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"Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" 0: off All Winter Stock Sale Ends March 31, 1997 Strawberry Threads 80 Brock St. W., Uxbridge (905) 852-3683 receives hy Achievement Award By Chris Hall Port Perry Star While no one is telling her to, a local business woman has taken it upon herself to prohibit smok- ing in her restaurant, and has been rewarded for doing so. With only a small sign hanging out front to signal its presence, The Front Porch looks no different on the outside from other small restaurants, but it's what's inside that counts. As one of only two restaurants in Port Perry to become smoke-free, The Front Porch has recently been presented with its second consecu- tive Lifestyle Achievement Award by the Durham Region Health Department. The award is used to encourage and promote a healthy lifestyle in the dining room environment. To receive this award, the Van Camp & Keller Chartered Accountants Income tax planning and return preparation. Personal tax returns-electronically filed. Financial, estate and retirement planning. Personal Tax Returns are being processed now. OFFICE HOURS UNTIL APRIL 30. Monday to Friday 8 - 6, Saturday 9 -1 204 Casimir St., Port Perry . Telephone: (905) 985-9725 Toll Free: 1-800-215-3852 LRH lo lW-V. Nl kh Helo NN J | SUN DAY BUFFET EVERY SUNDAY OVER 60 HOT & COLD DELECTIBLE DELICACIES TO TICKLE YOUR TASTEBU bs) OVER 60 . HOT & COLD ENTREES * FRUIT & CHEESE TRAYS * SCRUMPTIOUS SALADS o FABULOUS DESERTS & MUCH MUCH MORE HAW * Taxes & Gratuities Extra * Always 10% Discount for Seniors 60+ restaurant must serve food meeting daily nutri- tional requirements; ensure that all food is properly stored and han- dled; and they must offer a pleasant eating atmo- sphere, which means no smoking. Pleased with how her patrons comply with her wishes, Front Porch owner, Sandra Chan, says that she has no problems with customers who do smoke. "I don't find they get upset. They're here for the food, we're not a pub, so they don't really mind; I don't think that it bothers them," said Ms. Chan. Since she took over the site close to two years ago, Ms. Chan says that the location has been smoke- free and that her staff works hard to make sure customers receive good food in healthy surround- ings. "My staff and I have worked very hard at achieving this awards. I'm quite happy that we've met our objective of mak- ing this a safe environ- ment for our customers. Every restaurant has the opportunity to win, they just have to follow the requirements. It's worth it in the end," Ms. Chan said of the effort required to keep her 50-seat restau- rant in top shape. Originally handed out in North York, the aspect of awarding high-quality restaurants quickly spread and in 1995 Durham Region became involved in the program. Over the past two years, over 20 establishments in the region have been given the prestigious award. While the owners of the winning restaurants may bask in their glory, Ms. Chan says that she doesn't think that the public really knows about the awards. "They're still new but it's a good idea. We offer our customers great food and safety on the premis- es. If someone gets sick CHRIS HALL / PORT PERRY STAR For the second consecutive year The Front Porch, located on Queen St. in Port Perry, has won The Lifestyle Achievement Award for offering pa- trons a safe, non-smoking, eating environment. Here, owner Sandra Chan is served one of the many nutritious meals that her restaurant offers by waitress Cara Irwin. after eating here we don't want them to think it's food poisoning; what we're doing is to prevent that," said Ms. Chan, who will pick up her award at a presentation in the Whitby Courthouse on April 23. According to May 1996 numbers from the Durham Region Health Department, there were only two non-smoking establishments in Port Perry, The Front Porch and The Best of Things Tea Room, while Uxbridge had six and Oshawa had 12. The issue of smoking in public buildings is not a big topic of conversation says Scugog Township Mayor Howard Hall. Ga While regulations may not allow smokers to light up in municipal buildings like the local arena and township-owned build- ings, mayor Hall says that no one has really come for- ward to discuss a smoking by-law for other public areas. "We've had no discus- sions because no one has come to us about a by-law for smoking in public buildings. We've never interfered with restau- rants and we don't have any plans to," said the mayor. "None of the other coun- cillors have said anything about it but we might talk, but there certainly is no push."