Member of Amnesty International.... WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31,1982, PAGE 7 Salvadorean vice-president writes to local woman To the surprise of Whitby resident, Hazel Pritchard, the govern- ment of El Salvador has replied to a recent letter she wrote questioning the truth of statements made in a February 20, 1982 Toronto Star article which described atroci- ties against the Salva- dorean people. Pritchard, a member of the newly formed Whitby group of Arn- nesty International, read an article in the Saturday, February 20, 1982 Toronto Star detail- ing acts'of murder and torture car-ied out by the Salvadorean army. Prichard underlined a number of gruesome ac- ts described in the ar- ticle and sent the clipp- ing along with a per- sonal letter to the Vice- President of El Salva- dor, General Jaime Ab- dul Gutierrez. Pritchard asked Gut- ierrez if the statements 'in the article were true and if he was aware similar statements about his government's actions were being published across Canada. Pritchard's letter and questions struck a nerve with Gutierrez for he sent a formal reply dated March 16, 1982. The reply, written in awkward English, stat- es that the Star article is "an example of exaggerated journalism published by thé inter- national press on El Salvador." It refers to the article as "leftist journalism working in its job to present the Salvadorean army as the devil." Gutierrez also urges Pritchard "to take con- sciousness about what is happening here throughout the state- ments done by the authorities of United States like Mr. Presi- dent Reagan, Secretary of State, and so for(th)." Local and Canadian officials of Amnesty In- ternational are pleased Pritchard received a reply. According to An- ne Aguirre, contact for the Whitby group, countless thousands of letters are written an- nually by Amnesty In- ternational members to oppressive govern- ments throughout the world seeking the release of men and women detained anywhere for their be- liefs, colour, sex, ethnic origin, language or reli- gion, provided they have neither used no- advocated violence. Says Aguirre, "it's almost unheard of for a government of one of these countries to reply to a letter such as Prit- chard's. Amnesty Inter- national members join the group and write let- ters knowing full well they are unlikely to ever receive a response. The fact the government of El Salvador acknow- ledged Hazel Prit- chard's letfer.and took the time to issue a for- mal response is trenien- dously encouraging for our group."< "It means the work of Amnesty International is having impact on Brnklin Bylines By ROXANNE REVELER Cail 655-4951 with Items for this column. Hi there: I live on a fixed income... that's the income left af- ter the car is fixed, the TV is fixed, the kids' teeth are fixed, and the plumbing is fixed. LIBRARY NEWS Just a reminder that pre-school story hour starts rolling again on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Please note all children must be three years and older. On Tuesday, April 6, while children are enjoying their story hour, adults may join Ken Brown for a slide presentation and discussion about house- plants. Plan to spend a relaxing and informative hour at your library. Commencing April 8, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Brooklin Library is- introducing a special program for children eight to twelve. A "creative workshop" with puppets. It will involve all aspects such as naking puppets, scenery, writing scripts, and en- ding with a performance in front of a live audience. If you are interested in joining the workshop, please sign up before April 2 as there will be a limited number enrolled. Look forward to seeing you at your library. KINETTE SPEAKER The Brooklin and District Kinette Club will present Daivd O'Brien, speaking on the "John F. Kennedy Assassination", at Anderson Collegiate Wednesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. sharp. O'Brien will show the actual film of the assassina- tion and reveal some startling information never -brought before the public before. Tickets are $2.50 for adults, $1 for students. Plan to attending. Call any Kinette for tickets, or Dianne Batten 655-4778 for information. SPRING DANCE The Brooklin Business Association will host a dance for the people of Brooklin and their friends on Friday, April 30 at Thurderbird Golf and Country Club, Ashburn, from 8 p.m.-to 1 a.m. Tickets are $15 a couple which will include a deli- cious buffet luncheon. There will be a cash bar, and door prizes. Plan to join in the fun. EUCHRE The Spencer Community Centre, Country Lane and Columbus Road, will hold a "Saturday Night Euchre" on April 3 at .8 p.m. The cost is $1.75 per person and includes refreshments and prizes. For further information call Linda at 655-4043 or Inez at 655-4172. foreign governments and, most importantly, it means they're sensi- tive to world opinion about abuse of human rights," Aguirre con- cludes. For some unexplained réason Pritchard's let- .ter elicited a 'response, which, in addition to a formal reply, also in- cluded a public relations kit - entirely in Spanish - containing various ar- ticles about the history and politics of El Salvador. Says Aguirre, "this event will proyide en- couragement to our group to strive even harder to attain the humane goals we seek. EDITOR'S NOTE: Mrs. Pritchard is the wife of John Pritchard, the publisher of the. Ajax ATTENTION Young ladies betweelthe ages of 18 and-23, who live in the Town of Whitby boundaries, are invited to attend a Pageart Information Open House on April 5 and 6 from 7 to 8 p.m., at the Concept Centre, Brooklin. Here you will learn how you mgy be eligible to compete for the title of "Miss Brooklin Spring Fair". The lucky winner this year will also be able t coçnpete for the "Miss C.N.E." crown in 1983. For additional information please call 728-3470 or 655-4936., JUNIOR GARDENERS, A terrarium or bottle garden workshop will be held April 3 at 10 a.m. at the Concept Centre, Brooklin, by the Junior Horticultural Society. Membership for the year is $1. This is an excellent way for children to learn the basics of gardening and have fun. FASHION SHOW A "Spring Fashion Show" will be presented by the Brooklin U.C.W., with fashions from the Brooklin Village Shoppe, on Wednesday, April 14 at 8 p.m. in the C.E. Building, Brooklin United Church. Tickets are $3 and refreshments will be served. For further information call 655-3053 or 655-3842. TRUER WORDS WERE NEVER SPOKEN Last weekend my sister paid us a visit to break the monotony of university exams. We were all in the livingroom discussing math and its value and the term pir2 was mentioned several times. On each occasion, my daughter gave a quizzical look and finally blurted out..."Pie are square?".." No pie are n0t square ...Pie are round....Brownies are square!" That was the end of the math discussion. See you next week.......Roxanne Reveler Brooklin Bakery drop off Fridays, before noon please 655-4951 News Advertiser. It ls Interesting to note that the News Advertiser is owned by the same cor- poration that owns the Toronto Star. BROOKLIN HOME BAKERY &DELICATESSAN 61 BALDWIN ST. BROOKLIN 655-4951 -HOME MADE HOTCROSSBUNS i FULL OF FRUIT BAKED FRESH DAILY NO ADDITIVES ce Î an BROOKLIN SHEL L AUTO SERVICES OPERATED BYGORD NIEUWENDYK 3 BALDWIN STREET, BROOKLIN TEL. 655.4320 O PEN FOR AUTO REPAIR SERVICES SPE CIA L LUBRICATION OIL AND FILTER CHANGE $12,®5 SENIOR CITIZEN 10% OFF ON ALL REPAIRS AND SERVICES HOPE TO SEE MY PREVIOUS CUSTOMERS FROM THE PORT WHITBY STATION. MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8 A.M. TO 5:30 P.M. SATURDAY8A.M.TO '2:30 P.M. ART DEPARTMENT ON PREMISES OPEN À à 1 .