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E editorial By Rev. Jim Paul As the big yellow school bus wound it's way home from one of our neighbourhood high schools, an impromptu debate arose amongst the "back benchers." The subject of discussion focused on the end of the world. This microcosm of Canada's youth decided that mother earth was in a mess, thanks to Ayatollah Khomeini, Russia's invasion of Afghan and the West's subsequent declaration of a 'Cold War' against the Soviets. All too quickly the bus dropped off it's passengers and the debate was ended with a chilling resolution that the world could soon be destroyed in an atomic holocaust. In every sector of Canada this school bus debate is repeated over and over again. During lunch breaks, in business offices and even in the quiet of our homes many are seriously posing the question -- "Are we living in the last days?"' I'm not trying to play the role of an alarmist, but there is every reason to believe that the answer to this question is yes. Every prophecy of the Bible is being fulfilled with exacting precision. Can anyone blindly deny what Apostle Peter was referring to when he stated that "the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up" (II Peter 3:10). Peter has left for us a detailed description of an atomic war, which we know from the Hiroshima experience does create the roaring of violent winds and burn- ing of intense heat. Let us prepare for that day. Have you ever had a school bus debate on the end of the world? The odds are that you have. Wouldn't it be wise to surrender your life right now to the Lord Jesus. God promises that for everyone who is His child there shall be peace in this life and the next. Castor Valley Baptist Church Minister-- Rev. James Paul, ph. 821-2144 Meeting in the Russell Public School 9:30 a.m.--Family Worship Service Nursery and Children's church provided eg _ 10:30 a.m.--Coffee and Conversation 11:00 a.m.--Family Bible School Christmas canoeing - on the Castor By Suzanne Schroeter Casselman OPP's Dynamic Duo by Bruce Dysart Sherlock Holmes would have hung up his magnifying glass if he'd had to compete with Lance, the newest member of the Casselman detachment of the OPP. Lance -- it's real name is Kanaka's Futuristic Boy but it's trainers nicknamed it for obvious reasons -- is a three-year-old Ger- man shepherd and has been with the provincial police force since last April. It's master, Constable Tom Murray, says the dog has already justified the $25,000 it cost the OPP to train and accommodate it. Lance's main talent is in tracking and proved it last November. Twenty men spent several days looking for a missing hunter- at Long Sault until Murray and Lance stepped in and located the body of the man after only an hour... Then on Dec. 4 a child went missing from Rockland and was found by Murray and Lance in 30 minutes. Strangely enough this valuable new addition to the police force was found at a junk yard. He was being used to guard the dump at Orangeville and was selected for the force's training program because of his intelligent and predictable nature. Murray says it would be too costly for the province to breed its own dogs. "Out of 100 dogs rais- ed there would probably be only one or two with the right characteristics so the head trainer constantly scouts around the pro- vince for just the right dogs." A three-year veteran with the force, Murray met up with Lance at Mount Forest last July and stayed there with him for a four- LANCE AND CONSTABLE TOM MURRAY (Bruce Dysart Photo.) month training period. "We worked together constantly for six days a week, eight hours every day."' : Even after bringing Lance to Casselman on November 1 the training is not over. They have to return to the Mount Forest head- quarters for a week of further training every five weeks. Besides tracking, Lance is used to search buildings for dangerous suspects, sniff out marijuana- related drugs, explosives and act as a guard dog. The dog has a gentle and predic- table nature and was a big hit with the small children at a recent Christmas party. It's trained to at- tack on a specific command by Murray. It has been used to patrol the courtroom where members of a motorcycle gang were appearing and stood guard at the house the _ OPP Project Alpha team used to store stolen goods. Lance has come a long way from the junk yard at Orangeville. The detachment got a special car for it complete with air condition- ing, built a kennel for it at Mur- ray's house and sees to it that it eats well and is kept in perfect health. It is expected to serve with the force for about five years after which it will be retired and a good home found for it. Murray, a 33-year-old bachelor, is with Lance constantly. He - works a regular shift with the dog and in addition has to take him to any detachment from Kingston to the Quebec border which requires their services. He doubts whether he will get another dog when Lance's career with the force is over: "The sear- ches are very physically taxing and I'm not sure I'll still be up to it after five years." This past Christmas was pretty unusual in more ways than one. The mild weather and rain had opened a section of the Castor River from Bols Farm to the Con- cession Road bridge. On Christmas Day as Christopher and Marjory Bryson enjoyed the view from their win- dow, instead of seeing gentle snowflakes falling on a snow- covered river, they witnessed John and Richard MacKenzie canoeing in the rain! But the MacKenzie boys were not simply trying to set a new record (neither can remember a Christmas Day in the recent past when one could canoe in this area), their voyage had a purpose. A week earlier, Stephen Chaters had helped the boys clear snow off the river for a hockey rink. A shovel left behind had ended up floating down river on a piece of ice after the melt. So the boys hoped their aluminum canoe would get them to the shovel and back through the fast-moving icefloes. The current carried them as far "as the bridge, but beyond that solid ice blocked their path. Minus the shovel, the boys began the muscle-breaking job of returning home against the strength of the Mighty Castor. I challenge anyone to find a better way to work up an appetite for Christmas dinner! Feb. 15 -- Feb. 23 INTRODUCING NEW CHATEAU 417 FAMILY OWNED BY _PEPPI, ELFl AND CHARLES RICHTER EXCELLENT CANADIAN AND EUROPEAN CUISINE SUCCULENT HOUSE FAVORITES, --WIENER SCHNITZEL --HUNGARIAN GOULASH --SALMON FILET AU CHAMPAGNE --SHISHKEBAB RESERVE FOR YOUR -- DINNER DANCING -- RESERVATIONS FOR ALL OCCASIONS --COMPLETELY LICENSED business, anniversary and birthday parties 443-5126 LIMOGES EXIT NORTH OF HWY. 417, LIMOGES, ONT. Music Groups METCALFE WINTER CARNIVAL Fri. Feb. 15 Metcalfe Jets Game Sat. Feb. 16 Community "Funspiel" Dance sponsored oy « Old Time Fri. Feb. 22 Monte Carlo Nite Sat. Feb. 23 Snowmobile Rally sponsored by Metcalfe Snow Rovers -- "Think Snow" followed by Carnival Dance Other Events -- Broomball Tournament, Snow Sculpture Contest, Family Hymn Sing, Bingo, Euchre Party. Additional Carnival Info. Call Chairperson Bruce Patterson, 821-2221. Feb. 15 -- Feb. 23 Lee ke Ek Wel a