A time to give thanks, a time to remember Grass Park has deep roots in Brooklin thecitizen BrooklinOctober 22, 2015 facebook.com/newsdurham twitter.com/newsdurham durhamregion.com Community murals liven up the community Christmas came early this year in north Whitby ASHBURN -- A local business recently stepped up its annual contribution to a charitable cause during its 25th anniversary celebration at a farm in Ashburn. QJS Specialty Cleaners at 545 Lakeridge Rd. S. in Whitby asked employees, clients and residents in the community to donate to and help pack 250 Christmas boxes during 'Christmas in October', held on Oct. 3. For the past 13 years, the business has donated more than 150 Christmas boxes through Operation Christmas Child to children in need. This is done in lieu of corporate gifts and has been a team effort with employees. During Christmas in October, guests had an opportunity to help pack boxes while enjoying free activities at the farm, including a barbecue, children's activities, hay rides, live music, jumping castle, crafts and more. Visit www.qjsservices.ca to learn more about the company and this initiative. MYRTLE -- Brooklin sisters Haley and Tess McPherson recently transformed the former Myrtle United Church into a dance studio, Luna Dance Company. JASON LIEBREGTS / METROLAND From prayer to polkas and pop in Brooklin PARVANEH PESSIAN ppessian@durhamregion.com BROOKLIN -- When Tess and Haley McPherson were searching for a spot to open up a dance studio, they didn't need to look far. The sisters, who grew up in Brooklin and have many fond memories of the area, wanted to instill in their students the same sense of community and small town pride they were raised with. So, when they learned that their family friends, the Porco family, had taken over ownership of the historic Myrtle United Church building, they decided to lease the space for their business. "We've always said if we did open a studio or some kind of dance company, we'd do it in a unique space because we just find it more inspiring and it's more interesting for the kids," said Tess McPherson. SEE STEP PAGE 4