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6 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, May 29, 1990 The Port Perry Star 235 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY, ONTARIO PHONE 985-7383 FAX 985-3708 The Port Perry Star is authorized as second dass mail by the Elsewhere $60.00 per year. Single Copy 50¢ EDITORIAL Publisher - J. Peter Hvidsten Editor - John B. McClelland News/Features - Julia Ashton News/Features -'Kelly Storry BUSINESS OFFICE . Office Manager - Gayle Stapley Accounting - Judy Ashby Billing Department - Louise Hope Post Office Department, Ottawa, for cash payment of postage. PRODUCTION ADVERTISING Second Class Mail Registration Number 0265 Annabell Harrison Advertising Co-ordinator - Valerie Ellis Subscription Rate: InCanada $20.00 per year Trudy Empringham Advertising Sales Representative - Anna Gouldburn Darlene Hlozan {mn *CNA (Ji Member of the i Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Community Newspaper Association Published every Tuesday by the Port Perry Star Co. Lid. Port Perry, Ontario Retail Sales - Kathy Dudley, Linda Ruhl, Tracy O'Neil Editorial Comment THE BRIGHT SIDE These are not easy times to be a Canadian. The deluge over Meech Lake has been constant for months now, and de- psite the millions of words written and spoken, we continue to hear people lament that they really don't know what the issues are in Meech. ? If it isn't Meech Lake, the deluge has taken other forms in this fair country recently. The anger over the Goods and Ser- vices tax; the fall-out from the Free Trade agreement; and the doom and gloom about the economy in general as iinterest rates 'move upwards and the government wrestles with that demon that has haunted the country for 25 years: inflation. We don't think we are out of line in saying that never has there been such a nasty mood in Canada. That mood is even showing up on the pages of small town community papers like the one you are reading now. Our letters column in recent months, as have letters in similar papers we read, have re- flected the mood of the nation. Many of the letters direct anger in the direction of Durham MP Ross Stevenson, so much in fact, that he has taken the unusual steps in responding in print. We say "unusual" be- cause it is rare indeed when politicians at any level get into let- ter-writing debates in the pages of the local paper. But Mr. Stevenson is hitting back at the critics. And the City of Toronto is going through more nasty tur- moil after a young black man was shot and wounded by a po- lice officer. But enough of all that doom, gloom, and nastiness.There is enough of it in the air right now. Let us for a few moments share some of nicer things with you, the reader; things that may bring a smile to your face, may just help to take your minds off the problems in the coun- try and the world. And you won't even have to leave Scugog Township to enjoy. OK, let's start with this week. On Wednesday, May 30, how about the Participaction Challenge. Are you capable of 15 minutes of activity, any activity, from running to walking, all in the name of fitness. Sure you are, and a lot of other Scugog Peopiy will be, too. And you know what, you can have some un at it. This weekend, if you want to enjoy yourself, how about Canoe the Nonquon and the new Triathalon. This community event has been a mainstay in Scugog for about 20 years. It's really just a group of people from all walks of life who take a canoe ride along the Nonquon River, down Lake Scugog to the waterfront in Port Perry. Some (those in great shape) like to make it a race, which is fine. Others, just like to take part at their own leisurely pace, which is fine, too. Catch the event this coming Saturday, June 2, or maybe even take part. All you need is a canoe, a couple of paddies and a partner. And by the way, if you want to relax after Canoe the Non- quon, take a few moments and stroll the Port Perry waterfront from Birdseye to the ball diamonds. How lucky we are to have the waterfront parks. A pleasant stroll just might make you for- get the headlines for a few moments. / So what else can you do in Sif to put a smile on your face? Well, you might take in "Annie" at Town Hall 1873. There are a few tickets left for the final shows this Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. And we can virtually guarantee that the children in this musical will put a smile on your face. We can think of any number of things that will take your mind off the problems, lighten things up for a while. Take a bike ride through the quiet streets of Port Perry; explore the many different shops in this community; go to a yard sale or flea market; watch a fastball game, or a kids soccer match; take a drive in the country; join some organization as a volun- teer. Fortunately, there is no shortage of good things to do, right here at home. Put on a smile and do something, OK? Ri w™ .. HERE A .. THERE 4 MOO... 3 SN x * RS ATEN 5 - BPS 8 Bat) ~ Sumy rR EVERYWHERE A MOO MOO J JUST DUCKY When the good canoe "Just Ducky" slips into the murky water of the Nonquon River this Saturday morning it will have a lot of pressure on it (pun) to perform above expectations. A lot of people have money riding on "Ducky" and will be watching to see if this aging robin-egg blue canoe, with a sagging bottom and stretch marks along its flanks, can handle the tight turns, beaver dams and swift currents of the Nonquon with the grace and agility of years gone by. Its mission will be to complete the twenty mile course, loaded to the gunnals with si.acks, drinks, and two enthusiastic paddlers, wo have vowed to raise more money in pledges than has ever been raised during the past 20 years of Canoe the Nonquon. Can "Ducky" and her crew succeed in this most energetic mission? Will there be enough water in the river to float the team to victory? What will "Ducky" do when smacked across the bow by an angry mother Beaver? Will enough sponsors come forward to make the trip worth- while? These and other earth shattering ques- tions will be answered this Saturday. In the meantime, if you haven't sponsored a team in Canoe the Nonquon, "Team Ducky" and her crew of Doreen Kendall and Bill Brock would be happy to have your pledge. As of last Friday, this dynamic duo had just over $500 in sponsors, but said they would be disappointed if they didn't raise at least $1000 dollars for their efforts. And as Doreen says, it will take one BIG effort. Doreen's plédge sheet can be found at the Meating Place, where she works behind the take-out counter. Don't wait for her to ask you if you've sponsored (because believe me, she will), volunteer a buck or two and help her achieve her goal. As for good ole' "Ducky", this may be her last race. The years have been quickly catching up on her and she will probably be forced into early retirement following this race. With her unnals starting to sag, and her stern dragging n the mud, there is little hope for another "run Random "strong heart and sti - vigorous walk to for the lilly pads." Following this race she will be stretchered off to her final resting place on top of an old wood pile, at the rear of her home near Utica. She will spend the rest of her days, bottom fac- ing skyward, with little use other than offering protection from the elements to a variety of field varmits. Not a happy future for a canoe with a paddles. Mind you-it is surprising what a win and a trophy can do to lift the spirits of even the most aging canoe. Maybe all she really needs is this one big win to straighten out her keel and pull herself together. She really deserves more! Want to help a little "Ducky" whose down and out? Then get your name on Doreen's pledge sheet and sponsor this exciting entry in Canoe the Nonquon. If you can't get down to the Meating Place, take a minute to phone 985- 2818 or 985-7705 and ask that your name and pledge be entered on her sheet. Phone in your pledge now. The future of a little blue canoe known as "Just Ducky" rides on your generosity. And don't forget to come down and cheer them on this:Saturday. PARTICIPATING This Wednesday, May 30 is Participaction Day across the province, and thousands of Scu- gogites will be out performing a variety of physi- cal activities for fifteen minutes. : The staff here at the Star will be taking part, and we will close the office for fifteen min- utes tomorrow morning (Wednesday), from 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. to take part in the event. As of my writing this column, we haven't . come to a firm decision of how we are going to expend our energy, but quite likely it will be a e lakefront and along a few of the pretty streets of Port Perry, ending back at the front door of the Star. if your firm hasn't anything planned for Par- ticipaction Day, make plans now. It's never too late, and the more people who participate, the better our chance of beating our neighbours and rivals in Uxbridge. Not only that, it's good for you!