At this stage, the town is simply reviewing possibilities, one of which could see the proposed 55+ Wellness Centre, which has been slated to occupy space in the municipal building on Sandiford Drive, situated instead at the site currently occupied by the library. This would mean that the library would then move into the town offices.

To explore its available options, the town has hired a consulting firm to look at the feasibility of expanding the library’s present site to accommodate a rapidly growing population, versus relocating it to the business area at the west end of Stouffville.

After years of erosion in the downtown core as council moved out and big box stores siphoned off business from independent retailers, concerted efforts have been made to revitalize the area. Improvements to Main Street and Memorial Park, and a scenic trail system along Duffin’s Creek, have helped to create a connection between downtown, the Lebovic Leisure Centre and the many new homes south of town, allowing access by foot, bicycle, skateboard and car.

In its present form, the Lebovic Leisure Centre offers a wide range of cultural and fitness options for all ages. The library itself acts as a vital community hub, offering a wealth of services ranging from books, DVDs and information for newcomers, to internet access, children’s and seniors’ programs, and language and genealogy resources.

The current location was built just over a decade ago in 2001, with many residents providing financial support by purchasing commemorative markers and tiles both outside the centre and on the floor of the entrance to the library.

A public meeting on the consultant’s interim findings will be held at the town offices on Sandiford Drive at 7 p.m. on May 2, and final recommendations will be presented to council in June. It’s vital that residents who want their opinions to count come out to the meeting or contact council to express their viewpoint.

Anyone who is unable to attend the meeting can contact the director of Leisure and Community Services at 905-640-1910 ext. 2290 or send an email to rob.raycroft@townofws.ca.

The library is at the heart of our community. Let’s help to keep it there.

The event will showcase exciting 2012 fashion collections from both local boutiques and designers, with items ranging from chic daywear to the perfect little black dress. “This event is really our best opportunity to create awareness of our services in the community,” explained Jan Pearce, Evergreen’s executive director. “It’s important that people know that we’re here, so that if and when they need us, they will remember what we do and that we can help.”

“The fundraiser is vital to the ongoing support that Evergreen Hospice offers to children, teens and adults living in Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville,” said event chair Colleen Cugini. “Proceeds from this annual event help fund free-of-charge palliative care and bereavement support and could not be accomplished without the dedication of all the event committee volunteers and the financial support from our sponsors.”

Fashion for Compassion includes a signature cocktail, dinner, live and silent auctions and a fashion show. Tickets are $95 each are available at www.evergreenhospice.org or by calling 905-472-5014.

Since 1989, Evergreen Hospice has helped people of all ages who are touched by a life threatening illness or the death of a loved one. The hospice provides compassionate palliative care and bereavement support to meet the emotional needs of children, teens and adults as they adjust to loss and learn new living skills.

It all started about thirty years ago when a young man from Ghana, now known as Dr. David Mensah, got a summer job at the Paisley farm in Stouffville to support himself while he studied at Tyndale University and later U of T. He had nothing more than a few pennies in his pocket, a bible in his hands and a spirit made of steel.

During his stay he married Mr. Paisley’s daughter, Brenda, and they had three beautiful daughters. The family left for Northern Ghana to care for the poorest of the poor through an organization called The Northern Empowerment Association (NEA), which Dr. Mensah and a group of students had started before he left for Canada.

NEA is a Ghanaian Christian development organization that works among Ghana’s poor to alleviate poverty and transform communities, and its Canadian counterpart is Ghana Rural Integrated Development (GRID). After starting several successful anti-poverty programs in Ghana, Dr. Mensah explained the tremendous health care needs of his people to Dr. Jennifer Wilson from Uxbridge during one of his return visits to Stouffville.

There are only 17 doctors for the 2.5 million people living in this region as opposed to 5,075 doctors for the same number of Canadians. Many of Northern Ghana’s district hospitals have no doctors at all. There is only one optometrist and no dentist. The problem is compounded by a shortage of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. In addition, most individuals cannot afford the $7 annual fee for health insurance.

Dr. Wilson responded to the call in 2001 by organizing the first team of 24 courageous health care professionals. Since then the team has grown to 48, including a surgical team for Operation Hernia based in the UK.

I participated on the team in November 2011 by serving as a registered nurse alongside fellow Stouffville residents Dr. Sarah Barclay, Dr. Martin McDowell and Mary Lovatt. The mandate of the Ghana Health Team is to follow Jesus’ command to visit the sick and provide medical care until Northern Ghana can supply its own sustainable health care.

Our mobile medical team, including the 100 Ghanaian volunteers, provided medical, surgical, dental and eye care to 10,000 people during our exhausting but highly-rewarding two weeks. Our family physicians and pediatricians prescribed the necessary medications and treatments and our well-stocked pharmacy dispensed the meds, while our nurses cleaned wounds, started IV’s and provided health care education.

The hernia team performed 288 procedures, restoring men and women to health, their jobs and their lives. Our eye team provided sight to the blind and partially blind by giving them glasses and medications. Our dental team alleviated much pain and agony and may have even saved some lives.

It is amazing how much good was accomplished in just over two weeks. Although the people who came through our clinics were transformed by our assistance, I believe we were transformed by them as well. We were inspired by the children who were happy and well-behaved, delighting in simple things like an empty water bottle to play with.

They rarely begged, always returned my sunglasses to me after playing with them – even though sunglasses are a rare and treasured commodity – and were eager to assist us by carrying our bags and medical supplies. Although the people of Northern Ghana were very poor, they were generous in their gifts of food, dancing and blessings. One tribe even gave each team member a wooden spoon carving.  Ghana and the lovely Ghanaian people will always hold a warm place in our hearts.

Those interested in participating in future trips can visit www.grid-nea.org to fill out an application. The team normally provides health care in November but with an election in Ghana in late 2012, it was decided to move the date of the next visit to April 2013.

We welcome donations to this worthy cause. Every dollar donated to GRID is matched by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Glenda de Vries is a freelance writer living in Stouffville. She attends the Community Mennonite Church at Parkview Village. You can reach her at www.cmchurch.ca on the Contact Us form.

For first-time moms like me, such achievements either induced the ‘Wow’ response or, in my case, a hasty mental retreat into why Ayaana wasn’t behaving in superhuman fashion. Or superinfant as the case may be. My mind would dart back to a video I saw on YouTube in which a little girl could accurately point out every single country on a world map. And predictably, she was Asian. But let’s not get into stereotypes.

My wonder at how advanced all the babies of the moms I knew seemed to linger for a long time, until I realized it was to be taken with a dash, or a fistful, of salt. Thankfully, it didn’t affect me beyond a sense of wonderment because my euphoria at becoming a mom kept those doubts at bay. The only ‘milestones’ I really cared about at that point were her gaining weight, and pooping the required number of times a day. And she was achieving those with alacrity.

So am I a relaxed mom who merely sits back and watches her child achieve her full potential? Far from it. In fact, I believe a relaxed mom is an oxymoron; relaxation and motherhood just don’t go together. As my daughter develops, I do wonder why her vocabulary is pretty scant at close to 15 months. Sometimes I worry about her getting overly possessive or stubborn when she doesn’t want to part with an object in her hand.

But I definitely don’t worry about why she isn’t ‘performing’ in her baby gymnastics class. There’s a bunch of equipment aimed at helping babies master their gross motor skills and a few fine ones as well. They teach balance and co-ordination and all that jazz that my mother says came naturally to kids a few decades ago.

I see babies readily wiggle into and out of those toy tunnels, and merrily hang from monkey bars. But all Ayaana wants to do is collect little beanbags. Or, as she did last week, put a few on my head and watch them fall. There’s a good lesson in balance and innovation, I thought. But I guess I was the only one who thought it.

The real reason I put her in a ‘class’ was because she’s our first child and needs to interact with other children in the absence of siblings. But as luck would have it, she’s busy walking right past her peers and doing her own thing.

I wonder if I can call that a skill.

Kinjal Dagli-Shah is a mommy and a writer, in that order. She understands that children can sometimes alter our sense of reasoning and reality. Write to her at kinjal.dagli@gmail.com.

“I wanted to experience hunger just to see what it was like. Most of my peers weren’t willing to sign up because they thought it would be too hard,” said Natasha Hayward, who grew up in Stouffville. “And it was,” added the 15-year-old. Students who took part ate breakfast and started fasting at noon, continuing until the following evening.

A 14-year-old student at Glad Park Public School, Alison (not her real name) also volunteered to go hungry. “Just one day without food was so difficult that I couldn’t imagine having to do it every day, or several days in a week. I was distracted and couldn’t focus on anything because I was hungry,” she said.

Natasha, too, tried not to think about food, but realized it was harder than she thought. “It’s all around us. Everyone’s always talking about it. You realize it only when you aren’t allowed to eat. Our worlds are so different from theirs,” she said of the children that have to face famine every day.

Alison also said the experience sensitized her to the needs of starving children. “I had trouble falling asleep that night. I wanted to eat but I kept thinking that those children don’t have a choice so I too must keep going. I realized how surrounded we are by luxuries in a world where just getting food each day is a luxury to some. We should consider ourselves lucky,” she pointed out, adding that her changed perspective has brought about a determination to do more for the cause. “You can’t neglect another part of the world just because you aren’t in it.”

Natasha wondered what it was like for a child to face such extreme poverty. “I know that if you keep going hungry, your body stops asking for food at some point. It’s almost like your stomach shrinks. For children who go without food every day, it must be difficult to eat even when they do get access to a meal,” she said.

“You cannot solve the problem alone. Starving children in countries like Africa is a problem everyone knows about but how many step up to do something about it?” she asked, adding that she would take up a fight for the cause more readily after going through the fast.

For now though, she has collected $222 to help eradicate hunger. It may not sound like a big sum but every $30 helps feed and care for a child for a month. That means Natasha put more than a bite inside a few children’s stomachs.

Is there a connection among Whitchurch-Stouffville’s moo-ers, music and the museum?

You bet! Believe it or not, they have one thing in common. They all depend on a humble activity: making lists.

Ah, those wonderful lists! There are the infamous to-do lists dreaded by husbands everywhere, the lists farmers use to help them manage livestock and crops, lists of words in the dictionary and the daily list that helps get you through the day. There’s a satisfied feeling that comes with putting big, bold check marks beside those ‘to-do’ items on your daily list.

When it came to making lists, the clay tablet was the latest in technology for people in ancient Syria around 4,500 years ago. In the old city of Ebla, now modern-day Tell Mardikh, more than 1,800 complete clay tablets and a whole lot of fragments were found by archaeologists in the mid-1970s. The tablets contain lists of local beers and other products the Eblaites traded with cities around them. Shelves in the palace library were stacked with Sumerian-Eblaite dictionaries, records of state revenues and lists of livestock, preserving in cuneiform writing the fact that at one time the inhabitants owned 200,000 head of sheep, goats and cows.

Fast forward to local farmer Paul Hulshof in present day Whitchurch-Stouffville, who would have a difficult time running the family farm without lists. A life-long farmer, Paul was joined on the farm a few years ago by his son Bradley and his wife Lieka.

They milk around 52 cows daily and have a herd of around 140. About a year ago, the Hulshofs made the switch from manual record-keeping to the computer. They use lists to keep track of milk production and butterfat content. (We can only hope there is no jealousy between Bessy and Daisy when the numbers are out.)

Livestock records show each animal’s parentage and who they are bred to. The Hulshofs also keep track of all their machinery, and the costs and incomes associated with crops on several fields on the farm and at other locations.

“We have to do a daily list,” Paul Hulshof said, “but a moment’s notice will change what you plan to do for the day!”

When it comes to Stouffville’s music scene, Larry Goguen can be considered a master list-maker as well as a seasoned performer. When he looks through his files, he finds set lists covering 40 years of music-making. He didn’t start out with the intention of keeping them all, but there they are. They chronicle the country, rock and roll, blues and Beatles tunes he’s performed with numerous bands.

The lists have plenty of notations on the songs he’s played, often accompanied by his wife Maura. They include who wrote and performed them, when they were first released, chord tabs, drum beats and more – and they’re all hand-written. Particularly precious are those written by his late friend Tim Hewie.

They are “like a time machine,” Larry said. “This is what my buddy wrote.”

When Larry pulls out the older lists, he remembers how he would listen to a record over and over again – and write down the lyrics. Then he’d play it some more to get the chords down.

About two months ago, he started up Stouffville’s newest open stage which runs every Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at The Lion of Stouffville Pub at 5917 Main Street. Bring your guitar, put your name on the list and play – or just come in to listen.

As you might expect, lists are particularly useful at the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum and Community Centre in Vandorf. The museum’s entire collection of over 15,000 items is listed on a master database. It includes everything from children’s toys to furniture and farm machinery. Among the treasures are a land grant document signed by General Isaac Brock in 1812, a math notebook from the 1850s which its young owner decorated elaborately, and colourful carpet balls. Carpet bowling with balls made from bone, pottery and other materials was a popular Victorian parlour game.

These balls were used in the popular Victorian game of carpet bowling

If you want to look up your local family history or find out about your older home, the museum is the place to go. The Heritage Inventory, lists of family names for genealogical research and lists of local research topics will help you find what you’re looking for. Call 905-727-8954 or 1-888-290-0337 for an appointment.

Just as everyone sees life differently, everyone makes lists differently. Some might write them on the back of an envelope or on a serviette at a local coffee shop. Some have special notepads bearing their name to make sure it really is their list, in case they have a sudden attack of doubt.

And then there are the smart phones which let you carry way too many lists conveniently. This can only mean one thing: lists are here to stay!

The club has been around for 60 years, but the title of this year’s show – iSkate: There’s an App for That! – is right up to the minute and perfectly reflects our rapidly changing world. “We break it up into six segments, each representing a different app,” explained Lesley Sutton, who is co-chairing the show with club president Anita Cargill.

“It’s an extension from the previous show, What’s on your iPod?,” noted Ms Cargill. Themes cover weather, games, dance, James Bond, video and travel, and as an added bonus, talented local singer A.J. de Boer will perform a duet with one of the skaters.

Skaters rehearse for the 2012 Ice Show

With almost 200 young skaters aged from 3 to 18, the club’s overall membership has grown to more than 400, which includes an increasing number of newcomers to Canada. “Enrollment is growing, especially among 5 to 8 year olds,” said Ms Cargill. “We’re getting a lot of people who are new to the community and who have never skated before.”

Although planning starts a year in advance, “we only have three weeks of practices before the show,” said Ms Sutton. “Cheryl Hockley is the director. She used to skate in the Stouffville club but she moved away and is coaching out of a different club, but she’s coming back to direct the show.”

Around 100 volunteers are involved in some aspect of the event, with about 10 core members at the helm. “Part of the funding comes from businesses in town and corporate sponsorships and we couldn’t do it without their support,” said Ms Sutton.

While the Ice Show, which takes place every two years, is a highlight of the calendar, the club offers a wide variety of programs of all ages and skill levels and is an excellent resource for everyone from beginners to seasoned skaters.

Performances of iSkate: There’s an App for That! take place at Stouffville Arena May 11 at 7 p.m. and May 12 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and children under 12. They are available in advance from the arena lobby or at the door, space permitting.

For more information on club programs and events, visit www.stouffvilleskate.com.

Two free walking tours will be conducted by local historian Fred Robbins. The first departs from the clock tower in Civic Square at 10:30 a.m. and will focus on public spaces and institutions on Main Street. The second, Bridges over Troubled Waters, will concentrate on the environment and park space in the community. Walkers will set off from The Latcham Gallery at 1:30 p.m.

Last year, 511 communities participated in Jane’s Walk, which took place in 75 cities around the world. Jane Jacobs championed the interests of local residents and pedestrians over a car-centred approach to planning. The overall goal of the walk is to increase community involvement in contemporary urban planning and offer a more personal take on local culture and issues.

The walk is a joint initiative of downtown merchants and Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library and everyone is welcome to attend. Visit www.janeswalk.net for more details.

“We’re really excited about the opening of the new green,” said club president Bob Stover. “It gives us the best of both worlds – a regulation size green for bowling north/south, which will be used for in-club and outside tournament play, and a shorter green running east/west which can be used for juniors,  senior players or others  who may find the regulation length a little challenging.”

The green will give skilled players more scope, he said. “At the same time, the club offers lots of bowling options to accommodate a wide range of activity levels – social bowling, weekly league play, in-club tournaments, and unstructured, open bowling opportunities.”

With over 100 members, and the highest rate of expansion of all lawn bowling clubs in the province for three years in a row, the Stouffville club must be doing something right. “We’re definitely a healthy, active club, well positioned to take a leadership role in our district.”

In July, the new green will enable the club to host the Women’s Singles District Play downs. “I’m sure some of our women members will participate in the tournament, and hopefully advance beyond the district level,” said Bob.

While bowling is seen primarily as a sport for seniors, that’s a misconception, he added. “I ask people if they’d like to come out and try lawn bowling and the standard response is I’m not old enough yet. It’s a sport for all ages. For the price of a round of golf, you can purchase a season’s membership in a bowling club.”

Wilf Morley and Barry McIntosh prepare the beautiful new green for its upcoming season at the Stouffville Lawn Bowling Club in Memorial Park.

To encourage a new generation of bowlers, the club actively appeals to all demographic groups and challenges those from other sports to try the game. “Curlers make especially good bowlers, as there are some common principles in both games. About 30 of our members are also curlers, but of course, lawn bowling requires even greater skill!”

If all goes well, he said,  “the green should be playable by the end of May, thanks to the amazing work of  greens committee chair Wilf Morley and greens keeper Barry McIntosh, who co-ordinated the reconstruction project.” The town has also been very supportive, he said, citing the efforts of Mayor Emmerson, Rob Raycroft and Andrew McNeely.

Plans are under way for a new clubhouse where the tennis courts used to be and proposals for the installation of an equatorial sundial are being discussed. The club’s magnificent 80 year old shrub rose Excelsa, which wintered over successfully in the town works yard, will also be planted at the new site.

The green is open Thursday mornings and Sunday afternoons during the bowling season for anyone interested in trying the sport, and members will be on hand to provide advice and information. Registration takes place the week of May 14 at 7 p.m. “Spring training” will be held May 22 and 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. Bowling coach Rick Wall will give pointers and review the  rules of the game and everyone is welcome to attend. The Grand Opening of the new green will take place June 2.

“It’s a great blend of heritage and new beginnings,” said Bob. “We’ve been able to stay in our historic location, preserving green space in the heart of town. As we attract more tournament play, this will draw visitors to Stouffville, which will contribute to the revitalization of the downtown core. Memorial Park is often described as the jewel in the centre of town. There’s no doubt that our new bowling facility will be one of the sparkling facets of that jewel.”

Dads, bring the kids to the library and borrow a craft book to help the children make that special card or present that mom will cherish all her life. While you’re in the children’s area there are many picture books with a Mother’s Day theme, but you’d need to be very quick. These titles are hot items in May.

Perhaps you’d like to pick up a book for mom to while away the afternoon.  There’s a book by Carol Lynn Pearson, Morning Glory Mother, which “will touch your soul, warm your heart and make you smile in a story of one mother discovering how much her children truly do love her.” Only 100 small pages, it’s a perfect read over a favourite tea or coffee, or with a box of chocolates.

I know books are a traditional gift for moms.  Well, for anyone, but I’m a bit biased with the book gift idea.  Even so, remember we don’t always want to own every title and that’s where the library comes in again.  Take mom out for breakfast, then swing by the library.  We’re open Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.  An afternoon of browsing magazines, looking over the new book area, talking to staff about recommendations – it might be exactly the pampering your mom needs, although I’d also suggest a quiet dinner out to follow the afternoon.

If your mother is retired and you’re thinking of an e-reader, tablet or iPad as a gift, think of the library again.  We have thousands of e-books and e-audio books to borrow. Or maybe you’d like a recommendation so you can buy a new book – drop into the library with a list of your mother’s favourite titles.  Our catalogue has a nifty feature which will link you to similar titles so you’ll find the perfect gift.

Now that I think of it these tips will work for many occasions – birthdays, Christmas, graduation gifts – just think of your library.  We’re more than just a collection of books.

Catherine Sword is co-ordinator of public services at Whitchurch-Stouffville Library