Harry Stemp June 18, 2009
Harry Stemp was born in Uxbridge in 1934. He started his career with the Uxbridge Times-Journal as an apprentice typesetter at age 14. He soon began writing sports for the Times-Journal and eventually owned 10 community newspapers in central Ontario including the Times-Journal. He started writing his award-winning Stemp’s Stew in 1965. The column came to an end shortly after he sold his newspaper chain in 1989, but was rejuvenated in 2006 when Harry became a regular contributor to The Cosmos.
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Will it never end?
?As if the Sri Lankan residents of Toronto haven't caused enough disruption and inconvenience to the lives of other Canadians with all their recent demonstrations, their national government has added insult to injury.
When former Ontario Premier Bob Rae showed up at their border, immigration officials who claimed he was a 'security risk' refused him entry. He was told to turn the plane around and go back to Canada, where he came from.
As Canadians we know this hardly ever happens when Sri Lankans arrive on our shores. They are not only allowed entry they are allowed to bring all their political problems with them. This leads to protest, blocking of traffic on major Toronto streets, and even closing down one of the major highways. Not to mention the thousands of dollars it costs taxpayers for security and crowd control.
But when they have a chance to do Canadians a real favour by not only taking Rae in, but also keeping him there, they flatly refuse.
Just how much pain and suffering do these people intend to inflict on Canadians? Will it never end?
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Always love it when a good news story comes along. And the annual visit of the Woodchippers Bowling League to Uxbridge on Saturday certainly falls into that category. This is a 30-year-old 5-pin and 10-pin bowling league organized solely for mentally challenged adults.
Many years ago Lynda and Lionel Mason, of Toronto, contacted Len Nicholl, then President of the Uxbridge Legion, and suggested that the Woodchippers visit Uxbridge and have a fun competition against Uxbridge bowlers who fall into the same category.
That was the start of an annual event that has lasted 28 years and has turned into a wonderful relationship between the Woodchippers and the Uxbridge Legion. Since then they have added a second visit as a busload of Woodchippers arrive in Uxbridge for an annual Halloween dance again held at the Uxbridge Legion.
These events don't happen without the support of a lot of volunteers and Uxbridge has always been blessed with dedicated volunteers in large numbers.
From the start Len and Sam Nicholl have been involved and still play a major role in this wonderful project. Members of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary are front and centre providing the bbq for the bowling project and a delicious dinner for the Halloween dance and, as if that isn't enough, they add a cash donation to help with other expenses.
These people love to dance and over the years the music has been supplied gratis by Sandra Ingledew, then by Mike Durham and now Eric Vittorini. And we can't forget the Uxbridge merchants who, when they learned of this great project, climbed on board and made sure that there is a prize for every single person who takes part in this wonderful event.
Many years ago I was fortunate to work with the late Whipper Watson who devoted his life to making the world better for Crippled Children. Over those years Whipper instilled in me to always be thankful to God for good health, and to work hard to make life easier for those less fortunate.
On Saturday as I sat and watched these people enjoying life to the fullest it crossed my mind that if Whipper could only walk through the door he would be so proud of what the volunteers I mentioned above were doing for 'his' people.
So Sam, Len, Lynda, Lionel, Sandra, Mike, Eric, all the members of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the local merchants, please all take a bow for a job well done.
Your dedication and efforts towards making life better for these wonderful people goes a long way in making Uxbridge the caring community we are so proud to call home.
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Speaking of the Legion there is a ton of activity as they plan their 2nd Annual Ribfest, that takes place July 17, 18 and 19 in Elgin Park.
Many will remember the finger-licking ribs and great local entertainment from last year. Well, the same ribbers are returning plus a lot of other activities - plus a Car Show and Shine Show has added this year.
More on this event later. For now, mark July 17-19 on your calendar as an event not to miss.
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