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"A Family Tradition for 132 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, March 24, 1998 - 7 LETTERS Officers helped in retrie To the Editor: On Thursday, March 12 I real- 1zed that I hadn't seen my cat since | had came home from school. I checked all the usual places where she likes to hide and I still could not find her. I continued looking for her with my mom and sister's help. We could hear her meowing in the basement and soon came to the conclusion that Bella had climbed up into the open joists in the workshop ceiling and had fallen down somewhere between the walls. We had no idea of how we were going to get her out. We couldn't see Bella anywhere and Judging by the sound of her mews, we knew wherever she was she wasn't very close to us. We fig- ured we were going to cut down some of the rafters or a part of the concrete wall or the brick fireplace to be able to free her. My mom called some of our neighbors, but we couldn't get hold of anyone due to the late hour. As a last resort my mom called the administration num- ber for the Durham Regional Police and told them our story. The operator was very helpful, and contacted a police car in our area to give us a hand. Police Constables Dave Mann and Frank Hammond arrived about 11:30 p.m. and got right to work. They removed the duct- work to give us a better view of the area and we were able to determine her exact location. She had fallen between the brick- work for our fireplace and the concrete wall behind the fireplace (both seven foot walls). The constables decided to remove the tin heat shield above our fireplace, which created an opening in the ceiling. I was then able to squeeze my upper 7 = a! ck Gs > Shc Sara Brown with Bella. body through the opening (with the constables' assistance) where I could see Bella. Then, with a rope with a loop on the end and the police officer's flashlight shinning through the rafters from the other side, I was able to lasso Bella and pull her up unharmed. Without these officers' assis- tance, I doubt we would have been able to get Bella out as quickly and as safely as we did. val of pet cat I want to take this time to pub- licly thank Constables Dave Mann and Frank Hammond for all their hard work. I don't think that this type of situation was in their job description, but that didn't stop them from helping. Bella is doing great now and the two of us and the rest of our family will never forget what you did. Sara Brown Blackstock Lions say thanks for help with Ice Out contest To the Editor: Committee we want to sincerely thank you for your assistance in the promotion of ticket sales for the "Ice Out." We support many community organizations such as the hospital, Central Seven, youth activi- and needy, cancer treatment, food banks and On behalf of the Lions Club and the "Ice Out" more. In our International "Sightfirst" program we have serviced 57 countries on five continents, com- pleted 47 eye clinics/hospitals and funded more million. ties, blind and deaf organizations, school awards, relief for community and world disasters, the sick than a million cataract surgeries at a cost of $64.5 Lion Jack Bentley, Lion Stan Rickard, Editor's Notepad by Jeff Mitchell CATS, EMUS, AND OLD MAN WINTER ABOVE AND BEYOND: Your beloved cat's caught in perilous and impossible situation, and you have no idea how to get her out. Who you gonna call? ...Cartwright resident Sara Brown made the right choice in ringing Durham Regional Police recently. After her house cat Bella became trapped in a wall of the family home, she appealed to the police, who dispatched 26 Division Constables Dave Mann and Frank Hammond. The caring coppers took time at 11:30 at night to help the family, and retrieved the cat, who's now safe and sound. Good show, fellows. AN ODD DUCK: Had an encounter with an emu the other day. It was kind of quiet at the office, so | hit the road, looking to take some shots of the ice that coated everything outside of town after our freezing rain storm Wednesday night. Just approaching Epsom on Reach St., | spied the emus having lunch or breakfast, or whatever, and pulled over. This is something I've always wanted to do but never have, even though | pass their little pasture all the time. Although they were at the other end of the field, some coaxing -- How do you call an emu? -- encouraged one of them to -- what? -- bob on over. It was like looking at a dinosaur, and he surprised me when he stretched his neck to its full length. Emus slouch. He stuck his head through the fence as | fired away at him with my Nikon, and took to lunging at me and snapping his large beak loudly. It was then | realized he would likely peck the eyes right out of my head if | gave him the chance. A drive in the country isn't what it used to be. Odd birds, emus. SNOW PROBLEM: How'd you like that icy final one prays blast that Old Man Winter gave us (not unlike the one-finger salute that's fired by retreating motorists and beleaguered Prime Ministers) on the weekend? It was great if you're a kid or a dog | reckon, but that pile in the driveway Sunday morning was some heavy... and it didn't help that as soon as it was shoveled, another batch began to fall. Ah, well... such is spring, and, as is the case with so many other things in life, anticipation of the event can make it that much better when it occurs, right? GET REAL: It's a question asked far too much these days: "So, ja think the Leafs'll make the playoffs?" Here's your definitive answer: No. Forget the Super Bowl. I'm right this time. Random Jottings by J. Peter Hvidsten DO WE REALLY NEED ANOTHER GAZEBO? -. Plans were announced last week, by the parks and recreation committee to construct a paved walkway along the south shore of Lake Scugog, and to erect a second gazebo. While the cost of the project is uncertain at this time, clearing land, constructing a walkway and building a new gazebo will be a costly venture. As | recall, construction of the Rotary Gazebo in Palmer Park cost about $35,000, and as important a symbol it has become for the town, it's unfortunate the facility gets very little use. Personally, | think anything we can do to improve our parkland is a great idea. Our lakefront is one of the prime attractions of this community and the one area which both residents and visitors enjoy throughout the summer and winter months for passive recreation enjoyment. While new park development should be welcomed and encouraged, it's also important the township invest a little more of the budget into maintaining some of the existing facilities that have deteriorated over the years. I'm referring specifically to the wooden walkway in the Rotary Park north of the boat launch, which has no handrails and has heaved and twisted. It's doubtful this structure would pass a safety inspection if it belonged to anyone other than the township. In fact, one elderly lady who enjoys using the walkway told me last fall that she's afraid to use it any more because of its con- dition. So while it's nice to hear about plans for new pro- jects, | question the wisdom in sinking thousands of dollars into another gazebo, which will very likely be used even less than the existing facility... at least until some of the existing deficiencies are corrected. WELCOME TO SPRING We got a small taste of the weather eastern Ontario and Montreal received earlier this winter, when ice storms devastated the entire area, leaving people with- out electricity for up to a month. The mini-ice storm which made its way through this area last Thursday did result in some downed tree limbs, but for the most part little damage was caused by the unexpected blast of winter. While we cannot overlook the potential damage this type of winter storm can cause, ice-laden fences and trees bent over touching the ground sure do create a magical picture. THINKING OF YOU We received word last week that our longtime friend and colleague, Annabell Harrison, is recovering favor- ably in a Toronto hospital after undergoing some emer- gency surgery. Annabell, as most people in this community know, retired last fall after almost 34 years at the Port Perry Star, to enjoy some time and travel with her husband Bill. They had just returned from a Florida vacation when she became ill. The thoughts and wishes of all the staff at The Star, and her many friends in the community are with Annabell at this time, and we look forward to her visits to the Star office when she returns home.