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Barrie man is arealhero was only second aoe to pull out three metro Toronto men from an _ overturned dump truck according to a modest Terry Kennedy. To others on the scene it was hero work. That's why Mr. Kennedy has_ been named this year's National Truck Hero. Mr. Kennedy, 25, of Barrie, is credited with the rescue of the three men who were trapped in the cabin of their smoldering asphalt dump truck when it overturned coming off the Queen Elizabeth Way on Horner Ave. in Etobicoke, Ontario, on Friday, Oct. 23, 1981. The national truck hero program, inits 27th year, is awarded an- nually to a professional truck driver who demonstrates heroism above and beyond the call of duty. The award is sponsored by Firestone Canada Ince. and endorsed by the Canada Safety Council. The act must have occurred between Oct. 1, 1981 and Sept. 30, 1982. On Sept. 17, 1982, Mr. Kennedy received the Ontario Provincial Police Award for Bravery from OPP Commissioner James Erskine and Ontario Solicitor General George Taylor. Ontario Provincial Police Constable Al Malinauskas called Mr. Kennedy, and another motorist, Matthew Fowler, of North Cambrjdge, Ontario, who also came to the rescue, heroes. Within seconds of pulling the three men from the smoky wreckage it exploded. "It's just a miracle that no one died. If those two men didn't think quickly and pull those guys out of there, there would have been three fatalitlés right now,"' said Constable Malinauskas, at the scene. Flames shooting 14 feet into the air were witnessed by Robert Ravalico, a ministry of transport worker who was driving more than 100 yards away when he heard the explosion. "It was like second nature," claimed Mr. Kennedy, who was then working for Specialized Packaging Products in Barrie. He has been on indefinite layoff since July. "They were in trouble and I helped them out. I'm a truck driver myself so I hope that, if it ever happens to me, someone would pull me out," he said. Mr. Kennedy said he was eastbound on the Q.E.W. turning onto Horner Ave. when he Smurfs get into the act onrV The Smurfs come to the rescue when an evil stranger stalks two children while they travel to their uncle's house for the Christmas holidays in "The Smurfs Christmas Special", to be telecast Monday, Dec. 13, 8 - 8:30 p.m., on the Global Television Network. The Smurfs, already alerted to the children's danger, arrive just in time to save them from a pack of wolves. They return to the Smurf village for warmth and a little Christmas cheer. The evil stranger offers the wicked wizard Gargamel a= scroll containing the direc- tions to the Smurfs village and a spell for its destruction, in ex- Reeve Day called upon to lead prayer A new wrinkle was introduced at Monday night's sitting of Midland council. Reeve Bev Day was invited by Mayor Al Roach to lead in the Lord's Prayer. At the outset of previous council meetings it has always been the mayor of the town who has led in the prayer. change for the children. Gargamel grabs the children and turns them over to the evil stranger in return for the scroll. Gargamel uses the evil magic to burn the Smurfs village. The evil stranger decides to take himself and the children to a "much warmer home" and envelops them in a great wall of fire. Papa Smurf urges the band of Smurfs to sing 'Goodness Makes the Badness Go Away' with all the love they can give. The woodland animals join in the song and eventually goodness prevails as the evil stranger goes up in a cloud of smoke. heard a_-- screech. Looking in his rearview mirror, he saw a truck bounce over the curb and flip over. He stopped his truck and ran back to help. Noticing three people in the cab trying to get out, with the truck lying on its side, he and Mr. Fowler climbed up. The two rescuers broke the window and helped pull them out. As they ran from the truck it ex- ploded into a ball of fire. Soon police arrived, an ambulance was on the scene, and the three trapped workers were taken to Queensway General Hospital. They were treated for cuts and abrasions and released. "Tt was horrible,' a still-shocked Luigi Scutti of Della Park Ave. said. He was one of the three trapped men. "Imagine yourself on an airplane and it blows up. That's how I felt-I saw death." Also trapped were Angelo Scanzillio of _Sepia Drive and John Caruso of Cameron Ave. As the 1982 Firestone National Truck Hero, Mr. Kennedy receives a $1,000 cash prize, an all expense paid weekend for two at the luxurious King Edward Hotel in Toronto, a personal trophy and plaque, all courtesy of Firestone. He also receives an inscribed Rolex wristwatch from the Rolex Watch Company of Canada Limited. The truck hero was the guest of honor at the opening luncheon of the Ontario Trucking Association convention on Dec. 9, at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto; where he was officially proclaimed . the 1982 hero. He was joined by his wife Marcia. This year's hero was nominated by Mrs. Jan Landry of Barrie. She receives a $200 cash reward from Firestone for making the winning nomination. The 1982 Firestone National Truck Hero was. selected from nominations throughout Canada, assessed by a panel of judges com- prising William L. Higgitt, president of the Canada Safety Council, Frank J. Hammond, Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and V.J. Sardo, executive vice-president of Firestone Canada Inc. Christmas Tyme at Nielsprs~Geramics A beautiful selection of Ceramic Christmas Trees made in our studio Door & Drawer Pulls- plain or decorated-plus hand crafted wood pieces 12 Fifth St., Midland 526-8678 Page 30, Wednesday, December 15, 1982 Midiand OPP detachment office: a view from the air Sharing the joy of Christmas Here it is Christmas time again...a time of unbridled joy and unbounded merriment. Here are a few ways to share your personal "joy to the world" this Christmas: --with pen in hand. That Christmas cards are beautiful, no one will deny. But do tuck a cheery letter inside. You may end up with "writer's cramp,' but you will have poured out your soul, and-please God-added to the Christmas cheer of many. --ferrying shut-ins or car-less senior citizens to see the Christmas lights. A "spot of tea" and a doughnut along the way will warm the cockles of their hearts. Chart out routes beforehand. You don't want to meet yourself coming back on a one- way Street. --join in a trek for a purpose. Christmas week is an excellent time for a stroll through the winter woods. You may see a bluejay, and that flash of red could be a cardinal or some rare winter bird. Don't forget binoculars. --dispensing summer sunshine. Pop jars of jam, jelly, relishes in at doors of friends, shut-ins and loners, promising to return for a chat in January, that period of post-Christmas "'blahs." And make sure you keep your promise. --fighting inflation. Sternly count calories. Ah, there's the rub! But it will pay off in pounds, in- ches and well-being. --going carolling with a group. Dress warmly and arm yourself with cough drops. Put your heart and soul into "Silent Night."' Visit an institution or shopping mall and your melody will not be blown away be the December breezes. --giving a gift without price. Offer to baby-sit for a young couple in your neighborhood who may be in need of a night out. Your treat. Paul and Ilona... Owners of Parker's Variety, would like to thank all our friends and customers for your patronage over the last 6 years. THANK YOU SALE 30 % OFF ALL GIFTWARE Dec. 13 to Dec. 18 As of Dec. 20, new owners will take over. We would like to wish you all the merriest of Christmas' and a Happy New Year or Ilona at 526-8854 ee ee i a sS[ es OSS loolh:* tint) FE - 5 hemo -- Ie ola plo of n