“* ~ Sunday, December 20, 1992 - North Shore News =) MAILBOX DINE AND DANCE UNDER THE STARS NEW YEAR'S EVE LETTERS TO the editor must North Shore News cannot . ¢ EARLY AND LATE SEATINGS * be iegible (preferably typewrit- publish all letters. Published ten) and include your name, letters may be edited for brevi- JOIN US FOR A times for e 9 ; full address and telephone ty, clarity. accuracy, legality 4 SPECTACULAR « SCRUMPTIOUS © DELICIOUS Seniors number. and taste. Letters can be faxed ” 4 NEW YEAR’S DAY * AND tennis fun Dear Editor: This ietter is in response to the News Viewpoint headed ‘Tennis, anyone?” which supported Mr. Lester’s opinion opposing the West Vancouver District’s policy which allows the Seniors Tennis Association (STA) to ceserve play- ing time on West Vancouver's public tennis courts. First of all, such a policy does not set a precedent; public facili- ties are often reserved by other groups for different age groups and for specific activities. Secondly, the court time pres- ently teserved for seniors is not prime time. Only two public ten- nis courts in West Vancouver have been reserved one morning a week. Afternoons and evenings are considered prime time when children are out of school and adults are not working. Thirdly, your point that retired people have flexibility of Icisure hozrs to use public courts whenever they please is well taken. Many of the tennis courts are empty: and available mornings. However, the reason the STA reserves tennis court time is to en- sure that there will be other seniors present to arrange a game. Fourthly, the STA is not a private club. Membership is open to anyone 55 years and older liv- ing on the North: Shore. The fifth and final point 1 wish to make is perhaps the most significant one. I: is that the purpose and role the the STA corresponds to and is supportive of the role and tesponsibilities of our West and North. Vancouver Public Recre- ation Departments. The purpose of the Public Rec- reation Departments is to provide recreational opportunities and sesvices for all age groups. The STA of the North Shore has the same objectives, but more specifically for tennis and seniors. If one considers the above points, even without other con- siderations such as the potential savings in public health care costs by keeping seniors fit and active, one would hope that the West Vancouver District Council will maintain its present policy allow- ing some court time to be reserved for seniors. Elmer J. Helm, vice-president Senior Tennis Association of the North Shore - CORRECTION MOTICE - * In our B11-3A Price Busters flyer, the end date should have read Dec. 15, 1992. In our B11 Christmas Countdown flyer, the end date should have read Dec. 15, 1992. In our B11-3 Holiday Sparkte flyer, the end date should have read Dec. 15, 1992. In our 4B Last Sale Before Christmas flyer snouid have read The Last Great Sale Before Christmas. The end date should have read Dec. 19, 7992. In our B11-48 Christmas Scen- timents flyer, Kimono fragrance should have read: Body Lotion, 200m! $38.; Dusting Powder, 200g $39.; Eau de Toilette, SOmi $45.; Body Cream, 200m $38. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused Due to space constraints the — signed and fully addressed. This Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday our Downtown and Park Royal stores will be open late ‘til 9pm . And if you can't seem to get enough of all the spectacular savings, remember all our other stores will be open even later ‘til 1 1pm. WOODWA BOXING DAY FOR EVERY FOUR $25.00 GIFT CERTIFICATES YOU PURCHASE HORIZONS WILL GIVE YOU ONE GIFT CERTIFICATE FREE! & $25.00 VALUE THE PERFECT GIFTI * WE ARE COCXING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! “ "Tis the season to be Eating” 100 CENTENNIAL WAY, BURNABY DON’T SMOKE The light shines in the darkness There is a story told about Michelangelo who was walking with a friend along the street of an Italian city when they came upon a biock of stone rejected by the workmen from a construction project. The master of hammer and chisel paused, walked around the stone, looked at it carefully, touched it here and there and said, “There is an angel in that stone and | must bring it out.” Christmas is a time of stories. One you may recall concerned Mary and Joseph, two very ordinary people, strugglirig to meet the challenges confronting them. Stories often have a deep meaning, relating to life today and affecting how we live. | hear a number of stories and | realize that the Christmas season is a problem for some individuals. It is quite natural to think of Christmas as a wonderful time of the year, but for many people it is a difficult period. There are problems that threaten the joy with the gloom of darkness. It sometimes feels like life gets buried in a black hole. Self-esteem for some is so low that they wonder whether there is any point or purpose to life. Others are burdened by the heavy chains of loneliness, depression, abuse, financial insecurity, unemployment. They are weary and mentally tired and they see no light to dispel their darkness. In fact, some become so overwhelmed that they appear to lose sight of life and the gifts of living. In the midst of one's darkness, life can be like a “block of stone” —- rejected, cold, hard, lifeless. But Christmas is a story of iight and fife. Life is to be lived; there are streets to walk with a friend, there are steps to take, there is chiselling to be done. In fact, there is an ange! to be discovered. The Christmas story is the story of God in action. The light that can come to you is similar to the light that came to Mary and Joseph as they struggled to meet their challenges. The Master sees something in you that is worth coming for and out of the stone of your darkness an angel can be created. God knows what you can become and can assist ygu to dispel your darkness. He knows that behind much thai is dark there is beauty and value. This Christmas, no matter what you may feel your darkness is, may you begin to see the Light. The Light that touches you here and there; the Light that brings you out; the Light that assists you to become who you truly are — a special angel! Yes, this Christmas, the light shines in the darkness — for you! Al Pope, Lions Gate Hospital Chaplain May health and happiness be yours in all seasons! Best wishes from all of us at Lions Gate Hospital