Wednesday, March 14, 2007 · Page 16 Sunoco Earth Day 2007 Writing Contest Calling All Kids! Have you ever thought about how our rivers, streams, reeks, lakes, wetlands and ther waterways are all nterconnected? People, lants and animals all rely n clean water to live a ealthy life. There are any ways that we can all ontribute towards protectng our natural environment and in so doing, making sure we all have a healthy place to live for generations to come. April is `Earth Month', and we all have the ability to `Make Every Day Earth Day'. The Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) together with our the Suncor partners, Energy Foundation and Earth Day Canada, is encouraging you to enter the Sunoco Earth Day 2007 Writing Contest. The contest is open to children from kindergarten through to grade eight and there are some fabulous prize packages to be won, including prizes from Boppers. Every entrant will receive a free day pass to a conservation area. The title is: Take the Next Step. Earth Day is about taking action to protect the Earth. Tell us about the one step you commit to taking this year to improve our Earth and protect it for future generations. Kindergarten and grade one children may enter a picture or a story relating to their feelings about nature and ways to keep the environment Grades two healthy. through to eight are encouraged to submit an essay of no more than 700 words. The panel of judges will include an environmental specialist, a journalist and a forester and the winning entry from each category will receive a terrific prize package, including a Conservation Area annual pass, and have their entries published on the Essex Conservation Region Authority website, www.erca.org. Winners will also be honoured at Sunoco Earth Day 2007, which will take place at Malden Park on Sunday, April 22 from 10am 4pm. Participants in this free event will help plant over 1000 trees, take part in a nature scavenger hunt, meet a live owl and other great activities to celebrate Earth Day. There will also be presentations, workshops and environmental entertainment just across the street at Mic Mac Park with the Windsor-Essex Earth Day event. The submission deadline is April 13, 2007, so get creative and send your contributions with your contact details, parent's or teacher's name, your grade and the name of your school to Essex Region Conservation Authority, 360 Fairview Avenue West, Suite 311, Essex, Ontario, N8M 1Y6 or you can fax to 519-776-8688 or email pdarrellsmith@erca.org PEEWEE ON THE PUCK Junior Kindergartener Eric Thompson prepares to take a slap shot during Maidstone Central School's annual Carnivale celebration on Friday. Students of all grades participated in a series of events, including bowling, basketball and Pictionary. Students and staff also said farewell to interim principal Marguerite Elliott, whose last day at the school was Friday.