PAGE 10, WHITBY PREE PRESS. WEDNESIiAY, AUGUST 12,1987 Brookhin Profile ROXANNE REVELER News & Feure Fdior Phone 655-3637 Reflections of a Golden Age. By MABEL M. MeCABE I have-re'eived several phone calls and messages from seniors over the past few weeks asking me just what is going on in the housing situation of Durham Region. I do not know the answers but I surely know the problems. First of all the basics we were taught in our youth of how to respect and treat our elders is a thing of the past. Second those who are in authority positions in this institution have no respect or con- sideration for the elderly. They are working at a job. If someone presents them with a complaint that person becomes a thorn in the side, to be ignored or humiliated as one would a two-year-old. Therein lies the big problem. Many who are running these organizations are not yet seniors and they have the idea that when one turns 65 all their mental capacities dissolve; Let me assure them it is not so and we are.vital and active. We should be treated as people who have lived many years and have much ex- perience that could be of assistance to them if they would only ask. Many of the buildings designated for seniors are now being con- verted into catch-alls for al comers. The screening that most of us had to go through is past over. There is much intrigue and dishonesty in the answers given to the questions that we ask. I know of at least four situations, firsthand, where false information has been given to people who are real seniors in need of accom- modations. I also know that if one is in a situation where a neighbor is making life miserable, it was stated to me it was possible to get a transfer to an apartment where the hardship, that is a danger to health and mental stability, is removed. This convenience has been denied to several and one tenant had to move out of the building and goto live with a relative. This was after a doctor wrote a letter stating the danger to her health. If those who are responsible for this only realized that they, too, will someday be seniors and may find themselves in a sinilar situation maybe they would think before they were rude and offen- sive in their attitude. They would take time to serve the nee4s of seniors. We, who are over the senior age do not ask for too much. Just treat us as human beings who would like a little peace and quiet in our later years. Give us the respect we deserve for we have been around a long time. We have raised families and paid taxes and have children and grandchildren vyho are doing the same now. We have paid our dues and now we ask to be given the dignified treat- ment we deem our due. We ask for nothing moreor less than we feel we deserve. Maybe it is time to send some of those who do not know how to be polite and considerate back to school to upgrade their manners. A course in how to speak respectfully and how to listen and respond to the legitimate complaints would be in order. I do not scare easily but I have listened to many who have contac- ted me and they are in a state of frazzled nervous jitters. Is it necessary to put us through that to make the point that they rule the roost or is it just that they do no. really care about the senior citizens they are supposed to house? While on this subject let me say that I have found over the three years 1 have lived in this particular building there have been many changes for the worse. It seems one no longer has to bé 60 to get in I know at least three who are much younger. Yet many senior women are out there begging for a place of their own and told they are not eligible. Why? Give these women a chance to be indepen- dent and give them back the dignity you have taken away. Ashburn news By FLORENCE ASHTON At the euchre party Thursday, July 30 there were seven tables of euchre played. Mens first prize went to George Harper, second to Joan Fleming, lone hands to Floyd Optimists to begin clubin Brooklin Whitby Optimists are now begin- ning to recruit new members to begin a Brooklin-area club. The service club, known as "Friend of Youth" (the club mot- to), raises funds to support a num- ber of sports and activities in- volving youth. The club also helps Whitby General Hospital and Fair- view Lodge home' for the aged provides Christmas food baskets to needy and supports the handicap- ped. Optimist clubs began in 1911 in Buffalo, N.Y. The first Canadian club began in 1924. There are now more than 3,900 clubs and some 150,000 members. Fawns, ladies first prize to Rachel Harper, second prize to Jean John- ston. Door prize to Muriel Fisher, 50/50 draw won by Verna Draper. The next euchre will be on Thur- sday, Aug. 27. There was a good attendance at Burns Church last Sunday mor- ning when Rev. McEntyre con- tinued his sermon series for the summer. His subject was "Liberation: From Fears old and new." The three children of George and Linda McGibney were bap- tized, infant daighter Ceallaigh Dawn and brothers Shaun George and Kevin Shaw. The clerk of session Hugh Knight presented the certificates of baptism with Doug Ashton presenting Bibles for the children. George's parents from Ireland were present for the oc- casion, as well as his aunt from Australia. Sunday evening church service continues at Glen Major each Sun- day evening until Labour Day weekend. A warm welcome to all who attend. What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. DEBBIE AND DAVID Waltham of the start collecting for the food bank Junior Farmers are getting a head project. . Free Press photo Junior Farmers begin food bank . By ROXANNE REVELER The Junior Farmers group in the Brooklin area are joining members of fellow organizations throughout Ontario to begin a food bank project. The Brooklin club, along with those in Uxbridge and Beaverton from west Durham, will attempt to provide the needy of the area with both fresh produce and non- perishable items. According to Suzi Hilts, a mem- ber of the Uxbridge club and also the provincial vice president for Junior Farmers, there are 4,000 members Ontario-wide working on the project. Each county is par- ticipating in a food drive, and each Junior Farmer has been asked to plant an extra row of vegetables in their gardens this year. To start things rolling, Durham West members brought along a can of food to their last meeting, and will continue to do so until the project ends during the week of Oc- tober 5 to 10, designated as Agri- Food Week. Using the slogan "plant a seed for need," the Junior Farmers are living up to their motto of self-help and community betterment. And this group of young people is used to helping others. During the month of March, a province-wide fund drive raised over $20,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation. Hilts indicated the members were so delighted with their efforts, they will make it an annual event and extending its length in order to hopefully raise even more money for the organization. Who are Junior Farmers? They are young adults between the ages of 15 and 30 who enjoy sociable times with their peers, and have an interest in helping those less for- tunate than themselves. The Waltham family of Audley Rd., just west of Brooklin, have been involved in the Brooklin Junior Farmers for many years. Lennie Waltham, 21, is a former president who has been active in the organization for the past six years. He is now assistant manager of the Brooklin farm of Weall and Cullen Nurseries. Debbie, 20, is vice president this year and has been a Junior Farmer for five years. She is entering her last year at Humber Colege in the early childhood education for the developmentally handicapped course. At 17, David has been involved in Brooklin Junior Farmers for two years and is treasurer. He is a Grade 12 student at Pickering High Brooklin guides wm Ontario music festival The 1st Brooklin guides company took first prize in their category in the Sing, Ontario, Sing music com- petition. "We finally got Brooklin on the map - we're such a small district," said a delighted Maureen Jackson, leader of the 35 Brooklin guides. "I was so excited when I heard the news."o "It was evident that great 'effort had been put into al the tapes and they were all well done," said Elizabeth Schlee, provincial music adviser, in a letter of congratulations to Jackson. In September, each of the Brooklin guidès will receive a crest signifying the honor. Jackson says the group received great help from Brooklin music teacher Patty Scott. And Jackson says the taping of her guides in chorus went better than expected. "We just used a ghetto-blaster in a hall at the Brooklin United Chur- ch," she says. "And you know the acoustics in a hall!" School and works during the sum- mer at Pickering Museum Village. The Walthams were born and raised in the rural area surroun- ding Brooklin but they do not own a farm. According to Debbie, the Junior Farmers group was originally formed as the basis of social activity for young adults living on farms, and often isolated; But this is no longer the cas.. "Anyone who wants to join, can,:' she says, "providing they meet the age requirement." Brooklin Junior Farmers Astifl primarily a social group engaging in all forms of sports in which they compete within the club, county, zone and provincially. They also at- tend cultural events, do modern equare dancing, have skating and swimming parties and dances. But apart from 'the fun aspect, they are also oriented to bénefit the community, holding corn roasts and other events to raise funds for a cause, and they attempt to learn something connected with agriculture. Recently they toureda sheep farm. The Brooklin club is celebrating their Soth anniversary this year and will celebrate the fact with a dance next springi According to Debbie, the club once boasted over 50 mem- bers, but now has less than 20. "It goes in cycles...up and down," she says, indicating they would be pleased to welcome any young people in the area to join. "There is no criteria to join, you can live in downtown Brooklin," says David. The group has monthly meetings throughout the year engaging in tobogganing, mini-golf and if all else fails, enjoy a good movie on the VCR together. There are also dan- ces throughout the county and zone about once a month. Their next meeting is Thursday Aug. 13, and the group will be plan- ning how best to accumulate goods for their part of the food bank project. Anyone who would like to join in should call either Debbie at 655-4719, or president Barb Jamieson 420-9063.