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www.durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JANUARY 1,2003 PAGE 5 Abandoned house burns down Christmas Eve BOWMANVILLE - The damage was already done before before a lire destroyed an abandoned abandoned house early Christmas Eve. There was no value loss as a result of the suspicious blaze, according to Clarington Emergency Services Divisional Divisional Chief Goal Weir. The house, located about a kilometre kilometre north of Ilwy. 2 on Green Road in Bowmanville, was already already in a dilapidated state when fire crews were called at 12:03 a.m. Dec. 24, he said. Fresh beer bottles, liquor bottles and pop bottles were found around the house and two teens walking down Green Road around the time of the fire were spoken to by police, said Divisional Chief Weir. It is undetermined at this time how the fire started and police arc still investigating. Otherwise, it was a quiet Christmas in Clarington for emergency services, said the divisional chief who added that, although road conditions did cause some minor fender benders, there were no other major incidents over the holiday. holiday. Opinion Shapers announced for 2003 ANDREW IWAN0WSKI/ Statesman photo Big Brother Dennis Deele and his current little brother Matt Thompson, left, and former little brother Simon Farquhar, centre, work on the engine of car they are rebuilding rebuilding together. Four options to take part in Big Brothers and Sisters pies are matched together pies commit two hours a with a boy or girl. The cou- week year-round. Friendship in high gear Thirteen new columnists ready to take the challenge DURHAM - The sixth annual annual Mctroland Durham division division opinion shapers contest featured more than 70 entries from across the region. In the end, however, just 13 columnists columnists have been selected to write four columns each for the coming year. Seven women and six men have made the grade with representation representation coming from each of the geographic zones featured featured in our reading area. Eleanor Todd of Good- wood, Diane Runcieman of Seagrave and Connie Jamieson of Port Perry will be offering a north Durham perspective perspective to columns coming in the new year. From the Clarington region, region, Tim Logan of Hampton will be writing four columns in 2003. Ann Nourse and Lorie Blundon will be your Oshawa columnists while William Lit tle of Brooklin and Mike O'Neill of Whitby will be writing every three months. From Ajax, Daniel Winter, Laura Jarvis-Whitehead and Mohamed Karatella will be producing columns while columnists David Barwell and Diane Sokoloski call Pickering Pickering home. A sincere thank you to all who took the time and effort to send in columns for the contest this fall. Please keep writing and remember remember to participate when the call goes out for opinion shapers for 2004. Lakeridge Health hire redevelopment director Times have changed.and so has volunteering with the Big Brothers and Sisters of Clarington Clarington organization. Now there are four ways to make a difference in the life bf a child: ! • One-to-one: The traditional traditional Big Brothers and Sisters Sisters program takes a commitment commitment of two hours a week, year round with the option to participate in scheduled activities activities • In-School: For one hour a week from September to June, mentors visit a child in the school during school hours. • Big Bunch: Four hours a month from September to June groups of big brothers and sisters hang out with little brothers and sisters taking part in fun activities. • Couples: Volunteer cou- FRIENDSHIP from page 1 new member to the team. Matt Thompson, 13, had been waiting for a match for a year and a half when Mr. Deeley became available after Simon's graduation. It was a pairing of fates, relates Mr. Deeley. "Matt already knew how to weld," says Mr. Deeley, who adds their similar interests interests caught the attention of the staff at the Clarington office. office. "It's unfortunate Matt had to wait so long but it's great the three of us are a team." Mr. Deeley says it isn't just the younger person in a Big Brother partnership who benefits. "Simon and I are like twins. We've been together together nine and a half years and a lot of people don't stay together that long. I don't know what to say except he is my best friend. 1 hope my relationship relationship with Matt develops like that too." Anyone who would like to be a Big Brother or Big Sister or who would like to volun- tber in one of the other mentoring mentoring programs can call the Clarington office at (905) 623-6646 or can visit the Web site at www.sharethead- venture.com. OSHAWA - Lakeridge Health Corporation has hired a new Director Director of Redevelopment. Derek Beckley brings a background background in planning, project management management and development work for various Ontario Government Ministries Ministries and the Sudbury Regional Hospital to the position. His senior managerial experience experience also includes stints in British Columbia and Alberta, where he served as executive director, program program planning branch, department of hospitals and medical care, government government of Alberta. "His more than 25 years of facilities facilities planning, development and operations operations experience will further strengthen our redevelopment team," said Brian Lemon, Lakeridge Lakeridge Health Chief Executive Officer. Officer. "Derek's appointment is another positive step in our ongoing efforts to build on our redevelopment strengths and capabilities." According to hospital officials, large-scale redevelopment under way at Lakeridge Health underwent some difficulties in 2001. When the difficulties were iden tified, the Lakeridge Health Corporation Board immediately requested a review of redevelopment processes and recommendations recommendations on how to improve and build upon capital development development strengths and capabilities. Board chairman Anne Wright said most of these recommendations have been implemented and Mr. Beckley's hiring will help continue "positive mo mentum" in this regard. In the summer of 2001, Lakeridge Health and the Ontario Ministry of Health agreed to conduct further review and assessment of the corporation's redevelopment redevelopment planning and approvals approvals procedure. Mr. Beckley will help implement recommenda-- lions from this review, which should be released, over the next few months. , Food is the spice of life for McCuaig Dr. John Balenko Dr. Karl Vermeulen & Associates GENERAL FAMILY DENTISTRY EMERGENCY CARE AVAILABLE 0 Sedation 0 Children's Dentistry 0 Periodontist Q Laser Dentistry VIRTUAL VISION FOR YOUR RELAXATION -a- 60 LIBERTY ST. SOUTH BOWMANVILLE girl (905)623-7100 FOOD from page 1 children. He confesses to having smokéd "a bit," but says he played every sport possible as a boy. "The only thing I didn't do was swim," he says, "because there were no lakes nearby. I played lacrosse, bowling and pool." But Mr. McCuaig's seemingly seemingly idyllic early life didn't in clude much school. "We never had a home when our mom passed away," he confides. "As young boys, 16 and 17, my brother and I were in Saskatchewan harvesting. We never had a home. I trapped in winter and prospected at the same time. "I am what I am," he says without apology. apology. "We came up the hard way. My older brother was 14 and me, I was 12 when our mother died. We had no money and not the best of clothes but we did the best we could. Some of those rich farmers farmers worked us real hard. You had to work at everything you could think of: construction, boiler mender, electrician. You had to learn to get a little job." He doesn't hesitate when asked if he has any advice for young people. "Yes, I'll give them one right off the bat," he says. "Don't smoke or drink and be nice to everybody. If you don't like somebody, stay away from them." clVEBS To have your flyers delivered by Durham's #1 Carrier Force! Call 905-579-4407 Wed., Jan. 1,2003 •Hy &Zels* • Sears* •Home Depot* •Durham Board of Education* •Staples* •Future Shop* * Myers not necessarily In all papers Rememher, all inserts, including those on glossy paper, van he recycled with the rest of your newspaper through \our Hliir Box Recycling program. L. l-a'js 1*1 Hi S to N SOS § ^'E1 jut in in g™ co '= CZ> -ra JSm : * 9 ! g ! O» co ~ 3 §i MflSE/ Is your New Year resolution to lose w ( eù Don t mi another resolution & notfolloiv through. Janet lost 65 lbs, & 81 inches, You can do it too! Herbal Magic can help you achieve your weight loss goal. Inquire about our New Year Specials. (905) 697-9484 (905) 432-6999 (905) 725-4146 243 King St. E. 1330 Ritson Rd. N. 1345 King St. E. And the winner is... Christmas came early 1er the lucky winner of our Christmas Stocking Draw. Pictured left to right are Dr. Kelly Farber, brother Justin Sarginson, winner Stephanie Sarginson and Dr. John Balenko. Libejty&entâl Cèfitre (905) 623-7100 60 LIBERTY ST. S. 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