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--Editoriats- Information-honestly, openly and freely shared- is the hallmark of democracy New Year's 1986 IT'S BEEN WRITTEN, there are no sign posts in the heavens marking the end of the final hour of the final day of one year and the first second of the first minute of the first hour of the first day of a new year. Yet it is good that down through the ages we humans have set up our own sign posts based on the number of times the earth has wheeled through a myriad of journeys around the sun. Each New Year's Day is an afformation that man has achieved an increased understanding of himself and that of what makes this little spinning ball called earth tick. Each New Year's Day provides a great opportunity to succeed during the next 12 months, to get up just one time more than one has fallen down. Each New Year's Day should also be a reminder that the values we cherish will not survive without the constant attention of ordinary citizens and that doing good to others is not a duty, it should be a joy. Each New Year's Day should remind us that no path is too winding or steep to attain the goal we desire when we resolve to do our best remembering we can often do more for others by correcting our own faults than trying to correct theirs. New OPP deputy DISTRICT SEVEN of the Ontario Provincial Police, which encompasses a large portion of Central Ontario from Orillia in the east, Canal Road at Holland Marsh in the south, Wasaga Beach in the west and Bala and Huntsville in the north has a proud record. Recently Robert S. Rose, a 32-year veteran with the force was appointed deputy commissioner. His postings included Barrie, Orillia, Midland, South Por- cupine, Long Sault, Mount Forest and Thunder Bay. While with the Midland detachment he was a highly regarded officer. He joins the force's other deputy commissioner, stone, a native of Victoria Harbour. The force in general and we here in Huronia in particular can be proud of both Rose and Lidstone and their contributions to the OPP. Never too late IT HAS BEEN SOME years since Knights of Columbus councils here and elsewhere initiated a campaign "to put Christ back into Christmas."' The word XMAS, as we all are aware, is often used in lieu of the word CHRISTMAS. Xmas is a fast-paced word lacking in a certain something. The word Christmas is derived from the words Christ's mass: a very special religious observance. And that's what Christmas has really been all about these past nearly 2,000 years. A time to recall a Babe's birth in a lonely Bethlehem stable and a time for family and friends to get together in love and harmony. It's never too late to recapture some of the marvel and wonder of that birth each time we use the word Christmas instead of Xmas. Latest blow BELEAGURED CANADIAN TOBACCO farmers will end an unhappy 1985 recovering from the latest blow against their livelihood: a decision by a federal labour adjudicator that tobacco smoke is a health hazard, and a hazard no different than any other health hazard. ! As happy as tobacco growers are unhappy are the people who don't smoke and who wish they didn't have to inhale other people's smoke. While Canadians take the prize for most smoke inhaled per capita in the industrialized nations, more than 60 percent of Canadians do not smoke. The burden of upholding the record is heavy for the minority of Canadians who persist in their habit. The dwindling of interest in smoking to the level of current enthusiasm in tobacco chewing and spitting would be a development that would not be deplored in this corner. Wm. Lid-- ----------------------EEEE------------------------------------------------------------ Vb aan INSURANCE Co. ©1986 PUNCH PUBL. DIST. BY L.A. TIMES SYND.| "Actually, whether you're a fryer or a roaster probably won't make much difference on your application for life insurance." ; Minden Sled Dog Derby Dear Editor: Minden's Main Street will be going to the dogs once again this Jan. 11 and 12 as the community hosts the largest sled dog derby in the province. Organizers expect another record turn out with teams travelling from points throughout Ontario, Quebec and northern U.S. to vie for the more than $2,000 in prize money. Drivers and dogs, compete in two classes. The four dog class covers a four mile course while eight dog teams travel eight miles. Competing against the clock, the team with the best time over the heats, one Saturday and one Sunday, will claim top prize money. Over 50 teams took part last year, making the Minden Sled Dog Derby the largest event of its kind in Ontario. Organizers expect a similarly large attendance this year. One of the big at- tractions for drivers and spectators alike, is the Main Street start. The community's main thoroughfare is closed to traffic as spectators line the starting chute cheering on the teams that leave at one minute intervals. The trail snakes through the community then heads off into the bush where drivers and dogs are alone with the winter land- scape. The course brings the teams back to town for a dash down the Main Street for an exciting finish. Great promise of Dear Editor: Once again the snow has fallen, bringing with it the calm and quiet of winter, where it is too peaceful and serene to pass without experiencing the sense of beauty our Creator has revealed. And so our thoughts travel back in time some 2,000 years ago to a field in the region of the tiny hamlet of Bethlehem. It was neither snowing or as cold, yet a great message of peace was expressed with the birth of Messiah. Thanks from Contact Dear Editor: On behalf of the Contact Information Centre Board of Directors and staff, and the volunteers and recipients of the meals-on-wheels program of Midland I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following for their continuing support and generousity at Christmas to Suzanne O'Halloran and her staff (Versa Food Services), Huronia District Hospital for providing a won- derful Christmas dinner as well as the meals all year. To the co-ordinators Sandy Manuel of Baptist Church, Joan Lavin of St. Paul's United Church, Philip Boden of Alliance Church, Margaret Tyndall of Presbyterian Church and, all of the volunteer drivers and runners who deliver the meals without whom the program would not be possible. To Gerow's , Perrin's and Petals and Blooms for co-operating in donating lovely corsages for the Christmas dinner. To Indusmin, Nicholls Funeral Home, James Lynn Funeral Home, Guardian Drugs, Fred Hook Manufacturing, Zellers, K-Mart, Huronia Office Services, Canadian Tire Corp., I.D.A. and A&P for their donations of goods and money to provide gifts at the Christmas party. To those who wish to remain annonymous whose generousity will enable us to purchase some new containers. Sandra L. Saddy Contact Information Centre While the races are the main focus for the weekend, the "pit"? provides an_ interesting diversion for spectators. The area is open to the public and many find it interesting to watch the drivers tend to their teams. Most drivers and handlers are keen to answer questions about the sport and their team. An added feature for the first day of racing is the Child and Mutt race in which youngsters with racing sled and a single dog compete in a dash down Main Street. The children are a& keen as the older drivers and provide an interesting sidelight to the weekend program. This year's Minden Sled Dog Derby is sponsored in part by Martin Feed Mills of Elmira, makers of Techni-cal Dog Food. Martin's has generously donated the $2,000 purse and will be providing all participants with a sample bag of their dog food. Spectators interested in enjoying the Minden Sled Dog Derby will be especially pleased when they discover there is no charge to watch. The spots along the start / finish chute and throughout the route, are free for the taking. It is an exciting, colourful weekend when the main street of Minden goes to the dogs. It is well worth the drive to take it in Jan. 11 and 12. -Val Lougheed Minden Many of the people the world over consider this time of the year the anniversary of that event and express their own thoughts of peace and goodwill. Yet, however sincere their intentions, we have little confidence that lasting peace will be achieved. In a few short days, what the United Nations has designated, "'The International Year of Peace," will be upon us, and we wait to see the results Pe 1986. Indeed, peace is what this world wants! But why do so many professing Christians fail to recognize that peace will come only when Christ returns. Many of us recited "The Lord's Prayer" and do not understand the verse that says, "'Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Jesus, is teaching us that peace will come when the Kingdom established. God has a plan for worldwide peace but it will not happen through the efforts of man. The Scripture speaks of the King of the Jews and the Prince of Peace, but does this lead us to take the Bible out of its place of disuse and read it for ourselves? In looking forward to 1986, whatever it may bring, let it become the year we begin to read the Bible and its great promise of peace. Thank you. Sincerely, K. Curry P.Wisniowski 728 Church Street Toronto, Ontario M4W 2M6 Letters. The Penetanguishene Citizen welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be legible, signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification. Pen names are not allowed and anonymous letters will not be published. Letters published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor. Published at Bayweb Limited every Tuesday at 74 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario 549-2012 Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Editorial Staff: Douglas Reed Murray Moore Paul Sanderson Valorie Brucker Publisher: Andrew Markle Editor: Michele Gouett Production Foreman: Jim Robb Production Staff: Angie Grasic Kelli Desjardins Cheryl Mehaffey Advertising Manager: Bob Finch Advertising Staff: Dawna Rientsma Cathy Merkley Circulation Manager: Arnold Burgher Administration: June Robbins, Cathy Dupuis a a ee Page 6, Tuesday, December 31, 1985