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From Around Home by Roy Forrester How often of late have you heard comments as to the abundance abundance of snow that has piled up throughout the countryside? Many comments are of a negative negative nature but surely we have to agree there is much beauty to be enjoyed throughout the countryside. It is a "Snow White" winter indeed. Rick Patterson, chairperson of the Hike committee of the Clarington Chapter of the Oak Ridges Trail Association, wants you to enjoy this beauty that exists in the great outdoors. To that end, he has organized organized two family hikes for this coming Saturday, March 15th with one being held at 10 a.m. and the other at 2:00 p.m. The whole family is invited even the dog if it is leashed. An opportunity for the family to celebrate the Spring Break together in the great outdoors. Plans are also underway to serve hot chocolate. chocolate. 'Vx ; ... The trail of some 2,5 kms. will probably -take; 1.5 hours and travels through a treed unopened road allowance as well as a managed hardwood bush. x To reach the.site, travel west yillISlyeskaiÿfbn^pncession Road 8 to the Boundary Road between Clarke and Darlington. Then 2 kms. north. With Rick using his grandfather's grandfather's snow shoes and I on skis, we covered the course for this Saturday in an effort to blaze a trail through the snow. This will be repeated a number of times during the week. It's to be noted that Murray Yeo and his wife are also helping. By Saturday the trail should be well packed for hiking as well as for skiing or snow shoes. Since the fall of snow, I have been skiing in the Orono Tree Nursery land west of Orono almost on a daily basis. I seldom see birds with the exception of a couple of Chickadees and a pair of Robins. Wildlife seems to be missing. This is not the case on the site chosen for the hikes on Saturday. There is an abundance of Cottontail and Jack Rabbit tracks as well as mice and and small birds. A deer jumping a fence must have been somewhat surprised with the depth of the snow. Not only were the leg marks in the snow, but its stomach. stomach. The removal of bark by a Porcupine can also be noted. It could well be that wildlife in the area of the , Saturday event have riot been in coritact with humans but then on the other hand it is next door to the Mosport raceway. raceway. It is however, somewhat of a different environment to that of the Tree Nursery lands. Maybe I am just enjoying a change in venue but it is a picture picture to behold. How about seeing you and your family either at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. on Saturday. March 19 - 10 a.m. Hike - Bluebird Trail Meet south 35 Hwy. parking lot, opposite Hub Caps. Possible sighting of early arriving Bluebirds. Call Roy Forrester 905-983-5147. Newcastle Lions Club Free Income Tax Preparation Day Saturday March 15, 2003 9:30am to 3:00pm at 37 King Ave. West, Newcastle (across from the Town Hall) This service is provided to the community free of charge by local tax preparers on a volunteer basis, in connection connection with the Newcastle Lions Club. Eligibility guidelines for returns prepared on March 15th, 2003 are: Personal income $15,000 Families with dependents: $25,000 This service is not offered as an alternative to local tax preparation services, so, generally business and rental income tax returns are too time consuming to be offered at this event. For more information or to book an appointment, please contact one of the following: Mark L. Hendrikx, Chartered Accountant 905-987-0570 John Bugelli, Financial Planner 905-987rH31 StlplStt' Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, March 12,2003 - 3 The sap boiling demonstration is part of the 'Maple Syrup Days' at the Clarke Museum. Erin Lowe of Kendal discovered discovered on Saturday that a watched pot never boils. Continued from front Ajax/Pickering come forward with a request for $3.5 million, the result is every hospital currently serving the Region of Durham will be coming coming forward and citing this example and saying we should be funding their expansion. This is a never-ending stream for responsibility for hospital funding," he said. Parish was adamant that the Region should not be taking on non-mandated responsibilities when they are not adequately funding their mandated services such as roads. Ajax Councillor Jim McMaster, Chair of the Region's Finance Committee said, "Since the Province is back to funding 70 per cent, the rest will not come from the province anyway, the rest will come from residents." "Something has to be done at that hospital that- is feeling the pressure of residential residential growth in its catchment area," he said. The hospital that primarily serves the Ajax Pickering area is also becoming the hospital of choice for west Whitby residents since their hospital will be closed next year. This year's portion of the $3.5 million commitment, $250,000 was included in the 2003 budget. According to McMaster that represents about a dollar to eveiy resident of Durham this year. "We've to get something done now at this hospital," hospital," he stated. "For a buck, the shovel goes in the ground ." Tax increase Continued from front impact. Clarington will undergo their 2003 capital and operating operating budgets within the next few weeks. The Regional municipal and educational components combined make up the property tax bill. ~ Happenings ~ March 5 -16 Maple Syrup Time at Clarke Museum - Discover the art of maple syrup making. There will be interactive displays, history of sugaring off, indoor/outdoor activities for the family plus Group tours. Maple syrup products will be available. Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 905-983-9243 for more info. Thursday. March 13 Free Skating at Orono Arena - from 1 to 3 p.m. Sponsored by the Orono BIA. Monday. March 17 St. Patrick's Day Chili Luncheon -11:30 to 1 p.m. Oddfellows and Rebekah's Centre. Advance tickets $8. Call Norma 983-5358 or Lorna 983-5608. Beginning Tuesday. March 18 at 6 p.m. "Just Me & The Kids" - Crossroads Christian Assembly (978 North St., Newcastle) presents presents a 12-week seminar series for single parents and their children. Works with both parent and child addressing varied and complex issues facing single parent families. One time fee of $25 includes weekly meal for parent and up to 2 children ($5/additional child.) For more info and to register please call church office 905-987-9955. Sunday. March 23 St. Saviour's Dedication Service - 9:30 a.m. at St. Saviour's Anglican Church, Mill Street, Orono. We will be dedicating our stained glass windows provided by donations from members members of our congregation as well as memorial donations in memory of Muriel Coates, George Day, David Watkins. Reception in parish hall following service. Starting March 31st Are you looking for work? Gain creative and effective job search skills in the Job Finding Club. Meta Vocational Services Inc. in Bowmanville is offering a 3-week job search program program from March 31 to April 18. You will learn how to access the hidden job market, effee tivc interview skills, preparing resumes and cover letters and more. Sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada. For more info call Calhlccn Lycctt 905-697-8887 J