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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2016-10-06, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2016. Kurtis Smith Excavating inc. Supplying Brussels/Blyth area with all types of sand, gravel and stone • Full size Zero -Tail -Swing Excavator • Septic Systems • Mini Excavators & Compact Track Loader with attachments • Trim Dozer & Dump Truck Services • Excavating, landscaping, raking Brussels 519-887-8855 • Kurtis Cell 519-496-1871 Sports Read the latest issue on-line at... stopsalonglakehuron.com Locals head to Germany for international dance event Daring dancers Teegan McGavin, above left, and Ava McCutcheon, above right and below, are heading to Germany later this month to compete in the International Dance Organization World Ballet Modern and Jazz Dance Competition as part of team Canada East. McCutcheon is shown below dancing at the grand opening of the Brussels Legion's accessible renovations. (Denny Scott photo) Brussels' Ava McCutcheon and Walton's Teegan McGavin are heading to Germany later this month to try and help make Canada the best of the best in the competitive dancing world. Eleven -year-old McCutcheon and 16 -year-old McGavin are members of Danceology in Lucknow and, after a competition in Hamilton, the two are part of a team of dozens of dancers going to Wetzlar, Germany to compete in the International Dance Organization (IDO) World Ballet, Modern and Jazz Dance Competition Oct. 23 to 30. "We had to try out in Hamilton, and there are 20 to 24 dancers picked to be on each formation," McCutcheon explained. "There are three formations for each age group, children, junior and adult, so there are nine formations going." While there is a good deal of cross-over between the teams, with McCutcheon performing on all three of her formations, jazz, modern dance and ballet, and McGavin on the jazz and modern formations, the team features several dances from the girls' Lucknow-based studio, with six adults, two children and one junior, McCutcheon, in attendance. "Most of the dancers are in all three formations for their age groups," McGavin said. "There are a lot of crossovers with about 50 girls and boys all together on the Canada East team." While getting into the championship was definitely an achievement, it marked the start of some gruelling practices for the two local dancers. "We dance every Sunday," McGavin said. "Ava's practices are a bit longer than mine because she is in all three formations." McGavin said she practises for approximately four hours, and the practices are held at various studios throughout the Greater Toronto Area including the Canadian Dance Company studio, Shawn Boutilier Studio and Dancemakerz. M -T looks for MVCA feedback for budget Morris-Turnberry councillors supported comments from the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) in regards to the Conservation Authorities Act, however they felt obligated to because not supporting it might send the wrong message. During council's Sept. 21 meeting, a document regarding the act and the comments from the MVCA were deferred in hopes that a representative from the authority would be able to comment on the issue and provide an explanation for the document, however that didn't happen. While the document is still somewhat vague according to some council members, Councillors Dorothy Kelly and Jim Nelemans felt that if they didn't support the document, which included suggesting increased funding for the authorities through the act, it could be viewed as stating that funding wasn't necessary. Administrator Clerk -Treasurer Nancy Michie explained that the comment period on the document had passed, so any suggestions the municipality would make wouldn't be part of the process for the evolution of the document. Deputy -Mayor Jamie Heller said he realized the comment period had passed, but he would still like to meet with a representative from the MVCA prior to budget deliberations. "Every year the MVCA comes in with a higher rate than we'd like and we always cave into it," he said. "We do our part in trying to keep our budget based on inflationary increases, but that is going to be challenging this year. We may be too late for this issue, but we should be discussing this before the budgetary process next year." Michie stated that the document pointed to a possibility that rural areas, including most of Morris- Turnberry, could be paying higher assessment values towards the conservation authorities compared to urban areas. Councillor John Smuck thanked Michie for her explanation, asking why the MVCA could not have come and explain it the same way. "I could have read this 50 times and not found that information," he said. "That's what we wanted them here for." Michie said understanding the document required a certain degree of "reading between the lines" and that rural areas will be affected significantly if the funding formula isn't changed. A motion to support the document was approved. McCutcheon, however, practises for as long as 11 hours per day and that is on top of a two-week choreography session in Toronto for McGavin and a one-week session for McCutcheon over the summer. While dance is a year-long event for the duo, and their sole extra- curricular activity to prevent injuries or other sports or activities from interfering with their passion, with such a prestigious championship on the horizon, both are now putting more effort in than they have before. "They are looking at adding new practices before we head out," McCutcheon said. The two are representing Canada East as there is a Canada West team to compete against, however, the duo have heard the real challenge at the competition could come from the teams representing Poland and South Africa. This is the first time either dancer has tried out for the championship, and represents the culmination of eight years of training for McGavin and seven years for McCutcheon, both of whom credit their coaches, Jenna Andrew and Courtney Nelson, for their success at tryouts. Both said they hope that dance plays a large part in their future and hope the championship gives them an experience they can reference and draw from in the future. They also both hope to network, during their time in Germany saying that meeting new dancers is something they enjoy and will benefit from. The dancers, along with some family members, will be leaving on Oct. 21 and returning Oct. 31, leaving little time for sightseeing, but they are excited to enjoy the experience. For more information, and to watch the livestream of the event when it happens, visit www.ido-dance.com • Colour Printing • Posters • Letterheads • Envelopes • Business Cards • Business Forms • Brochures • Flyers • Carbonless Forms • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL!