‘ve always believed that Christmas, or any other end of year celebration, was really more about "thanksgiving" or giving thanks...simple gratitude for all the year has been ancF the yet. unfulfilled promise of another in the not so far off future. Ah, the bitter sweetness of life! With each year that passes with or without much fanfare, do we merely look to our Il))ank account as a measurement of our worth, or do we ask ourselves the harder question "what have we given of ourselves to leave this world a better place after we‘re gone?" For some of us, giving back to the community comes at a price â€" those of you who invest your time and energy into serving your community are no longer content just to have your houses freshly painted, your gardens beautifully landscaped and a new vehicl>elr in the drlveway every other year. Raising social consciousness is a sometimes painful process that takes time to instill in others and raise up in ourselves, because it requires of us a kind of selflessness that makes what I refer to as "insular living" impossible. Sometimes, as was the case this summer in Toronto with an unprecedented number of gunâ€"related deaths, as well as with the rioting in the streets of Paris this fall, social awalileness is thrust upon us because to ignore it would cost too much. Community hours that now must be logged in by students before Eraduating teaches our youth that this is the sort of service to umankind that will be required of them as they go through life. The next generation of citizens will be better equipped to leave the world S?nd Weston !P a better place and our old?[f)ashioned motions of how the world should work but often doesn‘t will have disappeared into the ether. In 2006, I challenge each and every one of you to give of your time and energies to your family â€" not only the one you share your home with but also the "extended family" you share this planet with. I have yet to meet anyone â€" regardI}éss of race, religion or culture â€" that didn‘t have something to teach me about my place in the world. Remember to give thanks to those that have made a difference in your life â€" too soon these kindred souls are gone from the earth. Remember, too, that sometimes we need to go through this life with blind faith in humani’?' and the fervent Eelief in the basic goodness of our brethren â€" Keep the Peace! Edition 05 Volume 2 Providing Treatment For: OHIP & WSIB PHYSIOTHE! Suite 100 416â€"244â€"3810 Pumpkin Carving Contest 2005 Chronic or Acute Joint Pain Postâ€"surgical Hip and Knee Replacements Fractures Osteoporosis Repetitive Strains Work Related Injuries NOREEN J. MANGER PHYSIOTHERAPY ‘Thank You‘ to our Judges Katie Middle%rook Darren Bedford Bedford Unicycles Practicing Physiotherapy for over 40 years WINNERS 1730 Weston Road Simple Gratitude RAPY SERVICES MVA EXTENDED HEALTH Customized Assessment and Treatment Laura Alderson, Executive Director Motor Vehicle Accidents Sports Injuries General Health Complaints Specialized Therapies Available Work Hardening Program Therapeutic Massage Accident Rehab & Recovery Inc. Suite 201 416â€"247â€"3291 WESTON NEWS & VIEWS 3 to 5 Age Group First Place Della Alderson 3 to 6 Age Group Erik Clunas Gabriel Scott Second Place First Place Victory Community Credit Union Adam Martelâ€"Brain Jacob Trimarchi Telephone to take advantage of my fgecial fee for Igreparation of your Will and Powers of Attorney for Property and Personal Care or call for a free copy of my most recent Newsletter! 6 to 7 Age Group First Place 6 to 7 Age Group Caitlinn Perry Michael J. McDonald Second Place Second Place Looking for an alternative to traditional banking? First Place In Business for Over 50 Years! Monday â€" Tuesday â€" Wednesday â€" Friday * 10:00 am â€" 4:00 pm Thursday * 10:00 am â€" 6:00 pm Shyla Suite 101, 2100 Lawrence Ave. W., Weston, Ontario MIN 3W3 2100 Lawrence Ave. W. Suite 102 Everything your financial institution should be! Barrister & Solicitor Tel: 416.243.0686 0h 416â€"247â€"5327 H Jordanna Trimarchi 8 to 9 Age Group First Place Brandon Hickey 8 to 9 Age Group First Place Jennifer Liscio Neil Clunas Second Place Second Place ears , x L 5+ : Y A4 + piole N Tarth Samantha Allen Christine Chekole Benjamin Martel 10 to 12 Age Group First Place 10 to 12 Age Group Connor Good Emily Clunas Second Place Second Place First Place \MU// Page 3