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[ Editorial Comment ) Brighter Future for Pine Ridge? News of a plan to develop a private private high school at the site of the Pine Ridge Training School throws a whole new light on the future of this 100-acre facility. The suggestion that the property become a Malaysian secondary school certainly merits consideration. consideration. And if the proposal is feasible, then the provincial government should get ready to hand over the keys to the new owners. This land has sat idle for too long already. Buildings and grounds are losing their battle against time. It may be that there are many worthwhile worthwhile uses to which the land and buildings could be put. But during the past several years that the school has been empty, no workable workable project has come forward. It reminds us of the parable which states that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The proposal proposal at hand calls for developing a secondary school. That may not be the most grandiose plan for the Pine Ridge site but at least it is a relatively solid proposition. All the other suggestions such as use of the property as a municipal headquarters, headquarters, for example, have never gone beyond the talking stage. If there are any other potential buyers of the property, including, perhaps, our own Town of Newcastle, they should come forward now. Otherwise, Otherwise, the proposed high school may be the best possible use. Pine Ridge has served as a school in the past. So it's not unreasonable to see it serving the same purpose in the future. Putting the buildings back into operation would be a bonus for the local economy, since the school will require staff and teachers who will presumably either be found locally or would move here. Renovations alone would create a sizeable building project which would boost the local economy and create jobs. The high school proposal should focus attention on the future of the buildings and grounds at Pine Ridge. For too long, a decision on this property has been avoided. Now is a good time to face the facts. If the Province of Ontario intends to keep the land indefinitely, then it might as well send in the bulldozers bulldozers and demolish the buildings, since it's unlikely that they would last another decade uninhabited. Otherwise, Pine Ridge should be handed over to the potential owner showing the most feasible plan for the site. Where,Oh Where, Did the Summer Go? That's the question Canadians ruefully ask each other during this time of the year which lies between suntan lotion and storm windows. It's true that all of the milestones at the end of a Central Ontario summer summer are approaching us quickly. There's the commencement of school just a scant three weeks away. The Canadian National Exhibition starts soon and Labor Day Weekend approaches. But rather than bemoan the last dandelion of summer, it's far better to enjoy the months which remain before winter strikes. And what better way to enjoy the late summer or early autumn than to attend a fall fair. There are plenty of them to choose from, but the local events include the Blackstock Fair which is held August August 27 and the Orono Fair which runs September 8 to 11. There are also fairs in Port Perry, Uxbridge, and Port Hope, to name just a few communities which carry on this fall tradition. Harvest time is an excellent opportunity opportunity to enjoy the agricultural exhibits. There's something about the autumn that brings out the farmer in even the most amateur backyard gardener. But, of course, there's more to a fall fair than exhibits of livestock or crops even though both are well-represented. well-represented. Local fairs feature midways, commercial commercial exhibits, arts, crafts, musical musical shows, and literally something for everyone. So, even though we're in summer's summer's fourth quarter, there's no reason to give in to cabin fever quite yet. And fall fairs are just a tip of the iceberg when it comes to activities underway in the area at this time of year. No Indian summer would be complete complete without a drive through the autumn countryside, a stop at a roadside vegetable stand, a visit to a conservation area, an afternoon at a flea market or auction sale, or even a few hours of early Christmas shopping. (No, it's not too soon.) With a variety of activities like these to enjoy, there's no excuse for failing to make the most of the outdoor outdoor season right up until the first snowflake falls. c Letters to the Editor 11/8/83 Re: comments to editor's reply, August 10,83, Mary Morris Dear Sirs: "Egads" all right! It never ceases to amaze and disturb me at the level of closed mindedness of some members of our community. It is of some wonder that Bowmanville has made any progress at all in respect to thinking of this nature. Being from the other side of that "generation gap," even I can appreciate the styles and sounds of Nat King Cole and Sammy Kay. I am not as shallow as to believe that music was invented during my lifetime, as some people are. I might ask Mrs. Morris to be very careful with such musical bias, as it was out of such attitudes that groups like the SEX PISTOLS got their start and we definitely do not need "anarchy" in Bowmanville. God Save the Queen ! Yours truly Thomas Kennedy Air Force Reunion in Dunnville For the past 37 years Royal Canadian Air Force personnel who were stationed at No. 6 S.F.T.S. during the war have gathered in Dunnville to celebrate celebrate their station reunion. This year marks their 38th get together which will take place Sept. 16th, 17th and 18th. The event begins with a reception Friday evening, hosted by Mayor Frank Marshall. Marshall. A golf tournament will be held Saturday morning and in the afternoon a demonstration demonstration of ultra-light aircraft, a parachute drop, a parade, memorial service and fly-past of wartime harvard air-craft is scheduled, followed by the annual banquet in the evening, Group Captain A. J. Bauer, C.D., National President of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association, will take the salute and inspect the band and air cadets of No. 150 White Tiger Squadron, Royal Canadian Canadian Air Cadets of Hamilton, Ontario. The weekend closes Sunday morning with an outdoor "Flapper and Banger" breakfast breakfast at the Riverview Motel. All wartime personnel are invited to attend. If not on the mailing list, please contact: Frank Scholfield, Adjutant-General P. 0. Box 187 Dunnville, Ont. NIA 2X5 Ph. (416) 774-7595 (Bus.) (416) 774-5480 (Res.) Region Has Travel Guide The Durham Region now has its own travel guide, This booklet is the first of its kind for the Region and it will tell visitors just what there is to see and do when they are in the area. The guide has been produced by the Tourist Association Association of Durham Region in co-operation with the Central Ontario Travel Association and has been funded by the Regional Municipality of Durham Durham and advertisers. 50,000 copies were printed and these have been distributed distributed throughout the Region as well as to Tourist Informa- @he Sanabian Statesman 623-3303 Durham County's Greet Family Journal Established 120 years ago In 1854, Also Incorporating The Bowmanville News The Newcastle Independent The Orono News Second class mall registration number 1561 Produced every Wednesday by THEJAMESPUBLISHING COMPANY LIMITED 62-66 King St. W„ Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 «« t b U L*" JOHN M. JAMES Editor --Publisher RICHARD A. JAMES Assistant Publisher GEO. P. MORRIS Business Mgr. BRIAN PURDY Advertising Mgr. DONALD BISHOP Plant Mgr. All UyouH imi composition ol idveillsemenls produced by the employees ol The Cenedlen Slalesimm, The Newceillo Independent and The denies Publishing Company Limited ale ptolecled by copyright and must not be repioduced without written permission ol lire publishers. stti.Uti a year -- 6 monlhi $8.00 strictly In advance foreign -- 145.00 a year Although every precaution will he taken to avoid error, The Canadian Statesman accepts advertising In Its columns on the understanding that II will not be liable lor any error In lire advertisement published hereunder unless a proof ol such advertisement Is requested In writing by lire advertiser and relumed lo The Canadian Statesman business office duly signed by lire advertiser and with such error or corrections plainly noted In writing thereon, and In that case II any error so noted Is not corrected by The Canadian Statesman Ils liability Shell not exceed such a portion ol the entire cost ol such advertisement as,the space occupied by I he noted error bears to the whole space occupied by such advertisement. ■i L-- Interesting Cloud Formation at Sunset SUGAR and SPICE Roughing It - Part 2 Do you have a personal physical problem? Leukemia? Touch of cancer? Heart spasms? Crippling arthritis? Emphysema? Old age? Don't give it another thought. Just contact a fly-in to the northern bush and your problem will be solved. Permanently. I warned that 'I'd write another column about my "fishing weekend." weekend." Here goes. What kind of people belong to a "camp" on a lake that you can't get to except by plane or by walking 10 miles through the bush? Ten miles through the bush, by the way is like 40 miles on a highway. This is one of the first great lies you'll be told by the old-timers, who sit around drinking tea and talking about the big bear someone shot 40 years ago. "How far is it?" you ask in your innocence, as some maniac suggests you go over to the next lake, through the woods, carrying a motor for a boat that might be there, because it used to be. "Oh, about a mile," they say nonchalantly. nonchalantly. Well, even an old duffer can walk a mile. They haven't lied. Except to omit the facts that the mile is a mile uphill, uphill, a mile down-hill, a mile to the east, and a mile to the west. Nor have they lied about the bugs. "Better spray on some repellent.. Could be a few flies." Did you ever wonder why men who escape from prison and head into the Canadian bush in summer aren't even pursued by the authorities ? They come whimpering out the nearest road or settlement, pleading to be locked up or shot immediatelv. Aside from breaking an ankle on the "trail" which is pure jungle interlaced with rocks, a mile trip through the bush would make a session with the Gestapo a Sunday School picnic. Most of us can blow or wave away a mosquito, swat a fly, demolish a bumblebee with a newspaper. How many of us can annihilate a so-called deer fly, the size of a sparrow, who fastens on one's neck, and proceeds to dine leisurely, regardless of. swipes at him with tackle boxes, gas cans, and fishing rods? Well, I can't. And only the lurching, blasphemous, old fighter pilot ahead of me kept every bone in my 63-year-old frame functioning. He was 65. Honor prevailed. We made it. And both politely but firmly refused our old buddy's sprightly request next morning that we take "another little hike" to see "another great lake." By this time, the guests had agreed that one lake looked much like another. What kind of people would do this to you? They weren't Gestapo or KGB or CIA. They were just a bunch of ordinary Canadians who had enough sense to know that bass don't bite in hot weather, and wanted to see what was left of some old fighter pilots whose daring-do the previous night had piqued their. curiosity. Boy, we talked a good war, but they won it. Monsters? No. Jack Ryan, a lawyer, was the instigator, and I think he loved every moment of our torture. He probably still hates me for nearly clipping off the tail off his Spitfire about 80 years ago. His other victim was Ren Henderson, Henderson, another old fighter pilot, an Australian who married and settled in Canada after the war, brought up in New Guinea, flew to the Aleutians, Aleutians, instructed flying at Camp Borden when I was frantically trying to get my wings, flew two tours of Ops in WWII, and is a raving naturalist who says things like, "What is that lovely little lizard on your neck?" Ryan's accomplices were permanent permanent members of the camp. Everybody Everybody seemed related. Harold and Ken Rogers were half-brothers, with almost three decades between them. Bill Turner, a millionaire who quit school at 15, was a sort of uncle to Andy Simone, a civil servant who can hardly wait to get out. Ryan and I are old buddies, based on a brief relationship in Britain about 40 years ago. He and Henderson Henderson were on the same Spitfire squadron. Henderson and I have a mutual old sidekick, Tony Frombola. And so I went. Ryan is the complete Irishman. Life of the party. Never stops working or talking. Listens but doesn't seem to. If he isn't talking, he's singing. Fit as a fiddle. Trust him with my wife or my life. \ Harold? Old-timer, retired, 84 stories about hunting. Crafty poker player. Ken? Can do anything with motors, refrigerators, stoves, you name it. Friendly, open, good- hearted, ends every sentence with, "eh?" A real Canadian. Bill Turner? Hell of a good cook for a rich man. A little to the right of Attila the Hun socially. Caustic wit, but never wounding. Andy? Looked like he'd wandered in from a Disney picture. Never stopped working. Didn't drink or smoke. Quiet, witty. Sweet-natured. Dumb like a fox at poker. "Whadda I do now?" and he's sitting there with four aces. I could write a column about this weekend, but of course I won't. Just a couple of general observations. observations. The language was the worst since the last day in the teachers' lounge. Yet everybody's wife was sacred. No suggestive remarks. Only bouquets. And Bill Turner's wife, Flo, makes the best ?&%$ '+! marmalade in Texas. She cuts in every single strip of orange by hand, even though Bill tells her it's! !$%&+?:&stupid. She does. And maybe it is. But I wouldn't trade it. Ryan, I'll get you for this. Turn over the legal affairs of my entire family to you. That'll flip your flags. P* Queen's Park Report By Gord Cochrane Several years of intense intense lobbying by Canadian Canadian government officials officials is beginning to pay dividends in the U.S. in the fight against acid rain. Suddenly, Americans Americans are becoming conscious of the urgency of controlling airborne pollution, now blamed in the deaths of lakes and rivers rivers on both sides of the border. Recently, state governors, governors, meeting in their annual conference, devoted devoted considerable time to discussing the issue, which has pitted industrial states against states dependent dependent on the vitality of their recreational lands. And, earlier this month, an agreement aimed at combatting the effects of acid rain was signed between Ontario Ontario and the State of Minnesota. It will lead to the free exchange of scientific information on the sources of pollutants pollutants causing acid rain. In signing this agreement agreement with Minnesota, Environment Minister Andy Brandt said, Ontario Ontario has gained another important ally in its struggle againt acid rain. He added: "It is bound to be noted in Washington and will contribute to the in crease in awareness of acid rain as a serious pollution problem throughout the United States." Ironically, there were similar expectations expectations of an earlier agreement agreement on transboundary transboundary air pollution, signed with New York State last April. Yet, the Reagan administration, administration, mired in its laissez-faire laissez-faire dogma, has failed to notice. It still thinks that trees cause pollution. Nevertheless, these two agreements demonstrate demonstrate our own government's government's interest in dealing with the acid fain problem. They signal an admission admission that Ontario, with its giant INCO smokestack smokestack in Sudbury, is as culpable, in a continental continental sense, as the coalburning coalburning electrical utilities in the Ohio Valley. (Currently upwards of 50 per cent of the acid deposition in Ontario is estimated to come from U.S. sources, largely from the Ohio Valley.) Yet, the agreements also signal a groundswell (of sorts) south of the border. No longer are American politicians asking for hydro exports - at advantageous advantageous rates - in return return for agreements to do something about acid rain. It's important development, development, which may yet be noted in Washington. A comprehensive comprehensive treaty, after all, must be signed by the federal governments governments of both nations. Without it, solutions aren't solutions, but bandaids. Of course, the Americans Americans have been holding holding up solution of the problem for several years. Three years ago, they signed a memorandum memorandum of understanding to negotiate an agreement agreement for abatement of avid rain. To date, however, however, nothing much has happened. Each nation, fearful of the loss of more jobs in a time of economic distress, has shied away from strict sanctions sanctions against producers of the pollutants which cause acid rain. But, with recovery evident, there appears a new resolve resolve to deal with the problem before it claims more lakes and rivers. Let's hope that this resolve spread to Ronald Reagan and his conservative ideologues, who after all, should be interested interested in conserving just a bit of our heritage, heritage,