r .~ ~j~J;Q ,'i'~Qf ~5~Y fi~4'1A ,YAÇI r11ip77 ~'~TYTC! '~f',(~,i'.f ~i>irsw;i PAGE 20eWHITBY FREEPRESs, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 1988 B rookli n r With my husband and son, I spent seven days in Orlando, Florida recently and Mickey Mouse and I became reacquainted after many years. To my surprise I found myself becoming caught up in Disney's fantasy world. For the eleven-year-old wonder who is usually too tired to hang up his coat, marathon walking through Disney World was a cinch. I now know that this is the place where they "separate the men from the boys," as the saying goes. Space Mountain is a roller coaster ride to end all roller coaster rides. Before we hit the Magic Kingdom in Disney World, a brief discussion about the merits of this daring ride was only entertained briefly by Michael's father and I. I felt certain that there would be such long lineups, that making the decision to go on it or not would be easy. Michael knows I don't line up for anything ever, no questions asked! He's become used to this quirk. The day we went, however, the crowds we had envisioned didn't seem to materialize. The possibility of becoming one of Space Mountain's casualties was now a reality. Signs are posted all over the place warning you that if you are in less than perfect health stay off the ride. Had I been there without my son, I'm certain that my judgment would have been better and the ridè wouldn't now be etched in my repertoire of memories. In the lineup my husband Roy kept asking me why we were doing this. I rambled on about being a good sport and SEEMS TO ME... by Veronica Colangelo Space fear for once he was not to be a "stick in the mud" and besides big people weren't supposed to be afraid. The whole time son Michael was sadistically drawing our attention to the screams of fright emanating from those now riding the futuristic roller coaster. As we got closer I got scared. Butterflies in my tummy, reserved only for real big trouble, were there. Roy was beginning to pale as we came to the front of the line. He an- nounced he was seriously considering jumping the railing. Michael pointed out that everyone seemed to get off the ride alive and we would too. I had my doubts. Naively, I thought like all the other rides we'd taken, the three of us would be together. Not so. Maximum of two in a "shuttle." What a choice. Do Igo with Michael tomake sure he stays in onepiece, or do I ride with Roy so that we can soothe one another's ner- ves?-I needn't have worried. Michael the fearless announ- ced he wanted to go by himself, so Roy and I stuffed our- selves into the tiny space we were ushered to. Once the ride started I was sure my life was over. Never have I been so gripped by fear. Helpless, too. This thing turned andswivelled and tossed us with such fury that I was sure the light of day would never come. Even though the ride takes place in total darkness, I couldn't open my eyes. I couldn't scream. For once I was speechless. After what seemed like an eternity, it was over. On shaky legs we disembarked. My palms now have four holes in them where my nails had embedded themselves. Roy was not amused. Michael, intact and with a huge smile on his face said "Wasn't that great Dad!" Can we go again? He knew better than to ask his mother! I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would think a ride like that is fun. Ill bet that Space Mountain never has any repeat riders over the age of 12. For sure it will never have the rear of this rider in one of its seats again! Roy Ormiston wins Master award for second tirme By Veronica Colangelo Roy Ormiston, who owns and operates Roybrook Farm on High- way 12 just south of Winchester Rd. in Brooklin, has won the prestigious Master Breeder Shield for the second time. He will be presented with the award at the association's annual meeting this month. Ormiston won the first award in 1962. The shield is awarded for ex- cellence in the breeding of dairy cat- tle and Ormiston has a long record of excellence in this regard. Synonymous with the Roybrook name is the famous "White Cow Family," headed by a cow named "Balsam Brae Pluto Sovereign" which Ormiston purchased as a five- year-old. Ormiston's present homebred herd traces entirely back to this ex- ceptional female. Numerous sons from this family have been sold around the world ensuring that the Roybrook influence will be felt for many years to come. Roybrook is a farm that is centred around milk production. When asked which was the more impor- tant function of the farm, breeding or milk production, Ormiston said: ROY ORMISTON "One relates directly to the other, and everything on this farm is cen- tred around production and the ef- ficiency of the herd to convert roughage into milk." A resident of Brooklin for 70 years, Ormiston has worked with Holstein cattle all his life, taking charge of his father's show stock when he was 16. Eventually Or- miston purchased the farm from hi: father and started his herd witl seven cows. By his second year oi operation four of the seven had woz awards. Except for the years bet ween 1944 and 1951 while he was a Holstein Association fieldman, Or miston has actively developed his herdat Roybrook. Dairy farming at Roybrook is high tech. Ormiston says "people think any damn fool can farm, but it's not true." The buying and selling of sperm from prize bulls and em- bryo transplanting are everyday management decisions to Or. miston. Ormiston's skill at rnaking decisions in these matters have enabled him to fetch as much as $250,000 for an animal sold to Japan. Ormiston says he sells animals "pretty well all over the world in just about every country you can think of, Japan, Italy, Australia, Africa andso on." Explaining his success with his breeding program, he says, "just like some people have been given gifts that allow them to be doctors or lawyers, I've been given a gift with cattle." He goes on to say "I was born to love cattle." Well-known gospel group at Burns On Sunday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. Burns Presbyterian Church will present "The Watchmen." The Watchmen have been singing gospel music for more than 19 years. They began as a local quartet in Kitchener's Bethany Missionary Church. The group has now sung to thousands of people in Canada and the United States. The Watchmen have appeared on many radio and television shows as well as having recorded several albums and tapes. Twice, the Watchmen have been the recipient of the Harmony Award for Canada's best gospel group and has received nominations for the Canadian Gospel Music Association's Covenant Awards. After the concert a social hour will follow. Learning more about orchids Many people think of orchids as being an exotic flower that is imported to us from far and distant places or that they are grown only in greenhouses and pampered along. Did you know Tennis, anyone? Some residents in the Brooklin/Ashburn area would like to start a tennis club. Spokesman Bob Burt says the idea is "to start a club at a low cost that will involve all levels of players from beginners to the more experience." Burt wants kids to become involved as well, and he's hoping games and tournaments could be arranged for everyone in the area interested in the game. Anyone interested in finding out more can call Bob Burt at 655-4514. that we have a number of lovely native orchids that grow and winter over here in Ontario? If you're interested in finding out more about Ontario's native orchids come to Brooklin Horticultural Society's general meeting on Wednesday, April 27. A guest speaker from the Royal Botanical Gardens will talk about these fascinating plants. At the same meeting the sale of summer flowering bulbs will continue. Visitors are welcome to attend and there is no charge. The meeting will be held at the Brooklin United Church on Cassels Rd. in Brooklin at 8 p.m. s t f Ormiston's plan for the future of Roybrook is to continue to work towards breeding dairy cattle that By Veronica Colangelo Fifty years ago John Knox foun- ded a group for young farmers to help them learn new ideas and techniques in agriculture, to become an involved part of the community and to enjoy social ac- tivities as well. Through the years the activities of the club have changed to meet the needs of today's youth, although the basic ideas and concepts of that first group is still the essence of Brooklin's Junior Farmers. President Debbie Waltham says that although the group is open to anyone aged 15 to 30, Brooklin's members tend to be between the ages of 20and 25. "Most started at age 15and as we've all just grown older with the group," shesays. The Brookiin Junior Farmers hold fundraising events for a dif- ferent charity each year. Efforts for 1988 are being directed towards juvenile diabetes. In the past money has been donated to drug rehabilitation and the Children's Wish Foundation. A recent project involved food bank drives. The group also hold corn roasts and community evenings and donate the proceeds to the chosen charity. Eachyear the Junior Farmers en- ter a float in the Brooklin Spring Fair and usually walk away with the prize for most humorous in the non- commercial category, as they did in 1987. The Brooklin group along with groups from the Uxbridge and Beaverton area make up Durham West. Together with these groups, Brooklin's Junior , armers are in- volved in many events, social and oferwise. "Sing-Swing" is a provincial event that revolves around modern square dancing. Brooklin's group- makes up half of the county's team have the ability to stand up to heavy production year after year and to breed the best stock possible. and in the past 12 years they have won eight provincial championships including 1987. Waltham would like to see an in- crease in membership. Currently Brooklin has only 12 remaining members. Waltham says it's dif- ficult to attract members because "too much else is going on, especially in Toronto." She goes on to say that "people don't realize that anything any other club can offer we offer right here in Brooklin Junior Farmers." Waltham says "the Brooklin Club itself is small, but the opportunities are enormous because of the af- filiation with the county and provin- cial groups." Worksbops held at the county and provincial level benefit Brooklin's club. Such topics as communication skills, leadership skills and social recreation are offered and provide opportunities for personal growth and development. Sports events are held at the county and provincial level both in summer and winter. Waltham says "the biggest and most popular event is the provin- cially run leadership camp that is held everyyear. "You make friends for life there," Waltham states enthusiastically. She goes on to say that the week-long camp is subsidized by the Province and thus makes it easy for everyone to attend. As well as the leadership camp, membership in Junior Farmers gives young people the opportunity for exchange programs in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the UnitedStates. Waltham stresses that it isn't a requirement of membership-to be a farmer. Theclubisopen toanyone. Brooklin Junior Farmers meet on the second Thursday of each month atg the Brooklin Community Centre at 7:30 p.m. For more information, cal Debbie Waltham at655-4719. News? Call Veronica Colangelo. Phone 655-8945 Few Junior Farmers but opportunities are enormous Il ii