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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2012 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE Apple Day thanks Thanks to the generosity of another local Scouting group ­ which did not want to be identified ­ First Acton Scouts were able to hold their Apple Day on Saturday, and turn a profit. With the price of apples doubling over last year because of a blossom-killing frost and summer drought, there was concern among Scouts across the province that the major Apple Day fundraisers would not fill the movement's coffers this year, as it has for the past 60 years in Acton. The apples were given to people as a thank you for making a donation to the Scouting movement. The donation of five bushels of apples ­ they have distributed as many a nine bushels in past years ­ was enough for Acton Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers to raise approximately $800 on Saturday ­ enough to pay for this winter's heating bill at the Scout HQ on School Lane. proximately 145 skaters this session, Club officials said the bottle drive funds would "help keep the Club alive." The Club is hosting a poker tournament on Saturday (October 20) at the Acton Town Hall featuring cash prizes of $500, $300, $150 and $50. The $50 entry fee includes the first set of chips and a light lunch. For details call 519-853-3348. Senior help Seniors and adults with disabilities can get help with their fall year cleanup and winter snow shovelling from Links2Care, the local social services umbrella organization. For details contact 905-873-6502. FUNDRAING FEAST: Members of Knox Presbyterian Church ­ including clockwise from left front: Marion Crumplen, Gillian Johnston, Bob Jeffries and Damon Crumplen, enjoyed a fundraising dinner at the church on Saturday, Proceeds are earmarked for the Renee Watson Scholarship fund to help pay for teachers at a Kenyan school. ­ Frances Learment photo Trinity celebrates Former Trinity United Church minister Deborah McKellar is the guest speaker when the congregation celebrates 167 years of Worship, Work and Witness on Sunday, October 28. Trinity is also offering a 12-week Bible Study course Bottles and bets ­ First Light: Jesus and the A s i g n i f i c a n t d r o p i n Kingdom of God, which beregistrations and rising ice gins on Thursday, October rental costs prompted the 25, and run from 6:30 to 8 Acton Skating Club to stage p.m. Trinity is also prepping its first bottle drive on Sat- for its annual Santa's Workurday ­ a success according shop Christmas Bazaar on to Club officials who hoped Saturday, November 10. to end the day with a $1,000 For details of any Trinity profit. With registrations program, call 519-853down 35 per cent to ap- 2090. Creeping violent crime concerns Here's what I really like about Acton. I like growing up here knowing I was safe. Actually I don't know if I really knew I was safe because I didn't know what unsafe was. When I was growing up the rules were strict, yet simple. Rule one, don't go anywhere without asking or telling my folks where I was off to. If I was jotting off across the road to a friend's to play Barbies or we were going to hop on our bikes to ride down to Prospect Park, I had to let them know where I was going and when I was going to be back. Rule number two was the one that has been around forever...don't talk to strangers. That was really about it. I was fortunate I grew up in a small town in an era where child abductions were never heard of. "Crime" happened in the big city and the police in town were here to "keep the peace". My childhood memories are almost like Leave It To Beaver ­ when it came to safety. People in town knew each other, knew the kids and knew if they saw a kid doing something they shouldn't be doing they'd tell them By Angela Tyler HOMELESS HOUNDS: Patches (left) and Peanut, a brother and sister pair of King Charles Spaniel/Shitzu mixes need a new home ­ together. They have been fostered since their Acton owner died recently. Interested? Call Marilyn at 519-853-9483. ­ Frances Learment photo not to, or tell their parents. It was pretty basic. I was safe because of all that, and it was all we knew. I hate watching the late news on television. It always starts with a shooting or some violent crime. The front pages of most of the big newspapers are the same way. I read them, or I try to, yet sometimes I just can't. Since becoming a mom, there are some stories that hurt too bad to read. Until recently, I would joke that Acton crime was someone rummaging through an unlocked car stealing CD's or loose change. I think we've had two murders in probably a hundred years and I think one of them was an accident. I felt we were pretty safe however, I am not naïve. I watch our kids like a hawk, and when we are out at a store or a public place they are never out of my reach. When Little J was learning to walk I was politically incorrect and had a walking harness for her. People starred at me with a "she's got a leash on her kid," look, but I knew she was safe. I still think compared to many communities we are "safe" or safer than many, yet at the same time, I am starting to get a little concerned. In the past year, we have had too many "big" and/or violent crimes happen closer and closer to home. In Milton, and now Georgetown, we have had murder-suicides. We had an elderly woman held hostage for hours in her own home in Georgetown, and several people were stabbed one night in Norval. These are just a few violent crimes that occurred. I grew up with our doors to our home unlocked. Heck, in the summertime I think there was always a window down in my dad's car when we went to sleep at night. I rode my bike carefree throughout town. We still have those petty crimes of stealing small change from unlocked cars but the big crimes are coming too close for my liking. Is it a sign of the times? Is it because of all the massive housing developments in neighbouring towns? Who knows...but I don't like it.