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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, June 30, 2011 OPINION Can-do Canada! If there is one event that signifies summer in Canada it is the July 1 Canada Day holiday. Barbecues. Parades. Outdoor music. Ball games. Fireworks. Duck race? You bet! The annual Canada Day bash in Glen Williams wouldn't be the same with the popular rubber duck race down the Credit River. But the race is just a small part of the day-long party that features a seniors' strawberry tea, Halton Hills Fire Department demonstrations, historical walking tours, children's games, concerts and much more. Half the fun of Canada Day is checking out the wild and crazy red and white outfits many people sport in celebrating this great nation of ours. And let's not forget that fact. Canada IS a great nation. Sure, we complain about high taxes, government, snow, the price of gas, the Maple Leafs, the heat, health care, HST, the rain, etc. But, compared to the rest of the world is there really a better place to live? Political stability, awesome natural resources, internationally respected businesses, an advanced scientific community, good education system...the list goes on. We should be proud of this country and all its citizens have accomplished in the past 144 years. As nations go we are young, diverse and still growing. Our potential is limitless. Enjoy this long weekend (do not drink and drive) and rejoice in the fact you call Canada home. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@theifp.ca) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Letters policy Letters must include an address and daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca Steve Nease Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters to the editor Student's effort makes a difference Dear editor, My daughter Rachel is a Grade 2 student at Silver Creek Public School who recently completed a school project called `Nobody'. The `Nobody' Project challenged the students to come up with ideas to make the Earth a better place by doing something beneficial for their community, and thereby changing `Nobody' into `Somebody'. It teaches children the importance of being active in their community and that anyone can make a difference in the world. Rachel's idea was to give a presentation to her class about the importance of spaying and neutering your pets and also to collect donations to give to the local animal shelter, particularly the cats. She received generous donations from fellow students, teachers and faculty, family, and even several local pet stores. We took the donations to the Upper Credit Humane Society and the staff and volunteers were delighted. They gave us a tour and told us about several of the animals who are awaiting adoption. I guess maybe it doesn't seem like much to some people but if everyone did a little bit, imagine what a great impact we could make in the lives of those in need. As a parent, I feel that it is vitally important that children learn lessons like this. It doesn't matter how small you are-- you can make a difference! Audra Crawford, Georgetown have that rooster, she brought a friend to help her steal it. "Sisters in arms" I guess. Ladies, that ornament had sentimental value. It was a gift from a friend who is no longer with us. Please return it where you found it. Simone Garland, Georgetown Little goes a long way Dear editor, In April my friends and I ran a lemonade stand in the hopes of raising money for the Peligre Orphanage in Haiti. Through the Me to We program at St. Francis of Assisi, we sponsor this charity and our goal is to send our `adopted' students to school at the cost of $8 a month. Our goal was to raise $50 and we ended up raising over $100! Thank you to Red Lemon Hair Salon and Schillaci Café for their generosity. Also, thank you to Mayor Rick Bonnette and Councillor Ann Lawlor for stopping by and contributing their time and making a donation. Finally, a big thank you to everyone who came by and made a donation, especially our friends and family. I am proud to be growing up in such a great community. Audra Jander, Acton Return the rooster Dear editor, I have lived in Georgetown South for almost 12 years and enjoy the community very much. I love gardening and look forward every spring to planting and decorating the garden with ornaments. I never thought that anyone would come on to our property and steal one of them. But that is exactly what happened. Sunday night (June 20 ) at 12:30 a.m. I woke up, because two women were laughing in front of our house. When I got up and looked out the window, I saw a silver or white Chevrolet. Something didn't feel right about this car stopping in front of our driveway. The next morning I discovered that one of my ornaments was gone....a concrete rooster. Not only did one of the "ladies" decide that she had to WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) Do you plan to participate in the local Canada Day celebrations on Friday? 1. Yes (53%) 2. No (47%) The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.