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^ Qrono Weekly Times, Wednesday, March 22, 2000 -13 } prices driving up costs The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) says that Canadian motorists will be paying more this year for owning and operating their vehicles. Based on 18,000 km per year, it will cost Canadian motorists about $8,060.00 to drive their vehicles vehicles in 2000. Fuel and oil account for 15% of the total driving costs. The impact of escalating gasoline prices is definitely driving vehicle operating costs higher and motorists will have to dig deeper in their pockets to stay on the road," says CAA Here are some other high lights of the study: • The national average owning and operating cost is up $460.00 (6%) from $7,600 00 the previous year. Fuel and oil account for 43% or $198.00 of this increase. • Driving costs are comprised comprised of ownership costs and operating costs. Although ownership costs (such as depreciation and insurance) have increased by 4% over the past year, operating operating costs have increased by 14%, from $1,747.00 in 1999 to $1,989.00. • * Fuel and oil represent the largest component of the operating costs. ■ They account 1 for 62 per cent ,of overall operating costs or $1,229.00. • At the time the survey tiara was collected, the average average gasoline price was 64.6 cerfcs per litre.'Gasoline costs have since jumped even higher to a national average of 72.6 cents a litre. Since November 1999 the Canadian national average has increased 11%. CAA publisnes annual vehicle ownership and operating operating costs in its Driving Costs brochure, now available available to its 4 million members and will soon be on the wéb site a www.caa.ca. The information information is based on data provided provided by Runzheimer Canada, a firm specializing in automobile expenses and automobile reimbursement plans. CAA is a federation of 11 automobile clubs serving over four million members through 130 offices across Canada. CAA provides a wide range of member services, has affiliates in 95 countries and works to improve travelling travelling and motoring conditions at home and around the globe. The Little Green Book by: My no Van Dyke It was just a little green book. Frank Stapleton, the Newtonville auctioneer, had jammed it among a selection of others. "Clarke Township books!" he announced to his brother Bob, who was taking his turn at the auction pulpit. "OK and away we go, how much for the books here." Bob chanted to the audience. My hand shot up immediately.. immediately.. Too soon, I thought later. I got the books for ten dollars, not a bad deal. I put up my bidding card, number 259. "Take your thumb off the number, Myno!" Bob said as he tried to read the card. My face flushed as everyone stared. It wasn't the little green book I was really after. It was the little beige book by Agnes Burley about the eastern eastern section of Clarke Township. I had looked at it earlier and was impressed with the work she had put into researching, not only the area, but each individual family family that lived there. Even Frank and Bob Stapleton are mentioned in the book. Almost immediately, a few people came up to me and asked if they could look at the little green book, 1 noticed that it was full of cut. out newspaper articles that had been carefully placed in it. There was a hand-written inscription on the inside of the front cover by the author. "Many thanks for all the many historical tid-bits you pass along to me. Ail of history history is a continuation of life." A small yellowed newspaper newspaper clipping fluttered out of the little green book. It was ■ the author's obituary column. He had died February 15th, 1992. Just two months after signing the book. Although I have lived in this area for 28 years, I never met Sid Rutherford. I know he was part of the "Kirby Senate". I know the- walking path through Orono is named after him. However, I did meet his wife, Mary but I doubt she remembers me. When 1 was a police officer, I used to run into her at the emergency ward at . the Bowmanville Hospital (as it was called then). It was usually usually late at night when we would come in with the accident accident victims, the drunks or the drug overdoses. Sometimes, it was just a dull, slow night and we would just drop in to say hello. They now call it "community "community policing". In those -days, nurses had the time to relax a bit. She would always give you a coffee and a homemade homemade snack. Mary, I'm told, also attended as a private nurse when many of Orono's new babies arrived. 1 heard that Sid was a teacher, an excellent one too. Apparently an impeccable dresser who always wore a tailored suit, white shirt, a tie and polished shoes in the classroom. • Many will remember when he taught at the old Orono High School (where the Public School is now) and later at Clarke High School. He particularly loved algebra and praise flowed from his lips when students were successful. Many will also remember when he was conducting a review for an exam and how he would haye ten students, all at once, go up to the blackboard. He would dictate the algebra equations and the chalk dust would be 'flying as the students wrote them out on the board. Some would find their hands shaking shaking so much that they couldn't read their own writing. "Man o' War!" he would shout as he observed too many mistakes. mistakes. "How many times do we haye to do this!" The ones at the blackboard were the lucky ones. Those in their seats knew their turn was coming. There was no hiding from Sid Rutherford. Sometimes boys would be missing from class and frequent thé pool hall. When Sid arrived at the door, even those under the pool table would be returned P I I I I I Ik Z J Pedicures/Manicures 1 Waxing 1 Nail Extensions 1 Ear Candling ■ Eyelash Tinting ■ Air Brushing 1 Electronic Muscle Stimulate (EMS) 15% off with coupon ' *** ESTHETIC STUDIO Brigitte Brown ' Gift Certificates Available 171 Mill Street, Orono, ON LOB 1M0 • (905) 983-8169 to the classroom. Sid knew his students thoroughly and pushed them to their greatest ■potential. He loved history . and politics and was an active Liberal. In those days, most folks in Orono were either Liberal or Conservative, but he never let his own bias enter the classroom. I'm told he loved to place a statement on the board and grin as he watched his students debate the issue or economics of the day. Not all of his teaching took place in the classroom either. Some say that there was a student, student, much larger than Sid, who complained loudly after school in Bob Thomas' restaurant on the Main Street about how Sid had treated him. He boldly stated to his pals that he would like to settle settle the score "out back of the restaurant" with Sid sometime. sometime. Unbeknown to the student, student, Sid happened to be standing right behind him. Sid said he would be happy to- oblige. The student knew he was, trapped and he reluctantly reluctantly stepped out with a small crowd following, • Sid,' who was in fantastic physical condition condition and quick as lightning, delivered a blistering lesson to the nose of that student. It was all over within a few seconds. seconds. Another lesson learned. In the little green book was a copy of an Orono Times article written, by Helen MacDonald on Wednesday, February 19, 1992. It is one of the most beautiful tributes I have ever read. 1 found myself Wiping tears from my cheeks' before I finished the first three paragraphs. "Sid Rutherford died this morning, the day following Valentine's Day - a day of universal universal love. He loved life, he loved Canada, he loved poet ry, he loved people and loved his community. More importantly importantly he loved the earth, the essence of all his loves, and he loved the forest - the Ganaraska Forest. It is here that he was born. It is here that he died." The little green book, is called "Jottings from the Fence Post." It is a compilation compilation of columns that he wrote called "Highlights of History." He outlines the historical historical characteristics of Clarke Township. It is an incredible little book. Rutherford writes about the hills just east of Orono. For the last 23 years I have looked out of our kitchen window at a large hill on the north side of the 4th Concession. I never knew it was called "Simpson Hill." The book contains many quotes and poetry. They are all very applicable anti well thought out. "I like the lines of Joyce Kimmer, 1 think that I shall never see, a poem more lovely than a tree." He rarely sermonizes in this book but does on one occasion when he talks about the value of books. "It is from this source you get your ideas, your dreams, and without these our civilization would go backwards." It'is not the answers in life that are important, important, it is the questions that you ask that are important. If you don't ask the right questions questions there is little hope for the future." . According to Helen MacDonald, Sid believed that education was a lifetime pursuit. pursuit. He lived an interesting, rewarding,' 75 years. As he wrote in the little green book, "All of history is a continuation continuation of life." His life is part of our history. This was a special man. Call me to buy or sell... Orono and area's real estate representative... Krystyna Jones 983-6013 Aeellw-Nel ASSOCIATES " (DURHAM)lnc. 10S0 Siimtoe St. N., #103, Oshawa TEL: (90S) 721-2112 s New Listing... Cute OronojMUage Bungalow^nM^iDoms., Gà^^üper Lot! $124,500! Sold for 97.9% of list price in less than one month!