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10 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 Township Digest Summer auditions Think you could pull off the role of Leonard Loftus in the summer production of Nobody's Perfect at the Century Church Theatre in Hillsburgh? Auditions are slated on April 10 for the fast-paced comedy, which requires a Loftus, an apparently dull statistician, who masquerades convincingly as his own aunt ­ not pantomime or drag queen. Performances are midA u g u s t . Vi s i t w w w. centurychurchtheatre.com or call 519-855-4586 after March 14 for more information, including audition scripts. Bus donation A $9,500 grant to East Wellington Community Services (EWCS) from Farm Credit Canada's AgriSpirit Fund will help buy a new bus to replace the aging 19-seat bus currently in service, mainly to move senior citizens to and from the Seniors Day Program which operates in Rockwood one day a week, and two days a week in Erin. EWCS Marketing and Revenue Development Coordinator Caroline Turnbull said the final grant puts them in reach of the $100,000 they need to purchase a new vehicle. "The Board hasn't picked the bus yet, and we may have to do more fundraising, but we are close," Turnbull said, adding they still have some spaces in the Seniors Day Program which includes a hot meal and programming. For details call Turnbull at 519-833-9696, ex. 230. Avery's Bravery Race The parents of Rockwood's Avery Bond have permission to stage the third annual Avery's Bravery Race in the village on April 28. Guelph/Eramosa Township Council gave its approval for the charity event which includes a bike-a-thon, parade, walk/run-a-thon that raises money for Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto where baby Avery had life-saving heart surgery 13 days after her birth. The Bond's must meet conditions of the Township's relatively new Special Event permit which requires, among other things, notification of affected residents, $5-million in third-party insurance, and a $2 per participant fee to cover Township administrative costs. The Township will collect the $2 participant fee and donate an equal amount to Sick Kids Hospital. Last year's event raised $6,500, and put the two-year total to $13,000. NEW HONORARY SCOUT: Guelph/Eramosa Township Mayor Chris White (centre) was invested as an Honorary Scout by Scouts Canada and the 1st Rockwood Scouts during a service on Monday at the Brucedale council chambers. On hand were, from left: Scouts Nathan Reed and Chuck Murison, Wellington Area Commissioner Harry Niezen, Area Youth Commissioner Rob Monico and 1st Rockwood Group Commissioner Mike Chapman. ­ Frances Niblock photo Mayor White invested as an Honorary Scout Right hand raised making the three fingered salute and left hand touching the Scouting flag, Guelph/Eramosa Township Mayor Chris White read the Scout Promise as he was invested as an Honorary Scout by the First Rockwood Scout Group at Monday's Township council meeting at Brucedale. White, a former Cub in his youth, joins a select group of Honorary Scouts which includes Guelph's mayor and MPP. The Brucedale council chamber was packed with Scouts for the ceremony during which White was presented with a Scout Neckerchief and Woggle as the Colour party and Scouting brass looked on. Wellington Area Scout C o m m i s s i o n er Har r y Niezen said Scouting Canada's mission is to contribute to the education of young people through a value system based on being a constructive part of society. He asked White if it was his intention to subscribe to that mission by repeating the Scout Promise: "On my honour I will promise to do my best To do my duty to God and the Queen To help other people at all times And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law" White recalled making friends and camping as a Cub, and said it's good to see the Scouting traditions continuing. "One of things we face today is dwindling service clubs, and I'm sure that Scouts are facing some of those demographic challenges as well, but they are really important for our community..." he said, adding Scouts gives kids positive things to do, and "gets them away from the X-Box." Each member of council was presented with a 1st Rockwood crest. To the Editor, RE: Tim Hortons support I also agree that Rockwood looks and feels like a "ghost-town" and is dark and gloomy compared to other towns I travel through. For example, I look at the wonderful transforma- tions of Erin and Acton have under taken, and we should be ashamed here. With all of the new development (therefore more tax dollars), you would think we would be thriving. We are still stuck with the same ol' less than mediocre grocery store, an overcrowded school, two soccer fields only, two baseball diamonds, no arena. I've attempted numerous times to support Rockwood restaurants or cafes and, more often than not, they were closed because they weren't busy. In comparison, look at the Whistle Stop and Saunders Bakery that open early and they stay open until the minute their sign says they will close. And, lo and behold, they have been in business for years and seem to thriving with loyal, repeat customers. We need a legitimate grocery store, we need a building supply store, we need another school, perhaps a sports complex, we need to clean up the core of our town. What could possibly be wrong with a Tim Horton's in our town? It will provide jobs, we know it will be open for business, it will be a clean fresh look, it will keep people in our town to get their coffee rather than driving to Guelph or Acton (and shouldn't that satisfy the so-called "environmentalists" worried about emissions?). Tim Horton's might set an example for other ho-hum businesses in our town that open and close when they please. In fact, it will even bring tax dollars to our town, and that will surely help our town transform into the vibrant town that we should be. We are not a town of 800 people anymore. Time for change. Name withheld at author's request Rockwood, ON