6 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Mon. December 31, 1984 Retailers pleased with December receipts (From page 1) of a pretty good year, generally in 1984, as the public seems to be buying with more con- fidence. The fact that the General Motors strike was settled quick- ly may also have been a factor in strong sales, according to some mer- chants Bill Barr, president of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce and owner of the Stedmans Store at the Port Perry Plaza, said December was "an excellent month," which capped off a strong second half in 1984. "I think people just editorial = comments (continued) resources, federal-provincial rights, even the metric system, and everyone seemed to want to- point the finger of blame at the other guy. it was not a healthy time for the country and while we must agree with the new Prime Minister, that there are serious economic problems to be corrected, we hope as well that Canadians will: start to adopt a more positive attitude about themselves and their country. In short, what Canada needs is a powerful dose of good old-fashioned flag-waving patriotism, where one can stand up and proclaim in a loud voice "this is the best darn country in the world. I'm proud to live here and be called a Canadian." It has long amazed us that Canadians seem to have such a collective inferiority complex, almost embarrassed by their country and flag. We have taken so much from our neighbours to the south: their films and TV shows; literature and magazines, the Big Mac; Detroit cars; baseball; Monday Night Football; and all the slick adver- tising that Madison Avenue can crank out. But one thing we have shied away from is the expression of pride and love for country. Maybe in 1985, Canadians will get rid of the complex and discover that there is nothing wrong with some strenuous flag-wauing. Smiley (From page 4) back to the hardware store, bought the skates, white-faced, and ran all the way home, heart thumping, stomach sick. He sneaked in the back way, and was hiding the skates in the woodshed. His mother and father were talking in the kitchen. 'That was foolish, Dad," she was saying. "You know we owe grocery bills, and there's fuel to buy, and we all need clothing." His Dad answered: 'I don't care if we're all starving by spring. I know what it's like to want something that badly." The boy went around to the front door, came in quietly and crept off to bed, after murmuring goodnight to his parents. He didn't get to sleep for a long, long time. In the morning, his kid brother excitedly dragged him out of bed, to go down and look under the tree. He was feeling wretched. He knew there'd be nothing under the tree but some nuts and candy, and an apple, and maybe a new suit of long underwear, wrapped in gift paper. That was The Depression. When he saw the new skates sitting there, his insides gave a lurch. He knelt beside them and saw the card: 'To Bill, with love. Mother and Dad." When his parents came down, he was still on his knees, the tears streaming down his face. His Mother thought he was crying for happiness, and loved him up. His Dad tried to joke him out of it, talking about the great hockey star he'd be. It would be nice to end the story by saying he told them the whole story, the skates he'd bought with the found money were returned, the woman got her money, all was forgiven, and he never stole anything again as long as he lived. But that's not the way it was. He took the skates out of the woodshed that night, ran with them to the river, and threw them over the bridge into the black water. He played hockey every day. When summer came, he stole a as he always had. He plan ve it to the woman whose money he'd money and les, and grapes, to save all his stolen. But he never got around to it. He planned to do something wonderful for his parents, and never got around to it. But he'll never forget that Christmas as long as he lives. aa a a loosened up and decided they were going to spend this year,' he told the Star. While items like winter outerwear and boots didn't sell very well because of the mild weather, he said certain toys were snapped off the store shelves as quickly as they were put out Leading the list in popularity was the Cabbage Patch Doll (no surprise). The Sted- mans Store in Port Perry sold over 400 of the dolls, or just about every one in stock. Also a big hit in the toy department this Christmas were the Go- bots and Transformers, and the cuddly Care Bears. . But Mr. Barr said the overwhelming popular- ity of these and a few other toy items cut into the sales of other toys, especially dolls. The owners of the two furniture and appliance stores in Port Perry both told the Star that December was a strong month, with the most popular gift items being micro-wave ovens and VCR's. "I'm pleased with the way things went," said Chic Carnegie of Home- stead Furniture. '""The month was every bit as good as last year," he stated. Along with mcros and VCR's, other fast selling items included colour TV sets, furniture and shelf radios. He said customers seemed to be prepared to spend more for the better quality makes and models. Howard Hall, of House of Howard, also said that micros and VCR's were hot selling items in his store this Christmas. He said he noticed that sales were a little slow during the first two weeks of the month, but things began to take off as Christmas approached. In fact, he described the Saturday and the Monday just prior to Christmas as two of his best days DOGGIE SALON Dog Washing & Grooming 19 SUNRISE DR, BLACKSTOCK For Appointment Call: ever. Clothing is always popular for gift giving at Christmas, and Greg Heffering of Gregory's Mens Wear told the Star that December sales "made the fall season for me. I'm very pleas- ed with the month." Although suits, * jackets and slacks were not selling quite as well, he said the demand for sweaters, sport shirts, casual slacks and sport - clothing was very strong. Ties, umbrellas, gloves, tote bags and shaving kits, also were very popular gift items this Christmas, he said. Like other merchants, Mr. Heffering said that business really began to take off in the final couple of weeks prior to Christmas. Jill Bradley of Coun- try Classics Ladies Wear, said she was very pleased with Christmas business, and in fact, the entire year was a good one for ladies clothing. She suggested that consumers may be starting to feel better about the future and have more confidence in the economy. Sweaters and dresses were probably the most popular gift items this * Christmas. Carol Luke of Luke's Country Store, told the Star that sales were slow at the beginning of the month, but she described the final two weeks before Christmas -as 'just excellent." "We are really pleas- ed," she said, noting that 1984 was a good year overall. And what were people buying this Christmas? Mrs. Luke said that brass items are popular every year and 1984 was no exception. China dolls and ceramic figurines called "Precious Moments' also proved to bein demand by shoppers this Christmas... And Mrs. Luke said shopping didn't "stop with Christmas as December 27 was a busy day in the store as well. Visitors ring in holiday season Greenbank News by Mrs. Armour McMillan "986-4989 SCUGOG OVERHEAD DOOR SERVICE RESIDENTIAL 8 COMMERCIAL *New Installations & Repairs 'Wood 8 Steel Sectional Doors plus One Piece Stee! Doors AUTOMATIC DOOR OPERATOR SERVICE 985-3735 Miss Mary Forfar of Agincourt spent the holiday season with her sister, Mrs. Mildred Thomson and her family. : : We are pleased to hear that Mr. Wm. Graham was at his home for Christmas and is under the care of son Hugh and Ray Godfrey. Mrs. Frank Lee was able to leave hospital to convalesce at home and attended the Lee Christmas at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Lee on the Saturday D) DURHAM Durham is considering proposed hectares (8.3 acres). THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM PUBLIC NOTICE Take notice that the Regional Municipality of AN APPLICATION TO AMEND THE DURHAM REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN The amendment, as submitted by the applicant, to expand on Aggregate Extractive Operation within the area indicated on the map below and consisting of 3.4 "before Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. George Beare entertained all their family on Christmas Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Keith Sweetman, Port Perry, entertained all their family and Mrs. Kath- leen Leask: and John for Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Dawson, Port Perry, were with Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Lee on Christmas Mr. Lloyd Ashen- hurst, Vancouver, is visiting with Mr. and existing Mineral 8 Town Township of Uxbridge ! | ship of ! Scugog | ning Department. 1, 1985. Don Hadden Chairman, Planning Committee In order to assist in the evaluation of the amen- dment application, the public is invited to provide input by way of submissions to the Region's Plan- Information related to the amendment application is available in the offices of the Planning Depar- tment, 105 Consumers Drive, Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3 or by calling Mr. Larry Kotseftf, M.C.|.P. Planning Department, (416) 668-7731. Submissions concerning the amendment ap- plication must be forwarded to the Commissioner of Planning, at the above-noted address, and must be received no later than Friday, February Please include your address and telephone num- ber in any submissions made. Dr. M. Michael, M.C.|.P. Commissioner of Planning Mrs. Armour McMillan over the holidays. Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Jarvis entertained the Baker relatives for the Christmas festivities. Prof. Warren Mec- Cready visited with his sister, Mr. and Mrs. K. Kratz, Westport, N.Y. over Christmas day. Mrs. Olive McMillan was with her family at Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Hoods for Christmas. Mr. and Mrs. Lucien Amesse, Michel and Natelie from Montreal, holidayed with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Holtby for a week. Mr. and Mrs. Keith " DURHAM Durham is considering THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF DURHAM PUBLIC NOTICE Take notice that the Regional Municipality of AN APPLICATION TO AMEND THE DURHAM REGIONAL OFFICIAL PLAN and THE TOWNSHIP OF SCUGOG OFFICIAL PLAN The amendment, as submitted by the applicant, proposes 15 residential lots within the area in- dicated on the map below. Jarvis and children celebrate Chf with her family) Mrs. Jim Murphy of Bolton spent Boxing Day with Mrs. Betty Dobson and Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Robt. Hunter, Jennifer and Adam were with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Grant Hunter on Boxing Day. We welcome the Quinn family to the residence vacated by Mr. and Mrs. Keith Gibb who now reside in the Blackstock area. SITE Regional Rd 8 = a © Oo O £ (7) Hwy No. 7A \ 7 Lake Scugog ~vr ning Department. 1, 1985. Don Hadden, Chairman, Planning Committee In order to assist in the evaluation of the amen- dment application, the public is invited to provide input by way of submissions to the Region's Plan- Information related to the amendment application is available in the offices of the Planning Depar- tment, 105 Consumers Drive, Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3 or by calling Mr. Larry Kotseft, M.C.I.P. Planning Department, (416) 668-7731. Submissions concerning the amendment ap- plication must be forwarded to the Commissioner of Planning, at the above-noted address, and must be received no later than Friday, February Please include your address and telephone num- ber in any submissions made. Dr. M. Michael, M.C.I.P. Commissioner of Planning Ca--c--------" ai m "