date??? visiontreks CRUISE SALE January 7 ­ 13, 2010 BOOK during our Cruise Sale and receive Up to US $300 per stateroom Onboard Credit Second passenger deposit waived And this is on top of any Vision 2000 Exclusive Bonuses that we have to offer on several 2010 Voyages! the best of travel throughout the world ...every week VISION 2000 FEATURED SAILINGS 12 DAY MEDITERRANEAN MAGIC from Southampton to Venice Departs Sept 1, 2010 aboard the Queen Victoria BALCONY CABIN CA $3130pp plus $58.89 taxes VISION 2000 BONUS: US $150 pp SBC, 2 Bottles of wine & Choc. Covered Strawberries 7 DAY TRANSATLANTIC aboard QUEEN MARY 2 New York to Southampton departing May 21, 2010 905-873-2000 Georgetown Ont Reg # 50015325 328 Guelph St. Georgetown, ON INSIDE CABIN US $925pp plus $24.73 taxes VISION 2000 BONUS: US $75 pp SBC Open Saturdays 9am - 4pm www.vision2000travel.com Fares are cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy & subject to availability at time of booking. Gov't fees and taxes are additional. Cruise Sale Amenities apply to select departures only & do not combine with World Cruise Voyages, Flash fares, Christmas, New Years, Inaugural sailings or sailings less than 6 days. Sale applies to NEW bookings only deposited between Jan 7 - 13 2010. Onboard Credit is applicable to first 2 passengers in a stateroom only. Ships Registry ­ British. Lions Club names parade entry winners Georgetown Lions Club announced late last month the official winners of the 2009 Santa Claus Parade. Top Hat Marching Orchestra was named Best Band, and Halton Hills District Christian School earned Best Community Entry. Colonial Tree was the Best Commercial Entry while the Most Creative prize went to the Baker/Harrison families. Brampton Fall Fair earned the award for a float best conveying the parade's theme, O'Holy Night. The 80th annual Lions Santa Claus parade will take place next year on Nov. 20, 2010. Parents of Grade 8 Students are invited to attend a Parent Information Evening Parents of students who are planning to attend Acton or Georgetown District High School in September 2010 are welcome to come and hear more about the Grade 9 program, services for students, and diploma requirements. Parents should attend the Parents' Information Night at their home school (the school designated for their community). For more information, please contact the school ofÀce. Georgetown District High School Acton High School Tuesday, January 12 Wednesday, January 13 Large group Assembly: 6:30 p.m. Large group presentation: 7 p.m. Guided Tours: 7:00 p.m. Small group questions and Special Programs: 7:00 (see below) answers sessions: 7:45 p.m. [French Immersion: Special Education: Tours: 8:30 p.m. Gifted;ISP/IB] (519) 853-2920 (905) 877-6966 http://act.hdsb.ca http://georgetowndistricthighschool.com HALTON DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD W. Joudrie, Director Bruce Jones, Chair