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2 - Orono Weekly Times 1937 - 2012 · Celebrating 75 Years Subscriptions $42.86 + $2.14 GST = $45.00 per year. No Refunds. Publishing 48 issues annually at the office of publication. "We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund for our publishing activities." Wednesday, September 5, 2012 ORONO WEEKLY TIMES - 5310 Main St., P.O. Box 209, Orono, ON L0B 1M0 E-mail: oronotimes@rogers.com or Phone/Fax: 905-983-5301 www.oronoweeklytimes.com Publisher/Editor Margaret Zwart Production and Display Advertising - Roxanne Johnston Classified/Sports The Orono Weekly Times welcomes letters to the editor on subjects of interest to our readers. Opinions expressed to the editor and articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Orono Weekly Times. Letters must be signed and contain the address and phone number of the writer. Any letter considered unsuitable will not be acknowledged or returned. We reserve the right to edit for length, libel and slander. If your retail or classified ad appears for the first time, please check carefully. Notice of an error must be given before the next issue goes to print. The Orono Weekly Times will not be responsible for the loss or damage of such items. "Port Claringbourg Lakes" by: Christopher Brown Weird name isn't it... well that name might become a reality when the new proposed boundaries come into effect for the 2015 federal general election. It's a combination of the new riding of Kawartha Lakes, Port Hope, Cobourg and east Clarington. It's a proposed riding with a large rural area. Since 2003 all of Clarington have been voting as a whole; we have been tied together in the same riding with our northern neighbours - Uxbridge and Port Perry in the Durham Riding. Both the north and south of the Durham Riding has a large farming community, we have the same tax issues and as neighbours we know what each other's issues are -- issues that affect Clarington affect Uxbridge and Scugog as well. Now skip ahead two years, to the 2015 general election that sees Clarington as we know it ripped apart. Bowmanville and South Courtice would vote with South Oshawa in one riding, Hampton, Enniskillen and Tyrone would vote with North Oshawa in another riding. Wait a second; you're probably thinking the same thing I was when I found that out, what in the world do Oshawa and Tyrone have in common? What issues would be argued during the general election? Would farming play a major role in the election or would urban issues dominate the election campaign? It seems pretty far fetched to assume that the balance of power would be held in an area like Tyrone so north Clarington's voice would be effecively silenced in Ottawa. Now for the only boundary change that makes a tiny bit of sense is the proposed Kawartha Lakes-Port Hope-Cobourg riding. Newcastle, Orono, Kirby and Kendal; the smaller eastern Clarington communities would vote in that riding all by itself. Now think of it, if you're a farmer you have to be happier with that proposed riding. East Clarington farmers would be in a riding that has a large farming base. This would mean the federal representation would look after the needs of the farming community. If you follow politicians on Facebook you know that Roger Anderson, the Chairperson of the Region of Durham is quiet upset about the proposed boundary changes and he took to Facebook last week after the announcement and said, "Durham needs to be represented by members from within Durham and not three hours away." He went on to say, "Make sure you read up on this and let your MP know how you feel." He is correct to say that we the people have the right to be heard about the riding changes. He is right by saying that splitting Durham up is wrong and the people of Durham need to contact their federal members of parliament to ensure this doesn't go through, but Durham doesn't really have a Member of Parliament right now... so who do we call, Roger? The vacancy left by Bev Oda over the summer has left political parties scrambling to fill the void, but with the boundary realignment announced last week, the landscape has changed. If these new boundaries are put through will sitting members have to challenge each other for the party's nomination under the new federal districts? That doesn't concern the only candidate to capture his parties' nomination, Erin O'Toole. While he didn't comment on the proposed ridings; he does say that he believes that proposed boundaries will change again before a final bill is adapted into law next year. If the proposed changes don't happen we could see some current MP's fighting for their political life. Erin O'Toole might have to challenge current Oshawa MP Colin Carrie for the nomination of the proposed Oshawa-Bowmanville riding, and it could be a political blood-bath. Don't get me wrong it's a political reporter's fantasy to see two sitting members duke it out over a political riding. Anyone who followed politics in 2004 (the last time the ridings were changed) remembers the Shelia Copps/Tony Valeri duel of Hamilton East ­ Stoney Creek. It was a blood bath; candidates were accusing other candidates of cheating, stuffing ballot boxes, and stuffing people into the voting booth at the last minute when the doors were closed. Its politics at its best when same party candidates go for the throat. Back in July I, said that this is an important by-election, but that's not really the case anymore. Now we have been put into limbo. Will the candidate we elect be representing us for longer than two years? Will the candidate pay attention to us for the two years he or she is elected for? Will potential candidates bother to put their names forward for a two year term? It will be a whole new slate for the "Port Claringbourg Lakes" Riding in 2015. Growing things in Newcastle To The Editor: Just a line to tell you that peach trees have grown in this area for years. Jack and I were married in July 1949 and rented an apartment at the home of Chris and Birdie Law. Chris was a great gardener and I have enjoyed peaches from his peach tree. Also I would like to extend congratulations to Vicki Lesnick, a great worker in the Newcastle Horticultural Society. At the August 21st Annual Show she was awarded the Silver Cup for the most points in the show ­ well deserved. Thank you sincerely, Hazel Crago Newcastle Opinion How will you celebrate the harvest? Since the invention of the plough, humans began to control their food supply and spent less time wandering in search of food, they could stay in an area and cultivate their food source and their culture. Century after century of trial and error the technology of farming improved and spread around the world. While the technology and knowledge of farming has seen increased yields however, those farming today know just as their ancestors before, that Mother Nature decides the harvest. Mother Nature, the spirits, the gods or God, people around the world have developed ways to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to whatever deity they believe inhabit their fields. Perhaps that is why many of the most superstitious people you will meet are farmers. There are those who will not cut all of the crop, they will leave a small stand of hay or corn in the field overnight to allow the field spirits to redistribute themselves. The corn doll wasn't always a child's toy but a way of giving the field spirits a place to winter. Some cultures place offerings from their crops on a large bonfire to thank the gods. OPINION see page 3 by Diana Stephenson Despite the diverse cultures represented in today's society one thing we all share in is the tradition of celebrating the harvest. From gathering for a feast, to singing and dancing, building bonfires to pummeling one another with tomatoes in the town square, around the world people love a reason to celebrate; and a successful harvest is probably the best reason there is. For our ancestors a successful harvest meant more time in the winter months to work on improving their tools, developing early forms of art and culture and other technology but quite simply it meant survival, at least for another year.