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4 - Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, August 20,2003 South of 49° by Jeanne Burnside In the dark Thursday afternoon I was weaving away--my new hobby, when the blackout occurred. Unfortunately, I was in Pickering with a friend and was not aware it had happened. happened. The loom does not use electricity and we decided to stop around 5 pm. As we headed home down Brock Road, the traffic lights were out and we assumed it was probably a local power outage. Fortunately, we had decided to take the 401 home so \ve could stop at Canadian Tire in Bowmanville to pick up my car, which was being serviced. My friend's car was without a radio due to a prior theft, so we drove along happily happily "in the dark." It became increasingly clear that more was going on as we passed each exit and realized cars on the exit ramps were spilling back to the highway. As we entered the Bowmanville Plaza we knew something was terribly wrong. No cars, no people, but the Canadian Tire garage door was slightly ajar and I went in to retrieve my car. After a small discussion, I was allowed to take it home. Although the U.S., specifically specifically NY's Governor Pataki, initially blamed Canada, the real culprit turned out to be a small technical problem in Ohio. The word "grid" has replaced the infamous "chad" on all the news programs. Orono became a boom- town after radio broadcasts revealed on Friday that the grocery store, LCBO and bank, etc. were open and operating. operating. The slogan "The Village With a Difference" took on a very special meaning--unlike meaning--unlike many of our neighboring communities, we had electricity! Across the border, my youngest sister was giving birth to her second child--a boy. He had already acquired the name Stone due to his mom's emergency gall bladder surgery in her fourth month of pregnancy. My new nephew arrived safely and happily into this wonderful world "in the dark." ^0 • Wedding Cakes Cakes for a\\ Occasions Pastries - Donuts - Pies ^.**■1 # • Bread & Buns r 905-983-9779 Main Street, Orono ' ^ y ^ ' Proprietors: Gary & Carol Vreeker Closed Sunday and Monday 1 Clearance Sale starts Thursday, August 21st 61 ii mm Up to 40% Off selected items SHOP EARLY FOR BEST SELECTION fountains • garden items • candles • giftware Slimmer drink sets de more... Hours: Thurs to Fri - 10am-8pm • Sat - 10am-5pm • Sun - 11am-4pm Closed Labour Day weekend 5861 Main Street, Orono, Ontario Ambassador Continued from front "We need somebody our age saying that without our youth involvement agriculture is going to fade out. We can't let that happen. It's Canada's greatest greatest resource." Farming isn't as labour-intensive labour-intensive as some youth might imagine. imagine. It's a healthy, growing industry with a need for chemists, engineers and scientists. scientists. That's got to be true if, as some say, the farm of the future will be under a weather-controlled weather-controlled biodome. The fair ambassador program offers tremendous potential for personal development. "It teaches you a lot about public speaking skills and not to be afraid to get up in front of a crowd," says Rebecca. This past weekend she and 78 other ambassadors representing representing fairs from all over Ontario vied for the provincial title at the CNE Queen Elizabeth theatre. "It was a positive experience," experience," she says. It was easy relating to other youth who came from tiny towns in farm country. "We knew that no matter who won, we were all proud to be good representatives from our regions." Based on personal interviews and stage presence, it turned out to be one of the four male ambassadors who captured the crown, which was a histone first for the pageant. Also of historic interest, the CNE was the first agricultural fair to receive electricity, and on the 125 anniversary of that milestone, it turned out to be the year that they didn't have any. (The CNE was due to open Tuesday.) Ms Boyd is grateful to her late grandfather Bill Hooey of Orono who encouraged her to participate in the contest. "Yes, it's intimidating at first. You're voicing your own opinions opinions publicly and that is the biggest concern for most people - being judged." The program helped her overcome those fears. "I could walk under a horse when I was four. I was never intimidated by animals..." But speaking publicly was a scary thought. Rebecca has graduated from Clarke High School and will take a year off before applying to university for theatre arts or film production. Right now she works at a photo lab and is launching into the wedding photography business. Gord Lowery tends to the beef at the Orono Park Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the 36th annual Orono Amateur Athletic Association Beef BBQ. Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home '- THOUGHTFULNESS, SERVICE & CONCERNS A Family Owned Business, Offering: Traditional Funeral Services Pre-arranged & Prepaid Services - Cremation Arrangements Alternatives to Traditional Funerals - Out of Town Shipping CORY KUIPERS - PRESIDENT 53 Division Street 905-623-5668 Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 2Z8 OFF STREET PARKING I J gji 1 I 1 | ESI J Com Roast at Clarke Museum Celebrate the harvest with an old time country fair Fresh corn on the cob, hamburgers, hot dogs, cotton candy, children's games, face painting and more! Featuring children's author, William Swan Blacksmith demonstrations and entertainment by local fiddlers Saturday, August 23 1:00pm - 5:00pm For more information call the Museum Office at 905-623-2734 m 1 1 H 3 .-- -- 1 West Nile virus: Preventing bites. i Wear light colours, long sleeves and long pants. Use bug repellent containing DEBT J and read product directions carefully. Avoid mosquito areas from dusk through dawn 1 when they're most active. To learn more, call or visit our Web site. 1 1-877-234-4343 TTY 1-800-387-5559 www.HealthyOntario.com V