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ihe a i a LEE 4- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 13, 1994 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star It's easy to be an angel. That's the message that's being relayed to kids in the area by Port Perry's The Kids Store, where they've launched a Christmas campaign to donate gifts to the needy. Kids Store owner Heather Cooper came up with the "Be An Angel" concept after being approached by her customers to do something to mark the season. Parents wanted to make an effort to help the needy -- donations will be distributed by Operation Scugog -- and also to teach their kids some- thing about the true meaning of Christmas, Ms Cooper said. "I must say, I was very pleased the parents had come to me; that they wanted to do something," she said. "They were looking at it as an opportunity to do some- thing, but also to teach their kids that not all kids have as much as they do." The concept is simple: Customers make a purchase at the store, and donate it to Operation Scugog. Ms Cooper attaches to the gift an angel from the Christmas tree she has in her store window, and replaces the angel with a star. The process provides the children with a valuable lesson in giving at Christmas, as opposed to just receiving, she said. "We've had some parents Collecting gifts for needy Christmas effort at Port store encourages kids to 'Be an Angel' Heather Cooper at The Kids' Store in Port Perry has begun a program that will supply gifts to the area's needy at Christmas. It's aimed at teaching children the true meaning of the season. let their kids pick a gift they would like, and donate it," she said. "I think it's really impor- tant for kids to learn early on," she added. "Even just being aware that not every- body lives the way you do." Operation Scugog contin- ues to accept donations for the area's needy. Christmas dinners and gifts will be dis- tributed in the area a few days before Christmas. To help out, call Operation Scugog at 985-3651. CHRISTMAS SPECIALS AT FANTASTIC PRICE SAVINGS! 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In a letter to Durham East MPP Gord Mills, Transport Minister Mike Farnan says pre- liminary tests done on the Attia property in the township's southeast end show little aggre- gate of value. "Based on the investigation, the tested area was determined to be unsuitable for granular base and subbase material," Mr. Farnan wrote in the letter, dated Nov. 18. That's what Scugog roads chief Ronn MacDonald has been saying all along; he said during two public meetings this past fall that the vacant 100-acre property bounded by McKee Rd., Devitts Rd. and the Manvers/Scugog town line would yield no quality sand or gravel, and fears about a way- side pit being established there were unfounded. Property owner Eid Attia of Scarborough started a tempest when he called for ministry testing of the land, which he originally bought with the intention of building housing. That plan, though, doesn't com- ply with the region's official plan. Mr. Attia said in the late summer he was testing the land for aggregate deposits as a means of exploring options for Multicultural project the property; he also considered building a golf course, and other alternatives. Neighbors of the property living on the township line road were up in arms when they learned of the testing. They quickly assembled for public meetings, and twice attended township council, demanding a resolution that would state the township's opposition to cre- ation of a wayside pit on the property. At the end of the second meeting this fall the council complied, passing a resolution that opposes an extraction per- mit for the Attia property, and calling.on the province to allow municipalities and private citi- zens more input in the permit process. Wayside permits are issued under the provincial Aggregate Resources Act, which is admin- istered by the Ministry of Natural Resources. The permits allow for extraction and sale of materials for provincially or municipally-tendered road work. Mr. Farnan said in his letter that the ministry conducted limited testing on the Attia property in late summer, drilling test holes and conduct- ing laboratory testing. "...the ministry will not be seeking clearance to list the Attia property as a potential wayside pit," the minister wrote. Mr. Attia told the Star this fall he would abandon plans for the pit. Missisaugas offer to 'Share Traditions' The Mississaugas of Scugog Island are offering crafts cours- es this winter in an effort to reach out to the off-reserve com- munity around them. Beginning Jan. 4 and con- tinuing to March, the Sharing Traditions native craft instruc- tion classes will give partici- pants an insight into life on the Island reserve and also help those interested in crafts pick up new skills, said Learning Centre coordinator Linda Dyment. "It's an exchange," said Ms 'Dyment of the program, which will see participants receive instruction in such native crafts as basket weaving, beading, moccasin making and leather work. "We want people to appreci- ate the culture here, and we also want the people here to appreciate the diversity that is IBM PERSONAL COMPUTERS "Quality ~ Service ~ Support" NCS Authorized IBM Dealer (905 986-5390 - FAX 905-986-1039 COUNTRY LIVING AT ITS BEST! 11 acre property with 2000 sq. ft. custom but home, large country kitchen overlooks family room pool, pond, bush. with wood stove, heated 728-0051 or page 576-5 Shirmax Plus Realty Inc. 888 Sproule Cres., Oshawa PHONE: 676-6300 FAX: 676-6301 out there as well." The program has been pro- vided funding by the Multicultural Council of Oshawa/Durham, which last August announced an anti- racism outreach project aimed at increasing awareness and tolerance of other cultures. The Mississaugas of Scugog Island saw the program as an opportunity to promote local awareness of their culture by sharing the rich native heritage that is embodied by crafts, said Ms Dyment. "This is the first time the Mississaugas of Scugog have ever offered arts and crafts here," she said. "It's to bring people together and at the same time learn, and make something." There is a "low level of aware- ness" of native culture off the reserve, said Ms Dyment. The classes, which run steadily from Jan. 4 until March with a number of instructors, culminate in April when a "barter sale" of crafts is held. For more information on the sharing Traditions program, or to sign up, call 985-1826. 10% OFF Wedding Orders Port Perry Star OFFICE CENTRE 188 Mary St., Port Perry 985-7383