2 Friday, March 15, 2019 brooklintowncrier.com "Proud to be a Brooklinite" Founded in 2000 and published 24 times per year. Editor, Richard Bercuson 613-769-8629 • editorofbtc@gmail.com The Brooklin Town Crier is locally owned and operated and is a publication of Appletree Graphic Design Inc. We accept advertising in good faith but do not endorse advertisers nor advertisements. All editorial submissions are subject to editing. For advertising information, contact: 905.655.7642 Email: brooklintowncrier@gmail.com Next Issue: Thursday, March 29, 2019 Deadline: Friday, March 22, 2019 Less than half the picture: By Richard Bercuson Calling a spade a spade If you moved to Brooklin from foreign lands (like, say, Ottawa) in the last three years, you would have heard about the wonderful projects in the offing. Certainly these would be key selling points for any responsible realtor. The 407 and 412 highways were already a done deal so no one can fault unsuspecting agents for not sharing with clients just how deep the gouging would be. On the weekend before our own move, the 407 preened for walkers and cyclists for a day. No free transponders, but hey, fresh pavement is nothing to sneer at. There were also expectations of a new sports facility and an arterial road to bypass Winchester and head south of the 407 then east. Who wouldn't want to live in this lovely community where traffic was to be minimized and kids could use a sparkling, state-of-the-art building with a pool and perhaps two or more ice pads, especially when one considers the hunger here for sport? To be sure, that hunger is not being sated. Now three years later and there's no sign yet of either project. The 2019 budget's been passed with the usual hullabaloo for controlling taxes, providing meaningful services, and maintaining a pleasant lifestyle for all. In Brooklin, this is mostly true. Except for the daily Toronto-like congestion on Winchester and a dilapidated, repulsive rink and surrounding park on a 10.5 hectare (25 acre) patch of ground used just four days each year. To clarify, this is not a clarion call for the Spring Fair to be anywhere but where it is. However, the Vipond rink and its surroundings - to wit, the playground - are an embarrassment. The budget document says this about the rink: "Luther Vipond Memorial Arena will require significant future capital investment to maintain the current service levels. The main floor slab and other refrigeration plant components are showing signs that they are approaching the end of their useful life expectancy and require replacement." It later adds, "While still structurally sound it is nearing its end of life cycle as an arena complex due to the age of the ice plant." In other words, the rink is likely to die well before anything new is built, leaving a massive recreation hole. As to the grounds, there's this: "In 1986, the Town's Culture and Recreation Master Plan identified a need to carry out a detailed long range comprehensive planning study for Brooklin Memorial Park. The 2006 Culture, Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan also identified the need to address potential recreational uses at Brooklin Memorial Park." So, 13 years after 20 years after the identification of a need to do something, there's still nothing. Similarly, what's happened to the arterial road bypass? Let's call a spade a spade: when will we see one in the ground? Our Brooklin Kids By Leanne Brown Getting Graphic Graphic novels are hot these days. My daughter loves them. She can go through one in a couple of hours. For those not familiar with graphic novels, they are full length stories written in picture form, similar to a comic book. They resemble the Archie comics of our youth. For today's kids brought up with screens and online videos, they hold great appeal. Their bite sized text and colourful images make reading fun. The short narratives make information easy to digest for readers of any age. Publishers are releasing lots of great books in graphic form. Most are directed at the 7 to 15 age group and deal with topics such as making friends, dealing with a bully, fitting in, diversity and adventures. Classics, too As well, if you're looking to introduce classic stories to your child, publishers are also re-releasing in graphic form books such as Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys and the Babysitters Club. Here are some good ones to check out: Raina Telgemeier, author of "Smile," tells the ordeals of sixth grader Raina and her adventures in losing her front teeth and the dental issues that follows. In the sequel, "Sisters," Raina deals with sibling rivalry. Shannon Hale's book "Real Friends" deals with girl drama at the elementary level and friendship issues. Two of my favourites are Svetlana Chmakova's "Awkward" and "Brave". These speak to kids. "Awkward" tells the tales of a diverse group of kids who must learn to work together despite their differences. In "Brave," kids are introduced to another group who must learn how to stand up to a bully and find themselves. For children who are fans of Geronimo Stilton, much of the series is now available in graphic novel form so they can enjoy their favourite adventures again and again. Library holdings The Whitby library carries many graphic novels, which is great because, as these books tend to be quick reads, kids can quickly run through a series. Books stores carry them as well and some even have full sections devoted to them. Pick up a few before your next road trip and you'll enjoy a nice quiet drive. New Cenotaph's Fundraising Nears Goal Fundraising efforts for Brooklin's new cenotaph is now within about $8-10,000 of its goal, according to Karen Walendzewicz, treasurer for the Brooklin Legion who is working with the campaign. The cenotpah will be moved from its current location outside the Luther Vipond Arena to its new home in front of the Brooklin Library. It is supposed to be ready for next Nov. 11. "The response from the community has been fairly positive and supportive," she says. "We have received donations from residents, and three of the local service clubs and some donations on behalf of a couple of legion members who have passed away. "Unfortunately the local businesses, developers etc have not supported us liked we had hoped. Regardless, our dedication is tentatively set for September 8th, so we still have a little time left." Those wishing to donate to the new memorial can do so as follows: 1 - Write a cheque made out to: Royal Canadian Legion - Monument Fund. Mail it to: Royal Canadian Legion, 56 Baldwin St. Brooklin, L1M 1A3 Or 2 - Send an email transfer to Karen Walendzewicz, the Legion's treasurer: Email: kwalend63@gmail.com Join Earth Hour On March 30 On Saturday, March 30, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., residents and businesses are encouraged to join the Town in turning off all nonessential lighting and electronics in recognition of Earth Hour. Earth Hour is an annual event that promotes energy conservation and awareness for climate change. Whitby has participated in Earth Hour, reducing its energy consumption, since 2008. Once again this year the Town will switch off all unnecessary lighting and electronics at all Town facilities - including Town Hall, recreational facilities and more. Individual Town staff members will also be participating by turning off their computers at their workstations and unplugging appliances in common areas. Whitby residents are encouraged to join in and reduce their electricity energy use in their own homes during Earth Hour by: Turning off lights and televisions; Powering down computers; Unplugging unnecessary electronics and small appliances; and, Not using cooking appliances during the hour. Residents are reminded to stay safe and never leave lit candles unattended. In addition to its participation in Earth Hour, a few of the Town's recent green initiatives include converting facility and street lights to energy efficient LEDs, purchasing an electric ice resurfacer (or Zamboni) and becoming a Bee City. For more information, visit earth-hour.org.