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-Editoriais Super curling RUSS HOWARD'S rink from Penetanguishene will long remember the 1986 Canadian Men's Curling Championship in Kitchener-Waterloo. After capturing the Ontario Tankard earlier this year at Richmond Hill, the North Simcoe curlers came within a whisker, Sunday afternoon, of defeating Alberta for all the marbles at the Brier. The 57th annual Canadian Curling Championship saw plenty of week-long excitement, much of it provided by Skip Russ Howard, Vice Skip Glenn Howard, Second Stone Tim Belcourt and Lead Kent Carstairs. (Larry Merkley was named spare.) The curling was superb. The competition was keen and we can thank Howard's foursome for some of the best curling we have ever seen. Well done Jim Punch { ©1986 PUNCH PUBL. DIST. BY L.A. TIMES SYND. MIDLAND DENTIST Jim Shaw is about to embark on the _Letters adventure of a lifetime. After practicing dentistry for 21 years in his hometown, Shaw is taking his professional talents to Jamaica between April 5-12, serving the "'poorest of the poor" in Kingston, Jamaica dental clinics. Shaw first learned of the Jamaican Self Help project, established in 1979 for the relief of poverty by the Brothers of the poor, while thumbing through a dental journal in his own Hugel Avenue office, in late January. Although the charitable foundation continues to draw volunteer assistance from around the world, Shaw believes he will be among the very first dentists to work side by side with the Jamaicans. His wife Vivian, a skilled dental assistant, is also volunteering her dentistry skills. Shaw anticipates that tooth extractions, and minor surgeries, will consume most of their time. Many Jamaican Self Help volunteers return again and again to work with the disadvantaged people on this Caribbean Island. Shaw is already anticipating taking his dentistry experience south '"'on a regular basis." We salute Jim Shaw. The gift of life A WEEK this Wednesday (March 19) you'll be given a grand opportunity to roll up your sleeves and to give from the heart at a major blood donors' clinic planned for Midland. It will be held at the Yonge Street Civic Centre from 12 noon to 8:30 p.m. Next week's target will be 350 pints of blood. With your help at the Huronia Branch of the Red Cross will be: able to meet its goal. Remember the person who receives your blood donation will be healthier for it. Give the gift of life, March 19. Heavy spenders IN THIS SPACE several editions ago, we called attention to the severe bed shortage at Huronia District Hospital. Many of you are aware the 125-bed facility, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year, has an unfinished wing which could house an additional 18 beds but because of a lack of provincial funds the wing remains dormant. We can appreciate the provincial government's need to save tax doliars however when it comes to the business of health care we would prefer seeing provincial dollars wisely spent in this area before various provincial ministries send us seven or eight press releases on the same subject. What has provoked these few comments comes on the heels of receiving no fewer than seven press releases this week from Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture regarding six projects across the province which will receive some $979,500 in capital grants for hands-on archaeological projects! How about fewer press releases and more money set aside for quality health care in Ontario? Another Big Wheelie planned Dear Editor: Once again it is time for the Contact Information Centre's "Big Wheelie."' 1986 is the sixth year for Contact's Bike-a-thon and we would like to invite you to participate in this annual event which is fun for the whole family. This event provides much needed support for your community's information centre which handled over 14,000 inquiries in 1985! May 25 is the date scheduled for the Bike-a-thon which begins at 1 p.m. this year. (June 8 is the rain date) Why not kick off 'Participation Week"' by participating in our Bike-a-thon? If you don't want to ride we need volunteers to man checkpoints, prizes or just your support in pledging someone. ' : Thank you. Yours truly, Sandra L. Saddy Director Contact Information Centre Conservation is vital Dear Editor: A few nights ago a group of us attended an Annual Election at "'Midland Wye Marsh." "The Friends of the Wye Marsh" as everyone is no doubt aware from considerable press coverage during the past year, are attempting to preserve this heritage. For a number of years up until this past one, the Marsh and its activities have been protected and promoted primarily through government funding which is currently being phased out. Now the Director, Executive Members and community and conservation-minded people have had to come up with a plan including all our area people and the whole of Simcoe County, to financially support the project, if wild life and conservation is to survive to propogate. There is also the long-range educational aspect and value. This is just as important, because of its effect through future generations. Your support, and mine for this concentrated campaign will be solicited shortly. We hope that you will respond positively. Supporters in numbers will bring success. From a picture-slide shown at the meeting (re- an Educational Canoe Trip) one noted the scum on the surface of the Wye Marsh Water, through which the canoe had to force its way. It had not quite occurred to me that the "scum"' in a marsh is nature's method of serving a vital purpose, that of helping to cool the water for propogation of certain species of animal life, in- cluding the fish which we enjoy eating, and anglers get a thrill out of catching. And the dense reeds, etc. throughout the marsh, contribute greatly to wild bird and fowl propogation, also. Yes, conservation is vital, and here is an op- portunity to show that we believe in its basic importance, and are sincere about it all. I repeat, 'Let us respond positively to the campaign and financially support it, as well as in countless other way.' In future, both you and your children will be happy that have contributed greatly and continuously, to this vital 'life-line.' Yours in Conservation, Ken A. Cowan (Member of Friends of The Wye Marsh 400 Mildred St., Midland, Ont. L4R 3R6 526-5196 Volunteers are saluted Dear Editor: The month of March is Red Cross Month across Canada. The humanitarium philosphy of the Red Cross Society has made it one of the most respected International Organizations in the world and this would not be so if not for our many volunteers. At the Annual Meeting, unfortunately, some volunteers were overlooked and for this, I, as Chairman, do sincerely apologize. The Volunteers that I refer to, are the dedicated Visitors that give of their time and talents so freely to the many shut-ins of our community. Through their un- selfish commitment, the lives of many are made more enjoyable and happier. The Huronia Branch of the Red Cross is most fortunate to have so many excellent Volunteers in the various services. Without these dedicated Volunteers the humanitariun services could not be carried out. May I take this opportunity to applaud these Volunteers. They have earned everyones respect and heartfelt gratitude. May they continue to serve the community for many years to come and to give the same high quality of service and commitment of the Red Cross ideals to their fellowman. Yours sincerely, (Mrs. J.W.) Mary M. Gibson (Past-Chairman) --Eetters The Penetanguishene Citizen welcomes Letters to the Editor. They must be legible, signed (by hand), and carry the writer's address and telephone number for verification. Pen names are not allowed and anonymous letters will not be published. Letters published by this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this newspaper, its publisher or editor. --Penetanquishene Citizen-- Published by Bayweb Limited every Tuesday at 74 Main Street, Penetanguishene, Ontario 549-2012 Second Class Mail Registration Number 2327 Publisher: Andrew Markle Manager: Judy French Editor: Michele Gouett Page 6, Tuesday, March 11, 1986 a i