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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE Jubilee Medal recipient Congrats to Acton's Dorothy Rognvaldson who will be honoured with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal on September 13 at the Acton Seniors Centre. Rognvaldson, a former Acton Citizen of the Year and veteran volunteer will be presented with the medal by Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong on behalf of the Governor General. The commemorative medal was created to mark the 2012 celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the Throne. Officials said the Medal is a tangible way for Canada to honour Her Majesty for her service to this country, and it serves to honour significant contributions and achievements by Canadians. During the year of celebrations, 60,000 Canadians will receive Medals. Hero housing Once again, local youth are invited to help raise awareness about affordable housing and homelessness as part of Halton Region's Be a Hero, Be a Voice for Affordable Housing contest which, in past years, has been won by students from Acton High School. Using a variety of art forms ­ YouTube videos, stories/poems, posters, comic books, architectural models, photos essays, songs and public service announcements to name a few ­ participants, aged 14 to 18, are asked to create submissions that captures why affordable housing is important in Halton. Contest rules and requirements are posted at www. halton.ca/beahero Doors Open Behind every door there is a story ­ often detailing Ontario's hidden heritage treasures, some of which have never been open to the public. The first Doors Open Halton Hills takes place on September 29 in Georgetown, and on September 30 in Acton. In Acton, the doors will be open from noon to 4 p.m. at the old Town Hall Centre on Willow Street, the MacKinnon Funeral Home on Mill Street, Moorecroft House on Church Street and St. Alban the Martyr Anglican Church. The Town Hall Centre is a heritage building with a bell tower, beautifully restored grand hall and a cold, dark jail cell. MacKinnon's, built in 1879, was formerly called Sunderland Villa and was the home of the founder of Storey Glove, and then used as a home for WWI vets. It was empty during the Depression and re-opened as a funeral home in 1937. Built in 1896 for the newspaper owner/editor Henry Moore, Moorecroft House was sold to Wesley Beatty, manager of the local tannery in 1937, and exemplifies the Queen Anne-style of architecture. St. Alban's Church, built in 1872, with three additions made over the decades, including a main sanctuary, which was renovated at the turn of the century. There are seven Georgetown Open Door locations, and all of the sites are free for the public to visit. For details visit www. doorsopenontario.on.ca Women's Coffee Break resumes Despite the on-going construction, Acton's Bethel church is gearing up for its fall programs, including Coffee Break and the children's Story Hour. Coffee Break kicks off on September 19 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., with a meet and greet, and a chance to register kids for Story Hour for three-to-five year olds. For those undertwo, nursery care is available. Women are invited to meet new people, enjoy a coffee or tea and learn more about the bible and God. For details call Sandra at 519-853-1189. Free compost and waste disposal Halton is gearing up for two of its popular fall waste diversion events, including the free Compost Give Away on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Halton's Waste Management Site on Highway 25 in Milton. Bring your own container or bag and a shovel. Residents are invited to one of two special waste drop-off days ­ the closest one at Mohawk Raceway on October 20 when there will be no charge to drop off items including pesticides, paint, motor oil, propane tanks, computers and other electrical items. For details dial 311 or toll-free 1-866-4225866. On display The arresting artwork of Acton resident Ann Hamilton ­ watercolours titled Red Flowers ­ is spotlighted in the Mayor's Showcase at the Civic Centre. Hamilton, who has donated works to help raise money for local non-profit groups, also designed the logos for the Acton Curling Club, the Acton Agricultural Society's Homecraft division and characters for the Egg Farmers of Ontario. PICNIC PALS: Guests enjoyed a recent picnic at Camp Edgewood in Eden Mills to celebrate the work of Acton's Dr. John Dougan Centre for Mental Health Promotion. ­ Submitted photo "I'd like to be your friend." To the Editor, I should like to make Rockwood known as the friendliest town in Ontario. The history of Rockwood suggests that the town's original name was Friends Town, since it was founded by a group of Quakers. My plan is to make Rockwood friendly ­ one person at a time (Perhaps I should tell you this idea is from my "bucket list." ­ Something I'd like to do before I kick the bucket) Will you help me reader? It is a super easy plan. Step One ­ Go up to your neighbour, the very next time you see him/her outside. Step Two ­ Put on your biggest smile, put out your hand, and shake his/her hand. Step Three ­ Cheerfully, say "Hello! I am ---- and I'd like to be your friend." It will create such a wonderfully happy moment you will wonder why you did not do it before. (Researchers found that a Dopamine surge ­ floods our brain, when we create a happy situation.) I dare you to try this. It will give you such a surge of Dopamine, you will certainly do it again, and again. Thank you for making Rockwood the Friendly Town Yours sincerely, Mrs S. Drijber (Your Friend) A heartfelt Thank you To the Editor, Thank you to the many local volunteers, donors and sponsors who helped to make the third annual picnic for the Dr. John Dougan Centre for Mental Health Promotion such a happy and fun-filled event. More than 70 people visited Camp Edgewood in Eden Mills for the party. We are so lucky to be based within such a supportive and caring community. There are so many examples of this, as we find every time we seek help and support for our clients. The Dr. John Dougan Centre for Mental Health Promotion is a registered charity, with an office located in the Heritage Acton Town Hall at 19 Willow Street North. The charity's next ma- jor event will be the annual Christmas Party at the Acton Legion in December. For more information or to volunteer, please email Doug Jamieson, Board Chair (mail@dougjam.ca) or telephone Joy Dougan at 519853-0605. Regards, Jane Dougan Acton, ON