“Community Gift Giving” program

Dear Editor

Hello, my name is Jillian Howsam, I am an Independent Sales Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics and am participating in the “Community Gift Giving” program in partnership with the Port Perry Place LTC Home.

We have adopted the Port Perry Place LTC Home and along with your support, will provide each resident with a Christmas gift.  Please join us in this wonderful program to aid in ensuring that each resident at the Port Perry Place LTC Home will have a gift to open this festive season.

Each gift will be a memorable gift that will be wrapped in a beautiful Christmas bag with a card attached from you. The cost of each gift is $30.  Cheques can be made out to “Community Gift Giving Program”.  We will issue a receipt that can be used for advertising and promotion only.  All gifts will be delivered to the residents on Christmas morning. 

Thank you for helping to make this a bright Merry Christmas for the residents of the Port Perry Place LTC Home.

Thank you,

     Jillian Howsam 905-432-5575 and 

Janet Howsam 905-985-2253

Please note: whether or not the postal strike is still in effect, please feel free to drop your cheques off at Focus on Scugog, 250 Queen St., Port Perry, Monday through Friday during business hours. If possible, please call 905-985-8585 to ensure someone will be in the office to accept the envelope.

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To our sponsors, donors and
community partners

Dear Editor

A huge thank you to everyone who made our 95th Lake Scugog Regatta on August 1st, 2nd & 3rd such a fantastic and memorable weekend.

None of this would have been possible without the incredible support from our community, sponsors, businesses, donors and every participant from tall to smallest.

The energy and enthusiasm from our community made the atmosphere incredible.

All our volunteers who gave their time, energy and heart, you are the reason the Regatta came alive this year and was a huge success.

This Regatta truly showed what happens when a community comes together. Every ticket sold, every smile shared, every sound of laughter…. It all happened because of YOU!

We’re so grateful to all the amazing folk who helped make it a special event.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.

Shari Bown & Ronna Collard

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Operation Scugog 2025 Christmas Campaign

Dear Editor

As Operation Scugog embarks on its annual Christmas Campaign, we are reaching out once again to enlist the community to help make the 2025 drive a success. We are asking for your support to bring a little more joy to our clients in need this holiday season.

If you would like to donate food or gift cards, you can drop items off at the Food Bank portables located beside the Victory Church on Alma Street. The Food Bank is open for in person donations on Tuesday afternoons 12-3 p.m. and on Wednesdays from noon to 4p.m. until Tuesday December 16. Food donations can also be dropped off in the donation bins located in Port Perry at Foodland 268 Queen St., VOS ‘ Independent 1893 Scugog St., and Food Basics 1894 Scugog St.

Food items needed include canned ham, gravy, cranberries, stuffing, juices, jam, cheese whiz, honey, olive oil, cereal and crackers. Toilet paper, laundry soap, shampoo and toothbrushes are always in need. Christmas goodies like chocolates and cookies are also very much appreciated.

Monetary donations and gift cards can be dropped off at the Food Bank location during the above noted times or on any day through the mail slot in the door at the top of the ramp. So that we may issue charitable tax donation receipts, please ensure to include your name and address. For gift cards, please be sure to include the amount. Alternatively, you can donate online through canadahelps.org or send a personal cheque through Canada Post, should the strike action be resolved before December 16, to Operation Scugog, PO Box 353, Port Perry, Ont. L9L 1A4.

Operation Scugog would also like to extend a special big Thumbs Up to those businesses, community organizations and individuals who continue to support our Food Bank at this special time of need as well as throughout the year. We are fortunate to live in such a special community, as we couldn’t do what we do for our clients without you and our many dedicated volunteers. 

Karen Teed on behalf of the
Operation Scugog Christmas Campaign

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Our show was a success! 

Dear Editor

The carving show, put on by the Port Perry Carvers, held on Saturday September 20 is over and was clearly a success. Several guests told us they would be interested in joining and learning the art. Most of the people that talked to me mentioned the article in the Focus, so thank you again for your help making this activity known to exist in Port Perry.

Thank you,

Ted Wright

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“Tag”, you were it, and we thank you!

Dear Editor

The cadet program is the oldest premier youth organization in Canada. Youth, from the age of 12, up to their 19th birthday, are given opportunities to develop leadership skills, personal growth, and to embrace the responsibilities that we all share as members of our community.  Challenges and goals are in place to ensure each person in the program can reach their full potential through their best effort and hard work. There are no fees or costs for youth that join cadets. 

On Thanksgiving weekend the cadets from 41 Port Perry High School Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps “tagged” at various locations within Port Perry.  “Tagging” is one of the ways that the support committee of the corps, with the cadet’s participation, raise funds to continue to deliver the caliber of programming and provide additional opportunities to these dedicated young people.

Words are inadequate when thanking those that contributed to the tagging campaign.  You did not just drop change (or bills) into a box; you invested in the youth of this community, the leaders of tomorrow.  Your unwavering support of this program, of these young people, I cannot thank you enough.  

A huge shout out to Canadian Tire, Food Basics, Foodland, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Vos’s Independent, and Walmart, for graciously allowing us to tag at your place of business and to Branch 419, The Royal Canadian Legion, our sponsor, for always providing us with a place to coordinate and run our tagging.  Having the legion as our second home is a blessing.  Our dedicated volunteers on the Support Committee are to be commended for running such a successful campaign.

41 PPHS RCACC is so extremely fortunate to call Port Perry home.

Capt Syd Bailie CD

Commanding Officer

41 PPHS RCACC

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Looking and hoping for answers

Dear Editor

I am sharing my letter I sent to Minister of MTO with everyone. Please read below.

I live in Port Perry and, like many small towns in Ontario we have a Highway (Highway 7A) that passes right through town.

Right near my home there is a crosswalk for children going to school. There is a stop light and, at appropriate times, a crossing guard. The traffic on the highway is very often driving at well over the speed limit but the larger problem is vehicles not stopping when the traffic light is red. The speeding vehicles continue or speed up to avoid stopping when the light turns red.

This creates an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS situation for the CHILDREN.

I have spoken with the Durham Regional Police and they do sometimes patrol this area but their problem is that it is not their jurisdiction because it is a highway. 

I have asked the Minister of Transport to direct the Ontario Provincial Police to police these especially sensitive areas within towns.

As well, a red light camera would likely be very effective.

I really hope that an answer can be found because this is a tragedy in the making.

Lynne Thorkelsson

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The need for dogs and cats

Dear Editor

Thank you so much for the lovely article you ran in the October Focus on Scugog issue (page 3) for our local Therapeutic Paws of Canada team. Not only have we had seven people reach out to find out more about our team, but we are excited we may even have some cats that will join us!

We very much appreciate the exposure and help in getting word out into the Port Perry community that we are here, that we provide local visits, and that we are looking to grow.

Thank you so much for your help with this.

Becky Arpin

Co-Leader of the Port Perry/Uxbridge 

Therapeutic Paws of Canada

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Rotary Seniors Christmas Dinner

Dear Editor

On Wednesday December 10th, the Rotary Club of Port Perry will be providing and delivering a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, including dessert, to our single seniors living independently. 

If you would like to receive a dinner please contact: Community Care at 905-985-7784 or 905-449-9363 before Friday November 28.

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