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Coming into existence at some undetermined date as a source of power for mills, including a saw mill, and a grist mill, the pond a half century ago was used as a source of water for the small Vil- lage of Richmond Hill. A few years later the intake pipe for the village’s water system was moved farther north on the stream which feeds the pond and eventually was removed when the first drilled well (located nearby) became the source of water supply. beds, walks and benches where one may spend a very pleasant, restful and relaxing hour or so. When the plans are completed there will be picnic areas and other places where one may sit and contem- plate the beauties of nature so lib- erally bestowed on us. We are also delighted to know that a similar place of beauty and outdoor healthy recreation oppor- tunity is being planned to be imple- mented in the second phase of the development in BAIF. . Grace Probert and Shadeen (left) are seen a the training class held at the Richvale Lions Club, last October;- Her present dog training school, situated in the Richvale Lions Club, is open to crossbreeds, mutts, and unregisterable purebreds only. Init- iated by the Canadian Canis School No. 1 in October, 1972, the Canis Club’s slogan is, approp- riately enough, “Obedience For All.” Mrs. Pro- bert’s own Canis, Shadeau, serves as a demon- strator for the other dogs in the classes, which (Continued on Page 16) lost in that election to the late Charles Stewart. He was given every opportunity to be appointed to office on January 16 and again he failed to qualify. He will again have the opportunity of running in an election this year against the incumbant Mr. Major. Because some of our town councillors, namely Messrs. Stephenson, Bales, Corcoran and Rowe have used judge- ment that befits persons of their office, having voted to appoint Mr. Major as their panama“ I‘CVEIBIUII ‘LU '11‘81‘11'5' ing? Is it reasonable to as- sume that those who disobey the law or are Easterners and not Canadians arein fact non-Jhuman? RONALD PERRY, Maple Garth Given Road, Oak Ridges MARKHAM â€" A two-storey house with bricks removed was moved from Church Street to a farm on the Ninth Line, north of 16th Avenue by Lloyd Baker and Sons in less than three hours. The house weighed 30-tons. d-lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllilll\llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll-F But its winter use is not con- fined to this four day period. Old Mr. Weather provides an excel- lent ice surface, the town employ- ees keep it cleared and at almost any time on a suitable day the ice surface is in use by skaters and small hockey players. This is particularly true on the weekend, when it is crowded with skaters of all ages. Few communities are as fortun- ate as Richmond Hill in having a natural beauty spot such as the Mill Pond which also adds to the recreation amenities in all seasons. It will be the scene of most of the events of the Winter Carnival February 7, 8, 9 and 10 as it has been in past years. The provision of $10,000,000 by the federal government for the construction of rolling for a peak period three-train rail service to Metro’s Union Station has brought a breakthrough. It has eliminated We are most pleased to see the federal government has come to recognize it has a responsibility for commuter rail transportation here. Never mind the fact it hedged its involvement by call- ing the move an ad hoc decision with a facet of job creating spend- ing and a facet of energy saving in _the current oil shortage. Long remembered will be the daring dedication of these citizens who rented a train and ran it south into Metro loaded with commuters to show how the job could be done. Tribute should be especially paid to two persons who worked partic- ularly long, hard and effectively for rail transit, namely John Medcof of Mount Albert and Rob- ert Sillcox of King Township. This isn’t to forget the many other citizens who worked in com- mittees and groups to inform, convince and move both the public mind and government. It seems there has hardly been any public facility we have needed more, or waited longer to get. That the decision was finally taken is a tribute to all those who worked so hard for it. It was welcome news, indeed, for us here in York Region when the federal and provincial author- ities announced commuter rail services will be established to Thornhill and Richmond Hill with- in two years. Many parents would correctly interpret this basic aim to mean that they want their children to learn to read, write, and speak their native language with rea- sonable facility (English or French. as the case may be), to learn how to handle numbers, to develop social skills that will enable them to acquire an un- derstanding and appreciation of their country â€" and to supple- ment all this with useful knowl- edge that will relate to a suc- cessful and satisfying life . . . In clear and simple terms it can be said that the fundamen- tal purpose of our schools is to prepare young people as well as possible for the life they will lead as adults in our democratic society. The schools should help each student develop, to a maxi- mum of his potential, as an individual and as a member of society who will think clearly, feel deeply. and act wisely. There is another skill which has become a priority for to- day’s young people, and this is the ability to adapt readily to a changing environment, and to evaluate and solve new prob. lems . . . NEW PRIORITIES A corollary of this is the need to teach people how to learn. In presenting the estimates of the Ministry of Education in the Legislature November 15, 1973. Education M i n i s t e 1' Thomas Wells discussed in general terms the aims and objectives of the Ontario school system and the means by which the province is seeking to achieve these aims. Schools ’ Aim To Prepare Young For Life- - -Education Minister The following is an abridged text of his presentation: ENA 013132 liberal Subscription Rate $7.00 per year; to United States $9.00; 15¢ Single Copy Member Audit Bureau of Circulations Member Canadian Weekly Newspapers Association Published by Richmond Hill Liberal Publishing Co. W. S. COOK, Publisher “Second class mail, registration number 0190” Well Worth Keeping Commuter Rail Plan Giant Step Forward .EERKL, Richmond Hill,AOntario, Thursday, Jan. 31, 1974 An Independent Weekly: Established 1878 The new demands of a fast- changing society pose a great challenge for our educators . . . FACE CHALLENGES Look at what the schools face today: a society in which spe~ cific skills, particularly occupa. tional skills, become obsolete as fast as new ones are developed; a society whose culture and values are subject to a daily, bewildering bombardment of ideas, images impressions and information via the media; a society in which young people insist on perceiving and judging by their own terms of reference, rather than passively accepting someone else's version of truth. justice, right and wrong. Students must gain respect for themselves and others. and develop moral standards that will give them direction through- out their lifetimes. The schools must help develop in students an appreciation of the way our society functions. and the ability to live harmoniously with others. And the schools have a respon- sibility to help our young people understand our cultural heritage and develop a sense of patriot- ism â€" an awareness of their place in the society of man, and Canada’s place in the society of nations . . . While an emphasis on skill development is a basic priority of our education system, our schools must also build upon that foundation to help pupils acquire certain attitudes in the process. and to develop some personal virtues and strength of character along the way . . . how to seek out information and how to use it properly and Wisely . . . Nevertheless, the Mill Pond is a thing of beauty which every resident in the town should visit. The parks and recreation board has already extended the beauty over a sizeable area to the south of Mill Street by adding flower beds, walks and benches where one may spend a very pleasant, restful and relaxing hour or so. When the plans are completed there will be picnic areas and other places where one may sit and contem- plate the beauties of nature so lib- erally bestowed on us. As early as 1958 Metro Conser- vation Authority recommended draining and cleaning of the pond to realize its full potential as a recreation spot. This has yet to be done although plans are well underway for its execution. How- ever, the original cost estimate in 1958 of $30,000 (half to be paid by Richmond Hill and half by the province) has escalated to many times that amount. We cannot think of any event as important as this for many years in this area. It is a tremendous thing our governors at Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill have at this time done. The commuter service on the existing CN Bala line'will take much traffic off the Yonge Street corridor. It will relieve the over- crowding expected on the north- ern end of that other north-south rail commuter service now under construction, namely the Toronto subway line. This new GO Rail facility will provide faster, more convenient and more comfortable trips for commuters back and forth to central Toronto and North York. For the total Ontario commun- ity the existing GO Rail Transit service along the lakeshore has been a tremendous benefit and success. It has been no less wel- come in the local communities it serves. There can be little doubt the results will be every bit as satisfactory here. These are large sums of money, but they pale in significance when compared to the alternative cost of road construction, automobile operation, death and injury, plus human wear and tear which will continue to be the case otherwise. For its part the province has assumed responsibility for an expected $1,000,000 annual deficit in operation of the service. the cost barrier that prevented the provincial government from imp- lementing this service a few years earlier. A major explanation for this is an increasing acceptance of the fact that motivation to learn â€"and the capacity to learnâ€"are entirer individual matters. We are moving away from the time when children were grouped and categorized solely by age and are now recognizing differ- Our educators. with no more claim to prophetic abilities than the rest of us, can only conclude that their best contributions is to lay a firm foundation of facts and skills in the early years of a child’s education â€" and to sharpen intellectual curiosity and stimulate a thirst for con- tinuous learning. The adoption of this approach has implied some revolutionary changes in traditional approach- es to education. Most particular- ly, it makes motivation a matter of supreme importance, and this has led to a great deal of emphasis being placed on the development of the individual as such. THOMAS WELLS Education Minister In the Spotlight A winter wonderland of snow awaits skiers at the Honey Pot Tavern and Ski Valley centrally located at the intersection of Major Mackenzie Drive and Dufferin Street in Vaughan Town. Some of the action is shown above on the large “experts only” slope in what is becoming a typical There seems to be a lot of truth in the saying that the dog is man’s best friend, for despite rising food costs and the impracticalities of own- ing a dog in the city today, more and more people are buying them. Too few, however, manage to train their pets as well as might be desired. For the past fourteen years Mrs. Grace Probert has been helping to improve this situa- tion. She first instructed obedience classes in 1960 for the Town and Country KC of the Toronto and Lakeshore District. In 1961 she founded the North York Obedience Club and the Queen City Training Associates in 1963. By DIANA COOK Grace Probert’s Obedience Classes GAIN FLEXIBILITY Over a period of years, the rigidities of high school organi- zation were broken down, giving way gradually to what is known today as the “credit system”. The more flexible approach to school programs finally recog- nized students’ individual abi1i~ ties and interests. instead of being arranged primarily for administrative convenience, cm for those bound for univexsity. New courses were added to the curriculum, and traditional ones were given new life . . . YIELD BENEFITS The creation of larger school jurisdictions throughout the province has yielded many tan- gible benefits, the most import- ant being the broadening of educational opportunities for hundreds of thousands of On- tario young people, bringing us ever closer to that elusive goal WIDER SCOPE It is, of course, difficult to be philosophical about the present situation if one is an experi- enced teacher fearful that his job is threatened by the exist- ence of many would-be replace- ments, or if one is newly-pre- pared for teaching and looking for a first position. But the pass- ing of the seller’s market in teaching has had some very promising implications for the quality of education. Today. all school boards, even those in relatively remote areas, can now make a real choice from among a number of applicantsâ€"rather than, as before, having to take available candidates, fully quali- fied or not . . . ing abilities in order to make education more of an individual- ized process . . . "man In, The Skiing} Fine As in all times of transition, there have been doubts and fears expressed and voices raised in concern and even alarm But We are moving forward on a base of sound philosophy. re- search. and practicalityâ€"advan- cing with the times in the light of what is, and will be, most appropriate to our fundamental aim of preparing our young people for the future. PROGRAM VARIES Relatively speaking, by just about every measure of compar- ison. we have in Ontario a pre- eminent school system. We are providing a varied curriculum for boys and girls who will be adults in a very complex society at the turn of the century. We have broken some of the rigid patterns of the past, but we have retained the excellence that has long been the hallmark of our schools. Another major advance is that this province now has a network of French secondary schools in all areas with a substantial con- centration of French-speaking people. Even this year, we have moved further with new legisla- tion that will increase and sig- nificantly improve these oppor- tunities . . . The policy of placing a limit on how much a school board could increase its per-pupil spending each year has now been in effect for over three yearsâ€"and it has clearly achiev- ed its intended purpose without adversely affecting the quality of education in Ontario class- rooms. which we have worked so long and so persistently to achieve . . . of equality. Over the past few years. there She goes on to say that because of Mr. Gemmill's qualifications ‘and platform from a previous election, that he would have been best suited. Has she ever given Mr. Major the oppor- tunity to state his views on whatever questions she has in mind? I know for a fact that she has not. How then, can she honestly form an opinion. If the majority of Ward 3 wanted Mr. Gemmill as their councillor they would have voted him in. He lost in that election to the late Charles Stewart. He was given every opportunity to be appointed to office on January 16 and again he failed to qualify. He will again have the opportunity of running in an election this year against the incumbant Mr. Major. Both of them worked very hard to obtain the support of many of us in Ward 3. She cites in her letter that Mr. Gemmill had letters and a petition from a cross sec- tion of Ward 3. Please let me point out that Mr. Major also has a representative backing of Ward 3. In fact, as I understand it, there are 57 personally written letters supporting him. A personal letter carries more weight than a signed petition be- cause it conveys a true con- cern of the candidate. She has failed to give equal thought to each of these two men, namely Ray Gemmill and Mr. Major. scene this winter. And when the weatherman gets a trifle moody, refuses to co-operate, the automatic snow-making machine goes into action. Then presto, lots of good skiing. Dining and clubroom facilities await all skiers at the bottom of the hills. A related concern that has been expressed in recent years is that discipline and hard work have somehow lost their import- ance in the schools. This is not so. It is no secret that a pleasp ant, well-disciplined classroom atmosphere results in more ef- fective learning for all, and that teachers themselves. to a large extent. create the climate in their classrooms. All teachers strive for good discipline . . . Gradual changes will continue to evolve in our elementary schools throughout the 1970’s as our educators, building upon the strong foundation that now exists, adapt to changing times and changing needs. has been genuine concern in the minds of some parents that one result of this period of evolu- tionary change has been a re- duced emphasis on the so-called basics in our elementary schools. To a great extent, this concern has been the result of new methods rather than changes in content or emphasis. All through the elementary grades, it re- mains a firm Ministry require- ment that the fundamental skills like reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic be taught thor- oughly to all pupils in our schools. EMPHASIZE BASICS All these areas are covered very thoroughly in the curricu- lum documents which are pro- vided to all schools by the Min- istry. and teachers and pupils devote just as much time to the basics as they ever did. The basic skills are often handled in a more natural and integrated way than in the past, but there is no evidence whatsoever that they are being neglected . . . May we assume, quite Logi- cally that Mr. Stevens op- poses and will seek to pre- vent Canadian participation in war. bombing and other killing by â€"- for instance â€" the U.S.A. in Vietnam, Cam- bodia and elsewhere? The statement appears in your report to refer to firstly the unborn and secondly the sick raped. What about the rest of humanity who mostly would actively and conscious- ly prefer to live? Why did he support the Canadian reversion to hang- ing? Is it reasonable to as- sume that those who disobey the law or are Eastemers and not Canadians are-in fact non-human? I quote from your (Janua- ry 24) report concerning the bill of rights proposal of Sin- clair Stevens MP, York Sim- ooq entitled “Under No Gir- cumstances Should Anryone Take Ano't'her’s Lrirfe." It is my hope that when we do have another election; that the people of Ward 3 will also use the same judge- ment as was indicated on January 16. MP STEVENS RIGHTS BILL Dear Mr. Editor â€"â€" C. TSAFAROFF, 210 Maple Avenue, Richmond Hill. l‘ Board Approves g‘German Exchange It was originally planned to Ihave the students com- plete their course work first before going to Germany. but teachers felt that wouldn’t be feasible. During this time, the stu- dents will be supplied with necessary course outlines and texts. On their return to school in January, the stu- dents and their parenrts will receive a progress report. As recommended to the board, the students will keep abreast of the balance of the curriculum. Each student, prior to leaving for Germa- ny, will enter into a learning contnact with each of his teachers, accepting responsi- bility for completion of the work which would be cove- red during his absence. York County Board of Education last week appmVed recommendations, which will bring a proposed exchange of students bet- ween York County and Ger- many a step closer. About 70 York County stu- dents will be placed in Ger- man homes and schools for the months of October. No- vember and December of this year. The Ministry reserves the right to reject any or all quotations and the lowest or any quotation will not necessarily be accepted. Ministry of the Environment, K. H. Sharpe, Executive Director D. Cooper, Chief of Purchasing. Complete information and quotation forms may be obtained from the Director of Project Operations. 4th Floor, 1 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto or his agent, R. Amodeo, Chief Operator, Richmond Hill Water Pollution Control Plant. Quotations sealed in the envelopes provided which shall be clearly marked as to contents will be received by the Chief of Purchasing, 4th Floor, 135 St. Clair Ave. W., Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1P5 until 12 o’clock noon Toronto time, on Monday, February 11, 1974 for the removal and disposal of liquid digested sludge from the Richmond Hill Water Pol- lution Control Plant located at 115 Pugsley Avenue, Richmond Hill. Merna Colborne Chairman Bayview Ave. and Markham Road Richmond Hill A New course Personal Income Tax Returns will be given Tues- day evenings for 10 weeks if 15 or more register. Registration at Bayview S.S. Monday, Feb. 4 Tuesday, Feb. 5 7:30 p.m. to 9 :30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 FIRST CLASS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 Presentation will include lectures by a Chartered Accountant and discussion. Fees: $6.00 + $3.00 registration fee Total of $9.00 Senior Citizens $3.00 For further information phone Adult Education Department 884-8131; 889-0660; 887-5931 QUOTATIONS FOR THE REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL OF SLUDGE FROM RICHMOND HILL WATER POLLUTION CONTROL PLANT York County Board Of Education Adult Education-Evening Classes Bayview Secondary, School (Photo by Susan Samila) R. M. Hall Acting Director of Education ONTARIO The scope is ahnost limitt- Jess, offering opportunities for the skilled and the un- skilled to meet new people 'deVEIOp new interests, gain the satisfaction of providing an essential service. Volunteers are essential k [the smooth operation of hos- pitals recreation programs schools and homes for flu mentally retard-ed and emo tionally disturbed, senior ci- tizens homes family service: and as drivers for programs such as Mea‘l-on-Wheels cancer society. children’s aid. Helpmate. too, has mans requests for volunteers fix meet communi’by needs, in- eluding staffing of .its ow: office in Richmond Hill Lib vary on Wright Street. Metro's Volunteer Cemtrt set up the Willowdah branch last fall a1. 145 Shep pard Avenue East to serve social agencies and commu- nity groups looking for vo- lunteers rbo participate in taxi in some casespto ope. rate their program. The centre, in turn, finch volunteers to flu these re quests as many of these on gan-izaxtions depend 'to a large extent on the time and efforts of volunteers tr continue nheir operations. Young and old, rich and poor, male and female can find -a place as a voluntee in action, says the Volun teer Centre. Coordinator 1 Mrs. Rhon 'Sigal, 222-2551 Another person to call Mrs. Louise Hastings. 223 2576. Become A Voluntee Work For Nothing Feel Like A Million If you have a free day a half day. or even just a! hour. .uhe Volunteer Centn in Wd'llawdale or Helpmate‘ Information in Richmont Hill can tell yvu 'howtx work for nothing and feel like a million. 'Iihey brighten. the lives oi the chronically ill in 'hospli- tals or at home by making friendly visits, running er- randS. writing leptelrs. The number for Helpmla'te Information is 884-2727. For ALL Occasions Rice's Flowers CENTRE 884-1812 Phone 889-1812 - At All Hours - Flowers Wired Anywhere RICHMOND HEIGHTS We Deliver to Toronto & Surrounding Districts