The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

"A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, November 14, 1995 - 7 from our readers Neighbors helped in search for pup To the Editor: I have always felt fortunate that I am able to live in Scugog, but have never given much thought as to why. Last Wednesday my grand- daughter was visiting from Bowmanville with her dog "Charlette" (a small Jack Russel Terrier). Something scared "Charlette" and in a flash, she disappeared. We searched and called for hours in the dark and to no avail. The next day we went to John at Bridgeport Signs, who dropped everything he was do- ing 1n order to help us with a Offended by letter To the Editor: I see one of your readers is unhappy about certain sen- ior citizens; it seems they should just fade away. Does your writer realize they worked for 10 or 12 dol- lars a week when they start- ed out? Today most people want that amount per hour or they won't start to work. Most did not have parents that also helped out with a few bucks here or there, when supposedly needed. They work today filling in, jobs most young people won't take; not enough bucks. The reason two people work in the household is to help pay the bills. The costs today make sure two in- comes are needed, plus mort- gage payments. Instead of whining why don't you volunteer? You might even get offered a job, then you can justify your ex- istence. Remember, the only time you start at the top is when you are digging a hole. Frank G. Harris, Scugog Point. sign (we went back for a second sign and he again dropped everything to make us another). We posted the signs at the head of the Island in both directions, kept searching and waited and hoped for calls from the signs. In the meantime Mr. Aldred from Aldred's Store posted a sign he made up and canvassed and asked his customers if they had seen Charlette. The kind people who deliver our mail and the driver of the snowplow were also keeping an eye out. Then the phone calls started coming, people who had seen her, people who wanted a better descrip- tion, people who genuinely wanted to be of assistance. Finally on Saturday morning a lady called to say she had seen Charlette but could not catch her; she had driven to the signs to get our number and said she would meet us where she had seen her. By the time we got there this lady was climbing out of a ditch with "you know who" in her arms. Both the lady and Charlette were soaked to the bone (if you remember how much it rained that day). The lady got away be- fore we could properly thank her and I hope she will read this and call us. Charlette was lost for three days, had been in a blizzard, the cold and a rainstorm, with no food, but was not otherwise the worse for her ordeal. Words can- not possibly describe the joyous reunion of my three year old granddaughter and her dog Charlette. Many of us came to Scugog to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and also to get a better quality of life. I no longer have to wonder why I feel fortunate to - live here. It is the warm, secure feeling you get from knowing that those around you, genuine- ly care and are willing to go out of their way to lend a helping hand when it is needed. I realize that change is inevi- table, but we must all strive to keep and cherish the values that set us apart and make us a community. Thank you Scugog, Bob DeFlorio, Scugog Island Stop blaming others To the Editor: Ijust could not believe the let- ter "Elderly should move over" (Nov. 7) but then I saw "Name withheld by request." Of course! I would like to tell this "no name" that we live in a democra- cy, and an employer is free to hire whoever he thinks will do the 'best job. Furthermore, 1 don't think there are too many people working because they are bored; they are working for the money. Who are you to tell them how much is enough and what should they spend their money on? It is much easier to blame eve- rybody for your own problems. And for sure if "Big Brother" was there to tell everybody what to do and where to go, every- thing will be so much better! But no, life is not fair, so clean- up your act, roll up your sleeves, go for it and don't be scared; be proud of what you are, and who knows? Maybe you will have a name by then. Michelle McLean, Nestleton Fax your letters: 985-3708 | take them out and shoot them? 3 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT JUSTICE FOR ALL: How would you like to be in the shoes of Suzanne Poirier, the Lachine, Quebec woman, who as we speak is facing a jail term -- for overdue library books. Ms Poirier has exhausted virtually all appeals in her case, which began in 1992 when the public library ordered her to fork over $438 for returning two books a couple of months late, and losing another. She called that amount preposterous, and refused alternative punishment of performing 60 hours of community work, claiming her university studies and part-time job took all of her time. A year later she wound up in court, where she was handed the jail term, and, most recently, her appeal of that decision has been tossed out by the Supreme Court of Canada. Wow. It makes you wonder: What do they do to people who underline passages, or doodle on the insides of book covers -- We wish Ms Poirier well, and thank our lucky stars we are in Scugog, where delinquent bookworms fare much better, particularly right now. Library chief Tom Bonanno is working on a plan that will allow those who have overextended their borrowing time to buy their freedom with a donation to Operation Scugog's Christmas Food Drive. We'll have more details as they become available. A TASTY TOWN: Also on the go at the local library is an effort to construct an entire gingerbread village, to be on display throughout December. They're looking for local folks to contribute to Bakers-ville, and started taking registration of entries this past weekend. Entries must be submitted for set-up by Dec. 4. If lots of folks contribute, this could make for a wonderful Christmas display, and eventually even become a Yuletide tradition here. Think about helping out; for more info, you can call the library at 985-7686. GOOD DOGGIE: Right now I'm watching through my office window as three dogs -- they appear to be a couple of Springers, and some other mutt of indeterminate breed -- lie obediently on the walkway as they await their mistress, who has gone into the insurance office to conduct some business. They are tied to nothing. Their leashes lie on the bricks beside them. And yet there they remain. At one point the little mutt got up and ventured over to the insurance office doorway, but a warning wag of the woman's finger -- she had merely to open the office door and indicate her displeasure -- sent him scampering back to where his pals sat. And there they sit, two paragraphs later, staring at the door through which their mistress went so long ago. They are not chasing squirrels, or loping through the snow, or even wandering about , peeing an trees. That, | say to myself, is amazing. And then wonder what my dog is doing right now... probably eating the garbage, or snoozing on my bed, or chasing the cat across all the furniture. | guess we all get what we deserve. lll ere. ss Ul. LL LL. Ei. LL A Ran TR dom Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten AA 7 i 0. Canadian Legion, Branch 419. Instead, a steady rain falling from the sullen grey sky emphasized the solemn occasion, forcing the veterans to move inside for the ceremony tradition- ally carried outin front of the cenotaph. In a brief ceremony, the aging vets reflected and remembered the young men they stood shoulder to shoulder with in the trenches and on the beaches so long ago, and those who gave their lives in the name WAR VETS REMEMBER THEIR COMMRADES The sundidn't shine down on Scugog's veterans last Saturday morning, when atthe 11th hour of lf -1 the 11th day of the 11th month, they paid tribute to their fallen comrades at Royal of freedom. And in that silent moment when time stood still, these aging soldiers did remember their commrades with aches in their hearts. Butas unpleasant as remembering canbe, there have been many bright moments over the past week for the members of Branch 419. Allweek long, during the annual Poppy Campaign, members of the Legion were outon the street in uni- form pinning the blood red poppies on area resid- ents and raising more than $8,000 for their efforts. Last Friday, Legion members attended most of Scugog Township's schools for Remembrance Day services and were visibly impressed and proud to learn that Scugog"s children were being taught the meaning of Remembrance Day. On Friday evening, as the Legion held its annual Remembrance Day banquet, close to a capacity crowd gathered to dine, dance and reminisce. One of the highlights of the evening was the pre- sentation of 50 year medals to two longtime mem- bers of the Legion, Chuck Bathie and Len Haigh. Congratulations to the members of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Legion Ladies Auxiliary for their efforts in keeping the memory of so many young Canadian men alive through their promotion of Remembrance Day activities. WE ARE GRATEFUL Itis appropriate that | take this opportunity to thank the members of the local Royal Canadian Legion for honoring the Port Perry Star with the prestigious Legion Media Award last week. The award, whichis presented to media that have provided outstanding support and performed a valu- able service to the Royal Canadian Legion in their communities is issued by Dominion Command and presented by the local branch. While proudly accepting the Royal Canadian Leg- ion Media Award last Friday night | couldn't help but think of all the RCL does for the betterment of this community. Their continued support of projects and our youth is importantand essential. We are extremely proud to hang the beautiful plaque in a place of honor at the Port Perry Star. Once again our humble thanks. / hii, rat teeta Cll ll ll Rl Re rr le hE Ut Ct al LE a i ll A a iil a li io 0