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6 THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012 EDITORIAL with Frances Niblock Hallmark holiday or heartfelt celebration? Many people remember their mothers and mother figures ­ stepmothers, relatives, mothers-in-law, guardian or a family friend ­ on Mother's Day in many different ways with cards, flowers, or cakes, family gatherings or visits, family meals and phone calls Early Mother's Day celebrations date back to the spring celebrations to honour Rhea, the Mother of the Gods, in ancient Greek civilization. Later, Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom was traditionally a day for people to visit the church where they were baptized, although it now also celebrates motherhood in modern times. The modern-day origins of Mother's Day can be attributed to two women ­ Julia Ward Howe and Anna Jarvis, who were important in establishing the tradition in the United States. Around 1870, Julia Ward Howe called for Mother's Day to be celebrated each year. It continued to be held in Boston for about 10 years under her sponsorship, but died out after that. Other sources say that Juliet Calhoun Blakely initiated Mother's Day in Albion, Michigan, in the late 1800s. Her sons paid tribute to her each year and urged others to honour their mothers. Many people believe that Mother's Day is now largely commercialized, with card companies, flower shops, jewellery stores, gift shops, restaurants, hotels, and department stores advertising promotions and special deals for this event. However you choose to mark Mother's Day ­ make sure it includes heartfelt thanks to all moms. `ELVIS' ENTERTAINS: Elvis tribute artist Stephen Kabakos channelled the gospel Elvis during a concert on Saturday at Knox Presbyterian Church in Acton. ­ Ted Tyler photo Angela's Downtown envy A week ago, I attended the last event of the Absolutely Acton Speakers' Series at the Town Hall Centre with guest Christopher Hume, the urban affairs reporter with from the Toronto Star. It wasn't what I expected, however he had a lot of interesting points and it got me thinking, talking and writing about our downtown. I wanted to write about our downtown after listening to Hume ­ I felt inspired with questions and wonder. I thought about what Hume had said, and in my mind I had visions of neighbouring communities and their downtowns. I wondered why downtown Georgetown is now thriving with full storefronts used for retail and restaurants? Why did Milton have a glorious downtown when they are so close to Mississauga and the land of box stores and shopping malls? Erin is full of quaint and practical stores. Why aren't we? That was what I had planned to write about. I knew I had written about it before, however, I was feeling as if nothing had really changed. For seven years the window's of one downtown building have been covered with garbage bags, and there are more services and retails stores. I had one person counterpoint my thoughts, them insisting what a great job the BIA is doing and the hard By Angela Tyler work BIA manager Josey Bonnette puts into the core of our community. I agreed whole heartily. Josey does a great job with the flower and keeping the downtown clean and I can't wait for our Farmers' Market to resume. It's small with plenty to offer, and I was excited to receive an email from the BIA announcing this year's Market dates. I go to BIA events, such as the Market, but for some reason, I go to the Market, then I leave. Once in a while I might go to the bank or a store, but for the most part I leave. When we go to the Leathertown Festival, we go, and then we leave. We don't shop. Same thing for the Hallowe'en ghost walk with the kids. I wanted answers. I was jealous. Why can't we have downtowns like others? Why couldn't Christopher Hume have the magic answer? On Monday night I was reading online and complaining to the Dude, asking what I should write about. I don't ask him very often. Heck, he doesn't even read what I write, why was I asking him. "I don't know what to write about...everything Looking Back · Location, design and fundraising were key issues debated by a committee of kids/parents/and elected officials that wants to build a skateboard park in Acton. · Police looked for the owner of a medium-sized black dog that bit a four-year-old Acton boy when he ran past it at the IGA plaza. The boy was treated in hospital for minor injuries. · Plans for a possible super highway running through Halton Hills to connect the 410/407 to the Guelph, Kitchener area are unveiled by the Ministry of Transportation. · Hostas, day lilies and other flowers will bloom in memory of Acton's Max MacSween ­ a Master Gardener and Acton Horticultural Society executive ­ at a new garden at Rotary Park on Main Street. Ten Years Ago I think of isn't going anywhere." Then I proceeded to tell him about my thoughts on the downtown. "Why don't you write about that" he suggested. "Write about what... my inability to come up with something substantial enough to write about?" I was getting as they say, snarky, at that point. "I did that once and it was dumb." Then, in a surprisingly calm manner, he made a very good point. "Have you looked around downtown? Have you ever thought it isn't our downtown at all?" I stopped and stared at him. When did he become Obi Wan Kenobi? "Did you ever think it's because you live here and you don't really see what we have. We have the touristy stuff like other places do. We have restaurants. We have stores." And with that he went back to watching TV. By George, I think he has something with that thought. Maybe some things about our downtown haven't changed and maybe there are changes in the future for it. However, right now I think it's me that needs to change. I have always tried to shop as much as I can in Acton and locally, but maybe this year when we go to the Market we can take a few extra moments and check out some of the other vendor's downtown that I sometimes forget about, and shop even more in Acton. Five Years Ago 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