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4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, August 16, 1994 _ "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" David Malcom seeking the mayor's seat By Kelly Lown Port Perry Star David Malcolm has jumped into the political ring, as the Nestleton native announced he is seeking the mayor's seat in the November election. Mr. Malcolm is confident of his ability to handle the duties David Malcolm Music for Young Children by Frances Balodis M.Ed., A.R.C.T. of mayor, while bringing "tresh, new ideas" to the council cham- bers. Having lived in the township all of his life, he says he has seen many changes in many areas of the township, but finds the di- rection of its growth disturbing. Although he admits he wants growth, feeling it is the only an- swer to lower taxes, he wants "controlled growth." "It seems there has been more attention given to tourists then the taxpayers, incurring debt at the taxpayers' expense," he said. He wants the tourists to pay their share and will look at crea- tive ways to bring money into the township from which the taxpayer can profit. After considering politics for some time, concern over recent decisions by the present council have convinced him to seek nomination. He cites the pur- chase of a Mary Street home to be used for parking, the build- ing of a giant banquet hall and the sale of parkland in Black- stock as concerning decisions he feels need to be reviewed. Turnto Page 5 Mother reunites with daughter given up for adoption as a newborn By Kelly Lown Port Perly Star Judy Hewitt's life is now com- | plete after she was reunited | with her daughter after a 26- year separation. The Scugog Township wom- an, who gave her newborn baby up for adoption more than 25 years ago, came face to face with her daughter Kathy Briggs just under two years ago. This week Mrs. Briggs and her family made their first trip to her natural mother's home on Pine Point, on Scugog Island. After much thought about the well-being of her child, Mrs. Hewitt gave her daughter up for adoption at the Simcoe County Children's Aid in Orillia. At 19 years of age and fresh out of high school, Mrs. Hewitt did not have a full time job and felt strongly that a child should be brought up with two par- ents. Her own parents were older and she did not feel it |§ was fair to have them bring her child up. "It was just best all around. | But, I made a commitment that | the door would always be open Graduate with Grade 1 Royal Conservatory/ Preliminary Rudiaments Group Lessons Ensemble Work Keyboard Singing Sight Reading/ Ear Tralning Listening Skills Rhythm Training Parent Participation "Talent Contest Friday September 2nd 4 At The Baer Tent in the Port Perry Fair Grounds rs Prizes to ha won Entrants Please Book ahead Call OSE-SO44A Bear Tent spanssred by Pert Perry Fairheard & Part Perry Lion's Club YXIT XT ITITITIIIRARARMA RAR ARARR RRR RARRARR ARI RRL RRR RZAARRAZZZIIZIAIZIAZIZIIIIIINANS VET TEI CII BITRE BOI T AIRE BETO IBC OREO T ETE TET IIIS EOE T RES 4 if she wished to find me, and I would let her know why I did what I did," Mrs. Hewitt told Judy Hewiltt, of Scugog Island, had a special visitor last week when her daughter Kathy Briggs, who she gave up for adoption 26 years ago paid a visit. Also the Star. Mrs. Hewitt's wishes for her daughter were fulfilled as she wanted her child to grow up with siblings. Mrs. Briggs was raised in a home with seven brothers and sisters. In 1990, Mrs. Hewitt obtained forms from the registrar and actively began the search for her daughter. For most of the years she was separated from her daughter, Mrs. Hewitt watched her neigh- bor's daughter, who was the same age as her own, using her as a gauge of her own daughter's life. When her neighbor wed, Mrs. Hewitt knew it was * pictured Is her grand daughter Ashley. said the range of emotions she went through while waiting was incredible. What made the transition smoother was that Mrs. Briggs' adoptive mother was very supportive of the union, and to both the ladies involved. Her adoptive mother has since passed away and it was her wish to see her daughter reunited with her natural mother. Although they had never set eyes upon one another before that day-~it was like we knew each other since birth," Mrs. Briggs said. Separation does not necessari- time to begin the search. Although ly make mothers and daugh- Two years later Mrs. Briggs | ters different, as both admit also applied to the registrar separated for it "is scary how much they seeking to find her mother. Throughout her childhood 26 years, when they met it was like they'd know each she said she always had many questions regarding her background and her have in common," adding their husbands chuckle at several things their wives do the same. Both Mrs. Hewitt's hus- adoptive family did provide | band Jim and Mr. Bri \ ] ges bw SL he i SN oer for Jave helped their 'wives and had two of her children she years. through the reunion. said the questions came back as she wanted to know more about her background whenever she looked at her own children. "I wondered who they looked like, besides me." The process took several months for a match to be made. Mrs. Briggs had moved from her native Barrie at five years of age, taking her across Ontario and finally to Alberta in 1978. With her living out of province many problems were encountered while trying to obtain records. When they were informed a match had been made both were happy, but admittedly ner- vous. Two months of counselling with the same counsellor, gave the two time to prepare them- selves for their meeting. "There were a lot of tears at the airport," Mrs. Briggs said of the couple's long-awaited reunion in November, 1992. Mrs. IHewitt flew to Alberta to meet her daughter, only to find she also had a son-in- law Dale and three grandchildren Morgan, Ashely and Michael. During a stopover on her flight, Mrs. Hewitt "Both our husbands have been very supportive of us," Mrs. Hewitt said. This is the third time the two have been together since they first met. Mrs. Hewitt has made two trips west, one with Mrs. Briggs' natural grandmother. In between the trips they admit the telephone bills have reached phenomenal levels, but they are keeping a handle on it. The emotion is still very obvious and new to the women as both often became misty-eyed talking of their reunion and their feelings towards one another. It was a decision Mrs. Hewitt said she had to make as a 19-year-old and seeing how her newborn grew up she said the "decision I made then would be the same decision as now. People must realize when they make a deci- sion they have to live with it their rest of their lives." She lived with the decision for much of her adult life, but there was always a part missing. After meeting her daughter "I now feel that I am complete," she said.