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6- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 8, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" BUSINESS OFFICE | Office Mgr. ..cccounsuereneennns Gayle Stapley 'Accounting.......Judy Ashby, Janet Rankin Co | Kathy Dudley, Heather Callan Canadian & Ontario Newspaper Assoc. Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. - ~~ 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Ont. EDITORIAL: Publications Mail Registrat hid No, 07881 Publications Mail Agreement No. 1389068 Subscription Rates: 1 Year - $32.10 6 Months - $17.65 Foreign - $90.95 Includes $2.10 GST Includes $1.15 GST Includes $5.95 GST | bli Need goes on after Christmas Anyone keeping track of the news locally as the Christmas season unfolds could correctly conclude that the local food bank is being well- supported. Indeed, Operation Scugog and its clients will benefit from a number of promotions. Right here at The Star office, we're collecting food, toys and monetary donations as we participate in a three-way competition with township workers and the other paper in town. It's part of an effort organized by kids at Port Perry High School, with a (supposedly) fun conclusion: The party with the fewest donations at the end of the effort must submit from its ranks one unfortunate indi- vidual, whose head will be shaved. Another fun initiative is that being undertaken at the local Canadian Tire store, where they're auctioning off 10 of those Furbys which are all the rage among the toy giving and receiving set. Once again, net proceeds go to the food bank. There are many other efforts, for which we should be appreciative and supportive. But let's not be complacent; the efforts only work if they're supported. Another thing to remember is that after Christmas, when the holiday spirit has been dampened by dark days of winter, the need goes on. The needy remain, and will be back week in and out for help from the food bank. So the contribution you make now not only helps make for a merry Christmas; it helps to sustain the food bank and its clients through the long, cold winter that follows. Please contribute to the effort of your choice this holiday season. You can share your seasonal cheer in a way that really counts. wCNA 40 EDITORIAL: in FT ADVERTISING Publisher.................J. Peter Hvidsten PRODUCTION Advertising Mgr. .......... Don MacLeod 'General Manager ...Don Macleod Trudy Empringham, Pam Hickey, Advertising Sales: Deb McEachem, Managing Editor.....Jeft Mitchell News Reporters .....Chris Hall Freelance - Heather McCrae, John B. McClelland Rhonda Mulcahy, Robert Taylor, Barb Ginni Todd, Laurie Thompson, Cindy Jobin, Bell, Richard Drew, Daryle Wright ~~ Gail Morse a WE'VE BEEN HAV AMAZING HEATER) 0 7 Ps ING! ys Yes, BUT DON'T FORGET... ~..WE. LWE IN ONTARIO! Reoot Por Terry STAR To the Editor: The police were at our place on Dec. 6 inquiring about who owns the property on the south side of 7A Highway and the Island Road intersection, because two vehicles had crossed the highway and into the field removing the highway dead end sign as well as the fence. - In conversation with the owner of this property, I found he had erected a new fence in June of this year replacing the old fence because of damage done by so many vehicles going through it. He stated that this is the fourth and fifth vehicle that has gone through his fence since June. The fence is now destroyed once more. How lucky can you get? An accident waiting to happen Five vehicles in six months crossing a busy highway without any injuries or deaths. Amazing. As we own the properties on both sides of the Island Road at this intersection, I have seen the M.T.O. monitoring the traffic, and in a talk with them, they indicated that traffic lights could be installed at this corner eventually. In the interim, this inter- section immediately needs a flashing red light on the stop sign and also on the sign, on the Island Road, coming up to the inter- section, similar to the Blackstock 7A inter- section. If not, a horrendous accident is just waiting to happen. Clifford Redman, Scugog Island by J. Peter Hvidsten Random Jottings IT MUST HAVE BEEN A SPECTACULAR PLACE Sle Island, the luxurious estate of a | ~~ number of well-to-do families through the early and middle part of this century. "trying to sell the property, for then owner Patrick Harrison. Mr. Harrison, who was 81 years old, had owned the estate since 1958 and sold it after his wife died. . : neglect, But the property was still breathtaking. 1 | had an opportunity recently to walk the grounds of Seven Mile ~My first glimpse at this private hideaway came 16 'years ago at the invitation of a real estate company Even then (1982), the grounds, buildings and gar- "dens of his once magnificent estate were in need of attention as they were beginning to show signsof ~~ Scugog by Paul Arculus, and an explanation about I'd heard that it had deteriorated even further, but nothing could have prepared me for my recent visit. Much of the property is now in total ruins. Dozens of statues are missing or Jesoley weeds are growing through the cracked sides of the cement pool; the magnificent arched pergola is falling to - pieces, rotting from lack of care over the years, and the ornate lattice fence surrounding the swimming pool is falling apart, piece by piece. The once manicured lawns and rose gardens are gone. The reflecting pool lies empty and overgrown, ~ with weeds and moss covering the bottom. Ornate fountains are crumbling; the living quarters have deteriorated, and the property is overgrown. Knowing what this place must have been like dur- ing its heyday from the 20s to 70s, and seeing it now "in this decaying state, made my heart sink. To anyone who wins a lottery, or has a féw million dollars sitting around gathering dust... | suggest restoring this estate would be a beneficial project and worth every cent invested. NOW YET You'll see elsewhere in this issue Sketches of his pending book, 'The Merchants of Port Perry'. After writing in this space a few weeks back about Paul publishing a book early next year, both the Star and Paul have had numerous calls asking where they can get it. Well, sorry, you can't get it yet! The book is scheduled to hit the bookstands sometime next Spring, but the exact date has yet to be determined. We'll keep you informed as the date gets closer. ~~ WARMEST ON RECORD It appears 1998 will go down as one of the best years we've ever experienced, for great weather. ~ An early spring, great summer, beautiful fall and "now an extremely mild start to winter has made this year seem like it's never going to end. Fact is it's the warmest year every recorded and as of now, shows no signs of disappearing soon. Temperatures during the first few days in Dec. have reached as high as 15° C, or 60° F, for those who refuse to change. 'Unfortunately, as much as we like the good ~ weather, the people who sell winter clothing, shov- els, skis and trips to the south are suffering. No doubt we'll see the white stuff begin to arrive 'soon, as all good things eventually come to an end. |