Ploughing match Tops Baker's list Walter Baker wants the 1983 In- ternational Ploughing Match held in Nepean. The match will be "a window on the world of agriculture' and could draw 200,000 visitors, the Nepean-Carleton MP maintains. In a 12-point program of local priorities released to the Castor Review, the Conservative members said he would press the federal government to bring the event to Nepean. The match could provide 200 temporary jobs for young people and result in an $8 million expen- diture on local goods and services, Mr. Baker said. Although the Conservative* government was evicted by voters Feb. 18, Mr. Baker was returned as riding representative with an impressive majority. The affable MP was disap- pointed at the loss of power he en- joyed during his brief stint as Privy Council president. But he isn't about to waste time in mour- ning. When asked by this newspaper, he was quick to draw up a com- prehensive list of immediate plans for the new term. In addition to the plowing match, they include: e Seeking extension of the $50 million Eastern Ontario Develop- ment Agreement into Ottawa- Carleton. The agreement will have a great impact on agriculture and the tourist industry, the MP says. e Pressing for continuation of the $9 million federal commitment to a convention centre in Ottawa. Such a centre would be a boon to the local hotel and retail businesses, he points out. e Requesting continued monitor- ing of the impact of government policies on employment and other opportunities in the National Capital. e Asking the federal govern- ment to look into diversification of the local economic base. "We scotiabanks THE BANK OF NOVASCOTIA RUSSELL 445-2880 'Grow With Us' Scotia Bank have a good beginning in the high technology field now," he notes. e Pressing for a federal scheme to help homeowners support high mortgage rates. Help for tenants is also needed, he adds. e Urging the government to pay its way by replacing grants-in-lieu of taxes to local municipalities with a fairer program. ePressing for extension of the Conservative party's no lay-off policy in the public service. Mr. Baker says he will continue in Op- position to be a spokesman for the public service. e Seeking a review of the rela- tionship between the National Capital Commission and _ local government so that "the left hand will know what the right hand is doing."' e Opposing any decentraliza- tion of government departments and agencies which is based on patronage rather than sound ad- ministration. e Supporting any plan to aid farmers and small businessmen find the necessary capital and seed-money to become establish- ed. 3 e Acting as a responsive MP and helping individuals with pro- blems. "That is the basic duty of the local MP and I like that part of the work."' Pot charge A Casselman High School stu- dent will appear in provincial court March 20 on a charge of possession of marijuana. Denis Limoges, was charged after police were called to the school Feb. 29. Police confiscated a hash pipe and a small quantity of marijuana cigarettes and grass. Lacombe,:: 1:7,- of stituency. For the overwhelming vote of confidence at the polls, | thank you. | am honoured to serve again as the Member of Parliament for Nepean-Carleton. | pledge to represent all of the people of Nepean-Carleton in the 32nd Parliament and in the work that is to be done within the Con- Sincerely, » on : Page 13. Gigs The Adventures of -Meg = By M. M. McCallum _ Meg steals the show Crisp fresh air and midday sun filled the front hall as Meg entered the house, carefully closing the door behind her. She hung her newly sharpened skates on the peg checking to see that the runner guards were securely in place. Scenting the delicious odor of fresh baking, Meg made her way to the kitchen and sure enough, there was Mum packing a large box of goodies. : '*Hi Meg" said Mom, "You are just in time to help tie this box of cookies for your Aunt Liz: I know that she enjoys home baking and since you are staying three days with her, I am sure you will eat her out of house and home."' "Oh Mum! I am not that bad," answered Meg, "but it certainly is nice of her to have made.arrangements for this audition and to put me up."' . "Yes, it's not every girl that gets a chance to try out for the ice follies although they always use a few local folk in their chorus line. Your Aunt Liz has been doing their costumes when they come to Capitol City for almost ten years now. By the way, -- put these snaps of your skate club here again for her help with the costumes and staging ideas. It helped the club look very professional." Meg took a deep breath. It was time! The music started. The vast ex- panse of beautiful smooth ice stretched away between the rising tiers of seats. F . Gliding, leaping, spinning, reversing, Meg went through her program, her non-existent audience, while reaching out as'if to embrace them all. The music ended. Meg sank into a graceful curtsy. To her surprise a burst of applause echoed in the arena. Stage-hands, work staff, Aunt Liz and Miss Lecours had all stopped to watch the slim young redhead in the green costume. '*Mon chére you were excellent" said Miss Lecours. "We will be hap- py to have you in our show tonight. Now I must fly, the buses should be here but they are not..." And she hurried away checking the clipboard she held. ' Aunt Liz and Meg sat quietly in the workshop. Meg had finally remembered. the skate club snaps in her purse and spreading them out on theavorktable, she and Aunt Liz were enjoying a second look at them and in particular the pretty outfits that Aunt Liz had spent so much time on. The door banged open. Miss Lecours rushed in. She was very excited. "Liz, Liz, we are in big trouble. The bus and all the troupe and all the costumes are in a ditch -- eighty miles away!!! There is a big snowstorm, the roads are blocked and oh, "She wailed," What will we do? The show is sold out and curtain time is only four hours away. Oh! All my poor boys and girls. Meg, Meg, how I wish you were twenty peo- ple instead of one young girl!"...And she rushed out as noisely as she had rushed in. ¢ Liz and Meg sat spellbound. Miss Lecours' agitated voice echoing in the big empty room. Meg's hands started to gather up the snaps. ""Wait," said Aunt Liz. "Let me see them again." She studied the pictures carefully for a long five minutes. "You know Meg,"' she said, "there is a complete show here. Costumes music and all, and only an hours' drive away."' Wait here till I find Miss Lecours these snaps may just contain a solu- tion for her." Fifteen minutes went by. Megs wait ended as Aunt Liz, Miss Lecours and the Follie's business manager George McKenzie, all crowded round her. Questions flew thick and fast. : '*How many do you think can come Meg? Where can we reach your teacher? We can sharpen all their skates here. We are sure the audience will accept the substitution in view of the accident and you my dear will be the solist. Your performance today was quite delightful, and Miss Lecours once again rushed out, this time smiling and quite hopeful. Ten thirty p.m. the music swelled. The house lights dimmed. A pink spotlight circled the arena and came to rest on the slim figure clad in silver smiling and poised at center ice. As though gathering the audience to her with outstretched arms, Meg repeated the routine she had skated earlier that day. The audience, which had so generously accepted the change of pro- gram, now outdid themselves as Meg put forward her utmost efforts to please. Meg left the ice with shouts of praise and applause ringing in her ears. Surely thoughts and scenes of a skater's career went through her mind. Would she become an ice skating star? -Well only time would tell. review in your purse. Aunt Liz will want to see them. Be sure to thank | an invisible clock keeping time in her head, She remembered to smile at } For now, she was a really happy girl, surrounded by equally happy | eh who were also enjoying a brief encounter with fame. J Guy Brasseur Ltd. Flooring Contractor. Ceramics, Carpets Corlon, Drapes: FREE ESTIMATES 584 Notre Dame St. Box 278, Embrun 93-2180 aac wee cree eee Speen it hed Hea aaa one aa nit race eA . --_ RY I Rr a PR aS BS ned | OS Sale TE OR Re We AP Nk, AEN ck Sh ler OMEN LN Mitt ee Oe OGD ee eee"