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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1998 THE NEW TANNER Safety recognition Acton's Keith Black, chair of the recent Halton Hills Road Safety Challenge, will be among those hon- oured October 19 at the Civic Cen- tre for helping make the streets safer. A representative of the Province will present a plaque to the mayor and Halton police for participating in the safety awareness week. Halton Hills had the third fewest reportable traffic occurrences prov- ince-wide during the week and had the lowest accident rate in the cen- tral-west area. Drumming diva Kudos to Acton's Devon Lambert who placed second province-wide in Grade 4 solo drumming competi- tions this summer. Last year Devon, in her first year of competition, placed third in Ontario. Devon is a member of the McDonald Caledonia Pipe Band in Milton and also won six medals, in- cluding one gold, two silver and three bronze, at Highland Games in southern Ontario over the summer. GRAPEVINI Farewell Irene Staff at McK enzie-Smith Bennett public school is busy organizing a good bye party for veteran school caretaker Irene Balogh who is retir- ing after 32 years and two months on the job cleaning up after students and staff. Balogh, of Acton, officially retires on October 23. For informa- tion about the retirement party call the school at 853-3800. d Trunk sale wraps up Bargain hunters will have to find some place else to browse and hag- gle because the popular Saturday morning Acton trunk sales have wrapped up for another year. There was a near-record turnout of 60 ven- dors for Saturday's:season finale and shoppers were serenaded by the Acton Citizens' Band. Trunk sale or- ganizers presented bandmaster George Elliott with a cheque for ~ $500 in thanks for the concert. Hoops help Thanks to the generosity of Acton's Ken and Muriel White of - Smallwood Acres students at Robert Little school have a new set of play- ground basketball backboards, rims and nets. "As long as I know it's for a good cause and will help the kids then I said just give me the bill. I don't want a tax receipt," Ken White said on Friday when asked about the $1,500 donation to the school. White declined the school's invi- tation to shoot the first ball at an outdoor school assembly on Monday mnorning. "Our Survey Says..: We asked students at St. Joseph's School what they were thankful for this Thanksgiv- For my friends, school and family. Maria Okroukh, 7 1/2 My friends, my family and school. Michelle Kupa, 5 1/2 i ing. I'm thankful for food and my home. Johnathon Drury, 9 For flowers and school. Steven Okroukh, 6 For my school, friends, family, my brother and my sister. Mary DeRabbie, 6 This week's New Tanner survey by Angela Tyler AS GETTING A QUICK BITE before canvassing for the United Way are (left to right) Elly Tuitman. Isabel Nicholls, Gladys Davidson, Linda Richmond and Elma Timbers. - Angela Tyler photo Thate mornings. Always have. I think it goes back to my early years when I had to trudge, five miles, in the dark to get to school. Through snow up to my waist. Barefoot! Or something like that. Last weekend was the closing golf tournament for the Acton Meadows Men's League. Throughout the summer I whiff and slash my way around the course most Wednesday evenings. It's a pleasant walk in the park with good company. We tee-off at a reasonable 4 or 5 o'clock in the afternoon. Golf was meant to be a genteel pastime. Come the-closing tournament, however, the morning glories take over. Anticipating the day, lasked well known local sportsman Fred Buchanan "What time is break- fast?" "7:30 a.m.," he said. "We tee- off at 8:30." This is on a Saturday and I have to get up earlier than I do to go to work? And this is supposed to be fun? What's the rush? Wouldn't the scores be lower if we waited until our clubs woke up? Wouldn't golf be more enjoyable if you could actually see the ball? After a lei- surely brunch for instance. _ I realize I'm probably in the minority on this issue. We do, af- ter all, live in a bedroom commu- nity. Many of my friends commute to the city and regularly try to con- vince me that early rising is won- derful. oo you see the sunrise?" they ask. "Call me back when you get your brain transplant," I reply. Idon'tneed to see the sun come up. I have every confidence that God knows His job. Besides, I see the sunset. One out of two isn't bad. We are surrounded by an agri- community. Many farm types play in the men's league. You can tell who they are. "Glorious morning," they say. "Are you raring to go?" Sure, raring, that's what I am ( e Cornucopia The Way I See It at 7:40 on a Saturday morning. Farmers are incredulous that anyone would think this is early. "Been up for hours and done the chores," they say. "The day is half done." Now I don't claim to be familiar with farm life. I know they do chores late at night - around 4 or 5 a.m., I'm told. One presumes they shear the cows, or milk the chickens at this ungoldy hour. Whatever! "Why son," they say, "Don't you know where your milk comes from?" Sure I do. The IGA. Dunnh! At any rate, we had a good day and the staff at Acton Meadows did a first rate job on the steak dinner. The competition was friendly and it was a good day for golf, once I woke up. But please fellas, couldn't we start ata more decent hour next year? A nooner is nicer. Words to live by. kkk Judging from last week's article councillor Elliott and the Town are getting some heat over the fate of the Prospect Park arena. I think that's good because too often people in our town are apathetic. Most folks agree that we need a large, general purpose building at Prospect Park. The current discus- sion is whether or not the old arena can fill that role. What concern me is the appearance of two sides in this issue. Since the overall objective is to satisfy the needs of the taxpayers, shouldn't all parties be on the same side? Are egos getting in the way of creative problem solide? If so, I trust our three Acton councillors will cut through the bureaucratese and lead all parties to a successful reso- lution. Easier said than done, for sure, but I have every confidence that our councillors can rise to the occa- > sion. I had hoped that city hall had put the "can't do" attitude behind them. I remember sitting at a meeting several years ago when a former rec staff member said that Acton would "never" have a sec- ond ice surface. There are no pro- posals for another ice pad but I resent any town employee dictat- ing that something will never hap- pen. If the citizens want it, I think the town staff should be energeti- cally exploring options to make it happen. If they are not, then our elected officials have to issue some aggressive direction to the proper departments. The councillors are the people who have to answer to their constituents and who have been taking the heat so far. Thave no doubt that our coun- cillors have the best interest of Acton foremost in their minds. If you want to save the old arena contact either Heritage Acton or the Agricultural Society. You can reach both through the New Tan- ner office. WIKI HK This being Thanksgiving weekend I would like to wish you all the bounty of the harvest. As you relax with family and friends take a moment to reflect on our good fortune to live in this coun- try. don't mean the hollow boast- ing of mega-mouth Mel that To- tonto is world class or the Feds shoving UN statistics down our throat. I have been fortunate enough to travel all over this land. Canada's riches are not her for- ests or minerals or oil. Her riches are her citizens. We are a kind and generous people who regularly welcome the less fortunate. We live in freedom that can only be imagined by the rest of the world. Our land is breathtakingly beau- tiful. Take a walk or drive and enjoy the fall colours. Tell your kids how lucky we are to be Ca- nadians. And all you Liberals out there - remember. You sprinkle the pepper on the turkey, you don't spray it. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. 4 WHAT'S VOUR BEEF? Put it in a letter to the Editor! Deadline is Tuesday at noon.