The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

PC parliamentaries priorize penny-pinching It is rumoured that Finance Minister Michael Wilson has been cast as Scrooge in this year's Parliament Hill production of A Christmas Carol. And Tiny Tim, the tax- payer, bereft of many benefits (including in some eases, his job) will find few coals over which to warm his tiny hands. Charity begins at home, and stinginess begins somewhere north of the famous Mulroney chin. While the Liberals are un- doubtedly to blame for everything that has happened in this country for the last 13 years, (give or take a few months), still it seems a vengeful justice that would disinherit the CBC, close down my favourite wildlife centre and charge ten dollars for a divorce. On a more visceral level, I hear the Minister is planning to make _ the Parliamentary cafeteria more cost-efficient. This is something which I, an experienced cook and bottle-washer, understand. If they need me up there in Ottawa to supervise culinary.cost-cutting, my vinyl flight-bag is all packed. I need hardly add that right next to my sleepers, I packed my well-worn copy of Your Money's Worth in Food, a spicy government publication designed to make parsimony fun. Those recipes for Panned Cabbage, Parsnip Casserole and Pork Heart Chop Suey are kitchen skin-flintery incarnate. One presumes the first step in making the Shirley Whittington Members of Parliament don't need butter every day any more than the CBC needs money. So I'd substitute the lower priced spread except for high holidays like Sir John A. MacDonald's birthday and the anniversary of the September Revolution. Except for the cost-efficient things like day- old doughnuts and apples, I think I'd cut desserts from the menu. Whipped cream and creme de menthe parfait just don't fit the Spartan pattern. I've noticed that parsley, the universal garnish, is not favourite Canadian nosh, and is usually pushed aside to be tossed into the garbage. So I'd slash the parsley budget, and get some plastic stuff instead. Plastic parsley could be washed and sterilised for re-use along with the cutlery. It wouldn't be the real thing, but it would look good. Canadian householders have learned all sorts of little tricks to outwit inflation, like powdered skim milk, no-name peanut butter cauliflower. None of these economies would be amiss in Ottawa. Finally, it is my suggestion that they knock off some of those tulips on Parliament Hill and plant zucchini. That unkillable and most proliferous of vines could be trained up the Peace Tower and around the roof of the Parliamentary Library, dripping succulent little Zeppelins all the way. Then parliamentarians could look forward to a cost-efficient winter of zucchini soup, zucc- hini bread, zucchini casserole and zucchini surprise. It seems odd to me that in all this penny- pinching, belt-tightening shift to thrift, little has been said about the constantly changing scenery at Stornaway and 24 Sussex Drive. There, the Turners and the Mulroneys merrily knock out walls, wrench down drapes and rip up carpets in a manner that makes of mockery of austerity. Don't those people know how to decorate on dropped an enchilada on the carpet? So move the piano. Somebody poked an elbow through the plaster? Hang a big picutre. The woodwork in the dining T66m looks grubby? Turn down the lights. Fingerprints and spotty carpets simply vanish, my dears, in candlelight. Our public rooms are so dimly lit that when we entertain, we issue white canes. And what's this I hear about installing new bathroom sinks to fit the various Mulroney children? Does this mean every. time a junior Jaw has a growth spurt, a plumber must be summoned? Can't somebody design a lavabo that goes up and down like a microphone stand? Haven't those people ever heard of little stools in the bathroom? Finally, I offer the Whittington procrastination theory which has saved us untold decorating dollars. You simply put things off until you move. Think how much money would have been saved if the Clarks and Trudeaus had done that a couple of years ago! If this government is serious about cost- cutting, and I suspect it is, it needs only look to the Canadian taxpayer for tips on creative scrimping. We've been doing it for years. Ever wonder why the Canadian penny is decorated with leaves? Beacuse that's what cafeteria pay would be to eliminate the frills. and marked-down, slightly brown a. budget? So the Mexican ambassador money, as soon as you get it, does. ' aging. How to enjoy your senior years, topic of workshop above all else "at- Ea aN ee titude" was the most Midland-Penetang important factor in how Diabetes Association a person sees life and held a day-long his or her relation to '"workshop" entitled life. She also discussed "How to enjoy your the Doctor / Patient senior years", at frelationships, physical Georgian Manor in changes, friendships Penetanguishene. (which are _ very The program con- necessary) and housing. sisted of four guest Esther and Peter speakers all of which Addison spoke on were both informative "Elder Hostel', which is a concept of self- education for seniors. and interesting to the approximately 40 people who attended this The Addisons described workshop. several of their ex- Dit Marilyn_ periences and advised McTavish set 'the tone that this has bécome a for the day with a yearly event for them and a source of great pleasure. They explained that particularly penetrating - look at the problems of She stressed -Elder Hostel is world wide, so. that you meet a lot of interesting people, you stay in a university these two topics. Jim Martin a Penetanguishene fu- neral director for some residence, many 17 years talked about courses are made fynerals. available to you, He described pre- together with tours and planning and _ pre- other attractions payment 'of funerals arranged for your en- joyment. Mrs. Addison ended her presentation by saying "It is fine to reach out and give, but, one should also reach out and take." Elise DeVillers a Penetanguishene la- wyer discussed wills and power of attorney. This session was well which many people were interested in. He stressed that there is a need at the time of death for a period of grief and that the ritual of funerals provides this. ~ It is an admission of death and a sharing of grief which helps to lessen the pain. Bob Morton the ad- received. Elise an- ministrator of the swered many questions Georgian Manor took of concern regarding time to explain the role of Homes for the Aged, and, went on to give a history of the Georgian ward by the guest Manor, the services speakers was very they offer and the costs much appreciated. We to residents. hope to do more Another feature of the day was a presentation made by Mable Murphy in the way of a cheque for $500 to' the local branch. She also donated $500 to Diabetes Research. You may want to get a jump on this year's Christmas shopping so you'll have time to take in one or all seven all- candidates' debates nee Murphy Sead starting next month in Bey: pre ee kaos Ontario. through a garage sale Candidates for the ane. rae we ae Ontario Progressive e uring the pas' Conservative _leader- month. A wonderful effort by one person and ship, four of them so far, ae ; will first debate the it is greatly appreciated Facuaenenhinder Bay by our local branch. nee "i It was altogether a [ie Other meetings are splendid day and the special effort put for- Possession of narcotic charges laid by OPP Shawn MacDonald, 23, of 676 King St.,.Midland and Bruce Edward Paul, 21, of the same address were charged by Midland OPP late last Thursday following an automobile check. MacDonald, who appears in Penetang court tomorrow, was charged with possession of a narcotic and breach of probation. Paul, who appears in Midland court next Monday, was charged with possession of a nar- cotic. Here's the telephone number to call: MTC Ministry of Transportation and _Com- munications has announced that its Winter Road Reporting Service for the public will go into operation on Monday, Nov. 19. The Road Information Centre at Toronto and the ministry's offices throughout the province will have up-to-date information on the condition of all provincial and secondary highways 24-hours-a- day, seven-days-a-week during the winter months. Information on winter road conditions may be cbtained around-the-clock by telephoning 1(705)- 835-3014. Winter control sand here purchased for *17,000-plus Town of Midland has accepted the tender from K.J. Beamish Construction Co., for the supply of winter control sand for the total tendered price of $17,395. ($4.97 per tonne). Retired people on Island receive $5,535 from Feds A group of retired people from Christian Island will receive a New Horizons grant for $5,535, Health and Welfare Minister Jake Epp announced today. : Huronia Elders will establish a program of activities including recreation, arts and crafts, preservation of cultural records and folklore, barbecues, lunches, pot-luck suppers and traditional native crafts taught by the elders. New Horizons is a federal government program that enables retired people to create projects of undertake activities for the benefit of themselves and others in their community. The accent is on local needs as seen by older ~ people and on their willingness to meet such needs. MPD tells it the way it is A total of 26 charges were laid under the Criminal Code of Canada last month in Midland. As well, police records show, two charges were laid'under the Narcotics Control Act, 10 under the Liquor Licence Act and 40 under the Highway Traffic Act including 21 for speeding on town streets. North Simcoe Newsbriefs Tree removal contract amounts to *13,600 W.M. Weller Tree Service has won a $13,600 contract from Town of Midland for tree trimming and removal and stump removal in the municipality. Motor-vehicle accidents in Midland total 26: Bates A total of 19 reportable and seven non-reportable motor-vehicles accidents were investigated in Midland last month, police statistics issued by Chief Ernest Bates show. : As a result of many of the mishaps a total of 11 persons suffered a variety of injuries. YMCA gearing up for its annual upcoming fund raising campaign Midland YMCA will be holding its annual fund drive Nov. 19 running through until Nov. 23. On the planned agenda are door to door can- vassing as well as '"'Campaign McKick-Off" on Tuesday, Nov. 20. Further information on scheduled events and where pledges can be made will appear in The Weekender. Campaign Chairman Jim Blackwell welcomes all who wish to volunteer. Display by Big Brothers at Mountainview Mall The Big Brothers organization will be holding a recruitment day at the Mountainview Mall on Saturday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Available to the public will be a staffed booth with both big and little brothers. Pamphlets and a video display will also outline the philosophy and typical activities involved in being a big brother. Organizer, Linda Jefferies feels that examples are the best way to communicate what-the Big Brother program can do for the young boy as well as the enjoyment it brings to the older person. Presently, big brothers are in great demand in Victoria Harbour, Port McNicoll and Elmvale. If anyone is interested but can't make it to the mall, Big Brothers has an office at 354 Midland Ave., which is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. or call Linda at 526-5051. So you'd like to be premier of Ontario, eh? If there are no other takers, it will be just a four- man race to succeed retiring Ontario Premier William Davis. So far only Frank Miller, Roy McMurtry, Dennis Timbrell and Larry Grossman, all cabinet ministers in the Davis government, have signified a willingness to get into the fray. The new leader will be picked at a convention in late January to be staged in Toronto. One centimetre of snow so far this November On Nov. 2, Nov. 5 and Nov. 11 traces of snow fell on Midland-Penetanguishene amounting to one centimetre in total, reports Mel Curtis of Midland. Since the mid-1940's, Mr. Curtis has been keeping track of snowfall reports for the provincial Atmospheric Environment Service. their own choosing. It offers grants to groups who workshops in the future as everyone that at- tended this workshop was really enthusiastic about the day long program. The debates start Dec. 2 planned for Ottawa, Dec. 6; North Bay, Dec. 8; Peterborough, Dec. 17; Kitchener, Jan. 8; London, Jan. 13 and Toronto, Jan. 16 eight days before the leadership convention in Toronto. Icy roads were at fault Icy road conditions contributed to a single- car collision, Sunday evening on Highway 69 north of Six Mile Lake Provincial Park. The driver, Michael J. Cyrwus, 24, of Bramp- ton was slightly injured after his vehicle left the road and rolled over on its side. OPP kept hopping You can chalk up another busy seven days for Midland OPP per- 'sonnel. "During the week ending Nov. 12, OPP here investigated 71 general occurrences. Eleven thefts, five break-ins, three assaults and two cases of wilful damage were included in the long list of occurrences. Missing truck recovered Late Sunday night, Midland OPP were called out to investigate the theft of a truck from Cedar Point. Owned by Katherine Blue of Midland, it was later located in a ditch along the Cedar Point Road. Royce Grant King was later charged with impaired driving and with possession of stolen property. He's to appear in Penetang court, Nov. 29. The vehicle in question is said to have received $2,000 damage. Wednesday, November 12, 1984, Page 7