Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-04-27, Page 2PAGE 2. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2017. Speer wins way to provincial public speaking event Brussels -area youngster James Speer has broken his previous best at the Royal Canadian Legion public speaking competition by coming in first at the Area Championships. Speer, whose speech is on `Adults Say the Weirdest Things", attended the competition in Barrie over the weekend to compete against students from across the southern part of the province for a chance to go to provincials. "It was good and I think I did great and finished first," the Grade 3 student from Maitland River Elementary School said. "It made me feel good." His first -place finish earns him the opportunity to go to Stratford on May 6 and he is looking forward to Well represented James Speer, right, won at the Royal Canadian Legion Area public speaking competition in Barrie over the weekend. Speer took top spot in the Grade 1-3 category, earning him at trip to the provincial competition early next month. Fellow Maitland River Elementary student Austin Bieman, left, placed second in the Grade 4-6 division. (Photo submitted) At the Branch Branch members mourn Dobson By Jo -Ann McDonald The Cadets met as usual on Tuesday evening. There are about 25 Cadets in the Corps. at this time and they are busy practising their drills and routines for their year-end inspection. They are also still fundraising for their year-end trip, so any donations of pop cans or returnable bottles are appreciated. They can be left behind the Legion. It is with great sadness that the Branch mourns the loss of Comrade Helen Dobson. She joined the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brussels Legion Branch in 1954 and joined the Brussels Legion Branch in 1999. She became a valuable member of both branches of the organization and served as president of the Auxiliary for 11 terms. She was always willing to help the Branch in any way she could and she was chief caterer at the Branch for seven years and never let anyone go home hungry. She provided delicious desserts at many suppers or cookies for the card players, and her pies always went for a high price at auction. Helen will be missed by her six children and their families and by her many friends at the Brussels Legion. The Brussels Legion held a Legion service at Schimanski Family Funeral Home for the family on Sunday evening with 25 members attending. The funeral and the luncheon were held at Branch 218 on Monday. We send our get -well wishes to Bush Whittard who is a patient in Wingham Hospital. The fish fry crew was in Vanastra at the curling club for a fry on Sunday evening. Cooking up the fare for over 250 diners were Andy Overholt, Sharon Robbins, Eric and Deb Ross and Ron Schmidt. Good job folks. Congratulations to James Speer, son of Margaret (Jarvis) and Dave Speer, who participated in the Royal Canadian Legion Area public speaking in Barrie on the weekend. He won the Primary Division and will go on to speak at the provincial competition in May in Stratford. Congrats to Austin Bieman of Wingham who was runner-up in the Junior Division. The boys did a fantastic job and we wish James well in the next level. that experience at that new level. "I feel good about it," he said. "It's the first time I've gone to the area." Speer, who said he has felt pretty comfortable on stage at other levels in a previous interview with The Citizen, admitted that he was a bit nervous taking the stage against his competition. "I was a little bit nervous because I was against harder people in this competition," he said. "I was also the very first speaker." Maggie, James' mother, said the competition was tough and there were many great speeches. She also said that, with winners from Port Elgin, Ripley and Speer from Brussels, Huron -Bruce was going to be well -represented at the next stage of the competition. In the end, however, Speer came out on top and, to celebrate, went to The Keg for dinner with his family. He says he now plans on practising for the next competition to make sure he puts his best foot forward. Fellow Maitland River Elementary School Student Austin Bieman was also at the Area competition. He finished second in the Grade 4-6 category and won't be proceeding to the provincial competition. Flowers, Earth Day welcoming spring A NOTE FROM BETTY By Betty Graber Watson Call 887-9231 Sometimes the rights of spring are awesome. Heading toward the lake last week, the farm west of Belgrave where we see the fall crocuses was awash in yellow. A field of daffodils was gently swaying in the breeze. Wow and wow! I wonder if the planter of those bulbs knows the joy it brings to people every year. Thanks. Earth Day is spent for another year. Hopefully you took pause to appreciate our world and think of ways you can help sustain it for the next generations. It's good to know that some municipalities are taking the lead to conserve our watersheds and green spaces for the future. On that note the War Tax Upon Income came into being a hundred years ago as a means of wartime revenue. Then it just stayed put. As much as we wish it would go away, we all benefit from our combined dollars, making Canada a very nice place to live. You can count the ways you and yours benefit — be it healthcare, clean water, freedom of speech, education or roads. Yes, we are blessed by that action of 100 years ago. Last week, Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 91st birthday, continuing her mark as the oldest and longest reigning British Monarch. Since February of 1952, Elizabeth has served with dignity, working with 13 Prime Ministers and visiting 106 countries. Even now in her retirement years she had 332 official engagements last year. An admirable lady. As we look ahead to gardens and markets and holidays, mark in Kids Corner for the younger set in your life on July 17-21 at the Mennonite Church. That week is on the books for the leadership of the "Kintail on the Road" crew. The area churches work together to make this a good week for everyone. So mark it down now. Many roles are available for volunteers, including the required school hours for teens. Contact Jill Sholdice at 519-887-6836 or Lori Pipe at 519-888-6291 if you would like to help. April is going fast and with it the income tax season is soon over, hope yours is all filed away. Take care, Betty G.W. FROM BRUSSELS Dawn Sweeping S Rolling Brussels & Blyth & area Tanner Cardiff 519-357-7072 FOS The Citizen Wants to Near from You! 11 PHOTO OF THE DAY Let us know what is happening in your area by emailing a picture for possible inclusion on our website's "Picture of the Day". Please include a small caption about the picture. Visit our website at northhuron.on.ca - maybe your picture will be the PHOTO OF THE DAY! Email submissions to: reporter @ north h u ron.on.ca Drop-in Low Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic Mir1311 HURON COUNTY Health Unit $25 per pet (cash only) Blyth Veterinary Services 234 Queen St. South, Blyth Saturday April 29, 2017 9:OOam-12:OOpm & Monday May 8, 2017 1:OOpm-4:OOpm No appointment needed. Rabies has been found in the area, protect yourself & your family by protecting your pet(s)! Please bring your dogs on leashes & cats in carriers