Pages 21-33 - Focus on Scugog

Rogers. “We had been purchasing band-width and
signal from Rogers for years, so selling to them made
a nice fit. They were accustomed to doing business
with us,” explained Ron.
The couple praised Rogers representatives for
their conduct and professionalism during the negotiations. “They treated us very fairly,” Nancy said.
Even more important to the Comptons was
the willingness of Rogers to guarantee continued
employment for their entire staff of 16 people. “They
agreed to maintain the same conditions and benefits,
so nothing changes for the employees,” Ron says
proudly.
Protection of the employees was a key ingredient in the negotiations and Ron said they were
prepared to accept less to make this happen.
They both admit it was very difficult in the
months leading up to the sale as they were unable
to disclose any details to their management or staff.
But when they finally gathered them together, not
long before the deal was signed, the staff were very
nervous. “They didn’t know what to expect,” Nancy
explained.
She referred to her staff as “family” and like a
proud mother she boasted, “We had a fantastic staff,
dedicated and conscientious and there was always a
lot of laughter in our office.”
Starting out as Compton Cable TV in 1972, the
company was located in the old creamery building at
Please turn to page 20
Ron and Nancy Compton
READY… SET… plan!
now is the time to start thinking about spring gardening
opening april 16th
Returning to the Garden Centre this year will be:
PC Real Easy Perennials
Herb Planters
Gigantico Blooms
lawn and Garden Care
pcgardenblog.ca
Check out this great site to find:
GARDEN POT
RECYClING PROGRAM!!!
• Gardening tips and information
• Gardening news and trends
• Polls and quizzes
• How to’s
• Insider’s Stories
• “To do” lists
• The best products for 2011
&
OPERATED B
YO
UR
S
OWN
ED
1. Prune early-flowering shrubs
such as lilacs and forsythia after they finish blooming.
2. Fertilize spring bulbs after they flower.
3. Stake tall perennials and put peony rings in place.
O
1893 Scugog St., Port Perry
SPRING
IS THE
TIME TO:
Y
Open from 7:00am to 10:00pm
Trees & Shrubs
Garden Tools
Fabulous Outdoor Decor
Barbeques & Accessories
UR NEIGHB
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
21
Compton - from page 19
the corner of Water and Casimir Street,
Port Perry (now condominiums).
The company moved to the current
Utica location about 10 years later and
worked out of the basement of the
Compton’s new home.
About a decade later, they moved
their offices into two portable school
rooms located on the property and it
was only a few years ago they expanded again due to their growing staff and
services.
Ron and Nancy are very proud of
the company they were able to build
and admit they will miss the daily
contact with their staff and customers.
Among their most memorable
accomplishments for the couple, was
becoming the first company in Canada
to launch an HDTV-capable personal
video recorder (PVR) in 2003.
Two years later, the company introduced TMN OnDemand service, becoming the smallest cable company in
North America to offer ‘On Demand’
services. Another highlight came
three years ago when they launched
‘Compton Home Phone’ service to the
community.
They believe Rogers is the company that will provide their former
customers with the best and most
advanced service for years to come.
In the not to distant future, Ron
expects their 5,500 customers to enjoy
larger selections of movies and channels, more local programming and cell
phone service.
“Rogers can provide more complete ‘bundling’ at competitive pricing.
We are genuinely excited for our customers because they will have access
to services we couldn’t provide them,”
says Ron.
Nancy, who had worked for
the company for 31 years, admits to
shedding more than a few tears in the
months leading up to the final day,
especially when she had to pack up
and vacate her office.
And although Ron was a little less
emotional, he admitted it was difficult
and gut wrenching to leave the business he’s nurtured for almost four decades. “It’s certainly been an emotional
roller-coaster,” he said, “I don’t think
it’s really sunk in yet.”
Looking back, both Ron and Nancy say they appreciate how great their
customers have been. It was their emphasis on service that won them great
respect. “We always tried to make sure
we were there for our customers, and
we received many compliments about
our staff and service,” Nancy said.
After a two-week holiday, Ron
and Nancy returned to their Utica
home where they have lived for the
past 30 years. But they won’t be lonely
on their large property. Their new
neighbour is Rogers, who have taken a
21 year lease on the buildings.
And when everything settles
down, Ron and Nancy have plans
for their community. They’ve formed
a new company called “Compton
Beyond Corp.” and are in the process
of setting up a charitable foundation so
they can continue to give back to the
community they love.
“This is their way of saying thanks
for so many great years,” says Ron.
And on behalf of the community
we say, thank you Ron and Nancy.
By J. Peter Hvidsten
Focus on Scugog
SPRING IS HERE! Test Drive a Terrain and Regal.
TERRAIN
• Consumer’s Best Buy
• Top Safety Pick 2011
• Top 10 Best Engine
www.ajac.ca
Best New Family Car
REGAL
• Best New Family Car
(over $30,000)
• Consumer’s Best Buy
• Top Safety Pick 2011
• NADA Car of the Year
www.ajac.ca
AUTOMOBILE JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA
10 Vanedward Drive, Port Perry
905-985-8474
www.gusbrownportperry.com
22
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
3PHFSTQVSDIBTFT$PNQUPO$PNNVOJDBUJPOT
5IF$PNQUPO'B
NJMZ&YQSFTTFT
"QQSFDJBUJPOGPS
:FBSTPG4VQQ
PSU
5IF$PNQUPOGBN
JMZI
BWFTQFOUUIFMBTU
5FMFDPNNVOJDBUJP
ZFBSTCVJMEJO
OTTZTUFNJOBDPN
HB$BCMF57
N
VO
JUZUIBUXFBSFWF
8FIBWFJOWFTU
SZQSPVEUPMJWFJO
FEPVSQSP¾UTJOU
PUIFUFDIOPMPHZ
DPNQBOZUPEFMJW
BOEPVSIFBSUTJOU
FSUIFNPTUBEWBO
P
PV
S
DFE$BCMF57*OU
TFSWJDFT5IFGVUV
FSOFUBOE1IPOF
SFJTWFS ZFYDJUJOH
X
JUI
UFDIOPMPHJFTUIBU
UIFQSPNJTFPGTFS
XJMMQSPWJEFGVUV
WJDFTBOE
SFHFOFSBUJPOTX
BOEPQQPSUVOJUJFT
JUI
JO
UFMMFDUVBMHSPXUI
CFZPOEPVSJNBH
JOBUJPOT
5PCSJOHGVUVSF
TFSWJDFTBOEUFDI
OPMPHJFTUPUIJTDP
SFRVJSFTJHOJ¾DBOU
NNVOJUZXPVME
JOWFTUNFOUUIBUH
PFTCFZPOEBDPN
"GUFSNFUIPEJDBMD
QBOZPGPVSTJ[F
POTJEFSBUJPOPGQ
VSDIBTFPGGFSTGSPN
XFBSFDPO¾EFOU
FYDFMMFOUDPNQB
UIBUXFNBEFUI
OJFT
FSJHIUDIPJDFUPTF
$PNNVOJDBUJPOT
MM
$PNQUPO
UPUIFDPNQBOZUI
BU
D
BOEFMJWFS
3PHFSTJTUIFDP
NQBOZUPEFMJWFS
X
PSMEDMBTTQSPEVDU
PVSDPNNVOJUZB
TBOETFSWJDFTUP
OEPGGFSDVTUPNFS
TUIFOFYUMFWFMP
FYQFSJFODFTUIFZ
GU
FDIOPMPHJFTBOE
XBOU8FIBWFUB
LFOHSFBUQSJEFJO
BOEXFBSFEFMJH
CVJMEJOHUIJTDPN
IUFEUPIBWF3PHF
QBOZ
STDPOUJOVFUPEFM
UIBUUIJTDPNNVO
JWFSGVUVSFTFSWJDFT
JUZEFTFSWFT
*UIBTCFFOPVSQ
SJWJMFHFUPXPSLX
JUIBWFS ZUBMFOUFE
PGFNQMPZFFTUIB
DPOTDJFOUJPVTUF
UIBWFXPSLFETP
BN
IBSEUPEFMJWFSB
CFZPOEFYQFDUBUJP
RVBMJUZPGTFSWJDF
O5IJTUFBNXJMM
DPOUJOVFUPQSPWJ
VOEFSUIF3PHFS
EFZPVSTFSWJDFT
TPXOFSTIJQ
5IF$PNQUPOGB
NJMZXPVMEMJLFUP
FYQSFTTPVSTJODFS
ZPVSTVQQPSUPWF
FBQQSFDJBUJPOGP
SUIFMBTUZFBS
S
T*OUIJTOFXDIB
GBNJMZIJTUPS ZXF
QU
FS
P
GPVS
MPPLGPSXBSEUPO
FXDIBMMFOHFTUI
XJMMBMMPXVTUPDP
BU
OUJOVFDPOUSJCVUJO
HUPB
DPNNVOJUZUIBUX
FMPWF
3POBOE/BODZ$PNQUPO
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
23
Gardeners itching to get
out and scratch the soil
welcome Garden Show
The Scugog Spring Garden Show, hosted by the Pine
Ridge Garden Club takes place this year on Saturday and
Sunday, April 16, 17 at the Scugog Community Recreation
Centre, 1655 Reach Street, Port Perry.
Guest speakers include: Denis Flanagan - A Gallery of
New Plant Varieties, Belinda Gallagher - Hot Tropicals for
Cool Climates, Trish Symons - Keeping It Simple - Photographing Gardens, Jake Hudson - Creating Water Features
in the Garden, John Statham - Ornamental Grasses in the
Landscape, Beth Cook - Planning a Successful Garden,
Sonia Day - A Fun Peek at My Middle-Aged Spread in the
Country. See ad elsewhere in this issue for more information and times.
Come and explore the many vendors and exhibitors
for the latest in plants, gardening trends, design, decor,
stone work, advice, gadgets, furniture and much more. Be
sure to take in one of the excellent speakers who will tantalize you with must-have annuals, perennials, and vegetables, or provide expert advice on growing and caring
for small trees, lilies, iris, orchids or plants that perform.
You’ll find inspiration and everything you require to
create the garden of your dreams. Show times are Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EMMANUEL
& COMMUNITY
CHURCH
present
LEADERCAST
10 OF THE WORLD’S BEST
LEADERS COMING TO YOU
FOR ONE LIFE-CHANGING DAY.
ONE-DAY LEADERSHIP EVENT
May 6th at Emmanuel Community Church
905-985-4971 • www.scugogchamber.ca
“Voices of Change”
Every leader has a unique voice.
One offers direction, while another inspires.
Some voices impact lives without uttering
a single word. Create change and help to
identify your leadership voice.
Sponsored by:
24
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
Thumbs
Thumbs Down - here’s a ‘thumbs down’ from a reader
who, reacting on last week’s mention of people
leaving store carts in parking lots, informed she
was angry to find someone who purchased a new
baby’s car seat at the local CTC recently – had left the
empty box with the old car seat in the middle of the parking lot. Guess they thought the good staff at CTC could
take care of their garbage. How lazy is that?
Thumbs Up - to the good people at Medical Associates
who provide free parking at their medical centre for
their patients - and often due to its proximity, visitors
to Port Perry Hospital. It’s a shame that Lakeridge
Health doesn’t provide the same free parking service as
does all other businesses in this community. Let’s not
forget, health care is business and patients are customers. But the current pay-to-park situation at the hospital is
unlikely to change, so a big thanks to Medical Associates.
Thumbs Down - We hate to keep harping on this one,
but more than a year after the amazing transformation of Palmer Park into a lakefront showpiece, that
large disgusting puddle of stagnant water remains
as an eyesore. Last year officials said the problem would
be fixed by fall... but here we are heading into another
summer and the ugly blemish remains, in an otherwise
pristine park. We can’t understand how, with all the
money spent on engineering and planning, this ever happened – but it’s time to get it fixed... One, two, three, GO!
Thumbs Down - to those who use local business dumpsters to get rid of their personal household items
instead of taking them to the local landfill site. The
dumpsters are paid for by the store owners and
are there to help keep their properties clean and attractive
for the community and visitors. Anyone needing to dispose of household items should take them to the transfer
station, not to the nearest business bin. How cheap can
you get?
KOTYA
PEEKIN’
Fashion Boutique
Swim & Summerwear
all year round
Sportswear by TRIBAL
Bra & Bustier Sets
Dresses: Casual,
Prom, Evening
Sizes S - 4X
1888 Scugog St.,
905-985-1890
EAR
C RUISE W
Protect
Those You Love
Whether it’s your family,
home, business or your
car, protect what’s
yours with insurance
solutions designed
just for you.
™
W.O. INSURANCE BROKERS
Dale Gibbons Owner/Broker
www.woinsurancebrokers.com
905-436-9090
Home Decor
&More
Spring has arrived and new trends are being set
fast in all areas of our lives. A good way to welcome
Visit our showroom for a personal
demonstration of the benefits of soapstone.
Monday - Thursday: 8:00am-5:00pm,
Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
spring with a new burst of energy is to change your
interior design. And remember that whether you are
redecorating, refurnishing, renovating, refreshing or
remodelling this spring, look around Scugog first for
the products, services and expertise you’ll need.
GIVE YOUR WINDOWS A REFRESHED LOOK FOR SPRING
I]ZWZhiX]d^XZ
[dgl^cYdlXdkZg^c\h
^cHXj\d\#
Also
• 12 x 12 Floor Tiles • 3 x 6 Subway Wall Tiles
Available: • Cabinet Knobs • Fireplace Face Kits & Hearths
8 Paisley Lane, Unit 2, Stouffville/Uxbridge
905-640-6213 • 1-866-421-4425
www.soapstoneontario.com
<gZViHZaZXi^dcd[Ide
FjVa^in7gVcYCVbZh
KVhiEgdYjXiKVg^Zin
¸:meZgi;^i¹BZVhjg^c\
VcY>chiVaaVi^dc
HbVgiJe\gVYZh
6XXZhhdg^Zh
• Printed matter - emphasize pattern and print
• Eclectic chic - “no style” can be a great style
• Bold colour - bright and fun
• Minimal white - a calming colour to offset the bright
• “Pajama dressing” - comfort and fluid motion
• Retro - seventies orange decor is back!
9gVeZg^Zh
HjeZg^dgHZgk^XZ
Hina^h]8dadjgh
Six key decorating trends to go for
7a^cYh
(%D;;
H^\cVijgZHZg^Zh
8jhidb8ZaajaVg
H]VYZh
H]jiiZgh
<^[i8Zgi^ÂXViZh
6kV^aVWaZ
8VaaVcni^bZidhX]ZYjaZ
ndjg;G::^c"]dbZXdchja"
iVi^dcVcYZhi^bViZ#
Joe Gibson, Blackstock
905-213-2583
H]VYZh
<:I>CHE>G:95DJG
DCA>C:<6AA:GN
www.budgetblinds.com/portperry
H6I>H;68I>DC
<J6G6CI::9
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
25
A
SINCE 1969
Allen’s Siding
Products Limited
S A L E S & I N S T A L L AT I O N
Protect Your Investment
A Good Roof is Good Proof
• Family owned and operated since 1969
• Member Gentek Premium Renovator
Gold Club Program
• Strong, written warranties
• Part of the Energy Star and
Power Smart Programs
LOOK
178 Reach Industrial Park
Port Perry • 905-985-3333
UP!
OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:
Windows • Doors • Trough • Awnings
Solariums • Roofs • Decks • Sunrooms
www.allenssiding.ca
What do you see?
A roof that needs some TLC?
We specialize in Quality Asphalt
Shingles and Metal Flashing
Reroofing, New Work, Repairs
FULLY INSURED
Lebel Shingles LTD.
Owner: Yvan Lebel
November Home & Decor Show
Book Your Space Now
The Scugog Chamber of Commerce is proud to be hosting a Home and
Décor Show taking place at the Scugog Community Centre on Saturday,
November 12, 2011 from 9am -5pm.
The Home and Décor Show will promote a variety
of businesses within Scugog area and is open to
any business of any nature in relations to Home
and Décor needs. Only a limited number of
booths available, so book your space NOW.
905-985-8493
Port Perry
30 YEARS OF QUALITY WORKMANSHIP
to
We are looking for sponsorships from businesses
to assist in making this event a huge success for
years to come. If you are interested in becoming a
sponsor please contact us @ 905-985-4971 or
905-985-5064 ext 116 for more details of how
to get involved.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Open Late
Diva Night
April 29
WOODTECH
Custom Cabinets
We will take your ideas and transform them into
a magnificent space with your unique taste in mind.
We offer Free Estimates with Competitive Prices.
Serving Scugog for over 24 years.
only at
Call Mark Today
You’re So Country
Visit our website:
1874 SCUGOG STREET, UNIT 3
PORT PERRY
905-985-0420
www.wood-tech.ca
26
Cool stuff
for home
or cottage
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
Primitive Decor
(beside M&M Meats)
905-982-1900
DON’T FORGET YOUR
SOFTENER SALT
Just about everyone needs a
plumber at one time or another…
• Pro’s Pick
• Red-Out
• Diamond Crystal
DPNNFSDJBM
-JDFOTFE
JOEVTUSJBM
BOE
*OTVSFE
SFTJEFOUJBM
Voted #1
by
DURHAM
BUSINESS
NEWS
Kinetico
7675 Baldwin St., Hwy. 12,
Brooklin
905-655-4544
CANADIAN
TM
ASSOCIATION
LICENCED
BY M.O.E.
TES
T
MEMBER
AND VALID
ED
®
TM
ER
FREE WATER TEST
IN
RDS
CANADA’S
#1
SOFTENER
DU
DA
®
UND
¾STUDIPJDF!ZBIPPDPN
Kinetico
ED
AT
DFM
Systems Inc.
®
CONSUMER’S
DIGEST
BEST BUY
'PSTFSWJDFSFQBJS
PSOFXJOTUBMMBUJPODBMM
CVT
Family Business Since 1950
N
S T RY S TA
HONEYSUCKLE
Pantone’s 2011
Spring Colour
of the Year
Windows
& Doors
For
New Home
Construction
And Your
Renovation
Projects
Renovation Trends - Best Value
Bathroom Updating - it can be as simple as putting in new
tiling or flooring
Warmer Tones - warmer carpeting, tones of orange & brown
Immediate Repairs - take care of needed repairs before
renovating, no matter how small
Create one space - knock out walls to create one large
space out of smaller spaces to open up your home
The Green theme - Use sustainable materials whenever
possible. Energy-saving renovation increases the value of a
home by a great deal
Your first choice in quality,
design and performance.
• Sales and Expert Custom Installation
Visit our showroom at:
OPPERS
Windows & Doors
Est. 1985
193 North Street,
Port Perry
1-800-788-0270
905-985-4910
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
27
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN ORDER OF NURSES
VICTORIAN OR28
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
V N
Victorian Order of Nurses help make life
just a little more meaningful
Sharon Schmidt
says that she would be
lost if she wasn’t volunteering. “That would
be a huge part of my
life gone,” says the
Scugog Island resident.
Sharon’s volunteer
resume includes stints
as a Brownie and Girl
Guide leader, along
with other community initiatives, but her
most recent volunteer
experience in Port
Perry involves seniors, fitness and warm
friendships.
Sharon has volunteered for more than
five years with the
Durham Region VON
(Victorian Order of
Nurses), including with
their SMART (Seniors
Maintaining Active Roles
Together) program. The
VON operates SMART,
as one of their offerings VON volunteer Sharon Schmidt relaxes at the home of Ann Labanovich
to the community, a
before heading out for lunch and a visit to the shopping mall.
Photo by J. Peter Hvidsten
fitness program to keep
seniors moving.
“When a lot of peoclass in Beaverton or Sunderland,
ple hear VON they assume we do strictly
or brings a trained fitness volunteer right
nursing,” says Cheryl Genereaux, VON’s
into the homes of seniors who can not eascoordinator of community support for the
ily get out on their own, was a response to
Durham region. “But we offer a variety of
just such a need.
different community support programs.
“Statistics Canada reports that 61
We’re very innovative and if there’s an
percent of seniors are inactive, or deemed
unmet need in the community, we strive to as inactive, which puts them at increased
respond.”
risk for chronic diseases like diabetes, and
The SMART program, which brings
increased risk of falling,” explains Cheryl.
seniors out for a gentle, hour-long exercise
“Through our research, VON discov-
ered three main barriers to seniors
participating in fitness: cost, transportation and health issues. We
developed the SMART program to
overcome them.” And VON relies on
volunteers like Sharon to help run
them.
“Sharon is very dedicated to the
clients. One woman called her an
angel. Volunteers doing this kind of
work sometimes go unrecognized because people don’t actually see them
doing the work,” says Cheryl. “Volunteers don’t need a background in
fitness, but they must be compassionate, and a good listener, because it’s a
much needed social visit as well.”
In fact, when the 12 week SMART
program ended for the two women
Sharon was working with, she
continued on as a Friendly Visitor, another key VON program in the area.
“They were both upset their time
was up, and wanted to be put on
the Friendly Visitor program, and so
they’ve become wonderful friends,”
says Sharon.
“One lady who is on her own, I
a
f the c
re
ing another human being.”
The Durham Region VON has a
long list of seniors just waiting for
SMART volunteers.
By Karen Stiller
Focus on Scugog
D.K. Stewart
antiqueS
(The Brooklin Antiquarian)
My new location is:
on Hwy. 12, 2 km North of
Hwy. 7A (Manchester),
West of Port Perry
905-985-7179
The best of antique country
furniture and accessories; as
well as a line of contemporary
iron for the garden and home.
Open by Chance
or
Appointment
Celebrate Mother’s Day Early at the 12th Annual
a
LAKE SCUGOG
e jo
Be
rt o
tiv
pa
spend about four or five hours with
every two weeks. We go to the mall,
have lunch. She’s amazing, the most
amazing lady, sharp as a tack, we just
laugh and have a wonderful time
together.
The other lady I visit twice a
month, for an hour or two, and even
visit with her husband at the same
time. He’s 92 (years old) or so.”
Sharon, a young senior of 66
years of age, receives as much or
more as she gives from her volunteer
work with the VON.” I get more out
of it then I put into it I tell you. Older
people just have so much wisdom
and so much to share.”
Joan Crawford is a SMART
program coordinator, and she agrees
with Sharon.
“When you’re dealing with
seniors, you learn so much about life
from them, through their life stories,
and what conditions people have to
live with. It’s very encouraging. It’s
almost humbling. The volunteers get
that human interaction and it makes
them feel good, because they’re help-
urney …
STUDIO TOUR
Visit 32 artists at 15 sites located in Port Perry
and throughout the beautiful Township of Scugog
by following the frog signs to discover
unique one of a kind art and craft
Saturday, April 30 & Sunday, May 1 – 10am to 5pm
SELF-GUIDED
FREE ADMISSION
Brochures (with map) will be available at most Port Perry businesses
www.scugogstudiotour.ca
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
29
... Port Perry's only locally
owned and operated
Funeral Home since 1846 ...
216 Queen Street
Port Perry, Ontario L9L 1B9
Tel: 905-985-2171 ~ Fax: 905-985-4572
www.waggfuneralhome.com
MYLES G. O’RIORDAN
Funeral Director / Owner
Excellent Professional Office Space
FOR RENT
Immaculate, bright office space ideal for Real Estate,
Insurance, Lawyers, Accountants, Health Care.
188 Mary Street, Port Perry
Available May 1, 2011 - For more information
please call 905-449-6690 or 905-985-3089
See photo and location of building
and floor plan layout at:
www.scugogheritage.com/misc/forrent.htm
Last minute news. . .
DIVA NIGHT T-SHIRTS
Port Perry BIA will be selling
attractive Diva Night t-shirts
during the event on April 29. The
shirts will be sold along with a little
shopping bag. Sizes come in small,
medium, large or extra large at a
cost of $20.00.
HISTORY OF THE MISSISSAUGAS
The Lake Scugog Historical Society begins its
spring season with guest speaker Dan Denby who will
speak on the History of the Mississaugas of Scugog.
The meeting will take place at the Presbyterian
Church, Queen Street, Port Perry on Tuesday April 12
beginning at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome.
OFFICIAL TARTAN DAY PARADE
Scugog can celebrate its Scottish roots on April 6,
when Tartan Day will be observed.
In Port Perry, Tartan Day will be marked with a
parade through town. This is the first and only parade
in Canada and those with Scottish roots are encouraged
to bring your clan, bagpipes and kilts to town.
The parade will start from Palmer Park at 2 p.m.
and will head to the Masonic Lodge for food, refreshments and entertainment.
Mississaugas of Scugog
Island First Nation
HealtH and ReSouRCe CentRe
22600 Island Road, Port Perry
(Just North of the Great Blue Heron Charitable Casino)
Is Hosting a
NATIVE
ARTS AND CRAFTS
SHOW and SALE
aPRIl 30, 2011
10:00 am -4:00 pm
Refreshments • door Prizes
50/50 draw • Raffles
Come one, Come all
For more information call Anne: 905-985-9107
30
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
Fresh baked pies, hot cross buns,
dinner rolls, gingerbread Easter
bunnies and of course Easter egg
cakes and bunny cakes too.
204 Queen St., Port Perry
905-985-2172
Mailbox
Dear Focus...
Rev up your bikes
Dear Editor
On Saturday, June 11 the
Durham Chapter of the Motorcycle
Ride For Dad will hold its sixth annual ride, departing from Clarington Honda in Bowmanville at 9:30
a.m., taking a scenic route through
the Durham Region.
There will be poker stops
along the way, a lunch, live
entertainment and prizes will be
provided at the end of the day.
Dr. Robert Bristow from the
Princess Margaret Hospital, recipient of our 2009 grant, will be the
guest speaker and will share the
findings of his research.
Last years’ ride had 200 devout riders that defied the weather
forecast, rode through Durham
as far north as Beaverton, back
through Blackstock to Whitby
Honda and raised $30,000.00
for prostate cancer research and
awareness.
You can register for this
year’s ride at the address below.
The $25.00 registration fee will be
reimbursed, if desired, when $100
or more in pledges are collected.
The riders who raise more than
$100 in pledges will receive a door
prize ticket and a V anniversary
ride vest pin. As well, the three top
pledge earners will receive a prize.
Prostate cancer is contracted
by one in five men. Over 4,000 Canadian men die annually from the
disease. Part of our goal is to make
men more aware of the disease and
urge them to get checked annually.
We invite anyone interested to
come and ride with us and join the
fight. If you don’t ride, come on
out and volunteer, we can always
use the help.
Register at: www.motorcycleridefordad.org/durham
Sincerely
Wolfgang Palleske
Durham Ride for Dad
Lindsey Luke, left, seen here with her sister Christy, who was struck with a deadly
disease that left her partially paralyzed in a Toronto Hospital for five weeks.
Sister of paralyzed mother looking
for community support and help
Dear the Editor,
My name is Lindsey Luke. I live here in Port Perry, in fact my entire
family on both sides have lived in Port Perry for generations.
My sister, Christy, who was also born and raised in this small town has
suffered a terrible tragedy and we’d like to ask the community and others
like yourself for your help and support. Christy is 36 years old, a single mom
of two beautiful children and she has recently been struck with a staphylococcus infection in her spine that has rendered her paralyzed from the neck
down.
We are very afraid for her and for her children. She has always been a
very involved mom and she lives with our parents for the added support
now. She will need a lot of help in the form of therapy and assistance and we
will need to update the house so she can live there again.
By the end of February Christy was in stable condition, but trying to
communicate, although with difficulty. She still had the infection in her body
and was in the I.C.U. (Intensive Care Unit) at Toronto Western Hospital.
(Update - Christy now in Lakeridge Health Oshawa, after spending five weeks
at Western Hospital before being transferred).
Christy is a fighter, and as she has done in the past, continues to fight
and be strong, her driven spirit and love of her children will hopefully drive
her to overcome any complications that she faces ahead.
We are asking for financial help from the community to help us prepare
for Christy’s return home. She will need her home extensively renovated,
possibly re-built to allow her to come home to live - such as lifts, special
tracking, special bathroom for special needs, wheelchair equipment and possibly an elevator or related equipment - medical expenses and around the
Please turn to page 36
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
31
The Scugog Bridge
- PART THREE CONCLUSION OF THE SERIES
Following a disastrous flooding in the
spring of 1960, there were renewed calls for
rebuilding and raising the level of the Scugog
Bridge, which by this time was beginning to be
referred to as “The Causeway”.
During April of that year, water in Lake Scugog rose dramatically, with up to 30 inches of
water covering sections of both the Port Perry
and Cartwright causeways. On a number of
occasions, the causeway had to be closed down
to traffic as washouts and ice floes created a
hazard for anyone attempting to cross the open
stretch. But some residents drove through
in spite of the warnings, and one man was
reported to be barrelling through, and ended
up sitting on the roof of the car for a couple of
hours waiting for help.
Another incident was reported as follows:
“During the noon hour on Monday, Mr. Lorne
Hunt, a resident of Scugog Island, attempted to
drive his Volkswagen to Port Perry. While crossing
the causeway the car was pushed off the road by
floating ice driven by a wind. Someone saw the car
leave the road and phoned the police, and Pargeter’s
Garage was also called.
Chief R.J. Cameron and Pargeter’s tow truck
were soon at the scene. Don Wallace, driver of the
tow truck and Robert Duff were able to rescue Mr.
Hunt who had succeeded in getting out of his car
This photo, believed to have been taken during the late 1940s, shows a car
pulled over waiting to cross the flooded causeway towards Scugog Island.
A work truck driving through water towards Scugog Island pre-1960.
What appears to be a 1957 Chevrolet, is seen here making it’s way
towards town, with water from the flooded causeway half-way up its doors.
32
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
and was found clinging to a pole in the icy waters.
He had been marooned about 25 minutes and
suffered from severe shock and exposure, and was
rushed to Community Memorial Hospital.”
The causeway was still partially submerged
when a severe rainstorm hit the area, causing
the level of the lake to rise even further and
increasing the depth of the water along the
causeway.
More than eight weeks after the flooding
began along the causeway, many spots were
still not entirely free of water. During the high
water, Port Perry Reeve J.J. Gibson put his
pontoon boat, equipped with an outboard
motor, into service as a ferry transporting
residents across the causeway, and the Department of Highways also provided a shuttle
/ Causeway
A corner of the old cement bridge, built about 1925 can be seen
at left in this 1957 picture of the flooded causeway. The truck was
carrying passengers back to Scugog Island from Port Perry.
service with large trucks.
In June 1960, after more than a decade trying
to get the causeway raised, Dr. M.B. Dymond,
who was a Member of Provincial Parliament, announced the government was going to reconstruct
7A Hwy. from Port Perry to Caesarea. Construction was scheduled to get underway in September
and be completed by the late summer of 1962 at
an estimated cost of $1.5 million. The new roadbed would be 42’ wide with 22’ of pavement.
Work on the causeway highway project progressed quickly, with the large hill at the east end
of the causeway being cut down and back, decreasing the slope. In some cases it was necessary
for crews to dig as deep as 25’ in order to insure a
proper foundation for the permanent roadway.
Work on 7A Hwy. from Port Perry to the Caesarea cut-off, including the causeway, was completed on schedule in 1962, and the highway has
changed little since that time.
It took more than 140 years for the Scugog
Bridge to evolve from a rickety old floating bridge,
to the modern provincial causeway it is today. But
this short section of 7A Hwy., which spans Lake
Scugog between Port Perry, Scugog Island and
into Cartwright Township continues to serve the
needs of the travelling public today, just as it did
in its infancy more than a century ago.
By J. Peter Hvidsten
Focus on Scugog
The causeway, looking towards Port Perry, during construction
in 1960. At right, a car and truck can be seen coming towards town
from Scugog Island during the re-building and widening of the road.
Carnegie
Beach Rd.
e
Pogu
g
issau
Miss
o
.
Casin
il
a’s Tra
• Covered & Open Boat Slips
available. Water and Hydro
with each slip
• Boat Repair
• Fishing Boat Rentals
• Mechanic on site for
Boat & Motor Repairs
• Boat Launch
• Snack Bar
• Fishing Equipment
• Open & Covered Boat Storage
• Minnows & Worms
nd R
d
Frank & Connie
FULL SERVICE MARINA
Isla
Your hosts
Construction photos courtesy Clive Boyd
Rd.
30 minutes to Lindsay
via the Trent Canal
Scugog
Island
Marina
495 Carnegie Beach Road
Port Perry
905-985-8200
www.scugogislandmarina.ca
FOCUS - APRIL 2011
33