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•Th e IFP• H alton H ills, Thursday, D ecem ber 19, 2013 7 GEORGETOWN'S Best Kept Secret! 46 Armstrong Ave www.MiskasWoodProducts.com Casings Baseboards Crown Mouldings 416 - 220 - 2741 • Truck Accessories • Upholstery • Heavy Equipment Glass •Window Tinting 354 Guelph Street, Georgetown 905-873-1655 We handle all insurance work. • your window & door professionals • 341 Guelph St., Unit 3 Georgetown 905.873.0236 www.buy-wise.ca info@buy-wise.ca • awarded readers choice 20 times • Visit our showroom COMMENT MPP hits the ice in January Christmas time is upon us, the sea- son of faith, family and friends; good wishes, gifts, and gatherings. For Christians, the celebration of the birth of Christ is the reason for the sea- son. The life of Christ calls us to love and trust God, and to love one another. We are reminded that amid all the Christmas cheer, life contin- ues to be an uphill struggle for many people in our com- munities. We don't ignore our neigh- bours' needs, whether they be personal, spiritual or materi- al. Our community organiza- tions and churches are reach- ing out to those in need, to ensure that the joy, peace and love of the Christmas message is spread to all. I want to express my sincere thanks to all who are actively involved and supporting efforts to ensure everyone has a Merry Christmas. • • • As in the past, my wife Lisa and I are hosting three community events in January. On Sunday, January 12, from 2-4 p.m., we have our New Year Celebra- tion at the Victoria Park Centre, 150 Al- bert St. W. in Fergus. Our special guest is Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong. The following Sunday, (Jan. 19) from 2-3:30 p.m., we host the Acton Family Skate at Acton Arena, 415 Queen St.. On Sunday, Jan. 26, from 2:15-3:45 p.m., we are having our Georgetown Family Skate at the Mold-Masters SportsPlex, 221 Guelph St. • • • Once again this year, I was glad to participate in "Ted Flanagan's Olde- Fashioned Christmas Special," at St. John's United Church, part of the Georgetown BIA's "Magic on Main" Christmas event. MP Michael Chong was involved too, and I was glad to see Regional Councillor Jane Fogal in the audience. I had a lot of fun singing John Len- non's Happy Christmas (War is Over), but so far, no record company has called to offer me a contract! Ted Flanagan and his team did a fabulous job organizing the concert, and the money raised is earmarked for a good cause. • • • The Ontario Legislature finished up its fall sitting on Dec. 12, and one of the final items of business was the Royal Assent to Bill 125, the Lincoln Alexander Day Act. This new law commemo- rates the birthdate of Lin- coln Alexander, one of our greatest public servants. Born on Jan. 21, 1922, Al- exander, overcame racism to become the first black Member of Parliament and first black federal cabinet minister in Canadian history. He later served as Chair of the Ontario Worker's Compen- sation Board, as Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, and as the longest-serving Chancellor of the University of Guelph. He passed away in October 2012. In securing the passage of Bill 125, l worked across party lines with my col- leagues Liberal MPP Bas Balkissoon, and NDP MPP Paul Miller, who both agreed to co-sponsor the Bill. Very few Private Members' Bills are passed into law, but by working to- gether we were able to see Bill 125 pass Second and Third Reading on the very same day: November 28. In honouring Alexander, we honour not just a great man, but also the values he lived by: service, perseverance, hu- mility and humanity. • • • From my family to yours, Merry Christmas, and all the best in 2014. --Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott welcomes your comments. He can be reached at 1-800-265-2366. His web- site address is www.tedarnottmpp.com. TED ARNOTT The way we were This photo from 1958 is suitable considering the past week's weather. A team of horses are shown snowplowing in Terra Cotta past the General Store, which was built in 1899 shortly after the name of the village was changed from Salmonville. Photo courtesy of Esquesing Historical Society; Content: Halton Hills Heritage A two-horsepower snowplow 'At the end of the day it's just stuff.' --Fire victim David Cairns see story Pg.3 At the Georgetown Horticultural Society's annual potluck dinner, John Reiter (right), Georgetown store manager of Sheridan Nurs- eries, presented the Sheridan Nurseries Centenary Award to Jo MacLean. The new award com- memorated Sheridan Nurseries' 100th anniversary and was pre- sented to the GHS member who earned the most points in all of the Society's flower shows in the past year. Submitted photo Got a photo you want to share? Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca. FLOWER POWER From our readers 'Quote unquote'