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Links2Care continues Backpack program Links2Care is currently accepting applications and donations for its annual Backpack Program. The Backpack Program provides new backpacks filled with school supplies to students from lower income families in Halton Hills. Last year Links2Care provided 170 backpacks to students whose families really needed and appreciated this support. Back to school necessities can be very expensive. This program helps to relieve some of the financial pressures that lower income families face. If you would like to apply for this program, applications are available at the Links2Care offices at 36a Armstrong Avenue, Georgetown and 47 Mill Street East, (please use the John Street entrance) Acton. Application forms are also available at the Links2Care Ontario Early Years Centres 96 Guelph Street, Georgetown and 85 Wallace Street, Acton as well as the Links2Care Employment Resource Centre, 45 Mill Street East, Acton the Georgetown Bread Basket, Acton Foodshare and the Acton Hub. The program is funded by the generosity of sponsors and through individual donations and is organized by volunteers. To help support this program, Links2Care is accepting donations of the following items: backpacks, markers, crayons, calculators, math sets, binders, glue sticks, duo tangs, lined paper and rulers. Financial donations are also very much appreciated. All donations can be dropped off at the Links2Care offices in Acton or Georgetown. For more information about the Backpack Program please call Cathy at 519-853-3310 ext. 223. Bruce Trail not for bikes or motorized vehicles By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer The Bruce Trail Conservancy is reminding those who use the Bruce Trail that it's a footpath-- not meant for bicycles and motorized vehicles. The Conservancy asks everyone to refrain from using bikes and motorized vehicles on the trail which runs from Niagara River to Tobermory and passes through Halton Hills, Milton and Caledon. Signs are up on trail entry points showing they're not permitted. Bikes and motorized vehicles are allowed only in some limited areas. This applies to both the main trail (marked with white blazes) and the side trail (blue blazes). "Half of the Bruce Trail, almost 900 km, is on private land at permission of the owners," said Don Sargent, a volunteer with the Bruce Trail Conservancy. He said the owners of the land do not want the bicycles or motorized vehicles on the trails and when they are spotted on it, the Conservancy hears about it. "The permission is for a hiking trail only," said Peter Leeney, Executive Vice-President of the Bruce Trail Conservancy. "Use of the trail by motorized vehicles or bicycles could cause the landowner to require removal of the trail from his land." Safety is another reason they aren't welcome on the trails. Leeney said the trail has many 11 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, July 5, 2011 Community Open House registration has begun The Halton Hills Cooperative Program Planning Committee will be hosting a Community Open House on Saturday, October 15 at the Georgetown Market Place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is currently open for this event. Tables will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $30 for a half table and $60 for a full table. Register early as space is limited! The overall goal of this event is to highlight the many groups and organizations which provide meaningful services to community members and enhance the community overall. The theme for the event this year is "Passion, Action, Impact" which will build on the idea of community and the ways in which citizens can take action to make a positive impact in their own lives as well as the community of Halton Hills, including promoting volunteer opportunities. Mayor Rick Bonnette encourages all groups to consider participating as "this event provides a tremendous opportunity for non-profit organizations, sport and recreation groups, social service agencies, and service groups that serve our residents to showcase themselves to the Halton Hills community." To download a registration package please visit www.haltonhills.ca/ community/openhouse.php or contact Leanne Sedentopf, Recreation Coordinator ­ Special Events & Volunteer Services at 905-873-2601 ext. 2273, volunteer@haltonhills.ca for more information. bends, twists and steep hills. "Sharing it with bicycles or vehicles is very dangerous. Our priority is the safety of hikers so that they don't have to worry about what is coming around the next bend," said Leeney. Ecology is the third concern. Bicycles and vehicles have negative ecological effects along the trail. They damage plants and animals and create much more erosion than the boots of hikers. Sargent said the ATVs often go around the barriers onto the trail breaking fences and damaging environmentally sensitive areas and that cyclists cause erosion to the trail particularly when they are going downhill. For more information on the Bruce Trail visit www.brucetrail.org or www. torontobrucetrailclub.org Transmission line project reaches mid-point Hydro One announced Monday that the Bruce to Milton Transmission Reinforcement Project has passed the mid-point of construction. The new transmission line, which will go through Halton Hills, is expected to be in service by December 2012. It is the largest expansion project in Ontario's transmission system in 20 years. School crossing guards are honoured for protecting children daily throughout the year As the school year draws to a close, local crossing guards were recognized for their work at a special appreciation luncheon at Gardiner Public School. Mayor Rick Bonnette presented the guards with gift bags and certificates during the ceremony, which included live music and speeches. The event was sponsored by the Halton Catholic District School Board, Halton District School Board, Halton Regional Police Service, Town of Halton Hills Recreation & Parks and Infrastructure Services, McDonald's, Boston Pizza, Baskin Robbins South Georgetown, Shoppers Drug Mart - South Georgetown, Mark's Work Wearhouse and Unilock. At the Town of Halton Hills's Crossing Guard Appreciation Day ceremony, a surprised and emotional Maria Dias received a special award in recognition of her bravery. In March, Dias placed herself between a child and an SUV that was rushing to make a turn at Delrex Boulevard and Mountainview Road South. Luckily no one was hurt in the incident. Photos by Andrea Lefebvre