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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-03-26, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015. Huron Chapel hosts March Break event for students What does March break mean to you? At Huron Chapel in Auburn it means lots of fun and learning for children. On March 18, the church held its annual mid-week March break party for children from junior kindergarten to Grade 6. This year’s event was called, “Soar With Us”. Eighty-four kids attended, along with another 25 volunteers working along side the children. The kids made crafts that went along with the “Soar With Us” theme which included kites, airplanes and wind chimes that made beautiful music in the wind. The kids also played games in the gym which included a parachute to keep in tune with the day’s theme. One of the highlights was when coach Marc Westra taught each group about how God was like the wind. We can’t see the wind, but we feel its effects and know it is there. To illustrate the point, coach Westra had a large empty plastic garbage pail with a hole cut out of its bottom. The top of the pail was covered with plastic wrap. When he pointed the bottom of the pail where the hole was cut out towards the kids and banged the top covering, gusts of wind came streaming out of the pail, which could be felt by the kids. At one point, the kids placed paper cups on their heads and coach Westra was able to knock the cups off from a distance, by the power of the wind generated from the pail. Coach Westra then added dry ice to the pail. When he banged the bottom this time the kids could not only feel, but see rings of smoke coming out towards them. The children also learned how our sin can be like carrying a heavy backpack, in that wherever we go, it becomes a heavy burden weighing us down. The children learned how Jesus wants to remove that heavy load of sin we carry, all we have to do is ask Him and follow Him. This was demonstrated when a person carrying a heavy backpack went to the cross on the church platform and laid it there and then walked away free. The afternoon ended with a church-wide candy hunt in which the kids were more than glad to participate. NEWS FROM AUBURN By Mark Royall Call 519-441-2223 PEOPLE AROUND AUBURN The answer my friend... A highlight of the March Break event at Huron Chapel was coach Marc Westra teaching about unseen forces like the wind. Using a large empty pail with a hole in the bottom, he created gusts of wind to knock paper cups off of students’ heads. (Mark Royall photo)Continued from page 1 bodies, whether or not the two Health Units could be strengthened by a merger and if both communities would receive better services as a result. Huron County Council has raised the idea of merging the two neighbouring Health Units before, but has been turned down repeatedly by Perth. The release states that merger proposals had been made in 2005 and 2014, but that the climate may be changing and it may be a good time to bring the issue back to the table. “At this time, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has expressed interest in reviewing public health organization in the province, which indicates the provincial context may now be favourable to an amalgamation,” the release states. Hessel says that the two Health Units are already working together on a number of initiatives, so the foundation for a potential merger has already been built. “The Huron County Health Unit works successfully with the Perth District Health Unit on many initiatives now,” Hessel says. “Exploring amalgamation will give us an opportunity to see whether public health services in Huron County would be best served by a merger with Perth.” Hessel says that the working group will provide regular updates of its progress to staff of both Health Units, as well as the public, as discussions progress. Merger group will keep council informed: Hessel NH approves drainage loans After receiving word that the recent decision to proceed with the Snell Municipal Drain improvement could cause individual ratepayers as much as $42,000, North Huron Township council decided to implement a loan program to help with costs assessed due to the work. During council’s March 16 meeting, Director of Finance Donna White reported that after the engineer’s report had been received and reviewed and council approved the necessary drainage work on the drain, a request for assistance from a landowner in regards to the payment was received by the township. White said she had found other municipalities, such as Huron East, offer three-year loans at an interest rate equal to a tile drain loan for ratepayers who have to pay more than $1,000 for a project. “We could fund it out of the water and sewer reserves and then that account earns the interest,” she said. Councillor Brock Vodden said he liked the plan, which stated any property owner in the Snell project could apply for a loan at six per cent interest, provided more than $1,000 had been assessed to them. However, Vodden also didn’t want to see the plan approved unless it could be implemented. White said the program could be implemented this year and it could be a last option for ratepayers, seeing as how they could likely get lower interest loans elsewhere. Councillor Trevor Seip, however, said he wasn’t sure the township should get involved in loaning money. He asked what the township would do if someone defaulted on the loan. White explained the loan would be charged alongside their taxes and billed on the same schedule. “If they don’t pay their taxes [or the loan], the municipality can sell their property,” she said, which Seip was glad to hear. Council approved a motion to see a plan drafted for loan options. Looking for local heroes There are so many people out there who do so much to improve their community. Now you have a chance to say thanks. Nominate that special person for the 30th Annual Citizen Citizenship Awards. Each year a committee chooses an outstanding citizen from each of the Blyth and area and Brussels and area communities to receive an award for contribution to the community. If you know someone you think should be honoured, please fill in the ballot and send it in. You may attach a longer explanation of why you think your nominee should win, if you like. If you have nominated someone before and he or she didn't win, please feel free to try again. I nominate as Citizen of the year for I feel she/he deserves this award because Nomination Deadline April 30, 2015. Name and phone number of nominator ❑Blyth & area ❑Brussels & area