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2 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Wednesday, August 31,1994 Section Two fit Canadian statesman Former Publishers • Rev. W. R. Climie, 1854 -1878 • M. A. James, 1878 -1935 • George W. James, 1935 -1957 Produced weekly by James Publishing Company Limited P.O. Box 190,62 King St. W., Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3K9 905-623-3303 Fax 905-623-6161 For 140 Years, Our First Concern Has Been Our Community Publisher-John M. James Assoc. Publisher - Richard A. James Plant Manager - Donald J. Bishop Ad. Manager - Brian G. Purdy Editor - Peter Parrott Production Rick Patterson, Laurens Kaldeway, Doug Lugtenburg, Sharon McMullen, Barb Patterson, Ralph Rozema, Jim Snoek, Vance Sutherland, Jim Tuuramo Advertising Editorial Laverne Morrison Brad Kelly, Lorraine Manfredo, Laura J. Richards Office Angela Luscher, Junia Hodge, Grace McGregor, Nancy Pleasance-Sturman, Marilyn Rutherford Key to Maintaining Small Town Feeling Is to Get Involved It's time to discover (or, in some cases, re-discover) your community. Because of the name change from Newcastle to Clarington, the municipal government is trying hard to establish its identity in the Canadian and North American marketplace. But, an understanding of that identity is important for those of us who live here too. Over the past two decades, this community has practically doubled in size. So, there are many new neighbours who may not know exactly what Clarington is all about. Fortunately, there are a number of initiatives which will help newcomers to discover their community or to help old-timers get re-acquainted. The Ganaraska Countryside adventure which took place on the weekend is a good example of this. It should help everyone better understand the municipality's picturesque northern hinterland. It's unquestionably one of the most beautiful areas of Ontario and home of some fascinating communities and individuals. Unfortunately, even long-time residents sometimes fail to take the time to explore this area, preferring to whiz by on Highway 115/35. The Ganaraska Countryside adventure, which has attracted thousands of visitors in the past two years of operation, has introduced guests from all over Ontario to one of the best-kept secrets in a municipality which is, in itself, a well-kept secret But, there's more. A new initiative of the Clarington Leisure Services Committee is helping residents discover the many recreational and cultural venues offered within this area. The fitness centres, libraries, Community Care offices, Conservation Authorities are just a few of the places to visit. Today, August 31st, is the big Clarington Day at the CNE promotion. It's a day in which the entire Toronto Ex will be transformed into a stage where Clarington can show its stuff. Coming up soon, there will be further opportunities to explore the community through the Orono Fair, the Ontario Finals rodeo competition (also in Orono) and the Bowmanville BIA Apple Festival. Exactly what Clarington is all about is difficult to define. That's because of the fact that this is a place comprised of many individual communities with their unique character, history and traditions. So you can, without contradiction, say that Clarington is a community of farmers, a community of apartment-dwellers; a community of seniors; a community of crafts-persons; a community of small business persons; and a community of suburbanites. All the descriptions fit. Because Clarington is all of this, and more. But this may be difficult for a recent Clarington resident to understand. Especially the individual who thinks he or she has merely purchased a little piece of suburban sprawl. The individual who looks carefully will discover that he or she has joined a very unique and special place. There are many places in North America where the landscape is miles of unbroken subdivisions, whose monotony is broken only occasionally by a shopping mall or freeway. Clarington is not one of them. We would not be so naive as to believe we can do without freeways or shopping malls or subdivisions. But, within a few minutes of these amenities, you can also find farms, conservation areas, mills, museums, and historic downtowns, complete with their landmark trees and churches. This atmosphere has been captured somewhat in a the recent independent poll by Collis and Reed which noted that the thing residents liked most about Clarington was its small-town atmosphere and friendly people. Perhaps this is the thing which is unique about Clarington. It is the fact that, although we can function effectively in this final decade of the 20th Century, we have not forgotten our roots. And those roots are anchored firmly in the traditional old rural Ontario values of community life. If you are new to any of the villages, towns or neighbourhoods making up this community known as Clarington, our first advice would be to get to know the place. Go to any or all of the festivals taking place this fall and get a taste of the community. If you're a long-time resident, you're probably already attending such events. But if not, why not get re-acquainted with the community by such a visit? As you get to know the municipality, you will find some organization or group that strikes your fancy and might very well be in need of the talents you can provide. It may be a business organization, a service club, seniors' group, a church or a school. The key is to become involved. Communities which are caring and friendly places do not get that way by accident. They get that way because of the people who give of their time to make their hometown a better place. We cannot think of any community organization which doesn't need more members or more volunteers and who would not welcome help. Yes, Clarington is all about that feeling of community. And being a community is all about getting involved and active. Once you have discovered Clarington, don't be a spectator. Get involved in the ongoing process of making it a better place. What other cases could the Canadian Security Intelligence Service be working on? We Asked... What is your opinion on 'Clarington Day at the CNE? ... And You Said 1- , 1 > Jacqueline Vaneyk Tyrone "1 think it's kind of a good idea to let people know that we're down here." Darrel Roddick Susan Dafoe Shirley Locke Bowmanville Oshawa Bowmanville "It will help promote "I've not been to the "We've been trying the area and make CNE in years and to get businesses out people a little more years, but it sounds s" 1 Æ S ° s ™f ™ d t aware that were good!" being paid for by the here." taxpayer." ! ; 5; \