The Citizen, 2010-05-06, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 6, 2010.Legion feeds 350 dinersat Londesborough Hall
Future food supply in jeopardy
Family benefit very successful
THE EDITOR,
Last week the federal government
released farm income forecasts by
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Ontario farmers, rural residents and
all Ontario consumers should be very
concerned with what is happening on
our farms and to the sustainability of
our local food supply.
The data paints a grim picture for
Canadian farmers and Ontario
family farms in particular. The 2009
total net income for Ontario farms
was a loss of $330 million. The
forecast for 2010 shows a loss of a
further $500 million dollars. This
will seriously impact our future food
supply.
The Ontario Agriculture
Sustainability Coalition (OASC) has
been telling our governments that
Ontario farming is in crisis and at a
crossroads. Our governments can no
longer ignore this message – they
need to act now to sustain Ontario
family farms and our local food
system.
Our coalition of livestock,
horticulture and grain farmers has
developed practical and bankable
programs to address the short-term
needs and long-term sustainability
of our farms. These programs need
to be implemented now.
Stabilizing our family farms will
strengthen our rural economy,
continue to provide over 700,000
rural and urban jobs in the agri-food
sector and secure our local food
production and distribution systems
for generations to come.
It is important for all Ontarians to
get involved and call their local MP
to urge the federal government to
demonstrate the leadership needed
to preserve our food system in
Ontario. Tell your MP to support
better risk management programs
for our family farms.
Our food is worth the call.
Bette Jean Crews, President
Ontario Federation of Agriculture
THE EDITOR,
A few weeks ago you were kind
enough to print an appeal for
assistance from our local
communities for a fundraising
benefit in support of Mike Alton. A
group of volunteers from
Dungannon and area worked
tirelessly for several weeks and the
result was a very successful (both
silent and live) auction benefit held
on April 25.
The response from the local
communities was amazing and truly
humbling. The items donated and
the financial and physical assistance
offered were more than we had
hoped for, or even imagined
possible.
The simple phrase “thank you”
seems almost inadequate, but it is
truly heartfelt.
To everyone who came together
in this time of need for Mike and
Jenny Alton and sons, please know
that we are grateful for your
donation in whatever form it was
made.
With thankful hearts, sincerely,
The Group of Volunteers.
Continued from page 2The next highest scoring teams each
had 67 points, so shared the second
and third-place prize money. They
were Dorothy Carter and Joann
MacDonald and Hazel McGonigle
and Jean. The low prize wen to pair
Helen W. and Vera S. with only 47
points. The lone-hand prizes went to
Helen Dobson and Frank Hulley.
Euchre is every two weeks.
The fish fry crew was off to
Londesborough to cook for the
Londesborough Lions for their
fundraiser for the Clinton Salvation
Army rebuilding fund. The Lions
did a great job selling tickets and the
fry crew cooked for almost 350folks. The weather held and rain was
not a factor for the day. The
Londesborough Hall was constantly
full with the turnout for the event.
Comrade Jo-Ann McDonald
attended an HST seminar at
Harriston Legion on Saturday
morning. The presenter was from
Ontario’s PST department, which
will be no longer after July 1. It was
an informative day with relative
information concerning how the new
HST affects Branches.
The Sunday night dance had the
return of the Red Rascal Band to the
enjoyment of the over 80 dancers in
attendance. The thunderstormhappening outside caused the lights
to go out just for a second which
made a few people nervous and the
crowd thinned out immediately after
the lunch was served. There was lots
of room for everyone to dance.
The Mother’s Day dinner buffet is
this week and if you wish to have a
table reserved for your family,
please call the Branch at 519-887-
6562 or Jo-Ann 519-887-6570. The
meal will include a salad bar, main
course meal of roast beef, ham and
chicken and of course dessert, coffee
and tea. Reservations appreciated
but not necessary.
The North Huron Regional Parent’s Council
Invite parents and interested community members
to their
Children’s Health
and Wellness Fair
Enjoy interactive presentations and displays
on the following topics:
Healthy Active Living
Cyber Bullying
Recycling and the Environment
Drug and Alcohol Awareness
Children’s Mental Health
The Walking School Bus Program
Saturday, May 8th, 2010
9 am - 12 pm
FE Madill Secondary School
(Please enter through the main front doors)
Babysitting provided
Letters to the Editor
Serving it up
Margaret Bakker was one of the several people chipping in
at the Auburn Lions breakfast on Saturday. Many diners
came in for some breakfast after some serious bargain-
hunting at the community yard sale. (Shawn Loughlin photo)