The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

stux veiandkatuayianuarylpia eye of beholder sees beauty in passing grade from where i live bruce stapley walking past a jew elry store during the holidays i saw a sign out front asking what life would be like with out beautiful things and while the intent of the shopkeeper was to draw attention to his assortment of rings watches and fine porcelain figurines i found myself pondering the question in more absolute terms as i continued my stroll inspired by the brilliant sun and the general sense of well being the christmas season brings i proceeded to compile a list in my head of the most beautiful things i have encountered during my lifetime with a new year upon us traditionally a time for new beginnings as well as reflection i thought it might be nice to start out 1998 by sharing this aesthetic array the first spellbinding sight that came to mind was the grand canyon 1 recalled how upon coming across this majestic expanse on a driving holiday to mexico back in 1977 1 drove from vantage point to vantage point in search of a picture that might best capture the absolute awesomeness of this wonderful chasm in the end i gave up when it comes to such a massive natural wonder its a matter of all or nothing theres probably a sermon in there somewhere but well leave that for the men and women with the clerical collars numerous other natural phenomenon came to mind as well sunsets over the ocean or against the backdrop of tall pines the water falls and rockstudded rapids of ontarios northland or the smooth water and shoreline rock formations observed while canoeing the french river im sure canadas rocky mountains would be right up there if alas i had ever gazed upon them my very first recollection of something so beautiful as to cause me to stop in my tracks came as a kid back in the late 1950s i lived and died with the fortunes of my beloved toronto maple leafs after tuning in to hockey night in canada on tv in black and white every saturday night for several years i final ly got the chance to go to maple leaf gardens to see my hock ey heroes in the flesh i can still recall the goosebumps that broke out all over my body upon walking up to the edge of the greys and peering down upon the ice surface and the players wanning up the explosion of vivid precise colours caused my jaw to drop the births of my children all four of which i was fortunate enough to witness first hand have provided the closest thing to a beauteous miracle i have ever observed as for creations of my own making the sight of my first ever piece of pine furni ture completed and resembling in every detail the one in the craft magazine still sticks in my mind so taken was i by the fact a pile of boards could be painstak ingly worked to produce such a faithful likeness of an early canadian furnishing that it inspired me to pursue a career as a cabinetmaker for a decade ive also been tremendously moved by the beauty of music through the years many will testify to that sense of utter perfec tion which surrounds your senses when voices and instrumenta tion combine for a moment of unspeakable musical brilliance then theres that picture of my wife i took while on assignment in the local school yard the day i met her 10 years ago the one i kept coming back to gaze at again and again when it surfaced in the tribune office a few days later but while the beauty ive observed in my life has usually involved things that others could also appreciate for their artistic merit ill never forget the sight that set my heart to singing with unbridled joy back in the early summer after my grade 12 year the figure im referring to of course was the big bold 51 a bare pass but a pass all the same written on my report card beside my most egregious high school nemesis mathematics rkham ulaoo jhee of excellence f i markham needs you to get involved in the process of governing our town and taking a part in charting our future the town has a variety of advisory boards and committees which allow you to use your talents and interests for the benefit of our community to find out more about these opportunities for a summary of terms duties and functions for the various committees and advisory boards or to pick up applications visit the town of markham clerks department at the markham civic centre 101 town centre boulevard markham l3r 9w3or the public library nearest you or call mrs pat miller 9054777000 ext 822 for information by mail or fax an orientation session is planned for those interested in the whole committee process on january 13 1998 at 700 pm in the canada room at the markham civic centre when details and responsibilities will be outlined for potential committee members as well council will be conducting personal interviews of applicants on most of the committees applicants should be aware that council is currently reviewing the terms of reference of the committees and some committees may be subject to change applications in writing whether by hand delivery fax or mail addressed to the town clerk will be received until january 23 1998 from any members of the general public residing in markham who wish to have their names considered for the following local boards and committees boards committees achievement and civic recognition awards committee 1998 canada day committee committee of adjustment court of revisionproperty standards committee frederick horsman varley art gallery of markham advisory board or a subcommittee of the board heritage markham local architectural conservation advisory committee lacac markham advisory committee on accessibility markham cemetery board markham conservation committee markham district historical museum board markham public library board markham race relations committee markham theatre board or a subcommittee of the board mayors advisory committee on finance and taxes millennium committee terms of reference and membership size has not yet been determined milliken mills beautification committee waste management committee s s 4 happy new year to all our wonderful customers happy birthday to toromark 48 years in markham with 1000s of happy customers 100 bonus start the new year off right with a new chesterfield from toromark come place your reupholstering work 12 price sale on fabrics curt stephen are here to serve you make you a happy customer toromark hwy 7 just west of hwy 48 in the iga plaza 2942581 4772055 focus on faith new year offers chance to implement changes as the new year dawns its interesting to ponder what sages through the centuries have commented concerning times past and times future ovid wrote about the year 1 bc neither will the wave that has passed be called back nor can the hour that has gone return about 500 years bc confucius wrote study the past if you would define the c m ntm n n ijkt- community future and as far back as 900 years bc an ancient optimist named ion put it this way the unexpected makes hearts dance the more no matter how we look to the future based on our past the new year affords an excellent time to implement some beneficial changes by wav of resolutions yes we joke about res- a church to call home 1100 am morning worship curing worry warts in 1398 pastor mark lowrie 8176 mccowan road oust south of hwy 7 marl vi central united church 131 main st unionville 4740183 sunday january 4 1998 915 1100 am worship service a warm welcome awaits you f st andrews presbyterian church join us sunday at 11 for worship nursery care church school resumes january 11 143 main st markham 9052944736 y y olutions that we dont seem to be able to keep for more than a short time but some do stick and we must note that it is by such decisions that we do grow little by little yes but grow indeed so heres a collection of good resolutions some are short term others long term why not select one just one that based on your past would benefit your future seek out a forgotten friend mend a broken relationship without wor- r makkham missionary c sunday january 4 1998 930 am christian education hour 700 pm pastor lougheed speaking wednesday 700 pm prayer fellowship youth awana for children call church for additional program information 5438 major mackenzie drive east markham ont l3p 3j3 9052945081 905 2945383 fax rying who was to blame encourage a teenager fulfil a promise forego a grudge reconsider your expecta tions find one thing each day for each family member about which to express appreciation keep a check list to ensure you do speak your love then speak it again recognize that respect is earned the bahai faith from a faith faith has been described as a fewness of words and an abundance of deeds but moreover it is the satisfaction of both mind and heart in ones deepest beliefs about life m develop your sense of values remember relationships out weigh materialism every time visit a shutin share a meal with a stranger learn to listen more be more sympathetic and understanding of the hurting get things right with god spend more time in prayer enjoying the presence of god in your life and committing each days responsibilities and oppor tunities to him so theres the challenge the only way we can drift in life is down stream it takes a live fish to swim against the current and make upward progress lets resolve right now to make 1998 a year of personal spiritual growth 1 for further information about tha bami faith pimm cm 1wxm3332m j