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A8 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 21,2001 Family celebrated Ed' s 25th St. Paddy' s Day walk (C o n tin u e d fro m p a g e 1) For James Dunn, even the discov ery of a $30 parking ticket planted on the windshield of his car unluckily left on William Street, could not diminish his euphoria. "I'm feeling great," he exclaimed. "All I need is a hot shower and then I'm going out to celebrate. I may be sore tomorrow, but I'll definitely be back next year." Williams is grateful to members of the Oakville Lions Club, who sup plied him with a ride into downtown Toronto in the early morning hours of Saturday, and allowed the 79-year-old tradition to continue unbroken. "Those guys are terrific," enthused Williams. "Since the weekend GO train doesn't run early enough to get me into Toronto on time, I couldn't have done it without them." Retired schoolteacher, Joyce Burnell had also read about Ed's scheduling dilemma in the Oakville Beaver and volunteered to drive him into Toronto. Burnell taught Williams over 40 years ago at Brantwood pub lic school, and though her chauffeur services were not required, she could n't resist the opportunity to greet him at the Bearded Collie and offer her personal congratulations. "She gave me a big kiss," blushed Williams. Friends and family members of the three walkers came from all across the Golden Horseshoe, braving hazardous driving conditions to join in the cele bration. "We wanted to be here since this was Ed's 25th walk," said his sister, Carol Mills. "We all hope he can do it for another 25 years." Despite a slight limp caused by two imperfectly healed big toes bro ken in childhood hockey mishaps, Williams moved easily around the pub, greeting friends and strangers alike, seemingly unaffected by his day-long exertions. "My legs are a little stiff, and I'm a bit wet, but all in all. I'm fine and just glad that I actually did it," laughed Williams. "Those extra walkers really Photo by Erin Riley James Watt, Ed Williams and Amanda Dunning wait for a seat at the Bearded Collie. Photo by Erin Riley Snow and slush failed to keep Ed Williams from completing his walk to Oakville. lifted my spirits." Mairead Dickenson, president of the O.P.W.C., and a direct descendant of the O 'Keeffe clan o f Ireland's County C o rk ,. encouraged her club members to come out and support Williams when she read about his annual trek in the Oakville Beaver. "As fellow walkers, we feel a spir it of kinship with Ed," she explained. "We w anted to join him at the Oakville border because we think this is a great thing for our community." If Williams has one regret about his quarter-century anniversary walk, it is that his 11-month-old son, Tiger was not able to share in the festivi ties. "The little guy is home sick with a cold," he lamented. "But God willing, I'll be back next year and he'll be with ,, , it me. Photo by Erin Riley Oakville Town Crier Ian Burkholder greeted Ed Williams at the end of his walk at the Bearded Collie. T r a d e s & T e c h n o lo g y E x p l o r a t i o n g iv e s y o u a f ir s t -h a n d lo o k a t s k ille d c a re e rs . G iv e u s tw o w e e k s a n d w e ' ll s h o w y o u a g r e a t jo b w ith g r e a t m o n e y ! F o r m o re in f o r m a t io n a b o u t th is N o F e e p r o g r a m , c o n ta c t T h e C e n tre at ( 9 0 5 ) 3 3 3 -3 4 9 9 o r 8 7 8 - 1 2 4 0 . In partnership with m l I | a | T | | Human Resources pjvetopnuniC anaM DevetoppAment dss l e C T O u i c M C j n a m S p rin g is th e tim e to let lo o se . A nd sw in g d a n c e is th e p erfect w a y to h ave fu n an d sta y fit. Call the d a n c e p r o fe ssio n a l's a t Fred A staire D a n c e S tu d io s. T h ey'll sh o w y o u h o w to p u t sw in g in y o u r step th is sp rin g. U 88E The Centre 1 1 | Skills Development & Training Spring Special 5 hours fo r $25° L e a r n w it h o r w it h o u t a p a r t n e r " L im it e d to first 3 5 callers 225 Lakeshore Road East, 2nd Floor D ow ntow n Oakville 1 block west of Trafalgar Rd. (Entrance from both Lakeshore Road and parking lot off Church Street) O ffe r e n d s so o n ! w ww .fredastaire.com 842-3797 D AN C E STUDIOS* *N e w ad u lt s tu d e n ts only R EW AR D t ^ 2400 South Service Road (905) 845-3577 www.buddsbmw.com Budds' BMW Motorcycles O u r family pet "Charlie" has been missing since Thursday, March 15th in the Navy, Front St., and Trafalgar Rd. area. Charlie, is a Jack Russell Terrier with distinguished features - white wire haired coat, brown tipped ears, brown patch over right eye and crooked front legs. He is wearing a black collar with name and telephone number. A generous reward is offered for information leading to the return of Charlie. Anyone knowing his whereabouts please call the Oakville Humane Society, 9 0 5 -8 4 5 -15 5 1 or 905-845-2903 or 9 0 5 -8 4 2 -1904.