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y PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, July 5, 1989 -- 7 THE GRADS Around our house for the last few weeks, I've been hearing a lot about the "grad." That's how long the eldest son has been mak- ing plans fechis big night. Along with 200 or so oth- er young people from the Township, June 28 was his grade 8 graduation from Cornish Public School. To be quite frank about it, | really didn't give it all that much thought. Probably because the grade 8 graduations | attended in the past were in the line of duty, so to speak, to take photos for the newspa- per. | was emotionally detached from 'the event, thinking more of whether | had the right exposure setting on the camera or whether the flash would function properly. The actual significance of the evening, for both students and their parents really did not hit home those previous years. But last Wednesday evening, in the steaming hot gym at PPHS, | was among the Proud parents watching and applauding as the students received their diplomas and special awards. It really did hit home for me that night that an era was ending and another starting. | could not quite believe that one of my kids was actually fin- ished with elementary school and would be head- ing into high school come September. I'm sure | speak for many parents when | say there were a few times along the way when | won- dered if | would ever see the day that he would be finished with Cornish School. And watching those grads walk into the gym Viewpoint by John Bi. McClelland realised once and for all that they are no longer children. Gosh, they looked impressive, all dressed to the nines, so sophisticated, mature, poised and confident. Oh, Jes, confident. I'm sure there were plenty of butterfiles jumping around in stomachs, but it sure didn't show. Following the presentations and the speeches, most of the kids (oops, young adults) headed back to the old alma mater for the last time to dance the evening away. | don't think I'm giving away any secrets when | say that part of the emotional feeling parents expe- rience at events like a graduation (aside from pride) is a sense of the passing of time, a feeling that the years are slipping by. | could not help but think that it seemed like Just yesterday when he was in Kindergarten, and suddenly, nine years fly past and he's up there on the stage getting a grade 8 diploma. Has it really been nine years. Dam right nine years have gone by, not just for the students, but their parents, too. Five years more (if all goes well) high school will be just a memory too. Standing there last week at the back of the gym, trying not to think of the heat while watchi students walk across the stage, accepting hand- shakes of congratulations from teachers and princi- pals, | was struck by the ceremony itself, and how much work must have gone into the organization and co-ordination to make sure everything ran smoothly. 8, and what a difference between then and now. There was no ceremony, no dance, no fancy dress clothes, no flash bulbs popping. There was a brief assembly in the hall outside the principal's office on the last day of school, a few brief words about the "challenge of grade nine," and then it was back to class to watch the clock for ho les) hour or so until finally, the final bell rang at Reports were handed out at the classroom. door by the grade 8 teacher as students filed into the halls. A quick nod of the head from the teacher, and that was it, the end of an era. It was like getting back a spelling test. | may be wrong, but | don't think actual diplo- mas were handed out when | finished grade 8. If | did get one, it's long ago forgotten and lost. But that was then, times have changed for the better. | now know why the young people were so excited about their graduation, why it meant so much to them. Young people these days seem to be taking a bad rap. The media zero in on the drugs, the gangs, the violence of the few, while the great ma- jority who do nothing but pass their grades, pla sports, pursue decent hobbies and respect their parents get ignored. Too bad. The media just might -be missing some great stories. To those grade 8's in Scugog who graduated, nice going. And to their teachers, who guided, hoped and challenged them, thanks, from this par- ent. then up onto the stage to receive their diplomas, | And | thought of the day when | finished grade Remember When? 70 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 10, 1919 It begins to look as though the waiting room at the wharf should be cleaned and repaired as Council cannot afford to have a dirty spot like that on our front doorstep. It is a pity persons who did the damage could not be cleaned and repaired too. An enthusiastic meeting was held in the Public Library on Monday evening to organize and lay plans for the Pearce Demonstration and Soldiers' Reception to be held Monday, August 4th, Civic Holiday. 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 20, 1944 Last Friday evening the Union Rod and Gun Club, of Oshawa invaded Port Perry and Lake Scugog to the strength of 50 members. Mrs. Albert Harper accompanied her husband, Spr. A.S. Harper, R.C.E., now stationed in Eastern Canada, as far as Mon- treal recently, visiting with relatives and friends in Alexandria and Ottawa on her way home. Mr. S. Farmer conducted the Church Service at Scugog last Sunday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Smith and family were holidaying at a cottage near Brechin recently. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 15, 1954 Last week saw the completion of the much talked about and wanted floor for the Recreation Centre. The floor cost approx- imately $6,700. Miss Wendy Brunton flew home from the Carribean this week after a month's visit at the home of Dr. Fitzmaurice in Kingston, Jamica. During her vacation, Wekdy made a number of business calls for her father in the West Indies. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 16, 1959 The men's double tournament for the Carruthers Trophy at the Bowmanville lawn bowling élub attracted a capacity entry of 16 teams. Art Cox and Joseph Allen of Port Perry won the trophy with a score of 54 for three wins. 1st Scugog Island Guide Company was very fortunate to have the opportunity to send 8 of their guides to the Provincial Guide Camp at Doe Lake. v Maybella Rebekah Lodge No. 348 held a very successful garden party at the home of their noble grand sister, Myrtle Snelgrove. Letters to the editor Special thanks to piano teacher To the Editor: I would like to say now, what I was unable to find the words to say at Thursday evening's recital. I am not one to speak, off the top of my head, successfully). What parents, relatives and friends heard that evening was not only an example of dedication and talent coming from young performers, but also that of their teacher. We, the students, will all More on To the Editor: The recent meeting at the Scugog Township Offices concer- ning the feasibility study on future recreational needs for the Township and the attendance by a large group of Citizens concern- ed with the Municipal Tax load was unfortunate. It was evident early in the meeting that the Com- mittee on recreational needs were involved in a necessary exercise. That was not the ideal forum to discuss Municipal Taxes. A comparison in this paper of the Library affair and the con- frontation at the Minicipal Office is not viable. The Citizens Against Unjustified Taxes are not aimed at any one particular expen- diture. We want some input into all plans and projects, Township and County wide with the deter- mination that any future increase in Municipal Taxes will be WEDDING INVITATIONS and Accessories PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street Port Perry 985-7383 agree that Mrs. Copithorn has achieved in successfully taking part in our accomplishments. She obviously has what it takes to keep us on our toes (or should I say fingertips) by practising and practising and...She's tough, and I will admit there were many times that I came home crying,, "Mrs. Copithorn was so hard on me today," but that only made me work harder. I was quite taxes justified. I am sure that all Citizens who must pay this huge tax increase will be sympathetic to our efforts. determined to prove to her that I would leave her speechless at least at one lesson. We may never succeed in doing that - she will always have some little comment, whether good or bad - but we certainly have made her proud of each one of us. I would like to thank Paula for encouraging me to work harder and only settle for perfection to my abilities. She has given me the confidence to continue on my own and I will do just that. So, I am quite sure that, when I thank this wonderful teacher and person for her many years of successful teaching, I am speak- ing for all her dedicated and talented students. ; 1 Sincerely, NR Geerely Niki Bardeleben, Scugog Township Grade 10 Piano Student Smile For The Day 01) 0 CRITICAL OF THE D MR, SCHMERTZ 16 67) EC re Yi THE CRA eT NURSES, CRITICAL OF THE MEALS... y ITMCAL OF THE (Turn to page 14) 4