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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2001 - Wish list sent by balloon from Illinois lands in Scugog field Wind carries child's Christmas wishes to Scugog By Rik Davie Weekend Star Stefanie and Melanie Thomson brought a strange request to The Star offices on Christmas Eve and we were able to grant it. The two North Durham girls were sitting on their school bus as it took them home last week and spotted something strange in one of the fields of their family's Scugog Line 12 farm. Something shiny seemed to float just off the ground near a fence line. The twin nine-year-old sisters got home, dropped their books and went to see what it was. What it was, was the heart-felt work of a child far away with a request for someone else far away: Santa Claus. "We were excited and it was a little sad," Melanie Moore told The Star. The sad part was the request. A list of ten things... one of them would be plenty... because "my Mom and Dad don't have enough money to get them." The letter was signed by 10-year-old Amanda Moore of Danville, Illinois. Danville is a mid-size community south of Chicago and many hundreds of miles from the snow-covered field in North Durham where the Thomson sisters intercepted the letter to Santa. "We want to get in touch with the little girl and let her know that someone got her letter," said Sandy Thomson, mother of the twin girls. "It didn't get to the North Pole as it was addressed, but it sure got a long way." Getting in touch with a 10-year-old girl in Danville was easier than expected for the staff at The Star. A quick check of the address given listed no phone numbers but the Internet gave up the name of the - Commercial News in Danville, Illinois. A quick conversation with the editor there, Mary Wicoff, and fellow news gatherers resulted in some quick action. With only hours to spare before Christmas, the hunt was on. A copy of the letter was faxed to Illinois and reporters COMMERCIAL-NEWS PHOTO BY MATT HUBER Amanda Moore uses an atlas to find out just where in Canada her letter to Santa, which was sent via a balloon, landed. at the other end tracked down Amanda Moore to let her know how far her letter had gone. As well, the note to Santa was passed on through some elves in Illinois to its proper destination in time for Christmas. First sled through Lake Scugog this winter Emergency crews respond after sled goes through ice Emergency crews paramedics for exposure. rushed to the shore of Const. Redford said that Lake Scugog on Boxing Day after a 3l-year-old man rode his snowmobile into the frigid waters after driving his sled out on the very thin ice. According to Durham Regional Police Constable Rob Redford, water rescue experts with the Scugog Fire Department pulled the man from the water about 2:50 p.m. on Boxing Day. The man was treated by the public should be aware of conditions and that the lake is nowhere near ready for travel. "There were about 10 firefighters, two para- medics and three police officers tied up on this," Const. Redford said. "It bothered me that this many people were unavailable for anyone in distress over what should have been common sense. I think the public just Durham Region hopes to Share the Warmth this winter. Share the Warmth is a registered, non-profit charity that provides energy assistance to people in the communi- ty who are unable to pay their utility bills during winter. The program collects donations and uses them to pay the utility companies for Share the Warmth this winter approved applicants. Durham Region has donated $25,000 to the Share the Warmth pro- gram this year and all of the donations raised in Durham Region will serve the local commu- nity. This is the second consecutive year that Durham Region has sup- ported this vital pro- gram. needs to be aware of the teams are called on as conditions and avoid this snowmobilers venture type of thing." onto Lake scugog before Every year, rescue conditions are safe. Amanda sent her list of Christmas wishes to Santa due to the lean economic times her family is going through during the recession. Her father, Roger, explained that a possible layoff from his job, coupled with a large family -- including his wife, their three children and eight cousins -- meant for a poor Christmas. "This is probably the last year I'll be able to get some- thing (for everyone) and that will be it," he said. Amanda and her father stood in the parking lot of Price-Less Foods in Danville where they released the balloon carrying her letter. The balloon traveled nearly 600 miles to Greenbank where it was found by the Thomson sisters. For Sandy Thomson and her daughters, the outcome is a memory made for Christmas. "This is wonderful," Ms. Thomson said. "This is like something out of a movie and it is a memory they will be able to re-tell for the rest of their lives." Ms. Thomson said that Melanie and Stefanie will be writing to Amanda and perhaps this tale will be one to be retold by two families far apart, but ted by the winds that carry childrens' wishes. With files from Greg Holden, staff writer with the Danville Commercial News. LOCTITE® 55 PIPE SEALING CORD - replaces tape, dope, and wicking, tog rr all in one convenient package! General Bearing Service Inc. 10 Sunray St., Unit 16, Whitby Call (905) 668-9400 or 1-888-827-5882 100% Canadian Owned and Operated The City of Kawartha Lakes P.O. Box 9000 Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5R8 705-324-9870 1-888-822-2225 KAWARTH Cuich dw Kayeartha spire. IMPORTANT KAWARTHA LAKES/HALIBURTON SOCIAL SERVICES ONTARIO WORKS On January 7, 2002 we will be implementing an improved Province wide service delivery system. During our transition to the new system, we will continue to strive to provide full customer service in a timely fashion. We are encouraged that the new system will enhance future business operations with our customers and community. We sincerely regret any inconveniences and appreciate you patience. KAWARTHA LAKES/HALIBURTON SOCIAL SERVICES ONTARIO WORKS Looks forward to better serving you in the future Township of Scugog Please join Mayor Doug Moffatt &F Members of Council for an afternoon of FREE SKATING and family fun along with a special cheque presentation to kick off the fundraising efforts for the expansion of the Scugog Arena at the 4th Annual Mayor's New Year's Day Levee at the Scugog Arena January 1st, 2002 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm