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THE POOR GIRL So, poor Yolanda isn't happy on the $50,000 stipend per year for life left her in the will of the late Harold Ballard. : Yolanda's lawyer is quoted as saying this isn't enough for her. to maintain a decent lifestyle. They are going to court for more. Good grief, maybe somebody should suggest to the poor girl that she be happy with the 50 G's, and if she needs more get out and get a.real job. THE HOLLYWOOD CROWD There were a lot of interested spectators on Queen Street in downtown Port Perry last Thursday evening to watch the filming of a scene for a TV mo- vie with Berradette Peters and Mary Tyler Moore. The movie now titled "The Best Last Year of My Life," is supposed to be aired on an American net- work in November. | was impressed with the way the production crew conducted themselves. They were actually po- lite, which is a pleasant change from the way some movie crews have treated the curious on-lookers when shooting in this area. When they had to ask the crowd to move to a dif- ferent location on the sidewalk, they took the time to explain why, and several of them actually had smiles on their faces. It was nice to see and the crowd of on-lookers re- sponded in kind. And I'm not just saying this because | had an in- direct personal interest in the filming of that scene. My 11-year old son Matt was among many local people hired for that scene as "extras." As was the family pooch "Willie." Matt's part was to walk "Willie" along the side- walk in front of the post office, then cross Queen Street at about the time Ms. Peters was getting out of a car to go into Daphne's (made over as Murray's) to buy a dress. Matt was thrilled at the chance to be an "extra" in y movie, and "Willie the Pooch" co-operated famous- y. He's a very frisky five month old mutt, and to be honest about it, | had serious mis-givings when the crew wanted him in the scene as an "extra." Quite frankly, | had this horrible vision of "Willie breaking loose and knocking over a camera, or worse, knocking over Ms. Peters. But "Willie's" behavior was beyond reproach as he and Matt and all the other "extras" went through the scene at least 20 times. When the shooting was over about 7:30 PM, Mou was paid $20 for his "work," and an extra $20 for "Willie." Matt couldn't believe it. $40 for about three hours "work" walking across Queen Street on cue with the dog in tow. He was all set to quit school and take this kind of work up for a living. As for "Willie the Pooch," he took his show biz debut right in stride. And the 20 bucks he earned for his work should keep him in chow for about a week or so. Seriously, it was a nice experience for all the "ex- tras" and as | said before, give the crew full marks for a decent public relations job. Naturally, I'll be watching for this movie when it hits the networks some time late this fall. MICHAEL WILSON Finance minister Michael Wilson paid a quick vis- it to the Port Perry area last Friday morning, starting at 9:00 AM when he met with media reps at the Man- chester Hall for half an hour, and ending when he spoke and answered questions in front of about 100 farmers in the showroom at Utica Farm Equipment. Knowing that Mr. Wilson was to meet farmers, | wasn't quite sure what to expect. Would they be fight- ing mad over the GST and high interest rates? Would they arrive on tractors and block traffic for an hour? Would Mr. Wilson spend his time ducking chunks of manure lobbed his way? No to all the above. The questioning was very lite, low key. The farmers obviously were there to isten and ask questions, not raise a ruckus. There were even a couple of lighter moments, though Mike Wilson struck me as a man deadly seri- ous about his mission and almost completely without a sense of humour. Of course, Mr. Wilson told them that some 40 items for farms (tractors, combines, bulk feed, seed, fertilizer) will be exempt from the 7 per cent GST. And he said that even on things like half-ton trucks, farmers will be able to apply for a rebate after paying the GST. As for interest rates, which moved up a notch just the day before Mr. Wilson arrived in Scugog. he said "nobody likes high rates, but we like hig infla- tion even less." I'm no great fan of Michael Wilson, the GST, and certainly not an admirer of Brian Mulroney. But after listening to Wilson for over an hour, | was left with one lasting impression. He is totally committed to the fiscal policies of the present Conser- vative Government, and if the Canadian people throw the Tories out in the next election, so be it. If nothing else, give him an A for toughness. Remember When? 45 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 26, 1945 The Bank of Commerce was robbed by four masked men who, after taking Mr. Hayes - the Bank Manager, for a ride in the country and returning, had compelled him to unlock the bank and the vault. They took the strong box containing silver and then locked Mr. Hayes in the vault. Out of town visitors at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reesor during the past weekend were Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell Powers, of Unionville, Mr. Sheldrick of Dunnville, Mr. and Mrs. Myers and Mrs. and Mrs. Mahon of Toronto. 35 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 28, 1955 Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Bert Midgley, Prince Albert, on the occasion of their 40th Anniversary on April 17, 1955. The couple were married in the Presbyterian Manse on April 17,°1915 by Rev. Mr. West, in Port Perry. Congratulations to Sinclair Robertson, of Port Perry, R.R. 2, who has recently received his private pilots licence. Sinclair received his training through the Ontario County Flying Club at Oshawa Airport. Mrs. Florence McClintock and Mrs. Ted Jackson were in Niagara Falls attending the Ontario Registered Music Teachers' Association Convention held at the Sheraton-Brock Hotel for four days. Mrs. Jackson was the delegate from the Oshawa Branch of the Association. 30 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 28, 1960 Thursday morning, April 21, the ice started to move rapid- ly up the lake, fanned by a stiff breeze. We hoped when the ice was gone the water level would drop but the water depth over the causeway has remained at a foot or more. 25 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 29, 1965 On Tuesday evening, large patches of ice were still visible on Lake Scugog but during the early morning of April 28, all ice had disappeared from the water surface. Only once since 1872 has the ice remained intact this late in the season. We welcome Mr. and Mrs. Grant Williams and family to the Prospect community on the former Smitherman farm. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Asling, Epsom, who celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary on Monday. Cathy Nelson spent the Easter holidays in Cleveland, Ohio, visiting Girl Scout friends of last summer. (Turn to page 10) Letters io the editor Canadian artists deserve support To the Editor: What you know about pride and respect for one's country and na- tional heritage "wouldn't fill the back of a postage stamp' either. (Viewpoint - April 17, Port Perry Star). VOICE OF FIRE is nothing Concernfor environment To the Editor: I am writing to you because I am concerned about the pollution from the garbage people are just throwing anywhere. It is causing-a lot of sicknesses and it is bad for the environment. Thank you for your help in this matter. Sincerely Yours, Laura Hutchinson, Grade 4, Prince Albert Public School Youth worried about pollution To the Editor: I am writing to you because of the garbage and littering around our community. It is very important that there is something done. Everybody could start recycl- ing to make this a better world for everybody. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Kimberly Coates, R.R. 2, Port Perry more than an overgrown remedial colour theory painting, done by a foreigner and now pur- chased by Canada National Gallery of Art in Ottawa. This solitary purchase represented %; of their acquisition budget for the year. Canadian artists have a tough enough time developing & nurtur- ing a domestic clientele with com- peting with foreign artists, especially when the client in ques- tion is Canada's flagship art gallery. What we need are more "ART- FEST 90" exhibitions for local (& other) Canadian artists. ART- FEST '90 has now grown to over 60 artists from throughout Southern Ontario. Our whole hearted support must continue to ensure that artists (of every description) in Canada are en- couraged to explore their talents and make the most of them. Considering that this is my first ever. "letter to the editor" I would be more than willing to take some time off work and sit down with you to discuss how we can best edit this letter for the purpose of publication, so that others views will also appear in print. Yours truly, Roy Haina, Port Perry, Editor's Note: No editing needed. You make your points well, and we always welcome different opinions.