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Through a partnership with Loren Consulting Group. the Chamber now offers an online computer training program for com- pany employees. which they can access from work or home. "It's a very afford- able program. well suited to the smallest or largest of our members." said Chamber president and CEO. Helene lohnson. DECEMBER 2002 Helene Johnson, president and CEO of the Whitchurch-Stouffville Chamber of Commerce, was a guest speaker at a pre-budget discussion in November. Here she is seen with organizer Oak Ridges MP Brybn Wilfert and fellow guests George Vandebeek of BDO Dunwoody and Mary Webb of Scotia Economics. More than 50 people packed the November meeting of the Whitchurch- Stouffville Chamber of Commerce, with new con- tacts established and old ties renewed. Chamber vibrant community force Mrs. Johnson was one of three guest speakers invit- ed to participate in a November preâ€"budget dis- cussion hosted by Bryon Wilfert, MPfor Oak Ridges and secretary to the Minister of Finance. The i6”, ANY 1 GAS GRILL ~ "I did a presentation on behalf of our Chamber at the meeting," said Mrs. lohnson. "I talked about many topics including the Kyoto Accord. The Canadian Chamber ‘ of Commerce and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce have directed the govem- ment not to sign this accord carte blanche. I suggested that we have a made-in- Canada approach to this accord and this seems to be what's happening,“ she noted. objective of the event was to address several key eco- nomic issues including health care, social spend- ing and the Kyoto Protocol. "(The federal govern- ment) are now talking to the provinces. lohn O pub- lic jumped on the band- wagon and said, 'We're all for it,‘ but they didn't know the whole story and how it might affect iobs." Mrs. lohnson was ioined on the speakers' panel 'by Mary Webb. a senior economist and manager with Scotia Economics. and George Vandebeek, a tax partner at BDO Dunwoody. The local Chamber is in the process of producing an updated busln direcâ€" tory comprising 0 list- ings, which is due to be published early in the New Year. The Chamber's ‘Take Your Staff to Lunch' Christmas Party will be held Dec. 5 at Sleepy Hollow Golf and Country Club and will feature enter- tainment by the Summitview Bell Ringers and pianist lean Thomas, with a visit from Santa to round out the fun Tickets are $30. Call 905â€" 642-4227 for reservations. As early fall approaches. and the leaves start to turn color, I feel an inner anticipation growing and I immediately know the source. I try to keep it at bay for, as they say, a decent period of time. but the spirit of Christmas recklessly invades my thoughts. The sounds of my favourite festive songs, “Winter Wonderland" and "White Christmas". unpredictably and uncon- trollably come to mind and mouth. Music, to me. is a critical component of the Christmas season. Even if you think you don't want to hear it at first. before you know it you will be humming the tunes unaware, the Christmas spirit will be growing in you and your season will be iollier. I know it's a cliche, but Christmas is my favourite time of year‘ Then, as Christmas nears, along come those delectable seasonal treats that are as important to the season as Santa Claus. Kitchens like mine in Whitchurch- Stouffville will pull out flour and rolling pins and the Christmas baking will offi- cially begin. Cookies. mincemeat pies and thousands of Rlce Krispie marshmal- low squares will be devoured this Christmas in rural homes alone. a star- tling but true statistic. Bathroom scales and belts from Vandorf to Lincolnville will tell the tale, but it is still worth every delicious calo- n'e! It is a rite of the season to over- indulge guilt-free. Get out and enjoy one of the Christmas events going on all over our countryside and see old friends or make some new ones. The Whitchurch- Stouf‘fville Museum in Vandorf held a Victorian Tea and Bake and Craft Sale on Nov. 22‘ I attended with a friend in tow, Rural Reflections God bless us, every one! HOURS HUUK): M0,. 11-7 . Tue-Wed11-8 5758 Main St. No Frills Plaza Thurs-Fri 11â€"9 Sat 11-8 0 Closed Sun. ”5-640-1732 Stouffville Fish 8L Chips 8L Seafood Season’s Greetings’ StoquiHe Fish 8L Chips 8L Seafood ° Specializing in Fresh Cut Fries and Halibut 'WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTH" - 25 from the staff of and we were served tea in proper china cups, as well as homemade trifle and plum pudding along with a sinfully large plateful of goodies made by the Friends of the Museum. One of the Friends, Bertha Pattenden. was dressed in Victorian lace, and along with the other volunteers made this a really Christmassy event that encour- aged you to slow down and savour the setting and the smell of pine and cedar. Last Friday the Ballantrae Lions held their Annual Seniors' Christmas Dinner at the Ballantrae Community Centre. Over a hundred seniors ate a full turkey dinner and enjoyed some really great entertain- ers. Locals the Fiddling Ouarrles Family. Daniella Warner. David Baxter, Al Strawbridge, Sue Sherban and others volunteered their time and talents to make this a memorable night for all the guests in attendance. Sharing and caring come to the foreâ€" front when Christmas approaches and we remember life is all about family and friends. the good times and fond memo- ries we have of. Christmases past. Christmas-I have ieamed with age. Is not a day but a state of mind. Charles Dickens said it best in the seasonal favoun’te A Christmas Carol. "l have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round. as a good time, a kind time, a forgiving, charitable, pleas- ant time. the only time I know of when men and women consent to open their shut-up hearts freely." It was said that Scrooge. after encoun- tering the spirits, knew how to keep Christmas well, if any man alive pos- sessed the knowledge. May that be truly said of us all. And so. as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us, every one! LeBlanc Ruth