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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-12-14, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017. Brussels' Smiths host Spanish exchange student A Canadian experience, eh? The Smith family, including young Bennett, left, have hosted Lucas Calderon, right, an exchange student from Bilbao, Spain, for the past several months. The Smiths have been showing Calderon what it means to be Canadian, including attending a Blue Jays game. The visit was arranged through the Red Leaf exchange program. (Photo submitted) By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen The Smith family from just outside of Brussels has played host to a Spanish visitor for the past few months through the Red Leaf exchange program. Lucas Calderon, 13, has been living with the Smiths since Sept. 4 and will soon be on his way home after the extensive visit. Calderon, who is from Bilbao, a large city in the north of Spain, said he wanted to come to an area flush with agriculture on the exchange, which is how he made his way to Huron County. Shelly Smith said that Calderon was originally destined for a home in Manitoba, but due to some last- minute changes, it was the Brussels area for him. Calderon, in an interview with The Citizen, said he lives in an apartment in Bilbao and doesn't often have the chance to see and interact with animals. That is why he wanted to come to an agricultural community. He said he wanted to experience a new country and, as an animal lover, he wanted that new place to be somewhere he could see animals. Not only has he visited farms and had time with plenty of neighbourhood dogs and cats, but the Smiths have ensured that Calderon hasn't had much free time to get bored. During his visit, Calderon and the Smiths have visited Toronto and attended a Toronto Blue Jays game and went to the CN Tower. They also went to Ottawa to visit the Smiths' two daughters there and just this past weekend they went to Niagara Falls just before Calderon headed back to Spain. In Spain, Calderon said he was a big sports fan. He regularly plays roller hockey, soccer, he surfs and he plays a squash -like game in Bilbao. Being a sports fan, he said it's been fun for him to see ice hockey in Canada, as well as other sports like broomball, baseball and football. Calderon celebrated his birthday in Canada on Sept. 28, with a small party with friends that he's made since coming to Canada. He said that everyone has been very welcoming and curious in Canada. Attending St. James Catholic School in Seaforth, a much smaller school than he is used to, has been a great experience, he said. At school, Calderon said his favourite subjects have been science, math and physical education. The Smiths said it has been great having Calderon around and the Knott pushes for teleconferencing North Huron Councillor Bill Knott is pushing for councillors to have the ability to attend meetings remotely, an option linked to Bill 68 which will see several changes to the municipality's procedural bylaws. A bylaw including updates to North Huron Council's Procedural Bylaw will be brought to council's Dec. 18 meeting as some changes are required to be implemented by Jan. 1, 2018. In a report by North Huron Clerk Richard Al, the changes were outlined including, a redefinition of the term "meeting" to cover any gathering of council with a quorum in which council, local board or committee actions are discussed in a way that advances a decision- making process, four new provisions allowing council to enter closed sessions and the electronic participation for which Knott pushed. While Al's report initially suggested a wait-and-see approach to electronic participation, which would allow council to see how other governing bodies handled it, Knott wanted the issue to move forward faster than that. Al explained that the changes to the procedural bylaw would allow council members to take part in discussions and technically be present at meetings, however the provisions would not allow them to contribute to quorum or participate in votes. North Huron Council's decision to broadcast their videos on YouTube accomplished the same thing. Knott said he would still like the option pursued. The updated procedural bylaw is scheduled to be brought before council on Dec. 18 with other changes coming that need to be implemented by March, 2019. Christmas combo As part of the dress rehearsal for North Woods Elementary School's Christmas concert held on Monday, several students displayed their piano playing prowess. Melody Holthuysen, left, and Marley Gaspirc played a seasonal duo as part of the presentation. (Denny Scott photo) hope is that maybe some members of the family may be able to travel to Spain in the summer to visit the Calderon family in Bilbao, although plans have yet to be set in stone. For more information on the Red Leaf program, visit the organization online at red-leaf.com. Taking in the sights Spanish exchange student Lucas Calderon has been taking in all the great Canadian experiences, including visiting the Parliament Building in Ottawa. Calderon is staying with the Smith family from Brussels and is visiting through the Red Leaf exchange program. (Photo submitted) Maple Products Maple a Moose 398 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4276 Get information on Huron County attractions on the Stops Along The Way section of our website www.northhuron.on.ca Your Local Paper - The Original Social Media! 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