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Conservationist Award to Jamie Ross when he was awarded the Indi- vidual Conservationist Award at its annual meeting held in City of Kawartha Lakes. jamie was recognized for his dedication and leadership ile serving as a director for the Scugog Lake Stewards, since the organization's inception in 1999, and his term served as president of the Scugog based organization from 2008 to 2011. our cover February is a busy month with activities in and around Lake Scugog. Feb Fest, the Polar Plunge and the F popular Pond Hockey Tournament, gas illustrated on our cover this month, are among the activities tak- ing place over the next few weeks. For information on these and other activities, turn to pages 30, 31. Photo by J. Peter Hvidsten a ay ipl of the ne Perry fal here ip 1 Ce elcome all existing an wen Jamie Menzies SALES MANAGER NEW BUIL! ALN hf SERVICE and PARTS Mon/Wed/Thur/Fri 1565 Highway 7A West (Just east of Walmart) Port Perry £E 905.985.3655 taylorfordsales.com 2 FOCUS - FEBRUARY 2014 ‘Thumbs down’ to cheapskates! Dear Editor Irecently went to the Scugog Township Work Yard on Jobb St., in Blackstock to see if I could get some sand for my iced-in driveway. A very nice worker there informed me that the super- visor at this particular yard refuses to give any out. Cheapskates! I proceeded to go to the Clarington Work Yard in Hampton and got all that I needed. What's the matter with our Township? Why so bloody cheap? My wife and I are seniors and we were not asking for the moon. We just wanted what other townships provide for free. Tom Fields Blackstock, Ont. An amazing new year’s gift Dear Editor I can’t believe it’s already the middle of January! Ive had a little “Thank You” in my truck to drop off at the Focus on Scugog office since January 1st. Since time keeps marching on, I just can’t wait any longer to tell you what an “amazing new year’s gift”, your article, “Melanie’s Mission” was in the January issue of Focus magazine. And, since I am not the eloquent writer you are, words can’t quite express how grateful I am, so, I'll just simply say... from the bottom of my heart (and kidney) — Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Sincerely Melanie Assing Thanks community for generosity Dear Editor We would like to thank the community once again for their support of our annual Community Gift Giving and Port Perry Community Nursing Home. Your generosity again this year helped to make this a Merry Christmas for the 107 residents at Community Nursing Home. There are many unfortunately, that do not have fami- lies and your gifts and Christmas cards warmed their hearts on Christmas Day. So it is with heartfelt thanks that we hope you know how much your generosity brightened this Christmas season for the residents. We wish you all a 2014 filled with good health and happiness. Jillian Howsam & Joan Elliott Community Gift Giving