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EDITORIAL With Paul Nolan Keep those cards and letters coming, folks! Hard to believe, but this is the ninth edition of The Acton Tanner. It certainly feels like we've been at this job a whole lot longer. No real break-in period; no infancy, so to speak. Just a hectic start-up, a few 26-hour days and here we are -- a hometown community newspaper, located right in the heart of town at the traffic lights, serving the community like we've been here for years and years. The truth is, the response we've received from you all -- readers and advertisers both -- has been nothing short of overwhelming. We've been sent letters and cards, faxes and flowers. Champagne, even. A day does not go by that we aren't stopped on the street with a warm greeting by a loyal reader, usually followed up by a sincere offering of congratulations. And just 10 minutes ago, I opened yet another letter sent to us by a rural Acton reader who just had to let us know "what a pleasure it is to read a real local newspaper." This letter-writer went on to explain that she intended to contact our "competition" and inform them to "save some trees" and please stop dropping their product at her house. Another community newspaper recently wrote that we've "taken Acton by storm." i suppose so. But that certainly doesn't mean we'll become lazy; here at The Tanner we really do strive to make improvements each and every day, each and every issue. Honestly, I think The Tanner is a great newspaper. I think Acton is a great town. A hometown and a hometown newspaper of which we can all be proud! A number of people have called our office to purchase their subscription to The Tanner, but we've been accepting only their good wishes. In our first issue back on May 26, we did write that we would be selling subscriptions in June. However, we have delayed the sale of subscriptions until the fall, deciding it would be better to lengthen our introductory period and not mount a subscription drive in the midst of summer holidays. Many people just don't understand how we can afford not to charge for our newspaper, and they are right! To ensure the quality and quantity of our news coverage continues, we will ask our readers to pay a nominal sum each week -- that way, we can afford to pay our printer, our landlord, our staff, the tax man, Bell Canada ... you know the story! Got a big response to our new column titled Grapevine, which was introduced on our op-ed page last week. A few readers contacted me with concerns about our coverage of "unrest in the congregation" at Trinity United Church, feeling that our coverage did not help matters, and only served to fan the flames of any discontent. As I explained, this call is a tough one to make; we sincerely do not wish to insult or offend anyone, yet we do feel an obligation to cover all the news that's happening out there. If you have strong feelings about this issue, or any other item we cover, let us know! Eric was on holidays last week. He'll be back in this space next Tuesday. Recreational swimming this summer There will be recreational swimming at Acton pools this summer, 2 to 4 pm. The Prospect Park wading pool is open Monday to Friday from 1:30 to 4 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 noon to 5 pm. Lifeguards are on duty. Acton Summer Camps The Recreation and Parks Department offers an exciting program of crafts, games, sports and swimming! Also a trip every Thursday to major attractions such as Ontario Place, the Metro Zoo, Canada's Wonderland and more. Ages four to 14. Weekly registration or day passes are available. For info call 873-2600, ext. 270. Summer Art Camp The Recreation and Parks Department has an exciting two weeks of workshops lined up for our Studio Art Camp. Led by professional artists, there will be sessions on puppets, Indian face masks, toll painting and more. Games, sports and swimming are also scheduled. The program is filling up quickly, so register now, at Acton High School from August 10 to 21. For more information call 873-2600, ext. 270. But summer hasn't even started yet! The Acton Fire Fighters Association would like to remind everyone that plans are well underway for their annual Acton Santa Clause Parade. This annual event, hosted by our Association, is being held on Saturday, November 21, and the theme this year isA// Wrapped Up For Christmas. Your anticipated support and co-operation for this and other special events is very much appreciated and we thank you very much. William R. Spielvogel Chairman, Acton Santa Claus Parade Committee Minor Softball draw winners announced On behalf of the Acton Minor Softball Association, I wish to offer congratulations to Mark Thompson of Brampton, who won * first prize of a CD. player in our July 11 fund-raising draw. Congratulations also go out to Mark Ishoy of Campbellville, who won second prize, a 20-inch colour television. We would like to thank all the players of minor softball for selling tickets. Top sellers were: Ryan Turpin (first place); Jimmy Dickinson, Kevin Moreland, Shawn Prentice and Tommy Winstone (all tied for second place). Thank you. Cornelia Turpin Acton Minor Softball