Clydesdales, Roseville by John Cavers

Volume 9 No. 19 YOUR UNIVERSE Thursday, May 16th 2013

A FIELD OF GLASS - Catching a trout is really kind of beside the point as this fisherman enjoys the early evening peace beside Elgin Pond at its most beautiful. With the last of the cold weather behind us, the pond willcontinue to attract all ages of anglers every night for the next several months. Photo by Nancy Melcher.

Inside This Week’s CosmosBarris in Sicily... 5

Treasures in the wilderness... 9

Fighting the stigma of mental illness... 10

On the edge of Ireland... 11

The Manse readies for a big summer... 16

Thur sday, May 16 th 20132The Uxbr idge Cosmos

Uxpool / Summer Camps .905-852-7831Arena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .905-852-3081Historical Centre . . . . . . .905-852-5854Animal Shelter . . . . . . . . .905-985-9547Chamber of Commerce . .905-852-7683Ux. BIA ... 905-852-9181 ext. 406

Uxbridge Public Library 905-852-9747Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat. 10 am - 5 pm, Tues., Thurs. 10 am - 9 pm Sundays after Thanksgiving to May 24 weekend 1 pm - 5 pm

www.uxlib.com

Zephyr Library905-473-2375

HOURS Tues., Thurs., 3 pm - 8 pmSat 10 am - 3 pm

51 Toronto Street SouthP.O. Box 190, Uxbridge L9P 1T1

Tel: 905-852-9181Fax: 905-852-9674

The Corporation of

The Township of Uxbridgewww.town.uxbridge.on.ca

Council and Committee Meeting Schedule for May

Monday, May 20thNO MEETING - Victoria DayMonday, May 27thCOUNCIL 7:00 p.m.

Township of Uxbridge documents are available in alternate formats upon request. Please fill out theRequest for Alternate Formats Form at www.town.uxbridge.on.ca or contact the AccessibilityCoordinator at 905-852-9181 ext. 209 or at accessibility@town.uxbridge.on.ca.

UXBRIDGEPUBLIC LIBRARY

Program Director, Pamela Noble,905-852-9747, ext. 24OPENS at 10:00 am (previously 9:30)

AS WE SEE IT…'Rambling Through Romania'Wed. May 22, 1:00 pm. Fantastic car tour intothis country, steeped with history and intrigue! Discover painted monastaries, very old wood-en churches, quaint museums and Dracula'sREAL castle! Our host Wayne Godbehere, whowas accompanied by wife and staff memberAnne, will take us down the TransfagarashanHighway, through various provinces includingTransylvania and Moldavia.

HOLIDAYS are coming…DAILY classes and funevents will be offered EVERY day during Julyand August for a nominal cost, as in PREVI-OUS years. Two babysitting courses areplanned as well. WEEK LONG CAMPS for kidsentering grds. 1-4, week of Mon. July 15-19 andMon.Aug.19-23. Bring along a lunch andsnacks for this. Team building skills,creativeactivities, laptop time/training, crafts, problemsolving,and self expression, with time toexplore the library! Watch for more details,including newsletters, to be distributed to areaschools. Pre-registration for all of the aboveopens on Mon. June 3.

GO!: TD Summer Reading Club 2013 Studentsentering grades 2-7 are invited to join thisFREE club running all summer long. Kick-offday is Wed. July 3 at 2:00 pm. and get- togeth-ers are planned every week to explore, imagineand share experiences, of places close tohome and those far away. Crafts, games, andactivities complement a special passport to fillup with sticker stamps, as books are complet-ed. Loads of fun!! A reading booklet will alsobe available in the Children's Dept. for pre-schoolers.

TEEN SUMMER READING: A great time tocatch up on favourite authors and try newones! Titles to be announced later this month.For more information, and to see blog postsfrom previous years, check out our website:http://uxlib.com/teenreading or call Corrinne at905-852-9747. Watch for us to visit your schoolto talk more about this cool holiday activity.

PUBLIC TENDERTENDER NO. U13-28

Skate Park Landscaping ProjectUxbridge Rotary Skate Park

Full supply and install of interlocking stoneand landscaping as per sketch provided,including retaining wall, interlocking stone,sod and installing a bike rack (provided) toconcrete surface.

Tender may be picked up at the MunicipalOffice, 51 Toronto Street South, Uxbridge,Ontario. Tenders will be received untilFriday, May 17th, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

Debbie Leroux, Clerk

Lowest or any quote not necessarily accepted.

STREET SWEEPING

Street sweeping will be continuing inthe upcoming weeks, weather permit-ting, and will take 6 - 8 weeks to com-plete. Please try not to park on thestreets during this time. Please leavethe sand on the road as there will notbe any special pick up of sand left inpiles or in pails. It is acceptable to rakeany sand that has accumulated on theboulevard into the curb and gutterprior to the sweeping of the street.Any areas that are missed due toparked cars will be redone after allsweeping is complete.

Below is the schedule for sweeping:1. S/E corner of town - COMPLETED2. N/E corner of town - COMPLETED3. Rural subdivisions and hamlets4. N/W corner of town5. S/W corner of town6. Town parking lots

(The town portion is divided into 4areas with the Brock & Main Streetintersection as the centre point.)

HORSE LOVER'S TOURUXBRIDGEMAY 25, 2013

10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.

The Township of Uxbridge in part-nership with the Township ofScugog, are pleased to offer a selfguided tour of local horse barnsand demonstrations that will be ofinterest to all horse lovers. Anaward winning octagon horse barn,horse breeding farm, a Ferrierdemonstration, equine massagedemonstration and horsemanshipdemonstrations are just a few of theinteresting attractions and eventsthat will be offered as part of thetour. There will also be an opportu-nity to meet and offer support tolocal Olympian and Team CanadaMember, Jessica Phoenix. You willhave an opportunity to tour DreamFeather Centre, Hop Hill Stables,Colebrook - racetrack breedingfarm and the Morgan Horse HistoricCentre. The Ferrier demonstra-tions will be hosted at BrookdaleFarms and the equine massagedemonstration and Olympian willbe hosted at the Uxbridge HistoricCentre.

Learn about different breeds ofhorses and their care and enjoy ourbeautiful countryside experience.Start the tour at the Historic Centre7239 Con 6, and follow the whitesigns with the black silouette horse.For more information contact PatMikuse at 905-852-0206.

The Township of Scugog tour dateis scheduled for June 2, 2013 -10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Check theTownship of Scugog website atwww.scugog.ca for further detailson the locations open for toursbeing - Windreach Farm,Dreamcrest, Hoskin Stables, J.C.Love Ranch and Cedar ValleyStables along with the opportunityto meet Olympian Michele Mueller.

MESSAGE FROM THE UXBRIDGE

FIRE DEPARTMENT

As the spring weather arrives residents areencouraged to be very cautious when burn-ing yard debris. The dried grass and thespring breezes can result in a controlledfire becoming a large out of control fire inmere seconds which may cause severedamage to life and/or property.

The Township requires all persons whowish to burn obtain a PERMIT to have anopen fire, comply with the burning by-law,and follow the requirements listed on theback of the permit.

Burning in a barrel or an approved appli-ance must conform to the By-law 2007-209. A permit is not required when burningis confined to these devices; however youmust call the number noted below toensure burning is permitted.

Burning Permits can be obtained from theMunicipal Office at 51Toronto Street Southor the Fire Station at 17 Bascom Street dur-ing normal business hours. Please notethere may be times during these hours thatfire station administration office may beclosed.

Prior to burning residents must call 905-852-9038, every time they wish to burn toensure burning is permitted. The Chief FireOfficial may revoke all burning privileges ifthe weather conditions are not appropriatefor safe burning.

Safe burning is your responsibility. If theFire Department responds to a fire as aresult of your carelessness, you areresponsible for all Fire Department costsassociated with the extinguishment of thefire.

If you wish to view the complete BurningBy-law it is available on the Township ofUxbridge website: www.town.uxbridge.on.ca/fire

If you have any questions concerning theBurning By-law please call 905-852-3393.

UXBRIDGE HISTORICAL CENTRE

UPCOMING EVENTS

• May 10 - 12 & 17 - 20 Quilts on QuakerHill, heritage quilt display at the Centre• Thurs., May 23, 7pm History of CCM andCycling presentation with author & historianJohn McKenty at the Centre• Sat., May 25 Horse Lovers' Tour at theCentre and other Township sites• Sat., June 1 Scavenger Hunt &Geocaching Children's Program• Sat., June 1 Past & Presents Artisans'Spring Sale at the Centre• June 8 - Sept. 29 Freemasonry: A HistoryHidden in Plain Sight travelling exhibit atthe Centre• Sat. June 15 Discovering Your FamilyTree Children's Program

The Historical Centre is located at 7239Concession Rd. 6, just north of the round-about at Durham Road 8. Please visit ourwebsite www.uxbridgehistoricalcentre.comor contact the museum at905-852-5854 or muse-um@town.uxbridge.on.cafor more details.

FROM THE TAX DEPARTMENT

Now is the time to enroll in our Monthly orInstallment Pre-Authorized Plan for prop-erty taxes.

To be eligible for this program, your taxaccount must be paid in full.

Application Forms are available on ourwebsite at www.town.uxbridge.on.ca sec-tion Department - Treasury - TaxInformation or at the Tax Department.The deadline to submit your Application is

May 31, 2013.

Thur sday, May 16 th 20133The Uxbr idge Cosmos

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VOLUNTEERS OF UXBRIDGE!

• North Durham Relay For Life ~ June 7th and8th • Canada Day Uxbridge ~ July 1st • Rib Fest ~ July 18th-22nd • Highlands of Durham Games ~ July 25th-29th • Uxbridge Fall Fair ~ September 27th • Uxbridge Scugog Animal Shelter ~ Ongoing • Habitat for Humanity ~ Ongoing • Africycle ~ Ongoing

To register as an official volunteer withVolunteers Of Uxbridge, or to inquire about localevents requiring assistance, please contactRebecca Harman at

camps@town.uxbridge.on.ca or visit ourFacebook Page (~ Volunteers Of Uxbridge ) forup to date volunteer opportunities and eventcontacts!

UXBRIDGE SUMMER CAMPS!

Hurry! Hurry! Get your %5 discount per campregistration, AND a FREE camp t-shirt beforeMay 31st! We have something for everyoneages 3-15 with over 25 specialty camp pro-grams! WE LOVE UX CAMPS! • Website: www.town.uxbridge.on.ca • Email: Rebecca Harmancamps@town.uxbridge.on.ca • Phone: 905 852 7831

Thur sday, May 16 th 20134The Uxbr idge Cosmos

our two cents

9,000 copies of the Cosmos are published each Thursday in the Township ofUxbridge: 8,300 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 1E6e-mail: cosmosboyce@powergate.caweb 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 nec-essarily those of the The Cosmos. Letters must be signed and the telephone number provided (numberwill not be published). Requests that a name be withheld will be honoured only if there is a compellingreason. Errors brought to our attention will be corrected. The Cosmos reserves the right to edit or refuseto publish unsolicited material. ADVERTISING POLICY: The Cosmos reserves the right to refuse any adver-tisement. The Cosmos is not liable for slight changes or typographical errors in advertisements or anyother errors or omissions in advertisements. All material herein, including advertising design is copyright-ed, and may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

Do we really need guns?Someone called in to the Cosmos this week to report they’d seen a bear down nearWagg Road. That’s not unusual. In fact, they’ve even been spotted in town from timeto time. And we keep hearing about cougar sightings up in the former Scott Township,one time near Sandford, another time outside of Udora. Coyotes, of course, are a com-mon sight almost anywhere, although they seem to be a little shy about walking downBrock Street in the middle of the day.

Despite the variety of wildlife in the township, however, when was the last time youever heard of anybody losing any livestock to them? Maybe a stray chicken, but howmany cows, or horses, or alpacas, have fallen victim to a wild animal in the middle ofa night? The fact is, bears would rather munch on berries or ants. Cougars, if any trulyexist around here, have got plenty of deer (or coyotes, for that matter) to keep themoccupied. And the coyotes would rather chase rabbits or wild turkeys than go anywherewhere they’d have to mess with a dog.

So it’s hard to buy the argument that local farmers need guns to protect their prop-erty, which is one of the reasons being put forth, in the current debate over a newfirearms bylaw, for allowing rural gun-owners to carry out target practice on their land.We agree with Councillor Northeast, who suggests maybe they should get a GermanShepherd or Border Collie instead.The township is currently afflicted with one gun range, which as you’ll read in the let-

ter on page 14, wants extended hours. Why? We would suggest rather that we don’tneed such a range at all. Anybody who commutes down Brock Road to the 407 everyday passes another one south of Claremont, so if the members of the Uxbridge GunClub really need a place to practice, we suggest they become members there, wherethe sounds of the guns will soon be drowned out by the planes from the nearbyPickering Airport. We have no objection to Uxbridgers owning guns, so long as they’re locked away like

artifacts, unloaded, in a secure cabinet. But wouldn’t it be remarkably enlightened ifour municipality passed a bylaw to actually forbid the firing of a gun within its borders?Recent incidents in the U.S., such as where a girl was shot by her five-year-old broth-er, illustrate the insanity of the gun culture.

It’s understandable, perhaps, that some Uxbridge councillors are reluctant to tread inthe controversial territory of gun use. But where national or provincial/state govern-ments refuse to take even the most basic steps toward protecting their citizens from theongoing tragedy that guns perpetuate, maybe it becomes the duty of courageousmunicipal politicians to finally say enough is enough.

We would challenge someone to give us a single good reason why a gun needs to befired within the boundaries of Uxbridge. If the police need to use their firearms toenforce the law (although they don’t seem to need them in other parts of the world),that’s one thing. But anyone else? We can see the NRA storming our office tomorrow,but a gun-free Uxbridge would be a truly wonderful place.

Letters to the EditorShame on you! Who are you? Twomiddle-aged women in a small greenSUV vehicle. Your shame? Dumpingyour junk this morning just before teno’clock, which you knew was openingtime, at the back door of Chances Are.

I watched the two of you as youfurtively dropped the stuff off and I justthought that you were in a hurry.Later, as we went to the back door totake our stuff inside, one of the volun-teers came out and you have NO IDEAhow crestfallen she was to see the stuffyou had dumped there.

As far as I know, we are entitled to putout FOUR bags of garbage every twoweeks. I can’t imagine that either of youif you live separately, or you as a couple,can produce four bags of householdgarbage every two weeks, so you hadample opportunity to put your trash outfor collection rather than dumping it atthe back door of Chances Are.

What were you thinking? We rely onthe proceeds from that store to helpwith the Cottage Hospital. Have eitherof you enjoyed the convenience of hav-ing a mammogram done there insteadof heading into Markham? Has a mem-ber of your family used the services ofthe hospital?

I am willing to bet neither of youwould be willing to help out at ChancesAre, given your callous behavior today.So if the current volunteers get fed upwith dealing with ingrates like you, whowill keep the store running?

If I had known what you were doing, Iwould be publishing your license platein this commentary. If I knew how tocrowd source, I would raise money toput in a state of the art security systemthat would take pictures of people likeyou and I would hope that Conradwould be more than happy to publishyour picture and/or your license plate.

I have written about this before.Shame on you and all the other slugslike you for being so thoughtless andselfish!!

Susan FedorkaGoodwood

On May 3rd and 4th, the UxbridgeKinsmen Club members, present andpast, along with many wonderful volun-

teers held a tag day of “Daisies” in sup-port of Cystic Fibrosis Research for aCure.

Our grateful appreciation is alsoextended to the Downtown Branch ofthe TD Bank, LCBO, The Beer Store,Canadian Tire Store and Vince’s Marketfor allowing our canvassers on theirpremises to tag for this important cause.We also extend a big thank you to Low’sFurniture and their staff for makingtheir store available for the pick-up andreturn of the canvassers’ kits.

We are pleased to advise that throughtheir collective efforts a total of$3014.80 was raised for Cystic FibrosisResearch. Many area families face thechallenge of Cystic Fibrosis on a dailybasis, and we sincerely thank each of ourvolunteers, and every person whodonated to the “Daisy” fund which onceagain proves what a great and caringcommunity Uxbridge is.

On behalf of the Cystic FibrosisFoundation and the Uxbridge KinsmenClub, we THANK YOU!This is the 70th anniversary year of the

founding of our Club in Uxbridge andwe extend an invitation to men andwomen aged 19 or older who may wishto become involved with our ServiceClub as a member to contact me at 905852 6086.

Kin Jim Campbell, SecretaryUxbridge Kinsmen Club

Upon reading the article that you wroteunder “our two cents” (May 2) I wasvery dismayed that you aren't informedabout our Tourist Advisory Committee.This is a “volunteer” Committee ofCouncil which on a monthly basismeets to implement the proposals thatthey have presented to Council such asthe Mobile Kiosk and the AmbassadorProgram. Some of their other duties areto take applications from local non prof-it groups such as the Foster, LMMSO,YDHR, Car Show, Half Marathon andthe Township of Uxbridge events suchas the Horse Lover's Tour, Farmers ofUxbridge, Historic Centre and the CNEto give you an example. They objective-ly analyze each request and make deci-sions based on criteria. They are veryconscious of their budget and careful to

make expenditures that contributetowards tourism. They also have a man-date and advertising is not part of it, noris any money budgeted for it. I wouldsuggest you pick up a copy of the man-date and I invite you to attend a meet-ing to better understand the committee.

Regarding your comments on OntarioTourism's brochure that was distributedin the Toronto Star on April 17, 2013,this is a breakdown of the costs foradvertising in this brochure. Full pagead is $21,000 and a 1/6 page ad is$4000. Unfortunately, Uxbridge's greatevent producers do not have this kind ofavailable money. However, OntarioTourism informed me that all of ourevents can be listed for free on theOntario Travel.net site and we willendeavor to pass this information on toall of our stakeholders. So I thank youfor pointing this Tourism Guide out tome.

Your comment regarding DurhamTourism “not doing anything for us” isvery disappointing. I have counted onand partnered with Durham Tourism toproduce a beautiful brochure for theLMMSO for their 100th Anniversary ofAnne of Green Gables which was hand-ed out at the excellent school programto celebrate/educate/inform school chil-dren. They have supplied a MediaLaunch Program for YDHR, Partneredat the CNE, Art of Transmissions givingus the opportunity to showcase ourcommunity and businesses, promotedus to Central Counties Tourism who isnow in the process of filming and pro-moting two aspects of heritage. On June18th of this year Durham Tourism ispromoting the trails of Durham andTrail Capital of Canada thru a medialaunch. They have contributed to thenew Horse Lover's Tour event. Theyprovide meetings, guest speakers toinform us of new opportunities that canbe implemented to increase tourism inour community. The last seven years hasbeen a great partnership with DurhamTourism.

Councillor Pat MikuseChair of Culture and Tourism

A Maple Leaf mea culpaIt’s all my fault.

Following the colossal collapse of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the dying minutes, and on into the over-time of their seventh game against the Boston Bruins Monday night, media savants had a heck of a timetrying to decide who to blame for the debacle. Was it goalie James Reimer, who seemingly suddenly forgothow to stop a puck? Was it the Toronto defense, which forgot how to block shots, or how to move bodiesfrom in front of Reimer, particularly the giant body of Zdeno Chara? Was it the Toronto forwards, who total-ly abandoned the attacking mode they’d been in all night, and retreated into a masochistic shell? Was itcoach Randy Carlyle, for not calming the boys down and reminding them how they’d taken the 4-1 lead inthe first place?Well, folks, it was none of the above. You can heap all of the blame on me. But perhaps a little background

is in order.Growing up in Edmonton, I was more of a football and basketball guy. Those were the sports we played

at our high school, so I got used to cheering for them, and the University of Alberta Golden Bears were pret-ty good at both of them. It wasn’t until after I’d moved to the Yukon that the Edmonton Oilers came intoexistence, and when they signed a kid named Gretzky, I got interested. I spent many a night in theWhitehorse bars cheering them on to their Stanley Cups.

After Wayne moved to L.A., I half-heartedly moved to the Canucks. After all, Vancouver was in our timezone. But I could never get very excited about them, and being a fair-weather fan, I soon decided I likedbaseball instead, rabidly following the championships of the Blue Jays.Soon after those World Series victories, in 1995, I moved to Ontario, and Toronto sports teams went in the

tank, except for the occasional uprising by the Argonauts, which, as many an NFL fan has pointed out tome, doesn’t really play in a truly professional league. That’s a debate for another time.

The sad truth is that no one in Ontario suspected that the reason for Toronto’s abysmal record in basket-ball, baseball and hockey over the last couple of decades was the quiet immigration of an actor/journalistgeek from the Yukon, a fellow who masqueraded as a sports fan, but instead carried the dreaded “loser”germ, with which he proceeded to infect southern Ontario, as if he were a giant ash borer or zebra mussel.

Despite this formidable handicap, the Maple Leafs in particular persevered, trying a bewildering succes-sion of coaches, general managers and disastrous trades until they stumbled on an ingenious solution -avoiding an early-season meltdown (from which they could never recover) by having no early season! Thisseason, they played but 48 games, and clinched a playoff spot way back in the 46th. It was rarefied air,and they thought the monkey was off their backs. But they had no idea where the monkey was.

I didn’t suspect anything was wrong until Game 3. I vowed that I wouldn’t pay the Leafs any mind unlessthey made the second round, but after they won Game 2 in Boston, I became intrigued. So I sat down infront of my minuscule screen partway through Game 3 to see what the fuss was about. Within seconds ofmy tuning in, Boston scored, and again a few minutes later. Disgusted, I powered off. Two nights later, Itried again, the same thing happened, and the Leafs were down three games to one. I began to suspect thatperhaps the Leafs weren’t the problem.So after they fought back in Boston in Game 5 and finally won at home in Game 6, I made a solemn prom-

ise to ignore the deciding game. Monday night I usually go to the office anyway. So as game time arrived,I firmly turned my back on the TV and headed here. But I dialled up ESPN about 8:00. Boston 1-0. Not myfault. But then we tied it. Then it was 2-1. The third period began, and it was 3-1, then 4-1. Less than 10minutes remaining. The game was in the bag. I turned off the Cosmos computers and went home to watchthe celebration.Fool. They must have heard me coming, because while I was en route, Boston scored #2. I walked into the

rec. room, #3. I sat down, #4. Unbelievable. Like a witness to a train wreck, I couldn’t tear myself away.Don’t watch the overtime, I pleaded with myself. But I did, and it was inevitably quick.

Sorry, guys. Maybe next year. I promise I won’t watch a second.

Thur sday, May 16 th 20135The Uxbr idge Cosmos

the barris beatcolumn by Ted Barris

Two-wheeled drive to serveOutside the restaurant in Catania, Sicily, the young man and woman were listening to

my conversation with Harry Watts. They overheard us talking about the liberation of their country, Italy. What made themoment rather special was that standing right in front of the young couple was one of the thousands of men who hadaccomplished that extraordinary feat, 70 years ago this summer. But the young couple seemed perplexed.

“We thought the Americans liberated our country,” the woman said.“No,” Harry Watts said politely, but firmly, “this part of your country was liberated by Canadians.”On July 10, 1943, the first of nearly 160,000 British, American and Canadian troops began the first concerted effort

to liberate mainland Europe from the grip of fascist dictators Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The first step, OperationHusky, included 26,000 soldiers of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division, which initially liberated Sicily, then the southernprovinces of mainland Italy, and eventually the cities of Rimini, Ravenna and Rome.

My veteran friend, Harry Watts, joined the First Div at Naples in the fall of 1943. But he felt comfortable speaking onbehalf of all Canadians serving in that liberation force seven decades ago. Indeed, on Monday of this week during anassembly at Secondaria Superiore Michelangelo Bartolo (high school) in Pachino, Sicily, not far from where theCanadians landed in July 1943, former dispatch rider Harry Watts answered questions from the students. One of thestudents was Marco Rudilosso.

“Why did you decide to become a dispatch rider?” Marco asked.“Because I was lazy. I was like a king seated on my throne, my motorcycle,” Harry quipped. But then he added, “I

carried messages that were too top-secret to be delivered by telephone or telegraph.”In fact, there was little about laziness or kings in his chosen wartime service. When the Canadian Army pushed its way

to a showdown with German paratroops at Ortona, on the Adriatic coast, around Christmas 1943, Watts and his Nortonmotorcycle became a lifeline on two wheels. Every other day, it seemed, the Canadian was motoring his way along dirtpaths, by bombed out towns, through mountain passes, in all kinds of inclement weather. He routinely left Naples at 8o'clock in the morning, travelled 250 kilometres northeast, and arrived at Ortona late in the afternoon with his militarymessages.

On most of those cross-peninsula trips, he rode alone. But even in remote areas, there was always the danger his bikemight break down, a tire might blow, or a German sniper might spot him. Once, Watts explained, he came to a washedout road with only truck and tank tracks through it. Fearlessly but cautiously, he sped through the mire only to meet aCanadian Army photographer on the other side.

“I missed your crossing,” the cameraman said. “Would you mind doing it again?”“Sure,” Harry said. “Stay there. I'll be going back the other way in a few hours.”Men and women who served Canada during the Second World War often talk about living life on the edge, or as if

there were no tomorrow. But Canadians carried with them more than a sense of respect for comrade and enemy. In Italy,Harry Watts indicated, the soldiers' responsibility went beyond victory or defeat. It included community and (where pos-sible) humanitarian service. In one Italian village the Canadians liberated, the civilian children were barefoot, their cloth-ing in tatters. When Watts and his buddy Reg Cochran found out, they approached divisional headquarters about repro-cessing old jeep tires.

“[We] cut them up in small pieces on a band saw,” Watts wrote in his memoirs, “and soon all the kids had somethingon their feet to keep them out of the mud.”

A few days later Harry Watts' motorcycle travels took him to an Allied-liberated hospital in Rome (by this timeCanadians had forced the capitulation of the Italian Army and had wrested the ancient city from the Germans). Heinformed hospital nurses that children in remote communities had insufficient clothing to get them through frigid con-ditions. He soon had scraps of Canadian Army uniforms and blankets repurposed into shirts, pants and jackets for thechildren.

“[The brigadier] came through one afternoon,” Watts said, “and thought we must have been running a black marketin old Canadian uniforms. He soon got the message and said no more.”

Outside the Sicilian restaurant where Harry Watts and I met the young couple unfamiliar with the Canadians' role lib-erating Italy, we pinned Canadian flags on their jackets. They went away chuffed they'd met one of their liberators. Theythought his past was pretty impressive.

Well, so is his present. He's still a valued member of the Memory Project, Friends of Veterans Canada, Canadian ArmyVeterans motorcycle riders and a Canadian Motorcycle Hall-of-Fame inductee. We passed a motorcycle parked in thestreet in Catania, Sicily, this week. I could see him salivate. He wanted to take it for a spin. Even on the eve of his 90thbirthday, I've no doubt he could do it.

For other Barris Beat columns go to www.tedbarris.com

wandering the cosmoscolumn by Conrad Boyce

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If there is any doubt about the commitment of our local businesses to com-munity projects, we need look no further than the recent Gimme Shelterfundraising dinner for the New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog.

Events such as this are possible only with the generous support of businesssponsors including the presenting sponsor, McDonald’s Restaurants ofUxbridge & Port Perry and the venue sponsor, Mill Run Golf Club. Withadditional support from Williamson Uxbridge, Canadian Tire Uxbridge,Vos’ Your Independent Grocer, Rutledge Jewellers and Pet Hospital onMain, the evening was a huge success.

More than 75 of our local businessesdonated goods and services to providethe door prizes, live auction and silentauction items that helped us move closerto building a new facility to care for lost,abandoned and neglected animals.

It is important to remember that insideevery local business, even the “national”brands, there are owners working hard tofeed their family and do the right thingfor their community. When we shoplocally and support these businesses,they support us right back. What a won-derful place to live!

A complete list of these incredible sup-porters, can be found at www.animal-shelter.ca. On behalf of the board ofdirectors, I would like to thank our busi-ness community for its generosity.

Elizabeth WilliamsFundraising Chair

New Animal Shelter for Uxbridge-Scugog

Opposition and cooperation

I write this View from the Hillcolumn not from the Hill butfrom on the ground in Durham,where I am in the midst of thelast constituency week before thefinal five weeks in this session.In the next few weeks I will hitthe six month mark since myelection as Member ofParliament, and I am very happywith the organization inDurham we have been able tobuild in that time. By far, themost common question I havebeen asked in the last six monthsis how I am adjusting to politicallife and specifically how I reactto the often negative or criticalworld that is politics. With thiscolumn I hope to show thatdespite the rough and tumblenature of politics, there is a lot ofrespect on all sides and evenoccasional flashes of collabora-tion or cooperation.There will always be a degree of

criticism or negativity in politics.Candidates and parties areexpected to challenge the trackrecords, ideas, experience andjudgment of one another with

the goal of showing that one isbetter suited to represent theircommunity or lead the country.It is one of the aspects thatcomes with public servicewhether you like it or not. Myparty is running some TV com-mercials that question the trackrecord and judgment of JustinTrudeau. Some do not like thefact that the commercial is criti-cal of a new leader, but it is hard-ly the first occasion in whichpolitics has led to a tough cri-tique of an opponent. In fact, inour Durham by-election one ofthe opposition parties engagedin what many considered to bethe most negative local cam-paign ever waged. In the end,voters will be able to weigh theclaims being made by one sideagainst the other, alongside thetrack record and policy platformof each party, and the will of thepeople will triumph.

My first six months on the Hillhave shown that politics is notalways adversarial. I would liketo share a few examples to helpdispel the myth that there is onlydeep mistrust and constant neg-ativity in politics. In late March,I co-hosted a reception for veter-

ans groups on Parliament Hillalongside MPs from both theNDP and the Liberals. This wasmy first Ottawa event as an MPand I hosted it alongside twoopposition MPs who had alsoserved in the Canadian Forces.The reception highlighted theefforts by charitable and othervoluntary groups helping veter-ans transition into meaningfulemployment following theirservice. Since the cause of veter-ans should be above politics, thethree of us ensured the parlia-mentary reception was as well.

Yet another example came inthe form of Bill C-419, whichwill require Officers ofParliament (Auditor General,Information Commissioner,etc.) to be bilingual. This Billwas introduced by AlexandrineLatendresse, an NDP MP I havecome to know and respect forher passion on the subject.Despite being an opposition pri-vate member’s bill, it passedunanimously in the House atsecond reading, recognizing thefact that parliamentarians shouldbe able to work with these offi-cers in either of Canada’s officiallanguages. I have spoken posi-

tively about the Bill and MP atcommittee, and Ms. Latendressehas returned the courtesy in theHouse.

Finally, the emergency debateon Syria that took place lastweek in the House of Commonsis another good example. I wasthe final speaker for theGovernment at 11:20PM. Forpeople passionate about thisissue or those suffering frominsomnia and who watched thelate night Commons debate,observers would have noticedthat many of the speakers fromall sides were more or less inagreement on this serious sub-ject. After my speech, theLeader of the Green Party rose inthe House to thank me for thetone of my remarks. Weexchanged pleasantries and

words ofa g r e e -ment int h eH o u s ebefore debate wrapped up atmidnight.

I share these examples from myfirst few months in Parliamentbecause you would likely neverhave heard about them other-wise. Politics is more than justQuestion Period and criticismbetween parties and leaders, butthe stories of collaboration ormutual respect are not as com-pelling to the media as those ofconfrontation or criticism.

Thur sday, May 16 th 20136The Uxbr idge Cosmos

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www.thecosmos.ca

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View from the Hill by Erin O’Toole, MP

Letters to the Editor

Thur sday, May 16 th 20137The Uxbr idge Cosmos

An Uxbridge FamilyPhotos by

John Cavers

“Hurricane” Mike Thompson is a multi-talented performing musi-cian: doubles on harmonica; guitar; dobro; bottle-neck slide gui-tar; pedal-steel; lap-steel; eight-string Hawaiian steel; electricbass; and mandolin. He’ll be bringing a good selection of thoseinstruments to the Foster. He is also an independent three-albumrecording artist.

ThisFridayat theFoster

7:30 p.m. 9449 Concession 7 Admission by Donation

MAY 17 - MIKE THOMPSON

Look for us every Sundayfrom Mother's Day to Thanksgiving!

Uxbridge Arena Parking Lot 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

For moreinformation call

Lisa Cooper905-473-9867

Lots of fresh produce, bakedgoods and more!

Buy fresh, buy local! Our 12th Season!

USS Reunion coming up fastMany years have passed since purchasing my UxbridgeHigh School pin in the late 50's. I remember somebought rings. I am not sure why I chose a pin. A littlesilver polish renewed its shine.

During my high school years, the school was muchsmaller. The town students and bussed in students fromlocal rural schools were integrated for the first time andnew friendships were formed.

Those who had Mr. Bernhardt as their principal,teacher, neighbour or friend always considered them-selves one of the lucky ones. Our school academics andsports were well noted.

I've always considered it a privilege to have suchrewarding memories of my high school years inUxbridge.

Catharine (Sheehy) Midgley

Information sought on World War l and World War ll veterans who were

former Uxbridge Secondary School students for Uxbridge 90th Anniversary Reunion

When Uxbridge Secondary School staff and students travelled toFrance on the most recent USS Remembrance Tour in April 2012,they had no idea how much they would be emotionally impacted bythe stories of the veterans who were former USS students. Our cur-rent students researched the veterans, and then located the graves /memorials of four former Uxbridge Secondary students, and nowthey want to learn more about these men, and other men and womenwho once walked the halls of Uxbridge Secondary.

As part of the 90th Anniversary celebrations for USS, the studentswill be organizing a Room of Remembrance and they are appealingto the community to help them in providing information so they canshare the stories of any former USS students who fought in eitherWorld War ll or the Great War. The students and teacher would liketo meet with veterans who were former USS students, or their fami-ly members to learn about their experiences, in order to pay tributeto them at the Uxbridge Secondary School Reunion on June 21-23,2013.

Please contact Tish MacDonald, teacher at Uxbridge SecondarySchool, at 905-852-3391 (w), 905-852-3195 (h), or atmacdonald_patricia@durham.edu.on.ca.

Thur sday, May 16 th 20138The Uxbr idge Cosmos

On Heritage Trailswith Allan McGillivray

Earlier I mentioned that the sideroads werenumbered 5, 10, 15, etc. starting at theUxbridge Pickering Townline. This number-ing started over again at Davis Drive becausethe sideroads north of it were in the formerScott Township. Sideroad 5, or DurhamRoad 11, is the Sandford Road.

Sideroad 10 is called Ashworth Road as itgoes through the rural community ofAshworth at the 6th Concession.

A part of Sideroad 15 at the 6th Concessionis called Weirs Road. The Weir family haslived there since about 1948. In the 1st and2nd Concessions, Sideroad 15 is calledHollingers Road. The Hollinger family livednorth of this road and east of the 2ndConcession Road from 1930 to 1953.

The section of Sideroad 20 in the 3rdConcession is called Meyers Road. John andIsly Meyers began farming there in the 1940s,and descendants still live there. In the 6thConcession, Sideroad 20 is called LeaskdaleRoad as it connects with the hamlet ofLeaskdale. This road was a "given road" tobypass the creek and mill ponds that were tothe north, and to provide access to saw andgrist mills.

Zephyr Road, Sideroad 25, goes through thehamlet of Zephyr.

Sideroad 30 in the 2nd concession is calledLeitch Road. Members of the Leitch familyhave lived on this road since about 1875.

Brewster Road is in the 4th Concession, andgoes east into the 5th Concession. TheBrewster family was in this area in the 1870sand 1880s. When the family originally came,they arrived by train at the Uxbridge station.They didn't have a place to stay, so the sta-tionmaster put them up overnight at the sta-tion. Mrs. Brewster was expecting a baby, anda little boy arrived during the night. As he wasborn in the Toronto & Nipissing RailwayStation, he was named John NipissingBrewster.

Sideroad 30 in the 7th and 8th Concessionsis called Fowler’s Road. Charles Fowler boughtpart of Lot 31, Concession 7 in 1951. A partof the east townline going north from FowlersRoad is called Kydd Road. George andMargaret Kydd farmed there and descendantsare still in the area.

The north townline is known as RavenshoeRoad. This is an extension of the RaveshoeRoad in York Region. The hamlet ofRavenshoe is located in there in the 5thConcession. The origin of this name is vague.One suggestion is that it is a shortened versionof "Raven's Hollow."

Oops. I mentioned earlier that Kester Lanein Zephyr was named after members of theBen Kester Sr. family. Thanks to a Cosmosreader, I have been pointed in another direc-tion. Kester Lane is in township lots 26 and27. Starting in the 1930s, Horace Kester andsome of his family owned land in the east partof Lot 27. As well, George Kester ran thenorth Zephyr store from 1953 to 1965. I hadthe right surname but the wrong branch of thefamily.

Another name from the past is The MaplesPark. It was located on the west side of the5th Concession Road or Durham Road 1,north of Wagg Road. This was a very activesite in the 1950s, and included horse ridingtrails, large swimming pools, a restaurant,gasoline station, etc.

The Uxbridge Brook runs north to join thePefferlaw Brook near Udora. Pefferlaw wasnamed by the Johnson family after their homein Scotland, and it means "a beautifulgreensward." The Pefferlaw Brook and theUxbridge Brook were once called the west andeast branches of the Black River. Earlier intime, the Black River was known by the nativename, "Muckatoo River," which apparentlymeant "Black River." A farm south of Udorawas named Muckatoo.

A branch of the Uxbridge Brook that runswest and south from Leaskdale is now calledthe Leaskdale Creek. The original name for itwas "Sucker Creek."

Sandy Hook is located in the northeast partof Uxbridge Town, but at one time it was acompletely separate community. A subdivi-sion was set up there in 1864. "Sandy Hook"is a name found in various locations. It mayhave originated because of sandy soil in anarea, or the shape of a shoreline.

Sandy Hook Road of course is named afterthe community. Members of the Colby fami-ly have lived in Sandy Hook for many years.Hence, the name Colby Road. It was earliernamed Kelly Street after John Kelly whobought land there in 1854. Gooseberry Lanegoes south and east from Sandy Hook Road.There were extensive market gardens at SandyHook for well over 100 years. For example, in1895 Mr. Dewhurst of Sandy Hook sold 40bushels of gooseberries he had grown.

Strattonville was a rural community at theintersection of Durham Road 23 and ReachRoad. Robert Stratton's hotel was there onthe Scugog side. Yes, there were hotels everyfew miles to look after the needs of travellers.

THE POLICE BEATDurham Regional Police recently concluded an Uxbridge park equipment arson investigation withthe arrest of a 15-year-old Uxbridge youth.

On Friday, May 3, just before 2 a.m., North Division officers responded to a fire at the TestaHeights playground, located on Testa Road at Ontario Street in Uxbridge. Fire Services extinguishedthe fire but extensive playground equipment damages resulted. No injuries were reported. Police andFire Services determined the incident was criminal in nature and an arson investigation began.Officers canvassed the vicinity but suspects were not immediately located. Damage to the play-ground equipment was estimated at $8,000.

On Sunday, May 12, investigators arrested two youths in connection with the arson. A 15-year-old male youth from Uxbridge was charged with Arson and released on an Undertaking with con-ditions. A 14-year-old male youth from Uxbridge was cautioned. The identities of both youths areprotected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The end of March was our annualFamily Banquet--a great spaghettidinner followed by campfire songsand silly skits. Awards for longservice and exceptional servicewere given to many of our Scoutersbut really it's to thank the parentsfor their support and for their helpwith our program.Kub Kars in April saw us bringing

home the hardware. We competein three categories: Speed, Design-Cub with help or Design-Cubalone. In speed out of a field offifty we came 11th and 12th. Wehad no luck in Design-Cub withhelp but in Design-Cub aloneGriffen B. came away with the topprize and will have his name per-manently on the large trophy. We

also received a fourth and a tenthin the same category The Scoutswith their Scout Trucks also placedin the top twelve in speed anddesign.

Mid April the Beavers visitedReptilia in Vaughan for a sleepover.They started their tour with'Friday' the Komodo Dragon.When the keeper pulled out hiskeys, opened the door and brought'Friday' out it was very exciting.The Beavers could touch him andsee firsthand how long his tongueis. They met a legless lizard, geck-os, scorpions, snakes and manymore creatures. One of the high-lights was when the Beavers all saton the floor, legs out straight, whilea 150 pound python lay on theirlaps. Now that is up close and per-sonal!

After lights out they touredaround to see the nocturnal reptilesto see how active they had become.The alligators sized them up, fol-lowing the Beavers as they walkedabout. They bedded downthroughout the exhibits and in themorning learned what reptiles eat.Scouttrees was the Saturday of the

Earth Day weekend. Once againwe planted on and around lookouthill in the Countryside Preserve.Black cherry, white pine, white oakand red cedar were some of thenative species we planted-some500 trees in all. To me it was veryrewarding to see some of the trees

I'd planted last year coming out inbud.

Rewarding on a grander scale wasthe opportunity to see Scouttreesplanted 30 years ago. Alan Wells, aScouting alumni from many yearsago, had a windbreak of spruceplanted by the Cubs and Scouts in

1983 so he invited us to visit hisproperty. We saw the trees, touredhis sugar bush, saw the black wal-nuts he'd planted and all the bird-houses he'd put up. His land isprotected and hosts some rare trees- a great place to visit.

Thur sday, May 16 th 20139The Uxbr idge Cosmos

The Troop by Mark Humphrey

continued page 14

Hunting for treasure the high-tech wayby Nancy Melcher

Buried treasure is a favourite themein children's stories. Blackbeard andWilliam Kidd were real-life pirates,whose fame gave rise to many fiction-al favourites: Captain Flint inTreasure Island, Peter Pan's villainCaptain Hook, and more recentlyCaptain Jack Sparrow from Pirates ofthe Caribbean. Their lives wererough, exciting and dangerous asthey used mysterious maps and cryp-tic clues to hide, or better still tolocate, hidden treasure. Fast-forward to the year 2000. High

quality signals from twenty-four USDepartment of Defense satellites inorbit around the world were madeavailable to the public, allowing GPS(Global Positioning System) devicesto pinpoint a location to within 20

meters anywhere on the planet. Noneed for any maps! On May 3rd,Dave Ulmer, a computer consultantin Oregon, hid a bucket containing afew trinkets in the woods near hishome. He gave the co-ordinates ofthe bucket to some friends and chal-lenged them to find his hidden 'treas-ure chest'. The sport of geocachingwas born. There are now over twomillion geocaches hidden around theworld!

Geocaching (JEE-oh-cash-ing) is areal-world, outdoor treasure huntinggame using GPS-enabled devices.Participants navigate to a specific setof co-ordinates and then attempt tofind the geocache (usually a contain-er) hidden at that location. There aretwo main types of GPS devices usedin the game: hand-held units andsmart-phones. Smartphone users

must download an app to usethe technology on theirphone, and basic systems arefree for most devices.

Players go to www.geo-caching.com to start. Clickingon “Learn” brings up tutorialson how to get started, what tolook for, and recommenda-tions for equipment. Clicking

on “Play”, then “Hide and Seek aCache” and entering some simpleinformation under “Seek a cache”will bring up information about localgeocaches. Click on any one andyou're off!! A search using my postalcode and a radius of 10 km turned up153 possible targets - more thanenough to occupy a weekend ofhunting.

Every cache has a set of GPS co-ordinates that pinpoint its location.There's also a rating for difficulty ofthe hiding spot, difficulty of the ter-rain, and the size of the container, allon a scale of 1 (easiest/very small) to5 (hardest/very large). There's also adescription of the hiding place, andin some cases a clue. Beginnersshould look at the caches highlightedin green, as these are the easiest tofind. It's more fun to have initial suc-cess, and look for the harder cachesonce familiar with the game.

Smart-phone users have everythingat their fingertips as they can accessthe world-wide web in the field.Those using a hand-held GPS willneed to first download the caches totheir device at home. They shouldalso make notes of the ratings,description, co-ordinates, and clue

for each cache in asmall notebook tobring along.Everyone needs tobring some 'treasure'as well. The rule is toexchange goods ofequal or greatervalue: take some-thing from the cache and leaveanother item in its place, so there isalways some treasure to find. Traditional geocaches are a contain-

er of some sort, ranging in size froma film container to a big bucket or jar,often wrapped with camouflage tapeto help conceal it. They contain a logbook to sign to show you've foundthe cache, and all but the smallestwill have 'treasure' to exchange.Hiding places include hollow logs,stone or brush piles, hanging frombranches or fences, and magneticcontainers, to name just a few. Mostare accessible year-round, but deepsnow can bury those near theground.

When searching for geocaches, onething is very important. It's aSECRET! Just like long-ago pirates,geocachers want to keep their treas-ure chests hidden. With a nod to

Harry Potter, non-geocachers arecalled “muggles”. Modern treasurehunters are always on the lookout formuggles, and they take great care toreplace containers exactly as found soprying eyes don't mistake these treas-ures for trash.

If you'd like to give geocaching atry, but don't have a smart-phone,the Uxbridge Public Library has ahand-held GPS unit available to bor-row free of charge with a valid librarycard. It's pre-loaded with severalnearby geocache locations, so anypatron may use it to give this sport atry. It's a great family activity - whodoesn't love looking for treasure? Youalso have a GPS to find your wayhome, so no worries about gettinglost! Where in the world will thishigh-tech sport take you?

Teen Suicide: HonouringThose We Have Lost andLearning to Help Teens in theFuture

by Maggie Anderson

Tiger Talk is a forum for relayinginformation about USS activitiesand issues of concern to Uxbridgeyouth. Sometimes we take a lighternote, and other times we tackle verydifficult issues. This week, we turnagain to a very tough topic that wehave covered in the past, but onethat is so critical for all of us toacknowledge and try and betterunderstand. This past Saturday, at Elgin Park, it

was a day for remembering thoseUxbridge young people who havelost their lives to suicide. Veryimportantly, it was also a day ofawareness and prevention.

The Uxbridge Youth Centre(UYC) and the CAPAOC (theCompassion and Peace Associationof Canada) spearheaded the dedica-tion of a memory tree to honourthose we have lost in our communi-ty. A bur oak tree was planted, torepresent the qualities of strengthand endurance that are neededwhen responding to mental illness.Beside the memory tree is a stoneand bench, both acknowledgingthose who have died because of sui-cide.

As Laura Hughson beautifully sang'Arms of the Angel' by SarahMcLachlan, a number of doves(homing pigeons) were released.These doves were a reminder of theneed for peace, hope, and love inour world today. Clothespinnedstrings of cards, with words ofencouragement, also echoed thattheme of hope and strength.

Vanessa Slater, Executive Directorof the UYC, noted that Uxbridge ismoving towards being a suicidesafer community. This is being donethrough events such as this one,which reinforce that “doing some-thing like a safeTALK course orcoming out to a day of remem-brance helps us decrease the stigmaof talking about mental illness andsuicide.”

Ms Slater was thankful that theTownship of Uxbridge has takensteps to participate in this awarenesscampaign, including making publicspace for the memory tree, bench,and stone. The Township was repre-sented by Councillors GordonHighet and Bev Northeast. The lat-ter remarked that it is her hope thatthat the chance to sit, rest, andreflect in the shade of the memorytree will mean that we never forgetthe names of those that we have lost.

Between musical acts by a numberof thoughtful Uxbridge youth(many of whom were USS students,both past and present), a number ofguest speakers talked to the teens,

parents, and other communitymembers present about the need torespond to the stigmatization ofmental illness.

Jackie Zavitz, a speaker for theTAMI (Talking About MentalHealth) Coalition of Durham, toldof her personal struggle with mentalillness. Ms Zavitz said that she hasbeen diagnosed with bi-polardepression, but she did not learnabout it until her mid 30's. Thislack of diagnosis had an enormousimpact on her lifestyle as a youngperson. It negatively impacted on

her at university and in her employ-ment. As her life spun out of controlshe turned to alcohol.

Ms Zavitz described a time whenshe got more sympathy for a brokenarm, but no one wanted to talkabout her mental health issues. Shesaid that people seemed to have afear of engaging in a conversationabout mental health and many,including doctors, had a lack ofunderstanding about mental illness.

The good news, said Ms Zavitz, isthat from her diagnosis she was ableto take steps to turn her life around:she stopped drinking alcohol, shebecame physically active, and shesought ways to heal her mind, body,and spirit. This diagnosis has beenso life-changing, she has started anew career as a psychotherapist. Shewants to help others who have totravel the path of mental illness andface its stigma. Her hope is thateven talking to one person will help.Ms Zavitz stated: “Parents are start-ing to talk about their kids and

mental health. Everyone has to dealwith the stigma and judgmentattached to it.”One important step being taken by

the UYC is the Kindness Corner,which meets every Wednesday at4:00 pm at the UYC on BrockStreet. Its purpose is to teach adoles-cents about self-care and positivereinforcement. The youth meet andtalk about what is making themhappy and what is going wrong.

Stephanie Mulhall, who runs theprogram and was also present onSaturday, said she is pleasantly sur-prised that “youth are receptive tothe program and is amazed to seesome of the transformations thathave happened.” There are dayswhen ten to fifteen youth will par-ticipate.

Holly Maillet and Ashley Simpkissare two grade 12 students at USSwho were at the day of remem-brance and awareness on Saturday.They have been going on and off tothe Kindness Corner for the lastyear and a half. Holly said it is “anawesome place to talk about thingson your mind” and Ashleyremarked “you learn about otherpeople's situations and this makesyou understand things more.” Theyboth said that once the kids get pastthe first meeting they realize it is asafe place, with great healthy snacks,and then they open up and want totalk.

One of things the UYC is con-cerned about, said Stephanie, “is thelack of resources for mental healthand places for teens to go if they orsomeone they know is feeling suici-dal.” Stephanie is presently develop-ing a program called KindnessChanges Everything, a mentalhealth program she hopes to bringinto schools and other youth cen-tres.

So on Saturday, Uxbridge remem-bered its sadness, but also sought tofind hope in the kindness andawareness that is out there sur-rounding teen mental health andsuicide.

Thurs May 16th Cruise In First of the season!Entertainment by Chris Johnston. 6 p.m. to dusk,Uxbridge Arena.

Thurs., May 16 Uxbridge GenealogyGroup 7:00 PM, Lower Hall of Uxbridge PublicLibrary. All welcome. 50/50 draw, $2.00 admis-sion. Topic of discussion is " How to Begin WritingYour Family History" with tips and how-tos by localexperts.

Fri, May 17, 9:30 a.m. Oak Ridges TrailAssociation Hike: Brock Tract. 10+km, 2+hrs,fast pace loop hike with some hills. Meet at parkingarea east side of Conc. 6, 5.5 km south of DurhamRd. 21 or 0.5 km north of Uxbridge-Pickering townline. Contact: Russ Burton 905-830-2862.

Fri., May 17 Fridays at the Foster MikeThompson, Guitar 7:30-8:30 p.m., FosterMemorial. Admission by donation.

Sat, May 18, 7:00 a.m. Oak Ridges TrailAssociation Hike: Al Shaw Side Trail. 4+km,1+hrs, Moderate pace loop hike with some hills.No dogs please. Meet at trail entrance, west sideof Conc. 7, 2 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Contact:Russ Burton 905-830-2862.

Mon, May 20, 9:30 a.m. Oak Ridges TrailAssociation Hike: Secord/Goodwood. Slow tomoderate pace 2.5hr hike. Well-mannered dogswelcome. Go 2 km south of Goodwood Rd. onConc. 3 then east on Secord Rd. to parking lot.Contact: Gail Dutchak 905-737-6675.

Tues., May 21 1:00 PM Uxbridge SeniorCitizens' Club TEA and BINGO. Please bringyour mug. New Members Welcome $10.00 pp peryear.

May 23 - June 1 Footloose Legendary musi-

cal presented by Uxbridge Youth Theatre at Ux.Music Hall. See page 9 for more.

Thurs., May 23, 7pm. Canada Cycle &Motor: The CCM Story at the UxbridgeHistorical Centre Schoolhouse. Hear author andhistorian John McKenty relate the history of cyclingand the CCM Company. All are welcome to attend.Admission by donation.

Thurs May 23 Cruise In Classic auto show.Entertainment by the fiddling Dnes Sisters. 6 p.m. todusk, Uxbridge Arena.

Fri., May 24 Fridays at the FosterPineridge Chorus, Barbershop and NancyHall, Folk 7:30-8:30 p.m., Foster Memorial.Admission by donation.

Fri., May 24 AfterGlow CD Release Party7:30 p.m. St. Andrews-Chalmers PresbyterianChurch. Tickets $5 at door. See page 8 for more.

Sat., May 25 Compost Giveaway 8-Noon. Uxbridge Arena.

Sat, May 25, 9:00AM, Pond Workshop byYork Durham Chapter of Ontario WoodlotAssociation Everything you need to know aboutconstruction or maintenance of a pond. At YorkRegion Forest HQ, 16389 Hwy 48, North ofAurora SR. Tickets $20. To register call Ray Gillisat 905-473-3766. Further info at www.ont-wood-lot-assoc.org

Sat., May 25 Bicycle Fun and Safety Dayfrom noon to 3 p.m. at the Kids Safety Village,1129 Athol St.,Whitby.

Sat, May 25, 7:00 a.m. Oak Ridges TrailAssociation Hike: Al Shaw Side Trail. 4+km,1+hrs, Moderate pace loop hike with some hills.No dogs please. Meet at trail entrance, west sideof Conc. 7, 2 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Contact:Russ Burton 905-830-2862.

Sat., May 25 Mega Bingo at the UxbridgeArena , presented by the New Animal Shelter for

Uxbridge-Scugog. The doors open at 6 p.m.Admission is $25 (two-strip book), $30 (three-stripbook) or $40 (five-strip book).

Sat., May 25 10 to 4pm Horse Lover's TourUxbridge. Visit 5 local sites of stables anddemonstrations for equine life. See page 2 formore..

Sat., May 25 Plant Sale by Ux.Horticultural Society. 9-11 a.m. CoffeeTimeParkette.

Sat., May 25 Friends of the Zephyr Library isholding a Bag of Books for a Buck sale from9 - 1. Donations accepted. We also accept DVD'sand CD's.

Sat., May 25 Tudor Consort A concert ofRenaissance choral music. 4 p.m. HistoricLeaskdale Church. Admission by donation to theLucy Maud Montgomery Society.

Sat., May 25, 8 PM, Greenbank Folk MusicSociety presents Canadian singer, CatherineMacLellan, with guitarist Chris Gauthier.Greenbank Centennial Hall. Tickets $25 at BlueHeron Books.

Sun., May 26 Goodwood Baptist Churchcelebrates 137th Anniversary on 11am. & 7pm.with the Bonds of Love Male Quartet singing inboth services. Lunch after Am. service & refresh-ment after Pm. service. All welcome.

Sun., May 26 Purina Walk for DogGuides. 9 a.m. Elgin Park.

Sun., May 26 Pine Grove Church - SpringAnniversary Service 3 p.m. Guest speakerRev. Joe Schaefer, Uxbridge Free MethodistChurch.

Wed., May 29 Lunch and Learn: Noon-2 p.m. Wooden Sticks Golf Club Energy conserva-tion for your business. See page 3 for more.

Thurs., May 30 Soup Lunch Join us 11 am -1 pm for homemade soup, bread, dessert and bev-

erage - all for just $3. Bottomless bowl for $5!! Funand friendship free. Goodwood United Church.

Thurs May 30 Cruise In Classic auto show.Entertainment by Bill McKee. 6 p.m. to dusk,Uxbridge Arena.

Fri., May 31 Fridays at the Foster TommyPullin, Vocals/Guitar 7:30-8:30 p.m., FosterMemorial. Admission by donation.

Sat, June 1, 7:00 a.m. Oak Ridges TrailAssociation Hike: Al Shaw Side Trail. 4+km,1+hrs, Moderate pace. No dogs please. Meet attrail entrance, west side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km southof Durham Rd. 21. Contact: Joan Taylor 905-477-2161.

Sat., June 1 Trinity United ChurchUxbridge presents the 43rd Annual Tourof Homes, 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm. Ticket inadvance $18.00 can be purchased at PharmaSavePharmacy, Shopper’s Drug Mart, TrinityUnited Church. On June 1st, tickets $20.00. Adultsonly please

Sun., June 2 Music Fest 10-11 at ReachviewGardens, Uxbridge. We welcome all ages and alltalents, be it singing, playing an instrument, danc-ing or story-telling; and our audience is very appre-ciative! For more info please call jo at 905-852-6487.

Sun., June 2 Motley Theatre 7 pmAt the Uxbridge Legion. Boy Gets Girl by RebeccaGilman. $15 - First come first serve, so comeearly...

Sun., June 2 York-Durham HeritageRailway Opens for Season Trains at 10 a.m.and 2:30 p.m. from Uxbridge station.

Ladies Monday Night Ride – DurhamMountain Biking Association. Weekly ride forwomen of all abilities- Continues till mid- September(except on long weekends). Meet at Durham Forestmain parking lot on Conc 7 6:30pm – 8:00pm(.5km south of Goodwood Rd)– all welcome.

Wednesday Night Ride Durham MountainBiking Association. Weekly ride for all levels of rid-ers. Continues till mid- September. Meet at DurhamForest main parking lot on Conc 7 (.5km south ofGoodwood Rd)– all welcome. 6:30pm – 8:00pm.

The Uxbridge Ladies Slo-pitch League will beplaying on Thursday evenings. We are welcomingnew players, if interested please email uxbridge-ladiesslopitch@gmail.com

Looking to start a fun, pick up Ultimate FrisbeeLeague this summer. No experience necessar. Allinterested please email waglerette@gmail.com

Uxbridge Farmers’ Market Every Sundayfrom 9 to 1 in Uxbridge Arena parking lot. Seepage 7 for more.

Wash Worx Laundromat is collecting Gently UsedOr New Sleeping Bags and Twin Comforters ForThe Salvation Army Kids For Camps fromApril 15th to June 15th.

Loaves & Fishes Food Bank is openWednesdays 1-4 p.m. for those requiring assis-tance. All donations are always appreciated.Current needs include: Instant Coffee, Tea,Ketchup, Peanut Butter, Tuna/Hamburger Helper,Canned Fruit, Toothpaste, Soap, Shampoo. Taxreceipts are issued for Financial Donations.Donations may be dropped in the Food Bank Boxat Zehrs or at St. Andrew's Presbyterian ChurchMonday to Friday 9 a.m.-noon.

Hospital Auxiliary “Chances Are” Store onBascom Street accepting good spring and summerclothing. Proceeds to Cottage Hospital.

If you have a community event you’d like us to men-tion, please contact us at cosmosboyce@power-gate.ca or 905-852-1900. The deadline for ournext issue is 6 p.m. Sunday.

Thur sday, May 16 th 201310The Uxbr idge Cosmos

ONGOING

THIS WEEKEND

UPCOMING

NEXT WEEK

Coming Up

Tiger Talk

A home in the west

The sky breaks open as we leave thecity. It yawns and stretches and issuddenly twice as big. Clouds gath-er and skew, leaving brilliant azurepatches of sky slashing across myline of vision.

We barrel west. I see clouds melt-

ing from sky into rain, falling on thewindshield and the open road, butwe press forward. As we hit thecoast the wind presses against usand we turn north to Connemara.Rugged fields scrubbed of theirgreen roll past, fenced in by piledstone. They are lonely, expansive,stark. The Atlantic follows us,

turquoise, black, midnight blue.Wind pulls white caps from thewaves and throws them against thecliffs beyond.

Our ferry greets us against thewind and rain and carries us overocean swells that launch us backand forth, side to side. The sunemerges, blinding against themoody waters, turning raindropsinto diamonds. As we tip violentlymy knuckles whiten and I hold mygaze upon the looming island.

Inishmore. We dock. My griploosens and we step off the ferryunder a dark cloud. The wind whipsand pulls the words from mymouth, and we turn our backs tothe pier to find refuge. The sunmakes one final valiant appearancefor the day, hauling the brightest,most vibrant double-rainbow acrossthe sky, its arc unbroken, its colourstrue. I smile to myself; that's whatthe rain is for, after all.

As our evening progresses on thiswee island, we find our place amongits eight hundred residents in one oftheir half dozen pubs, next to anopen coal fire. The gentle emberswarm my face while a glass ofGuinness warms my stomach afterthe stormy clouds in the glass, echo-ing the storm in the sky over theocean, finally settle. A banjo andmandolin take up a trad session inthe corner and locals are brought totheir feet, the rhythm compellingthem lightly across the open floor.They speak in lilting Irish and I getlost in the music of this nearly lostlanguage. We float to bed on an

Irish coffee, thepersistent rain ismy lullaby, and Idrift off listening tothe melody.

The morninggreets us bright andwindy. We embarkfor the south of theisland, our prizelooming in the dis-tance: DúnAnghosa, a stonefort over threethousand years old.We hike with thesun at our back and the wind in ourface, and imagine what it wouldhave been like then, poised at theedge of the known world, guardedby stone and hundred meter cliffscascading down to the ocean tem-pest who throws waves against therocks, merciless. We stand againstthe elements, exposed, with anuninterrupted view of the wholeisland. The quiet is hollowed by thewhipping wind, and all of a suddenI feel small, alone. By now the rain has blown back in

and we escape to another open fire,this time clutching a mug of tea, a

liquid fire that warms the belly andsoul. The thatched cottage café hasnarrow windows and I peer out atthe brewing sky.

Inishmore. It's quiet here, privateand untouchable, timeless.Everywhere you look is wild ocean,and peering west leads you straightto the edge of home. We turn backtoward the ferry, toward motorwaysand cities and smaller skies.However, a piece of my heart andimagination remains, poised at thetop of the cliffs with the sea, thesalty air and the wind, wild.

Thur sday, May 16 th 201311The Uxbr idge Cosmos

The Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Foundation would like toexpress its sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the

6th Annual Swing into Spring tournament Friday, April 26h. With your involvement and the excellent sup-

port provided by Wooden Sticks, UCH Foundation raised$16,000 for the Uxbridge Hospital this year!

Special thanks to the following Sponsors & Volunteers:

T H A N KY O U !

• BDO Dunwoody• Brookfield Homes(Ontario) Limited• Getaway Travel• James-CampbellInsurance Brokers• K. J. BeamishConstruction Co. Ltd.• Lafarge Canada Inc.• Macaulay ShiomiHowson Limited• Oasys Healthcare

• Peck Bros. Ltd. / Uxbridge Shell• Premier Car Wash• Ron Noble Insurance Ltd.• ASE Aggregates Ltd.• Shobrook Gardens Inc.• Toronto Street Medical Clinic• TCG National Inc.• Vince's Market• Williamson Uxbridge• Wooden Sticks

Dan Pollard, David Clark,John Davies, David Short,Roger and PaulinePresland, Susan Long,Michelle Steele, JeffKinnersly, NoreenAndreassen, Mark Christoff,Wendy Jones, GregSeemann, Steve Wilson,Meagan Vallant, BevKerrigan and MargaretFleming.

And, of course, thegenerosity of thegolfers!

ROTARY CLUB OF UXBRIDGE

Presents...

HAVING A BLAST!This 2-hour laughter-filled and absolutely fun workshop is for 7- 14 year olds.Inspirational Comedian Jacquie Hermans will take youthrough improv-based gamesthat will help you to deal withwhatever life throws you.

Bring Friends!!!

SAT. MAY 18Time: 1- 3pm

Location: Uxbridge Public Library

Cost: $5.00To register call (905)

862-3456

Far From Homeby Jennifer Carroll

Leaskdale News with Helen Harrison

Rooster Chips, adjacent to LeaskdaleCountry Store, is now open for the sea-son. Stop by for burgers, fries, shakes, andother goodies.

We are saddened to hear of the recentdeath of Shirley McKnight. She will besorely missed by her loving and extendedfamily, many friends, and neighbours. Acelebration of life will take place at a laterdate. Shirley will be remembered for hermany acts of kindness and helpful ways.

Leaskdale Women's Association is hav-ing a BAKE SALE this Fri. May 17 on theporch at Leaskdale Country Store.Come at 12 noon for a good selection ofhome baking. Proceeds are for W.A. min-istries.

Good to see several of our local 'snow-birds' home from Florida for the summermonths.

Several women from the Leaskdale con-gregation have returned from ThunderBay, where they have been partners withwomen on two native reserves north andeast of the city. They joined with 22 otherwomen in a Women2Women group, pro-viding programs of crafts, music, andcommunity meals for those who grievefamily loss, and lack relationship skills.

Reserve the date for St. Paul's LeaskdaleSummer Camp. All children, Jr.Kindergarten to Grade 6 are invited tocome Jul. 8 - 12. for an interesting pro-gram of crafts, music, and sports, etc.each morning. Check the church web-site www.stpaulsleaskdale.com for moreinformation, or call 905 - 852- 3377.

Free

FREE PICKUP OF ANY TYPE OF METAL ORELECTRONICS, 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, WETAKE IT ALL. We also clean out sheds, barns, garages,stores, factories. 905-952-9844. 5/30WOOD FOR OUTDOOR FURNACE: 905-852-7634. 5/16

Services

QUALITY CUSTOM CARPENTRY: Custom Decks andYard Structures, Porches, Screen Rooms, Cabanas,Sheds, Pergolas, Gazebos & Privacy Walls. Top QualityWood Fences & Gates. Home Improvements &Renovations. Specializing in Custom Designed Solutions.Call Steve at Northwood Home Services ... 905-852-1750. 5/30HOME CARE FOR YOUR PETS: Day and overnightcare, your house or ours, no crates or kennels, reason-able rates, Uxbridge only. 905-852-4454. 5/9TUTORING: Physics, calculus, mathematics, by retiredscience department head. 31 years teaching experience.Call David at 905-862-2812. 6/13K9’S IN KAHOOTS – Start your puppy off on theright paw! Puppy Starter Classes for puppies 10-18weeks, Monday evenings @ 7pm. Beginner Obedience– 5 months & older, Monday evenings @ 8pm. Introto Agility for Fun!! Starts Thursday, May 30th @ 7pm.Private in-home training also available. Please call formore details. Call or email now to reserve a spot or formore information. info@k9sinkahoots.com , 6389Main Street, Stouffville, (905) 642-8289, www.k9sinka-hoots.com 5/30YOUR HANDYMAN!: Plumbing installation & repair,carpentry, drywall repairs, celing, stucco, vinyl flooring,ceramic, window installation & caulking, painting interi-or/exterior, small electric repair. 905-852-1424. 6/13D.J. PAVING: Hot crack seal, sealing, spraying, freeestimates, 10% off seniors. 905-904-3769. 5/16

Wanted

BE YOUR OWN BOSS only $10. AVON, callLinda 905 557 0070. lindadh@rogers.com 5/30VENDORS WANTED for June 1 Past & PresentsArtisan show at Uxbridge Museum, handcrafted itemsonly. Call JoAnne 905-862-5466. 5/16GOOD LAND: Local farmer wants standing hay field/ workable land. 416-571-1081. 6/13

NEW HIRE – SERVICE TECHNICIAN: ‘D’ licenserequired. Responsible for operating and maintainingservice vehicle for responding to customers with require-ments for submersible pumps, pressure tanks and con-trol systems. Reply by Resume to tw@wwwh2o.ca orfax 905-640-4365 or mail 13787 Hwy 48, Stouffville,ON L4A 7X3. 5/23HELP WANTED: Youth to work on cash crop farm onweekends, after school and during the summer.Reliable transportation required. (905) 852-5568.5/23

For Sale

CIVIL WAR BOOKS: Extensive collection of books onAmerican Civil War. Must see. Make me an offer. 905-852-1900. 5/16LOCALLY GROWN FLOWERS AND VEGETABLES:Wide selection of flowers and plants available startingMay 9th and vegetables available later at Jan HingFarm & Greenhouses, 11450 Conc. 3, Zephyr (2 min-utes N. of Ashworth Road). Landscapers welcome too.(416) 219-5012. 6/27HAULER/WAGON: 3’x5’. 905-852-7634. 5/16BARRYMORE SOFA, excellent condition, yellow floral$99; antique umbrella stand $125; antique copperboiler $75; camping equipment, bed frame. (905)852-5382. 5/16TWO BEDROOM CONDO: North Uxbridge, openconcept kitchen/dining/living room, newer carpet andpaint, single bath, great balcony view, good closet space.Incl. fridge and stove. Asking $195,000. Call deborah905-852-7063. 5/30

For Rent

ONE BEDROOM APT. large bright on quiet street intown, 900.00 inclusive, no pets/smoking, July 1. 905-862-3267 416-452-9585. 5/23

HORSE PASTURE: About 2 acres, fully fenced, solar,scenic, trees, privacy, groomed with additional alfalfa &timothy. 905-852-7634. 5/16LARGE FURNISHED BEDROOM in spacious housefor a single working male, sharing all utilities, TV, laun-dry, washroom ,parking (small car) internet(extra) NONSMOKER, no pets. Contact 905-852-4454. 5/162 BEDROOM APARTMENT: $900 p/mo. Renovatedwith laminate floors. Big bright picture window. Storageand parking. Hydro is extra. Call Kim 905-852-4540 orcell 647-463-3735. 5/23

Events

THE 8TH ANNUAL GOOD STUFF SALE Sponsoredby the Roxy Kids In Action and the Roxy Theatres.Saturday May 25th, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. If you’d liketo donate items, please call Cathy at 416-989-6963 forpickup. 5/16YARD SALE: House contents, 40 Parkside Dr. (acrossfrom Uxpool). Sat., May 18, 8-1. 5/16COMMUNITY YARD SALE: Ravenshoe and EstonianRd., Udora. Sat., May 18. 8-noon. 5/16

Lost & Found

FOUND CAT: Dark grey, white face, feet and under-body. Beautiful animal, you must miss him terribly. 905-852-6229.FLASH DRIVE FOUND: By Uxbridge parks employ-ee, with wedding photos. Come in to Cosmos office toidentify. 905-852-1900.FOUND: Key on black leather fob, behind Presents,Presents. Call 905-852-9181, ext. 406.

Thur sday, May 16 th 201312The Uxbr idge Cosmos

Garage Doors

Low & Low LimitedFUNERAL DIRECTORS

130 Years in Business – 5 GenerationsHonesty • Integrity • Fair Prices

Since 1875 Uxbridge Chapel - 23 Main St. S. 905-852-3073Port Perry Chapel - 1763 Reach St. 905-985-7331

UPRIGHTGARAGE DOORS•ELECTRIC OPERATORS

Fast dependable service & repairsSales & installation of quality doors and operators

905-852-1981www.uprightdoorservice.com

We offer a 10 year pro-rated warranty on spring & cable repairs

DOORSERVICE

LIGHT FOR YOUR PATH

UXBRIDGE

BRANCH

“You, Lord, treat me to afeast, while my enemieswatch.”

- Psalms 23:5

Cosmos Business Bulletin Board

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.

COSMOS CLASSIFIEDSClassifieds 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: cosmosboyce@powergate.ca or 905-852-1900

Deadline: Monday 5:30 p.m.

STAN - Your LocalHandyman

Give me a call - No job too small

905.852.6970 or (cell) 416-705-6970

stanski@sympatico.ca

L. MARTINS

PAINTINGInterior & Exterior

Wallpapering, drywall & plaster repairs

Crown moulding - Home renovations

905-852-7129

ISA Certified ArboristsEstablished 1981 - Fully Insured

• Bucket Trucks, Professional Climbers• Pruning, Removals, Stump Grinding

David Watts, B.Sc. (Agr.)www.uxbridgetreeservice.com

905-852-5313

Tree Service

RON BROWN AUTO

We will not be undersold.We service all

makes and models.We fix it right the first time!

170 Main Street North

905-852-5981

More Bible helps at:www.biblesociety.ca/the_word_and_you

Windcrestelectrical contracting ltd

Paul FraserCell 416.527.0878

windcrestelectrical@gmail.comesa #7007893

Classified

GARDEN ART

STAINED GLASS

GIFTWARE

ISN’T IT TIME YOU

OWNED A GILLDERCROFT?9269 3rd Concession

Early Style CanadianHandcrafted Pine Furniture

905-852-2275www.gilldercroft.com

PHILLIPS

& SONS

PLUMBING

RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL

416-995-9544phillipsryan463@gmail.com

BIG OR SMALL WE PAINT THEM ALL!FOR A QUOTE, CALL MIKE

AT 905 852 1836.

HAPPY TRAILS HAPPY TAILS

Dog Walkingand Home Care for Your Pets

With a Personal Touch

Walks and Home Visits

To book a consultationplease visit

www.happytrailshappytails.ca

or call 905 862-0522

Join Community Care Durham in a “Walk for MentalHealth Awareness”. Each year in May, Community CareDurham organizes an annual fundraising and mentalhealth awareness Walk at Heydenshore Park in Whitby.This year, the date is set for Saturday, May 25, from 9a.m. until noon. Participants have the option to walk orrun 1, 2 or 5 km. along the scenic Waterfront Trail.The 8th Annual Walk for Mental Health Awareness will

begin with registration at 9:00 a.m. and warm-up exercis-es. At the completion of the Walk, participants can enjoya complimentary BBQ lunch, sponsored by EnbridgeGas. As a family-oriented event, there are many funthings to see and do, including entertainment, music, facepainting, Pepper the Clown and more. A Resource andInformation Tent will be filled with booths from localcommunity groups, distributingbrochures and information on localresources. And the first 150 partici-pants to register will receive a freeWalk t-shirt. There are great drawprizes to be won, including a two-night stay in a three-bedroom chaletin Wasaga Beach provided by theLakes of Wasaga, a Jungle Cat Worldfamily day pass and various gift certifi-cates for local attractions and services.

It’s time to start planning ahead for the Walk for MentalHealth Awareness. You’ll need time to collect pledgesfrom family and friends. There are several ways to pre-reg-ister: call 905-985-0150, ext. 237, visitwww.ccdwalk.org, or drop into your local CommunityCare Durham office and pick up a registration form.You may go to www.communitycaredurham.on.ca to findthe location of your local office, and more informationabout the services Community Care Durham provides.Established in 1977, Community Care Durham has beenserving the citizens of Durham Region for over 35 years,providing service to adults and their caregivers who haveneeds related to aging, physical and/or mental health. Itsservices are provided free of charge or for a minimal fee.

Naming of KH Fields goes to publicDespite a plea from CouncillorGordon Highet to delay deciding onthe issue, Uxbridge Council agreedMonday to ask township residents tovote on a new name for the KennedyHouse fields.Council voted to support the recom-

mendations of a report by Recreationmanager Amanda Ferraro to post fourpossible names on the township's webpage and ask the residents to vote fortheir favourite. The four names on the

list are Uxbridge Activity Park, theFields of Uxbridge, UxbridgeCommons and Uxbridge Activityand Recreation Commons (or"the ARC" for short).

Mr. Highet informed councilthat Mayor Gerri LynnO'Connor, who was absent from

Monday's session, had requested thevote be delayed until she was in atten-dance and moved that Ms. Ferraro'sreport be tabled for a second time, buthe received no support. The reportwas tabled last week after CouncillorPat Molloy said he had "issues" withthe report.

Mr. Molloy expanded on his con-cerns Monday, saying he was troubledthat there were only 19 responses tothe naming contest initiated by thetownship last summer. He said he was

concerned that somenames were taken out ofthe loop, adding thatsuch a move shouldhave been a decision byCuncil. Ms. Ferraroresponded that the 19submissions came in thefirst round of the con-test and a further 40 to50 were received in asecond round. She saidthe committee formedto oversee the contestdid not disqualifynames, but just mader e c o m m e n d a t i o n s .

Those recommendations, which com-mittee member Brock Clark saidcame after input from ChiefAdministrative Officer Ingrid Svelnis,were that no individual's name beincluded and the word "Uxbridge"should be in the new name. Ms.Ferraro said the word "Quaker" wasalso rejected because it might causeconfusion with the green space atQuaker Village sub-division.

Councillor Pat Mikuse said she wasnot impressed with the listed names,noting that none had any historicalreference. She also complained thatcouncillors had not seen all the namessubmitted to the committee.

When Regional Councillor JackBallinger asked why the word"Uxbridge" had to be included, Ms.Ferraro said it would be good to havethe word included in the generalproperty name because council wantssponsor names for the various ele-ments that will make up the complex.

Councillor Jacob Mantle said coun-cil had set the guidelines for the com-mittee and the committee should nothave changed them without Council'sapproval.

"Let's give the people the option ofhaving more names to vote on," hesaid.

Mr. Molloy called the listed names"pretty cliché", adding he didn't thinkanyone was happy with the namesoffered.

"Let's put it out again, no strings,

no criteria," he said. "We set out theprocess for the committee, but thecommittee changed the process.That's what I object to."

Mr. Highet said, however, the com-mittee was formed to take the namingout of the political realm.

"Now we're not happy," he said. "Ithink we have to honour the commit-tee's recommendations. It should bethe community choosing the name,not Council."

But when it came to the vote, coun-cil went along with the recommenda-tions.Artist finds an ally: Walter Draper, alocal young rap artist, found an ally inCouncillor Molloy when he appearedbefore council to talk about a CDrelease event he is planning at theMusic Hall for July 20.

Mr. Draper asked Council to beallowed to use a security firm at theevent rather than paying off-dutypolicemen, saying the savings to himwould be substantial. Some council-lors, however, expressed concern overpossible damage to the Music Hall,which recently had major renovationsto the front lobby.

Mr. Molloy, however, asked whycouncil was "picking on this guy?" Henoted there had been two other CDrelease concerts at the hall recentlywithout problems.

"Walter has done everything weasked him to do," he said.

Council voted in favour of Mr.

Molloy's motion that Mr. Draper beallowed to use a security firm andadult chaperones.Art and games coming to Elgin Park:Local young entrepreneur Leo Gallardpitched an arts event for Elgin Park toCouncil Monday aimed at showcasingyoung local musicians, promotinglocal businesses and providing anopportunity for artists to show theirwork.

Mr. Gallard said the nine-hourevent, scheduled for July 13, wouldfeature local musicians Juice, KingTut, Air Marshall Landing, LeahDaniels, Mumbai Standstill and MattGunn. There would also be gamesduring the day, including a slow bicy-cle race and bocce ball, skits and con-tests, food and alcoholic beverages.

Mr. Gallard said the event is beingheld to raise funds for Africycle, andentrance to the event is either $10 ahead or the donation of a bicycle toAfricycle.

He said there is "a bit of a lack ofopportunity to showcase artisticskills" in town.

The event would be held in afenced-off portion of the park sur-rounding the band shell.

Noting that there was a possibilityof trouble if some people had to bekept out, Councillor Highet advisedMr. Gallard to have a backup plan ifthe crowds prove to be larger thanexpected.

Thur sday, May 16 th 201313The Uxbr idge Cosmos

UXBRIDGE MEMORIAL COMPANY108 Brock Street West, Uxbridge L9P 1P4

Dave & Lori Tomkinson

Tel: 905-852.3472 • 1-888-672-4364 • Fax: 905-852-0085uxmemco@interhop.net

Four SquareFour SquareConstructionConstruction

Builder of Fine Custom HomesRenovations & AdditionsSpecializing in Carpentry

Get it in Writing from Chris!905-862-0040

cbfoursquare@aol.com

by Roger VarleyNotes from the May 13Council meeting

TOWN HALL

NOTICEBETHESDA-SCOTT CEMETERY (UXBRIDGE)

The Bethesda-Scott Cemetery Board has submitted by-laws to theRegistrar of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002.Any interested parties may contact Doneta Wagg at 705-228-8035for information, or to make copies. By-laws or amendments may

be reviewed or copied at 14750 Durham Road 1, Uxbridge,Ontario. These by-laws are subject to the approval of the Registrar

of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002.(Tel: Cemeteries Regulation Unit - 416-326-8399)

Uxbridge CommunitySports Camp

August 12-16

8:30am - 4pmAges:6-13 yrs old

Soccer, Basketball, Ball Hockeyand many more great activities!

Cost: $105.Download the registration form atwww.scriptureunion.ca/livingwateror call 905.852.2059 for more info.

at Quaker Village P.S.

Walking for awareness of mental illness

You can help Uxbridge pro golfer Mac Boucher on the nextstep toward his dream - and have a lot of fun doing it.

Mac, 23, is heading out west next month to try his hand onthe PGA Canadian Tour - a developmental tour that may even-tually lead to the big show, the American PGA Tour. Mac hasconditional status, which means he may get into some tourna-ments, or have to play Monday qualifiers to get into others.

Having the Canadian Tour now directly sponsored by the USPGA means bigger purses, and Mac is confident he’ll get hisshare of that money, but even though he’s driving himself outwest, Mac is going to need a good amount of cash just to sur-vive: gas, food, hotels, and the hundreds of dollars it costs justto enter each tournament.

That’s where a May 25 fundraising tourney at Foxbridgecomes in. Mac wouldlove to see more than100 fanatical golfersante up $100 each for18 holes, a great dinnerand some excellentprizes - and a stake in agreat up-and-cominggolfer.

Sign you and yourfoursome up now bycalling Foxbridge at905-852-7962.

by Margery Cowley

As soon as the sun shines and thebreeze is warm, our thoughts turn tooutdoor summer activity. Instead ofgetting hot and sweaty on a line oftreadmills getting nowhere, why notget fit and healthy walking about ona lawn bowling green? It is an estab-lished fact that the ancient game of‘bowls’ lengthens life. Statistics proveit. This game offers excellent, moder-ate outdoor exercise in the form ofone of the most fascinating gamesever devised.

Henry VIII enjoyed playing bowls,not that it did much for his physicalappearance, but then he had otherinterests, too. Sir Francis Drake, onthe other hand, was so wrapped upin a game, that he insisted on finish-ing it before he went out to beat theSpanish Armada.

One does not have to regard lawnbowling as a last resort of a sport forthe elderly! The younger players atthe Uxbridge Lawn Bowling Clubcan give anyone a run for their

money.Their enthusiasm for the game has

encouraged their parents to have a goand this season our club welcomesseveral families.

Lawn bowling does not requireexpensive equipment, does notinvolve body contact or runningback and forth, but it does requirestamina. In a twelve end game eachplayer bowls 36 bowls (three playersper team) or 48 if playing pairs andwalks approximately one mile upand down the green. This is mildexercise without undue fatigue, keencompetition in a friendly atmos-phere amid pleasant surroundings.There are House Leagues to guaran-tee regular games, Sunday jitneyswith pot luck or barbecue suppersand interclub tournaments for themore competitive bowlers. So whynot come out on a Thursday eveningand try the game? 7-9pm. UxbridgeLawn Bowling Club is situated atBrock St. W and Centre Rd.,Entrance off Centre Rd. behind thearena. Someone will be there to meet

you. Phone 852-4780 or 852-5842.

See you on the bowling green!

Thur sday, May 16 th 201314The Uxbr idge Cosmos

Trinity United Churchpresents

The 43rd Annual Tour of HomesSaturday, June 1 Noon to 5 p.m.$20 - Tea & Cookies IncludedTickets at Uxbridge PharmaSave orShoppers Drug Mart (before June 1),at Trinity United or Tour Homes (June 1)

Adults only, please...Slippers MUST be worn in the homes.

As part of service to the community and being prepared, a majorityof our leaders and many of the Scouts underwent first aid training-two full days over two weekends. Training and the challenge of learn-ing new skills is fundamental to Scouting. Two of our Scout leadersand two of our Cub leaders are taking Woodbadge part 2 in theirsections. Having already taken Woodbadge part 1, either online oron a previous weekend, these leaders have committed to another twofull weekends. This involves camping rough in tents, cooking oncamp stoves or fires in all weather all the while taking full days ofclasses under tarps. As I promised I am letting everyone know that our next e-waste and

bottle drive will be held June 1st from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in theparking beside Firebridge Fireplaces 168 Brock St. W. Electronicsfrom tvs to computers are welcome. $100 off coupons for aNapoleon BBQ will be given to anyone dropping off e-waste or bot-tles, courtesy Firebridge Fireplaces (conditions apply).

The Troop from page 9

Time to hit the bowling green

Help Mac on the Canadian Tour

Letters to the EditorOn May 6, 2013 the third and final reading of proposedchanges to the Discharge of Firearms by-law was putbefore Uxbridge Council. Quietly contained within thisby-law proposal is a request to Council to also authorizedrastically expanded operating hours at UxbridgeShooting Sports (the shotgun range on the 4thConcession).

This proposal will allow the range to dramaticallyincrease the usage in winter and nearly double the usagein summer to 4 days a week, including Friday, Saturdayand Sunday, for as long as 11 hours per day on certaindays in both seasons.

Surrounding neighbours believe this proposed expan-sion is excessive in that the increased, intrusive, relentlessnoise made by repetitive gunshots will materially andadversely affect the use and enjoyment of our lands, thequality of our lives, and our property values.We do not want to appear anti-gun or unreasonable. We

just want Uxbridge Council to reject the proposedexpanded hours, and to reinstate the traditional limits ofSundays 10am-4pm and Wednesdays 10am-dusk.

If you agree with our concerns and objectives, and/orwould like additional information please direct your sup-port and/or any questions to UXLEHSS@hotmail.com.Concerns raised by surrounding neighbours mean thepassing of the bylaw has been delayed until there can bea public meeting on this issue. That meeting is scheduledto take place on June 10, 2013 at 7:30 PM. Please watchthe papers for the location of this meeting. Your supportis appreciated.

Tirzah and Darren Johnston Goodwood

The trees are budding & the tulips arein bloom & it has been snowing all day.I guess Mother Nature is totally con-fused but the talent coming out to thetalent show on May 15 7:00pm at theCommunity centre are not confused.We have entertainment for everyone socome out and see the best talent around.

We have cleaned up the North Parkand Ashley, Mallory, Darian, Cathy,Carley, Syd, Mikey, Carter, Garrett,Paul Brian Yvonne. Chris, Landon,Gary and Brad did a wonderful job ofpicking up all the garbage in the park.And huge thank you to each and everyone who volunteered for a job welldone. Please use the garbage containersso we can be proud of our parks.

We are still waiting for more registra-tions in the 15-18 year olds SportCircle, where they will play volleyball,tennis, baseball, soccer. To register call416-580-8882 or 905-640-3966.

At the community centre Zumba isback on Tues and Thurs nights at 7:00pm 905-471-1650 or you can learn tocook foods from different countries bycalling 905-642-5689.The United Church soup lunch is May

30 11am -1pm at the Church and it isonly $3.00 for soup, homemade bread,dessert, beverage and fellowship.

The Baptist Church holds SundayService at 11:00am with music May 19by Bacon Girls, May 26 is the 137thChurch Anniversary with music by theBonds of Love Male Quartet, June 2ndmusic by Gallagher Family, June 9thmusic by Jennifer Wilson, June 16music by Hannah Maxson. Sunday

School is at 10am for all agesand Tues 6:45 is Kids Club,7:00 pm is Church Bible study& Prayer. All are welcome to

attend. For more info visit www.good-woodbaptistchurch.com

The Gospel Hall holds Sunday servic-es at 11:am with Sunday School & biblereading. Everyone is welcome to attendand more info www.goodwood.gospel-hall.com.

If anyone knows of someone that doeswoodworking and would like to makeour shadow boxes for the heritage build-ings please give me a call. 905-640-3966.

Baseball is starting now, so try and getout to cheer the teams on and showthem our support.

We do thank those who have showntheir respect for others and have obeyedthe speed limit through the village.

What's in a name?

So Uxbridge council thought it wasgoing to be easy coming up with anew name for what is currentlyknown, depending on your prefer-ence, either as the Kennedy Housefields or the St. John's property.

Presumably, Council also thoughtthat opening up the naming of theproperty to the township's resi-dents by way of a contest wouldresult in a memorable name thatwe all could embrace.

It seems, however, that they weremistaken.

A committee was formed lastJune, the contest launched and lastweek Recreation manager AmandaFerraro presented Council with theshort list of names that the com-mittee decided would go to the res-idents for a final vote. The list,however, consists of a bunch ofmundane monikers that a class-room of kindergarten childrencould have come up with (no deni-gration of kindergarten childrenintended!): Uxbridge Activity Park,The Fields of Uxbridge, UxbridgeCommons and Uxbridge Activityand Recreation Commons (orshort form "The ARC").

Hardly names designed to instilcivic pride. In fact, the proposednames are boring. Given theexpected $20-million price tag forthe eventual finished product,which is expected to include a newcommunity centre and swimmingpool, one would think the propertywould receive a name that capturesthe imagination. One would alsoexpect that with close to 20,000residents in the township there

would have been a little more cre-ativity.

In fact, it is likely there was morecreativity than the list indicates.There were, apparently, somewherebetween 40 and 50 different entriesin total. But is appears the commit-tee, apparently guided by ChiefAdministrative Officer IngridSvelnis, stifled any creativity byattaching restrictive criteria to thenaming contest. The committeedecided the property should not benamed after any individual, therebydenying the township the opportu-nity to honour someone who hasmade a significant contribution tothe municipality. No JosephGould, no Col. Sam Sharpe, noGary Herrema, no Gerri LynnO'Connor, one of the longest serv-ing mayors in Canada, nor, indeed,no Roger Varley. (That last name is,obviously, tongue in cheek.) One istherefore led to ask why HerremaFields were so named and whythere is a Walter Taylor Park inGoodwood, just to name a couple.

The committee also ruled thatthe property's new name mustinclude the word Uxbridge: noUxfields, Uxsports, Uxgames or thelike.

The committee also ruled outusing the word Quaker in the prop-erty's name because that wouldcause confusion. Really?

Ms. Ferraro stated that the rul-ings were merely recommenda-tions, but I imagine there would befat chance of winning the contest ifyou ignored the recommendations.

At council on Monday, whenMs. Ferraro's report was broughtup again, some members ofCouncil argued that the property's

n a m es h o u l di n c l u d ethe wordUxbridgeso as notto cause confusion among out-of-towners coming into the townshiplooking for the sports fields. Thatbegs the question, are we naming itfor ourselves or for non-residents?Furthermore, I had no troublefinding the Garnett B. RickardRecreation Complex when I firstwent looking for the Bowmanvillearena.

Ms. Ferraro pointed out that itwould be good to have Uxbridge inthe name because Council hasalready decided various elements ofthe park should be named for spon-sors (e.g, the Uxbridge Rotary ClubSkate Park). So, to some extent,council itself is responsible for thelack of imagination in the short list.

Finally, Ms. Ferraro's report saidthe name should be permanentand therefore should be timeless.Given that position, why is councilin such a rush to approve a name,to the extent that they approvedthe report's recommendations eventhough Councillor Gordon Highetpointed out that Mayor O'Connor,who was absent Monday, hadexpressed her wish that a vote bedelayed until she is present?

Maybe council should have justtaken the same route as Avon,Colo., in 1991 when it named itsnew bridge Bob.

Tell me, am I wrong?

Thur sday, May 16 th 201315The Uxbr idge Cosmos

V I E W P O I N T S

How well do you know the highways and

byways of Uxbridge Township? The first per-

son 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 Footloose at the Music Hall. Last week’s

viewpoint (bottom photo) is the sign at Fitzpatrick

Electric on Maple Street. It was guessed by James

Doxsee of Uxbridge. We’ll have the answer to the

upper photo next week. Photos by Conrad Boyce.

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• Screenings • Crushed Stone• Field Stone • River Rock

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Open to the Public - Saturdays 7 a.m. - Noon

Am I Wrong? column by Roger VarleyGoodwood Newswith Bev Northeast

Open for the long weekend!

Thur sday, May 16 th 201316The Uxbr idge Cosmos

Meanwhile, Back at the Manse by Barb Pratt

Cleaned Up and Open for Visitors

A day of spring cleaning last week broughtthe Historic Leaskdale Church and theLeaskdale Manse to shining spring-cleaned condition. Maud would have beenproud. As she wrote in her Journal in1913, when she had been in Leaskdale fora year and a half:“We have been housecleaning furiously allApril. We have finished all but the kitchenand I am not sorry. I used to love houseclean-ing down home. But it was a much easieraffair there, where all the furniture andappointments were so much simpler andplainer. The price one has to pay for havingmany nice things is the much harder workwhich it is to clean and care for them. Ofcourse I do not object to this for I love nicefurnishings and always longed for them.”

No sooner did we finish the polishingand vacuuming, than visitors arrived: theHorticultural Society from Sundridge,Ontario. Forty of their members stoppedby for lunch and a tour, on their way toJohn's Garden. It was our first large groupof the season, and everything went well,except that -- oops -- we forgot the milkand sugar for tea. Thanks that theLeaskdale Country Store is close by! Never

mind, the slight delay in the tea servicewas hardly noticed.

Upstairs in the newly cleaned church,with its fresh new green carpet, comes thefirst concert of the season. On Saturday,May 25 the Tudor Consort, who specializein medieval music, are presenting a bene-fit concert. The group loves singing in theHistoric Leaskdale Church because of thesuperb acoustics. This concert starts at 4p.m. and will consist of Italian andEnglish Madrigals. What a pleasant way tospend a late Saturday afternoon, listeningto their voices blending and weavingaround the timeless melodies. There willbe no admission charged, but donations toThe Lucy Maud Montgomery Society ofOntario are welcomed.

Planning for our summer events is wellunder way. Maud of Leaskdale is returningafter an exciting and very successful runlast summer. A garden day and strawberrysocial is in the works for June 22. Thepopular Wednesday lunches are scheduledfor July and August. AND there will beannouncements of new projects, one inparticular, in the near future. Stay tuned,and put Leaskdale on your list of places tovisit, and bring visitors to, in the sunnymonths ahead.

A history of Canadian cyclingWith spring finally here, a lot of people will be pulling their bikes out of the garageto get them ready for the season. Many of those bikes will likely be a CCM, but howmany of us know about the origin of the company that produced those bicycles andmany of our other sporting goods? On Thursday, May 23rd at 7pm, Perth-basedauthor and historian John McKenty will visit the Uxbridge Historical Centre torelate the history of cycling and the CCM Company, a topic he wrote about in hisbook Canada Cycle & Motor: The CCM Story.

From John’s book: "With its skates in winter and bikes in summer, CCM was asmuch a part of the Canadian psyche as the seasons themselves. The CCM Storytraces the company's history from its formation in 1899 until its demise in 1983.While its story brings together some of Canada's most prominent businessmen, leg-endary hockey figures and little-known hoodlums, in the end, it is those whoworked the factory floor that are called upon to try and save the company."

Come to the presentation to hear the fascinating details of an iconic Canadiancompany. Mike Filey of the Toronto Sun called The CCM Story “a must read forCanadian history buffs”, while Brian Bethune in Maclean’s magazine said that thehistory of CCM “embodies more than the riseand fall of a business model.” Ben Forster inOntario History called the book “a polished andbalanced narrative history.”

All are welcome to attend this presentation,the first in the Historical Centre’s new lectureseries taking place in the Centre’s Schoolhouseat 7239 Concession Road 6, just north of BrockStreet. Copies of Canada Cycle and Motor: TheCCM Story will be available for purchase. Lightrefreshments will be available. Admission is bydonation.

For more information, contact the UxbridgeHistorical Centre at 905-852-5854 or muse-um@town.uxbridge.on.ca or visit the museumwebsite at www.uxbridgehistoricalcentre.com.