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THE NEW TANNER WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 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 Editorial with Frances Niblock (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. Publisher Ted Tyler Editor Emeritus Hartley Coles Editor Frances Niblock Editorial Contributors Mike OLeary Angela Tyler Rebecca Ring Advertising and Circulation Marie Shadbolt Composing Ken Baker Ill be saying goodbye to the decade on Thursday night as a vol- unteer at the Town Hall Centre New Years Eve family fun night partying with some of the same people that helped me ring in the decade and celebrate the millennium 10 years ago as we wondered what 2000 would bring and worried about the Y2K bug. On that night 10 years ago, with family and friends we made a small display of luminaries - candles in brown paper bags - on the front lawn as we cheered in the new decade at midnight, wishing wed thought to buy some fireworks as several people in our neigh- bourhood set off displays at midnight. I dont remember if I made any New Years resolutions 10 years ago, other than to smile more, hold my tongue more and continue to see the world as a friendly place - not so much New years reso- lutions, but a reminder of a preferred way of life. In the Tanner office, no one is making any New Years resolutions to ring in the new decade - they are a waste of time according to one colleague, and another said they never kept their resolutions anyway, so what was the point of making them. Experts say the tradition of making New Years resolution began with the ancient Romans who would make promises of good con- duct to Janus, a two-faced deity who looked both backward and forward, and presided over beginnings and endings. Today, promises of good behaviour lead the New Years resolu- tion list, including eating healthier, exercising more and spending less. While making resolutions may be easy - keeping them is the hard part as more than two thirds of those who make resolutions, break them before January is out. Still, theres something to be said about making a new start with a fresh outlook. Happy New Year. In North American, many celebrate New Years Eve with a party noise makers, good friends, good food, dancing and a countdown to midnight. In other parts of the world, the celebrations include feasts, pigs heads and ways to usher out the old and welcome the new. Here are a few ways that others may celebrate on New Years Eve. In Austria, people believe that to be happy in the new year, on the night of Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 a piece of the pig head should be eaten. . In Greece, it is the day of Saint Bas- il, known for his kindness. Greek children leave their shoes before the fireplace in the hope he will fill them with gifts. In Scotland , the New Year is called Hogmanay and the Scottish ignite barrel with resin and then roll away on the street . This symbolizes burning the old year. In Italy, in the last minute of the old year something has to be discarded old shoes, clothes, dishes, even furniture. People believe in the discards will be replaced with something new. In Hungary, during the first seconds of New Year people play with childrens whistle to scare the evil spirits and call joy and prosperity. Hungarians believe in the magic power of New Year dishes - beans and peas to keep the strength of body and spirit, apples for beauty and love, nuts, to protect the house, garlic to prevent disease, and honey for sweet life. Welcoming the New Year Far flung New Years celebrations LEGION NEWS By James Hayes P.R.O. BRANCH NO. 197 Dear Editor, Further to Hartley Coles article on global warm- ing I would say that if people did research on this they would find that the global warming thing is a big scam. People get all excited about it, but most of the information you read is not factual. If you are really interested you might want to purchase a DVD (about $15) from http://www. sovereignty.net/p/clim/index.html. This DVD has scientists from Guelph Univer- sity, amongst many others, that tell it like it is. John Shadbolt At the last executive meeting, the four winners at the Zone level of the Remembrance, Post- er & Literary competition were presented with their awards. These included very attractive medals & ribbons, which were well deserved. New Years Eve. Tickets are still available at the bar, $30 each. There will be a cold buffet, party favours, and bus transport home for in town residents from 11 p.m. 1 a.m.) Steve Dunn will be provid- ing the music for your listening and dancing pleasure. I suggest you pick up your tickets early as there will be a limited number. Presidents Levee, January 1. The President and Executive invite you to celebrate the New Year starting at noon. Next General meeting Mon- day January 11, .2010 Yours in comradeship, Jim Hayes, Branch 197 PRO. PIANO RECITAL: Piano and vocal students of Jennifer Culpeper performed a variety of pieces including many Christmas favourites during their December 18 recital at St. Albans Anglican Church. Students attending the recital included, front row from left: Damon Crumplen, James Robart-Morgan, Michael Chang, Courtney Roulstone, Janet Chang, Megan Robart-Morgan, Sydney Furzer, Jamie and Natasha Kasunic. Middle: Lori Van Veen, Aby Das, Ryan Milford, Lili Paradi, Madelaine Henriques and Nolan McGillivray. Back: Samantha and Cailey Van Veen, Szilvia Paradi, Jessamyn Chan, Olivia Henriques, Dulwin Jayalath, Erin Hamilton and Jillian Mullin. Submitted photo