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Ballard's Bits and Bites Dear readers, I hope you are keeping nice_and warm. Sure turned cold these past few days. Well everybody sure is busy. Here at the home we have also started getting into the Christmas feeling. On the 8th the Ladies Auxiliary held a Christmas tea for all the residents. After a delicious tea and goodies, each resident received a Xmas gift from the Ladies, on behalf of the home I want to thank these wonderful ladies for all they do for us all year long. Our card playing friends were in to help pass an afternoon for the folks here at Birchwood. Our thanks to them and best wishes for Happy Holidays. On Thursday the 15th we had our monthly birthday party hosted by the C.W.L.of Schreiber. After cake and coffee the residents each received a gift. Thank you Ladies. Our "Birthday Kids" this month are Elsie Dodds, Joe Gaisson, Hugo Nygvist, Gabrielle Gauthier. We wish them all a Happy Birthday. We will have our Christmas Luncheon Dec. 20th and our Auxiliary will be our guests. -- On Dec. 22 we will have our Christmas Party for all the resi- dents. Our staff as usual will be our hosts and on behalf of all our resi- dents I want to thank our staff for their work and care throughout this past year and we give them our best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, God Bless you all. ' Now if I may I would like to thank all our readers for your kind- ness and your help in my efforts to write a column. Four and a half years ago and four editors when I was asked to write Bits & Bites I said I would do it for one month. Well I started to enjoy my work so I kept on writing. I received many phone calls which I always enjoyed and when I was able to use your bites I did, and many times I got good results. Of course on the other hand I also received crank calls, that also goes with the job. But these past 3 -- weeks I have received five such calls. One caller gave me a name but the other four did not. All five however, accused me of bad mouthing Pit Bulls. That they were not dangerous dogs and I had a lot of nerve saying these things. Well dear readers, this is my last "Bits & Bites" , believe me it's not the crank calls that made me decide to stop, I have my own personal reasons, I shall miss doing this I know. I want to thank all of you for your kindness and help and I want to say this. I wish all my friends and readers A Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Years. Pour nos amis de la langue Francaise, Joyeux Noel et Bonne et Heureuse Annee. In closing please take care, and during the holiday season please, if you drink, don't drive, and remem- ber, "Money talks, but all it says is Good bye." So long. Increased range of activities possible through government's MNDM funding Existing ministry grant pro- grams have been consolidated and refocused into a new program ini- tiative to help improve the quality of life for northern residents says Northern Development Minister Rene Fontaine. The supplementary northern assistance program will help groups in the arts, social and health fields. The fund will help cover travel costs, the staging of confer- ences, workshops, seminars and performances..- : -- "The program takes into account the special conditions and needs of northern groups," said Fontaine. "It will place emphasis, for example, on helping people in smaller and more remote commu- nities enjoy and participate in a wider range of activities." Under the health and social component, the program will fund the hosting of workshops, studies and conferences, up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum- -of ' $10,000. Minor capital assistance, paki as. building renovation, purchasing facilities, furniture and equipment up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $25,000. Under the arts and cultural com- ponent, groups can receive up to 75 per cent of eligible costs, to.a maxi- mum of $10,000 for workshops or touring performances. Meals, accommodations, advertising, pro- * duction costs, rentals and honoraria are among the costs covered. Under the travel component, financial assistance may be made available for volunteer, non-profit groups to participate in health, social, arts or cultural conferences where travel within Canada exceeds 300 road kilometres each way. Travel in Northern Ontario will receive priority consideration. The program will be used to top up funds from other sources and cover extra costs faced by.Northern organizations. Groups will be expected to contribute from their own resources and access funding from other sources before being considered by this program. Organizations can receive only one grant a year and preference will be given to groups that have not previ- ously been funded. A program. brochure, providing , details.and information, is available from Katie Heikkinen, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, 435 S. James Street, Thunder Bay, Ont., P7C SG6, (807) 475-1585. Page'5, News, Wednesday, December 21, 1988... Birth Annoynvement Patrick & Danny Connelly are pleased to announce the safe arrival of their baby brother Jamie Thomas Born November 15, 1988; weighing 9 Ibs. 8 ozs. Special thanks to Dr. Wilkes, Mary Shack and all the McCausland Hospital Staff. Proud parents are Margaret & Lonnie Connelly. Proud grandparents are Denis & Boots Connelly of Midland and Tom & Mary Hamilton of Sarnia, Ontario Thank you I want to thank my dear family, relatives and friends for the loving care and support while I was in the hospital. The mass intentions, prayers, cards, visits, phone calls and good wishes were greatly appreciated. Thanks to Dr. Wilkes, Dr. Ryner and Nursing staff for the care I received. Special thanks to Father Campbell. Your kindness and concern, . will always be remembered - Season's Greetings -- Lrene Nicol TERRACE BAY LEGION "New Year's Eve Dance" December 31, 1988 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Music by Party Sound Party Favours $20. Couple/$10. Single Tickets available at the Legion from December 1 to December 17 for members and from December 19 to December 30 for guests. Cold Buffet their first son weighing 3.440 kg. Birth Annoyntement Mario & Lily Figliomeni are proud to announce the birth of Dominic Pantelis Figliomeni Born on the 24th of November at McCausland Hospital Special thanks to Dr. Wilkes & Dannielle Salesse and the rest of the nursing staff, their help was greatly appreciated. Terrace Bay Chiropractic Office OPEN DAILY 8:30 a.m. 3 Wighiand: ae Terrace Bay 825-3297 McBRIDE In loving memory of Nova McBride who passed away December 23, 1985 Please God forgive a silent prayer A constant wish that she were here Others were taken, yes we know But she was ours and we loved her so She bid no one a last farewell Nor even said goodbye She was gone before we knew it And only God knows why If all the world were ours to give We'd give it yes and more To see the face of the one we love Coming smiling through the door Please God just take a message To her in heaven above Tell her how much we miss her And give her all our love Lovingly remembered by Ron, Ronnie, Karen, Geraldine, Lawrence and grandchildren TILDEN Christmas Special Frosty's Daily Rate $19.95 per day Includes 100 free km's excess @ 17d per km Rudolph's Weekly Special $198.00 per week Includes 1000 free km's - excess @ 17q per km _ km An y available vehicle (except trucks) Reserve NOW for best selection anda drive a safe & happy holiday. 824-2043 Effective December 16, 1988 until January 2, 1989