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Sean Madsen and Suzanna Sean Madsen's new best friend Long time Port Perry resident, Sean J. Madsen, has just com- pleted a month of training at Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, near Ottawa. His dog, Suzanna, a beautiful black Labrador has been thoroughly trained to guide a blind person safely across streets and around obstacles, "but it's up to me to maintain her training by working with her in a consistent way," he says. Madsen, who has been almost blind since birth, says he thought about getting a dog for several years. 'The fact that guide dogs are now available in Canada played a big part in my decision," he says, explaining why he final- ly went ahead with guide dog training. Until recently, blind Canadians who wished to have a guide dog were required to go to a school in the United States. Now, however, they have three Canadian schools to choose from and, according to the guide dog users Sean Madsen has spoken to, Canadian Guide Dogs has the best reputation. "Guide dogs can't perform miracles," said Sean in a recent interview with the Star, "but they can make a positive difference in a blind person's ability to get around effectively. It is the dog user who must direct the dog." He regularly travels between Port Perry and Ottawa, where he is currently employed as Editor of the Canadian Aeronautics Code. "I expect that the dog will make Reward for Crime Stoppers and Durham Regional Police are appealing for the Public's help in solving an in- creasing number of incidents of malicious damage which are oc- curring throughout our Region. Damage is being done on a regular basis and on many occa- sions is being witnessed by someone. Did you know that over the past six weeks there have been four- teen reported cases of damage to mailboxes in the Blackstock, Seagrave, Beaverton and Cann- ington areas? Did you know that so far this it easier for me to navigate on Ot- tawa's busy city streets as well," he says. According to the Blind Persons' Rights Act, an Ontario law pass- ed in 1976, it is an offense to refuse admittance to public facilities - such as restaurants and stores - to a blind person accompanied by a guide dog, but Sean doesn't an- ticipate any difficulties in Port Perry. "A lot of people I have talked to are aware of the purpose of guide dogs and some have told me that they have seen movies about them." He says friends who have visited him with their guide dogs have had no problems in town. When a guide dog is in harness, it is working and should not be distracted or petted by the public. The dog must be able to concen- trate completely on guiding its blind user. Guide dogs are happy when working, because they understand the importance of what they are doing. When not in harness, they can be spoken to or petted, with the permission of the guide dog user. Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind leases trained dogs to qualified blind persons for a nominal fee, in order to ensure that there are no financial bar- riers for those who could benefit from having a guide dog. The school receives little government funding, but relies heavily on charitable donations. It can be contacted at: P.O. Box 280, 4120 Rideau Valley Drive North, Manotick, Ontario KOA 2NO. A happy time! Epsom and Area News by Jean Jeffery Everyone got home for Christmas and it was a happy time. On Christmas Eve the service at Epsom Church was well at- tended. The service on Christmas Day was at Utica and though some were a little late, Mrs. Ar- nold Kerry as leader conducted the service. Epsom-Utica Choir sang and were very grateful for the assistance of the Goodwood Choir. Rev. Mrs. Waterman brought an inspiring message and served communion. I missed the Christmas Concert on Monday evening but I hear it was really fine. I had remembered that on Tuesday noon I was invited to Christmas dinner at the Uxbridge Care Cen- tre for family dinner and must prepare a dessert. After attending the dinner I went to Uxbridge Seniors Club meeting for their _ Christmas Programme. On Wednesday, Mr. Kenneth Jeffery and his grandson Carmen Jeffery of Parry Sound came to visit brother Gordon. On Sunday the Asling family met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Ashton. On Monday the Ashton family gathered at the home of Mrs. Ruth Ashton. All the Earl Wilson family had Boxing Day dinner with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Wilson entertained their family on Monday. On Dec. 26, Don and Stella Asl- ing were guests with Mrs. Olive Barton and her family of Uxbridge. On Christmas Day the Basters "entertained her parents Jim and Clara Jones, also two girls and a child (sponsored by our church) from Africa. I am sure they en- joyed their first Christmas in Canada. On Boxing Day the Basters enjoyed congregating with his family. The Kerry family met at the home of Elva and Walter Kerry for Christmas. We are pleased to know Elva's mother, Mrs. Wm. Sterman was able to return to the nursing home from the hospital for Christmas. Norm and Betty Tapscott and Anne are spending the holiday with Rev. John Tapscott in Orangedale, Cape Breton Island. Ross and Carole Bailey held Christmas for their family in their new home. The Gourlie family held family Christmas at the home of Jim and Faye Gourlie. Gerald and Nancy Hill and family had a pre-Christmas holi- day with the families. Jennie and Archie Watson spent mail box damage info year in Durham Region alone, there have been over four thou- sand cases of damage reported to Police with over three hundred of these being over $1,000 in value. You can help your community and also be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 by calling Crime Stoppers if you see or know who is doing any type of damage. No one will ever know who you are. The $1000 cash reward also applies to arrests for any type of criminal offences. The Crime Stoppers phone number is 436-8477. If the number is long distance you can either call collect or you can call through your local Durham Regional Police number and ask for Crime Stoppers. Sergeant Sandy Ryrie is the Co- ordinator with the Durham Regional Police Force and writes this article to help combat crime. A Citizen Board administers the Crime Stoppers Programs of which there are now over 800 in North America. The reward money is raised through Tax Deductible donations which may be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stgppers, P.O. Box 54, Oshawa, Ontario. L1H 7K8. Christmas and a few days with her brother Mr. A. Cuddica of Weston. The Deir family of Kingston were home with Mr. and Mrs. Bill McKay. The rest of the family came for Christmas dinner. Mr. and Mrs. H. Ross had breakfast on Christmas Day with Linda and Donald Royle of Port Perry and dinner with their daughter Jo-Ann Brian and fami- Epsom-Utica UCW December meeting by Vera Brown It was a blustery winter day, but there was a wonderful turnout for the U.C.W. meeting and pot luck dinner which was held on Tuesday, December 13 at 12 noon in Utica Hall. The guest list was signed by 38 people and there were 20 members present and when all the food was put on our plates we had a feast fit for a king. As we retreated to the upstairs our program was started with a sing-song of Christmas carols and some very enjoyable numbers played by the musicians from the Uxbridge Senior Entertainers who were our guests. Worship service was led by Bet- ty Tapscott. Prayer was followed by the singing of Away in a Manger. The scripture reading was Luke 2 verses 1-7, followed by singing of Silent Night. The Christmas Eve preparations were related as they happened on the 1st Christmas Eve many years ago when Joseph & Mary journeyed to Bethlehem to prepare for the birth of Jesus. The worship concluded with the singing of Joy to the World. Obituary Marjorie Bailey The funeral of Marjorie Evelin Bailey of Epsom was held December 1, 1988. Miss Bailey died at age 82 after suffering failing health for several years. Miss Bailey was born in the Township of Scott on November 25, 1906 where she lived until she was eight years old. She lived in Epsom for 74 years and worked at the Whitby Psychiatric Hospital as an admit- ting clerk for 35 years. Miss Bailey was predeceased by her parents Janet (Jessie) and Albert Bailey and by her brother Malcolm. She was a sister-in-law to Luella Bailey of Epsom and an aunt to Ross Bailey of Port Perry and Patricia Bailey of Uxbridge and Jeff Bailey of Epsom. She was also a great aunt to Troy Jackson of Uxbridge. Burial was at the Uxbridge Cemetery following a funeral ser- vice conducted by Rev. Nancy Waterman and Low's Funeral Home. Pallbearers were Allen An- drews, Allan Bailey, Ross Evans, John Clark, Donald Asling and Arthur Powell. A fine Christmas Concert ly of Udora. Ross and Barbara Evans had a pre-Christmas dinner with Doreen and Tom Pickett of Ux- bridge on Thursday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Chris Ruhl enter- tained all their children for Box- ing Day. I would like to ask everyone to phone their news in to me on Sun- day evening or Monday morning. Elden and Anita Evans are in Brockville for the Christmas holi- day with Anita's parents the Jaggersmas. Next Sunday (New Year's Day) church at Epsom at 11:15 a.m. There was more entertainment by the band and a special number by Mr. Ted Krainyk was that of the wooden dancing men, which really captured the attention of the children who were present. Eileen Slute had a contest and the winner of that was the group of Jean Jeffrey & Jennie Brawn. Everyone joined in a friendship dance which ended with Lucienne Ross doing a tap dance in the cen- tre of the circle. Elva Kerry thanked the Enter- tainers for joining us and our president Elizabeth Taylor thank- ed everyone for making this a joyous cocasion. Obituary Reta Kathleen Beadle Reta Kathleen Beadle passed away suddenly at the Oshawa Gen- cral Hospital on Friday December 2, 1988. She was in her 69th year. Reta was born in Uxbridge on September 24, 1920. She was the daughter of the late Frank and Emma Welch. She received her ed- ucation at the Reach Twp. School. She worked for Armour McMillan on the farm in Green- bank. Reta married Leonard Beadle January 29, 1941 and lived in Sea- grave. She was a member of the Maybelle Rebekah Lodge #348 in Port Perry for more than 25 years and a member of the Port Perry Hospital Auxiliary. Reta is survived by her husband, Leonard, dear mother of Gary and his wife Pam of Prince Albert, Linda and her husband John Ran- kin of Listowell, and Sandra and een weg al ab an aan ang an ua her husband Michael Benns of Ux- bridge. Loving grandmother of Caralee Beadle, Shawn and Ste- phen Rankin and Michelle Benns. Sister of Norris and Em Welch of Uxbridge, Merle Welch of Beamsville, Melba Hinton of Orillia and predeceased by Claire Temple. A private family service was held at the Wagg Funeral Home in Port Perry on Sunday December 4th, 1988. Cremation followed. : Rev. Stuart McEntyre officiated. The many floral arrangments and memorial donations were grateful- ly appreciated.