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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2011 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE Valentine's treats There will be sweets for sweeties at the Valentine's Day tea on February 12 at Trinity United Church. Along with sandwiches, scones and sweet treats, there will be a bake table, penny table and a raffle. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the cost is $7, with children under five eating free. Furry friends available Looking for something warm and furry to share your life? Check out the Upper Credit Humane Society (UCHS) display of animals that are available for adoption at Staying Alive Fitness between February 7 and 21 during its "Have a Heart for Animals" fundraiser for the Society. During that period, Staying Alive will accept donations for the UCHS ­ including dog or cat food, litter, toys and cash. On February 13, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., UCHS volunteers will be at Staying Alive with kittens that are available for adoption. Moving day Don't forget to get to the library before close of business on Saturday to stock up on books and materials for the next few weeks. The old library will close on February 5, and staff will begin moving boxes on February 7, heading to a "soft" opening of the new facility on February 22 and a grand opening on February 26. Demolition of the old library, built as a Centennial project, will begin the week of February 14. Halton's two schools board have purchased many of the desks and other furniture from the old library for Robert Little School and St. Joseph Catholic School. The rest is being auctioned off ­ at great prices ­ at www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/purchasing/gsoa/open_category. php?category_id=7 Museum opening The newly constructed museum at the Churchill Road fire station will officially open on February 18 at a low-key ceremony. Officials hope many lifetime members of the Acton Firefighters Association will be on hand to view the artifacts and memorabilia documenting the rich history of firefighting in Acton ­ right back to the days of the bucket brigade in the late 1800s. The pride and joy of the Association is a 1926 Studebaker fire truck, which now has a permanent home. Chief Brent Marshall said the museum will be open by invitation, but they will not turn away walk-ins, as long as there is a firefighter on hand to look after people. The expansion to the building also includes a fitness room and some reorganizing so the staff training room is now not sharing space with other functions. The Acton Firefighters Association donated $41,000 to the total budget of $410,190. Pink shirts Members of the Halton Hills fire department were out of uniform last Wednesday ­ they wore pink T-shirts in honour of the second annual National Wear it Pink Day. The day was in support of breast and gynecological cancers, and to recognize the dedication and determination of those who support the annual Weekend to End Cancer walk in Toronto. Transplant update Pancreas and lung transplant patient, Acton's Jeff Hillier, is having a tough time with reactions to anti-rejection drugs he is required to take following the transplant operation almost three weeks ago. Hillier, 38, survived the 10hour transplant operation, and there were plans to release him from hospital this week, but he is weak and bedridden because of his reaction to the anti-rejection medications. Faced with huge bills for his anti-rejection medication, and after being turned down for Trillium Drug Plan funding, his family is appealing for donations. Anyone who wishes to help is asked to call his sister Anna at 519-853-2385. Fight bullying Students across Halton are invited to be part of the Take a Stand Against Bullying friendly competition to develop an anti-bullying message. Using technical studies, dramatic arts and general arts, Halton schools will be asked to help students with the "Give Respect ­ Get Respect, Join the Movement" campaign. Each school will judge its submissions and a panel of police, school board officials and youth judges who will select four winners. The top entry will be part of an ongoing bullying awareness and prevention campaign. Fr details call Halton Sergeant Dave Cross at 905-878-5511, or visit www. haltonpolice.ca FAMILY BRUNCH: Bob (left), Maddison and Dakota Smith enjoyed the Community Brunch last Sunday at the Acton Community Centre and Arena hosted by the Kinette Club of Acton. ­ Kelly Kennedy photo Step up and do what is fair for Bantam players To the Editor, Re: Step Up AHHA I am writing with regard to Bantam house league hockey from the weekend of December 4 and 5. I realize that there was to be no hockey this weekend due to the Twisters tournament (although the website states otherwise...oh...except the Bantam schedule). But ... this tournament was cancelled. Other house league teams were notified only weeks before that they were playing hockey on this weekend. Somehow they got their ice time back. The Bantams did not play this weekend. I know the Select team was given the opportunity to participate in a tournament out of town and that this was granted back in the summer. However, why was the Bantam ice time not retrieved from the remaining house league players? Was it because the Bantam convenor is also one of the coaches of the Select team and you did this just for him? Or was it that you did not have any intention of letting the remaining Bantam players play that weekend and you let the ice time go elsewhere? AHHA did not have the best interest in ALL its players that weekend. I don't see how this issue could have been resolved in September. I was not aware until November 29, 2010 that other teams were now in fact playing the weekend of December 4 and 5. Did you know that the Twisters tournament was cancelled back in September? Why do all the online schedules have a booked game on the weekend of December 4 and 5, except Bantam, if "there was to be no hockey?" By looking at these schedules AHHA overcharged me from September on my registration fee. Other divisions play 22 games and Bantams play 21. I paid my registration fee like everyone else, except for one less game. Will an extra game be played in the Bantam division or will AHHA be refunding me and the other Bantam parents $19.31 for the missing game? So far AHHA made no attempt to schedule an extra game or offer a refund. It would be nice to see AHHA take responsibility and do what's fair. Name withheld at writer's request. Unity Service Thanks Dear Editor, The Unity Service held on Sunday, January 23, our first ecumenical community worship service of the new year, was a great opportunity for Acton citizens to come together to worship in unity with each other. The Legion auditorium was filled with over 450 people from the congregations of our town. On behalf of the Acton Ministerial Association, I would like to express our thanks to several individuals and groups whose contributions helped to make this service so meaningful. Canadian Legion Branch 197 provided the facilities for both the adult service and the children's service. The Worship Team from Crossings Church, and the singing of the ecumenical choir inspired everyone. Our local flower shops, Blooms Away and Urth (formerly Blue Springs), donated the lovely floral arrangements which decorated the Legion. Several volunteers helped with the children's service. Here, we have proof again that Acton is indeed a caring community. Once again, thank you to all for contributing to our Unity Service. Sincerely, Kathy Sanford Secretary Acton Ministerial Association Reader hopes Council supports new Arenas To the Editor, Our family moved to Halton Hills seven years ago and got right involved in our hockey community and have remained involved for the past seven years. We believe in making a difference for our community, and that starts with getting involved. We have eagerly awaited the possibility of gaining more rinks in our community to allow us better skating programs to grow a stronger hockey association and a place where all local youth can play. Halton Hills has grown, and with this growth our communities have gained more children. Not enough rinks and more children being added to our community only means more kids being turned away from the programs our existing rinks support. More kids being turned away means more kids without a sport to play to keep active, more kids bored and more kids on the street with the possibility of getting into trouble. The lack of ice time available in this Town has affected the skill development of many players. The three new arenas scheduled to be build for 2013 and 2015 respectively are needed now and not later. This is not a "want" but a "need!" We, like many other families we know are willing to help fund-raise and pay our fair share to make these three arenas a reality. Driving an hour to play home games at Teen Ranch (in Orangeville) is unacceptable and something Council should be concerned with. We want to play our home games in Halton Hills like every other hockey centre does. Play home games in their home centre. We hope we have councils support in making this happen so Halton Hills can get back to the "Hockey Town" it was once known for. Sincerely, Brenda Geim Editor's Note: This letter was sent to Town Council and forwarded to The New Tanner.