Last week, we paid a visit to the Port Whitby Marina and enjoyed having a chat with Hugh Burns, its manager. I had met Mr. Burns several years ago when he owned the Whitby Sailing school, which his son, Neil, now owns. I was impressed with these two men then and felt a very healthy respect for Mr. Burns and his capabilities. Now he is the manager of our marina and a fine one he is. I know he feels a great deal of pride in all that has been accomplished so far by everyone con- nected with the planning and running of the marina. The Town of Whitby owns the property around the bay and I see the park is being extended from Vic- toria Street, the base line, to the water's edge. Some trees have been planted and top sol is being put on the site. Sometime in the near future it will be a beautiful place to be, just to sit and watch all the ac- tivity. Mr. Burns wants to "make the place work" which means, make the best it can do with available resources. He says "make it pay for its self". My sentiments exactly. Al the basics are there now and in time there will be many more facilities. There are 200 slips but in time there will be 200 or 300 more added. Now there is a ramp with all the necessary gear for docking and launching and a small hour, the office, where one can buy hot and cold drinks, chocolate bars and so on. Again in the near future we hope an upgrading of this facility which will be known I hope as the Common Room. "Stay within the budget," says Mr. Burns, wise words well spoken. If this is carried through it will not become a burden to the taxpayer. I agree whole heartedly. As he says business' should carry them- selves or rather pay for themselves, how true. For pleasure craft it is the best natural harbour from Toronto to Kingston. It will never be a deep sea port as Oshawa is with ships coming in from all over the world. The greatest number of boaters who keep their craft here are, of course, from within the region but there are others from places like Orangeville and Nobleton. There are many "overnighters" and there have been boat visitors from as far away as San Francisco and Vancouver. My expectations of a charming motel and restaurant will come in time, first things first. I had not given any thought in the past to services which WHITBY FRE PR ESS, W EDNESDA Y, JUNE 9 24, %l , PAGE 3 A pleasant visit to Whitby's marina will have to be there to make it all viable. When the time is right and it can be afforded it should all come to pass. A gala day on August 1 when there will be the Mayor's race, a bathtub race and other fun races but nu formal racing on this occasion. There is always ever ready emergency help at the marina. Al are involved and as Mr. Burns says boaters help each other too. Comra, City of Oshawa Marine Rescue Association, is a great asset; just call their number and they will be there to help out. I think and have meant to post their phone number on the odd tree by the lake if there are phones available so anyone could call them if they saw boats or boaters in distress. The marina is a base to fuel up and mechanics can be called in when needed. There are several com- panies, Boat Works close by who are very cooperative. The Canada Cup Boats, sailboats, are often laun- ched from the marina. Many are repaired in Oshawa by Andy Wiggers and then are launched in Whitby. The Canada Cup racers come from all over, Toronto, Hamilton and Burlington to name a few clubs. Mr. Burns says a healthy respect for water is an absolute requisite for anyone involved with boats. Without it there can be and often is danger and trouble. There is a faster reaction to drinking on board due to the motion of the boat, the movement of the water. In the office at the marina there is an old safe which dates back maybe to the eighteen fifties or at least to the seventies. It had been used by the Port Whitby Harbour Co. and then was in the Goldring Store at Brock and Victoria, a general store until it was pulled down. Then it was stored until the marina was built. It weighs about four tons so no doubt will remain in its present location where it is quite a conversation piece. In addition to normal summer activities there are two busy periods during the year; in the fall when boats are "hauled out" for winter storage and in the spring when the boats are launched. Sailboats have their masts removed, often heavy work and the masts are put in winter storage until spring and the procedure is reversed. True boating requires the acquisition of con- siderable knowledge and experience. The Canadian Power Squadrons provide courses which cover sim- ple piloting, navigation, boat handling and most im- portant the rules of the waterway. These rules are covered by the Small Vessel Regulations issued by the federal government under the Canada Shipping Act. These are mandatory rules governing boating as there are rules for motorists on the highway. Failure to comply can result in heavy fines or even imprisonment. These regulations also stipulate the equipment for safety which must be carried on board. This is all taught by the various C.P.S. and those who qualify are then permitted to fly the squadron pennant. So now Whitby has a marina which will be a great asset to the town. Many visitors come by water so this means lots of American tourists who should en- joy Whitby. Hopefully our Whitby theatre group may have a building down by the harbour too and just think what interest this would generate for travellers. So you dock and for a night stay in a lovely motel, go to a really good restaurant for din- ner and then the theatre. We might even go over by canoe for such an occasion! We will look forward to the growth of the marina, extensive landscaping to the town property and all the good things to come. I can see a light in Mr. Burns' eyes as he talks of the future and what is to come and all within the budget. A man of my own heart and a great asset to Whitby, Ladies exec. T( The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 112, u-PIC Whitby recently in- stalled their officers for G en the upcoming year. Orchards Branch president Robert Adams installed an executive composed Du Rd. N. 5 of: Dorothy Manderson, president; Violet ClSernont Boroff, first vice- president; Alice Bradley, second vice- president; Jean King, secretary; and, Donna Hutchison, treasurer. Installed as directors were: Shirley Hicks, Brougham No. 7 Hw Madeline Tran, Florgn- ce McFadden, Grace Taunton Skelton, Margaret Cassadi, and Linda -No.2Hw Quan. All members of the legion are invited to a DriOg contanrs msamwu pot luck to be held PI@ygrovnd providd ford tonight.rN Classified Ads Sel Cal RE~7 wY lit Rd.4 gI =-= d in quarts (0g. 6 qt baskets). childen undar 12 yars al. 655-4501 or 655-3217 For Daily Picking Conditions HOURS: WEEKDAYS 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. SATUROAYS 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. SUNDAYS 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Plcking Subject to Supply & Weather. LeBARON FRENCH PROVINCIAL DINING ROOM 7 pieces, buffet, hutch, round extension table, 4 chairs. An- tique brass plated pulls, sliced cherry veneer. WÈ WhitbY wY.