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VIEWPOINT by John B. McClelland LOOKING BACK, WITH ENVY I had a long and interesting conversation with an acquaintance a week or sa ago. We talked on a wide variety of topics--everything from the infamous Bobbitt case, the state of the economy, the future of world peace, the Leafs Cup contenders, to whether the Bills could avoid a fourth straight Super Bowl loss. Having exhausted our knowledge and opinions of these weighty topics, we scratched the surface of the American Civil War (not my strong point) and dabbled in German existentialist philosophy (likewise not my strong suit) Eventually, the conversation swung around to what I will call "life in the 90s," more specifically why life in the 90's seems so much more complicated and stressful than that of our parents a generation ago. There is no way of measuring, of course, but we agreed on the basic premise that'it is more complicated and stressful in 1994. R We also agreed on some of the obvious factors that generate stress and complications--the lack of economic certainty, layoffs, government debt, the future of our kids, the future of the planet, etc. We also talked of how (Canadian) society today demands everything on a plate but will do virtually nothing for itself. That might be a bold statement but looking back on the way my own parents did things, I wonder./My dad was never out of work a day in his adult life; likewise my mother who held full and part time jobs as long as I can remember, except for a few years when my sister and myself were young and she stayed home to look after us. They lived without computers, micro-wave ovens, a second vehicle, hot tubs, winter vacations, a TV set in every room, snowblowers and riding lawn mowers. There was a radio that worked. It looked like a radio, not the inside of a 747. ~ There was a certain order to their lives. They went to work each day, had ample time for the children and were involved in numerous community organizations. When something had to be done, they joined the committee and helped get it done, with no red tape. If money was needed, they raised it. They were resilient and self-reliant, just like everyone else. When something broke, they fixed it or did without. Maybe they were just good at hiding things, but I can honestly say I never heard them talk of "stress." Dad worked for the same company over 30 years and moved four times, to a slightly "better" house. They lived totally within their means, borrowed only when " absolutely necessary, paid their bills, and were able to save a bit for that proverbial. "rainy day," which thankfully never came. Their circle of friends lived in exactly the same fashion. Longevity "and stability were the hall-marks of their lives. My acquaintance and I wefe amazed to discover that our backgrounds were remarkably similar. "How boring it must have been back then," we joked and laughed. Right. And how many people today, we wondered, would trade their stressed-out, burned-out, in the fast lane, helter skelter, crisis-a-day, greying, ulcerous, here comes "the big one" lives for a dash of longevity and stability, boring as they may be. Society has advanced a million miles in the last three decades in terms of knowledge, techiiology, science, medicine and so on. My friend and I agreed that when it to ent, the direction has been backwards. Sorry, gotta go, phone's ringing. Could be important. IN CLOSING: Speaking of longevity that is anything but boring, there has been a tradition in Scugog for better than 20 years, and that is Junior C hockey. . The Port Perry MoJacks are into a playoff series against Lakefield. The guys in green and white can take care of business on the ice, but support from the stands never hurts. You can see playoff action at the Scugog Arena twice this week, Wednesday at 7:30 PM, and Friday po > 30 PM. Make it a family night My a is OK, roma you! To the Editor; I write to the so-called concerned "anonymous person who sent me a brief note along with a newspaper clipping about "Our pets in the cold weather." Number one: if your concern was so intense maybe a simple knock on my door to discuss your concerns would have been ! more appropriate! What I write, in answer to your note, is briefly what I would have said to your face : 1. We do give our dog warmth - she is in and out of the house, on the cold days, constantly. 2. Maybe you should watch 'him' a little closer because 'he' is a she. 3. Her chain is ten feet long - and she is not on:it all the time. She is also allowed to run about. 4. My husband had put a flap on her house which she tore off - obviously not too "chilled to the bone". We also put our dog in our garage with the warmth of a blanket to lay on during the cold nights; and have shavings in her house for bedding. Our dog is not litter trained so even on cold days she has to go out to do her I don't know how many homes you've been driving by daily - or how many of these little notes you've sent out. But maybe you should put your detective nose into some real neglectful cases. Also, I feel hurt and angered that you've made it a point to assume concern for a dog you haven't investigated closely enough. 1 also don't know if you are a pet owner or if you have any children, but obviously you know (because of your constant watch on my house) that I do; and I find it a pretty sad day when I have to explain how evenly my attention and concern is spent. My dog is being looked after very well, thank you very much! N Bowes, Port Perry Harness racing in Ont. To the Editor; As a regular reader of your newspaper, I would like to make you aware that a large portion of your readership (valued customers) are devoted harness racing fans like myself. Your coverage of our favourite sport is quite limited and I thought it might be as a result that you are unaware of some of our everyday uplish and a Harness racing in Ontario _is very job- creative in that it employs Hroctly, and indirectly, in excess of 30,000 men and women. Racing has no employment barriers and the overwhelming majority of the work is of a hands-on experience. Currently, Ontario is host to 18 Standardbred (Harness) Racetracks and over two dozen teletheatre (off-site) wagering locations. In 1994, 6.1 million harness racing fans will attend a racing North American season ending Awards and this year voting Tonulis were no nt. In 1993, the United States Trotting Association had 12 horse categories that each select a dominant horse and Ontario owned or trained horses won eight of the 12 titles. These include two-year-old winners Wesgate Freedom Friend and Armbro Monarch. Three-year-old Presidential Ball -and Ellamony and Aged Trotting horse Earl, Aged Trotting mare Lifetime Dream, Aged Pacing horse Staying Together. Staying Together also 'won the prestigious USTA Horse of the Year honour for owner Bob Hamather of Exeter, Ontario. In Europe, Ontario horses and drivers also fare quite well and much of Europe's prize trotting stock has "Ontario Roots". In 1992 Sweden's premier race of the year program in Ontario which includes over on 4,100 combined days of iting entertai t. Wagering from those who choose to bet will contribute to the Provincial Treasury 41.4 million in gross. pari-mutiel taxes. As you can see, Ontario Hgrness racing generates large y h ds of jobs and contributes substantially to the good health and fiscal stability of Ontario, Throughout the world, Ontario horsemen and women are recognized as the leaders in harness racing excellence. Annually,Ontario horses dominate the the Sovalla Elitlopp was won by the tion "Billyjojimbob® own: by Mike and Lori Wade of Seagrave and expertly driven by SBunderland's Murray Brethour. In closing, as you can see in this short letter, Ontario men, women and horses dominate the harness racing world and we receive very little recognition for our efforts. Sidewalk built, 'why not clear the snow? To the Editor; Please let me begin by thanking you for taking the time to read my letter. The reason for addressing you today is to bring an issue to your attention and possibly others who reside in the township of Scugog and Durham Region. As many of us are ware by now, the road construction to the south of Hwy. #7A on Simcoe Street (Road 2) has been completed since approximately the end of October 1993 at a great expense to all taxpayers in the township and the region. (As we know our tax dollars are spread out over the region, etc. for road improvemen! As the road was being completed, the township put a sidewalk in on the eastside where one had never existed before. Onte again at all taxpayers expense, Well, the winter is upon us and 4 some reason, township couneil is with a paved trail. Since the winter snowfall, the sidewalk has ® one of the most peep our (sidewalk). They have decided not to clear the sidewalk of snow for the winter, apparently "not in the budget?!" I fail to understand this decision. Why put it in (sidewalk) and not maintain it? Is it only for the summer use? I would assume the township is is ible for any acci the sidewalk dus to it not being cleared? Are our tax dollars being only half used - the rest wasted? It would be like putting in a swimming pool and never cleaning it out making in unusable and unsafe, | guess you could skate on it in the winter? Not clearing the sidewalk is not just a money and safety issue, but is the township also in the business of providing our beloved snowmobilers, who | do respect, smooth trails around - wasn't it nice of the township to provide this service. Since it is virtually un-walk able, I guess it's okay to have motorized vehicles on the sidewalk? | don't b#lieve too many people would appreciate their sidewalks being used as snowmobile trails and having their tax money spent as such. "Not in the Budget" is unacceptable in this case. Not maintaining the investment is a waste and creating an unsafe public walkway and being aware of it is immoral and unfair. (It is unsafe to walk on with or without snowmobiles - the machines just compound the Thank yoti once again for your time and patience. Meredith Peaker A Port Perry Resident and Parent Look on the brighter side To the Editor; I wonder how many citizens of Bcugog "look at the brighter side of life? Webster's Dictionary says. . Optimism is "the doctrine that all is for the best; the habit of looking at the brighter side of 4 life." An Optimist is "one who believes that things are all right and takes a cheerful and hopeful view of life." If you look at the brighter side of life. . . 'we need you in our Optimist Club of Scugog. We are a new club, planning and to assist our sister clubs in Beugog. Our role is "Friend of Youth". Wa are coed. Gals and guys 18 and up, We will be meeting every to our sister club "The Kinsmen Club of Port Perry" in their Scout Hall. We will meet and greet from 7:00 pm with meetings starting punctually at 7:30 and ending punctually at 9:00 pm. Pleage bring a note beok. Got a question? Want more information? Please telephone Carol Sturman at 985-7722 or Jack Bentley at 985-4527. William "Sam" Magee Oshawa, Ontario