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A "A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, Oct. 18, 1994 - 5 IROIEY MN SIDI LIEW Y DAVES Bs 4 CoMMUNIT pw Impressive 'Stitches in Time' traces the history of hospitals in Scugog By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star Three years of interviews, research and compiling infor- mation have resulted in a com- prehensive history of hospitals in Scugog Township. The labor of love by a volun- teer committee that included authors Kent Farndale and Gwenyth Thompson, Stitches in Time is an impressive, 212- page work in hardcover that traces community health care here from pioneer days until the present. The book was the inspiration of hospital administrator Dave Brown, and coincides with both the imminent opening of the new Stephen B. Roman wing, and community Memorial Hospital's 25th anniversary on Paxton St. in Port Perry. "I really felt the hospital should have a documented his- tory of its growth and expan- sion," Mr. Brown said during an interview last Friday. He pitched the idea to the hospital board, and found a willing volunteer in chair, Mrs. Farndale. And he also recruited Mrs. Thompson, whose writing for the hospital auxiliary had impressed him. Mr. Brown admits now that he underestimated the scope of the task he assigned the women. "I had no idea, I must admit," he said. "I totally miscalculated the amount of work it would take. "Gwenyth and Kent have done a tremendous amount of work." The women -- who worked on a committee along with vol- unteers Norma Wolfe and Joan Ongley -- began delving into the history of hospital care here, and soon found they had a trea- sure trove of information to mine. They conducted countless hours of interviews with people who have personal memories of the hospital and the people who have played a part in it. They led them to documents and pic- tures they never knew existed, and also gave them other avenues to pursue. "Things started to flow," said Mrs. Farndale. "One lead flows into another. "It was a lot of work, but we've had so many laughs along the way. "This community is so caring and I think the hospital means so much to them... they were willing to contribute so much." "It just evolved into a book of living memories," said Mrs. Thompson. "Many people wrote for the book." The result of the intensive research and loving treatment of archives is a huge work, bursting with information on the community's hospital, and the people who have staffed it over the years. And it serves as a reflection of the changes encountered by the community, as well. "I think it's fair to say there's a little bit of history and infor- mation there for everybody," said Mr. Brown. Mrs. Thompson added that completion of the project -- it was begun in the autumn of 1991 -- is most appropriate now, with so many momentous events occurring at community Memorial. "It's very fitting to have it done in time for completion of the Stephen B. Roman wing and the 25th anniversary of the Paxton St. hospital," she said. Stitches in Time is available at the hospital -- 985-7321 -- by contacting Jan Delaney. Copies can also be obtained by calling Mrs. Farndale (985-3715) or Mrs. Thompson (985-0043). Cost of the book is $32, tax included. There will be a mini- mal postage and handling charge for books that have to be delivered by mail. 'I'm a boring individual', says prize winning actor A local actor has been dealt a winning hand in The Gin Game. Ed Daigle of Prince Albert enjoyed a successful run with the play, mounted by Oshawa Little Theatre, and is now preparing for another three- weekend run in Cobourg after being picked up by the Northumberland Players The poignant piece, by play- wright D.L. Coburn, tells the story of two senior nursing home residents who take refuge from their dreary exis- tence in a game of cards, and discover friendship with one another. Mr. Daigle, 63, an accom- plished amateur thespian with connections to a number of local theatre companies including Port Perry's Borelians, said it's rewarding to be involved in a production that strikes a chord with so many people. "It makes me feel very good," he said, noting that the play attracts a high percent- age of over-50 patrons. He added, though, that the theme of aging and loneliness appeals to a broad audience base. "Almost everybody has a relative involved in something like that," he said. "I think the sad truth comes home for them in a number of cases." Local actor's dealt a winning hand in The Gin Game : I Mr. Daigle has worked both on stage -- locals will remem- ber his performance with the Borelians as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman -- and as a director; he was recognized as best director for his guid- ance of the Borelians' produc- tion of Arsenic and Old Lace, which garnered a number of awards and nominations, including best actress honors for Bunty Webb. He said he gains great sat- isfaction from his participa- tion in amateur theatre pro- Prince Albert resident Ed Daigle Is enjoying a successful run of The Gin Game, which has moved from Oshawa for a three-weekend run in Cobourg. ductions. "Creating a character is the greatest satisfaction | get," he said. "I'm a pretty boring individual, an ex-teach- er, myself. "I'm able to clear a room quite well." Mr. Daigle and co-star Carole MacNeil opened the Cobourg production of The Gin Game at the Best Western Motel in Cobourg Oct. 14. Their run continues for the next two weekends. Ri : Ne ed 4 : 23% Mart H i 2 Ya Ch i i JEFF MITCHELL / PORT PERRY STAR Authors Kent Farndale (left) and Gwenyth Thompson with Stitches in Time, their extensive history of hospitals in Scu- gog Township, which is now available. Centres will prepare students for 'brave new world' of business By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star The reintroduction of a com- puter literacy program for senior elementary students in Durham Region's Roman Catholic Separate School Board will provide the kids with skills they'll need to face the brave new world of business, says Scugog's trustee. Kathy LeFort hailed the opening of two design and tech- nology centres -- and plans for a third -- as a positive step toward providing kids with the basics they'll require to tackle a computer-oriented world. The program also allows the Durham board to meet require- ments for technological training dictated by the provincial min- istry of education, she said. "This is something that meets all the ministry guide- lines," Mrs. LeFort said last week. "It's really exciting." Kids in Scugog will spend five days of each school year at the centre at St. Paul Catholic School in Whitby, where they'll receive intensive training. Curriculum format at the cen- tres is a problem-solving approach designed to enable students to: 0 use technology, instru- ments, tools and information systems effectively; oread, comprehend and use material written in a technical style, and a think critically and act log- ically to evaluate situations, solve problems and make deci- sions. They will gain experience in a number of avenues, exploring a variety of technologies includ- ing computer assisted design; fabric construction; computer animation; vehicle design; video technology; audio technology, and desktop publishing. It's the board's hope that as students experience these tech- nologies, they may discover an aptitude or interest that will develop into a possible career direction. The program for ele- mentary students will provide a solid background for the more advanced computer and tech- nology courses available in high school. The program, unveiled at an open house in Whitby today, is actually a resurrected and redesigned version of one that existed a number of years ago and was chopped by a cash- strapped board, said Mrs. LeFort. "It wasn't as effective as it could have been and according to budget restraints, we had to start cutting programs," she said. "That was one of the pro- grams we cut." As the program develops the board hopes to form partner- ships with local business and industry, and link the two cen- tres -- the other is in Pickering -- via modem. There are also plans to work in conjunction with the public school board, said Mrs. LeFort. She added that the northern townships will eventually have a centre at a new separate school in Beaverton, slated to open in January of 1996.