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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2003 THE NEW TANNER : a GRAPEVINE JUBILEE MEDAL Congrats to Acton's John Eddolls who received a Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal from Ontario Lieutenant Governor James Bartleman at a Queen's Park ceremony on Wednesday. Eddolls was one of 26 Lifesaving Society volunteers honoured for their work in drowning prevention and _ lifesaving education. Eddolls, a Canadian lifesaving team member since 1999, has medalled in several international events, including the South African Commonwealth Games this summer and the Commonwealth Games in England several years ago when he met the Queen. Eddolls holds the Canadian record for the 100m rescue medley and shares two other Canadian records as a national lifesaving team member. He's a member of the Acton Aqua Ducks, a University of Guelph student, and also works part-time for the Town as assistant manager of the Georgetown and Acton indoor pools. VOLUNTEERS HONOURED Congrats to Acton Aqua Duck Swim Club-supporters Helen Colvin, Jane Roza and Arlene Fritz who each received 2003 Ontario Volunteer Service Awards from the Ministry of Citizenship at a ceremony last Wednesday in Mississauga. All three are ardent supporters of the Acton swim club, having held numerous executive positions and received five-year service pins and certificates from the Ministry of Citizenship, Ontario Honours and Awards. The pins are awarded in increments of five years, but in fact, Colvin is nearing 10 years of volunteer service to the.club, and Roza has been involved for seven years. CHALLENGE MATCH Acton High School students face off at centre ice against Acton and Georgetown police tomorrow (Friday) in a fun challenge hockey game at Acton arena. "A lot of the kids we deal with are hockey players and we only really ever see the negative side, so this is an opportunity for us to meet some place in the middle," said event organizer, Halton Constable Maureen Andrew on Sunday, adding she hopes the shared interest of hockey will lead to a better rapport between the police and local boys. Former NHL referee ¢ association director, Halton Hills Councillor Bryan Lewis, will officiate at the game and there are rumours some police brass may be on hand. All are invited to the free event that runs from 3 to 5 p.m. A donation of a non-perishable food item for Acton FoodShare would be appreciated. SHOPPING TIP A quick cruise through some Acton stores shows you don't have to leave town to Christmas shop this year. The selection in the new and existing stores is good, .the prices seem reasonable and the sales staff polite. (Not having to circle forever to find a parking spot sure helps too.) If unique gifts and/or artificial flowers are on your shopping list, check out Today's Idea on Wallace Street that has re- opened for the holiday shopping season. LET THERE BE LIGHTS Acton area seniors. who don't drive, but want to see some beautiful Christmas lights can sign up for the annual Acton Seniors' Centre Christmas tour of lights on Thursday, December 18. Tyler Transport generously supplies the buses and will make pickups at Birchway Place, Elizabeth Drive and Church and Maria Street apartments. The tour through Halton Hills is free, and includes Christmas treats at the Centre afterwards. Call 853-5951 for details and/or register. LIFE GIFT The theme is "The More, The Merrier" for the December 18 blood donor clinic at the Acton Legion. Between now and January 12, officials estimate it will need to collect 124,000 units of blood across Canada to meet the need. Canadian Blood Service staff are encouraging friends, families and co-workers to donate blood together -- a challenge that has been endorsed by local blood clinic chair Julia Roehrig, an employee of Giant Tiger, who is encouraging fellow employees to give the gift of life at the upcoming clinic. "Among the staff there are a few old donors that haven't donated in ages and there are a few that are first-timers too, and I'm really pleased," Roehrig said, adding she hopes to encourage other groups and families to participate in "The More The Merrier" blood donor campaign. The Acton clinic on December. 18 runs from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Deck the halls... Continued from page 6 He could use his big staple gun to staple the small lights onto the an- gel that would hang at the front. By now, time apart would do us both good. Shortly after, he returned where I was still unwinding lights. "Did you check the lights before you gave them to me? They aren't work- ing," checked them. We started to string lights on the shrubs, once again finding out I had more dead lights. "You know, you should get some eeloured lignts. Your neighbours house looks really nice_with the blue lights," he said. I was almost positive I had ~ With that comment I wanted to take a string of the lights and wrap it around his neck. Didn't he remem- ber how I felt about blue lights at Christmas? Blue Christmas lights...I hate blue lights! By then, that was enough Christmas cheer for both of us. Later, we came to an agreement. I'd buy replacement lights and put them on everything other than the roof. One day when I wouldn't be at home, the Dude would come over and put the lights up properly on the roof. : Now I know why each year, my mom usually does her Christmas lights by herself...less tension for everyone. 5 al esa ed "a CHRISTMAS CHEER: Reverend and Rotarian, Emrys Jenkins was joined by Starlight Cafe owner, Amy Yeatman (left) and her mom Patricia at the Acton Rotary Club's Wine and Cheese evening on Friday. Proceeds from the event went to Heritage Acton for the restoration of the old Town Hall and a - Angela Tyler photo Yes friends, it's that time of year again. Time to enlist all you Christmas people in the crusade to stomp out festive. What else can put you into-that Christmas spirit than to resist the forces of political correctness in their nefarious campaign to pasturize-the Christmas season. When you are confronted by seasonal décor proclaiming "Festive Greetings" you ought to thank the clerk for the best wishes and politely inquire: "When is festive this year?" Remember, the store employee is not responsible for this idiocy. When the employee, as they always do, explains that "festive" is actually "Christmas". but they use that term so as not to offend anyone, here's what I say. Calmly explain that consigning Christmas to the dumpster offends you. Ask the employee to pass your comments on to the manager. Better still, contact the head office and make your discontent known. Above all, remember that Christmas people are never rude. The campaign to stomp out festive has gained momentum over the past few years. I notice that lately some of the festive faction are trying to justify their dismantling of Christmas traditions. The major disinformation campaign seems to be that because we are a "multi- cultural society" we have to embrace all religious observances. Horse- huckey!! We do allow freedom of religion. Everyone is free to observe, or not, the religious traditions of their choice. Changing the name of Christmas has no effect on that. The Christmas season has become less and less religion-centred every year. In most cases, the celebrations and gift giving are the primary focus of the season. The Coca-Cola Santa won the popularity poll over the babe in the manager. The name Christmas pays scant attention to the origin of the season. Christmas people are not proselytizing. Some try to"equate multi-culturalism to a purported dilution of the Christian majority in this country. Not true friends, not true. Firstly, many newcomers claim a Christian heritage. Secondly, immigrants of other faiths know we celebrate Christmas before they come here. And still -- they come. They come secure in the knowledge that their celebrations will be respected by the country at large. I don't believe they expect us to render our traditions \important as a way of accommodating The Way I See It with Mike O'Leary theirs. It appears to me it's more home- grown activities who are agitating for the change to appease their own agendas. Accommodating other faiths has little to do with it. In the last few years I've voted with my wallet. T note, with regret, that Swiss Chalet is advertising their festive dinner again. I'll miss.going there until the new year. Thé major chains are promoting equally bland pseudo- greetings for Christmas. I prefer small stores anyway. The service is so much better. The choice is up to you. I've been told I should just ignore the insulting treatment of Christmas. I disagree. My father always told me that if you stand for nothing, nothing is what you will end up with. I say our Christmas traditions are worth the effort. The old saying was, "Lets keep Christ in Christmas." Now we're trying to keep the Christmas in Christmas. So I invite all of you: deck those halls, sing those carols, and wish each and every person a hearty Merry Christmas. Fie on those who want to change our customs. Anyone offended by a heartfelt Merry Christmas can't be pleased so they would probably be offended by anything you said. Humbug to them. If you could meet the three wise men would you greet them with a bland. "Festive greetings?" Of course not. So enjoy the Christmas season, revel in the excitement of children as the big day nears and join the movement to stomp out festive. REE The weather has finally put a Christmas feeling into the air. When starting out on your shopping excursion I suggest you shop Acton first. Our local merchants have much to offer. During the recent election one message came through loud and clear. We love the small town atmosphere here and want to protect it. One component of that small town feeling is a vibrant and successful retail sector. Our merchants are ready and able to help you with your Christmas purchases. It makes good sense to shop locally. Local stores support our sports teams, give our children their first jobs, support charitable events and substantially Hi Ho, Hi Ho; It's off to Rant we g0| contribute to the town's tax base. Every dollar spent here is an investment in the healthy growth of our town. The selection of goods offered has dramatically increased in the last year. Several new stores have opened in the Acton East Plaza. The new Radio Shack is conveniently located across from the IGA and has ample parking. One certain stop for me is the Hide House. Their selection is incomparable, the quality superb and the prices more than competitive. We also have the | new Beardmore Leathers store downtown. Home Hardware has an excellent selection of gifts and tools for the hand minded. Speaking of gifts (as someone in the wholesale gift business), Country Reflections has as fine a collection of unique gifts as you will find in any boutique in the area. Be sure to check out their Tilley hat boutique. For the crafty person on your list, drop into Painting Friends and Needle Gnome. Headwater Wool, just south of the lights on Main, has all your knitting needs. Giant Tiger, of course, has a wide selection of products at excellent prices. Ron at Halton Hills Furniture has stocked up with everything to make your home more comfortable and he delivers. Looking for something for that hard to please person? How about a gift certificate from one of our fine restaurants. A practical gift is an oil change or tune-up from local service centres. How about a personal tune-up with a membership to Curves or Tomas. Pamper your honey with one of the several spa or aesthetic services now available. I just picked up a pair of mittens at Marzo Glove (just west of town on Highway #7) so my hands will be toasty warm this snow shovelling season. We have two factory outlets open on Wallace Street just off Mill St., Design Connection and Monarch Silks and Trading. Don't forget to visit the interesting shops in Rockwood, mere minutes away, where Geckos, Rockwood Railroad, and Castles Antiques are only some of the spots to pique a shopper's interest. I've run ont of space before I can name all the excellent places to do your shopping locally. Our merchants want your business and look forward to welcoming you with down-home friendliness. Shop Acton and Rockwood. You'll enjoy the home town atmosphere. fs