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QUALITY USED CARS BS nese | |GARAGE Warranty Available 00d, reliable certified vehicles from $1900 & up Owned and Operated by Brian Tassell 182 Northport Road Unit #8 & #9 Port Perry 905-985-0059 166 Reach Industrial Park Rd., ort Perry 905-985-3885 Fun for the whole family atthe (@riaaswatiie:celleeen yal uy a wan cartwrightiaeld The Borelians Theatre Presents Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward Directed by Joanne Norman Produced by Joanne Chiusolo Oct. 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 at 8:00pm Oct. 24 at 2pm For Ticket Information go to: www.borelians.org Townhall 1873 Box office 905-985-8181 www.townhalll873.ca 7} 28 FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2010 Continued from page 25 Vancouver Island, B.C., adding another stop to the card’s With each passing year, the card would follow the same rotation, travelling from Vancouver Island to New Zealand to Port Perry to Ajax, all the while growing thicker as page after page of photos and messages were stapled to it. Now the card serves almost like a time capsule and is often pulled out at social gatherings and family celebra- tions to remember landmark moments from the past 17 years. “August 2003 will be remembered as the Hydro Blackout!” Rita says, as she reads the various accounts of the year. In 2001 the couples write about the shock and after- math of September 11th. Rita points out one note that reads, “We realize even more how important family and friends are and how important it is to continue traditions like the ‘card of the years.’ ” Aglance at the card will also show that in spring 2003, the SARS epidemic had hit and in winter 2007-2008, “We received the most snow we've had in many years in On- tario.” And it’s the little things, like the astonishing rise and fall of gas prices, (the card shows that in 2005, gas was .99/ litre then in 2008 it rose to $1.35 litre), that make the card a great resource for ‘tidbits’ of facts. But, more than just a fun read, the card has an irre- placeable emotional value for the couples involved. Rita says, although it “more or less started out as a prank,” the card has now become a treasured tradition of the five couples. “We anxiously await its arrival each year and guard it while it’s in our care,” she explains. “No one wants to be the one to have anything happen to it!” Although the card has managed to disappear a few times, it continues to survive year after year. But as it end- lessly grows in pages and, in turn, sentimental value, the greater the pressure is to protect it. Anita says that she used to have her secretary lock the card away when she received it. Now that she’s retired, “J have the responsibility to look after it myself,” she shrieks, admitting it’s a responsibility that often leaves her paranoid. The other women unanimously agree, adding that as soon as the card arrives, they keep it out on display in their homes. This way, they can always have a watchful eye on it. Fortunately, when it is not in their own protective hands, the five women are able to trust the Canada Post and New Zealand Post. After years of leaving their most prized possession in their care, they are more than thank- ful for their dedicated service. As the couples relish over the years of documented memories, Warren adds that through all the celebrations, trials and tribulations, the most important thing is that they've all remained friends. And friends with an undy- ing sense of humour they are, as Lynda sends the group into hysterics by adding, “and we’re all still married to the same people!” By Christina Coughlin Focus on Scugog