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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009 7THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2009 6 Distributed to every home in Acton and area, as well as adjoining communities. 373 Queen Street East, Unit 1 Acton, Ontario L7J 2N2 email: thenewtanner@on.aibn.com Mike OLeary Frances Niblock Angela Tyler Rebecca Ring Publisher Editor Ted Tyler Hartley Coles Editorial Contributors Advertising and Circulation Composing Marie Shadbolt Ken Baker Tracey Gardner By Angela Tyler Editorial with Hartley Coles (519) 853-0051 Fax: (519) 853-0052 Every effort will be made to see advertising copy, neatly presented, is correctly printed. The publisher assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors or omissions in advertising, but will gladly reprint without charge that part of an advertisement in which an error may occur provided a claim is made within five days of publication. All articles, advertisements and graphic artwork appearing in The New Tanner is copyrighted. Any usage, reproduction or publication of these items, in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher of The New Tanner is a copyright infringement and subject to legal action. Are you feeling unhappy? It may be its because you watch too much TV and dont read newspapers among other things. A new study released by sociologists at the University of Mary- land finds that unhappy people watch more TV, while people who describe themselves as very happy read more newspapers. The study maintains that unhappy people watch and estimated 20 per- cent more television than very happy people. The study takes into account education, age, marital status and other demographic predicators of both viewing and happiness. TV doesnt seem to satisfy people over the long haul the way that social involvement or reading a newspaper does, the study declares. Its more passive and may provide escape especially when the news is as depressing as the economy itself. The data suggests to us that the TV habit may offer short run pleasure at the expense of long term malaise. Researchers found that self-described very happy people were more socially active, attended more religious services, voted more and read more newspapers in their spare time. Unhappy people watch significantly more television. One researcher likens the short, temporary pleasure of television to addiction. Addictive activities produce momentary pleasure and long-term misery and regrettuning in can be an easy way of tuning out. The study is not an easy pill to swallow during the long, cold Can- adian winters when watching TV becomes almost a way to escape some of the tedium called cabin fever. We would suggest that the programs watched may have a bearing on the result. Depressing programs surely affect peoples happiness, and vice versa. On the other hand, were delighted when the study finds that very happy people read more newspapers. Unhappy? Read a newspaper Unique service The Spirit of unity among Acton churches, and need to ac- centuate the positive with their common belief in Jesus Christ, was highly visible at the Acton Ministerial Associations Ecu- menical Unity Service Sunday morning in the auditorium of the Royal Canadian Legion. Although the weather wasnt conducive to a morning as- sembly, extra chairs had to be brought into the auditorium to accommodate the worshippers. Children had another service in an adjacent room. The churches of Acton either cancel their regular services or rearrange them so their members can attend the Unity service. All the clergy of the Ministerial Association take part and a combined choir from the churches provides choral music ac- companied by an instrumental worship team. The Acton unity service is indeed unique. As Rev. Ray Van- der Kooj of Bethel Church told the large congregation they know of no other gathering during unity week which includes the entire community of Christians. Tribute was paid to the late Rev. Emrys Jenkins of Churchill church who played a large part in the formation of the Acton Ministerial Association and in promoting the ecumenical unity service. Rev. Jenkins died on Thanksgiving Day in 2008. Sundays service proved again theres a community spirit on Acton that goes well beyond the things that creeds may separate and theres a common unity in Jesus Christ. Hope Obama is the real deal I am not the political one in this paper. Up until now, I have left that category up to Mike OLeary. I will admit he does it best and even though I dont agree with him all the time, his points are well made. However, it is time for a change. I feel the need to make a state- ment. This years U.S. Presidential race got me interested. I am not usually into politics. I vote in a manner in which some would think is strange. I used to think that if a politician actually came to my door to tell me why I should vote for them, then I would. Then I started getting all these people coming to my door for whom I would never vote. In the end, I analyzed things and retreated to the way I was raised and usually voted that way. On occasion I would falter from my bringing up, however, those oc- casion were usually few and far between, as they say. I am not a political person because I think, (which is probably wrong), its this guys turn or that guys turn when it comes to Canadian pol- itics. Who could ignore the strange- ness of Sarah Palin, especially when Tina Fey impersonated her on Saturday Night Live. Some of her quotes were better than the big W, for who I might say had some doos-ies! I could write about ten columns just about that alone. However, as much as I abhor W and all he has done includ- ing all those U.S. military men and women who are now dead fight- ing his battles it just seemed to me such a personal thing, I have to admire his wife for standing her place and her daughters for after being, well, teens, found their place and are making their own way now. I was and am excited about the then President elect, although I am worried. I have this bad feeling that because he is the first black President he will soon find a fate close to that of JFK. Its almost as if a good thing is sometimes too much of a good thing, I do hope I am wrong. I looked forward this past Sun- day to the start of the Inaugural events. I couldnt wait to see the concert at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday. It made me want to visit D.C. I wanted to see all the historical sites. I wanted to be a part of it. The concert was overwhelming, yet at the same time, I couldnt help but notice the President elect at the time, was behind bullet- proof glass and so was his Vice President elect and their families. I thought, soon, history would repeat itself. Not the JFK part. I was talking about the Clinton partwithin months he would have a massive head of grey hair. That seems to be what happens to elected officials. Stress - grey hair. In the end, I had to come quickly to lunch. I had to see this historic event. I felt like I was watching the Inauguration of JFK. There was so much hype; so much media; so many people. It was an historic event. Then I heard it. It was his Ask not what your country quote. Continued on page 7 A WALK IN THE PARK: Theres nothing quite like taking the dog for a walk in the brisk weather. Everything is black and white for this scene which Eileen Dix captured a couple fol- lowing outlines of the race track in Prospect Park