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

8 - Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, May I), 2001 f From Around Home by Roy Forrester The past week has been one of interest for both myself and Don Lycett, it made for considerable enjoyment in being in the outdoors. After two working trips on the Swamp Road trail off Leskard Road and hearing the same bird voice, we decided it was time to take an early morning trip to search out and identify this bird. It was waiting for us some before seven a.m. In fact, there was more than one with the same song and we estimated three or four. It wasn't too long before the bird showed itself somewhat somewhat oblivious to our presence. presence. Our identification was that of a Northern Waterthrush and yes there were three or four in the immediate area. The habitat of the Wilmot Creek, bog and thicket at the opening of the Swamp Trail is ideal for the Waterthrush and we would expect the birds will stay around for their nesting. The nest of this bird is well concealed in swamp areas, often in cavities of uprooted roots. The sighting of a Rufous-sided Towhee on Sunday was in an entirely different environment, an open field with some scattered scattered shrubs and Scotch Pine trees. This Towhee is a colour- full bird with a distinctive , voice which you never seem to forget. It was quite noticeable, perched on the top spike of the pine. The same area also provided provided us with a host of Chipping Sparrows continually continually singing out upon throwing their head back. Their call is a cheerful trill or chatter. While in this area, east of Highway 115 and Wilcox Road, we also came upon a small pond in which a drab female Mallard was cruising. cruising. It was only a matter of minutes when a male Mallard landed in the pond in full spring colour. Don and I both commented on the iridescent colour of this bird. It certainly showed off well in the sunlight. At this point, Don and I were in an area of the Ganaraska Forest that years ago Sid Rutherford, Bill Bunting and I had come upon a sizeable patch of green trilliums. The white petals were marked randomly by green markings while others followed followed a definite pattern. It wasn't just one or two green trilliums it was a matter of hundreds. It may have been twenty years ago or even more that this find was made. The question, this recent Sunday, "were they still there?" To find out it required a steep hill climb in the hardwood hardwood bush with both sides of the trail laced with white trilliums. Finally, a single green trillium was found among the thousands. The petals were green with a quarter inch of white edging. Bill Bunting reminds me that it is a form of virus that produces the green trillium. trillium. They do not produce a seed that carry the numbers numbers on year after year. Maybe we will hear more about this in the upcoming week. By: Leslie Kirby, co-op student This year's graduation marks not only the end of time at Clarke for O.A.C. and senior students, students, it will also be time to say good-bye to principal, Leigh Facey-Crowther, Facey-Crowther has spent at Clarke. Mr. Facey-Crowther shared that he will have some extra special special words to give to the graduating graduating students on grad night, for they are the students who first entered Clarke with him, and who are now departing with him as well. "Clarke is an excellent school with great spirit, high standards, co-curricular opportunities opportunities and a very supportive com munity," proclaims Mr. Facey- Crowther. While he is optimistic about his new position as principal principal of Norwood District High School, he says that he will miss the staff and students at Clarke. Miss Catherine Foy, who is currently vice principal at Crestwood Secondary School in Peterborough, will be replacing Mr. Facey-Crowther. Students will meet her in September. SUBSCRIBE Most of the students leaving in June will have been Clarke students for five years, which is the same amount of time that Mr. MASARU KARATE CLUB GLASSES MONDAY, TUESDAY 8 THURSDAY EVENINGS FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT RICHARD JONES EMAIL: rick.temko@sympatico.ca TELEPHONE: (905) 786-2793 FAX: (905) 786-1031 Region holds tax increase A $2 million infusion of cash from Regional reserve funds decreased this year's Regional tax increase by 1%, Councillors voted Wednesday to reduce the proposed proposed 6.2% tax increase to 5.2% which equals approximately approximately $56 on a $150,000 home. Tire 5.2% does not include reassessment impact on property owners. Current and capital budget requirements for the year 2001 in the Region of Durham are $240 million. The largest increase in this year's budget went to Police Services* which at $82 million million represents 4 % of the tax increase. Regional operations represents represents the second largest impact at a 1.95% increase. The Regional Roads Rehabilitation Reserve Fund established to finance the capital costs related to the improvements of . the Regional Road System accounts for .5% of the tax increase. Conservation Authorities also saw a small increase at .35%. Mayor Mutton feels that the monies taken from the reserve fund will add a 1% increase to next year's tax bill. However he felt this budget was the best they could come up with at the present time. Bring Mom out for a SPECIAL Orono Country Cafe Roast Beef Dinner or Chicken Breast Dinner including soup or juice' dessert y [us coffee or tea for ÿjy 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. J I IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE ORONO WEEKLY TIMES 983-5301 ADVERTISERS DON'T DELAY! Time is running out to place your ad in the program guide for the 2001 Great Canadian Town Band Festival. Deadline to book ad space is May 15th! Call Jeanne Burnside at 905-983-5230 for details. June 15, 16 S 17 Orono, Ontario PROGRAM ADVERTISING RATES Business Card: $75 . 1/4 page: $350 1/2 page $700 Full page: $1,400 I ■