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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2001 - 7 HAPPENINGS & OPINIONS BROOKLIN PROFILE - BY ROXANNE REVELER Scouts celebrate year of success THE Ist Brooklin Scouting want to pass along thanks to all their Beavers, Cubs, leaders and parents for mak- ing their first year such a success. Leader Sue Pitchforth says it was a lot of hard work but everyone pulled together to make it such a success and passes on thanks. A reminder there are still a few spaces open for both Beavers and Cubs for the fall, so call Sue at 905-655- 7850 if you are interested or want added information. Fun Time Brooklin's own Vacation Bible School will be held at St. Leo's School this year, the week of Aug. 13 to 17. The theme this year is "Son Creek" which is an awe- some country theme that comes with cowboy hats, jeans, horses and foot stomping music. To register for this non-denominational school pick up a registration form at Brooklin Branch Library or at any one of the churches in the village. Registration is $5 per child before June 30 and $10 after that. You Did It There has been such an incredible response to the Brooklin Antique Appraisal Clinic that they have added more appraisers to the event. A new set of times have opened up because of this and they now have room for more appraisals. So if you have something hanging around the house you've always been curious to know the value of, or just what time period it dates to call Mary Ellen at 905-655- 4927. Once again the appraisal date is Aug. 19 between | and 7 p.m. at Brooklin United Church. Each appraisal is five minutes in duration and the cost is $10. But you must have an appointment, you can't just show up. Plan Ahead Group '74 is planning for the second annual Brooklin Harvest Festival to be held in Grass Park on Saturday, Sept. 15. They are looking for community groups, mar- ket-type vendors, craftspeople, etc., to join this event which was so successful in its debut year. If you'd like to join in the festivities call 905-655-7850. Lacrosse Brooklin Merchants Lacrosse squad will be home in Luther Vipond Memorial Arena on Thursday, July 5 as they entertain Arthur. Note the time start - it's 8 p.m. rather than the usual 7 p.m. start. Entry is only $5 for adults, less for students and seniors and kids are free when accompanied by an adult so go on down and cheer on the home team. Charity There will be a charity auction and dinner for the Canadian Amputee Hockey Commission on Saturday, July 7 at Heydenshore Pavilion. Guest speaker will be Brooklin resident Terry Evenshen, CFL celebrity who won Grey Cup rings both out west and with Montreal. Also on the bill is the great comedian Chris Quigley. For tickets call 905-655-7692 or 404-8052. Hmmm... A conclusion is the place you arrive at when you get tired of thinking. And experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. Choice land, indeed To the Editor: I read with some interest the letter from Kay Langmuir in the last issue of The Weekend Star, calling for the removal of Port Perry's lakefront ball dia- monds. | took some mild offense when she referred to returning "that choice lakeside land" to public park use. In faimess to local ball organizations, it should be remembered that 40 plus years ago when the north lakefront diamond was built, it was far from "choice lakeside land." Prior to the building of a ball diamond, the site had- been the town dump, with a ~ long row of decaying willow trees. The local baseball peo- ple took on the ball dia- mond project with the assis- tance of the council, and spent countless hours tumn- ing this land into a centre for local softball and the site of many, many tournaments. The softball committee, led by the late Roy Comish and Ken Jackson, felt that they had made a major con- tribution to the Scugog lake- front. I vividly recall when an Ontario Hydro crew was enticed to come and auger the post. holes for the first set of flood lights on this "choice lakeside land"; the look of surprise on their faces as the auger brought up the tin cans, bottles and old tires to the surface, that had been dropped there in the 1930s. I can certainly agree that the ball diamond location is now "a very desirable piece of public property." But a big part of the desirability of this property lies in past efforts by local softball people. The dia- monds have been well- used and much appreciated by ball players of all ages for over 40 years. The softball people did not move in and start play- ing ball on a "choice piece of lakefront land". Rather, they worked long and hard to create over the years what is considered to be an excellent baseball facility. And good for them. This is the way our country has prospered - if you want it, be prepared to work for it. Rodd Foster, Greenbank Five promises for a b | was pleased to attend the Volunteer Summit at Durham College on Friday, June 22, regarding Ontario's Promise. This innovative program is a partnership between businesses, governments, communities and individuals across Ontario. | can imagine no higher priority than ensuring Ontario's children get the best start in life. Ontario's Promise is designed to accomplish that goal. The Five Promises Are: a A Healthy Start a An Adult Who Cares a Safe Places to Learn and Grow a The Tools to Succeed 0 A Chance to Make a Difference The Healthy Promise program is an all-encompassing effort to ensure children have what they need to become successful and contributing adults. These efforts range from good nutrition to interaction with caring adults and a chance to feel the pride from advancing a cause and making a difference. We'll be hearing more about this program in the months ahead. As always, please feel free to contact our Constituency Office at 1-800-661-2433/ 697-1501 for details. Or visit the web site at www.ontariospromise.com. Smart Growth Meeting in Durham On June 18 the province-wide consultation on Smart Growth ended in Whitby with elected municipal repre- sentatives, environmental groups, business leaders, agricultural leaders and others discussing the best ways to manage growth in Durham. This was the last of 17 stakeholder consultations, led by Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Chris Hodgson or a government representative. My colleague, Oshawa MPP Jerry Ouellette, and | had the opportunity to guide the Whitby meeting. This was my third Smart Growth session, and | am pleased to hear many diverse views on how we can Staying in Touch JOHN R. O'TOOLE 117050 Sa 100 245 VV" I OF. XH § encourage smarter patterns of growth in Durham. | know Durham is up to the challenge. To obtain your copy of Get Engaged in Ontario Smart Growth, visit www.smart- growth.gov.on.ca, or call 1-866-479-9780 toll free. We would also be pleased to provide you with infor- mation on Smart Growth through the Constituency Office at 75 King Street East, Bowmanville. Please call 1-800- 661-2433 or 697-1501 Our Plan for Post-Secondary Education In 2001-02, operating grants to support post-sec- ondary education (college and university) will increase by $72 million. The funding is part of the government's comprehensive plan for the increased double cohort enrollment expected in 2003 when two classes will grad- uate from high school at once. This investment brings total operating grants for post secondary institutions to $2.5 billion. Of this, universities receive $1.72 billion and colleges receive $745.8 million. As promised in its 2001 budget, the government is pro- viding $293 million in increased funding to colleges and universities by 2003-04. This will help post-secondary schools accommodate projected enrollment increases. The $60 million announced in the 200i budget for a new university at Durham College is part of our initia- tives to support universities and colleges. righter future To make sure that people in Ontario continue to receive quality health and education services, the gov- ernment is investing in new spaces in medical schools and teachers' colleges. Specifically, the government will invest $3.75 million to create 500 new spaces in teachers' ~ colleges and $2 million to create 80 new first-year spaces in medical schools. Electronic Land Registration Available Effective June 20th, clients of the Durham Land Registry office in Whitby will have the option of elec- tronically registering land titles documents. Those wish- ing to register paper documents may still do so in person at the Land Registry Office. Ontario is a world leader in this technology, being the only jurisdiction in the world to provide electronic land registration. There are a number of advantages to elec- tronic registration, including the elimination of the time and cost of physically attending at the Land Registry office. Electronic registration began as a pilot project in Middlesex County and is available in Halton, Hamilton, Peel, Dufferin and York. Norm Sterling, Minister of Consumer and Business Services, notes that 70,000 doc- uments have been successfully submitted electronically. There is a toll-free number (1-800-208-5263) available for current Teraview software clients and potential new users. Celebrate Canada Day There are many local events for Canada Day in Clarington, Scugog and Oshawa. This holiday weekend, I would encourage everyone to take some time to cele- brate with neighbours, family and friends. At Queen's Park on July | there are special events under way from Il am. to 5 p.m. at the Legislative Buildings. The activities include free musical and dance entertainment, clowns, exhibits, rides for the kids and the incredible 25-cent Queenis Park hotdog. Enjoy Canada Day, and have a safe summer. ny - CE --