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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 5THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, MAY 10, 20184 I'm one of those mom's that keeps things. My delightful husband likes to bug me about it. Although, I'm not nearly as bad as one of those televisions shows on hoarding. However, I just can't throw some things out. When the kids were toddlers, I decided I was only going to keep about a dozen outfits of theirs from each "stage". It didn't take long to realize that was not a good idea. I remember sitting in the living room, between about six piles of baby clothes which were a good three feet tall think- ing I must be crazy. In the end, I did keep some things like their coming home from the hospital outfit, their first Christmas outfit and such. I know some people might think clothes are kept for the parents more than the child years down the road, however, not always. A few years back, I asked my mom about a special dress I had for my dance recital with the Joyce Carpenter Dan- cers. I was about four years old and I danced to a song about three little fishies, and I had a red dress with yellow and white fish on it. I loved that dress. Of course, I asked my mom for it so Little J could wear it years ago, and of course, it was the only thing of mine she couldn't find. Sometimes it's not always about the parent. There are other things that I just don't know what to do with--even though Pinterest has great options. I do pretty well at keeping just the essential kid school work and art. However, the pile sits very unattractively atop a cupboard in our kitchen. I shoved the original pieces there early in our school career, and it is truly at the point where I have to address it …soon. I'm guess- ing a lot of it will be tossed out. I am thinking about utilizing on- line albums or cloud storage, but there's something special about looking at the actual item dec- ades from now. Photographs, which are basic- ally non-existent compared to 10 or more years ago, I just can't throw out. I might be old school but bring out a photo album and most people will still look at it. Isn't it much more pleasant to look at a photo album compared to an iPhone? Then there are the greeting cards, or Christmas present tags. This one is a hard habit to break. I come from a long line of greeting card keepers and my sister taught me to save Christ- mas present tags. I'm not as bad as she was with the present tags, but I wonder why I keep them? Recently, my mom went through some of her keepsakes and taught me a lesson. While looking through and reminiscing about birthday and anniversary cards or even just cards that never seem to come in the mail anymore she asked herself, "why am I keeping these?" It's a hard question to answer some- times, especially if the card is from someone who isn't with us anymore. She re-read the cards and decided which ones she was keeping, which was less than the number she was throwing out. Sometimes people find it easy to tell others to "just get rid of it" or ask, "Why are you keep- ing it? You know you don't need it or use it anymore." It's an easy question to ask. How- ever, sometimes the answer isn't always the easiest to find, and sometimes you just need to be patient and wait for the answer to find you. Editorial Distributed to every home in Acton and area, as well as adjoining communities. Contact us: 379 Queen Street East Acton, Ontario L7J 2N2 Tel: 519-853-0051 Fax: 519-853-0052 E-mail: General: thenewtanner@on.aibn.com (including Advertising and Circulation) Editoral: tannereditor@bellnet.ca Deadline: Advertising and Editorial TUESDAY at 9 a.m. 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. Publisher: Ted Tyler Editorial: Dawn Brown, Angela Tyler, Jane Dougan, Vivien Fleisher, Les Schmidt, Harry Rudolfs, Trish Bell, Alex Hilson, Michael Oke Historical Contributor: Scott Brooks Advertising and Circulation: Marie Shadbolt Production: Iain Brennan Logo Design: Alexis Brown By Angela Tyler Knowing when to let go with Dawn Brown Emergency Preparedness looking Back By: Scott Brooks REMEMBERING MOM: A Blue Springs Flower Shop ad from the Acton Free Press, advertising Mother's Day back in 1977. Editor's Note: A reminder that Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13, 2018 As I write this editorial, I'm looking out the window at cloudless blue skies, and the predicted temperature for today is warm, even above seasonal. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were facing a three-day long ice storm. While we were fortunate that there were more ice pellets than freezing rain--the latter possibly resulting in downed power- lines like during 2013's ice storm--the lesson we can take, as well as from last week's wind storm, is that it's important to be prepared in case of an emergency. Unpredictable weather aside, an emergency by definition brings with it a level of unexpectedness. Though, we all hope that we will never have to face a worst-case scenario, the mere possibility that we could should be enough reason to make sure we are ready in case we do find ourselves facing the un- imaginable. Just because an emergency can be unexpected doesn't mean we can't be prepared. This week, from May 6 to 12, is Emergency Prepared- ness Week. This annual event encourages people across the country to make a plan that will protect themselves and their families in the case of an emergency. This year's theme-- "Be Emergency Ready: Stay Connected"--was probably best demonstrated with the Province's test of the Ontario Emergency Public Warning System that sends alerts to tele- visions, radios and now mobile devices. On May 7 many of us received a test emergency alert text. While being aware of potential emergencies is important, knowing what to do and being ready to act is perhaps equally important. Halton Region suggests three important steps to better prepare in case of an emergency: • Know the risks: identify potential hazards in the commun- ity and sign up for emergency alerts from the Province or a local news provider. Knowing what to do and where to go when facing weather hazards and/or personal emergencies can help reduce risks to residents and their families. • Make a plan: establish what all members of a household should do before, during and after various emergencies. Being sure that your family has an escape plan and knows what to do should they need to evacuate or shelter in place is important. • Get a kit: assemble, buy or refresh the items required to stay safe and healthy for 72 hours, including supplies for older adults, children and pets. Having a kit prepared that will allow your family to remain self-sufficient for 72 hours, gives time to those responding to the emergency. No one wants to face that worst-case scenario, but by taking the time to be prepared in case of an emergency you can help reduce the impact to you and your family. For more infor- mation, visit Halton Region's website, halton.ca/beprepared