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One afternoon in the spring, I interviewed an amusing woman who "talks" for a living (no, not Joan Rivers), and in the fall, we played golf in a fundraiser for Halton Women‘s Place. Do you know what particularly pleases me? With no conscious effort whatsoever, I have spent my time equally this year with women and men. It has not always been so. In the course of my travels, I‘ve interviewed at least three authors, two doctors, a lawyer, and the presâ€" ident of a major automobile comâ€" pany (Jim Somebody, I think). I‘ve chewed the fat with a couple of athletic types, two high school kids, and two young ladies in eleâ€" mentary school (already fighting the good fight against impaired driving). I also met with a teacher and two pretty special "coppers" â€" one male and one female. Everybody has a passion for something. At least, this is what I‘ve found â€" rich people, poor peoâ€" ple, sick people, well people. I‘ve rubbed shoulders with folks in high places and folks in relatively low places. I‘ ve chatted with artists, tradespeople, and community volâ€" unteers. In all cases, I‘ ve tried to make them feel comfortable and confident to bring out their best qualities. I‘ve tried to reflect those qualities accurately. You can learn a lot from talking to people; funny people, sincere people, people worked up over worthwhile causes, and business ventures. . nce again, 1993 was an | Odyssey for me. One thing _A led to another. Just when I thought I‘d cornered my last proâ€" file candidate another handful of names and numbers rattled across my desk. Truth told, with 110,000 souls in Oakville, I guess, I‘ve only scratched the surface. 1993 was year of learning and growing pains I‘ve certainly changed my tone over the years. While I haven‘t been able to totally expunge that "sky wit" (the curse, I believe, of my dear departed mama), I have gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of this town. I genuinely like the people. Much, I hope, as Stephen Leacock genuineâ€" ly liked the people of Mariposa (Orillia). It is an analogy I favor greatly. One last thing, on a personal and philosophical note. I hope you will indulge me. My husband and I As it turned out, the course instructor, Hugh Thomson was his name, was an old chum of one of the Gairdner boys. He reminisced with some irony of days spent cavorting at Gairloch as a young man. Still, he graciously called my piece a "bit of sly wit", and gave it an ‘A‘. I took it as a compliment â€" a triumph of style over substance. We went to the Courtyard Cafe (in Toronto) when the course ended. The rest, as they say, is history. Loads of fun, alas, not much profit. Appearances are deceiving, okay? Obviously, I hadn‘t done my research. for pretentious wealth and rigid _ conservatism. Well, how did I know? There I was, new on the block, ensconced with my young family in a modest bungalow in "unremarkable" west Oakville. East Oakville was "prestigious" (I‘d heard); ye olde Oakville was nothing short of "hallowed". "Don‘t take things that aren‘t yours," he continued. "Say you‘re "Share everything," Fulghum wrote. "Play fair. Don‘t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess." Later, much later, I realized it had been this son who had once given me the book "All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten," by Robert Fulghum. After a quick hug goodâ€"bye, I came up with this feeble advice: ‘"Be nice to people. Usually they‘re nice back." When we left him that day in September, our first born, our little prince, our wild and crazy guy, to share a room the size of our kitchen with two other 19â€"yearâ€"old specimens of budding manhood, all words seemed inadequate. (If this isn‘t one of the most traumatic moments in a mother‘s life, I do not know what is.) saw our "number one" son graduâ€" ate from high school this year and sent him off to the University in Guelph; to live in residence, to go to classes, and God willing, not drink too much beer. To obtain more information or register for the seminar Dr. Calvin W. Breslin 239â€"4623 MISSISSAUGA CENTRAL LIBRARY (301 Burnhamthorpe Rd., West of Hurontario) at 7:00 p.m. on: Tuesday, JANUARY 18th Wednesday, FEBRUARY 9th Thousands of once nearâ€"sighted people now enjoy this freedom. An advanced laser procedure which takes an eye doctor only minutes to perform has changed the way they see the world. If you‘re over 21 and nearâ€"sighted, you may be a suitable candidate. 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Fulghum, like everybody‘s kindergarten teacher, no doubt, The author went on to outline the importance of milk and cookies on a daily basis, afternoon naps, and leading a balanced life, and "when you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together." sorry when you hurt someone. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush." We offer 1 hr. of fun, fittness, music and games on our fully equipped kindergym circuit (12,000 sq. ft.) Maximum 24 children 6 to 1 ratio (child to coach) “‘67 All instructors N.C.C.P. certified ANTOINETTES GYMNASTIC CLUB AIKIDO YOSHINKAN OF BURLINGTON â€" SEIWAKAN DOJO INC. 15 A REGISTERED NONâ€"PROFIT ORGANIZATION AFFILIATED WITH THE IVAF HONBU DOJO IN TOKYO, JAPAN. ALL INSTRUCTORS ARE CERTIFIED WITH JAPAN. Learn how: â€"to get 12â€"15% in your RRSP‘s â€"reduce the amount of income tax you have to pay â€"to retire worry free â€"pay off your mortgage early â€" Date Location â€" ALL NURSERY SCHOOLS DAYCARE CENTERS PLEASE JOIN US FOR ONE COMPLIMENTARY VISIT INTRODUCTORY COURSE FOR MEN WOMEN STARTING JANUARY 31 with 16 oneâ€"hour classes (8 weeks) Cost $50 â€" Registration deadline is January 24 IF: YOu ussomd HIS IDEAS, YOU w PROSPER A nonâ€"competitive Japanese martial art emphasizing technique, not strength! The small can handle the large. A powerful means of selfâ€"defense, discipline and fitness. A builder of selfâ€"esteem! CYYE January 22, 1994 Yoshinkan of Burlington 850 Legion Rd., Unit #7 Everything he really needed to know he learned a long time ago. Our university man is home for the holidays now. He seems to have survived his first semester â€" loved it. So, I wonder, what was the big fuss? The words while sentimental are full of basic truths and good advice for any age. stressed the wonder of life â€" the reality of death.