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6 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MAY 03, 2012 EDITORIAL with Frances Niblock One step at a time It is amazing the amount of money "ordinary" people can raise for good causes ­ usually health related ­ just by putting one foot in front of the other, or supporting others who do. Recently, Acton's Christie deSouza raised over $5,000 ­ and still counting ­ for the MS Society by participating in the MS Walk in honour of her friend, Acton High School teacher Jenn Ross. Ever helpful, deSouza's husband, on-line cartoonist Lar deSouza, asked his fans to support his wife's walk, and he offered an incentive. For each $500 over the $1,000 mark donated, he dyed his trademark beard different colours. Members of Don's Posse in Acton ­ family and friends of the late Don Lindsay ­ are gearing up for the annual Acton/ Georgetown Walk for ALS which takes place in Georgetown on June 2. Pledges and donations provide equipment and support programs for those living with ALS, a paralyzing neuromuscular disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. In three years, the local Walk has raised over $500,000, and the provincial total last year was $1.4-million. Through small steps ­ literally ­ people can raise enough money to make a real difference. Walk on. SPEAKERS' SERIES: Christopher Hume, the urban affairs, architecture columnist at the Toronto Star was the featured speakers at the Absolutely Acton Speakers' Series on Sunday at the Acton Town Hall Centre. ­ Ted Tyler photo Just a card please Have you noticed all the "sale flyers" in the last week or so? Or have you paid much attention to some of the T.V. and radio ads? They are building up for the next opportunity to change a day of recognition into an opportunity for commerce. Yes, Mother's Day is just around the corner and I've had a few thoughts. First, even before I was a mom, I thought Mother's Day was a wonderful thing. Moms are amazing people and it's great we can say thanks just like we do on Father's Day. However, I really hate how it has become a thing in the retail world to go beyond a small token to us being inflicted with the idea that we need to give mom big presents. That isn't what it's about and although I do appreciate it. If you do buy your mom something please consider this... Last weekend, I had a moment or two to go over some of the flyers looking for bargains. As I opened one up to read I noticed the overwhelming amount of appliances that were being pushed. Coffee makers, waffle makers, deep fryers, bread makers and an assortment of coloured pots and pans were By Angela Tyler blinding me. I have this theory/ rule about women and appliances and so far it has worked. The rule for me is simple. Don't give a woman an appliance. The only thing that an appliance as a gift accomplishes is that the woman now has more work to do. Giving me a waffle maker means that not only do you want me to make waffles for you, but now I also get to clean another thing and waffle makers are not fun things to clean. Don't give me a bread make - I prefer to go to the grocery store or a bakery and yes, those orange Rachel Ray pots and pans look wonderful however, we have a set that works perfectly fine and we don't need them. Now, I will admit that for Christmas this year the Dude did give me a small appliance. It was the first time ever, and hopefully it is not a new trend, however, the new turbo super wonderful vacuum he got me actually saves me work compared to the old Looking Back Ten Years Ago · Mayor Kathy Gastle agreed to host a meeting to try to find long-term funding to prevent the closure of Acton's Off The Wall youth drop-in centre, and one in Georgetown. · Police searched for "the idiot" who cut the cord and stole the handset from the after-hours telephone outside the Halton police sub-station on Mill Street. Five Years Ago · For their unflagging work with the Acton Santa Claus Parade, Bill and Diane Spielvogel received the Acton Citizens of the Year Award. · Use it or lose it. That's the new attitude from the Town that issued a 30-day caution to local developers to proceed with their plans, or risk losing their water allocation. one with the broken hose that I was using. That time was the exception to the rule. Last year, I had an amazing Mother's Day that started with Little J giving me a hug and her doing her best to wish me a Happy Mother's Day followed by a visit to both my mom and mother in-law. We had an enjoyable breakfast out, which is one of my favourite things to do and then the Dude took Little J for an hour or so while I got my nails done. It was everything I liked and enjoyed. It wasn't about a big fancy dinner or an expensive present. It was time with my family, a couple little things that were great, and giving me a few moments for me which I needed. In retrospect, all I really need for an amazing Mother's Day was the hug and the Happy Mother's Day I got from my family. It isn't a commercial thing for me, merely the moment when I get that feeling inside that they do really appreciate all the things I do. It is for that reason that I now understand why my mom for all those years said to me: "You don't have to buy me anything." Publisher Ted Tyler Editor Frances Niblock Angela Tyler Distributed to every home in Acton and area, as well as adjoining communities. 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. Editorial Contributors email: thenewtanner@on.aibn.com 373 Queen Street East, Unit 1 Acton, Ontario L7J 2N2 Advertising and Circulation Marie Shadbolt (519) 853-0051 Fax: (519) 853-0052 Composing Traci Gardner, Iain Brennan Typesetting Melissa Paul