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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2012 THE NEW TANNER 7 GRAPEVINE Community Dinner There is no need for anyone to eat alone on Christmas Day. The traditional Acton Community Dinner feast ­ donated, cooked and served by volunteers ­ will continue on Tuesday, thanks to last-minute efforts of several residents who stepped after organizers announced this year's dinner would not take place at Bethel Church, the usual location which was unable to host this year's event because of on-going construction. All are invited to a free Christmas turkey dinner ­ with all he trimmings­ at St. Joseph Patron of Canada, 64 Church St. East. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. An invitation flyer says donations of food dishes and volunteers would be gladly accepted, and to call Penny at 519-853-5914 for details. Wait for it... The always-entertaining historic Acton 2013 calendar will be delivered in next week's ­ December 27 ­ issue of The New Tanner. The calendar is a Heritage Acton fundraiser to help pay for the addition to the Town Hall Centre on Willow Street. A picture of the construction site is the cover on the 2013 calendar. Copies of the calendar will be available after the 27th at Acton's Home Hardware and Halton Hills Furniture. WRITTEN WITH CARE: Students from a Grade one class at Robert Little School handdelivered their letters to Santa to the Acton Post Office last week. ­ Submitted photo Outdoor fun There will be horse drawn sleigh rides, hot chocolate and marshmallows roasted over an open fire at the Mountsberg Conservation Area in Campbellville from December 26 until January 6. All of Mountsberg's "residents" ­ the birds of prey, bison and farm animals will M&M Meats to close be ready for after-holiday Unhappy customers and visitors, and the play barn "sad" staff. That's the atmos- will be open. The sleigh phere at the Acton M&M rides ­ or wagon rides deMeats in the Mac's variety pending on the weather ­ are store which will close mid- available at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. January. An employee, who daily on a first-come, first did not wanted to be named served basis. because she had no authority to speak for M&M, said Civic condolences Mac's chose not to renew a Halton Hills residents franchise arrangement with who wish to formally conM&M at six remaining co- sole Newtown, Connecticut stores in Ontario, including are invited to sign a Book Acton. "We've seen a lot of Condolence in the Civic of upset customers, includ- Centre lobby in Georgetown. ing seniors who shop off the On Tuesday, Mayor Rick weekly flyer on seniors' day Bonnette said more than to save money," she said, eight books had been filled adding loyal customers can with notes of love and symshop in Georgetown, Milton pathy following the tragic or Guelph after the Acton mass shooting that took the store closes in approximately lives of 20 first-graders, six three weeks. educators, and the mother *** of the shooter, who took his Not Giant Tiger own life. The M&M closure sparked Mayor Bonnette said he a persistent rumour that Giant would send the books to the Tiger was closing, but that is mayor of Newtown in the untrue. New Year. Cemetary vandalism causes more grief Dear Editor, I am writing this letter in the hopes that someone will speak up and tell the proper authorities. Today, (Monday) I went to visit my husband's grave just like every Monday. However, today when I went I realized someone has knocked over a bunch of the little plastic signs that the funeral home provides so that you know where your loved one has been buried. They also left beer bottles all over the place. I find this very disrespectful and hurtful. I try to keep my husband's area clean and the Town does a wonderful job of ensuring that it is also kept that way. I haven't been able to afford to put a tombstone up yet, so the little plastic sign is all we have. When they get knocked over it is sometimes hard to remember who goes where. I am just glad that my children did not decide to visit their dad, for I fear this may have caused them more heartache then me. If you have any informa tion about any of this please contact the police. Or just STOP doing it. Have some respect! Thank you, Jennifer Gerrard Acton, ON Length of residency not a factor The first exception I take to Angela Tyler's column is to the reference to Acton as "our own little town." The town is the Town of Halton Hills (population 49,000) which includes Georgetown and Acton as well as several hamlets in the area. Secondly, the constant reference to "long term residents'" versus those of us who are considered "recent" is not only getting old, it is incredibly offensive. It is us, the "recent" residents of Halton Hills (in particular Acton) that have permitted the town to grow and thrive. All of the new businesses that have opened and the success of those already in existence would not have occurred with just "long term residents" living here. In fact, 12 years ago, when I moved here, Acton appeared to be on the verge of ruin. In that time, the Sobeys plaza has been built, high end consignment stores have moved in, the Roxy, Blue Springs Spa, Giant Tiger, Shoppers Drug Mart and several other stores have successfully opened. Acton would be almost non-existent without the "recent" residents here. Change and growth are not always bad. Acton has been allowed to flourish because of the money spent and taxes collected from us "recent" residents. It is a challenge to read A n g e l a Ty l e r 's c o l u m n week after week when she paints herself to be such a small minded individual. It is not endearing, in fact it exacerbates the perception of a small-town mentality, which I believe all of Halton Hills, and particularly Acton has tried to overcome. Just as I am sure she takes of fence to the perception of long-term Acton residents all being related to each other, uneducated and missing their teeth, we "recent" residents take offence to the constant class distinction between the two. Your column itself this week puts the blame for vehicular-pedestrian accidents squarely on the shoulders of the drivers. Although many consider the pedestrian to always have the right of way, it is foolish for any pedestrian to think they can take on a multi-ton vehicle and win. People have become lazy, stupid or just plain ignorant. Parents are not teaching their children the care and caution required to navigate the roads as pedestrians. It is not always someone else's fault. Sure drivers need to slow down and take their time. But just as importantly, pedestrians need to take responsibility for their own safety. Make sure drivers see you and know what your next move is going to be. Be aware that during particular times of day (sunrise, sunset) it is especially challenging for drivers to see. At the end of the day, your injuries will not outweigh the right of way you thought you had. Sincerely, Anne-Marie Jander Acton, ON