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MRIS. © ae By mom Re 6 - PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, July 10, 2001 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" PUBLISHER, GEN MGR Don Macleod , MANAGING EDITOR Jeff Mitchell oCha OFFICE MANAGER = Gayle Stapley ADVERTISING MGR . . .Deb McEachern PRODUCTION'MGR Pam Hickey REPORTER ... Chns Hall PHONE (905) 985-7383 FAX (905) 985-3708 E-MAIL: editonal@portperrystar.com advertising@portperrystar.com Member Ontario Community Newspaper Assoc Publications Mail Registration No. 07881 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP) towards our mailing costs Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Company Limited, 188 Mary Street - Port Perry, Ontario - L9L 187 SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 Year $37 45 (includes GST) EDITORIAL POLICY: Opinuons expressed by colimrists, contnbutors and letter waiters wie nat necessary those of The Bont Perey Star Letters must be signed and the telephone number (which will not be published) included Requests that brought to the editor's attention. We reserve the nght 10 edit or refuse pubkcation of any matenal subidted ADVERTISING POLICY Ihe publisher is not kable or shght changes oc tyg subsequent issue or the refund of ary monies paid for the advertisement: All cms oF eon in publ ation nus Dee mace by Wasdinesdhay, noon, pron 10 the next week's publication, and, Six Months - $19.79 (includes GST) Hoge aphecal errors that do not lessen the value of an advert if not made, will not be considered. No dam wall be allowed for more than one insertion Member Canadian Community .- C Newspaper NA Association BUSINESS OFFICE: Judy Ashby, Kathy Dudley, Janet Rankin, Lesley West ADVERTISING: Ginni Todd, Cindy Jobin, Gail Morse, Sandra Spiers, Linda Clarke, Lisa Monk, Janet Archer, Malcolm Lennox PRODUCTION: Trudy Empringham, Daryle Wright, Arlene Cheel, Robert Taylor, Richard Drew Foreign 1 Year - $96 30 (includes GST) freelance Writers Heather McCrae, John B McClelland, Rik Davie a name be withheld will be honoured only if there 1s a compelling reason to do so. Errors wall be corrected if rsement. The publisher 1s not kable for other errors or omissions in connection with any advertisement in any Editorial Comment A community that cares Blackstock and Scugog Township suffered the harsh glare of the national media's spotlight late last week and throughout the weekend, when two people were charged with instances of abuse involving their two children. Instantly, the name Blackstock became synonymous with allegations of horrible abuse, and dark secrets. No doubt folks here began to cringe each time the community was named in a news report. It's a media phenomenon; think Walkerton... what comes to mind? Or Ipperwash? There are obvious victims in this case, if the allegations made by police and Children's Aid Society investigators prove to be true. And it is toward the children our concern and prayers ought to be directed. If what has been alleged turns out in any measure to be true, they are young people who will long bear scars from a troubled upbringing. God help them. The community too bears scars 1oday, albeit not as deep, and certainly not as lasting. The media circus which erupted following the issuing of a press release early Friday by Durham Regional Police will subside - has already, in fact - and life will return to normal. . The lesson to be learned in this case is that itis so important for us to look out for one another. Had it not been "for a concerned individual, the proper authorities would not have been made aware of the Blackstock case. It takes courage to step up, even to ask someone if they need a hand sometimes. We are reluctant to intrude, or to appear to be meddling or solicitous, or to be rebuffed. But sometimes, a hand extended is appreciated. It can help smooth rough times, or even save a life. Scugog is a community that cares. And even something this awful doesn't change that. While police [HHH OI edt oy Hg [---- coasting." MAT --- goa? ee 5 ovonves! aos -- . FOLKS, BUT WOULD You H APPEN remain tight-lipped. about an impending Hells Angels rally, residents of Caesarea have noticed a definite increase in biker activity... Nt yey Tor PERRY STAR Remember When? Historical photo feature by J. Peter Hvidsten This building, located at the corner of Water and Casimir St., was operated by The Matthew Edwards Co. as an egg warehouse during the late 1800s. In the early 1900s it was converted into a creamery, and in 1918 the building and business were purchased by Allan Goode, who was still operating the business when this picture was taken in 1938. The old creamery building was demolished in 1989, and is now the location of the Water St. condominiums. LETTERS Media campaign paints unfair image of our town To the Editor: Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to defend our small community, Blackstock. For anyone who doesn't know, Blackstock is off the beaten path, but its path is well used and has been for more than a generation. It's the founding home of the tractor pull, an annual event that has spread to the borders of Ontario. It boasts one of the largest youth baseball feagues in the region. Last year there were 23 youth teams with an average of 12 par- ticipants per team. The youth hockey league is well organized and popular, and also attracts kids from other towns and ham- lets. We have a dedicated group that caters to the various scouting and guiding groups, a youth activ- ity center, figure skating, curling and karate. These do not include any of the activities for the adults and seniors. The reason for writing this letter is so people do not get the wrong impression of the heart and soul of our town after reading head- lines like "Caged Kids. Parents face charges in one of the worst cases of child abuse." It is a tiny community, but its not sleeping. It's bustling with ideas and manpower in attempts to constantly improve itself. Obviously it has problems like everywhere else. | ask, though, that the writers and editors also include the efforts of the very many good indi- viduals in future articles. Anything less makes me feel downhearted regarding this place that we call home. Dena Thompson, Blackstock