The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

8 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc. October 5,1988 Section Two Personalized Plates Keep Growing in Popularity Enthusiastic Volunteer Retires from Museum Board Personalized plates abound: some of Bowman- # ville's vanity plates are for business purposes while the intent of others is less obvious. by Chris Clark One has the feeling, talking talking with Andrew Thompson, that nestled in his memory is a history of Bowmanville. Few committees have functioned here in the last 50 years without the contribution contribution and enthusiasm of Andy Thompson. Not many community community events have occurred occurred without the involvement involvement of Andy Thompson. And virtually nothing of any importance has happened that he doesn't know something something about. He is a central figure in Bowmanville not. because of the enjoyment he has obtained from town but because of what he has added added to life here for over 50 years. Recently, he retired from' the Museum Board, on which he had served for 27 years. That bested his length of service on the Library Board by only one year. Laughing, he says, "Fve been on every committee ever formed in this town." To recognize recognize his service to the museum, museum, the Board presented both Andy and his wife, Elizabeth, Elizabeth, with lifetime memberships memberships to the museum. "It was very nice of them," he stated, without really pondering, how richly he deserves the honour. When a committee was formed in 1960 to construct a museum for Bowmanville, Andy was asked to serve, and he did so gladly. "Mrs. Williams donated $50,000 to the Town of Bowmanville : m Tour Guide Receives Plaque from Museum by Chris Clark You are stopped at a red light and you casually glance ahead at the car in /, front of you. There sits "HOPPER" or "GRANNY" or "RDAD65." Whatever they say, personalized licence licence plates are big business for the Ontario government. Since their inception in July of 1983, Ontario car owners have shelled out $16 million to put favourite sayings sayings on their cars. At $100 each, 160,000 plates have been sold in the past five years. And the demand con- Licensing Operations for The Ministry of Transport, reports that his office receives receives approximately 100 requests requests for plates per day. Each one of these requests has been checked initially tinues to Bert ) grow. Killian, Manager of computer and rejected if already already in existence. "With Christmas coming we will soon be getting nearly nearly 300 requests per day," reports reports Mr. Killian. "They are a real Christmas item." A committee of eight or nine people reviews each and every request to ensure that it will not offend the public. "We use various slang dictionaries, and we make sure none of the plates encourages behaviour like drunk driving or drug use or something like that," said Mr. Killian, the chairman of the committee. The rejection rate is a scant 1.5 percent. He admitted that the program program "has gone way beyond our expectations." Like all of Ontario's licence plates, these "vanity" plates are manufactured at the Mill- brook Correctional Institute outside of Peterborough. All the revenue generated from the sale of tne plates goes into the general treasury of the Ministry. Although buyers are limited limited to six digits, the creativity creativity shown by Ontario drivers seems to be unlimited. Letters Letters and numbers are combined combined to produce an endless series of personal or humourous humourous messages. A familiar sight around Bowmanville is Museum Curator Curator Dan Hoffman's "MUSEUM" "MUSEUM" plate. Dan says, "its neat to see people behind you at a stop mouthing your plate." Some local realtors use the plates to advertise their businesses. Gord Barnes of Remax Cornerstone Realty Ltd. sports a "REMAXQ" licence licence plate and commented that "there are lots of personalized personalized plates among real estate people." One such person person is Ken Hockin who features features his last name on his plate. Randy Alldread, of Bowmanville, Bowmanville, so enjoyed the musical, musical, Cats, that he not only saw it numerous times but he also bought a plate which reads "CATS 1." These are only a few of the personalized plates New John Deere AMT 600. It's almost a truck SALE PRICE Optional Lift Kit SMB. extra " There s nothing else like it! Our new £.vv-V' ; .i - ah Materials Transport gives you true hauling ability. Not just travel. Takes loads up to 600 pounds on flat land, up to 400 in hills. Dumps them, too. Goes places a truck can't. Unique 5-wheel stability and 4-wheel differential lock traction. 341 cc engine and 62:1 torque ratio transmission for pulling power. With no gears to shift. Spring-loaded front fork cushioning. Low compaction. Anti-skid features. Come test drive our unique AMT 600. f ri. Nothing Runs Like a Deere® UTICA FARM EQUIPMENT limited 2 Miles West of Manchester 985-9701 which are seen frequently throughout Bowmanville. And with the demand increasing increasing all the time there are sure to be many more before before long. So far as we know "STSMAN" is still available. Need Volunteers To Work with Probation Office The Bowmanville probation probation officer currently has a whopping number of 45 juveniles to supervise and is in need of volunteer assistance assistance from the community. Neèded are volunteers to help alleviate the overload ana to ensure that these youngsters receive the proper proper attention to prepare them for adult life. "We are looking for volunteers volunteers over the age of 21 to work on a one-to-one basis ■ with juveniles on probation," reports Donna Morris, the Volunteer Co-ordinator for Probation Services. "Volunteers have varied backgrounds and many skills and can give more time to probationers," Mrs. Morris stated. The volunteer program has been operating in the Durham Region since the early 1970s, offering juveniles juveniles guidance and support from caring members of society society to help the youngsters establish a good relationship with their family and community. community. While the program has been very successful, it cannot work without volunteers volunteers and Bowmanville is sadly short of such people. Particularly, stressed Mrs. Morris, "we are always short of male role model volunteers." volunteers." Before matching a probationer probationer with a volunteer, permission permission is sought from the probation officer, the volunteer, volunteer, the child, and the parents. parents. In this way, the most productive environment can be established allowing for the utmost to be accomplished. accomplished. Anyone who feels they could be of help to a child who needs some direction and encouragement at a crucial crucial time in his life should contact Donna Morris at the Probation Office in Oshawa at 723-1119. for the establishment of a" museum and a park. We spent half that money on the property and much of the rest collecting items to dis play," he related. Un Tom Webb, tour guide at nfortunately, the park is long gone, but the museum is flourishing. "Dan (Hoffman, the curator) has grown to be a real director, observed Mr. Thompson. "And a good writer," he added. But Andy's work for the museum museum is only a fraction of the service he has given to the town. After a long career as a teacher and principal, he was elected to the Northumberland Northumberland and Newcastle Board of Education in 1973 and served five years including including one year as the Chairman Chairman of the Board. In addition, addition, he was Chairman of the Planning Committee when the first construction along Waverley Road was initiated. initiated. Shortly after World War Two he became the first Chairman of the newly formed Recreation Committee, Committee, a job he held for nine years. During those years he was the local representative on the Lake Ontario Conser- these people are among the 50 friends who attend his annual annual New Year's Day reception. reception. It's a tradition he started about 19 years ago and represents represents yet another example of his link with the community. community. To honor his contribution to the museum board, board members raised a sum of $1,600 and are planning to purchase and restore a piano bench to accompany the Dominion Dominion piano wnich was unveiled unveiled recently at the mu seum. On the bench will be a small plaque reminding all who read it of the outstand- ing service Andy Thompson and his wife have given to, the museum. The bench will sit for years to come in the museum he loves and for which he worked so hard over the past quarter century. century. It will also stand for all the other plaques that could be mounted, thanking Andy for the loving care he has given to Bowmanville for over 50 years. Something To Think About guide at the Bowmanville Museum, Museum, displays, the plaque he rechived from the museum museum Board of. Directors last month. Mr. Webb was honored;for his efforts in raising funds for the resto- vation Authority, ration of the Dominion-Jury Piano which is now an I ve been a member of St. important part of the museum's parlour display. At the official homecoming homecoming ceremony on Sunday afternoon, afternoon, September 18,1988, of the restored Jury- Dominion Piano, Tom Webb, Tour Guide, was presented with a plaque from the Bowmanville Bowmanville Museum Board of Directors in gratitude for "Outstanding Fund Raising Efforts Towards the Jury Dominion Piano Restoration. Restoration. The afternoon started with, a welcome to one and all from Mr. W. Irwin Colwell, Colwell, Chairman of the Board' of Directors. Then, Mr. Dan Hoffman, Curator, made the P resentation of the plaque to 'om Webb, who in turn thanked all donors and persons persons connected with the project project and stated that the supporting supporting people of the Corporate Town of Newcastle Newcastle nad made his dream of the piano restoration come true. Mr. Hoffman then introduced introduced Mr. and Mrs. Joe Alexander, of Ottawa. Mr. Alexander, son of the last president of the Dominion Organ and Piano Company, expressed his great pleasure at the piano restoration and gave some remarks from memory of his life in Bowmanville Bowmanville and of the people who were either employed "Invisible Fencing s works. There's nogettmgaroundit!' With one call to If Invisible Fencing, you can teach your dog to stay within your property boundaries, without unsightly fences. University tested, vet approved, and your satisfaction is guaranteed. guaranteed. It even costs less than traditional fencing. Call today, and find out why Over 50,000 dogs stand behind Invisible Fencing: 41 111= INVISIBLE FENCING» of Southeast Ontario Telephone (416) 797-2431 y 1900 Invisible Fencing Company, Inc, or directly associated with the factory. The old flag of the piano factory dating from the 1930s was draped over the piano. Mr. Alexander then did the honor of unveiling the restored instrument. Immediately Immediately following the unveiling unveiling of the piano, Mr. Hoffman introduced Mrs. Kathryn Cureatz who played a very fine recital. Mrs. Cureatz played the piano beautifully and demanded demanded a great deal of music music from the piano which it responded to in a very highly highly satisfactory manner. After the recital, Mr. Hoffman Hoffman presented Mrs. Cureatz with a dozen red roses in token token of our appreciation. During During the serving of light refreshments refreshments provided by the "Friends of the Museum" (thank you ladies), Mrs. Alla- nah Coles sang for the gathering gathering accompanied by Mr. Doug Dewell at the piano. Their performance was very pleasant and greatly appreciated. appreciated. Mrs. Coles was presented presented with a corsage. The presence of two granddaughters of John and Annie Sinclair Jury (Mrs. Margaret Gillespie, of Niagara Niagara Falls and Mrs. Mary Clark, of Guelph) added to the interest of the piano homecoming as they remembered remembered practising their piano lessons on the instrument instrument when small girls. Now that the piano is restored restored we plan to have more ihusical events. One of these will be a performance performance Sunday, October 23, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. by Mr. Craig Johnson, of Mississauga. Thank you again, Newcastle. Newcastle. Andrew's Church since I arrived arrived in Bowmanville in 1936; I was Clerk of Session and Chairman of the Board of Managers at different times." As thé longest serving current member of the Lions Club, this past president (1944) holds a special place in the hearts of Lions members in Bowmanville. It is with joy rather than regret that he says: "I've been a member of anything and everything." While he and his wife have established lifelong bonds with the people and institutions of Bowmanville, they have certainly not been confined to the area. Starting in the early 1970's, they began began travelling all over the world, beginning first with car trips across North America, America, and progressing to overseas overseas jaunts to Europe and Asia. The pinnacle of their travelling adventures occurred occurred just last year when they participated in a 33-day trip around the world. Scattered throughout their home are numerous paintings and works of art from far-away places such as the Canary Islands, Burma, Burma, France, and Egypt. But paintings from around the world are not the only pieces which decorate the home they have lived in for over 40 years: On several walls hang paintings with the name Andrew Thompson signed in the bottom corner. And while it has been many years since he painted, it is something he is always considering considering a return to. Regardless of how far away he travelled, he always returned to Bowmanville. "I've loved being involved with many things, and the people especially," smiled Mr. Thompson. Many of )NWAY GRIEF COUNSELLING For many people, the most serious trauma of their lives -- and the most difficult period of adjustment - involves the death of a loved one. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, many grieving survivors do not find the counselling and support that they need at such times. Our society has abundant counselling services - child psychologists, school counsellors, counsellors, marriage counsellors, sex therapists, career counsellors, and counsellors for parents -- but there are all too few services services available to those stricken stricken with grief and loneliness. While there are some outreach programs devoted to "grief counselling," these are still the exception. Some people may benefit from the assistance of family or friends, or a doctor or clergyman clergyman trainedfjn the field, but often there is no one to whom to - turn. Many mental health professionals believe that funeral funeral directors are equipped to help survivors with grief and bereavement. Their experience experience and sensitivity can be a resource to people in need. MORRIS FUNERAL CHAPEL 4 Division St., Bowmanville Tel. 623-5480 Serving Durham Region Since 1881 How to organize a happy marriage. How to organize 23 summer dresses, 12 suits, 3 sport jackets, 8 paire of men's shoes and a large amount of underclothing, slacks, socks, sneakers, scarves, and shorts. Pkis 2 tennis racquets and a 5 string banjo with 2 strings missing 1HI CLOSET 10* ADULTS (SPACE AGE SHELVING) WE HAKE HOUSE CALLS. CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE 80 THICKS0N ROAD S. THICKS0N PLACE PLAZA WHITBY 430-1636 Store HoutsiMon.-Wed. 10 a.m.--6p.m.;Thuts. and Fri. 9a.m.--9p.m. Sal. 9 a.m. -- 6 p.m. Five employees or more? Ask Scott McCoy for details of a Blue Cross major medical/travel/ dental/drug package. Abu'll be glad you did. * Suite 204, Peterborough Square, 360 George St. N. Peterborough, Ontario K9117E8 (705) 743-0677 ItfiH-IN I 1 ,1 1