Royal Bank donates to the Essa Public Library
THORNTON NEWS
by Cathie Miller

Dora Clemens is a volunteer at the Thornton branch of the Essa Public Library. Last week, she presented to Janice Harris-Wheatley, CEO of the Essa library, a check for $500 from her employer, the Royal Bank of Canada. When a RBC employee contributes a significant amount of personal time to volunteer activities, her volunteer hours add much value to the lives she touches. Through Dora's efforts, she was able to obtain a $500 donation from RBC for the library's Thornton branch. In 1999, RBC launched its Employee Volunteer grants program, to recognize employees for the good work they do in their personal time, by volunteering in their communities. Employees and retirees earn grants of up to $500 each for the charitable organization at which they volunteer. Since 1999, RBC has donated more than $5.3 million to various charities in honour of the hard work and efforts of RBC employees.

This coming Saturday, December 1, is the 37th annual Thornton Community Turkey Shoot. It starts at 10 a.m. at 6831 County Road 27, just south of Thornton. It is $3 per shot, using 12- gauge shot guns only. A lunch booth will be on site. Proceeds will go to the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Care Centre at RVH. Pie slices can be purchased around the village for just $2 each, with a chance to win a turkey, ham or peameal bacon. For more information, call Mike at 458-9279.

You are invited to bring your family to Christmas in the Village at the Thornton Creek gazebo, across from the library and fire hall, this Sunday, December 2, starting at 6 p.m. The festivities will begin with the lighting of the trees, a visit from Santa at 6:15 p.m., followed by music and carols. There will be hot chocolate and treats for everyone and time to visit with friends and neighbours. This event is sponsored by the Thornton Area Action Committee and Essa Parks and Recreation.

The Thornton Skating Club will be holding registration on Friday December 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Thornton Arena for power skating and adult later skate. Both programs will run once a week for 10 weeks, with power skating beginning Friday January 4 and the later skate beginning Wednesday January 9. Adult later skate is for the over 18 crowd who'd like to learn to skate or improve their skills. For more information, call Charlene at 739-9226.

In news from the Ivy Presbyterian Church, the Sunday school served a delicious lasagna supper on Nov. 15, to raise money for the Turn on the Tap mission project. Cameron Cochrane presented $380 to the mission team coordinator, Scott Ferguson. Matthew Cochrane and Samantha Wesson gave a short presentation on the Sunday school's sponsor child Maria from Zimbabwe. The children are learning to serve God by helping others. On Nov. 18, the Sunday service was dedicated to missions. Many thanks were given to all those who helped plan and participated in the One Night Only café held Nov. 17. The Ivy Hall was packed and the local entertainment was spectacular. The mission team guarantees next year's event will be even better. A short video was viewed recapping the mission trip to Louisiana in 2006 and the plans for future missions were presented. Ivy Presbyterian will continue to work with Youth Haven, Out of the Cold, and Turn on the Tap, while plans are underway for a mission trip during the summer of 2008. All preteens in grades 4 to 8 are invited to come out and join the Fighting Temptations Youth Group. They meet biweekly on Thursday evenings from 6:45 until 8 p.m. at the home of Darlene and Greg Applegate. The next meeting will be Dec. 6, come out for an evening of fun, sports, games and devotions. This coming Sunday December 2 is the first Sunday of Advent and they will be presenting their white gifts which will be given to Youth Haven. Services begin at 10 a.m., with Sunday school and nursery available.

If you have any news, announcements, or coming events, you can e-mail me at thorntonnews@rogers.com, call me at 458-0869, or drop it off at 25 Robert Street. Bye for now.