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<3 " Orono WoeMyTbne», Wednesday. December 20, 2000 From Around Home by Roy Forrester Plans for kitchen An afternoon safari last Wednesday afternoon and a short drive around Orono on Monday has, assured me that all birds have not left to winter in the south. There have been no birds around the two feeders feeders at home which has been somewhat disappointing. disappointing. Such reports have been the case by other bird feeders. It was a sight for sore eyes driving into Don Lycett's driveway Monday sighting a mix of 40 to 50 male and female House Finch. It was quite apparent apparent that they were at home in the tree making use of the feeder. Don also states they have doves dropping into the feeder. The above sighting came after a short drive circling the village, when we recorded a Kestral on the Sixth Line. As usual, for Kestrals, it was perched on a hydro line. Also viewed on the Orono circuit were two Red Tall Hawks and a Rough Legged Hawk. On Thursday afternoon of last week our circuit was on a much larger scale taking taking Don and I along Highway 401 to Oshawa and Whitby harbours and then zig-zagging along country roads to return to Orono. Our sighting included 8 Red Tailed Hawks with the majority sighted alongside 401. From the cliff on the west side of the Oshawa lakeside park we had a good viewing of the cute little little Buffleheads, both male and'female. Farther out in the lake a sizeable flock of Common Golden-eyes were busy diving for food. Moving on to Whitby harbour, the usual 100s of Canada Geese blackened blackened the marsh lands.'Of greater interest were three pair of Common Mergansers and a number number of Black Backed Gulls. Skirting a wildlife area two Robins were sighted. We also had sightings of two Rough-Legged Hawks. They come down, from the north and are larger than Red Tails as well as having white patches on the wing and black wing-elbows. On the return home along a back country road, we sighted a flock of other northern visitors to our area, American Tree Sparrows. These birds are . winter visitors, ', late October to May, and feed in the grassy, weedy fields. Due to the cover of snow in the fields last week the birds had taken to the roadside where the snow had been turned back by snowplows. Travelling at a slow speed, the birds stayed in front, of us for a distance of one concession. The flock would be well over fifty. A sighting of a large flock of crows, 500, blackened blackened the trees and ground. It all made for a good day in birding. Part of 40 million It is not that often that one becomes part of a statistic but it did happen happen to Gary Armstrong and myself. We travelled on the GO Train into Toronto on Wednesday of last week, whën GO recorded and celebrated it's 40 millionth rider this year. Our purpose was "Dame Edna". 1"" d| Holiday Closure of the Region's Waste Management Facilities The Region's Waste Facilities in Oshawa, Port Perry and Blackstock will be closed December 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st as well as January 1st. These sites will also have reduced hours on December 23rd and December 30th, opening at 8:00a.m. and closing at noon. Normal hours of operation will resume on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2001 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. J. R. McCorkell, P. Eng. Commissioner of Works Soon things will really be cooking in the Orono Town Hall. Clarington Council approved the design of a- kitchen addition to the heritage heritage building at Monday's council meeting. Hall Board Chair Ann Dreslinski reminded councillors councillors that the Orono Town Hall was the only community centre centre in the municipality that doesn't have a kitchen. The initial design for the addition is a board and baton construction built on the back of the Hall. : Councillor Don McArthur stated that he would hate to see something like a summer kitchen put on the back of that beautiful building. "I realize you need a kitchen," he said, "but a board and baton lean-to on this beautiful building? There has to be another solution." solution." Dreslinski assured council the Board had approval from the Local Architectural ' Conservancy Association whose advice they would be seeking along the way. Councillor Gdrd Robinson stated that Orono already had a number of facilities with kitchens, did we need one more? he asked. • Dreslinski replied that there was only one 100 year old building as beautiful as the Town Hall. The Health Department is beginning to frown upon the practice of volunteers bringing in food from the outside, said Dreslinski, Land when weddings weddings have to bring in outside caterers, that adds to their cost. "The Arena ' is beautiful, but it Can't hold a candle to the Town Hall," Dreslinski stated. The architect of the plans stated- that the board and baton could be replaced with brick without adding significant significant cost to the project! Council approved the capital capital expenditure of $80,000 in last year's budget process for the addition., On Monday night councillors councillors approved a recommendation recommendation that Municipal Staff proceed proceed with the call of tender for the expansion. Season's Greetings from the (Zstanûtÿùm Otden, f4eüdt SSzEIEF BOXING WEEK EVENT 30% OFF STOREWIDE A ©ale you don't want to miss . . . Shop early for best selection on: ^►Christ ma s/Winter Decor Scented Candles Country Prints & Accents Rag Rugs Searington Sears Pine Furnishings^ WED. DEC. S7TH -. SAT. DEC. .BOTH 10 am to 5 pm ★ . We would like to take this opportunity to wish you, our valued, customer, a wonderful Christmas and prosperous New Year. Thank you for your continued patronage. - Burt & Sâiidy McDonnell - » The Wooden Carousel 905 RegioriaC Road 42 ' (CCarke-DarCington TownCine) 905-697-0919