Inside This Week`s Cosmos
Transcription
Inside This Week`s Cosmos
Volume 8 No. 2 YOUR UNIVERSE Thursday, January 12th 2012 Inside This Week’s Cosmos Coffee with our #1 fireman... 3 In search of Sidney Crosby... 4 Altona Inn meets ugly end... 4 Barris: Loss of an old friend... 5 Money and our museum... 9 Pinafore sails... 12 Junco, Enzo Court by Renee Leahy METAMORPHOSES - Luke Kimball and Sarah Kern are compelled to an encounter in this rehearsal scene from the annual production at Uxbridge Secondary School, performing next week. For more on the play, see page 8. Photo by Renee Leahy. 2 The Uxbridge Cosmos 51 Toronto Street South P.O. Box 190, Uxbridge L9P 1T1 Tel: 905-852-9181 Fax: 905-852-9674 Council and Committee Meeting Schedule for January Monday, January 16th 9:30 a.m. COMMITTEE Tuesday, January 17th 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Public Open House re Stop Signs Uxbridge Arena Hall Tuesday, January 17th Committee of Adjustment 7 p.m. Monday, January 23rd Budget Meeting 9:30 a.m. COUNCIL 7:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING Forrest Group (former Williamson Dealership property) - ZBA 2011-08 Tues., Jan. 24 & Wed., Jan. 25 Budget Meeting 9:30 a.m. Monday, January 30 7 p.m. PUBLIC PLANNING MEETING VicDom Sand and Gravel (Ontario) Ltd. ZBA 2011-09, OPA 52, SPD 2011-11 PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE Tuesday, January 17, 2012 Uxbridge Arena Community Centre 291 Brock Street West 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be a Public Information Centre regarding the proposed: i. Removal of stop signs at the following location: Oakside Drive at the 90° bend ii. Changing 3-Way or 4-Way stops at the following locations: • Centre Road at King Street • Bolton Drive at Rachel Lee Court • Bolton Drive at Galloway Crescent For your convenience, a comment form has been posted on the Township of Uxbridge web site (www.town.uxbridge.on.ca). These comment forms can be mailed, faxed or emailed to Ben Kester, Director of Public Works & Operations no later than January 31, 2012. Ben Kester, C.E.T., CRS-S Director of Public Works & Operations 51 Toronto St. S. P.O. Box 190 Uxbridge, ON L9P 1T1 Fax: 905-852-9674 Email: [email protected] WINTER ICE CONDITIONS ELGIN POND The Township of Uxbridge will be testing the ice conditions at Elgin Pond throughout the winter: No Flags - We have not started to test Red Flags - Ice is not safe to be on Yellow Flags - Skate with caution Please keep away from water inlets and outlets as ice thickness is compromised. Please note: Flags are located at the North End of Elgin Pond. Stormwater Management Facilities Please keep off of all stormwater management facilities. Water levels fluctuate at these facilities and these facilities are not safe for skating or other activities. WINTER REMINDERS OVERNIGHT PARKING Please be advised that By-law 89-52 as amended prohibits overnight parking from November 1 until April 1 between the hours of 2 am and 7 am on roadways and Municipal lots within the Township of Uxbridge. SNOW REMOVAL OBSTRUCTION Did you know that in accordance with the Township of Uxbridge Traffic By-law 89-52, it is an offence to stop any vehicle on a highway in such a manner as to interfere with the movement of traffic or the clearing of snow from the highway? Please make sure you park off any highway or roadway so as to permit snow removal equipment and vehicles to clean the streets during the winter season. SIDEWALK RESPONSIBILITIES Snow Removal By-Law 2008-160 states every owner/occupant of any building or vacant lot within the Township of Uxbridge shall clear all snow and ice from any sidewalk(s) adjacent to their property within 24 hours after the accumulation of snow and/or ice. SNOWMOBILE BY-LAW Please keep the Township Snowmobile ByLaw in mind while operating your motorized snow vehicle this winter season. You are not permitted to ride your snowmobile on any sidewalks, park lands or any other Township property except to cross. Any person found in contravention of this By-Law is liable to a fine. UXBRIDGE INDOOR WALKING TRAIL THE TOWNSHIP UXBRIDGE CIVIL WEDDING CEREMONIES. If you would like to use these services, please contact the Clerk's Department, by visiting 51 Toronto Street South, Uxbridge or by calling 905-852-9181. The Corporation of The Township of Uxbridge www.town.uxbridge.on.ca OF NOW CONDUCTS T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 Want to stay active during the winter months? Walk the Indoor Trail , in the halls of Uxbridge Secondary School Monday and Wednesday evenings November 2/11 ± April 30/12 Indoor Trail is open from 6:00 ± 8:00 p.m. :DONQ¶7DONIRU7HHQV± 7:00 p.m. Volunteers Needed! Please call Rebecca at 905-852-7831 Annual fee of $25 - sign up at Uxpool or at the door No fee for children under 12 Please use the doors on the east side of the school Bring comfortable indoor shoes for walking ± cloak room available All welcome ± children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult No running, walking poles or strollers DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER FOR SWIMMING LESSONS! Starting January 9th for 9 weeks.. Enjoy our new Family Change Room! Also….. Mish Mash Dance offered on Tuesdays for 8 weeks. If you love Dance Camp, you will love this program! Starts January 12th! TOWNSHIP OF UXBRIDGE ZONING BY-LAW REVIEW The Township of Uxbridge is undertaking Stage 1 of a review and update of its current Zoning By-law - Bylaw No. 81-19. The current By-law has functioned effectively since its adoption in 1981. However it does not reflect the current policy framework of the Province, Region and Township. Certain components should also be revised to better serve the needs of the community. Stage 1 will focus on the review of zoning regulations applicable to the Uxbridge Urban Area. However, consideration will be given to modifications to general regulations and definitions applicable to areas outside the Urban Area where specific issues are identified or which are applicable to more than the Urban Area. Stage 2 will involve the preparation of a Development Permit By-law for the rural areas of the Township outside the Urban Area which are the subject of the Provincial Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Greenbelt Plan. More information about the Study can be found on the Township's website www.town.uxbridge.on.ca. or by visiting the Township's Development Services Department. Public input is a key component of the study and is welcomed throughout the Zoning By-law Review process, with public open houses/workshops/meetings being held at key points in accordance with the work program. Throughout the Zoning By-law Review, there will be publication of notices of public sessions on the Township's website and in the local newspapers as required by the Planning Act, and directed by Council. However, should you wish to receive direct notification by mail, or if you have written comments or concerns, please make your request or submission, including your name, return address, telephone number and email address to: UXBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY Program Director, Pamela Noble, 905-852-9747,ext. 24 WINTER PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES: Pre-registration has opened for the following and some spaces are still available. Payment, in person, by cash or cheque. WIGGLES 'N' GIGGLES'. Ages 2 1/2 - 3 1/2, 10-10:45 am. Cost: $20.00/child with adult Stories, games and craft activities with staffer Cathy Reesor. Lots of fun and a great way to make new friends! Four classes to run alternate Mondays & Tuesdays, starting January 9&10 (miss Feb. 20 & 21) Choose the day to best fit your schedule. 'MUSICAL MOMENTS'. Ages 6-18mos., 10:1510:45 am; Ages 19-36+ mos., 11-11:30 am. Cost: $50.00/child with adult. Kathy ReidNaiman will conduct toe tapping, interactive activities to include fingerplays and songs, along with various musical instruments. 8 Thursdays, January 12-March 1. 'IT'S MY TURN' Ages 1-2, 10-10:45 am. This program is offered free of charge through Ontario Early Years, Durham Region. Enjoy songs and various action games and stories, to enhance development skills for toddlers. Four Wednesdays, February 15-March 7. UXBRIDGE GENEALOGY GROUP MEETING, Thur. Jan. 19 at 7:00 pm. BREAKING THE SILENCE … How to make it Happen Author, Historian Ted Barris lets us in on some of his interviewing secrets and shares his insight as a writer. Everyone welcome. Cost: $2.00 donation to the group. COMING IN 2012…. UXBRIDGE LIBRARY CELEBRATES 125 YEARS! Various projects are being planned for community involvement. Watch for details. BY MAIL: Mr. R. Vandezande, MCIP, RPP Manager, Development Services Township of Uxbridge 51 Toronto Street South P.O. Box 190 Uxbridge, Ontario L9P 1T1 BY EMAIL: [email protected] BY FAX: 905-852-9674 Registration Fair The Tourism Advisory Committee is looking for new “not for profit” events that promote tourism in Uxbridge. Set up 6:00 Open 6:30-8:00 All welcome to come out and register! All welcome to come out & set up. Contact Bev Northeast [email protected] or 905-640-3966 If you have an idea or need help promoting your event to a larger audience, we would like to help. Please submit your idea by January 31st to [email protected]. Uxpool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .905-852-7831 Uxbridge Public Library 905-852-9747 Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .905-852-3081 Mon.,Wed., Fri., Sat. 9:30 am - 5 pm Tues., Thurs. 9:30 am - 9pm Sundays after Thanksgiving to May 24 weekend 1 pm - 5 pm Historical Centre . . . . . . .905-852-5854 Animal Shelter . . . . . . . . .905-985-9547 Chamber of Commerce . .905-852-7683 Feb 16 at the Arena Zephyr Library 905-473-2375 HOURS Tues., Thurs., 2 pm - 8 pm Sat 10 am - 3 pm Uxbridge Arts Association: . . .www.uxbridgearts.com Township Library: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .www.uxlib.com 3 The Uxbridge Cosmos A Cup of Coffee... Tony Peck accepted our offer to join us for a cup of coffee reluctantly. He preferred to have his Dec. 31 retirement from the Uxbridge Fire Department pass unnoticed. Nevertheless, he allowed himself to be persuaded. We're glad he did. Let's get straight to it, Tony. You have retired from the fire department? That's correct, yes. How many years have you been with the department? Approximately 33 years and 29 days. I started Dec. 22, 1978 You even remember the day you started? Yes, and retired Dec. 31, 2011 at 23:59:56. That's when I sent an e-mail to the chief to say goodnight. I'm just having fun. I notified the chief early in the year that it was going to happen and I gave him a formal letter 30 days in advance and then came through on my word. So. why are you retiring? Is it just time to hang up your cap? Yes, it's time. I'm 66 years old and the fire department, for many years now, has said 65 would be the retirement age and you finish out your 65th year. I was ready to retire last year, but my wife had a change of heart and didn't retire from her teaching job and after a meeting with some fire department people, it was suggested I give it another year and that's what I did. You're retiring as deputy chief, but you were chief for a number of years. I was chief approximately from 1994 to 2004; I took over from Norm James and in 2004 gave the crown to Chief Simon Almond. You say you gave him the hat. Did you voluntarily step down from chief to deputy chief? Yes. We made a presentation to council in 2004. When I started this job in 1978, I believe we did calls somewhere in the 70s (number of calls a year). That's one-and-a-little-bit a week that was taking us away from our business. And then as things grew and the 9-1-1 system came in, we've been as high as 500 calls a year. In 2003, it was getting too much to handle administratively and still run my own business in town. So the fire department executive made a presentation to council that it was time to think of a full-time chief to properly manage the fire department and maintain the risk management level of it. We thought at that time it was prudent to do it. I was offered the job, but I also had a successful service station to run that I was committed to as well. As deputy chief, the load wasn't nearly as heavy as it was going to be as fire chief. The fire chief was to report for duty from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, plus he's on 24hour call. I couldn't handle that. So, now that you've left the department, what are you going to do with all your free time? Well, I'm enjoying it right now. I'll do a little travelling, a little more cottaging and family time, wife time. What will you remember most about your time with the fire department? The camaraderie, the good times. I'd never say I would forget the bad times, but if you dwell on the bad times you'll T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 with Tony Peck go mental or looney or whatever the proper word is. But you remember the good times, the people that you helped, the good that we've done in the community. I still remember the time you helped me, Tony, when you rescued me from an angry crowd. Someone fell off a hay wagon ride into a ravine and they didn't like me taking photographs of the rescue. Yes, I remember that. That was on Foxfire. You say you don't want to dwell on the bad things. Were there some pretty bad things? Yes. Unfortunately, we saw some fire deaths, some motor vehicle accident deaths, medical calls that did not have a happy ending, but through no lack of ability on the part of the fire department. It was just the way it was going to end up. If we go to an accident and someone's lost their life, there's not a thing we can do about it, but we sure can do a helluva job trying to help those that are still going. I think I'd be correct in saying that a little more than 50 per cent of our calls are initiated by EMS, when that could be a medical call or a motor vehicle accident. As a veteran, should that really be the role of a volunteer fire department? I think it's a great topic for discussion. Certainly in a small municipality, there are two ways to look at it. There's looking at it from the fellowship standpoint and there's looking at it from the bean counter's standpoint. We know everybody here and when you go to the calls, you're hopefully helping people that you're familiar with and, yeah, we should be there doing that. From the dollars and cents standpoint, it's something we wonder are we doing too much? Do we have the manpower, the budget, to do this sort of thing, because these calls all cost money? Now, we have a full-time professional chief. Do you see a time . . . First of all, let me clarify. We're all professionals. The chief is full-time. I keep hearing this about full-time departments are professionals and we're volunteers. We're all professionals. We do it on a part-time basis, they do it fulltime. I will stand on city hall steps and scream that. They're a dedicated crew of professionals waiting to serve. I wasn't trying to imply our firefighters are amateurs. I know, but so often we hear that and it is meant that we're amateurs. Years ago, volunteer firefighters were like a bunch of cowboys: get in the car and go like mad. We left that area a long time ago. Do you see a time when Uxbridge might need a full-time fire department? I don't have a crystal ball, Roger. Right now we're in what I call a composite stage. In Uxbridge, we're experiencing the evolution of a fire department. We started however many years ago, a hundred years ago, as a volunteer group, ringing a hand bell to get the guys to the fire hall. It's progressed through technology. We've gone now from a few calls a year to close to 500 a year. We now have lots of extra technology, advanced medical services. And our budget is growing. For Uxbridge to say January 2013 we're going full-time, we don't have the budget or the dollars for that. But we're evolving. We now have a full-time chief, we had a full-time suppression firefighter who, unfortunately, has moved on to be a full-time firefighter in Markham. As development happens and budgets allow and the municipality grows, we will expand and have more and more full-time employees. Eventually, two years, 10 years, 30 years down the road, we may become a full-time department. The only thing overshadowing that is regionalization, which is a whole new can of worms to open up. Let's get back to you, Tony. What led you to join the department 33 years ago? I moved to Uxbridge in 1973 and bought the service station in 1976. One morning in the spring of 1977, a man by the name of Ross Robin saw me and walked over to me. He said: "I've been watching you for a while. We're looking for guys like you on the local fire department." Well, like every other big kid, all I could picture was red lights and sirens and big trucks and I said "sure". And you had had no training or experience with fire departments before that? by Roger Varley No. I filled out the application and was taken on Dec. 22, 1978 and worked along with Norm James and soon became a captain. As a junior firefighter, I attended numerous regional schools that were put on by the office of the Fire Marshall and did a 12-week course at the Ontario Fire College, graduating in 1980 with a diploma called Fire Protection Technology. When Norm retired I applied for the job and was successful in getting it. When I came to Uxbridge 23 years ago, back then we had the fire siren. Do you miss it? Yes, I do, absolutely. And Dianne Homan standing on Brock Street directing traffic. Yes, that was the old days. We've gone by that now. And most of the firefighters worked in the downtown. But what about now with up to 500 calls a year? How do your guys handle their jobs now? It seems their employers must be losing their time much more. We've had to meet with some of the employers and make some special arrangements with them. Some of the fellows come out on the first call if it's a major. If we've got a house fire with people trapped, bang, they're out of the door. If it's alarms ringing - a residential activation - they might not come until the second page. I imagine people who employ the guys must also feel the impact of the increased number of calls. Oh, certainly. Like I said, when I started we might have a call a week so you might lose your employee for an hour a week, maybe. Now it's like 350 calls in a year, so you could lose that employee for an hour every day. Do the employers ever receive any recognition? In the past we have recognized employ- ers with a small plaque to hang, we have tried to include them in some of our social functions, but most of them go as unsung heroes. Being the chief or deputy chief of a volunteer fire department . . . Part-time fire department. Sorry, part-time. Obviously from your stand point, there was much more to it than responding to calls. You must have had a lot to worry about? There's lots to worry about. And that goes for the firefighters as well. basically, if you're a member of the department you can write off just about every Tuesday night. The first is a business meeting night, second and third are two hours of training each night and the fourth Tuesday is a pre-plan, which means we go around the major occupancies in the town and pre-plan: "What if, guys? What do we have to worry about here?" Is our fire department as appreciated these days as it was in the past? I certainly believe that it is. I think our fire department does an excellent job for the municipality. When I started in 1978, a bunch of guys left their jobs, went to the call, did the best they could and what you see is what you got. Now, if you don’t do it the way the book says it's going to be done, there could be somebody there waiting to put your proverbial backside in court. So now you have retired. Are you retiring from the service station as well? No, I have no plans there right now. I'll keep on working but hope to take a little more time off. Tony, thank you and I'm sure the entire township thanks you. Thank you. Township of Uxbridge 2012 Spring/Summer Community Guide For advertising options, sizes and prices call 905-852-1900 or e-mail [email protected] The guide will be distributed in late February The Uxbridge Cosmos 4 T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 h 2 0 1 2 our two cents A waste of history A crime happened this week down in the southwestern corner of our township. A building which was part of the golden years of the region’s growth, which played host to hungry and weary travellers for almost a century, which watched over the grave of Stouffville’s founder Abraham Stouffer, was recklessly demolished by an uncaring federal government to make way for... nothing. The Altona Inn was originally built in 1850, but that was a fragile frame building which came down a couple of years ago. What remained, a sturdier brick addition, was constructed in 1875, so it stood guard at what is now the corner of the Second Concession Road and the Uxbridge-Pickering Town Line, for more than 136 years. Like many other buildings in the Altona area, it was purchased by the federal government in the early 80s because it was on the infamous Pickering Airport Lands... and left to rot. And rot it most surely did, steadily deteriorating until it was a danger to anyone who might enter. Dozens of residences within a few miles of the Inn suffered the same fate. A number of months ago, the Department of Transport gave local municipalities a list of its buildings on the Airport Lands that it intended to tear down, for reasons of safety. At that time, most designated historic buildings (like the Inn and the church down the road on the Pickering side) were left off the list, but reserved for future study. Now, just a few months later, the Township was given only a few days’ notice that the Inn had been condemned. Less than 10 days into the new year, it is gone. We sincerely doubt if any study went into a possible future for the Altona Inn. Certainly no one in Uxbridge was consulted, certainly not the good people at Heritage Uxbridge, who tried for years to figure out a way to save the Inn. And of course it came down to money. Councillor Pat Mikuse, vitally interested in things historical (her Roseville home is now one of only three historic inns left in the township), estimates that it would have cost $100,00 to just stabilize the Inn against further decay, and many times that to fully restore it. But it could have been done. But restore it for what? This was undoubtedly the rationalization of Transport Canada. Why pour a bunch of money into a building in the middle of nowhere, on a road hardly anyone uses? What could it be used for? We contend that the Inn could have been stabilized, utilizing the resources the federal government has at its disposal, for a whole lot less than $100,000. That could have bought a few years to do a proper study on Altona’s potential as a tourist site, with Abe Stouffer’s burial ground as the key, and the Inn and the church as supporting structures. A nice little heritage village could have happened there, recreating life during the Inn’s heyday. But of course the feds aren’t interested in a heritage village at Altona, having recently expressed a renewed enthusiasm for the Airport, albeit a quarter century down the road. You’re not reading it here first, but we fervently believe that the Pickering Airport will never happen, not in 25 years, not ever. And now, thanks to a government that could not give a fig about history, nothing will ever happen in Altona either. 8,900 copies of the Cosmos are published each Thursday in the Township of Uxbridge: 8,200 delivered by mail, 700 available in stores and boxes. Publisher/Editor Conrad Boyce 905.852.1900 38 Toronto Street North, Unit One, Uxbridge Ontario L9P 1E6 e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.thecosmos.ca Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. EDITORIAL POLICY: Opinions expressed by columnists, contributors and in letters to the editor are not necessarily those of the The Cosmos. Letters must be signed and the telephone number provided (number will not be published). Requests that a name be withheld will be honoured only if there is a compelling reason. Errors brought to our attention will be corrected. The Cosmos reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish unsolicited material. ADVERTISING POLICY: The Cosmos reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. The Cosmos is not liable for slight changes or typographical errors in advertisements or any other errors or omissions in advertisements. All material herein, including advertising design is copyrighted, and may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Commentary Jane crosses the border by Jane Alexander I had never been out of the province, let alone the country before, so last fall I decided to kill two birds with one stone. Being a Pittsburgh Penguins fan and an even bigger Sidney Crosby fan, I had always wanted to go to a home game and be a part of the roaring crowd. Although Crosby is now out of actionagain, at the time when I purchased the tickets he was back. So when I found out that he was not playing, my hopes and dreams of seeing him were gone. My excitement level had definitely taken a dive after that and my feelings towards going to a Penguins game had shifted immensely, but - I did have my first trip to the US to look forward to! On game day morning, Tuesday, December 27 my friend’s parents and she picked me up awfully early and we departed Uxbridge with yawns and cloudy eyes. Thinking I would sleep most of the way to Pittsburgh, I was stunned when I could not. Slowly from the bottom of my feet excitement and liveliness reached my whole body, and all I could talk about was Pittsburgh and the hockey game ahead. My experiences with long drives were slim, Ottawa being the farthest for me, which is only at the max four hours, but I had enjoyed being in a car and just driving. When we reached the border I was all nerves because I had never done it before, and I really did not know what to expect. My passport had never been used and my picture was outdated, I had gotten it when I was in grade nine. I looked a lot younger than I do now and I had long hair. So when the immigration officer asked to have the window rolled down at the back to see my friend and me, I held back nervous giggles. The officer definitely took a double take when he saw me, but then cleared us through. I had done it, I made it to America and I had felt like I accomplished something extraordinarily amazing. After going through Buffalo there was not much to look at until hitting Pittsburgh, so my friend and I started watching a movie, trying to pass the long time. We arrived in Pittsburgh around lunch, just as it began to rain. Knowing Pittsburgh was called “steel town” I did not expect the pretty sight that greeted me. It was amazing looking down the main river and seeing the bridges that were above it. And the buildings showed the old age of the town, but were still beautiful. Our hotel was just outside of Pittsburgh in a town called Greentree, so as quickly as we saw the amazing city it was gone just as fast. My friend and I shared a room, where we were stranded for the next two hours, having to entertain ourselves before going for some lunch. Unfortunately lunch did not take too long, which had my friend and I back in the boring hotel room. The hockey game started at seven and we had a shuttle to take us an hour before to the Consol Energy Center, so many hours were ahead of us. Being two teenage girls who forever wish we could meet our favourite players, we spent our time getting ready and beautifying. Eventually we headed down to the lobby of the hotel, to get on the shuttle. By then it was dark out, leaving the drive there to be confusing on the windy roads into Pittsburgh. Suddenly without warning the shuttle made a turn over a hill and all of Pittsburgh was to be seen, lit up with lights from the buildings and streets. It was an incredible sight. The city was even prettier than it was during the day. I could not believe the beautiful picture it made. The rain kept falling as we pulled up to the arena, so we made a dash for the entrance. Finding our seats was easy enough, with them being on the first level, just four rows from the ice. It had been almost a year since my last professional hockey game, and I forgot how small the ice really was and the hundreds of seats around it did not help the size. The Penguins warmed up at the other end of the ice so we had the view of their opponent, the Carolina Hurricanes. It was strange seeing the players so close, having normally seen them on TV. It was hard to see the other end when the game started, but luckily for us Pittsburgh held Carolina to their defending zone, giving us two really good periods and one iffy period. The game was great though, a lot of fun being in the home crowd. Pittsburgh dominated and won 4-2. We left the city the following day. It rained the entire time we were in Pittsburgh, but that did not put a damper on my trip. I had a wonderful time, and I will never forget my first journey out of the country. Jane Alexander has been our co-op student from Uxbridge Secondary since September. 5 The Uxbridge Cosmos T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 stemp’s stew the barris beat column by Harry Stemp column by Ted Barris Best to do your best Speak truth to power The best thing to happen to Uxbridge! Quite a statement and, knowing Jacob Mantle, I'm sure he is a bit embarrassed being the centre of so much publicity and controversy, even though it was meant to be a positive compliment. And I don't feel that Bev Northeast has to apologize for making the statement. These things happen and are done with the best of intentions. Is everyone slightly off base in this matter - including fellow columnist Roger Varley? To me it is not important that one is the best thing to ever happen to Uxbridge, but rather that they are doing their best for Uxbridge. Since the late Dr. Mellow whacked me on the rear end (there have been many whacks since) and elicited my first breath back in 1934, this community has been blessed with countless residents who did their very best to make Uxbridge the wonderful community it is today. They were ordinary people who were not looking for praise but when a job, or a project, had to be done for the good of all, they were first in line to volunteer and worked diligently until the task was completed. Having the honour of chairing several groups over the years I think of the good friends, all hard workers, who brought us a wonderful 10-year community celebration called Spring Water Days. Weeks and weeks of meetings and work bees, and their reward was seeing the strong community spirit they encouraged - and they had fun doing it. Then there were hundreds of residents who put in countless hours of labour paying for and installing artificial ice in the old arena on Franklin Street. When that building was condemned as unsafe, more hundreds rallied and the new arena was built on Brock Street. It wasn't long before a second ice pad was needed, but there was a problem. Council demanded that the much needed addition to the library be completed before any talk of a second ice pad. The campaign for the library had been going nowhere for a couple of years, and again I was honoured to be asked to chair a hard-working committee to complete the library addition - which we did in record time - and then we immediately moved on to add a second ice pad and completed the sports facility we now enjoy today. These are the larger projects. Space would not permit one to mention every volunteer organization that we have in Uxbridge. Loyal volunteers, who see a need, gather together, work hard and get the job done without thought of any reward other than the satisfaction of a job well done for Uxbridge. Want to see the names of people who gave their best to make Uxbridge the wonderful community that we enjoy today? Then pay a visit to our two cemeteries and walk among the grave markers. The names read like a who's who of hard-working, dedicated residents who built Uxbridge, and we were sad to see them leave us - some much too young. But they taught us well and Uxbridge is a better place because we picked up the torch and continued the work they started. Is Jacob Mantle the best thing to ever happen to Uxbridge? With all due respect I don't think so, but I do know that Jacob, along with our other elected representatives, are doing their best for Uxbridge. And that, to me, is most important. There is a wonderful saying that has been my motto for years and I have passed it along to my grandchildren - “You can't always be the best. But, you can always do your best”. You will notice I have not mentioned any names, or singled out any one person for recognition. This is on purpose because, when it comes to volunteers, from top to bottom there is no distinction in my mind. It is a team effort and every project committee is only as strong as its weakest link. Fortunately for Uxbridge there have been very few weak links. May it always be so and the future of this great community will always be bright. ---------------------------When I think of Uxbridge resident John Worsley the 1978 movie Same Time Next Year comes to mind. It was early in January last year that I walked into the Super Centre in Holetown, Barbados and was more than surprised to bump into John who was visiting his sister in her Sandy Lane home. Fast forward to this past Wednesday, January 4 when I dropped into the same store, grabbed a cart, and headed to the produce area. Couldn't believe it when, once again, I bumped into John and I don't think it was more than 10 feet from the spot that we shook hands one year earlier. ESP or coincidence? Who knows? One thing is for certain. I always enjoy that big smile and happy way of greeting people that is John, and hope meeting like this becomes an annual tradition for years to come. In the days following 9/11, the West had revenge top of mind. Within days of the terrorist attacks, U.S. President George Bush promised his armies would avenge the deaths of the 3,000 Americans killed, claiming that the perpetrators were “Islamists commanded to kill Christians and Jews” and that they were therefore wanted “dead or alive.” Most in North America accepted his Wild West form of justice. At the time, however, a professor at Concordia University in Montreal did not. Almost at his peril, journalist and educator Ross Perigoe criticized the powers that be, in particular the Montreal Gazette, for what he called its racist response to 9/11. “I am in the Place des Arts metro station,” Perigoe cited a Gazette editorialist on Sept. 19, 2011, “I see three men, one wearing a turban. I start to shake.” The commentary infuriated Prof. Perigoe. He reacted by researching, interviewing and then publishing his response as part of his PhD thesis in 2005. In part he wrote: “The courageous thing to do would have been to have fought the tendency to lash out at the nearest people - Muslims - who were completely blameless.” Remember, the culprits of the 9/11 attacks were not Afghans, nor Iraqis, nor in the truest sense Muslims, but Saudis bent on terrorism above all. Last Thursday at Ross Perigoe's funeral, the professor's son, Evan Perigoe, a law school graduate, remembered his father's commitment to speaking out for minorities. Ross Perigoe, 62, had died of cancer on Jan. 4. “He taught me to work hard, have fun and speak truth to power,” Evan Perigoe said eulogizing his father. Coined by American Quakers, “speak truth to power” was the motto of outspoken liberals confronting conservative thinking in the U.S. in the 1950s. For Perigoe's two sons - Evan and Clarke - the call to action half a century ago represented their father's life-long raison d'etre. “My father was uncompromising,” his younger son Clarke Perigoe said. “He led by example and for that he will never be forgotten.” I will never forget Ross Perigoe because he was my oldest and closest friend. We met in 1956 when we were both seven and when my family moved next door to the Perigoes in Agincourt, Ont. After that, he and I did almost everything together - attended the same elementary and high schools, and then enrolled in the same Radio and TV Arts program at Ryerson in the 1960s. That's where Ross Perigoe (and I) experimented with speaking truth to power. Among other projects, he and I co-produced a series of pointed documentaries for CBC Radio - on noise pollution, rock festivals and dishonesty in advertising. Remarkably, the CBC aired them and gave us an entrée to public affairs journalism. But Perigoe never stopped advocating and broadcasting critically, especially when he began teaching journalism at Montreal's Concordia University in 1985. Among other topics, he revealed the problem of journalists traumatized by violence; he examined the censorship of the Japanese-Canadian press during the Second World War; and, with his wife Christina Perigoe, he explored the special needs of children with hearing loss. In 2009, the Radio Television News Directors Association awarded Perigoe an award for excellence in broadcast teaching and mentorship. It was overdue recognition for a quarter century of teaching and inspiring up-and-coming TV anchors, investigative reporters and documentary makers to speak their truth. But Perigoe also lived by that second ethic noted by his sons at the funeral - to have fun. In 1970, while still attending Ryerson, Perigoe and I responded to a call for freelance writers. We arrived at the rented Etobicoke mansion of Hamilton TV producer Randy Markowitz. “Tonight,” he announced to us beside his indoor pool, “you guys are going to create a unique children's program.” Perigoe and I looked at each other and then improvised out loud for three hours while Markowitz's secretary took notes. That night, we invented the pilot program for what would become a children's cult TV show - “The Hilarious House of Frightenstein.” It had few redeeming qualities except, like everything Perigoe put his hand to, Frightenstein defied all the rules and yet proved magically palatable. It married a smattering of education with what kids loved monsters, castles and corny jokes. It became a hit and - believe it or not - we earned our wages and were paid $3 a joke! “Ross had a remarkable sense of humour,” said Marnie Malcolm, Perigoe's sister, at his funeral. “He could captivate you with his stories.” She noted that in 25 years of teaching at Concordia University, her brother had enriched the learning of hundreds of journalism students with his knowledge of the profession and his passion for telling true stories. “It's a great gift,” she said. With Ross Perigoe's premature death at 62, future Concordia journalism students will never receive that lecture hall gift. Nor will tomorrow's vulnerable Canadians benefit from his advocacy journalism - speaking truth to power. The Uxbridge Cosmos 6 The Uxbridge Cosmos T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 7 T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 USS students lose bus service by Octavian Lacatusu Let us help you with your New Year’s resolutions... (416) 873-3078 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.nataliemoncadarmt.com Let us help you put your vehicle in tip-top shape for trouble-free winter driving. Lube, oil & filter change, all for only $43.95 plus tax, most vehicles. Charlene Barucha recalls the days when she went to school, she would converge with other neighbouring kids at one location, getting picked up by the school bus in a single stop. This past Monday morning came as a sharp surprise, when a letter informed her the school bus won't be picking her daughter up anymore. Barucha, a resident of Sandy Hook Road, is one of many parents who received the news. The sudden change of heart comes from the Durham District School Board, whose policy states secondary school students residing less than 3.2 kilometres from their school can no longer be picked up. The change affects 66 students at the Uxbridge Secondary School, all of which are “ineligible” for continuing school bus service. “I was surprised the number is that big," Barucha said. "Perhaps what they could have done better was communicate well with the parents. It's just silly." Barucha, among several other affected parents, spoke out her concerns on Monday night at the school board meeting, stating her daughter now faces a long walk to school. According to Barucha, however, nothing changed. “I'm very disappointed that they didn't even consider a solution to the situation,” she said, adding her proposal of providing a single pick-up location wasn't taken at all in consideration. “I don't think any parent including myself would have any objections to having that at the end of Sandy Hook or across the street, but no one said anything about reconsidering or revaluating anything.” She said the board acknowledged her concern, but were silent of any possible reprieve. Left to her own devices, carpooling or other alternatives at this point are slim to none, says Barucha, who travels to her workplace in downtown Toronto daily. "The obvious alternative is going to work at 10 a.m., but it doesn't go over well with my work schedule, so NEW REG CLA ULA SS R, T ON Sam ES STAR e tim TING ING A ND Hop es, n JAN GOL e to ew D ZU see song UARY 1 MBA 0TH you s. . ther e! End of the Altona Inn PECK BROS. LIMITED UXBRIDGE SHELL 83 Brock St. W. 905-852-3011 I have to phone my mother so she can take my daughter to school," she said. Barucha said her son, who is currently in grade six, still gets picked up by the school bus and taken to school. This however, may change in the future, according to Joe Allin, trustee for the DDSB UxbridgeBrock communities. "There is a review of the elementary school areas as well to be done sometime in the future," Allin said. "One of the objectives of the public and separate school boards is find efficiency in trying to reduce the costs." Allin said the DDSB has already made its decision, realistically changing nothing with the current predicament in its area policy. "I do not anticipate that there will be any change," he said. "To have a change, we would have to have a call for a review of that guideline, but there's no will in the board that it wants to change that guideline." According to Barucha's DDSB letter: "After a thorough review, it has been determined that your address residence is under the 3.2 kilometre rule. Please understand that this policy must be adhered to in order to be fair and equitable to other families in the region." Allin said the reasoning behind DDSB's sudden decision comes from reviewing the development of subdivisions in Uxbridge, some of which four years ago did not have essential services built yet, such as sidewalks and lighting. In the case of Sandy Hook Road, Allin explained that a steady extension of the sidewalk heading north along Main Street over the years kept the buses running, since originally, there was no sidewalk for children to access. "It was the exemption of that sidewalk that at some point DDSB felt the safety factors they took into consideration were satisfactory, given the traffic volume in the particular area," he said. Though it still changes very little in way of safety for students like Barucha's daughter, who must now trek to school on roads absent of both sidewalks and lighting. The historic Altona Inn, built in 1883, fell victim to the federal government’s wrecking ball over the past week. For our two cents, see page 4. Photos by Conrad Boyce (above) and Octavian Lacatusu. 8 The Uxbridge Cosmos Coming Up from folk to classical. No auditions. Contact 905-852-5854 or visit the website www.mmsingers.org. THIS WEEKEND Sat., Jan. 14, 7:00 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting a 1+ hr., 5 km moderate pace loop hike on the Al Shaw side Trail. Join us for breakfast after the hike. Meet at the trail entrance on the west side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Russ Burton 905-830-2862. NEXT WEEK Mon., Jan. 16, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting a slow to moderate 2.5 hr. hilly loop hike in Durham Forest. Wear boots, icers or snowshoes as conditions dictate. Well mannered dogs welcome. Join us for lunch afterwards. Meet in the parking lot east side of 7th Conc., 1 km south of Durham Re. 21. Brian or Wilma 905-853-2407. Mon., Jan. 16 Monday Morning Singers starts a new season, 9:15 to 11:30 a.m at Goodwood United Church. Anne Mizen Baker directs this Women's choir in a variety of music Tues., Jan. 17 Uxbridge Senior Citizens' Club Pot Luck Lunch 12:00 pm. Main Course Only. Please bring your dishes. New Members Welcome $5.00 pp Jan. 18-20 Metamorphoses School play at Uxbridge Secondary School. See details below. Jan. 19-28 HMS Pinafore Annual winter musical from Onstage Uxbridge. Rollicking Gilbert & Sullivan operetta. See page 12 for more. Fri., Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting a 2 +hr., 8+ km moderate to fast pace hike in Walker Woods. There are hills. Meet at parking area on the east side of Conc. 6, 2 km south of Durham Rd. 21 at Albright Rd. Joan Taylor 905477-2161. Sat., Jan. 21, 7:00 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting Tiger Talk Magic and Myth Coming to USS by Maggie and Gareth Anderson “All things change, nothing is extinguished. There is nothing in the whole world which is permanent. Everything flows onward; all things are brought into being with a changing nature; the ages themselves glide by in constant movement.” Ovid Change. This the theme of USS's upcoming production, Metamorphoses, which runs for three nights starting January 18. Metamorphoses was written by playwright Mary Zimmerman in 1996, but it is based on Ovid's famous poem 'Metamorphoses', which is thousands of years old. “Metamorphose” means to dramatically change the appearance or character of something. And A weekly seminar and support group for those grieving the loss of someone close. Discover a “safe place” to share what you are going through right now. WE KNOW IT HURTS AND WE CARE. THURSDAYS JAN. 19 TO APR. 12, 2012 UXBRIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH 7-9 pm - ST. PAUL'S LEASKDALE CONTACT: [email protected] 905-852-5921 - EXT. 227 2-4 pm - GAME NIGHT WITH THE BRUINS Support Uxbridge’s Team! Hockey Night in Uxbridge 7:45 p.m., Uxbridge Arena Sports Entertainment At Its Best! Fri., Jan. 13 BRUINS vs. PORT PERRY Check out all things Bruin at: www.uxbridgebruins.com a hike on the Al Shaw side Trail. This is a 1+ hr., 4.5 km moderate pace hike. Join us for breakfast after the hike. Meet at the trail entrance on the west side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Joan Taylor 905-4772161. Sat., Jan. 21 Robbie Burns Supper The Uxbridge Legion Pipes & Drums hosts at the Royal Canadian Legion in Uxbridge. 5:45 p.m. Roast beef dinner, "HAGGIS", Highland dancers, Pipe Band & a disc jockey. For tickets please call John @ 905-8521817. UPCOMING Mon., Jan. 23 Pineridge Chorus sings with all Sweet Adeline choruses as we celebrate a Worldwide Openhouse for women in Jan. 2012. An evening to learn, laugh and participate. 7:30 p.m. at Uxbridge Music Hall, 16 Main St. S. Snow date, Jan. 30. Questions: 905-852-6327, or 705-357-3096. Fri., Jan. 27, 9:30 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting a 2+ hr., 10+ km loop hike or snowshoe on the Brock Tract. There are that is exactly what this play does. It focuses on nine different Greek myths, some very familiar - like the story of money-hungry Midas, or desperate Orpheus - while others are much less known. All the characters, gods and humans alike, face the challenge of change. When on Broadway in 2002, Metamorphoses was a contender for several Tony awards (including best script) and it won for best director. And now we have our very own Mr. Grujicich and the Drama in the Community class bringing this magical production to Uxbridge. The cast is made up of 19 talented grade 10, 11 and 12 students. Students auditioned for the production in May and have spent this entire semester rehearsing. They have not only learned about classic myths (and what they can still say to us today), but they have worked on stage techniques such as character development, staging and creative movement. Metamorphoses is in the form of different vignettes. “There are no main characters,” explained Mr. Grujicich, “and with its heavy T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 some hills. Meet at the parking area on the east side of Uxbridge Conc. 6, 0.6 km north of Uxbridge Town Line or 5.5 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Russ Burton 905-830-2862. Sat., Jan. 28, 7:00 a.m. The Oak Ridges Trail Association is hosting a 1+ hr., 5 km moderate pace loop hike on the Al Shaw side Trail. Join us for breakfast after the hike. Meet at the trail entrance on the west side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Russ Burton 905-830-2862. ONGOING North House and Community Churches will be holding a soup lunch on Wednesdays from 12 1:30pm at St. Andrew's-Chalmers Presbyterian Church. The lunches run through until March. Come enjoy some healthy, delicious soup! Pay what you can. In Canis Major (Big Dog) is Sirius (SEER-ee-us) the brightest star in the winter sky. It is only 9 Light Years (L.Y.) away or about 84,800,000,000,000 km. away. To put this distance in perspective, if our sun were the size of a ping pong ball and our earth was a pin prick 3.96 m apart, Sirius would have to be 2240 km away to keep the scale the same. If you were travelling on a spaceship at a Hospital Auxiliary “Chances Are” Store on Bascom Street accepting good winter clothing. Proceeds to Cottage Hospital. If you have a community event you’d like us to mention, please contact us at [email protected] or 905852-1900. The deadline for our next issue is 6 p.m. Sunday. Handicapable 'Friends' Ministry returns weekly on Wednesdays from 7 8 p.m. at Trinity United Church, 20 First Avenue, Uxbridge. For info call 905852-6213. Wellness Thursdays happen every focus on chorus work, this particular play is ideal for a high school production.” “There is no such thing as pure pleasure; some anxiety always goes with it.” Ovid While our USS thespians have been having a ball getting ready, there is no doubt that this show has its challenges. Water is central to the play, and it has taken the ingenuity of our Tigers to figure out the logistics of this. It is definitely not easy to put a pool of water on stage, especially when that pool is a hot tub! “This is our first week rehearsing with water,” said Mr. Grujicich. “We are hoping that the hot tub will give the illusion that the characters are submerged in water and then will come back up again.” So come out and see for yourself if this illusion works! “First thing every morning before you arise say out loud, “I believe,” three times.” Ovid More than just the drama depart- Extra-Terrestrial Tidbits by Stan Taylor Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Uxbridge Youth Centre. These workshops are an opportunity for youth to gather with their peers and discuss topics that are important to them including stress, relationships, anxiety, health and friendship just to name a few with Wellness Practitioner Heidi Walczak. Snacks are provided! Additionally, every Thursday at 5pm Dave the Guitar Guy will be at the UYC to provide FREE guitar lessons and educate youth on guitar repair, care and accessories. All skill levels are welcome! speed of 80,000 km/h (the speed of t h e Vo y a g e r spacecrafts currently leaving our Solar System) it would take more than one hundred thousand years to reach Sirius. Sirius is actually a double star system. Sirius A is three times the mass of our sun and almost 10 times brighter. Sirius B is the same mass as our sun but only four times larger than Earth and spins on its axis 23 times a minute. The ancient Egyptians called Sirius the ment have believed in and are committed to this production. Among other contributors, the Art Club has helped with the painting of the sets, Mr. Boehm has headed up the carpentry component, and the tech crew will be working their magic throughout the show's runs. Another unique part about this show is that all the music is an original score created by Tiger Talk's own Gareth Anderson! Mr. Grujicich and Gareth have been working together to develop sounds and songs that capture the (sometimes very sinister) mood of various parts of the show. “[Metamorphoses] makes it easy to enter the heart and to believe in greater change... that we all can transform.” Playwright Mary Zimmerman We all can use some inspiration, imagination, mystery, change, and challenge these days, so we strongly urge our student and community readers alike to come out to see what promises to be a one-of-akind production next week! Nile Star. Its appearance heralded the rising of the Nile River for the agricultural-based Egyptians. Several of their pyramids were built so the light from the rising of Sirius would penetrate deep within their interiors. The heliacal rising of the Dog Star high in the sky began the the heliacal or Sothic year. Even today, although most people are not aware of it, our celebration of a New Year has its roots in Egyptian history. The rising of Sirius to the mid position in the heavens at midnight marked the ancient Egyptian New Year. For more information, see http://www.siriusrising.com/sirius.htm The Uxbridge Cosmos 9 T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 COMMENTARY: Considerations in the funding of the Uxbridge Historical Centre Submitted by the Uxbridge Historical Society For over 40 years the Uxbridge-Scott Historical Society has closely followed its mandate, including the promotion of local history and the preservation of historical documents and artifacts (historic buildings too). We understand the need to reduce museum funding from the Township, as well as the necessity to raise more funds to assist in the costs of running the Historical Centre. Our main concern is the suggestion to commercialize the schoolhouse - the heart of the museum, including suggestions to turn it into a restaurant. The present schoolhouse, sitting close to the location of two previous schoolhouses, was opened in 1924 and closed in 1969. There are local residents who attended this school as well as former teachers. It is rare for any museum school house to be as untouched as this one, with its original blackboards, lights and windows. Being the only building with a large usable room, heat, air conditioning and washrooms, the schoolhouse is vital to the museum's future. Commercializing this would mean that meetings, workshops, education programs for schools and so many other things would not be able to continue. Even outdoor and church events, including weddings need access to the washrooms. The schoolhouse attic is filled with valuable artifacts and there is nowhere else they can be stored. The recently added insulation to the schoolhouse has improved it for storage and also made it even more suitable for year-round use. Our second concern is having the museum open for even fewer months. It would be like asking a Community Hall to have more events and raise more money, but without their building, and with less time available to do it. Thankfully, Mayor O'Connor is strongly opposed to commercializing the schoolhouse, as is Councillor Northeast. We appreciate the support shown in the Cosmos on Dec. 22/11, with positive comments from four columnists about the importance of the museum and schoolhouse. Ted Barris stated “...local museums and their artifacts represent the unofficial, but crucial foundation of Canada's story. When fledgling communities took root... there were no official recorders of events, no provincial archives, few newspapers or journalists. The documenting of Canada's history depended on handed down stories, folklore, diaries and local museums.” The staff works hard to meet the Ministry of Tourism and Culture's Standards for Community Museums. They are helped by the Historical Society, “the fundraising and volunteer arm of the museum”, and the new Museum Advisory Committee appointed by council to assist with museum planning. Keeping history alive through informative displays, interesting guest speakers, workshops, newsletters and special events is a high priority along with proper storage and accurate records for archival material and artifacts, along with all the responsibilities of caring for the 10 buildings. The museum is host to tours and dropin visitors as well. The staff is also kept busy responding NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS All claims against the estate of LESLIE DOBROVITS, late of the Town of Uxbridge, Province of Ontario, who died on or about the fourth day of November, 2011, must be filed with the undersigned personal representative on or before the twenty-ninth day of February, 2012; thereafter, the undersigned will distribute the assets of the estate having regard only to the claims then filed. Dated this 12th day of January, 2012. JOHN MESE - 705-566-9530 NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND OTHERS All claims against the estate of MAGDA DOBROVITS, late of the Town of Uxbridge, Province of Ontario, who died on or about the fifth day of December, 2011, must be filed with the undersigned personal representative on or before the twenty-ninth day of February, 2012; thereafter, the undersigned will distribute the assets of the estate having regard only to the claims then filed. Dated this 12th day of January, 2012. JOHN MESE - 705-566-9530 UXBRIDGE MEMORIAL COMPANY 108 Brock Street West, Uxbridge L9P 1P4 Dave & Lori Tomkinson Tel: 905-852.3472 • 1-888-672-4364 • Fax: 905-852-0085 [email protected] to requests from many people seeking important information from the archives located at the museum. There are: historians; authors; newspaper reporters (not just locally); real estate agents and home buyers seeking information about heritage homes; Heritage Uxbridge regarding historic plaques for homes and for other research; members of service clubs; volunteer organizations and churches. All want information for meetings and especially for celebrating anniversaries. In the last year staff conducted research to assist with the anniversary celebrations of Uxbridge Public School, Uxbridge Public Library, the Music Hall, the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society and the UxbridgeScott Historical Society. Staff also conducted archival research for the Region of Durham, Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority, the Canadian Heritage Trust, Uxbridge Secondary School, Uxbridge Fair Board, the Township Library Genealogy department, other Ontario museums, graduate students, current and past Uxbridge residents and others. There are also many requests to view or obtain copies of photographs from the large photograph collection. The society has tried for years to have the Schoolhouse open all year, for activities and for rental by local groups, such as artists and theatre groups. The Kydd House should also be open for part-time use by staff and volunteers in the winter to catch up on paperwork, to plan programmes and to reply to inquiries about booking events including bus tours, weddings and reunions, and to reply to information requests. Callers won't wait until May to call back. Again, we agree that increasing the funds raised by the museum and society is very important. But, we strongly disagree with commercializing the schoolhouse, and the reduction of staff time and reducing the hours the museum is open. This makes it extremely difficult if not impossible to increase the funds coming into the museum. We must make certain that the schoolhouse and museum continue to function and thrive for future generations. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Please contact us at [email protected] or Carol at 905-852-5097. Letters to the Editor Roger you are right (jan. 5) and you are wrong, if that is possible. I did not at any time compare Councillor Mantle to anyone else in the township or anyone on council, so my comment was for Councillor Mantle and the fact he brought his own uniqueness and individuality to the council, the same as everyone does when they are elected. If I had been comparing Councillor Mantle to others then you could take offence and disagree with me, but I was talking about one person and only one person, and the one person who was elected to represent Ward 4 in the township. The youth in our community now have a voice (closer to their own age) at council and the council has an individual who is knowledgeable in the technology that could be used to make our job more effective. This is the uniqueness and individuality I am talking about. And where you are right, Roger, is I agree everyone you listed would be an excellent representative and would be the best thing that could happen to Uxbridge when and if they are elected to council. But let's not limit the list to who your favourites are. Bev Northeast Ward 1 Councillor I believe the best “thing” to happen to Uxbridge (Am I Wrong, Jan. 5) is the contagious spirit of goodness that emanates from its residents everyday. As a thirty year Uxbridgian, I feel fortunate to be able to name literally hundreds of people who I credit with giving our community its secure feeling of shared positivity and support. I believe the exemplary residents you mentioned in your article, Roger, would wholeheartedly agree that they are moved to contribute so charitably based on the gratifying resultant feedback that multiplies upon itself. In Bev Northeast’s (one of these people, incidentally) defence, I believe it was the spontaneous spirit in which she enthused about Jacob Mantle which should be of note, not the literal interpretation of her words. With her years of dedicated involvement in the community, she is more than aware that there are many others uniquely deserving of such accolade. You serve to remind me in your own provocative way of how many times and why I instinctively promote Uxbridge to new and potential residents. Thank you for that and also for your own significant contributions over the years. Jacqui Watts Uxbridge A belated but heartfelt “thank you” to the Friends of the Foster Committee for a wonderful concert celebrating the 75 years that the Foster Memorial has been the Jewel of Durham. A thanks to Wooden Sticks Golf Club for providing one of the door prizes: a round of golf and two meals, which we won. We’re looking forward to another stellar year of the “Fridays at the Foster” evening concerts! Hall for their contribution of time and space, and the Black Hawk Pot Lickers Hockey Assoc. as well as the many families who took the time to adopt a family in need and give them a Christmas to remember. Last but certainly not least, the residents that worked on our Christmas Kettle at Zehrs, and Zehrs for allowing us the time for the Kettle so we could continue with our programs. Thank you, Uxbridge and Port Perry for your generosity. Bev Northeast Chair of Salvation Army Uxbridge Unit Peter and Carol Guinane Uxbridge The Uxbridge unit of the Salvation Army would like to thank the many groups and individuals who stepped forward to assist us this year in our program of Giving a Child a Christmas. Our generous donations came from the Township of Uxbridge, Firemen, Kinsmen, TCG construction, Jones Pools, Sparks, Zephyr United Church Womens’ Institute, Pine Grove Church, Magnum Food Brokers Inc. Molly Maid, Goodwood Lions, Port Perry Seniors, Uxbridge Toy Drive/Masonic OnStage Uxbridge AUDITION NOTICE 12 ANGRY MEN by Reginald Rose Directed by Bryan Mailey Sunday January 22nd 7-10 pm Uxbridge Music Hall Monday January 23rd 7-10 pm Uxbridge Baptist Church Call-backs Monday January 30th Performances April, 2012 Needed: 12 men of varying ages Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script For additional information please visit www.onstageuxbridge.com Interior Design Services ~Colour Consultation ~Space Planning ~Blinds and Shutters ~Custom Draperies ~Furniture and Finishes ~Kitchen and Washroom Design Ashley Armstrong 416.671.3249 [email protected] 10 The Uxbridge Cosmos T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 Cosmos Business Bulletin Board DINING, LIVING & BEDROOM FURNITURE TOO!! Early Style Canadian Handcrafted Pine Furniture 905-852-2275 www.gilldercroft.com Garage Doors UPRIGHT WE’RE YOUR #1 INVESTMENT Give me a call - No job too small 9269 3rd Concession 905.852.6970 or (cell) 416-705-6970 [email protected] RON BROWN AUTO DOOR SERVICE GARAGE DOORS•ELECTRIC OPERATORS Fast dependable service & repairs Sales & installation of quality doors and operators We will not be undersold. We service all makes and models. We fix it right the first time! 905-852-1981 www.uprightdoorservice.com We offer a 10 year pro-rated warranty on spring & cable repairs 170 Main Street North 905-852-5981 Tree Service STAN - Your Local Handyman 905-852-5313 ISA Certified Arborists Established 1981 - Fully Insured • Bucket Trucks, Professional Climbers • Pruning, Removals, Stump Grinding David Watts, B.Sc. (Agr.) www.uxbridgetreeservice.com Lisa Ritchie Brooks Certified General Accountant • Personal & Corporate Tax Returns Cemetery Road, Uxbridge [email protected] Interior & Exterior Wallpapering, drywall & plaster repairs Crown moulding Home renovations 905-852-7129 KO PEL’S CENTURY FURNITURE ~ Restorations ~ Repairs ~ Refinishing • Financial Statement Preparation • Bookkeeping and Accounting 905.862.3393 L. MARTINS PAINTING Pre 1940’s preferred Nancy R. Chalut B.A. Certified Cabinet Maker 1984 Port Perry 905-985-8621 Classified Free FREE PICKUP OF ANY TYPE OF METAL, GOOD OR NOT: Appliances, AC, microwaves, batteries, propane tanks, any type of wire, BBQs, computers, plumbing fixture, pianos, cars, trucks, boats, trailers, farm machinery, skidoos, lawnmowers, motorcycles, etc, etc. NOTHING TOO BIG OR SMALL, WE TAKE IT ALL. We also clean out sheds, barns, garages, stores, factories. 905-9529844 or 905-473-1907. 1/12 FREE: 27” TV, Samsung, not flat screen. 905852-3707. 1/19 LowFUNERAL & Low Limited DIRECTORS 130 Years in Business – 5 Generations Honesty • Integrity • Fair Prices Since 1875 Uxbridge Chapel - 23 Main St. S. 905-852-3073 Port Perry Chapel - 1763 Reach St. 905-985-7331 ARE YOU CELEBRATING: • the birth of a child? • a wedding? • a landmark anniversary? • coming to a new home in Uxbridge? Your local businesses/professionals are offering a beautiful personalized keepsake gift free of charge. For more details, please call Agnes Lobbezoo at 905-852-5067. THE WORD OF THE WEEK “Now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.” - II Corinthians 6:2 UXBRIDGE BRANCH 905-852-3162 www.biblesociety.ca COSMOS CLASSIFIEDS Classifieds are $5 plus HST per week for up to 20 words, $10 plus HST for up to 40 words. Payable in advance by cash, cheque or credit card. Contact: [email protected] or 905-852-1900 Deadline: Monday 5:30 p.m. Services HOME DAY CARE AVAILABLE: Full or part time, early arrival, late pickup, hot lunches and snacks provided, lots of room to play. references available. Lorrie 905-852-2349. 1/12 RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL CLEANING Free estimates, Weekly/Biweekly, Bonded, References. A clean environment says it all! (905) 473-1907/(905)960-0523 [email protected] 1/19 TRINITY UNITED CHURCH is available for your use on a fee basis. Weddings, recitals, concerts, birthdays, award banquets, rehearsals. 905852-9176. 1/26 TEACHERS! Two full time places available at Debby’s Daycare, Barton Farms. For more info, please call 905-862-0909. 1/19 PIANO LESSONS: Carolyn Piet (ARCT piano, pipe organ) teaches piano and music theory at her home near USS. Phone 862-3846. 1/19 Vehicles for Sale FOR SALE: HYUNDAI SANTE FE 2005. 170,000 km. Standard, winter tires on rims. $4500. Call 905-852-4969 evenings. 1/12 FOR SALE: 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan. 213, 725k. Very good condition, needs muffler repair and a sway bar. $1,500 obo Please call (905) 8522135. 1/12 FOR SALE: 2002 Montana Van, 7-seater, 250,000 kil., AC, good condition. $950. 905-8527915. 1/12 Wanted WANTED TO RENT: Looking for a room close to Uxbridge cottage hospital (no car). [email protected] Tel:416-897-8223. 1/12 WE ARE LOOKING for a mature, responsible person to look after our 2 children (ages 9 and 12) afterschool on Monday, Tuesday and Fridays. Hours are between 3pm and 6pm. They will need to be picked up from QVPS and brought back to our house. Start date – ASAP. Please call Katherine at 416-910-3356. 1/12 HELP WANTED: General Shop Labourer for a Forklift Equipment Company. Contact Wayne Toyne at 905-640-1928. 1/12 WANTED TO BUY: Walker with no wheels. 905-852-5877. 1/12 WANTED: Old tin toys, old sewing machines, old riding lawn mowers. Ask for Jim. Call 905-8525811. 1/12 For Sale FIREWOOD FOR SALE: Seasoned hardwood, delivered. $120 per 16” face cord. 905-640-5977 or 416-460-4637. 2/2 MALE BUDGIE, big cage, all accessories. $30.00. 905-862-3890. 1/19 DRY HAY, small bales. 905-852-7634. 1/26 OAK DINING ROOM SET: Has to be seen to be appreciated. $800 obo. 905-852-3253. 1/19 TICKETS: Ryleepuss Productions Presents SOUND OF MUSIC Feb 12-25, Tickets Woods and Woods. Call 905852-1810 or 905-852-1836. 1/12 For Rent HOUSE FOR RENT in Uxbridge. Country sized lot at edge of town, two bedrooms plus den and finished basement. Recently renovated. Appliances included, double garage, large driveway. Lovely rolling land. Available Feb 1 or later. $1350+ 1-800-796-3485. 1/12 ONE BED HOUSE FOR RENT: Furn, clean, 10 min N Uxbridge on lake, short term ok, avail: Jan. 15, suit sgle/cple $1000.00/month, incl. 416 573 4490. 1/12 UXBRIDGE 2 BEDROOM basement apartment for rent. Parking. On-Site Laundry, separate entrance, walk to downtown. No smoking or pets. $1100/mo. inclusive. Credit check, first & last required. Available Immediately. 416-805-3972. 2/2 FENCED PASTURE, available spring. Ask me about livestock shelter. Vanessa 905-852-7634. 1/26 OFFICE SPACE: 800 sq feet for lease, Downtown Uxbridge BIA Area, main retail block, above Presents, Presents, 2nd level 58 Brock St W. Ste 201. Well kept historical building, tall windows & ceilings. One business or share. Call Sari (905) 852-1222. 1/19 BETWEEN UXBRIDGE AND LEASKDALE, available April 1. Totally renovated 2 bedroom with new kitchen, bathroom, appliances etc. Reasonable rent for a couple to help with upkeep of house and land. Very satisfied previous tenant (purchased own house). Applicants must have excellent local refs. David 416-489-6179 (7 - 9 AM only). E-mail [email protected] 1/26 COACH HOUSE: 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom private Coach House. Includes fridge, stove, washer/dryer, utilities. Patio/garden. Available monthly. No smoking, no pets. Avail. March 1. 416-6702783. 1/19 Lost & Found CAMERA FOUND, in ditch at car accident scene Wagg Road and 4th Concession. Camera turns on, and photo's displaying. Panasonic Lumix. Please call Melanie at 905-852-4525 to arrange pick up. 1/19 11 The Uxbridge Cosmos Bruins impress in two wins by Roger Varley That's the kind of hockey we're talking about! In two games on the weekend, the Uxbridge Bruins showed just what they are capable of when they concentrate on playing the game. First they defeated the Clarington Eagles 7-4 at the arena on Friday and then travelled to Keswick on Saturday to down the Georgina Ice 5-2. In the process, Kenzie Smith put on an outstanding individual display, racking up five goals and two assists, and goalie Stefan Melnychuk was terrific. "We came together, finally," said assistant coach Keith Leslie after the game in Keswick. "That's two good games: we're going to keep rolling next weekend." Leslie was making the comments because coach and general manager Matt Muir was sitting out the second game of a five-game suspension he received from the OHA for not controlling his team following the Dec. 28 game against Port Perry MoJacks. Defenceman Phil Wood, who was given a major penalty for intent to injure in that same game, was handed a 20-game suspension. A major part of the Bruins' two wins was the fact they drastically cut down the number of trips they made to the penalty box. They were short-handed only eight times on Friday and six times on Saturday. "We had a heart-to-heart last Tuesday at practice and before (Friday night's) game," Leslie said. "We said the deadline's coming and if you want to play hockey, you play our way or it's not going to happen for you." The team obviously listened as they jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first period against Clarington. Nick Kucera opened the scoring on a power play, converting a neat little backward pass from Steve Posteraro. Kyle Northover was credited with the other assist. Then Smith scored his first of the weekend, poking in a pass from Jayson Heydon, who had executed a superb end-to-end rush. The third goal, a short-handed marker credited to Brendan Neville, was a freak event. Neville was chasing an Eagle defenceman behind the Clarington net. The defenceman tried to shoot the puck backwards but it bounced off the boards onto the goalie's stick and into the Last Rock The first session of the 2011-12 curling season at Uxbridge Curling club ended over Christmas with a flurry of seasonal events and parties. The Christmas season is always a special time to enjoy the social aspects of curling, and nearly every league held a pot luck lunch or buffet after the regularly scheduled games to cele- VIEWPOINTS H ow well do you know the highways and byways of Uxbridge Township? The first person each week to call into our office number, 905-852-1900, and correctly identify the location of our photo, will receive a prize; this week, it’s two tickets for HMS Pinafore at the Music Hall. Last week’s viewpoint (lower photo) was still not guessedit was the wall of a tack shop on Albert Street. We’ll have the answer to the upper photo next weeknext week. net. The Eagles finally hit the scoreboard on a power play late in the second period when Melnychuk was screened. But Uxbridge came back with three goals in just over three minutes. First Smith then notched his second goal, tipping in a pass from Posteraro. That was followed in short order by Northover's goal, assisted by Kurt Batty and Kucera, and then Batty scored on a delayed penalty, assisted by Smith and Heydon. Unfortunately, as is their wont, the Bruins let down for a while in the third period, allowing Clarington to come back with three goals. But Posteraro rounded out the Bruins' scoring following a beautiful passing sequence between himself and Northover. In Keswick, the sequence was similar, with the Bruins taking a threegoal lead before Georgina scored. Smith opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period, assisted by Steve Douitsis. The period came to a close with the Bruins two men short for a full two minutes as Douitsis picked up a two-minute slashing penalty and Brandon Basler received five minutes for by Malcolm Thistle brate the season. Perhaps the biggest party of all was the annual Wednesday Daytime “Funspiel” on December 21st. Over sixty league curlers were organized into teams over two draws. In between games members, guests, and curling old timers from years gone by, sat down to a delicious lunch of chicken on rice provided by the Tin Mill. With 97 people in total, the banquet was the largest that anyone could remember in the tradition of this fun event. The Fun Spiel was hosted by Hugh and Lois McGinn with help from League Convenor Gerry Collyer and curler Andy Hemphill. The winners of the first draw were Tina Ruhl (Skip), Lorne Babcock (Vice), Syd Markham (Second) and Bernice Montgomery (Lead). The winner of the second draw was the team of Bill Harwood (Skip), George Christensen (Vice), Joan Sage (Second) and June Peck (Lead).The first three teams from each event won a meat prize from Vince’s but raffles and draws ensured that nearly everyone went home with a prize. Another seasonal tradition at the Uxbridge Curling club is the Boxing Day Fun spiel, organized by Jane Hachey. Members invite friends and family to enjoy a fun day of curling and help those who have never curled . This usually results in a lot of fun and laughs all around . The spiel involved two eight-end games with a pot luck lunch in between. The first place winners were the Brauch Family – Ray, Reis, Kay, and Hailey, and second place went to Doug, Ashley, and Shawn White, and Jessica Nebold. The New Year’s Eve party, organized by Marg and Roger McKnight, captured the energy of the occasion and was a lot of fun. Members and guests danced to the music of a dee-jay and enjoyed a turkey and ham dinner with all the fixings and homemade Photos by Renee Leahy. GIVE YOURSELF A NEW TASTE TREAT - STORE-MADE, PRESERVATIVE-FREE PATTIES, SAUSAGES OR MEAT PIES! • • • • • Free Range Poultry Farm Fresh Beef Ontario Lamb Preservative-Free Deli Meats Hormone-Free Meats 3 Brock Street West OPEN SUNDAYS 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 JUNIOR C STANDINGS - as of Tuesday, Jan. 10 Team Wins Losses LAKEFIELD CHIEFS 20 8 3 43 LITTLE BRITAIN MERCHANTS 16 11 3 35 PORT PERRY MOJACKS 17 13 1 35 UXBRIDGE BRUINS 15 14 3 33 CLARINGTON EAGLES 14 15 3 31 GEORGINA ICE 12 19 1 25 OT Losses Points spearing at the same time. But the Uxbridge penalty killers successfully denied the Ice any goals. In fact, Matt Allen, assisted by Smith, scored a short-handed goal as Basler's penalty was coming to an end in the second period. Midway through the second, Smith scored again on another great passing play involving Robert Posteraro and Neville. Georgina finally managed to get the puck past Melnychuk at the 6:45 mark, but Smith replied with his hat-trick two minutes later, assisted by Robert Posteraro. Georgina scored on a power play with just over a minute remaining in the third period but Callum Lynch put the game away with an empty net goal with 34 seconds left on the clock. As far as Smith was concerned, Leslie said he "couldn't do any better than that. He was awesome defensively, killing penalties, you couldn't ask for any more." The two wins moved Uxbridge back into fourth place in the sixteam OHA Jr. Central Division, just two points behind Little Britain Merchants and Port Perry MoJacks, who are tied for second place. However, Port Perry has a game in hand and the Merchants have two. The Bruins host the MoJacks at the arena at 7:45 p.m. tomorrow before heading the Lakefield on Tuesday to face the league-leading Chiefs. desert. Spot dances and prizes and falling balloons at midnight added to the fun and Tina Ruhl served as designated driver. The Uxbridge Curling Club runs a Little Rocks program for kids between the ages of 7 – 12 to provide an opportunity for young people to learn the game and develop an enjoyment of it. Every Sunday from 11:30 – 12:30 the Little Rocks come out eager to learn and do their best. At present, UCC has 23 kids in the program and most of them are new this year. Many will go on to the Bantam and Junior programs and develop an enthusiasm for the game that will last a lifetime. The Little Rocks program at UCC is organized by Jennifer and Brent Waddingham, who have been curling for five years. Jennifer will be the first to acknowledge that “it takes many volunteers to teach a child to curl” and she is ably assisted by many curlers who give their time and experience to create a fun, safe, and instructive environment for the kids. But special thanks are due to Ken and Lisa McFarlane, Debra Kenna and Sarah Grove. If you are interested in the Little Rocks program or finding out more about curling at UCC, just call the club at 905-852-6862. Good curling! And Happy New Year! HATE to PAINT ? I LOVE to PAINT. “An Inside Job” Professional Interior Painting For Your Home At a GREAT price! If You Are Not HAPPY … You Don't PAY CALL Uxbridge, Port Perry, Greenbank, Sandford, Goodwood and area. OR EMAIL TO ARRANGE AN ASSESSMENT AND QUOTATION. 905-862-2132 [email protected] 12 The Uxbridge Cosmos T h u r s d a y, J a n u a r y 1 2 t h 2 0 1 2 Pinafore promises a rollicking time on the high seas Is a sunny cruise in the Caribbean just not in the cards for you this winter? Well, you don't even need the captain's permission to board GOING GREEN AT 410 AUTO Specializing in Rick Callaghan Volkswagen Audi Hybrid Porsche European & Asian UÊ,ÊVÕÀÌiÃÞÊV>ÀÊÊLÞÊ>««ÌiÌ® UÊ9iÃ]ÊÜiÊ`ÊiÃÌVö UÊÞLÀ`]ÊiÃi ÊÊ>`ÊiVÌÀVÊ-«iV>ÃÌ 138 Sandiford Dr., Unit 5, Stouffville 905-642-2886 or 1-877-410-2886(AUTO) www.410auto.ca the H.M.S.Pinafore, which sets sail next week right here in Uxbridge! For two glorious weekends, beginning January 19, Gilbert and Sullivan's most popular comic operetta will welcome you aboard for a rollick on the high seas. You will find that the ship's captain's daughter, Josephine, is in love with a lowly sailor named Ralph Rackstraw, but her father intends her to marry Sir Joseph Porter, who is the First Lord of the Admirality. She abides by her father's wishes at first, but Sir Joseph's insistence that "love levels all ranks" encourages Ralph and Josephine to bend all the rules and turn social order upside down. They declare their love for each other and plan to elope! Oh the drama! But - uh, oh - the captain discovers their plan, and just as things start to get really tense, a little surprise disclosure changes things dramatically near the end of the story. Goodwood News THE KINSMEN CLUB OF UXBRIDGE EXTENDS A SINCERE THANK YOU AND APPRECIATION TO THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF ITEMS AND TIME TO OUR CHRISTMAS DINNER AND AUCTION HELD ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2011. Frankie’s Ristorante UPS Store Uxbridge Uxbridge Shoes & Repair Williamson Motor Sales Greenbank Restaurant Don Anderson Haulage Tin Mill Restaurant Tim Hortons Uxbridge James-Campbell Insurance Wine Kitz Uxbridge Canadian Tire Store Uxbridge Motor Sports Shoppers Drug Mart H & R Block Alterna Hair & Esthetics King Henry’s Arms Uxbridge Randy Hoban, Barrister Branch 170 Royal Canadian Legion Total Contracting Group RJ Pick-Ups & Accessories One Touch Painting Howie Herrema Dean Watson Auto Sales Subway/ John Miller Classic Rust Control BDO/ Randy Hickey Rona Uxbridge Zehrs Food Plus Keith’s Flowers Hickling Pools & Spa Vince’s Market Jersey’s Restaurant Impact Auto Parts Legion Branch 170 Ladies’ Auxiliary Neil Bacon/ Auctioneer Durham Water Treatment/ Dave Dufton Woods and Woods Rutledge Jewellers Audio Vision Plus Acushnet/Mike Cutrara Donleigh Sports Precision Auto Refinishing Low’s Furniture Art Forms International Peck Shell/ Tony Peck Ellis-Don Contracting Eric Tratnick Boston Pizza Uxbridge Sears Uxbridge Kinsmen Bill Campbell (far left) and John Low (far right) present the proceeds to Wanda Huggins (left) of Loaves & Fishes and Bev Northeast of the Salvation Army To all the patrons who supported the fund raising dinner and auction, our heartfelt appreciation. The proceeds have been distributed to the local Salvation Army and the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. OnStage Uxbridge brings this high jinx ship into port just in time to chase away your mid-winter blahs. H.M.S. Pinafore was Arthur Sullivan and W.S. Gilbert's fourth collaboration (Gilbert did the libretto, Sullivan the music), and was first performed at the Opera Comique in London, Enlgland, on May 25, 1878, and quickly became an international sensation. Pinafore presents standard G & S fare, with lots of mirth and silliness threading its way through plenty of fabulously catchy musical numbers and fancy costumes, as well as plenty of recognizable quips - "What, never? No, never!..." Full of wry British humour, Pinafore thoroughly lampoons the class system, the notion of patriotism, and also takes a few shots at the Royal Navy. Director Cheryl Atwood has been working with a large cast to get this ship afloat, and is excited about with Bev Northeast We are waiting for snow- yes we want snow here in Goodwood as we have a project for the kids. We are asking the children to build snowmen on the parkette by the GO shelter so everyone driving through the village will see our works of art. The rules are the snowmen must be dressed with only organic items, small sticks, carrots etc. So when the first big snowfall happens we hope to see all the kids out on the parkette making snowmen to cheer up those driving through... If you haven't come into the village lately you should come out and have a coffee & sweet at the bakery, and check out the lights and ice sculptures before they melt in this unusual weather... The Goodwood Baptist church holds their service on Sundays at 11:00 am and all are welcome to attend and share in the music that is offered each week. Sunday Jan 22nd music by Judith Connell, Jan. 29 music by Salome Legemaate, Feb. 5th music by Jean Liew, Feb 12 music by John Moore. There is also an evening planned on Sat. Feb 18 at 7:00pm to hear John Mackay the International Director of Creation Research Ministry from Australia and all are welcome to attend this special evening... The upcoming programs at the Goodwood Community centre are Zumba on Tues evenings at 7:00pm, so drop in and check it out. Saturday mornings is Yoga at 9:00 am and this is wonderful way to wind down after a busy week. If you are interested in learning how to cook meals from different countries then call 905-642-5689 and register for a class. Please mark your calendars for International Women's day March 8th and give me a call if you are interested in attending. May 16 is our annual Talent night where you can entertain the community with singing, dancing, reading, acting, etc remember this is not a competition, it is a night of entertainment. Call me at 905-640-3966 to register. bringing this cleverly updated production to the Uxbridge Music Hall. Come with us as we sail from "Sorry Her Lot" to "Oh, joy, oh, rapture" in one brief voyage. H.M.S. Pinafore opens January 19, with shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. on January 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28. There will also be matinee performances at 3:00 p.m. on January 21, 22 and 28. Tickets can be purchased online at www.onstageuxbridge.com, by calling 905 904 0895, or by visiting La Petite Fleur at 43 Brock Street West in Uxbridge during regular business hours. Enjoy the voyage!