Pack a shoebox this Christmas

Operation Christmas Child helps needy children around the globe

By Casey Lessard

Operation Christmas Child is back for its 15th year of providing the world’s poorest children with a Christmas gift of toys, hygiene items and school supplies from Canadian families. The project, adopted by Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse charity in 1993, has seen 54 million shoe boxes from 11 countries hand-delivered to children worldwide, with Canadians donating about 10 per cent of the boxes collected by the charity last year.
This year’s shoe boxes will be collected from November 5 to 10 at collection centres across Canada, including Belongers in Exeter and other churches in the area. Operation Christmas Child is calling on children, families, churches, businesses, schools, scout troops, and civic organizations to join this massive effort to bring joy and hope to needy children abroad.
One thing to note is the fact that toothpaste is not allowed this year due to customs regulations in the receiving countries. Shoe boxes should be filled with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, wrapped hard candy and an encouraging letter.
To find the drop-off location closest to you, see http://www.samaritanspurse.ca or contact churches nearby to see if they are running the program. To volunteer to inspect and process the boxes between November 12 and December 8, call 1-800-303-1269.

Enjoy fall’s bounty with James Eddington

Recipes supplied by James Eddington, Eddington’s of Exeter Casual Fine Dining 527 Main St, Exeter. (519) 235-3030

Fall arrives and nature’s growth comes to an end. Squash, turnips, beets, etc. lend themselves to soups and salads flavoured with the last of our summer’s herbs. Surplus ripe tomatoes are turned into canned or frozen salsas and sauce.
This month, the first real frost brings an unconscious desire for heartier meals. A cook’s thoughts turn to stews with a fresh loaf of warm bread. Harvested root vegetables simmer in a rich, meat-filled broth to provide comfort and to ease the chill of a cool fall night.
Enjoy the local harvest; we are truly blessed to live in an area full of the riches that our farmers and fields have to offer. Spend some time in the kitchen this season melding the deep rich flavors of the fall.

Butternut squash soup

Recipe by James Eddington

Butternut squash soup
Serves four.

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
2 lbs. butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1” chunks
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 clove garlic
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
2 cans (14 oz. each) vegetable broth

In large sauté pan, heat olive oil, then add squash, onion and garlic. Sauté over medium high heat for 15 minutes or until squash is tender. Add allspice; cook two minutes longer.
Stir in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Cover; reduce heat to medium low. Cook 15 minutes, or until squash is soft.
In batches, place mixture in bowl of food processor; blend until smooth.
Place in saucepan and keep warm, or reheat as needed.
To serve, ladle warm soup into bowls. Top with one tablespoon spiced cream and a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds.
This will make app. four servings. Multiply recipe for larger quantities.

Spiced cream

Recipe by James Eddington

Spiced cream
Serves four.

1/2 cup light sour cream
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/2 teaspoons real maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
(A Shot of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum wouldn’t hurt)
Combine light sour cream, allspice, maple syrup and cardamom in bowl; mix well.
Cover and chill in refrigerator until ready to use.

Pumpkin seeds

Recipe by James Eddington

Pumpkin seeds
Serves four.

1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

For the pumpkin seeds, heat olive oil in small sauté pan for one minute. Add pumpkin seeds and garlic salt; sauté over medium heat for three minutes or until seeds are toasted and fragrant.

Apple- and Walnut-Stuffed Pork Loin

Recipe by James Eddington

Apple- and Walnut-Stuffed Pork Loin
Serves eight.

5 tablespoons butter
2 apple - peeled, cored and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, diced
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cups water
2 cups dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat oven to 325° F (165° C).
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the apple, onion, celery, and walnuts, and cook five minutes, until vegetables are tender. Mix in the applesauce, water, and breadcrumbs. Cook and stir until the breadcrumbs have absorbed the liquid. Season with cinnamon, kosher salt, cloves, nutmeg, and ginger.
Unroll the pork roast, and place in a baking dish. Spoon the stuffing mixture over the roast. Arrange any excess stuffing around the roast. Roll the roast so that the fatty side is on top, and tie with kitchen twine.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, to an internal temperature of 160° F (70° C). Unroll the pork roast, and place in a baking dish. Spoon the stuffing mixture over the roast. Arrange any excess stuffing around the roast. Roll the roast so that the fatty side is on top, and tie with kitchen twine.
Bake 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, to an internal temperature of 160° F (70° C). Let rest for five minutes, then slice and serve.

Tips for bringing phones and iPods to school

Principal’s Page
By Jeff Reaburn

By now, parents should have received Interim Reports, which were mailed out last Thursday. While this is not an official report card, it should give parents an indication of how their sons or daughters are doing so far this year. As indicated on the newsletter that accompanied the Interim Report, the main purpose of the report is to give parents a “snapshot” of student progress in preparation for the first Parent-Teacher Interview night, which is this Thursday, October 25. Parents are asked to have their children arrange interview times with any teachers they wish to see. The interviews will take place in the cafeteria and small gym from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m.
The first official report card of the year, the Semester One Mid-Term Report, will be distributed on Friday, November 16.

Re: personal electronics
Many students bring MP3 players, digital cameras, PSPs, and cell phones to school every day, which is fine as long as these items are used appropriately and are looked after by the students. Our policies and expectations are outlined in the red planners that all students received in the first week of school.
Students are permitted to have cell phones at school as long as they are not using them during class time or in assemblies. We expect students to leave them in their lockers or turn them off when they come to class. Students who are caught using cell phones during class time or in assemblies, especially to send text messages, can expect to have them confiscated for the remainder of the day. For a first offence, generally the phone will be kept until the end of the day at which point the student will have it returned on the understanding that the rules will be followed. Should there be subsequent infractions, the phone may be kept until a parent can come to the school to retrieve it. Should the misuse continue, more serious consequences could include a suspension from school.
A similar policy exists for MP3 players, with the exception that some teachers permit students to listen to music while doing class work, as long as it is not interfering with the work of other students or distracting students from the work at hand. Each teacher is free to choose whether or not to allow MP3 players in the classroom as it has been reported that some students are more focused on their work while listening to music.
Students generally have accepted this policy, but a bigger issue has emerged - students are increasingly reporting to us that their cell phones, MP3 players, PSPs, or digital cameras have gone missing. With the tremendous number of these devices in the hands of students, it is not possible for us to ensure that all of them are looked after, especially if students have left them in classrooms or in the cafeteria. Some have had them taken from the phys. ed. change rooms or from their lockers and some have gone missing after being loaned to another student. There is little that we can do if one of them goes missing other than check with students who may have seen someone pick the item up. Most of these devices are small and easily concealed, making it almost impossible for us to catch someone who has taken one unless a witness comes forward. And if we find someone with a device that matches the description of the lost or stolen item, it is still a challenge to verify that it is the missing one and not simply an identical one, especially if the songs, games, or personal information have been removed. If we know the serial number or if the item has been engraved, it is much easier to get the item returned to its rightful owner.
I am not suggesting that we don’t respond to the loss of these items. In fact, we spend a considerable amount of time trying to find such items when they go missing, and sometimes we are able to get them safely returned to the rightful owners, but as the items get smaller and smaller and more and more prevalent, our chances of success are diminishing.

Tips for students:
• Don’t bring personal electronic items to school unless there is a good reason to do so.
• If you bring them, mark or engrave them so they are easy to identify.
• Don’t loan your devices to anyone, no matter how much you trust the person.
• Keep devices in your locker, as long as no one knows your combination. Rarely are lockers broken into: most often someone else knows the student’s combination and the combination has been shared with others without the owner’s consent. Don’t share your combination and make sure no one is watching when you open your lock.
• Don’t take personal electronics, money, jewelry, etc. into the phys. ed. change rooms. Leave in your locker or with your phys. ed. teacher to be locked in an office. Leaving the item inside a shoe or in a book bag will not ensure that it is there when the owner returns. Students are cautioned every year not to leave money or valuables in the change rooms, but they do not always heed this advice.

We know that these items are important to the students and that they want to have them with them at all times. We have accepted this fact, but we would encourage them to take care to make sure that the devices are looked after properly and used appropriately. Whatever parents can do to reinforce this message would be greatly appreciated.

On the prowl for owls? Here’s a guide to local hooters

Living in Balance
By Jenipher Appleton

The term ‘wise owl’ dates back centuries. Owls are often used as symbols for higher education, even being depicted sporting a mortar board. Is the owl really wise, or is this simply how it appears to humans? The owl is the only bird whose eyes are placed adjacent to each other in its face (just like people). All other birds have an eye placed on either side of their heads. The front-facing facial disk feature undoubtedly helps the owl to see better at night. The fact that owls soar on silent wings affords another advantage in the stalking of prey.
In southern Ontario five owl species are most common. The following facts may help you to identify these species either through physical features or by each owl’s distinct call. The source of information is my favourite PhD in Ornithology, Fred J. Alsop III.

Great Horned Owl
With a length of up to 64 cm and a wingspan up to 150 cm, this powerful owl will attack a house cat, skunk or porcupine and other animals sometimes larger than itself. It has large ear tufts and colouring ranges from dark brown to buff. The huge yellow eyes are riveting and his call is a deep Whoo! Whoo-whoo-whoo! Whoo! Whoo! (You awake? Me too!)

Saw-Whet Owl
This tiny owl (just 20 cm long) is named for its call, which sounds like a saw being sharpened, or whetted. Without ear tufts, its distinctive features are: dark bill, white eyebrows, and pale buff to brownish facial disks. The saw-whet hunts at night for small rodents, large insects, birds, and bats.

Barred Owl
The barred owl has very dark eyes, a length of up to 61 cm, no ear tufts and horizontal barring on the upper breast. It is called the “hoot” owl of southern swamps. Its song is eight or more drawn out notes. “Who cooks for you! Who cooks for you aaawwl?” It is often heard in daytime and responds readily to imitations (something our family has experienced often in Algonquin Park). The barred owl feeds on small mammals, frogs, salamanders, lizards, crabs, and crayfish.

Eastern Screech Owl
A small ear-tufted owl, the screech is perhaps the best known owl in eastern North America. It is 20-25 cm long and has a wingspan up to 60 cm. It has a bright rusty brown to gray body and bright yellow eyes (similar to the great horned). Its song is a tremolo whistle descending in pitch. Favourite foods are insects, arachnids, mammals, and amphibians.

Long-Eared Owl
This is the most slender and nocturnal of the owls. It has a length of 30-40 cm and a wingspan of up to 100 cm. The long-eared owl has rusty facial disks and yellow eyes. The back is a mottled brown and the breast has heavy vertical streaks. The ear tufts are long, blackish and close-set. The song is a low “moooooo” or “booooo” at 10-second intervals. Pellets reveal a diet of mice, moles, voles and smaller birds.

If you find yourself actively seeking out any of these owls, you can call yourself an owler.

Fall has been very kind

Golf Tips
By Cameron Rankin

What a fall season for golf!
The weather has been great to get those last few rounds in. Even the professionals have enjoyed the weather, with Mike Weir taking down Tiger at Royal Montreal and Jon Mills making a great mid-season charge to get his PGA Tour playing privileges back for next season.
Before you put your clubs away for the season, do some winter maintenance on them. Take the time to clean the grips, the grooves and if you still play with steel shafts, clean them with some chrome cleaner. Finally, store them in your house for the winter months; the truck doesn’t cut it due to the extreme temperature changes.
For those golfers still playing, please take a few minutes to do some stretching and warm up exercises before you tee-off. Dress warmly and have some fun.
I hope you all had a good season. Time to get those skis waxed and skates sharpened and ready to go.
Go Leafs!
Cameron Rankin will return to the Strip in the spring.
Sand Hills Golf Resort remains open for special events.

Local riding Liberals reelected

Liberal MPPs Carol Mitchell and Maria Van Bommel have been reelected to the provincial legislature. To see the full results, visit the CBC website for Huron-Bruce and Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.

The existing first-past-the-post system defeated the mixed member proportional representation system in the electoral reform referendum. (See the CBC website)

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