Many travellers experienced the frustrations of being fogged-in during last month's early thaw. Russell winter-camping en- thusiast, Michael Fostner, was grounded too. Unlike most air ' travellers, Mike was not at an air- port, but was stranded on the shores of Lake Florence, 50 miles west of Lake Temagami. From the moment the light plane landed on a slushy surface of Lake Florence, Mike and his buddy knew they were not going to be in for the typical cold weather camp- ing trip. As the days became progressive- ly warmer, down jackets, double down sleeping bags, deerskin gloves and thermal underwear were shed in favor of lighter wear | Suzanne Schroeter's Scrapbook, Fogged-in February blues ' As the tranquil week drew to a close, the men began to eagerly anticipate the hum of the aircraft which would taxi them to the showers and, home-cooked meals of Temagami. On the appointed day of pick-up, lean-tos were disassembled, gear was packed > and the two men cheerfully trekk- ed out to the landing area in the middle of the lake. No plane. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, the two campers waited anxiously for the purr of a motor, but nothing and no one arrived to fly them out. The campers were, of course,. unaware that the pilot had broken a ski on his plane while trying to free it from ice the morning of pick-up day. After that, fog and rain in Temagami had made it im- possible to fly. On the fourth day, Tues- day, with a tripod perched in the middle of the lake, and a cosy fire crackling in the woodstove, the long-awaited droning was heard. Mike, in all the excitement, fired off his flare, narrowly miss- ing the cockpit of the plane! They were sighted, and in the flurry of hurried packing, they knew they would soon be reunited with wor- ried families. Back in civilization, Mike has lost much of his delight in winter camping. He'd do it again, but would never rely on transporta- tion out of a campsite. Fogged-in February blues are not for him. The burning issue of home heating The rush is on to convert cur- rent oil furnaces to natural gas. Even though natural gas prices will rise by more than 50 per cent, young couples renovating older homes are converting their aging oil furnaces to natural gas in an attempt to curb the high cost of heating with oil. Oil prices are ex- pected to soar by nearly 70 per cent, a price increase these'couples may not be able to pay. Area residents who are commit- ted to converting their existing oil furnaces to gas are faced with a tough decision. They can either convert their furnaces immediate- ly to efficient natural gas furnaces or wait and convert to a better, cleaner burning, more efficient natural gas furnace in about six months. The new breed of furance, scheduled to appear on the market early next year, will be 90 per cent efficient, 30 per cent more effi- cient than today's conventional natural gas furnace. The new furnace, instead ot venting its exhaust through a chimney, vents exhaust through a thin plastic pipe out of the side of the foundation, much like a hot air vent for a dryer. This. small vent pipe, combined with efficient use Of heat exchangers, will allow the house to retain more heat, heat which once went up the chimney with the exhaust. by Jeff Nash The problem is the new natural gas furnace will cost at least $1,000 more than today's conventional natural gas furnace. The conventional gas furnace sells for about $1,200, which makes it a slightly more attractive investment at present, compared to the new natural gas furnace which will spot a hefty $2,200 price tag. Either way, these people will be waving goodbye to soaring oil bills, and welcoming 'the federal government's furnace conversion grant which will pay up to $800 for the installation of a natural gas furnace. : Page 13 Meditorial By Rev. Jim Paul Louis Pasteur, the famous 19th century French scientist and philosopher, made some momentous discoveries that touch every aspect of life. One case in particular is the pasteurization process which bears his name. By means of an inventive mind, Louis Pasteur developed a system which destroys disease-producing micro-organisms in milk and other liquids. Dear Louis, we tip our hat to you in gratitude, for we have all benefitted from your genius. : The story of discovery does not end here however, because this celebrated scientist was also a committed Christian. Louis Pasteur's greatest personal discover was his discovery that God was real. One of his most famous statements was this; "within every man there is a God- shaped vacuum that can only be filled with the person of Jesus Christ." Dear Louis, again we tip our hat to you in gratitude for diagnosing our sick condition in such a helpful way. Let's be very honest with ourselves. Isn't this our biggest problem. We've tried to squeeze everything into that internal vacuum except the Lord Jesus Christ. Many have tried to fill this emptiness in life with weekly sexual en- counters, but to no avail, The emptiness remained. Some have attempted to fill this emptiness with riches and material goods. In spite of their lives being surrounded by new cars, expensive furniture and lavish homes, the emptiness remainded. No matter what you do to fill this 'gnawing vacuum inside, whether that be with family, friends or fun, it will never go away until Jesus Christ comes in. You see, Louis Pasteur was right, man was created to have fellowship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. At this time of year when Jesus' death and resurrec- tion is specially remembered, why not follow Louis Pasteur's steps and personally discover the only answer for emptiness -- Jesus. Castor Valley Baptist Church -~-. Minister-- Rev. James Paul, ph. 821-2144 Meeting in the Russell Public School 9:30 a.m. Family Worship Service A nursery service is provided! 11:00 a.m. -- Family Bible School There's a class for all ages! 7:00 p.m. -- Evening Fellowship in the Kenmore Church = Re-Elect NORM STERLING Carleton- Grenville HE'S DONE A LOT Toll To contact Norm: by Margot McCallum Alfred had a visitor, his cousin Jimmy Gadfly And when Alfred asked him why he'd come Cousin Jim replied, "Why, it's election time of course, I see my duty clearly For as a gadfly I must go about from mut to mut To poke and prod -- the truth to seek."' M.P.P. March 19th '"Why is one party better? Why do they disagree? Does one man really care as much Alfred, for you or me? "Oh surely not, for we're just flies, that folks think little of, But then do we not also come From the hand of him above?" "'T do not know"' said Alfred, but "There must be a greater plan, When men will strive -- nay even fight -- to govern Where much is wrong-thou much is right" "'Well I must do my job,"' said Jim I'll go and use my gadfly pin' Deflate the pompous, perk up the shy Se Even though I'm only a fly' If just one vote for good I see -- I shall have fulfilled my destiny. So now I take my leave of you, goodbye dear cos' - So long Adieu' ....and cousin Jimmy Gadfly flew on about his business. HE'LL DO. MORE Manotick -- 692-2568 Free -- 1-800-267-1056 ee