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Viewpoint by John B. McClelland SUCH MEMORIES The phone call came shortly before 11 one night last week. It was my father on the line from California where e's vacationing. [ knew what he was goi / house had been sold. BRgsIgasay. Toe Dad had put the house up for sale about a month ago and when he took off for his California trip, he left instructions with the lawyer to get in touch with him if there was any reasonable offer. The lawyer called him, the offer was accepted and the deal will close some time in"fhid-May. ~~ Dad has been toying with the idea of selling the house for about a year now and he made up his mind several weeks ago. I'm delighted for him. There is no reason in the world why he should not sell the house. He's found himself a nice apartment and I know he's looking forward to selling the lawnmower and the snow shovels. He doesn't want the worry of owning a house: the maintenance, the up-keep, the thought of a new roof, or furnace, or wiring. In short, he's ready to make the move to carefree apartment living. It's a decision most people make when they reach his age (over 65) and as "we chatted on the phone the other evening I con- gratulated him for taking the step. There's nothing outstanding about the house, real- ly. It's about 25 years old, a solid-as-a-rock brick bungalow with detached garage on a huge pie-shaped lot with plenty of shrubs and trees. Just across the street is an elementary school but the neighbourhood is very quiet, very middle class in appearance and temperment. From the living room Between the side of the house and the garage there is a stone patio and a gazebo, an absolute necessity in that part of Ontario if one wishes to sit outside on a warm June evening and escape the hordes of mosquitos and black flies. That house is much more of course than brick and mortar, more than the pleasant lawn, the flower garden «in front, more than the stone patio, more than the base- ment workshop. That house was a home, a darn good home for the McClelland family for over 20 years, and as | hung up the phone after talking to Dad last week, I felt a twinge of sadness at the thought of all the memories, the good times (and some bad ones too), that we had inside that home. I actually only lived there for a year or two before leaving to go away to school, but no matter where I was or what I was doing, the welcome mat was always out when I returned for a visit at Christmas, Thanksgiving, long weekends in the summer. The front porch light was always on. Over the years, one room evolved as the focal point, the centre of everything in that home. 1 don't really know why the kitchen came to be the most important "human acitivity" room in the home, but it did. The Kit- chen is quite small and with table and chairs there is hardly room to move around. Most of the important family decisions were made in the kitchen, sitting around the table. The coffee pot was handy, the bread box close to the toaster and there was always something cooking on the stove. Whenever friends dropped in on special occasions the kitchen. Those who couldn't get a chair would stand against the fridge or the counter or in the middle of the floor. Parties that started in the living room invariably ended in the Kitchen. : The plans for the annual fishing trips were discuss- ed 'at great length in the kitchen and we would spend hours on end talking, laughing about past fishing trips. Over the years a Christmas tradition developed in the McClelland kitchen. We always threw a big party Christmas Eve for long-time family friends. On that night Dad reigned King in the kitchen for it was his task over the years to make the dressing and stuff the turkey. He had plenty of help and stuffing the turkey became a party in itself as the evening wore on. How can I forget the sound of laughter and cheerful voices, the sight of Dad in his apron and the smell of the seasoning and friend onions that went into the stuffing. With a party going on all around, 1 sometimes wonder how that old turkey ever got stuffed. But it did, and always tasted perfect the next day. Ah, yes. So many great memories. Sadly, though in recent years, the visits home became less frequent. And when my Mom's health began to fail badly the visits were marked with deep concern and worry. She pass- ed away a year ago February on a bitterly cold day, and the circle was broken. I haven't been home since her funeral. | "There are certain things which happen in the lives of all of us to which there is a finality. I have been prepared for some time for the realization that sooner or later a decision would be made to sell the house. I suppose that in a perfect world I would have liked to window, one has a fine view of the Laurentian moun- tains across the Ottawa River. : or just for a visit, we always seem to gravitate towards {Turn to page 6) pa Y EN - . Yesterday's Memories ~ ~70 YEARS AGO : Wed. March 28, 1917 Mr. H.W. Linke is moving to the Brimble house. ; A meeting is being called at the Public Library this Friday in the hopes of starting a Horticultural Society. 2 The new series Chevrolet Four-Ninety is now at Beare's Garage for only $695.00, including electric lights and starter. Subscription rates for the Globe daily - $4.00. - Ladies Spring Coats priced. from $8.00 to $15.00. Men's Navy Serge suite from $20.00 to $25.00, men's spring hats priced from $2.50 to $3.00. 45 YEARS AGO" Thurs. April 2, 1942 Mrs. Thomas Blight, Sr. of Oshawa is presently visiting her daughter, Mrs. C. Reesor. Miss Helen Clarke, who has been attending Canada Business Col- lege, has accepted a position in the office of Grace Hospital, Toronto. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark and Marion who spent the winter months in Oshawa, have moved back to Epsom. : A presentation was made in Greenbank Community Hall to Mr. Mike Wood, R.C.A F. who is leaving for overseas. : 30 YEARS AGO Thurs. March 28, 1957 : © At the Port Perry Chamber of Commerce annual dinner held at the Scout Hall, Mr. Harold K. H. Hillier of the Hydro-Electric Com- mission of Ontario was the guest speaker. The speaker was introduc- ed by Thos. Harris and Dr. M.B. Dymond thanked him for his in- teresting talk. Mrs. Mabel Chapman convened a successful euchre for Blue Ray Chapter O.E.S. The Police Department has obtained a Brake Testing Machine. which it plans to use soon. Anyone found with faulty brakes will be summoned. Word has been received from Dr. M.B. Dymond that the Ontario Department of Agriculture has granted Utica Community Hall $2,285.00 toward the cost of a new building. 20 YEARS AGO Thurs. March 30, 1967 : Port Perry Community Memorial Hospital showed an operating profit of $347.96 for the year 1966. This figure was released at the an- nual meeting of the Hospital Board. A large number of friends of Mr. and Mrs. Sid Kent gathered at Utica Hall to honour them with a farewell supper on Saturday night before their departure to their new home at Kenton, Manitoba. The Port Perry Novice Team is flying high in the Brampton Novice Tournament, having played 4 games and winning them all with a total score of 20 to 1. This speaks well for goaltender Barry Heard. At the Sunderland Music Festival, Wayne King, a Port Perry student and pupil of Mrs. Almer Wallace won top honours in'Grade IX Piano with 90 percent. (Turn to page 6) Letters 7 350 Replies to canoe race letter To The Editor: I am writing this letter in regards to the response that my initial let- ter has created. The article ""'Chair- man Resigns" told of my wish to resign from the "Canoe the Non- quon Committee." It simply stated that I did not want to be a part of any plan to shorten the length of the canoe race itself, eliminate past records, ar any such matters. Ac- cording to Val Freeman"s response last week, it seems that she has reasons of her own as to why I left. To begin with, my "feelings" were made quite clear at the first meeting, and there was no indica- tion that they would affect any possi- ble decision on the outcome of the To The: Editor: As you read this you'll probably feel as many others who have con- sidered this very serious situation that there is no one clear cut answer. : In the ninety odd years of ex- istence since the people of this area made the decision to build this very gracious structure it's not the first time there has been doubt about the future of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Sonya. I can remember as I'm sure many others with me will recall there have been times it would close. It seems so final as if the very life- blood would be removed from the community if it was to ever happen. The blood that pumped through our ancestors veins must have been somehow different than that which is found in ours because I know the difficulty they experienced just to build this Church back then. Can you imagine hauling bricks on a wagon pulled by a team of horses all the way from Cannington day after day. Or can you even visualize all those bricks being placed one after another from the base to the balfry and how everyone involved must have felt when the roof was finish- » = race. Personal comments were even made by committee members with respect to my thoughts and proposals. / I agree, the comparison with the '"'Boston-Marathon" is too severe to warrant comparison with the 'Canoe the Nonquon." I also realize and appreciate the time and effort spent by Val Freeman concerning the race preparation itself. However, Val, you say my only concern is to satisfy myself, to win with as minimal competition as possible. For one thing, it is you who wants to shorten the race and make it easier, not I. Regarding your com- "ments 'leave the men's residence no challenge category," for others; Close Sonya Church? ed and the steeple placed on the top to signify the job was complete. They almost seem like another . breed or race to me. They must have been very strong "willed individuals indeed, those fore- fathers of ours. You know that's a pretty hard act to follow and it's everyone's responsibility to carry on that heritage. Whether you have roots in Sonya or not is is our burden if you like. (Turn to page 6) are you insinuating that your hus- - band, Mike Freeman and his part- ner, both residence class en- thusiasts, are no competition"? The fact remains, is how a person such as yourself can describe to me and others just what itis that I en- joy about canoeing. I have been canoeing recreationally all my life, with the competitive aspect involv- ed in the last 17 years. In your let- ter, you mention "advance' to the challenge of C2 racing. I am not on- * ly actively involved in C2 racing, but also white water canoeing, kayak racing, 166" (Men's Residence) and at certain events a cruise class participant. It just so happens 1 greatly ad- mire and respect the Nonquon River course (particularly the 8th-10th concession stretch) with its rugged, snake-like features. | have entered countless canoe races, even with in- experienced paddlers, competing against competitive seasoned teams. In most cases, completion of the event and introduction of the sport were prime considerations. If my wish was only to win, I would have quit paddling years ago. You have been involved with the Nonquon Committee less than 3 years, probably have never com- peted in a canoe race, or for that matter, ever been in a canoe. Yet, (Turn to page 6) ter to the editor Letters to the Editor |. ...our policy |]. It has always been the policy of this newpspaper to encourage our readers to make use of the letters to the editor column. Our readers have a right to freely express their opinions and view- points on just about any subject, and we feel that a lively letters col- umn helps make a better community newspaper. / We insist. however, that a letter writer sign his or her name. On rare occasions, we will agree to with-hold publication of a letter writer's name, if we feel there are very good reasons to dg so. Under no circumstances will this paper print an anonymous let- While we enjoy receiving letters from our readers, we must con- tinue to insist on knowing the identity of the writer. > § 6 apmnr