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

n miEEsm Back at the feeder I was somewhat surprised earlier this week to see a small flock of birds, 17 in number, busy consuming food from our feeder at the front of the house. We do get a rather close-up view of the birds from our front window as the three feeders are affixed to the over-hang. I counted seven goldfinch on the Niger feeder with a further further one trying to make contact contact with the remaining perch. It was like this last winter to be followed by a mass movement movement into the countryside this recent summer. In all likelihood, likelihood, these birds may be around all winter. Along with these birds there were chickadees flying in and out as well as a presence presence of a red breasted Nut Hatch and two Blue Jays taking taking off with bulging pouches of sunflower seeds. At one time I counted fourteen birds at the feeders which included the suite feeder. Included in that fourteen was a lone purple purple finch. I received- a report from Doug Ferguson that explained how delighted he was last week when a small pack of bluebirds ringed around his bird bath. Apparently it made for a mass of vivid blue. The top of the bath was solid blue, I wish I had been there. The property on concession concession 10 is not that far from Clarington Oak Ridges Blue Bird Trail. Unfortunately the ORTA Blue Bird Trail is presently under some stress which, this year, reduced successful bluebird bluebird nestings. Over the past two years there has been an uncontrolled surge of the personal weed, Black Swallow Wart. It just smoothens everything and is so thick it is often called tangle tangle weed. It eliminates short grassy areas from where bluebirds bluebirds can feed on insects. It is amazing as to how the weeds have taken over in the past two years. There has also been a loss of pasture land on private property on both sides of the trail. These areas are now mostly cornfields. When the bluebird feeds, it, likes to perch some five to six feet above the short grassed areas where they can pick up insects. Hopefully the Oak Ridges Trail Group can be successful in controlling Black Swallow Wart as they have been in near elimination of Poison Ivy all their trails this year. Life is full of challenges. It's what makes it interesting. By the way, DON'T FORGET FORGET to vote this Thursday. Do vote the right way. Viewpoint Continued from page 2 My householder will be coming out the last week of September, or the first week of October, and this will give each of you the ability to vote on whether or not you support same-sex marriage. I'm looking forward to your input. I hope this clears up the impression that I am not in favour of maintaining the traditional definition of marriage as reported in the Toronto press. Northcutt Elliott Funeral Home THOUGHTFULNESS, SERVICE & CONCERN 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 LIC 2Z8 OFF STREET PARKING ( Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, October 1,2003 - 3 Kay Lycett enjoying the musical entertainment and an ice cream cone at the September 20th Chili Cook-off. Municipal candidates hit the trail Three Clarington councillors councillors have been acclaimed to their seats, as last Friday's deadline to register for the November 10 municipal election election passed. Acclaimed are: Ward 1 and 2 Regional Councillor Jim Schell, Ward 3 Local Councillor Pat Pingle and Ward 4 local councillor Gord Robinson. Now that Robinson does not have to run a re-election campaign, he says he is looking looking forward to working with the BIA's of Orono and Newcastle, revitalizing them. "One issue that will be on the top of my list is the revitalization revitalization of downtown Orono," said Robinson in a phone interview with the Times on Tuesday afternoon. "I want to get back to a customer friendly friendly atmosphere in Orono and attract business to town. I want to see new stores and see it clean." Having the confidence confidence of three years experience, experience, Robinson says he will address any issue that comes forward. Expanding the rural constable constable program is also on Robinson's list of things to do this term. • -/ v ; With his work schedule freed up, Robinson says he will be dedicating 40 hours a week to the job, and looks forward , to working with the new council. There are in all 14 candidates candidates registered for the seven positions on Clarington council. council. Mayor John Mutton is being challenged by Richard Ward of Orono. Charlie Trim Regional Councillor for Ward 3 and 4 is being challenged by Arnot Wotten. Five candidates are seeking seeking the Local Councillor Ward One seat Jane Rowe is giving up. Candidates are: Adrian Foster, Jim Vinson, Suzanne Elston, Oudit Rai and Gail Syme. Don MacArthur, Local Councillor for Ward 2 is being challenged by Joseph Burchowycz. Six candidates are seeking the two positions for Clarington on the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Nancy Coffin is the incumbent and is seeking re- election. The seat vacated by Bob Willsher's passing away is being sought by Cathy Abraham, David Sanders, Colin Argyle, Brian Vanstone and Steven Cooke. Karen Hills had filed nomination papers but has since withdrawn withdrawn them. Candidates for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, Granville Anderson and George Ashe have been acclaimed. There were no candidates for the French Catholic School Board and the one position on the French English School Board was filled by Sylvia Landry. The Clarington municipal election will again be conducted conducted with vote by mail ballot. ballot. ~ HAPPENINGS Saturday. October 4 Clarington Older Adults "Harvest Bazaar 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Clarington Beech Centre, 26 Beech Ave., Bowmanville. Includes bake table, crafts, jewelry, books, white elephant table, draws, produce, hot luncheon and more! 905-697-2856 Saturday. October 4 Fall Dance featuring the D.J. services "Then & Now Sounds" at 8 p.m. Tickets $10 available available at the door. Clarington Beech Centre, 26 Beech Ave., Bowmanville. 905-697-2856 Saturday. October 4 Orono Crown Lands Trust BBQ and Corn Roast - trance. 12 noon to 5 p.m. Ochonski Road en- Saturdav r October 25 Newcastle United Church Harvest Bazaar - 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring: crafts, bake table, country store, silent auction, tea room, and church calendars. For more information call Jane 905-983-6312 or Thelma 905-987-1223. Saturday. October 25 Vicars' & Tarts' Dance - Orono Town Hall from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets $20 available from Jackie 983-5065 or Beryl 983-5591. Prize for best dressed Vicar and Tart. Light refresh- ^nents^St^^