Volume 9 No. 35 YOUR UNIVERSE Thursday, September 5th 2013

STORY-TELLING AT ITS BEST - Conrad Boyce acts out the poems of Robert W. Service in his one-man show entitled Eldorado - A Night in the Klondike. This unique performance is happening at the Historic Leaskdale Church this weekend only. For more pictures and information about the show, see the article on page 8, and the ad on page 15. Photos by Lisha Van Nieuwenhove. UXBRIDGE ICE DANCING PAIR TAKES GOLD IN LATVIA by Shelagh Damus first of seven events in the 2013- “added so much to the whole expe- “We were a bit more nervous head- elements. According to Mackenzie 2014 ISU Grand Prix series - and rience and were so supportive” of ing into the Free Dance…given that this “hurt our score and closed the While most teenagers were prepar- the team placed first. the entire team. we needed to try and hold onto our gap” between the Canadians and the ing for the next school year, Bent and MacKeen attended a The team “drew a tenth out of placement.” two teams behind them. When the Uxbridge figure skater Mackenzie skating seminar in Riga two years twelve for the short dance which Nerves aside, the team skated a scores came up they knew it was Bent and partner Garrett MacKeen ago. Familiar with the rink, they was a great draw,” says Mackenzie. clean program that they were going to be a “tight race.” It was too were laying the foundation for the “already had a good idea of what to Combined with a skate that the pleased with. The technical special- tight to call just on the scores alone upcoming skating season. expect,” says Mackenzie. They were team “could not have been happier ists, whose rating of difficulty on - with nerves on edge they waited Over the past weekend, the ice the only Canadian ice dance team at with” they were in first place going elements combines with the judges' until the final placement was dance team competed in Riga, this competition, but the other into the Free Dance component of scores for the final scoring outcome, announced and it was gold for the Latvia. The competition was the skaters from the Canadian team the competition. downgraded a couple of the team's continued on page 7

Inside This Week’s Cosmos New name, same game . . . 6 Tales of the North . . . 8 Coffee with an Ambassador . . . 10 Studio Tour not just paintings . . . 11

Playing ‘possum . . . 15 Surprise Visitor, Enzo Cres. by Renee Leahy The Uxbridge Cosmos 2 Thursday, September 5th 2013

51 Toronto Street South The Corporation of P.O. Box 190, Uxbridge L9P 1T1 Tel: 905-852-9181 The Township of Uxbridge Fax: 905-852-9674 www.town.uxbridge.on.ca

Council and Committee FROM THE TAX OFFICE... SALE OF UXBRIDGE 2003 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCK Meeting Schedule 2013 Final Property Tax Bills PUBLIC LIBRARY 4.7 L with approximately 211,500 km. for September All 2013 Final Tax Bills have been mailed. Program Director, Pamela Quotation forms may be picked up at Payments for these bills are due on the due Noble, 905-852-9747, ext. 24 the Municipal Offices in Uxbridge Monday, Sept. 9th date. between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. COUNCIL 9:30 a.m. UXBRIDGE FALL FAIR: Be sure to The SECOND Tax Installment is due on Quotes will be received until Tuesday, Wednesday September 25, 2013. look for our booth this year featuring September 10 at 2 p.m., by Monday, Sept. 16th 'Technology at the library'. Learn Debbie Leroux, Clerk. COMMITTEE 9:30 a.m. Please pay promptly to avioid penalty. how to download free eBooks onto Q13-12 various devices, get information on Penalty/interest charges will be added to our many programs for all ages, and Highest or any quote not necessarily accepted Wednesday, Sept. 18th tax installments not paid by the due date at fill out a ballot for one of our famous the rate of 1.25% on the first day of each COMMITTEE OF 'library' gift baskets! ADJUSTMENT calendar month. Failure to receive a Tax The Township of Uxbridge would like Notice does not excuse the taxpayer from FOOD for FINES September 16-27. to thank the following supporters and responsibility for payment of taxes nor lia- Monday, Sept. 23rd You bring the food, we'll waive the contributors for their help with the bility for any penalty or interest due to late fines! For every donation of food, 4th Annual Farmers of Uxbridge COUNCIL 7:00 p.m. payments. The penalty/interest charges $2.00 will be waived from your event held on August 28. cannot be waived or reduced by the Tax overdue fines. This does NOT Department or Council for any reason. include any reduction on lost or •Durham Region Economic Tax payments can be made by the follow- damaged items. Expired or home- Development ing: In person by Interac, by cheque or made food will not accepted. •Choko Authentic Apparel, cash, by mail (post-dated cheques are •Investsmart SPECIAL EXHIBIT AT THE accepted), telephone & Internet banking, READING BUDDIES •Teddy's Organic Market UXBRIDGE HISTORICAL CENTRE drop box, or at most banks. •PharmaSave This fun weekly reading support pro- •Shoppers Drug Mart The Dowling Scrolls If you did not receive your 2013 Final Tax gram gives children one-on-one •Tim Hortons Bill, please call the Tax Department at 905- •Canadian Tire 852-9181, ext. 211. reading practice with a caring volun- teer who enjoys reading and working •Durham Region Health Department with children! Buddies read together PLEASE RETAIN YOUR 2013 FINAL TAX Thanks also go to our volunteers BILL FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES. If a for pleasure and enjoy fun literacy- Elaine Leigh and Katie Chase for reprinted tax bill or receipt is required, a fee based activities that boost confi- of $10.00 plus HST will apply. dence, interest and joy of reading. donating their time, and to Councillor Pat Mikuse and Pam Beach - Event The program is designed for chil- Thank You Co-ordinators. Sept. 14 - 15, and 27 - 28, dren in Grades 1 to 3, including Tax Department French Immersion, and runs for eight 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ONLY UxPool is now accepting weeks - October 1/2 to November Visit the rare and remarkable Dowling 19/20 - on Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 resumés for the following Scrolls, an over 400-foot-long and 7- p.m. OR Wednesdays, 3:45 - 4:45 positions: foot high painted canvas featuring p.m. biblical and ancient scenes and cities, spread over four scrolls. $20 per child includes a drink and Instructor/Lifeguards: Must have snack each week, plus, each This amazing work of art, rarely seen Current Red Cross WSI, LSS child/volunteer will receive a FREE on public display, was painted by Instructors, NLS, SFA Uxbridge's Reverend James Dowling in Join us for the first annual library card and any overdue fines the 1870s. Walk-a-Thon will be forgiven too! Assistant Instructors: Must have This special exhibit is included with Application forms for both children Current Red Cross AWSI and regular museum admission. Group on Saturday, September and volunteers are available in the Bronze Cross tours are welcome (please contact the 28th, to support the New Children's Department at the Library, Centre to book). Animal Shelter for Uxbridge- or download at You must be available for training in the Scugog. uxlib.com/ReadingBuddies evenings of: September 10, 11, REGISTRATION FAIR Deadline to register is Monday, 12 and 13. The event will take place between September 23rd. But don't wait until September 11, 2013 Scugog Township then ~ children/volunteers will be Please forward all resumes with a and Uxbridge Township. matched on a first come, first serve covering letter by September 8th to: For more information, please visit Uxbridge Arena and www.animal-shelter.ca, contact basis! UxPool, 1 Parkside Dr. Uxbridge, Community Centre Jack Ballinger at 905-852-9181, Thank you to our sponsors: ON, L9P 1K7 UXBRIDGE FAMILY DENTISTRY ext. 219, or email Attention: Carolyn Clementson Registration under one roof [email protected] and DR. VI TU BANH, for all sports, organizations! OPTOMETRIST. Email: [email protected]

Uxpool / Summer Camps .905-852-7831 Uxbridge Public Library 905-852-9747 Zephyr Library Arena ...... 905-852-3081 Mon., Wed., Fri., Sat. 10 am - 5 pm, Tues., Thurs. 10 am - 9 pm 905-473-2375 Sundays after Thanksgiving to May 24 weekend 1 pm - 5 pm Historical Centre ...... 905-852-5854 www.uxlib.com HOURS Tues., Thurs., 3 pm - 8 pm Sat 10 am - 3 pm Animal Shelter ...... 905-985-9547 Township of Uxbridge documents are available in alternate formats upon Ux. BIA Chamber of Commerce . .905-852-7683 request. Please fill out the Request for Alternate Formats Form at www.town.uxbridge.on.ca or contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905- 905-852-9181 ...... [email protected]/www.uxcc.ca 852-9181 ext. 209 or at [email protected]. ext. 406 The Uxbridge Cosmos 3 Thursday, September 5th 2013

TOWNSHIP OF UXBRIDGE

CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

THE STUDY The Township of Uxbridge has chosen Stantec Consulting Ltd. to develop a Stormwater Management Master Plan for the Uxbridge Urban Area and the Hamlet of Coppin's Corners, in order to define all anticipated works necessary to maintain and improve the storm drainage system while protecting the natural resources of the Study Area. This Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Master Plan is intended to improve the management of stormwater for both existing and planned development.

A key component of the study will be consul- tation with interested stakeholders (public, landowners and regulatory agencies). Public consultation will involve one (1) Public Information Centre (PIC) and a Public Education Campaign. These sessions will be designed to obtain input from the public to assist informing the decision making process.

THE PROCESS The study is currently planned as a 'Master Plan' project in compliance with the Municipal Engineers Association document "Municipal Class Environmental Assessment,” (October 2000, amended 2007).

COMMENTS We are interested in hearing any comments or input that you may have about this study. Comments and information regarding the study are being collected to assist the Town in meeting the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act.

These comments will be maintained for reference throughout the project and will become part of the public record. TEMPORARY CLOSURE Under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Environmental Assessment Act, unless oth- erwise stated in the submission, any personal information such as name, address, telephone number and property OF PART OF THE location included in a submission will become part of the public record files for this matter and will be released, if COUNTRYSIDE PRESERVE requested, to any person. TRAIL Information requests or questions may be directed to: Mr. Ben Kester Roy Johnson, P. Eng. On August 1st, a dam (west of Director of Public Works and Operations Senior Water Resources Engineer Concession 6, south of Old Stouffville Town of Uxbridge Stantec Consulting Ltd. Road) was breached. This breach impact- 51 Toronto Street South 300 - 675 Cochrane Drive West Tower ed the pond and dam structure in the Uxbridge, Ontario L9P 1T1 Markham, Ontario Countryside Preserve. Phone: (905) 852-9181, ext. 215 Phone: (905) 944-7777 Currently, the water level of the pond is Fax: (905) 852-9674 Fax: (905) 474-9889 low due to damage to the Preserve's dam Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] caused by water overflow. Since the water level of the pond is low, there is no This Notice first issued on August 29, 2013. public safety issue, but because of UXBRIDGE RECREATION ALERT! the damage to the dam, FALL is just around the corner! Register for our programs starting September 23rd! the portion of the Preserve trail that goes over this dam •Red Cross Swimming Lessons and Life Saving programs! will be closed until further •NEW! Fitness Leadership program- Grade 8-11- ONLY $1/day! •NEW! $25 10 Week after school programs sponsored by Jumpstart Ages 3-18 notice. •Pre-School Gym! 3-5 years An Environmental Assessment will be •Dynamic Dance! 6-8 years conducted to determine the future of the •Jr Basketball! 6-9 years dam. Possible outcomes could include •Pick up BASKETBALL, FLOOR HOCKEY, DODGEBALL! Ages 10-13 and 14-17 years repairing or removing the dam. •Mish Mash Dance Class! 9-12 years A public meeting will be held in the future •Teen Zumba! 13-18 years to discuss possible solutions. Public •Teen Circuit Training! 13-18 years notice will be provided once a date is •Walk n' Talk for Teens! 13-17 years determined. Until a decision is made regarding the See the NEW Fall/Winter Community Guide for more program information! future of the dam in the Countryside Register at Uxpool 905-852-7831 Preserve, the water level in the pond will be kept to a minimum depth and that por- Questions about our NEW recreation programs? Email Rebecca Harman [email protected] tion of the trail over the dam will remain or call 905-852-7831 closed. The Uxbridge Cosmos 4 Thursday, September 5th 2013 our two cents Three years and counting When Uxbridge council resumes regular sittings on Monday, the seven men and women who make up council will be entering the last year of their current four-year term. With a municipal election slated for October 2014, one can assume those members who have decided to run for re-election - (although none have yet declared themselves) - will be attempt- ing in the next several months to score points with the voters. It is the nature of politics. One must ask, however, what the councillors have done over the last three years to improve the lot of the township's taxpayers and the township as a whole. To be sure, there have been no major problems to overcome and no major missteps have been made. But neither have there been any major advances. Council still debates the amount of truck travel through the downtown area, as they have been doing for years, but the trucks still rumble through town as council has been unable to persuade the Region to prohibit such traffic. Despite the best efforts of all councillors at budget times, property taxes continue to rise. This is due, in great part, to provincial legislation that limits growth in the township. None of us want to see the urban sprawl here that is so rampant in most of our neighbouring municipalities, but without some growth we end up with stagnation. Yet we have seen little in terms of council badg- ering the province for some leeway where the Green Belt and Oak Ridges Moraine legislation is concerned. If council doesn't complain, loud and long, how can the province know we're hurt- ing? One of the main themes of the last election was economic development and yet the number of retail premises in the downtown area is growing. Despite the good intentions of the BIA's "Win This Space" project, intended to fill some of those empty stores, the project merely highlights the number of vacant stores. As well, the former Williamson car lot on Toronto St. S. remains vacant, Letters to the Editor despite several proposed projects which have been brought in front of council. That these proj- Re: Foster letter, Aug. 29 I have also some very serious ques- preservation, sustainability and ects fell through is not necessarily the fault of council, but one must wonder if council could have tions that need to be openly maintenance of the building. Look done more to help the proponents bring them to fruition. When one draws on emotion and addressed for myself and the taxpay- to groups like the Bonner Boys and There was also a major seniors' residential complex planned for the south end of Cemetery not intellect and make false claims ers of this township. the Splash Pad, the skatepark com- Road which has since quietly disappeared and, of course, the First Leaside development on Brock of grandeur and uniqueness about 1. Why, when this building was in mittee and the Skatepark; the York- Street West which went belly up through no fault of anyone but the owners. But, again, one must the Foster structure, one leaves him- such a state of decay, was approxi- Durham Railway and its commit- ask why these proposed projects are falling through. self open to criticism. Implying that mately $90,000 spent for one ment to the train; the animal shelter In terms of improvements to the township, we now have a new splash pad and a new skate this building is the “Niagara Falls” extravagant washroom when updat- group and the LMMSO and the park, but although the township contributed funds to them both, the initiatives for these facili- of Byzantine architecture is now, at ing the one in the basement or cre- Leaskdale site to name a few. Only ties came from outside council. Despite the grand plans laid out for the Kennedy House proper- least, admitting that it is not the ating a space there for a totally new then, with the shared responsibility ty years ago, apart from the skate park there have been no advances there. Plans were laid out only example of Byzantine architec- one would have cost one third as for raising funds and creating a before council a while back for major upgrades to the Goodwood park, but so far that's what ture in North America. much? viable management and mainte- they remain: plans. Nevertheless, it is another false 2. Why was so much money spent nance plan for future sustainability ( For years, councils - both the current one and those past - have talked about the need to claim. on an elaborate system of ramps for so this site will never be allowed to increase tourism in the township, but for the most part they leave it up to the volunteer commit- Drive down the 404 and see the accessibility over the last few years sink to this level of decay), can we tees which run the Foster, the Leaskdale manse, the Historical Society and others to go after onion domes of The Cathedral of to a building now in danger of move forward in a partnership with tourists. Transfiguration in Markham. That falling down? tax payers and government. And, finally, one must ask how much clout, if any, council has with the Region. Apart from the is one grand neo-Byzantine struc- 3. Why do we not have a “Funds If this is something our communi- truck traffic mentioned above, is Uxbridge really getting it's money's worth for the millions of ture described as follows: for the Foster” Committee that has ty feels is worth the work and dedi- dollars it sends to Region every year? Are we really getting $4-million's worth of policing? And “...among its features is the world's a mandate to raise money for its cation, you might just be the fine, when we see the repaving of the Brock and Main intersection taking three weeks longer than largest three-bell carillon with the upkeep and repairs instead of young, committed citizen who can was slated - (it was supposed to be completed mid-August: they just started the paving this week) French-made bells by the Fonderie “Friends of the Foster” Committee spearhead a “Funds for the Foster” - does that indicate the Region treats the northern municipalities like poor cousins? If that is the Picard, weighing 14 500 kg (32,000 whose mandate states it is not their committee and begin the daunting case, whose fault is it? pounds), and 300 cm diameter. The responsibilty to raise funds for the task. Uxbridge citizens will step up All our members of council are work hard, are mindful of the dollars and their integrity is mosaics are reputed to contain restoration or maintenance of the to the plate but the facts presented beyond question. But we have to ask, where are the ideas? Where is the vision? about 5 million pieces. The cathe- Foster? to them must be based on sound dral was built to hold 1000 wor- 4. Why is their priority to have the research accompanied by a plan for shippers serving a community of original arch moved to the front sustainability in the future. They about 5000 Byzantine Rite from the back to attract more visi- must know their contributions are Catholics in the GTA and 35,000 tors when heavy equipment and being used for something that needs across Canada. The central tower trucks will need to have access to the to be preserved and protected as an rises 63 metres (about 20 storeys) property, and perhaps the building integral part of Uxbridge’s past and and is topped by a gold onion will need closing if this presents a future. dome. The church was designed by danger? I might even take the liberty of 9,000 copies of the Cosmos are published each Thursday in the Township of Donald Buttress, a renowned archi- 5. Where are the funds raised from adding that the people of Uxbridge Uxbridge: 8,300 delivered by mail, 700 available in stores and boxes. tect whose claim to fame is over- the “Fridays at the Foster” spent if are of the “Niagara Falls “ grandeur hauling Westminster Abbey.” not on the building? in the hierarchy of small communi- Publisher/Editor Lisha Van Nieuwenhove 905.852.1900 I stand by my original statement. It So, Mr.Smalley, the bottom line is ties when it comes to volunteering Sales Manager Sara Finlay 905.852.1900 is unique to Uxbridge for its archi- just how historically, culturally and and giving their all to make our tecture style. It is a beautiful build- esthetically important is this build- community a better place to live, 38 Toronto Street North, Unit One, Uxbridge Ontario L9P 1E6 ing. ing to the future and past of work or play when the need is e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.thecosmos.ca If Mr. Smalley is that sure that the Uxbridge? The next is how sustain- demonstrated and the reasoning is Foster is indeed so rare then a deci- able will the site be when all the sound. Office Hours: Mon., Tues., Thurs., Fri. 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. sion must be made on its preserva- repairs are completed? Who will Enough said. Now do your research tion but only when the true facts are ensure that it will be sustainable? and get yours facts straight. Tell us EDITORIAL POLICY: Opinions expressed by columnists, contributors and in letters to the editor are not nec- presented. What is its historical sig- Then the final step is to answer the why it is important to Uxbridge’s essarily those of the The Cosmos. Letters must be signed and the telephone number provided (number will not be published). Requests that a name be withheld will be honoured only if there is a compelling nificance? Why did the funds left question about how this will be past and how it can be a sustainable reason. Errors brought to our attention will be corrected. The Cosmos reserves the right to edit and/or behind by Thomas Foster to main- funded without further burdening part of the future of Uxbridge. refuse to publish unsolicited material. ADVERTISING POLICY: The Cosmos reserves the right to refuse any tain his families burial site run out the taxpayers of Uxbridge? Kathy Wasylenky advertisement. The Cosmos is not liable for slight changes or typographical errors in advertisements or so quickly? What are council’s If it is worth the effort, we must (still not convinced) any other errors or omissions in advertisements. All material herein, including advertising design is copy- intentions for this edifice in the start fresh with a dynamic fundrais- Uxbridge righted, and may not be reproduced in any form without permission. future ? ing team whose mandate is the The Uxbridge Cosmos 5 Thursday, September 5th 2013 a blonde moment the barris beat column by Lisha Van Nieuwenhove column by Ted Barris Life lesson at the Ex Cruise-In 2013

If your travels have taken you by the Uxbridge arena Thursday evenings, over the I am going to call the summer of 2013 the summer that wasn’t. Oh, it may have been summer, you might have been drawn into the parking lot by the colour, the commo- for many other people, but for me it was a summer of starting and learning a new business (new for me), doing major tion or just the sheer number of cars. That is, of course, if you could find a spot to park. All summer long the extra house stuff on two houses, and, well, it really didn’t leave much time for play. I’m not complaining, though - I couldn’t daylight, the warm evenings and word-of-mouth, have brought classic-car buffs to the arena by the hundreds to show be happier. I did manage to play hookie from work one day, however (I can do that ‘cuz I’m the boss) and we took the off their prized possessions. In fact, last Thursday night, I asked one of the organizers of the Cruise-In car show, Rob girls to the CNE as part of our “Toronto Day”. We were very excited about telling the girls that we were going to the Ex, Holtby, how many exhibiters had driven in. and our balloon made that plbbbbbbb sound as the air gushed out of it when they had to ask “The Ex? What’s that?” “Oh, there're 250 cars here tonight,” he said. “Yes, it's getting so popular, we're even outgrowing this space.” Having been no less than 25 years ago, I provided a not-so-up-to-date synopsis of what they had to look forward to. It It all began, Holtby told me, about eight years ago, when he and the Living Water Community Church moved from didn’t really matter - as long as there were rides and cotton candy involved, it was all good. the Testa Building to the former Dominion Auto building on Reach Street. As pastor for the church at the time, Holtby We had an excellent day for our outing, and they really enjoyed themselves. It wasn’t too crowded, it being a Thursday, saw the DA's large parking lot and wondered how to make use of it other than for church parking. That's when he and a buddy, retired firefighter Bruce Statton, hit on the idea of a weekly drive-in car show to serve the community. and it wasn’t so disgustingly hot that we couldn’t stand it. We explored the Armed Forces display - crawled into a tank Before long their Cruise-In was becoming a Mecca, so to speak, for classic-car buffs. for what is hopefully the first and last time (think Robin Williams’ Genie in Aladdin - gigantic, cosmic machinery ... itty- “They come in from all along the lakeshore - Bowmanville, Oshawa, Pickering and Toronto - and up to Orangeville, bitty living space!). We oogled all the fantastic displays and booths and huts outside lining the long walk inside the Barrie, Newmarket, Aurora, Keswick and Lindsay.” Prince’s Gates. We had our eyes fall out of our heads when we went in the Direct Energy Centre and saw a gazillion more And when the car buffs aren't in Uxbridge on Thursday nights, they're in towns all over southern Ontario virtually displays and booths and huts! It all started to blur together after awhile. As a totally biased aside, here, the “Train on every other night of the week. Holtby is, I guess, very much a product of his age. He's 63, a Boomer, retired and the Moriane” display that the York-Durham Heritage Railway put up down there really was exceptional. The model train, interested in investing his retirement in something that will give him pleasure and introduce him to new people all the the display, the openess of it all - it really was superb, and there was nothing else like it down there. Yeah Uxbridge! time. That's what the Thursday night Cruise-In has accomplished. Like his attachment to his sky-blue, 1967 Camaro, As with any other “day at the park,” though, this one was not cheap. Admission isn’t too bad (even better when you Holtby has discovered in eight years that there are a lot of car fanatics out there who take great pleasure in polish- remember to hang onto those passes the kids get at the end of the school year in their report cards!), but it’s once you’ve ing up their sedans, their convertibles, their muscle cars and even their vintage pickup trucks just for an evening's crossed the line that things really get expensive. We expected it, though, and because it was our one big hoorah for the outing. And there seems to be every make and model, including a featured car of the week. Last Thursday it was a 1961 Metropolitan Nash. summer, we didn’t mind. Heck, I was even throwing money away (okay, I put it in a stupid place in my wallet, and dur- “But what if I don't know anything about cars?” I asked Holtby. ing a trip on the Sky Ride, a breeze came along and swept a folded 20 out of my reach and right into the hands of a “You don't have to know anything about cars,” he said. “Bruce and I love this because people arrive, flip open their teenage boy below. Certainly was his lucky day...) car hoods, set up their lawn chairs and share stories. It's a kind of community.” We ate, and we walked, and we rode rides, and we did all we wanted to do. We stayed till the very end, and joined the Some even arrive early; last Thursday a guy in a Plymouth Valiant pulled into the arena parking lot in the middle throng of people that headed out of the gates just after 10 o’clock. This is when my pleasant little summer holiday col- of the afternoon, before the volunteers had set up the yellow police tape and pylons. He had the pick of the best spots lided with reality. Not far outside the gates, on the street (not on the curb, but on the street) sat a man in an electron- to set up, sit down and meet whomever happened to set up next to him. A couple of Thursdays ago, I wandered ic wheelchair, with an ice cream bucket sitting on his lap below a sign on a piece of battered cardboard that read “Thanks through the show while walking my dog. My eye caught an odd-shaped compact vehicle, one I hadn't seen since the for your help it’s greatful.” As always happens when I see a person begging on the street, a sick pang hits my centre, 1960s. I approached the owner. and I quickly do inventory of what I may have to drop in his bucket. It’s been an expensive day. I have nothing. I avert “It's a 1965 Corvair,” he said. my eyes and walk on, along with everyone else. Then the voice of my seven-year old, who’s holding my hand. “Right,” I said. “The one Ralph Nader called a death trap.” Of course, that was absolutely the worst thing to say to the proud owner. And he quickly set me straight on the unique “That man needed help, Mummy. Why didn’t you help him?” shape of the Corvair, the economy of its rear-engine design, and how much he hated Nader for the bruising his I will never, as long as I live, forget her plaintive little voice as she asked this question. I remember saying exactly the favourite car had taken back in the '60s. Of course, my Corvair conversation was exactly the kind of moment Holtby same thing to my mother one day in a similar situation outside the then-O’Keefe Centre, after we’d been to a produc- and Statton want to happen. Cars bring together people, spark anecdotes and maybe initiate friendships. tion. My mother didn’t give me a satisfactory answer then, and I couldn’t give my daughter one now. Why didn’t I help? “Since we started this,” Holtby said, “people have asked me to conduct marriages, funerals, all kinds of things … To say I had no money seemed so trite, after spending hundreds on a day at an amusement park. To say that sometimes just because we have a mutual love of cars.” one feels called to give, or sometimes one feels compelled-we tried explaining, but it didn’t make sense to me, so how At the end of the show - which isn't a set time, but when the sun goes down - Holtby hands out door prizes courtesy could it make sense to her? of helpful sponsors in town. Then, he turns things over to Statton for the 50-50 draw. This night the take-home will What was I in her eyes then, at that moment? I try to teach my children compassion (when the $20 blew away, and be over $500, with the other half going to an Uxbridge charity. Finally, like the pastor he is, Holtby thanks everyone she was riding with me, and started to cry, I consoled her by saying that maybe the family that had picked up the moeny for attending. He reminds everybody about upcoming shows they shouldn't miss and he finishes with a car-show ver- sion of a benediction. didn’t have a lot, and this would let the kids maybe have an extra ride or two. She felt much better after that) and yet “Remember folks,” he says over the PA, “no loud-pedals when you leave. Keep the noise level down. We want folks here I am, turning and walking away. To say I felt horrible and gutted would be an understatement. I was embarrassed. here in Uxbridge to invite us back, right?” Embarrassed of myself. Embarrassed for the man in the wheelchair. Embarrassed for a society that makes it necessary Somehow I can't imagine any of the organizers of the Molson Indy cultivating that kind of relationship with the for that kind of a situation to happen. We all talked about it on the way home, trying to understand, a little bit, that cir- lakeshore area of Toronto. Holtby and Statton and their Cruise-In pals aren't into high octane, but a higher level of cumstance, and discussed how maybe to handle it, or not handle it, in the future. Unpleasant as it was, it did provide a friendship. Not competition, but a community built on fellowship of the four-wheel kind. (FYI. There are just two more teaching moment. Thank you, man in the wheelchair. For that, I’m “greatful.” I almost wish I could see you again, just car shows left this summer - tonight and Sept. 12.) to make it up to you. For more Barris Beat columns go to www.tedbarris.com PRICES ARE “FALLING” AT CANADIAN TIRE UXBRIDGE! CIL Golfgreen Yard Waste Fall Fertilizer NOW ONLY Bags ONLY SAVE • Reg. $29.99 • Reg. $29.99 • 14kg $ 99 • 5 pack $ 99 bag 5 pack 40% • 59-2379 17 • 42-9722 1 Every day low price GARDEN CENTRE CLEARANCE ON NOW! Canadian Tire Uxbridge www.canadiantire.ca Store 905 852 3315 The Uxbridge Cosmos 6 Thursday, September 5th 2013 Only the name has changed LAWN BOWLING YOUTH SOME OF THE BEST IN THE PROVINCE by Nancy Melcher the utmost respect for Dr. Begg The Oxford Dictionary also gives More successes were record- Uxbridge, to join six teams and his family, and the legacy he these definitions for “axis”: 1 - an ed for the Uxbridge Junior from the host club, Dr. Peter Begg opened his chiro- created with Begg Chiropractic. imaginary line about which a lawn bowlers in the 35th Oshawa. practic clinic in Uxbridge in It's time for us to move forward body rotates; 2 - a straight central annual Hunter Junior Lawn Alex LeBlanc, who won 1991, in a converted residence on and continue to build on what part in a structure to which other Bowling Tournament, held the national, under 25 sin- Toronto Street south. He worked Peter started.” parts are connected. Both of these recently in Oshawa. gles championship earlier there until his untimely passing The new name, “Axis”, has sig- meanings relate to the focus of the Quincy Garry teamed this summer, will represent last spring, helping his patients nificance for what the staff at the healing practitioners at the clinic. with Kirsten Burke of Canada at the World feel better and maintain or clinic do, in several different When one's spine is in proper Lindsay to win gold in the Championships in Hong improve the quality of their lives. ways. According to Wikipedia, alignment, movement is possible, open pairs division, while Kong next March. pain-free, and effortless in all Alex and Nicole LeBlanc Quincy, Nicole and Alex directions. It's their business to (pictured below with their are just three of the excel- keep this happening for every one trophies) finished second. lent junior bowlers playing of their patients. The staff at Axis Chiropractic The tournament, for at the Uxbridge Lawn and Wellness provide chiropractic bowlers aged 21 and under, Bowling Club. services, acupuncture, massage drew players from therapy, musculo-skeletal laser Cobourg, Lindsay, Submitted by treatments, and custom orthotics. Peterborough and Margery Cowley The team is dedicated to working with clients to achieve their health and wellness goals. They treat a variety of acute and chronic con- ditions using a natural approach to help patients live healthy, pain- free lives. Cosmos readers can call 905-852- 9700 to book an appointment at His associate, Dr. Dennis “In anatomy, the second cervical 290 Toronto St. S. with chiro- Milenov, took over the practice vertebra (C2 of the spine is practors Dr. Milenov and Dr. and was joined by Dr. John Clark named the axis [from Latin axis, Clark, and registered massage last summer. “axle”] )… It forms the pivot therapists (RMT) Jasmine Many of the clinic's current and upon which the first cervical ver- Matthews and Leslie Sachse. They past patients are aware of the ren- tebra (the atlas), which carries the still offer the same great service ovations undertaken in the head, rotates.” Without the axis and quality health care. Only the spring. A new entryway and wait- vertebra, our heads wouldn't be name has changed. ing area as well as a new décor are able to turn, like a wheel on an the most obvious alterations. axle. However, another change is in the works. Begg Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is now called Axis Chiropractic and Wellness. A weekly seminar and support group for those grieving the loss of Dr. Milenov is quick to reassure someone close. A “safe place” to walk with others on your journey. patients that these are the only WE KNOW IT HURTS AND WE CARE. changes occurring. THURSDAYS SEPTEMBER 12TH TO DECEMBER 5TH “We're offering the same servic- 2-4 PM, UXBRIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH es, in the same location, with the 7-9 PM, ST. PAUL’S LEASKDALE same hours of operation, by the TO REGISTER CONTACT: [email protected] 905-852-5921 same staff. The only differences are to the building and of course the name of the business.” Dr. Milenov continued, “I have

Tom Doherty BA, MDiv Counselling and Psychotherapy Individual, Couple and Family [email protected] www.dohertycounselling.com 905.640.4839 416.910.7284 The Uxbridge Cosmos 7 Thursday, September 5th 2013 SKATING TO GOLD Submissions for short film festival still being sought ...from page 1 The Uxbridge Youth Film Festival industry professionals, and awards sented to the filmmaker who is back on Wednesday, September will be presented that night. The receives the most audience praise. young Canadians. avoid both the collision and multiple 25, for its third consecutive year. top film of the event will be show- For more information about The “We were ecstatic,”says Mackenzie. injuries to the both teams, but at a This year brings with it a whole cased at the 13th Annual 3rd Annual Uxbridge Youth Film “The highlight of the competition cost. Mackenzie hit the ice and suf- new line-up of handcrafted mas- Worldwide Short Film Festival at Festival please contact Cathy was the medal ceremony” says fered a concussion. The accident kept terpieces from talented young the Roxy on Wednesday, October Christoff at 416.989.6963 or by Mackenzie. them off the ice for a few days. “I know Garrett shares the same “It could have been so much worse; filmmakers in the community. 2. The ever-popular “Audience email at cathy.christoff@roxythe- highlight. Hearing our national Garrett did what we train to do in The festival is a must-see event Choice Award” will also be pre- atres.com. anthem being played and watching those types of situations” says for movie buffs of all ages, and for our flag rise was so memorable.” Mackenzie. those young minds aspiring to In sport there are high points and low What they also train to do is keep work in the film industry. points. Winning the first Grand Prix improving. The winning score in The Roxy Theatres is set to once Lots of fresh again host this exciting evening in event was definitely a high point, but Latvia was not a personal best. There is produce, baked one that came on the heels of an still room to improve and their second partnership with Scarsin, Remax - injury. During the warm-up skate at a opportunity to shine at a Grand Prix Mark Christoff and the Uxbridge goods, maple syrup, recent competition in Ottawa, the pair event is coming up. Next Tuesday the Youth Centre. Bring your friends, honey products, practiced a lift that put them on a col- team will leave for Kosice, Slovakia, grab some popcorn and settle in crafts and more! lision course with another team who where the team's “goal is to receive to a night of creative works from were practicing a spin. Garrett took better marks than we had this past local youth between the ages of 13 the appropriate defensive action to week.” and 20, beginning at 7 p.m. Look for us every Sunday Submission for films will remain until Thanksgiving! open until Wednesday, September 13. Films can be dropped off at Uxbridge Arena Parking Lot the Uxbridge Youth Centre (34 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Brock Street West) in DVD for- mat. Participants are asked to For more information call keep submissions to a length of Lisa Cooper three to 10 minutes, and are wel- 905-473-9867 come to present any theme, pro- vided the content is accessible to all ages. The top 10 films will be Buy fresh, buy local! Our 12th Season! screened, juried by a panel of film

Mackenzie Bent, centre, and Garrett Mackeen, back centre, enjoy the moment winning gold for Canada in Riga, Latvia. Submitted photo The Uxbridge Cosmos 8 Thursday, September 5th 2013

form with others. Visit on Pineridge day with “Gospel for Asia” at Thurs., Sept. 12, ABBAMA- Chorus/Sweet Adeline guest Goodwood Baptist Church, 11 Coming Up NIA. Uxbridge Music Hall, 8 p.m. nights. Uxbridge Music Hall. 905- a.m. All welcome. Goodwood Rd. Contact: Brian & Tickets $35, available at Presents, 852-6327 ONGOING THIS WEEKEND Wilma Millage 905 853 2407 or 905-852-7703 Tues., Sept. 17, “Tea” at 1 Freemasonry: A History NEXT WEEK Thurs., Sept. 5, Cruise In Sat., Sept. 14, 7:00 a.m. Oak p.m. Uxbridge Senior Citizens Hidden in Plain Sight, the new Classic auto show. Entertainment Mon., Sept. 9, Just Carry on Ridges Trail Association Club. Bring your mug. Tickets for travelling exhibit at the Uxbridge by Dual Exhaust Band. 6 p.m. to Singing. 7:15 p.m. Welcome to Hike: Al Shaw Side Trail. 1+ hr., Oct. 15 lasagne lunch will be Historical Centre, continues for the dusk, Uxbridge Arena. women who like to sing and per- 4 km moderate pace loop hike. available. 55 yrs. +, membership season. Tours take place Wed. to form with others. Visit on Pineridge Meet at the trial entrance on the $10 pp/year. New members wel- Sun. and holidays from 10am to Sat., Sept. 7, 7:00 a.m. Oak Chorus/Sweet Adeline guest west side of Conc. 6, 1.5 km south come! 4pm. Regular tour rates apply. Visit the website at www.uxbridgehistor- Ridges Trail Association nights. Uxbridge Music Hall. 905- of Durham Rd. 21. Contact: Russ Thurs., Sept. 19, Introductory icalcentre.com or call the museum Hike: Al Shaw Side Trail. 1+ hr., 852-6327 Burton 905 830 2862 dinner for ALPHA. Trinity at 905-852-5854 for more infor- 4 km moderate pace; Join us for United and Baptist Church offering mation. Tues., Sept. 10, Uxbridge Sat., Sept. 14, Uxbridge breakfast after the hike. No dogs 7-week course exploring Meaning Networking Group Lunch Horticultural Society. 9 - 11 please. Meet at the trial entrance of Life. Care to find out? 6:30 Uxbridge Farmers’ Market Meeting. 8:15-9:30 a.m. a.m. Plant Sale in the parkette near on the west side of Conc. 6, 1.5 p.m., open discussion. 905-852- Scrambles Restaurant (Foxbridge Coffee Time. Every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 km south of Durham Rd. 21. Joan Golf Course). RSVP chris@direcon- 213 for further information and to p.m. in Uxbridge Arena parking reserve a spot. Free to all. Taylor 905 477 2161 sultinginc.com or networking- Sun., Sept. 15, Terry Fox lot. group@uxbridge. Run. 8:15 a.m. registration, 9 Fri., Sept. 20, 9:30 a.m. Oak Sun., Sept. 8, 3rd Annual com a.m. Start. Elgin Park Bandshell. Loaves & Fishes Food Bank is Ridges Trail Association Ride for our Vets. Check in at Walk, run, bike or stroller. No open Wednesdays 1-4 p.m. for Hike: Walker Woods. 2+ hr., 10+ 8:30 a.m. at Uxbridge Legion, tour Tuesdays, starting Sept. 10, entry fee, donations directly to The those requiring assistance. All km fast pace hike with hills. No through Haliburton Highlands. North Durham Ladies Non- Terry Fox Foundation. To volunteer donations are always appreciated. dogs please. Meet at parking area $40 per bike/driver. Pre-register at Denominational Community or more information contact Tax receipts are issued for 647-961-0358 on the east side of Conc. 6, 2 km Bible Study, 9:15-11:15 a.m. Maggie or Drew Ferraro at 905 Financial Donations. Donations south of Durham 21 at Albright Rd. Uxbridge Baptist Church. Nursery 852 2169 or mferraro@ may be dropped in the Food Bank Sun., Sept. 8, Ballantrae Contact: Joan Taylor 905 477 & full kids program offered, new- powergate.ca Box at Zehrs or at St. Andrew's Antique & Classic Car Show, born-age 5. www.cbsicanada.org, 2161 Presbyterian Church Monday to Ballantrae Fall Fair. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. or call 905-852-4064 Sun., Sept. 15: Free BBQ & Wed., Sept. 25, Diabetes- Friday 9 a.m.-noon. Ballantrae Community Park. Family Fun Day, Trinity United Focused Grocery Store & Thurs., Sept. 12, Line Church, Uxbridge. BBQ will start Pharmacy Tour with a regis- Hospital Auxiliary “Chances Mon. Sept. 9, 9:30 a.m. Oak Dancing begins, Trinity United following church service (approx. tered dietician and registered Are” Store on Bascom Street Church, 6:30-8 p.m. Shanie, 905- 11:15 a.m.) Games for kids-brind Ridges Trail Association nurse. Store tour - 7 p.m., Vince’s accepting good fall and winter 852-4655 the family and enjoy the friendship Hike: Durham Forest. 2.5 hr., Market. Pharmacy tour - 8 p.m., clothing. Proceeds to Cottage moderate pace hike with moderate of Trinity. Thurs., Sept. 12, Cruise In Shoppers Drug Mart. Free. Contact Hospital. hills. Well-mannered dogs wel- Classic auto show. Entertainment UPCOMING 905-852-9771, ext. 5260 for info. come. Join us for lunch afterwards. Drop-ins welcome. If you have a community event you’d like us by Parental Discretion. 6 p.m. to Mon., Sept. 16, Just Carry on Meet at parking lot east side of to mention, please contact us at thecos- dusk, Uxbridge Arena. Singing. 7:15 p.m. Welcome to [email protected] or 905-852-1900. The Sun., Sept. 29: Mission sun- Conc. 7, #3789, 1 km south of women who like to sing and per- deadline for our next issue is 6 p.m. Sunday.

YUKON SAGAS FEATURED IN SHOW AT LEASKDALE CHURCH The timeless tales and poems of the Bard of the in the Yukon, is well-known across Canada for Yukon, Robert W. Service, will be featured in a his dramatic interpretations of Robert Service's one-man play entitled Eldorado, coming to the poems, having appeared as Service on Front Page Historic Leaskdale Church this weekend. Challenge and in many other radio and televi- sion appearances. He has recited Service for thousands of fans at the Bard's cabin in Dawson City, and in classrooms across Canada and the United States (and even in Service's native Scotland). He has performed the odd poem at various events in the last decade, but has not performed this full evening of Service since 2004. “There's something magical about Robert Service,” says Boyce. “For almost a century, his poems have been told and re-told around camp-fires or at grand- Renowned for his comic ballads The Shooting fathers' knees. They capture the spirit of the of Dan McGrew and The Cremation of Sam Klondike better than anything else, and I hope McGee, Service was a Scots-born bank teller that in the intimate confines of this lovely old who became known for his “versifying” shortly church, which has shown its potential for the- after arriving in the Yukon in 1904 (a few years atre over the last few years, I can bring a little of after the Klondike Gold Rush). Within a few the “spell of the Yukon” to local audiences.” years, he was a best-selling author with his hilar- Eldorado runs this Thursday to Saturday, ious and lyrical portrayals of life in the Far September 5 to 7, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 North. for students and seniors, and are available in In Eldorado, actor-writer Conrad Boyce (former advance at Blue Heron Books, or at the door. editor of the Cosmos) has put together 17 of Service's best Yukon poems, which are told to the audience as they visit the Klondike cabin of “Pious Pete” McMurchy, one of the Yukon's more colourful characters. During the evening, McMurchy regales his visitor (you!) with a suc- cession of comic and dramatic stories, capturing the essence of life along the Klondike gold creeks at the turn of the century, and interweav- ing his own story with those of his fellow sour- doughs, like Sam McGee, “Blasphemous” Bill McKie, or “Hard-Luck” Henry Murphy. Conrad, an emigrant to Ontario after 17 years The Uxbridge Cosmos 9 Thursday, September 5th 2013

TALENTED UXBRIDGE YOUTH COMING TOGETHER FOR Saunders Road plays the Foster Memorial this Friday ELEBRATION F THE RTS C O A This Friday, September 6, Chris are hoping to do so again this year. Celebration of the Arts is very Robyn Ottolini, who appeared And the Youth Band evening Saunders will bring his group of Their music is a feelgood blend of excited about this year's line up at the Foster Memorial this past will end with an awesome five- amazing ladies to the Foster old and new,country and folk, jazz for their Uxbridge Youth Bands summer, will be singing and piece band called Uxbridge Memorial for their third annual con- and pop. cert. Admission is on a donation at the Together night at the Music accompanying herself on the Youth Unite, playing a variety of The group is now known collective- door basis with all funds raised going Hall. guitar. songs. ly as Saunders Road, and features towards the much needed repairs and There will be a variety of local The very talented Duncan The performers range in age Carlie Laidlaw on vocals, Haydee upkeep of the Foster Memorial. talented youth featuring singers, McDougall will bedazzle you all from 11 to 23. Come out and Grant on vocals and percussion, Michelle Charlton on fiddle, Jean See ad on page 16 for details fiddle players, guitar players, with his fiddle playing. enjoy some amazing talent. This Hoevenaars on bass, and Chris on and even a five-piece band. Featured on the guitar will be is one night you're not going to guitar and vocals. Travis Smalley will be singing two very accomplished young want to miss! They have played to full houses for and his brother Brent will men, Josh Dion and Lucas Uxbridge Youth Bands their two previous Foster shows, and accompany Travis on the piano. DiPasquale. Together happens on Saturday, September 14, with the doors opening at 7 p.m., and the show starting at A Division of Cosmos Publishing Inc. 7:30. Tickets are available Sara Penttilä Finlay at Sugar Fx, located at 13 Advertising/Sales Manager

Brock St W. Building on the 30 years of service Tickets are $10 for youth and experience of Lisa Boyce in the 16 years of age and under print industry, Sara looks forward to continuing to serve our current and and $15 for adults, payable future clients. by cash or cheque only. Call us to help with all aspects of your printing requirements. Please contact event co- ordinator Sandra Kreutzer 38 Toronto St. N., Unit 1 Uxbridge, ON L9P 1E6 at 647-237- 4556 for more Tel 905.852.1900 information. Cell 905.852.2976 If you know any youth [email protected] that might be interested in performing next year, call Top row from left to right: Travis Smalley, Mike Bridgeman, Robyn Ottolini, Brent Smalley Mike Bridgeman at 905- Bottom row from left to right: Duncan McDougall, Sandra Kreutzer, Josh Dion, Andrew Lazenka Photo by Mike Slade 852-1836. The Uxbridge Cosmos 10 Thursday, September 5th 2013

family operated. I have two older sisters and we all showed in 4-H. A Cup of Coffee... with Sylvia Megens They're too old now but I still show in 4-H, so I'm very active. by Roger Varley Tell a wannabe country boy about 4- H. You take cattle that you have (For the I believe the ambassador program is After you hand over the title, is that courses and go on in the agricultur- raised and cared for and show them at last year, as now open to boys as well as girls. it or is there more to be done? al sector. Right now I work for 4-H shows. Am I right in believing the Yes, there were four boy competi- I'm going to continue to help out Pickseed, the largest alfalfa compa- that if your animal wins at a big 4-H Uxbridge tors at the CNE: there were 81 with the ambassador program so ny in Canada. I worked in Lindsay show, it's goodbye animal: you have to Fall Fair competitors in total and a boy won that every year we can continue to as a summer student and I worked put it up for sale? Ambassador, 19-year-old Sylvia Miss Congeniality, so that was kind have a new ambassador. The more with their crops of alfalfa and a lit- No, no. That's at the Royal Megens has been touting the town- of cool. tle bit with corn and it was really Agricultural Winter Fair in the ship and its agricultural sector. With When you entered the Fall Fair com- interesting because I got to learn Queen's Guineas competition. But her tenure due to come to a close petition, were you sponsored by a serv- about the forages and what goes there are breeding animals, and we tomorrow when a new ambassador ice club or other organization? into our animals. have four breeding heifers that we're is chosen, we figured it was the per- Last year we weren't sponsored, But do you have a specific goal in showing this year, and I do have a fect time to talk about her year and, but this year we do have sponsors, mind? steer for my 4-H project that I will more importantly, about herself.) so that's really exciting. I don't have a specific career in be taking to the Royal. You work so So give me some indication, Sylvia, mind. I'm really enjoying Pickseed hard on them all year and then I get So, Sylvia, it's back-to-school time. of what you've done as ambassador. and I did sign a contract to stay on to pay for tuition. Are you back at USS? I've attended a lot of the commu- with them next summer, so I'm Have you showed at the Royal in the No, I actually attend the nity events. I was at Heritage Days hoping I can continue my learning past? University of Guelph. I'm going this past weekend, the Canada Day with the crop sector along with the Yes. I've been showing since I was into my third year of the Bachelor celebrations, and I attend monthly animal sector that I'm learning in 10 at the Royal and my sisters and I of Science in Agriculture degree. meetings for the Uxbridge Fall Fair Guelph and combining them and have been showing cattle for over 15 You're going into your third year and and help them plan for this year. see if I can go into nutrition or years. you're only 19? I've attended other fairs as the something. Is there more to it than just the qual- I'm turning 20 this month. I was Uxbridge ambassador to get ideas Does the family farm picture into ity of the animal that you're showing? 17 when I went in. It was an excit- about what to bring to our Fair. Just this in any way? Yes, there's your showmanship ing time. get out there and represent the com- It's always been a part of our lives Are you a farm girl? munity in any way I can. and I think it will continue being ...continued on page 16 Yes, I grew up on a beef farm with Would you say it was a busy sched- support we have and the more vol- my two older sisters and both my ule? unteers that we have to help run the parents are entrepreneurs in the It was moderate. Whenever I could program, we're hoping that next agriculture industry so it's really be there, I'd be there, and if there year for the 150th Fall Fair, that we quite a big part of my life. was an event that the fair board did- can have a really big competition. Agriculture is my passion. We have n't know about but I did, then I This is probably unfair, but why do a small beef farm and cattle that would attend. It was a balance you think so few entered the competi- we've shown with 4-H and they've between school and work and com- tion last year? grown a herd. mitments and I made it work. It was Everyone has such busy lives, So it would seem you were well-qual- a fun experience, so I don't think of everyone is committed to so many ified to become the current Uxbridge it as a time-consuming one. I think extra-curricular activities, they Fall Fair ambassador. of it as a great opportunity. think it's a really big commitment. Yes, I've represented the Fall Fair When you won the title, what type of But when you look at it in perspec- for the 2012-13 year and I'm get- prizes did you win? tive, all you're doing is representing ting ready to hand over my title on Oh, there were tons of sponsored the town that you live in or grew up Friday. gifts from the businesses in in. It is a commitment, but it's not I remember many years ago when Uxbridge. There was just so much I a job. you would have been called Uxbridge was grateful for, so I sent out Thank I was going to ask if you still live on Fall Fair Dairy Princess and one of You cards to all the businesses. It the farm but, of course, you're away at the things a Dairy Princess had to do was a lot. university. was milk a cow. I'm presuming that to Did you get to do any fun stuff you've I still come home on weekends to win the ambassador title you have to never done before? What stands out in do chores! have a background in farming. Is that your mind? Was your background advantageous right? I guess one of the really cool things to you as ambassador? Not true. The ambassador can was standing in the tower at the Fall It helped me promote agriculture, come from any background. I just Fair on the night of the tractor pull something I'm so passionate about. happen to have grown up on a farm, and the demolition derby, because I wouldn't say every ambassador has but anyone who is between the ages I've always watched in the bleach- to have an agricultural background, of 18 and 25 can run for Fair ers. That was great. You really see but I was fortunate enough to pro- ambassador and the idea is you rep- the action. mote agriculture to those who don't resent our agricultural society. I know you're a spokesperson for the know about it. You're just representing the com- fair and, to some extent, for the town- How is the agricultural sector in munity as a whole. ship, but was it worth it? Uxbridge faring? When you won the title last year, Yes. It was absolutely worth it. The It's great. All our local farmers play how many competitors were there? friends that I've made through such a huge role and we really need There were three of us. We're try- other competitors, the people that to support them, because without ing to build the program back up. I've met just going to community agriculture we wouldn't have the It's been diminished for a few years. events and outside the community. local food. So there were three of us, we went It was so worth it because I'm so Do things like the Farmers' Market through the interview process and proud to be from Uxbridge and I on Sundays and the Meet the Farmer from there the judges picked the got to wear a sash that said nights help agriculture in the town- ambassador and the ambassador "Uxbridge". What better feeling? ship? goes on to the CNE and competes Was it difficult at any time? It certainly does because we're sup- for the CNE Ambassador of the You got asked some interesting porting the local farmers and that's Fairs. questions from people and you had a great way to promote agriculture. And I believe you placed third at the to stop and think and if you didn't You're going to Guelph for a BSc in CNE. know the answers, try and figure agriculture. To what end? Yes, I was second runner-up at the out how to get them the answers. I hope to graduate with my major CNE just two weeks ago. You don't want to mislead them. of animal science with some cross The Uxbridge Cosmos 11 Thursday, September 5th 2013 A different kind of art featured on the Studio Tour by Amy Hurlburt finish her final year of school, learn- animation. Music, film, and culture ing English as a second language, are all integrated elements of her The Uxbridge Studio Tour, taking with intentions to teach English performances. place on the third weekend of back home. She eventually decided Over time, her work has evolved September (14th and 15th, from to succumb to her lifelong interest from being a solo endeavour 10-6 pm), provides an opportunity in the arts and got her general Arts focussed on speed of production to for many local artists to showcase degree, with a focus on a year-long process of working their talents. It also allows the pub- Performance Art at Emily Carr in alongside other artists. lic to get reacquainted with some Vancouver. This led to her audi- “My work has evolved from being familiar artists, as well as intro- tioning for FireBelly Productions on too ambitious to being more realis- duced to some up-and-coming tal- a whim- she got in. Her mentorship tic-working with others,” explains ent. While many of these artists under Kira Shaffer, which eventual- Diana. “My problem was that I have imagined and created beauti- ly turned into partnership and co- always wanted to do everything ful pieces, perhaps none have collaboration, was the beginning of myself and you need people and the included as much collaboration and her circus art-style performance. support of the community to make JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION multidisciplinary work as Diana Eventually, she moved with her it happen-meeting and making AUGUST 27th - SEPTEMBER 7th Lopez Soto. husband to Uxbridge to fulfil his connections with the right people. Diana isn't your average dancer. dream of owning an organic farm Collaboration makes ideas grow SAVE 20% Her work is a mix of cutting-edge in his hometown. and creates more magic. It's really collaborations, including poetry, Diana's process of conceptualizing interesting to see what can come sculpture, animation, poetry, aerial the performance has always been out of it when you create things dancing, and fire! She's been doing multifaceted. together.” that since she began performing: “I always see different mediums as Currently, she performs for Circus “I've always been searching for expressing different emotions,” she Orange, and was recently the recip- integration-I've always been ambi- explains. ient of an Ontario Arts Council tious; my teachers would always tell “An idea never comes by itself, it Grant, which was a huge benefit. me that…in both good ways and always comes as a combination.” “We're grateful to be able to pro- bad,” she laughs. Her influences vary, as well, from duce a show without the funds Diana's career path was not always renowned performance artist coming from our pockets,” intended to be performance arts: Marina Abramovic, to Quebec- expressed Diana. when she first travelled to Canada, based dance troupe Compagnie from her native Mexico, it was to Marie Chouinard, to Tim Burton's ...continued on page 13

celebrates 100 Years of 4H Canada

Friday, Saturday & Sunday September 6, 7, 8 Elgin Park, Uxbridge Friday, Sept. 6 Sunday, Sept. 8 Fair Opens...... 5:00 pm Heavy Horse Show...... 9:00 am Tractor Pull...... 7:00 pm Buildings and Midway Open ...... 10:00 am Youth Entertainment at Bandshell ...... 7:00 pm Canine Equine Challenge ...... 10:00 am Buildings Close ...... 10:00 pm Cruise-in Car Show, Baby Show, Poultry Show ...... 11:00 am Saturday, Sept. 7 Beef Show...... Noon Buildings and Midway Open ...... 10:00 am Horse Pull ...... 2:30 pm Barnyard Rodeo ...... 10:00 am Fair Closes ...... 5:00 pm General Admission $10.00 Sheep Show, Goat Show Evening Schedule for Midway & 4H Rabbit Show...... 11:00 am 1. Kiddies Rides will close at 10:00pm 2. Ticket booths will close at 10:30pm Children Grade 8 & Under FREE Open Dairy Show...... Noon 3. All rides or attractions will shutdown promptly by 11:00pm Weekend Pass $25.00 Durham West 4H and Open Lawn Tractor Pulling Club...... 1:00 pm Conditions of Entry to The Fair 1. No skateboards Parking FREE Demolition Derby...... 7:00 pm 2. No Bicycles (smoke free bleachers) 3. Wristbands must be worn Saturday Offsite Shuttle FREE 4. No Alcohol Buildings Close ...... 10:00 pm 5. Backpacks and bags will be subject to search www.uxbridgefair.ca General admission provides free admission to all events. Parking and seating not guaranteed. The Uxbridge Cosmos 12 Thursday, September 5th 2013 Cosmos Business Bulletin Board STAN - Your Local Tree Service RUSTIC L. MARTINS Handyman 905-852-5313 TO PAINTING CONTEMPORARY Interior & Exterior Wallpapering, Early Style Canadian WE’VE GOT YOU Give me a call - No job too small ISA Certified Arborists drywall & plaster repairs Handcrafted Pine Furniture COVERED Crown moulding - 905-852-2275 905.852.6970 or Established 1981 - Fully Insured 9269 3rd Concession • Bucket Trucks, Professional Climbers Home renovations www.gilldercroft.com (cell) 416-705-6970 • Pruning, Removals, Stump Grinding David Watts, B.Sc. (Agr.) [email protected] www.uxbridgetreeservice.com 905-852-7129 Garage Doors RON BROWN AUTO Helping you be ready for life! DOOR We will not be undersold. SERVICE UPRIGHT We service all Best 5 year GIC rate PROMOTE GARAGE DOORS•ELECTRIC OPERATORS makes and models. 2.8 % Windcrest Fast dependable service & repairs (Subject to minimums) Sales & installation of quality doors and operators We fix it right the first time! Effective September 3, 2013 electrical contracting ltd your business 905-852-1981 www.uprightdoorservice.com 170 Main Street North LIFE INSURANCE YOU here! We offer a 10 year pro-rated warranty on Paul Fraser spring & cable repairs 905-852-5981 &$1$))25'« We can Help you. Cell 416.527.0878 ONLY [email protected] EVANS FINANCIAL SERVICES esa #7007893 $25/week 38 TORONTO STREET NORTH, UNIT #2, (905) 852-3184 www.investsmart.ca Classified Services DOG WALKING, HOME CARE FOR GREAT DEALS 20% OFF ALL HERBAL- PETS. Happy Trails, Happy Tails. Walks and IFE PRODUCTS. Go to HERBALHUB.COM Go PIANO LESSONS: Carolyn Piet (ARCT home visits. Loving care as if you were there. to Paul Kellys store and sign up. Discount piano, pipe organ) teaches piano and music Call 905-862-0522 9/26 Coupon “Par”. Toll Free # 1-855-416-0368, theory at her home near USS. Phone 862- Cell # 647-233-7800 9/26 3846. 9/12 PET CARE Day and overnight care, no crates or kennels, reasonable rates. Uxbridge only. For Rent TWO OLD GUYS WITH PAINT BRUSH- 905-852-4454 9/26 SMALL COMMERCIAL KITCHEN: ES: Fall special - have your garage doors Seasonal business closed winters offering to www.lisaritchie.ca painted. Call Mike at 905-852-1836 9/5 Wanted rent kitchen. No stove but can be accommo- Accounting & Bookkeeping dated if necessary. Possibility of year-round. Financial Statements GOALIES: Uxbridge Adult Hockey League Very reasonable $300/mnt plus utilities. HANDYMAN: Plumbing, painting, drywall - 905.862.4166 Women's division needs goalies urgently for repairs & installation for all. Painting - interi- their recreational league on Tuesday nights. QUAKER VILLAGE: Spacious 2 bed. base- or & exterior. Electrical repairs. Carpentry No experience is necessary and equipment ment apartment, available Sept. 15. Just rough & finish, windows & doors installed & can be provided. If interested please call Elaine Watson 905-852-7057 or email over 2 years old, located on quiet cul de sac. caulking. 905-852-1424 9/19 [email protected]. League informa- Includes utilities, parking, private entrance, tion is available at www.uxbridge.com/uah satellite TV, wireless internet. First and last DRYWALL REPAIRS: Painting 9/12 months required, credit checks and refer- interior/exterior, odd jobs, etc. 905-715- ences, non-smoking, no pets. $1,300/mo. 1505 9/12 HOCKEY: Average or older guys to play N/C 416-602-4747 9/12 pickup hockey in uxbridge. Reasonable time LIGHT FOR YOUR PATH WEEDS getting ahead of you? No time to and rates, please respond to email aver- FOR RENT: Clean, quiet, open space, suit- ARE YOU CELEBRATING: make your garden look good? Call the [email protected] 9/12 able for yoga or tai chi classes. Central loca- • the birth of a child? Garden Maids. Sandi 905-640-0609, Rebecca tion. Mostly daytime hourse. Reasonable “Lord, You are my fortress, • a wedding? 416-886-0546 9/5 For Sale rates. 905-852-5986 9/12 • a landmark anniversary? • coming to a new home in Uxbridge? my place of safety: you are ANTIQUES: PIANO & FLUTE LESSONS: Offering pri- • “White Mountain Creamer” Ice Cream SHARE WHOLE HOUSE: Everything Your local businesses/professionals my God, and I trust you.” vate lessons in uxbridge, Sunderland and sur- Maker Wood and Metal Parts $85 included. Large furnished bedroom for single, are offering a beautiful personalized rounding areas. Theory also covered. • "Bung Feet" Suitable for Antique Dresser x working male. No smoking or pets. TV, park- keepsake gift free of charge. Psalm91:2 Beginner to intermediate levels. 4 Sqr. Head Cobble Nails -FIRM- $175 ing, internet available. $525/mo. 905-852- For more details, UXBRIDGE Conservatory curriculum or just for fun. • Child’s High Chair, wicker seat. Antique 4454 9/26 please call BRANCH Patient and enthusiastic instruction. In-home Fittings. Refurbish or "AS IS" becomes accent piece $50 Agnes Lobbezoo lessons also offered. Reasonable rates, excel- Events More Bible helps at: • Oak Dresser 4 + 2 1/2 Drawers Simple at 905-852-5067. lent references. Sarah Pollard 905-852- www.biblesociety.ca/the_word_and_you Design Brass Key Holes and Wooden Knobs. YARD SALE: Sat., Sept. 7th. 8 a.m. to 4 0056, [email protected] 9/5 "Dovetail" Drawer Assembly $180 p.m. 48 Church Street (across from St. • Oak Washstand/Dresser - Andrews). Electronics, Housewares and more! COSMOS CLASSIFIEDS QUALITY CUSTOM CARPENTRY: Custom German/Austrian Influence. Back Board, 9/5 Decks and Yard Structures, Porches, Screen FIRM $375 Classifieds are $5 plus HST per week Rooms, Cabanas, Sheds, Pergolas, Gazebos & • Book/Lap Tray, Wood Legs fold with HUGE GARAGE SALE: Sat., Sept. 7, 8 a.m. -1 p.m., 6 Oakside Dr, Uxbridge. Tons of for up to 20 words, Privacy Walls. Top Quality Wood Fences & Wooden Spring Action $75 905-852-2729 MODERN ITEMS kitchen wares, décor, knick knacks, some Gates. Home Improvements and Renovations. $10 plus HST for up to 40 words. • Pair “Jensen” Speakers, Wood Exterior 12” toys/games, books, cds, movies, hardware, Payable in advance by cash, cheque or credit card. Specializing in Custom Design Solutions. Call sqr x 30” high $70 garden items and much more. Lots too for Steve at Northwood Home Services 905-852- Sewers (including fabrics), Knitters & Contact: [email protected] or 905-852-1900 • Lounge Chair, Laminated Wood Frame, 1750 9/26 Foam Cushions $35 Crafters. Great bargains. 9/5 Deadline: Monday 5:30 p.m. For any of the above, contact 905-852-2729 ALPHA IS COMING TO UXBRIDGE The Uxbridge Cosmos 13 Thursday, September 5th 2013

...Artists, from page 11 used by Diana in her performances, pm for performances, and the show evaporates and is very safe to use. will start at 7:30. Early arrival is rec- online at “The support of the community has This year's audience will be provid- ommended, as seating is limited. www.thecosmos.ca also been incredibly valuable.” ed with a sheltered viewing area in Following each show, there will be a Check us out! While Diana's shows are created to the barn. Diana will be performing, fire performance held in the garden, appeal to a variety of audiences, the as well as providing free workshops and the audience is invited to stay, biggest “wow” factor tends to come for all ages. and bring instruments as well, if from the fire and aerial dancing ele- More details are available on her they so desire. ments. website, www.dianalopezsoto.com, “We will be featuring professionals, “Many people like the music and as well as on the Studio Tour web- up-and-coming artists, local artists the astonishing act of fire and air- site, www.uxbridgestudiotour.com. and some from Toronto as well. the circus element,” says Diana. While the studio tour is only run- We've tried to create something “Artists are fascinated by the com- ning from Saturday to Sunday, magical, beautiful, and touching for bination of set designs, dance, Diana will be having performances all audiences.” music…the benefit of a multidisci- on plinary performance is that there is Thursday Corrections something for everyone.” and Friday In the August 22 edition of the Cosmos, it was erroneously advertised that For any with reservations due to as well. Wine Kitz had its anniversary sale on from August 27-September 31. safety concerns, put your minds at Doors will The actual dates of the sale are August 27-September 7. In the August 29 edition of the Cosmos, the incorrect advertisement for ease: the non-oil based camp fuel, open at 7 the Perfect Scoop’s Happy Hour appeared. The correct version appears on page 9 of this edition. The Uxbridge Cosmos sincerely apologizes for any confusion or inconven- Leaskdale News ience this may have caused. with Helen Harrison Our very best wishes for a successful year for all students who are back in class this week. To all post-secondary young people, our thoughts are with you on this new venture. Many in this community were shocked with the news of the sudden death of David Kea two weeks ago. Our sincere sympathy to Debbie, to family, and to his wide circle of friends. A service to remember Dave took place on August INNA’S SCHOOL OF MUSIC 27, at St. Paul's Leaskdale Church. He will be sore- Piano - Keyboard - Theory ly missed. Harmony - History Leaskdale W.A. will meet in the church on Wednesday, September 18, at 1:00 p.m. Please For Royal Conservatory preparation note change of time. There will be a talk on the (Grs. 1-10) or just for fun! Galapagos Islands. All are welcome. Ages 5 to 95, Beginner to Advanced Grief Share, a support group for those who have lost someone close, will resume on Thursday, INNA NOBLE, Masters in Music September 12, at the Uxbridge Baptist Church, from 2 - 4 p.m., and at St. Paul's Leaskdale 110 Main Street North Church, from 7 - 9 p.m. This is a sharing group 905-852-6296 with complete confidentiality. The Uxbridge Cosmos 14 Thursday, September 5th 2013

to define right and wrong for This Way by Vince Winder him- or herself.” ASK THE COSMOS He says he always responds to This is a new feature that, depend- attempt to qualify for the six-person Freedom said, “there is a significant decla- the speaker by asking, “Is there ing on how many requests we get, we final. Any semi-finalist who scores a anyone in the world right now will run regularly, answering those hole-in-one on the first ball will be ration of 'dependence' also. And questions that you wanted to ask, awarded a 2014 Subaru Forester Bell Canada had TV commer- one without the other won't doing things you believe they but just didn’t know where to go, courtesy of C&C Motors (free cars cials running recently using the work …... “Did our founders should stop doing no matter and you knew you wouldn’t find it are good, too!) A hole-in-one on the catchy little ditty “I've gotta get proclaim themselves 'free' to do what they personally believe on Google. second shot gets the participant an inground pool installation courtesy whatever they might want? about the correctness of their free.” That seems to be the pre- Dear Uxbridge Cosmos of Jones Pools (whoo-hoo!). Lastly, a Hardly. They declared them- behavior?” vailing philosophy of our day - Can you tell me how the Million hole-in-one on the 3rd and final They would invariably say, “Yes, “Don't tell me what to do. I selves free to do 'what they'd Dollar Hole-in-One golf works? I’m semi-final shot will see that lucky want to be free to do my own ought'. They bound themselves of course.” Then he would ask, not a good golfer, and there’s no way swinger off to Scotland on a golf thing.” to God's will,” not their own “Doesn't that mean that you do I’m going to come close to getting a vacation for 2 compliments of Ian believe there is some kind of hole-in-one. How do I still win a Morrison , Sales representative with However, true freedom is not will. Remax All-Stars Realty (Och-ay!). moral reality that is 'there' that is prize? being free to do whatever I want. Author Elizabeth Elliot gives an Any person scoring a hole-in-one It's being free to do what I excellent example: not defined by us, that must be Dear Not-Tiger-Woods, in the final will win $1,000,000 to ought. “Modern highways are often abided by regardless of what a We spoke to insiders at the Rotary be paid in $50,000 instalments over 20 years. All six finalists will receive Colleen Zabuskie, writing in called freeways, but how much person feels or thinks?” Club, who are running the event, prizes in order of finish with the Decision magazine a number of freedom of movement would Keller says almost invariably the and this is what we discovered. Go to Little Sticks on any of the closest to the hole winning a fantas- years ago, explained: there be if each driver were response to that question is a tic Muskoka golf weekend for 2 silence. days the challenge is running. “Real freedom is a bondage and encouraged to choose any lane, Whack at a bucket of balls or two. If sponsoredby doctors Michael and herein lies the paradox. The any speed, any direction that So what is the environment that you do well, you “qualify”. Vi Tu Banh of Uxbridge. If, after all that, Not-Tiger, you still happened to appeal to his (or we were meant to function in? The top 10 leader board qualifiers chains of unfreedom are broken aren’t clear, then see the ad on page We are very aware of physical each day will receive a gift (gifts are not primarily by liberation from her) fancy at the moment?” 10, or go to www.uxbridgerotary laws necessary to survive, such as good!) and can attempt to qualify bonds, but rather by entering Constraints actually liberate us each of the 5 days. 50 semi- finalists .com gravity, our need for oxygen, into a genuine commitment to when they fit with our nature. A will shoot 3 balls each from 160 Good luck! the obligations that sustain one's fish, for example is free only as light, sleep, etc. But what about yards on Sunday afternoon in an existence. That's the difference he is willing to function within moral-spiritual laws that we need between unfreedom and free- the bounds that were set for him to abide by for our survival, like It’s Back! dom; it's not the difference by his creator. He may choose to a fish needs water? between being bound and live outside of the boundary set One would be love. God Ballroom unbound, but rather between for him (water), but how free is a designed us to function in a lov- false and true bondage.” fish out of water? ing environment. He created us Paul Harvey, a few years ago, Similarly with a kite. It's only so He could love us and we could speaking of the American free to soar in the air if attached love Him and one another. Love lessons for beginners Declaration of Independence, to a string. Break the string and could be defined as the most lib- it comes crashing down. So with erating freedom-loss of all. You are back this fall us. We are only free as we learn see, the basic principle of love for VIEWPOINTS how to function within our cre- another person, or for God, is ator's design for us. that we have to give up our inde- This popular concept that every pendence. To experience the joy ow well do you know the highways person can define right and and freedom of love requires giv- and byways of Uxbridge Township? wrong for himself flies in the face ing up my freedom, my autono- of reality. my for the sake of the one I love. The first person each week to call H Author Timothy Keller, pastor Remember, freedom is not the into our office number, 905-852-1900, of Redeemer Presbyterian absence of limitations, but find- and correctly identify the location of our Church in New York City, after ing the ones that allow you to be the person you were designed to photo, will receive a prize; this week, it’s every morning and evening serv- ice at his church, remains in the be. Once we realize how God, two adult admission tickets to the auditorium for another hour to through Jesus Christ, sacrificed Uxbridge Fall Fair. Last week’s Viewpoints field questions. He says that one Himself and gave Himself for of the most frequent questions you and I, we aren't afraid of giv- was the tip of the fish fin by Elgin Pond, Looking for some great exercise or an evening out he hears is that “Every person has ing up our freedom to find our and was guessed by Jeannette freedom in Him. to do something as a couple? Lukanowski. Congratulations! Looking to learn a new thing AND impress your friends or buy a special gift for someone? photos by Lisha Van Nieuwenhove COME VISIT US AT THE FALL FAIR! WE’VE GOT CHICKEN SCHNITZEL, RIBS, BURGERS, FRIES - BEST FAIR FOOD AROUND! Come and join Ballroom Dance for beginners this fall.

• Free Range Poultry Where: Uxbridge Arena Community Room • Farm Fresh Beef When: Wednesday evenings 7:00pm – 8:30pm • Ontario Lamb Starting: September 25 through November 27, 2013 • Preservative-Free Deli Meats 10 weeks for only $290.00 per couple • Hormone-Free Meats To register: Contact Marta Croly at 905-903-6437 or via e-mail at [email protected] 3 Brock Street West OPEN SUNDAYS 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Marta and Mark Look Forward to seeing you! The Uxbridge Cosmos 15 Thursday, September 5th 2013

GRANDPARENT'S DAY ent rides for half price. Sunday, September 8 Grandparents can board the trains which leave The Nature Nut Right across North America, this Sunday is the day that Uxbridge at 10a.m. and 2:30 p.m., or from Stouffville grandparents are honoured. Why not take them for a at noon. Fares are: $11 Grandparents over age 65; with Nancy Melcher trip on the York-Durham Heritage Railway over the $12 Grandparents under age 65; $24 Adults; $22 summit of the Oak Ridges Moraine? With trains from Seniors (65+); and $16 Children aged 2-12. Infants Uxbridge and Stouffville, it's convenient if you are under age 2, not occupying a seat, travel free. A coming from Toronto or from other parts of York and $69.00 family pass for 2 Adults and up to 3 Children Durham Regions. (2-12 years) is available. Boarding facilities for dis- The railway has a special offer on that day - for abled persons available at Uxbridge. For e-tickets, seat every grandchild who brings a grandparent and pays reservations & more information, visit www.ydhr.ca or full regular fare applicable for their age, the grandpar- call 905-852-3696. Canada's Only Marsupial Animal

Did you know there are 'living fos- sils' right here in Uxbridge? No, they're not your old teachers, nor are they politicians (although we do have one of Canada's longest-serv- ing municipal officials in Mayor Gerri Lynn O'Connor!) Their name, wapathemwa, means “white animal” in the Algonkian language. material. Their diet includes, tongue sticking out. This habit has You might mistake this animal for a insects, berries, snails, fruit, carrion given us the term ”playing possum”, The feature car at the Uxbridge Cruise in on Thursday evening was a 1961 Nash Metropolitan large rat, or an odd-shaped cat. owned by Colleen and Ivan Samila of Stouffville. Photo by Rob Holtby. (dead animals), grasses, small meaning “pretending to be dead”. They're nocturnal too. Here's one snakes, corn, rodents, vegetables, Like all marsupials, opossums have last clue: they're Canada's only pet food, and scraps in garbage. short life spans. Their life expectan- marsupial. ON-LINE They have adapted well to living cy in the wild is two to three years. Have you figured it out? Give up? around humans. They have few defences against We just keep getting better and better! It's the opossum! Their ancestors These unusual animals are gentle predators, and due to being slow- walked in the shadows of the Download and placid: they prefer to be left moving are often prey for larger ani- The complete dinosaurs, and they haven't edition or selected alone. Their main means of defence mals like dogs, cats, and owls. changed much at all since then. pages as PDF files! is snarling, showing their pointy They're hit also by cars, an unfortu- Because they're nocturnal (active Easy Viewing teeth. However, when they feel nate end for a unique Canadian after we're asleep), it's unlikely Browse Classified threatened, they roll over and play animal. and Calendar many of us know that these inter- listings on your cell dead with their eyes closed and esting animals live here. Perhaps the phone! only way we might see one is if it's Enjoy a victim of a collision with a vehi- Letters to the Editor, Local columnists cle, sadly one of the common caus- and editorials! es of death. Opossums have bristly-looking Advertise A "Link" to your The Uxbridge Cosmos on-line is grey fur, black ears and eyes, and a business web site! available every Wednesday evening. white head with a long pink nose, but the most recognizable feature is www.thecosmos.ca their naked pink tail. They're found east of the Rockies, from southern Ontario to Costa Rica, living in burrows under porches and sheds. They are excel- lent tree-climbers, using their tail to grasp branches for stability. However, they are too heavy to hang by their tail. A marsupial is an animal that car- ries its young in a pouch. Mother opossums gives birth to their young Featuring Finish Carpentry & Renovations after only 12 days gestation. The kidney-bean sized young crawl Conrad Boyce from the birth canal across their and the poems of the mother's fur into her pouch, where "Bard of the Yukon" they find one of her nipples and Robert W. Service latch on. Once attached, they stay to that way for the next two months. Thursday Saturday After they are big enough to leave September5,6 & 7 at 8:00p.m. her pouch, she may carry them on Leaskdale Historic Church her back. Opossums are omnivores, which th means they eat both meat and plant Tickets available at Blue Heron Books from Aug.19 on The Uxbridge Cosmos 16 Thursday, September 5th 2013

...Coffee, from page 10 where the farms come out and capabilities, how you show the ani- show their string of cattle, you Periwinkle Gardens mal as well as what the animal would have a really good herd. looks like and the attributes it has. You were just 17 when you went with Susan Fedorka It's a long process. It takes all year away to the University of Guelph. to get ready for the Royal. That's an awfully young age to move Wet Feet Plants tracted storm. The runoff usually Ideally, the water shouldn't remain in I know I sound like a sap here, but away from home. How did you feel? It was scary, but at the same time traverses hard surface areas such as the low lying area for more than two don't you get attached to the animals I've done a lot of camps and con- roofs, sidewalks, and driveways, pick- or three days. you show? As responsible gardeners we attempt ferences with 4-H and Junior ing up pollutants and contaminates There are some great plants and Yes, we name them and they're to plant as many native plants as pos- Farmers that prepared me to be such as salt used on walkways during shrubs that will do well in low lying like our pets. You'll see us out lying sible, and we try to ensure that they independent and taught me leader- the winter, animal waste, oil from the areas including Bee Balm (pictured on the grass like they're our dogs. are drought tolerant or that they will, ship skills. It was exciting though, driveway, and any number of other below), Black Alder, Joe Pye Weed For the most part, we keep them at least, tolerate some dryness. because I got to go off and study elements. (pictured below left), Cardinal for breeding animals, which is how But what about those gardeners agriculture. I wouldn't change any- By planting gardens in these areas, Flower and Goatsbeard - all of which we built up our herd, but like I who have wet areas, or low lands, on thing about it. and creating rain gardens, you are can be planted in sun to partial said, the steer is my 4-H project their property? Are they just sup- When you went to USS, how did helping to filter out these undesirable shade. and I show him throughout the posed to accept that wet patch and you do? elements before they get too far into Check with your local nursery to see year and when I make it on to the hope for a dry summer so it will dis- I was on the honour roll through- the eco-system and the water table. what they may have in stock either Royal, I feel so rewarded. appear? out the four years that I was there. Compacted soil or clay will not this fall or next spring. Good nurs- I thought 4-H was more geared Water may collect on a property as And I was on Student Council and allow the water to drain in a timely eries will be aware of this problem towards younger teens. a result of storm water collecting in a I was a PAL and on the environ- manner, so breaking up the soil, and will have plants that will help It's actually for nine- to 20-year- low lying area after a heavy or pro- mental club. when (if) the area dries out is the first you have a stunning space where olds. I've been a member since I You have two older sisters. Did they step to creating a new garden. Also, water now sits. was 10. One of the best things was pull you along, did you try to emulate give some thought to adding some in 2007 when I was Grand them? large rocks to the area in order to Champion Showperson in the They've always been there for me, limit the amount of water that will Queen's Guineas at the Royal. no matter what. They've been suc- sit in the space. Keeping the water Then last year I was the reserve champion. cessful, too. My sister Jan was the moving, either through an irrigation 2004 Uxbridge Fall Fair ambassa- system or more run off, is the desired Winning grand champion anything at the Royal is a feather in the cap, dor and both of them have been result. Durham Region Queen of the If you live in town, ensure that you but does it do anything for your farm? Furrows. I haven't run for that yet. aren't directing water from your I think it's next year's plan. property to that of your neighbour. A little, but this is a 4-H compe- tition. If it was the open show Sylvia, thank you. Thank you. This Friday at the Foster

7:30 p.m. 9449 Concession 7 Admission by Donation SEPTEMBER 6 - SAUNDERS ROAD Saunders Road is one lucky guy (Chris Saunders) and four amazing women: Carlie Laidlaw, Haydee Grant, Michelle Charlton and Jean Hoevenaars. Their music is an eclectic blend of folk/roots,pop, country, jazz and bluegrass with plenty of vocal harmony and great fiddling by Michelle Charlton. They promise that a good time will be had by all.

Summer Special Pick-Up Triple Mix

Wholesale Prices Pick Up or Delivery • Mulch Products • Triple Mix • Screenings • Crushed Stone • Field Stone • River Rock

SANDFORD SAND & GRAVEL 536 Sandford Road 905-852-4974 Open to the Public - Monday-Friday 7 a.m. - 5 p.m.