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8 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, July 5, 1989 Library canoe workshop marks its fourth year Port Perry has one big feature that many other small towhs in southern Ontario would love to have - a splendid lakefront. We also have a popular and challeng- ~ ing canoe race in early June, and for the 4th year in a row a one-day workshop for beginning canoers held at the Scugog Memorial Public Library. The Library with the most beautiful view in Ontario! Canoeing is a family pastime, and can be enjoyed from childhood to ... well there seems to be no age limit for canoeing. Senior organizations have begun to include canoeing in their list of group activities. Paddler magazine and Bill Mason videos (both available at the Library) are responding to the popularity of canoeing. Barry Page has been teaching the workshop at the Library since it was introduced, and he con- tinues to be enthusiastic in his love of the outdoors and canoeing as the means to enjoy our own Scugog shoreline as well as any lake or river in Canada. We can- not understand or appreciate what we have as a part of our countries' heritage unless we ac- tually get up and get out on the water. The canoe is the perfect way to see and to hear what nature really means. The workshop at the Library will be limited to 10! Monday Ju- ly 10 is the date, and early registration is advised for this an- nual event. Call the library for more details - 985-7686. oo I, FESTIVAL DAYS As this issue of the Star hits the street, it will be just one week to go before the excite- mént and colour of-Port Perry's annual summer extravaganza "Festival Days" get underway. Festival Days, and its for-runner, Western Weekend have n enjoyed by literally tens of thousands of people over the Rast 20 yeard, and this year promises to be no different. ~ Whether you're young or old there will be Jometing of interest for you, as last years theme of British Festival Days returns. Double decker buses, British style pubs, Golden Griddle breakfast, professional Arm Wrestling competitions, a Bagpipe Tattoo, mutt show, water ski show, midway, dances, dinners and contests will all be a part of the events tak- ing place between Thursday, July 13 and Sun- day, July 16th. - : Organizers of this annual event have been working for months, preparing for three big fun- filled days for the people of Scugog Township and visitors to the community. And with only a week to go, you can bet there are a Ipt of last minute details being worked out. Having been heavily involved in Festival Days for many Joars (not this year), | know how much time and effort has been expended by these dedicated people. Organizing an event of such magnitude Is not easy, and the time spent away from businesses and family to make sure it is a success is unimaginable to most. | would like to extend congratulations to the Chamber of Commerce and in particular the or- ganizers of this great summer festival, and thank you all for your efforts on behalf of the res- idents of this community. Over the next few days, there will be many long hours and sleepless nights, but when it is all over this Sunday, you will have the satisfac- tion of knowing your efforts have been appre- ciated by thousands who flocked to Port Perry to take part in British Festival Days. WELL DESERVED RECOGNITION Last Wednesday evening was a very spe- cial one for former politicians and Mayors of Scugog Township, Jerry Taylor and Lawrence Malcolm. Both of these men retired last November following the municipal election after many Random Jottings by ). Peter Hvidsten years of political service to this community. It was fitting the Scugog Township pay trib- ute to these two men, whose combined service to the community added up to over 40 years, and there have been a lot of changes over those four decades. It has been my observation, that the position of Mayor (even in a community the size of Scu- gog) is a very demanding position, which re- quires many sacrifices in time. Families also suffer to some degree and the best interests of the entire township often come before the best interest of the family. And in this day and age, when almost every-' one is upset or complaining about something, the Mayor often takes the brunt of the criti cism. Both Lawrence Malcolm and Jerry Tay- lor carried the load of being Mayor of this Town- ship well, and it was nice last week to see some kind accolades thrown their way. As one of the guest speakers at last week's testimonial stated, "they'll be two tough acts to follow". | couldn't agree more! PIGEON POOP Anyone walking along Queen Street in front of Emmerson Insurance must have noticed the large amounts of pigeon droppings on the side- walk and the benches. This is the first year there has been any problem with pigeons in this location and in an effort to get rid of the "dirty birds", a stuffed owl has been placed on the ledge overhanging the street. Apparently this has been to no avail, as the pigeons are now roosting right next to the owl. Other solutions suggested have been rubber snakes along the ledge, grease, electric wires and a lot of other sick ideas. | don't know if the Emmerson crew will have come up with a solution to their problem by the time this issue of the Star hits the street, but if they haven't I'm sure they would love to hear from someone with a "fool-proof" idea on how to get rid of these "pesky poopers". Queen Street will never be the same again if hundred's of pigeons decide to make the tops of our beautiful buildings their perch and our side- walks their toilet. What we need is a quick, legal solution. HELP! Editorial Comment (from page 6) Yes, we have heard that line too many times, and it's baloney. Sure, there are problems in today's hectic, modern and alienated society, always have been. But acts of mind- less violence against innocent victims is also a problem, and it's one that most right thinking people will not tolerate. And a lot of people also believe now that the problem also lies with a society that treats criminals with kid gloves, puts them in jail for six months of soft time, lets them back on the streets with a pat on the head, tries them in Youth Court with the protection of the Young Offenders Act, and in some instances gives them as much if not more protec- tion that their hapless victims. Harsh words from a judge simply are not a message. These gang members have a habit of making life very mis- erable for decent, law abiding people. It is time society made life miserable for them, rather than treating them like kids who skipped school for an afternoon. This particular gang member pleaded guilty to three serious charges: assault, possession of a dangerous weapon and assault with a weapon, and he gets two months on each charge. It doesn't make sense. No wonder his fellow gang buddies were snickering in the court room. 'Oh, yes, a pre-sentence report described the little an- gel as "aggressive, disrespectful, and having difficulty with restrictions." Hardly a surprise. Is a few months in jail going to change this guy? You can answer that one yourself. Letters to the Editor ... our policy It has always been the policy of this newspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any'subject, and we feel that a lively letters col- umn helps make a better community newspaper. We insist, however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to do so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous let- ter to the editor. While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer. COUNTRY UPHOLSTERY & Delivery 105-328-1156 on Fashion SPECIALIZING IN LADIES' AFFORDABLE FASHIONS Hours: Mon. to Sat. 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM: Fri. to 8 PM. PORT PERRY PLAZA 2856-0129 ~ For Better or For Worse® NRA MULER FEATURES. © 1589 Universal Pres ha EEA | by Lynn Johnston EMMERSON INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED 193 QUEEN ST., PORT PERRY, ONT. 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