PAGJý 20, WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 1988 Now that the Great Salmon Hunt is on, my lifetime partner will become a stranger to me. It happens every year at this time. His quest is to catch the "big one" and he has difficulty focusing on anything else. In the early years of marriage, I did what many girls of my era did. I faked an interest in his longime passion, just to be with him. Over the' years my acting abilities deteriorated and it is now obvious to him and me that my love does not extend to an afternoon of seasickness on Lake Ontario. Not that I haven't gone out on the lake with him in the "Big Vee" (I know, I should be insulted by the name). I went twice. The first time was shortly after the fishing boat showed up unannounced in the driveway. I felt compelled to see where the money was going. What I didn't anticipate was the amount of work I was in for. "Hold this, do that, watch the rods" and so on. Besides the work involved, my tummy was shocked at the assault upon it. The fact that the swells were six feet high and I was turning an unattractive shade of lime green was immaterial. No sympathy was extended. 1 The next time out, I was promised a leisurely "cruise." Well, ail .was well until we were out of the harbor. When I wasn't looking, downriggers were lowered into the water. My cruise had turned into a fishing expedition. The explanation, of course, was that it was a waste not to at least have the rods in the - water. What if the big one -was down there just waiting to be caught? Evidently fishermen are unable to contain theiselves. After that I knew he couldn't be trusted. I would be content to stay on land and listen to the tall tales that were always abundant after a fishing trip. While the "salmon hunt" takes only a few weeks of the year to participate in, the Mister takes all the other weeks of the year to prepare for it. SEEMS TO ME.* by Veronica Coplangelo The ritual, again At Christmas, I even contribute to the cause. I pay a visit to a local sporting goods store and Michael buys rubber worms in all the latest colors and flavors. We both know that these are not considered appropriate lures for trout and salmon, but eleven-year-olds like how they feel. I buy fish scent. That's right, if you want to smell like one, there's a fragrance just right for you. You can get Eau de Bass, Trout or Salmon. Our gifts are given appreciative glances and are never to be seen again. Somewhere in the depths of the basement is a box filed with unopened fishing lures and gadgets in every shape, size and color just waiting to be the star attraction at a garage sale. The early spring months are spent readying the boat for the upcoming challenge. Every gauge and knob has to be checked over. He tours all the sporting goods stores for "have to have" items he might have overlooked. I'm told ad infinitum of the virtues of this thing and the advantages of that. My usual response is "how much." The words are predicatably met with a disgusted look and the silent treatment until it's time for dinner. He's wise-enough to warm up and be more friendly by then. A trip to the harbor usually results in some anxiety for this fisherman, particularly if he doesn't like his slip. He especially gets nervous if he finds he will be flanked on both sides by sailboats. Sailors, it seems, are not amused when fishermen crash into their precious yachts. This occurs when anxious anglers have difficulty manoeuvering the more clumsy fishing vessels into their resting places. The anxiety diss- ipates quickly, however, after a few triál runs at it. If the sailor happens to be witness to the event, he wisely moves to another slip. The ritual begins and the fishing banter is endless. The competition is fierce but it seems that fisherien do let each other in on information as to where the big ones are being caught. The CB radios are full of reports of "sightings" here and there. This is soon followed by a convoy of boats heading quickly in the same direction. The fish, however, by this time have moved on and bewildered anglers bocome somewhat irate. The language over the radios becomes decidedly more colorful. I'm told that six hours on the lake, even when there isn't any action, is great fun. This I don't understand because for my guy, half an hour sitting in air conditioned comfort listening to a concert or watching a play is referred to by him as torture. He's even dozed of during what I thought were wonderfully lively productions. I can't fathom how Man of La Mancha could put anyone to sleep. I think these guys who are obsessed with the hunt foethe big one must be a special breed. Having lived with him for many, many years rm convinced that those of us who put up with these types are also special, too - somewhere close to sainthood, in fact! Burn's Kirk Guild ladies come through in a big way By Veronica Colangelo Many churches of ail denominations have committees and .groups of people who organ- ize and put on activities at their respective churches. It isn't likely, however, that there's one any more active than the Burn's Kirk Guild in Ashburn. The Kirk Guild is a group of ladies comprised of members of Burn's Presbyterian Church. The church is 128 years old and has always had a ladies guild. Pesident Margaret Davis says that "between 1972 and 1980 the guild was inactive but was then re-organized and revamped." Davis says "at that time the name was changed from the Ladies Guild to the Kirk Guild." The name comes from reference to the "Kirk Session" which is a body of people who are Presbyterian church elders, elec- ted by the membership. "Kirk" is a word of Scottish origin and since the Presbyterian Church is an off-shoot of the Church of Scotland, Davis said it "it seemed fitting." She says that this name is unique to Burn's Church and most other Presbyterian churches still refer to groups such as theirs as the ladies guild. At the time the group was reorgamnze Davis said that they "wanted to expand their vision and not be seen just a group of women working in the kitchen." Davis says that Burn's Church is a "community" church in every way and because it is the only church in Ashburn, residents of all faiths tend to come and are welcomed even if it is just for a visit. Community spirit in Ashburn is nurtured and maintained through the effort of this most active organization. Davis says the Kirk Guild's mandate is "to reach out in Christian fellowship, particularly to the women and also to be supportive of the church in fundraising activities." The groups is comprised of about 40 women. Burn's total congregation is less than 100 members. The Kirk Guild looks after any occasion or event held at the church that requires catering services, including weddings, funerals, receptions for visiting speakers and musical groups and many other special events. The Kirk Guild is well known in the Ashburn area for the pro- fessional quality of ther special fundraising events. For a number of years group members have held a fashion show at the Thunderbird Golf and Country Club, attracting more than 250 people. As well, under the dir- ection of past president Barbara Porter, an annual "One of a Kind" craft show is held in the fall and usually draws at least 300 people. When it was necessary to put a new roof on the church, the Kirk Guild raised more than $3,000 by holding a talent auc- tion. Members of the congregation agreed to donate a personal talent, such as providing a gourmet meal or housesitting. These items and services were bid on and all money raised was donated to the cause. When it's necessary to pitch in and help, these ladies come through in a big way. When a local farmer lost his bârn in a fire, the guild rallied around and' was able to raise more than $5,000 to help rebuild the barn. Other fundraisers include bus trips to places like the Shaw Festival at Niagara-On-The- Lake. ELLEN BIRD (left) and Olga Batty both teachers at the former Spencer School SS No. 6, look over old photographs at the school's reunion at Heber Down on the weekend. 'The Grade 1-8 school was closed in 1968. The school is now the site·of the Spencer Community Centre. Free Press photo' LETTER: A memorable day To the editor: Kudos to all who helped make *1.EVM T- July 1 a memorable day in Ashburn - to the donors of goods, money, services and time, to volunteers and to all who attended. Thank you everyone. 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