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THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 2011 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE Travel, not tobacco Congrats to Acton resident Jacqueline Kobow who traded her 17-year smoking habit for a $5,000 vacation getaway in the Canadian Cancer Society's Driven to Quit Challenge. As the secondary prize winner ­ a Brantford man drove away in a new hybrid car on Monday ­ Kobow butt out with the help of a "buddy" during the month-long health promotion campaign. Seven others received $2,000 MasterCard gift cards and the 11 "buddies" received a $200 gift certificate for helping their friends stop smoking. The 11 winners were among 36,000 Ontario smokers who quit to enter the annual contest. Parenting tips A parenting education night postponed by the last snow storm is re-scheduled to April 26 at McKenzie-Smith Bennett School. Co-sponsored by MSB and Robert Little School, the night features guest speaker Michael Reist who will offer tips on "Raising Kids in a New Kind of World." Childcare is available at the free seminar that will also offer light refreshments. E-mail msbcouncil@hotmail.com to reserve a daycare space for children two and older. The event runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Daleman dog Austin Daleman's new best friend, some type of a Lab, is currently being trained as an autism service dog that within the year, will be the nine-yearold autistic boy's shadow and protector. On Saturday, the Daleman family will attend a ceremony at a pet show at the International Centre where Milk-Bone will present National Service Dogs with an $18,000 cheque to help pay training costs. Austin's mom Patricia hopes the dog would provide Austin, a Grade six student at Robert Little School, with a level of independence, like the ability to walk to school by himself. Dutiful donators There were two first-timers, a 25-time donator and one Acton resident ­ Heather Morris-Stokes ­ who made her 50th blood donation at the Canadian Blood Services clinic last Thursday at the Acton Legion. Officials thank everyone who donated ­ 64 units of blood were collected ­ and urge everyone to call 1-888-236-6283 to book an appointment for the next Acton clinic, which is Monday, May 2, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Acton arena/community centre. Songs for Supper Local artists whose songs will help feed the hungry take the stage May 7 at Roxy Music to launch the second Songs for Supper, a compilation CD to raise money for Acton's FoodShare food bank. From folk to pop punk to rock, the 12 songs selected by judges are an eclectic music mix ­ for the full list of songs and artists visit www.actonfoodshare.com Tickets for the launch will be available at the door. WET WORK: The wet weather on Saturday did not deter Regional/Acton Councillor Clark Somerville and his nieces, Megan and Dawson Somerville from collecting litter along Wallace Street as part of the Town-wide cleanup. ­ Ted Tyler photo An open letter to Mr. Chong Dear Sir: If all voters in this constituency stand shoulder to shoulder with me (and ensure that you place fourth on Monday, May 2), then we can help to rid ourselves of our puppeteering Prime Minister ­ and there is nothing that you or Stephen Harper can do about it. J. Goring Rockwood Reader nominates super volunteer To the Editor, Re: Volunteer Week Since this is Volunteer Week, I would like to highlight the volunteerism of Bryan Onion, of Rockwood. Mr. Onion has been a faithful leader of the weekly Rockwood Senior's meeting for several years. He has taken the lead in organizing and guiding this group ever since the Rockwood priest at the Sacred Heart parish suggested that a local Seniors gathering might be a good idea. Mr. Onion found an ideal location at the Rockwood Library, in its meeting room. With the help of his wife Carol, lunches were provided, posters were sent out, and they waited for patrons. And the Seniors came! Over the years he has shepherded this group, arranged programs for each week, found transportation for Seniors who had moved to Guelph, and even visited anyone sick in hospital, plus he has been the local go-to man for all the Rockwood Seniors. I am sure that I speak for all the Friday Group when I nominate Bryan as a super Rockwood volunteer. Mrs S. Drijber Rockwood When, and who do you call? To the Editor, Another impromptu angry meeting of neighbours in my garage last night. It seems that we are being questioned as to why we complain to the Town and Ministry of Environment, (MOE) but do not call the "emergency hotline." This is how we see it. The hotline is set up for emergencies such as spills, seized bearings of grain dust explosions. In other words something out of the ordinary. I get the impression that some of you believe the noise from the mill that we complain about is an intermittent thing. It is not. The mill exceeds both the provincial and municipal sound limits 24/7. The only time in the last three years it is quiet is a few days between Christmas and New Year each December. What we call the standard operating noise is constant day and night and well over allowable guidelines. When they are delivering and transferring is when it gets crazy. Are we to complain to the mill on an ongoing basis? Every hour, or is every ten minutes more acceptable? They would do absolutely nothing about it. We have called the police, had them request the mill to shut it down and the mill fired it right back up. The fine is cheaper than the loss of production. So, why would we call the mill? The fact that they exceed the limit is not in dispute. They admit it, we know it, MOE knows it and the Town knows it. They have to meet the standard. All we are asking for is a temporary reprieve this summer on Sundays and holidays, so we can enjoy our properties like every other citizen of this Town, the members of council, town enforcement officers and employees of the mill do. Is it too much to ask? Maybe instead of pointing the finger at us, the Town can send an enforcement officer out to monitor the noise during off hours. I find it very ironic that our requests to have the Town's by-law enforced fall on deaf ears, yet a bylaw enforcement officer can stop by my residence to inform me that I am in violation of the Town's by-laws. Different standards? Peter Duncanson Acton Jacqueline Kobow Donations wanted Herbal Magic in Acton is a designated drop-off spot for donations of good used books and quality toys, CDs and DVDs to the Canadian Federation of University Women-Georgetown. The Federation stages an annual used book and toy sale and proceeds fund scholarships. Each year two Acton High School students are among those who receive funding. Drop-offs can be made until May 4, and the sale is May 7 at Christ the King Secondary School.