11 | durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, December 22, 2022 | Family Owned And Operated Since 1953Family Owned And Operated Since 1953 733 KINGSTON RD. E. AJAX MON-WED/SAT: 9AM-6pM, THURS/FRI: 9AM-7pM SUN AND HOlIDAyS: 10AM-5pM WHIlE QUANTITIES lAST @macmillanorchards1953 MAKE ENTERTAINING EASY AND DELICIOUS! PIGS IN A BLANKET 281 gm Only $3.95 Compare at $7.99 SAVE $6.00!!! Extra Large Jumbo Black Tiger Shrimp $13.99/340gm Compare at $19.99 Christmas that brings out the fun for Erwin, she also dons seasonal costumes or fun headwear throughout the year. "I love dressing up and going to work, sometimes in the spring it's two or three times a week, not always every day, but I try to do something every week," she explained. "The smiles on the kids' faces, it's just priceless." For Julie Burrows who walks her son, a senior kindergarten student, to school every day, it's a nice start to the day. "Every morning we look forward to seeing what she's wearing," Burrows explained. "She's just the nicest and kindest person to everybody that walks by, and she just always goes above and beyond her job title. She keeps the kids safe, but she makes everyone smile while doing it. She's one of those people that makes the community a better place." Erwin said the safety of the kids is her number 1 priority every day, but she enjoys making their day a little brighter too. "I love being part of the community, helping out and making sure the kids are safe," she said. "I love my job and not many people can say that." COMMUNITY Continued from page 1 'SHE MAKES EVERYONE SMILE' "I love dressing up and going to work, sometimes in the spring it's two or three times a week, not always every day, but I try to do something every week." - Marika Erwin SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT DURHAMREGION.COM New Year's Eve in on a Saturday this year, so some Durham Region churchgoers might not be making it to Sunday service the next day. However, there are plenty of options for those looking to ring in the new year other than the traditional way, which can involve staying up way too late. In Pickering, the city is hosting a New Year's Eve Skate and Swim from noon to 4 p.m. at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. It's free and it's open to all ages. The complex is at 1867 Valley Farm Rd. For more information, call 905-420-4620 or email events@pickering.ca. On Sunday, Jan. 1, the Mayor's New Year's Day Levee is being held at city hall from 2 to 4 p.m. Mayor Kevin Ashe and councillors will be in attendance. It's at One The Esplanade, just down the street from the rec complex. Ajax will be holding its annual Family New Year's Eve Party at the Ajax Community Centre, 75 Centennial Rd., from 6 to 9 p.m. It's free and there are children's activities, games, live entertainment, interactive experiences and ice skating with a DJ. Party favours are included and everyone can gather on the ice for a countdown and balloon drop at 9 p.m. For more information, call 905-619-2529, ext. 7239 or email events@ajax.ca. Over in Whitby, for much of December, the town is holding its Whitby Lights the Night and Holiday Festival. It started on Nov. 25 and runs to Jan. 4. It's at the Whitby Civic Park, 555 Rossland Rd., next to the town hall. On Dec. 31, it runs from 6 to 10 p.m. For more information, call 905-430-4300 or email events@whitby.ca. Oshawa celebrates the arrival of 2023 with a free, fun-filled event at the Delpark Homes Centre. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. The event includes entertainment, jumping castles, skating, swimming and more. The centre is at 1661 Harmony Rd. N. For more information, call 905-436-3311 or email specialevents@oshawa.ca. In Clarington, the mu- nicipality has nothing planned for New Year's Eve, but on Jan. 1, the brave and the foolhardy can take part in a Polar Swim. It goes from 1 to 3 p.m., although most swimmers only stay in the water for a minute or two, at most. The event is in support of Autism Home Base and participants can register as an individual or as a team. It costs $30 to register. If you want to support the cause, but have no desires to jump into Lake Ontario in January, you can donate online. The swim is being held at the Bond Head Parkette in Newcastle. For more information, call 289-278-3489, ext. 4, email paula@autismhome- base.com or visit autismhomebase.com. WHAT TO DO IN DURHAM ON NEW YEAR'S EVE A Polar Bear Swim is being held in Newcastle on Sunday, Jan. 1. Elsewhere, there's plenty to do for the whole family on New Year's Eve in Durham region. Jillian Follert/Metroland KEITH GILLIGAN kgilligan@ durhamregion.com WHAT'S ON