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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2015-07-09, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015. PAGE 9. Vacation Bible School starts at Auburn Huron Chapel Monday saw the beginning of Vacation Bible School here in Auburn at Huron Chapel. This year’s theme is, “Thailand Trek”. The kids will be experiencing everything Thailand from the food, to the elephants who roam the land, to the people who live there. In the morning session, Vacation Bible School leader, Erin Baan introduced the children to Amanda Hemperley, an actual missionary living in Thailand through a live video link on her smartphone. While it was 10 a.m. here in Auburn, it was 9 p.m. in Thailand where Amanda was. She got to see and wave to the children and told them what it is like to live where she is. She said she especially likes having fresh fruit year-round. The Vacation Bible School will be raising funds to go towards building a playground for kids in Thailand. While talking to the children, Hemperley told the Vacation Bible School children just how much the children there would value having a playground. During the week kids got to make crafts with a Thailand theme, played games with a Thailand connection and even got to make and taste some Thai food. So far the kids are having a blast. On Sunday, July 5 Ball’s cemetery held its annual memorial service. I realized this year how this service is kind of like an old family reunion of sorts. Most people know one another and different people told me about their relatives who were buried in the cemetery. Once again Rev. Terry Fletcher from the Knox United Church in Auburn spoke. He talked about walking around the Ball’s cemetery in the past and having noticed the many declarations of faith etched on the gravestones. He remarked how faith in God was important to our ancestors who once lived where we now live. The Harbouraires did a wonderful job again this year providing the special music for the occasion. When I come for this service, I always enjoy the simplicity of the building. There is no complexity to the sanctuary whatsoever. There is no electricity but there is an old plain wooden pulpit at the front where a powerful message from God’s word could be delivered. There are rows of unadorned wooden pews for the people who live in this beautiful countryside to sit. Throw in an old pump organ or piano to accompany a full church singing and you would have a great Sunday service each week. High five! Marc Westra, shown here giving a high-five to a student, was one of the volunteers who helped make the Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church’s annual Vacation Bible School a success. This year’s theme is a “Thailand Trek’ showcasing everything from unique Thai food to the flora and fauna native to the area. (Mark Royall photo) NEWS FROM AUBURN By Mark Royall Call 519-441-2223 PEOPLE AROUND AUBURN Councillor Trevor Seip wants to make sure that ratepayers have a place to go on North Huron’s website to check for the most recent changes to township policy. During council’s July 6 meeting, Seip talked about changes made to the North Huron landfills, which could refer to a decision to close the East Wawanosh landfill to the public. “The conversation [I had with Public Works Director Kelly Church] was about when we make specific changes to a service, how do we communicate them?” he asked. “That might be one of the things ratepayers are not real pleased about. They don’t seem to know.” Church said information like that is disseminated through quarterly newsletters with taxes, the ‘New & Noteworthy’ tab on the website and could be further explained through pamphlets like those produced by Director of Finance Donna White for tax dollar allocation each year. “As a council, though, if I’m questioned about changes, I want to know where I can direct people, other than to call staff,” he said. “I want to point them somewhere the information is flowing as a normal part of the action. I want to alleviate that frustration from senior management and staff and I want to know how to do that.” Chief Administrative Officer Sharon Chambers said staff could look at the township’s website and be cognizant of necessary updates to it. “Often, however, these changes are just small things and people can find out about them by speaking to staff as they come to the sites affected,” she said. “But we can put that information on the website.” Church pointed out that information is available on the website. Seip countered, saying he would like one place where all changes are listed so there is one place to direct ratepayers. SHEAR TALENT Hair Design & Tanning Foil Highlights $72 + tax1/2 Highlights $52 + tax 45 West St., Goderich 519-524-6555 Preparing for the judges The Communities in Bloom judges travelled through Central Huron earlier this week looking at what the community has to offer. Their travels took them from Ball’s Bridge to Londesborough to, yes, Auburn. Jacqui Empson, left, and Karen Redmond, right, were busy giving the Auburn sign a touch-up over the weekend to be ready for the judges. (Mark Royall photo) NH’s Seip worried over failure to communicate By Denny Scott The Citizen