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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-04-07, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2016. PAGE 7. Scrimgeour's trip to Taipei a memorable experience Quite an experience Hullett Central Public School student and Londesborough resident Claire Scrimgeour recently returned from a trip to Taipei made possible through the Avon Maitland District School Board. The trip was a great experience, according to Scrimgeour, and she encourages others to go. (Photo submitted) Aside from some interesting, but less than exciting culinary experiences, Londesborough' s Claire Scrimgeour said that her trip to Taipei, Taiwan was great. Scrimgeour was one of 40 students who made their way to Taiwan as part of a special educational opportunity through the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB). The trip lasted 17 days, with students departing on March 12 and returning March 28. "Experiencing the different culture there was fun," she said. "It was a really great time." Scrimgeour said that her favourite part of the trip was a place called Houtong Cat Village. "The village is on a mountain and the people that live there feed the cats and take care of them," Scrimgeour said. "I love animals, so it was the best part of the trip. There were more cats than people there." The former mining village fell on tough times after the industry collapsed and now it exists as a tourist destination thanks to the community's relationship with cats. Scrimgeour's worst experiences were actually two culinary dishes, one earlier on in the trip and one later on. "The worst thing I tried was the snake soup meal and the pork dipped in pork blood," she said, explaining she liked some of the food, but there were some definite misses in the culinary experience in her mind. "The snake tasted like tuna and chicken but there were bones in the soup. You could see like jaw bones and things like that. "The pork dipped in pig blood was just nasty," she said. "It just tasted like blood and it wasn't very good." Scrimgeour said she really liked the other soups she tried, saying that the corn soup, which was just soup with corn, flour and spices, in it, was really good and she really liked the beef noodles. The most memorable moment from the trip was when the group went to the zoo, Scrimgeour said. She said that even the transportation to and from the zoo was unforgettable. "They had these crystal-clear gondolas that took you to the zoo, so you could see everything while you were going up there," she said. "At the zoo, they had crocodiles, snakes, lizards and pandas and it was a great experience." Annual Hullett auction, carnival night set True to it's reputation, the month of April began with showers. And certainly March had its share as well. So I thought we would have a Singing in the Rain is one of the look at the song penned by Arthur most popular movies of all time and Freed back in 1929, in the midst of defines the musical movie genre. In the roarin' twenties. one scene Gene Kelly's exuberance "Singing in the Rain" did make it as he sings the title song while onto the hit parade of its day and was dancing in the rain lifts the spirits of featured in a variety of movie everyone who watches/watched the musicals. Its optimistic theme was movie. It is a reminder that joy can intended to boost the spirits of be found despite the rain. movie-goers during the Great Last month there were reports of Depression. Judy Garland sang it in tundra swans in the area on their way 1940 in the movie Little Nellie Kelly. north for the summer. Last Friday I But it was the movie by the same received a report that a flock of pink name that actually clinched the flamingos had landed on the lawn at song's reputation in 1952. the Cullen home. They didn't stay UCW hosts World Day of Prayer The Londesborough UCW held their World Day of Prayer Service on the evening of their regular meeting on March 21 rather than on the first Friday of the month. However, the women still feel in solidarity with worshipping Christians around the world and with those from the various countries who write each year's program. This year's service was written by the women of Cuba, a country which has been much in the news of late. And the day on which Londesborough celebrated the service was a momentous one for the country, for it was the day President Barak Obama visited Cuba, the first president of the United States to visit in 90 years. I always find that learning about the country featured each year is as interesting as the service itself. The Cuban culture has been influenced by all those nations that have been involved in its development - Spanish, African, Chinese, French, Latino, Caribbean and North American. This makes for a very diverse culture. Spanish is the official language. In the 1950s a dictatorship began that devastated the country. Along came Fidel Castro, who as leader of the National Liberation War, eventually defeated the dictatorship in 1959. During this time, the national flower, the white butterfly jasmine, which has always been used by the women as a hair adornment, was used to transmit messages. However, an atheist policy prevented the practicing of other religions. So for many years Christians worshipped in private, with the elders, for instance the grandmothers, passing on God's teachings to the children. When the Constitution was re- established in the 1990s it guaranteed religious freedom as well as universal education and changes in economic policies. However, Cuba continues to be a poor country and families struggle to provide the basic necessities of life. It is to be hoped that the recent lifting of the world trade embargo will have positive results for the population of some 11 million peoples. The title for the service was "Receive Children. Receive Me." and the supporting scripture passage was the very familiar story contained in Mark 10: 13-16. Because the country maintained a Christian movement through the relationship of grandparents and children, the picture on the program is of an older hand held/holding a child's hand as seen through a church window. Churchgoers have learned that in Roman times, the women were not allowed the same rights as the men, were a marginalized segment of society which Jesus sought to change through His teachings. Apparently so were children. Thus when the children were brought to Jesus, the disciples that turned them away were following the custom of the times. By receiving the children and the women who brought them, Jesus was giving their status honour and greatness and changing the values of dignity. It will be the children of Cuba who will spread Christianity in the coming years. My take on this passage is that we are all the children of God and can come to Him to be received. Conducting the service in Londesborough were Joan Whyte, Kittie MacGregor, Helen Lobb, Dorothy Bogie and Sherri Postma. Each brought to the altar a symbol of Cuba and Christianity - Bible, basket of fruit, candle, maracas and sugarcane. Barb Bosman played for appropriate hymns during the service. A branch of the butterfly jasmine was also on the altar. The Londesborough UCW will meet again on April 18. long, just long enough to help someone celebrate a 40th birthday, I understand. You will be receiving this copy of the local papers on April 6. Exactly one month later, on Friday, May 6, Hullett Central School will be holding its annual auction and carnival night at the Blyth Community Centre. This is the year's major fundraiser for the Student Advisory Council (SAC) Committee. The funds raised pay for student yearly planners, student trip subsidies, extra learning resources for each classroom, the music program, Grade 8 graduation and yearbook and playground upgrades. Consequently, volunteers are needed to make the event a success and donations for the auctions and penny table would be welcomed. Think about how you might help keeping in mind that the school is a major presence in our community. Other news from the school is that this spring's musical night will be an operetta with pupils in Grades 4 to 8 involved in all aspects of its production. The operetta will be presented on the stage of the Blyth Memorial Hall on Wednesday, May 11. More news about both these events will be in future columns. 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Scrimgeour encouraged anyone who gets the opportunity to take part in similar experiences through the school. "I was nervous going, but once I got there it was too exciting for me to be nervous," she said. "After having gone and done that, I would definitely recommend it to anyone who gets the chance." FROM LONDESBORO hook Fresh and Fabulous in a new spring jacket LIQ WELL 1 mile south of Blyth -- 519-523-4595 •*, ONTARIO SPCA HURON COUNTY ANIMAL CENTRE Pet of the Week! Hi, my name is Polly! I am a dainty 3 year old. I am a little timid however I am also very friendly and serene. I love to be held and to have my head and ears rubbed and I will thank you with little kisses on your nose! I like to perch up high - bird watching excites me! I look forward to finding a furever home that will allow me time to adjust and to feel safe in my environment. Adopt me today! Polly is an Orange Personal Assistant in the Meet Your Match® Program. 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