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Ml ail Oxk dea Focus. Thanks to Santa for years of service Dear Editor We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Scugog Chamber of Commerce for organizing a fabulous Santa Claus parade for Scugog’s kiddies and families again this year. I’m sure we speak for all those who enjoy this annual event when we say thanks to the directors, participants and volunteers for the time and effort they generously give to make this such an exciting event for our community. Not surprising, many people noticed that Scugog’s familiar Santa of the past 18 years was not on his sleigh and commented on his absence. We were disappointed he was not in the parade, but it was reassuring to see him, and hear his jovial “Ho, Ho, Ho” as he greeted young and old from his house in front of the post office. As former presidents of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce we would like to express, on behalf of the entire community, our sin- cere thanks and appreciation for the wonderful service this special man has provided our community for so many year’s. Thanks so much Santa! We hope you had a Merry Christmas and look forward to your return next year. Sincerely Bill Barr Ted Griffin Howard Hall Debra Jones Peter Hvidsten Elgin Knopp Warren Strong Don MacLeod Dr. Thomas Mcintyre Periodontist Start with a HEALTHY MOUTH! PORT PERRY DENTAL CENTRE . Port Perry 5-8451 pes Onsen ) 905-985 2 FOCUS - JANUARY 2008 FOCUS. JAN.07.82pgs.indd 2 Response from story was far reaching Dear Editor, In December’s issue you printed a story about our family’s Christmas Olympics and you should know that the response from the story was far-reaching! While my daughter Shanna and a friend were working out at a gym in Guelph, her friend’s phone rang. It was her dad who lives in Port Perry calling to tell his daughter how much he loved the article! I heard from an old friend on Vancouver Island, one person in the Philippines along with loads of people from all over Scugog! Tm so glad you’re producing the Focus because it covers all ar- eas of interest and it encourages excitement about all the positive things so many people are doing in our area! Thumbs up to you!!! Monique Howat Nestleton, Ont. Editors Note: Wow!! Thanks Monique you are too kind. Thinking about what might have been Peter and staff, For the last few weeks I've had an idea for an article that I think would be of interest to many, and well suited to your magazine. Partly in light of the proposed WalMart store I've been think- ing back over the last 25 years or so about some of the many com- mercial proposals that have been presented to council, then most just faded away. My suggeston would be to enlighten the masses and make them think about what might have been. For example, would WalMart be building here today if Sobey’s, Swiss Chalet, etc. were already established at the west end site... and would Reid’s Independent exist if the property had been developed into retirement condos, and a lakefront hotel? Also I'm somewhat amused about the “Big Box” paranoia on main street. Think back to 1975 when the huge new Canadian Tire and Dowson’s Red & White stores opened in the Port Perry Plaza, replacing their smaller main street versions. How many times bigger were they at that time? Another issue could be the potential ofa “super” Shoppers Drug Mart replacing the Railroadhouse Motel. I would much rather see a new, quality motel there instead. This looks like another traffic disaster for Port Perry on 7A. In closing, thanks for having the guts to print “Thumbs” and “Changing Faces.” We usually just see the pictures of the ribbon cuttings, not the departure news. Keep up the great work. Most of the people I've talked to on “this side of the causeway” enjoy it and consider it an interesting and classy publication. We always look forward to your next issue and the old one is still usually here when it arrives. Sincerely, Craig Larmer Blackstock Editors Note: Thanks for Craig. We hope our readers will turn to page 10 of this issue, where we’ve done a little research on your suggested topic. Very interesting to say the least!!! Thanks for the idea and keep in touch. focus@observerpub.ca ene07 22e1sPu |