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"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 25, 1995 - 7 LE ITE R S from our readers T'hanks to volunteers, community To the Editor: As chairman of the Third An- nual International Challenge, I would like to take this opportu- nity to thank the many volun- teers who, without their assis- tance this event would never have taken place. First and foremost, Dave McTaggart, whose dedication and enthu- siasm was evident every day during the last ten months. The other mainstay of this event is Wayne Venning. His knowledge and perseverance (also his post pounding), was and is invalu- able. This leads to the week of the event. These days require the help of many, and many showed up to help. Dave Dalton, our president, Allyne Jones, our past president, and treasurer Ken Reinhardt, were there to do what ever was needed. Carolyn and Bob Best, (Caro- lyn, another past president and now O.A.S.A. registrar who lent us their vehicle for the week and were there to spin caps and sell tickets for us on both nights. To Todd and Carolyn Wilbur, for their renditions of all three national anthems. The many volunteers who took time from their lives to help us make the two evenings an event to be remembered, Catherine and Joanne, The \Part Perry Merchant Juniors, Mavyanne and Pat, Grant, Mat- thesv, Michelle, Glen, 'Dale, Greg and all of you who sold cold drinks, and most of all, all the fans who were there to cheer on the teams, and even stayed through one of the best thunder storms, and came back to see one of the best games ever played in Port Perry. Lastly, I would like to person- ally thank Mayor Howard Hall and all of the councillors, who entertained Team New Zealand for the afternoon. If I have missed anyone, please accept my apologies. Although this years' event See you at OMB hearing To the Editor: re: the letter from Ron Martyn (July 17) You're right Ron. I was too busy to coach baseball. I was busy with my scout troop, 17 years of scouting service. You're wrong Ron. I do speak for the majority of Blackstock and whether I or Mrs. Joyce Kelly were elected to represent Ward Four, she and I agree, don't sell the park. You're right Ron, we do need to work together to meet the rec- reation needs of the entire com- munity. Let's do it without sell- ing the park. I hope to see you along with Mrs. Kelly, Mrs. Pearce, Mrs. Puckrin, Mr. Hall and Mr. Cud- die at the O.M.B. hearing to be held August 15 in Council Chambers, Port Perry. Fred Ford, Blackstock. Terry Fox on run Sept. 17 From Page 6 event. | Last year, we suggested a con- tribution of $50 per business, although any contribution would be greatly appreciated. The Terry Fox Run will be held on September 17 at the Port Perry Fairgrounds. Registration forms will be available in various local businesses. More information will follow! Thank you for your continued support. Laura Elliott, Port Perry. may not have been as prosper- ous as in other years, we are working on some ideas for next July that will again bring the best to our great community. Please keep an eye out for raf- fle tickets, which will soon be available. We are looking at prizes consisting of a commemo- rative set of signed softballs from the Third International Challenge by Team New Zea- land, Toronto Gators and Green Bay Road Runners. We are also looking into a signed Toronto Gators jersey, and memorabilia from Green Bay and Team New Zealand. All proceeds from this raffle will go towards Port Perry and District Minor Softball As- sociation. Again many thanks, and see you all next July. Dave Kay. Thanks to all who helped To the Editor: June was Senior's Month. This year's theme, "Growing and Achieving Together" was promoted by the Durham Re- gion Health Department. The Public Health Nurses who work with specific Seniors' groups presented plants donated by various florists and nurseries in Durham Region. This included: The Apple Blossom Shop in Orono, Iris Feather in Whitby, Ives Florist in Port Perry, Roy Turner's Greenhouse in Black- stock, Uniquely Designed by Donna in Sunderland, A. Van- Belle Garden Centre in Cour- tice, Vandermer Nursery Ltd., in Ajax. To everyone who contributed so generously to help us cele- brate with the Seniors, we would like to say thank you. Yours truly, Judy Climenhage, Christine Gillespie, Public Health Nurses, Adult Program, Durham Region Health Dept. Editor's Notepad i / by Jeff Mitchell TOWARD A SMUG SOCIETY IRON MIKE UPDATE: The Premier really went to town Friday, hacking and slashing and burning like a Viking loaded on bad vodka. Those of us who have jobs ought to be thanking our lucky stars these days, because this is no time at all to be down and out in Ontario. | think we all agree that spending has to be reined in, but for me, there's a lingering uneasiness at taking aim at the poor, the homeless, battered wcmen, and daycare workers. Sure, everybody's taking their shots, but it seems these folks were singled out, particularly welfare recipients, who are coughing up the largest chunk of the savings. The days of not worrying because welfare will always be there for you are over in Ontario. That's a good thing, if you think about it, but only works if there is employment available as an alternative. Is there? | don't know. Whatever the case, it's every man (and to hell with equity too, | guess) for himself. These are the 90's. Straighten up and fly right. | Got Mine, Jack. Maybe Iron Mike and his crew will whip Ontario into shape. | sure hope so. Otherwise we'll all have to move to Alberta, and Ralph Klein will call us bums and thieves like he did back in 1981. I'd like to think we can carve out our own little self-possessed, uncaring society and say to hell with Ralph Klein. ANOTHER ADVENTURE: Wish me luck, folks. As you read this, I will most likely be in the driver's seat of our purple station wagon, heading down the road with the wife, the kids, the dog, a tent, and about three dozen Schneider's weiners, bound for the outdoors. It's an annual ritual, this camping thing. | can't remember whose idea it was in the first place, but for whatever reason, it still seems to hold its appeal for the family. Every summer we load up far too many items and take off to brave the elements. We try to soothe kids who are too hyped about the adventure into sleep the first night in the tent. We awake in the damp morning to find ourselves using their smelly sneakers as pillows. We wait hours with our eyes fixed on the old-fashioned percolator, which sputters forever over a flimsy fire before yielding the rich black mud that starts our mornings. We bake in the sun and sustain sprains, scratches and bug bites, then sit exhausted as the sun goes down and do it all again. And in the end, it's the highlight of the summer, and | wouldn't miss it for anything. GOOD NUMBERS: Here's congrats to Durham's Crime numbers in the ten years since it began here. As our story in today's edition notes, the program represents the very essence of community policing, and brings home the notion that each of us is responsible for the community in which we live. a Uh ts a ei rie Ee Cy AA Ny Stoppers program, which has posted some pretty impressive | by J. Peter Hvidsten dances or banquets, promotion of special events, items for auctions, etc. The listis endless and in the majority of cases worthy of support. merchants. Every week they are approached by members of a variety of groups seeking support of 'this' or 'that' project. All of them worthy of consideration. The requests come for sponsorships of baseball, soccer, hockey or ringette teams. Others are for donations to organizations, purchasing draw tickets, ads in local school publications, door prizes for HELPING MAKE A BETTER COMMUNITY | Partofbeing a member of the # | business community in Scugog | Township, or any community for that matter, involves support of local organizations, schools, sporting events, etc. No one knows this better than the local retail Most businesses want to be supportive of the local organizations and groups, and | believe often dig deep to assist even when times are tough. Each year dozens of merchants are asked to donate $250 - $400 or more in sponsorship for kids to purchase sweaters, shorts, socks, etc. for hockey, ball, soccer, etc. Many of these uniforms are worn for only one year. These perfectly good outfits are sent home with the tykes atthe end of the season, only to hang in a clos- etuntil they're finally thrown out when they don't fit anymore. One of the complaints | hear most often from local sponsors, is this waste. Those I've spoken with feel the uniforms could be used for two or three years before requiring replacement. The result would be a large saving for the sponsoring business. | know when | played minor hockey growing up, the sweaters we used were handed down year after year... after year, afteryear. The biggest challenge atthe firstof each season was to see who would get the sweater with the least number of holes. That situation was to the extreme, and | certainly don't suggest for a minute it should return to those times. But, possibly consideration to cutting expenses by using uniforms for more than one year should be considered. But those asking for the support of the local busi- nesses should be aware... without their patronage, businesses can not continue to donate to every wor- thy cause presented to them. While business supporting organizations is essen- tial to maintaining the health and prosperity of a community... it's equally important the residents of the community support the business. It's a two way street. Without the support of business... organizations can'tprovide the necessary help and services to the community. Without the support of those who live and work in the community... the business commun- ity can not survive!