PAGE 14, WIFtBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20,1988 Ahhhh..., thesigns of spring! They'reeverywhere, aren't they? The lawns are greening up nicely and the daffodils are poking their littie heads above the ground in amongst the doggie do-dos. If you haven't taken a stroil ar-ound your yard since the snow melted you may not be aware of this revelation. It doesn't matter if you own a dog or not. After checking with friends of mine who are dogless, they confirm that neigh- boring dogs have left deposits on their lawns during the depths of the winter seasofl. No one has been spared. Living in the country as I do, one takes this in stride. All of my surrounding neighbors possess variations of "man's best friend," myseif included. As far as I can recolleet, this spring time aggravation has neyer been a topic of conver- sation among us. We just don't talk about it. Sure we curse to ourselves, but out here in the sticks we've learned to ac- ce pt such annoyances without emotion. Most of us don't even "stoop and scoop" like city folks. Many of us just get on the lawn tractor and what happens, happens. Those of us who garden realize the value of such organic matter and are able to, view the task of cleaning up more objectively. I understand though, that for those of you living in dloser quarters, where neighbors are a mere driveway apart, fin- ding such evidence in spring can be the end of a lovely friendship. Ail over subidivions in Ontario, on any given early spring day, you can almost hear a chorus of "Why don't they keep their g-d--dog on their own property," and various other exclamatory remarks. This leadlq me to the way people feel about their laWns. Some people, men it seemni' in partièular, are postively ISEEMS TO ME... by Veronica Colangelo Perfect turf fanatical about the perfection of their own personal turf: Springtime brings out the worst in them. It's at this time, when once the doggie do-do's have been cleared away, that the crabgrass rears its ugly greenery. This sends our crazed friends scurrying to the garden cen- tres to stock up on whatever it takes at whatever cost, to rid the "pride and joy" of this beastly weed. If ail else fails you can see otherwise normal and very sane individuals down on bended knee, as though in prayer, with a funny looking tool trying toforce the poor crabgrass out by its roots. AUl this time and effort is fruitless though, because the guy next door has let ail his crabgrass stay put, it's gone to seed and thanks to the odd gust of wind, the seed has deposited îtself in "Mr. Particular' precious lawn, only to produce more healthy and unwanted seedlings a short whilelater. If *"Mr. Particular" does manage to rid himself of crabgrass,even just for a short while, he can't lethis guard down. Oh no! By this time, the dandelions are cheerily an- nouncing their delight with the balmy weather. Yellow polka dots are everywhere. Once again it's a battie to rid' the:lawn of these unwanted, (although'delightful if you really take a good look), harbingers of spring. Managing to'tackle ail of these tiresome problems while the robins chirp ail around you and stili matntà in a sense of humor can be difficuit. Especially when later li the season, the neighbor has decided to leave his lawn "au naturel," that is, without benefit of a routine application of usually unknown chemicals by unknown "weedmen" that roam the neighborhoods in trucks with' tubes and hoses hanging out ail over the place, looking like they could eradicate anything and everything in their way. In due course, you who have called upon chemical war- fare to rid your lawn of various and sundry weeds, soon become the recipient of a -whole new generation of the pesky plants, descendants from the ones next door or down the road. IPm told that few things can dampen spring fever like this can. Where I live in the country we look upon this a littie dif- ferently. Most of us do leave the "lawns" au naturel. With so, much space to tend, to do otherwise would likely bankrupt us! At our place we're grateful for anything that comes up green. If it's green, it's welcome. From a distan- ce who can tell if it's Kentucky bluegrass, or creeping charlie? many stresses that elude us, and a perfectly manicured lawn seems to be just one of them. Brooklin 's Dyment receives 'Educator of the year' award Andy Dyment of Brooklin has won the "lEducator of the year" award for Durham Region. Dyment was honored recently duringEducation Week. Dyment said he was "shocked and humbled" at the news that he would be the recipient of the award. The award is given for "outstan- ding contribution in' the field of education." Dyment is a physical education specialist at Gandat- setiagon Public Sehool li Picke 'ring. He teaches physical education and health education to students from Grades 3 through 8. In his 26th year as a teacher, Dyment says of teaching: "You have to, keep changing it, both methodoloy and approach. Kids get bored, they need lots of variety and fun, and it needs to be challenging. " Dymnent says "my approach each year can be. différent,". although he says he does '"draw on past ex- periences." 0f physical education, he believes in mass participation at al'levels. "I believe in the pyramiding con- cept," hestates. "Phys-ed should ,'start in the Renascent buys,.mansion Bill Wilson, general manager of Renascent House, a treatment cen- tre for alcÃ"fholics, has confirmed that the Carnwith Mansion located at 90 Coîston'Ave. in Brooklin has been purchased by. the foundation. Whien asked about future activity on the property, Wilson responded "I don't know, that is up to the board of directors." Late last year Renascent House was considering the purchase of the home to set up a treatment centre for up to 30 maie residents, each staying at the facility for 28 days. Local residents in Brooklin ex- pressed concern regarding the im- pact that such a facility would have PC supper The Brooklin and District Pro- gressive Conservative Association is holding a potluck supper at the Brooklin United Church on April 22 beginning at 6:15 p.mI. .>. Guest speaker' will be S-cott Fennefl, Ontario ridifng MP.'* The annual meeting will be held at 8 p.m. following the supper. Al are- invited to attend. For more information cal 655-4500, 655-3860 or 668-3418. Horticultural show on the community. Concern was ex- pressed not only because it would mean that Brooklin 'would have a constantly changing number of "guests" at the residlence but also due to the problems associated with water and sewage facilities. Brooklin has a water shortage problem and is serviced by in- dividual septic tanks. g-y 1 E..I'0Im classroom. Quality daily physical education leads to house league par- ticipation, Yýhich pyramids to intra school spor ts, and on to par- ticipation af the provincial and even national level. " Although Dyment has been a classroom teacher in a variety of subjects he says that having a phys- ed specialist at a particular school is a fairly new approach. Injury fac- tors are reduced and the calibre of sports is higher. Dyment would like to see more schools go the route of a specialist. Dyment, father of five boys age 1 to 23, is a member of several organizations. dedicated to sports and physical education for young people. He is one of the founding members and also president of the "Durham Elementary Athletic Association. The wrestling teams that Dyment coaches competed this past weekend in the provincial cham- pionships and won at the kids, ban- tam and cadet levels in their classes. They will be competing later in the year at the national level in Calgary. BrooI;n Horticultural- Society,-., wxl ol is arcissus show anci -cou"" general meeting on April 27 at 8 p.iu at Brooklin United Cburch. The ii L. topic will be growling ntive orchi&a, 1I 'N? W se sker4m the Royal ALL STEEL BUILDINGS CANCELLED ORDERS, (only a few left) Example: 40' x 60U x 16& complete -list price-$29,510 -your price $22,à 83' "YOU'*SAVE- $79127t' CALL: 1-800-276-9432 HURRY! THE SAVINGQSWNT AL CATCH 'EM ON VIDEOl. '..much more entertaining than TFerris Bueller's Day Off."'"7 -Gene Siskel, SISKEL & EBERT & THE MOVIES TOUCHSTONT ICTULIETS NPfsIn Ms Aolc" W.ib SýLV[ SCPEEN PAMINES 01 A DOREA Hii Eoqd TYNDA CES? PoMuion ADVENTURES IN EABYSTTING* Sorg(tUSEI SHUR KEITH(COO)GAN ANTHONY RA M.AIA EREWTO Muvsc b7 URQAEI KAMEN Ductel!PIboogmpb ETC WAITE. ASC Wii*n by DAVIDL SIMEINS ffodoed by DEBRA It end LYNDA OBSI DKied b (METS COIUMEUIS Avalable on VHS &, Bêta Vdeocassettel TOUCHMTNE @MCMLXXXVII Touchstone Pictures. 76 BALDWIN STREET' BROOKLIN 65'5-3306 Hours: Mon 11-8 p.mi. 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