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The Citizen, 2012-05-24, Page 19THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2012. PAGE 19. Family & Friends are invited to an Engagement for Laura Armstrong & Peter Edgar Saturday, June 2 6 pm - 1 am at the Armstrong residence, 43325 Brandon Rd., RR #1, Ethel $10 per person, children 12 and under free For tickets or directions call: Cheryl Laffin 519-887-9769 Jaclyn Miltenburg 519-233-3132 Joel Coghlin 519-356-9066 JJJaJaJaa N Janet Invite You to NNNNancy, Joyce, and ooooo Nancy, Joyce, and ay CC y85th Birthda Edna Pearson’s Mother Celebrate Their Come Out And Help ss y ’s Come Out And Help rrBB BBBB rchrussels United ChuBBB 2-4pm on May 27th from est Wishes Only PleaseB hh eee ch se Celebration BBQ for Justine King & Kat Majewski Saturday, May 26 5 pm - 1 am Brussels Optimist Clubhouse Tickets $10 each and available at Solace on Turnberry in Brussels or by text/call: 519-531-0286 or 519-531-0390 Goodness Sakes Alive Gordy’s 65!!! Love Dale & family Happy Birthday Linda Love Mum & Dad xoxo Happy 65th Birthday Gordy Shake It Up Baby Van Veen to compete at national Para-Athletic gamesBy Jo-ann McDonaldJon Van Veen is an amazing youngman and has a dream to become thebest. Life can change in a moment and the Van Veen family of Morris- Turnberry Road found that out. Almost nine years ago in the fall of 2003, the family had their lives changed forever. Michael and Marian Van Veen’s oldest child, Jonathan, went out for an ATV ride and didn’t return as the same young man who had left. He suffered an accident and spent months in hospital. Jonathan’s recovery was a miracle in itself. He is a semi- paraplegic. The challenges that Jonathan and his family have faced have been daunting, but they have faced each day and met each challenge with a positive attitude. The Van Veen family is formerly of Cranbrook and Jon is the grandson of Pete and Margaret Van Veen. A family of five children can keep any parent busy, but having a child with special needs requires extra time and patience. Marian always believed that sports are a great learning experience for children. They learn a new skill, how to play together as a team, learn respect foryour team members and coaches andhow to accept winning and losing.So when they met David Greg of Athletics Canada, he suggested Jonathan become involved in a Para- Athletic Club, it was an idea they felt very comfortable with. Para-athletes have many different classes that are based on the varying abilities of the athlete. Jonathan became involved with the throwing events, such as shot put and discus. They travelled to Toronto a year ago in March to start practice and have travelled to Toronto or Brampton every week since then. They have watched Jonathan practise and develop a keen interest and desire to improve and be involved in the program. It was a natural opportunity for him to participate. It has been a huge commitment for the family to drive to the larger centres for Jonathan to develop his technique. He is being coached by the National Coach of Track and Field for Canada for para-athletes. Jonathan qualified for the National Track and Field Para-Athletic games in shot put last summer, to be held in Calgary on June 27-30. The Calgary games are also an Olympic Trial andwinners will possibly be sent on toEngland to compete. Jonathan hasbeen exercising in the gym at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex under the guidance of Carol Phillips and participates on weekends in various meets. The family has installed a special practice shot put area at their home as well. It is an exciting journey for Jon and it has given him focus and a will to strive to accomplish and be the best. In the past, there has been some funding available through the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Sports Association (OCPSA), which supports athletes with brain injuries. They have been great supporters and promoters for para-athletes. Unfortunately, government cutbacks have also affected the Van Veens. The OCPSA would have helped with the travel arrangements, but now they can only assist the parents and direct them in the right directions, which is very appreciated by the Van Veens, when they are very new to the program. This is a wonderful opportunity for Jonathan to participate in the National Para-Athletic Games inCalgary, but it is also quite acommitment for the familyfinancially. They have been very fortunate to have received donations from the Wingham Lions Club and also from a pair of friends who hosted a barbecue for Jon last week. They have also received amazing support from the students and staff of the Wingham schools and many friends and neighbours, who have offered support. Jon’s quest to reachthe nationals requires funds for travelexpenses for himself and a helper,accommodations, transportation and everyone has to eat. Donations to the Van Veen family, to aid in their expenses for Jon to reach the Nationals can be sent to Jon Van Veen, RR 1, Bluevale, N0M 1H0 or contact the family at 519-335-6507. Every small contribution brings Jon closer to his dream. Nationally-renowned motivational speaker Alvin Law will be making his way from Calgary to Goderich on May 30 to speak on behalf of the Huron County Accessibility Advisory Committee in celebration of National Access Awareness Week. Law has been speaking to groups big and small for over 30 years, but more importantly, he has spent over 50 years without arms due to the infamous medication Thalidomide. Law’s doctors predicted a quality of life of zero and the world called his situation ‘a tragedy’ but Law has proven his life to be anything but a zero quality of life. Law has proven the doubters wrong, becoming an independent and successful motivational speaker in one of the most inspiring stories this country has ever seen. The event is taking place at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Goderich on May 30 at 7 p.m. and admission is by donation. For more information on Law, visit his website at www.alvinlaw.com National Access Awareness Week was established in 1988 to promote better community access for people with disabilities. The initiative came in response to Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion tour, which began in 1987. Law to speak in Goderich May 30 In the May 17 issue of The Citizen, a picture of seven-year-old Ben Speer, son of Dave and Margaret Speer of Whitechurch, at the Kinsmen’s Mother’s Day Brunch at the Belgrave Community Centre was incorrectly identified. Speer was identified as eight-year- old Jake Yantzi at a meal hosted by the Londesborough United Church at the Londesborough Community Hall the previous night. The Citizen apologizes for the error. Ooops, we goofed North Huron Council and staff met on May 18 with MP Ben Lobb to explain to him the challenges facing the township and to tell him how he can help. Among the issues discussed were: • The need for funding for local economic development programs such as the Huron Business Development Corporation (HBDC). • Opportunities for the Emergency Services Training Centre (ESTC) and the federal government to work together to deliver content through the centre. • The Blyth Campground and events held there like Campvention. • The rising cost of providing services to ratepayers and non- residents. • Wind turbine safety. • Funding for centres like the Richard LeVan Airport and from programs like the Federal Gas Tax Fund and the Enabling Accessibility Fund. • Changes to the Navigable Waters Act and the Fisheries Act related to fish habitats and drains. • The lack of developable industrial land in North Huron. • Increasing immigration to the area. • Renewal programs for downtown Wingham and Blyth. • Infrastructure funding and programs to improve the township’s sustainability. Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk Gary Long said that the meeting was successful in that it gave the council and staff an opportunity to open a dialogue with Lobb. “We value our relationships with our MP, MPP and key stakeholders, and collaborating with them to improve the quality of life for North Huron residents,” he said in a press release after the meeting. “Today’s meeting gave us a chance to update Ben on our current issues and priorities and the opportunities facing North Huron that will position us for growth and investment.” NH meets with MP Ben Lobb Maitland WMS rally held in Kincardine “Sing with a Joyful Heart” was the theme for the meeting held on Monday, May 14 at Knox Church in Kincardine. A lovely variety of delicious desserts were served by the Kincardine ladies. The meeting began with a lively sing-song. The worship service was held by the ladies from South Kinloss. Scripture was taken from 2 Corinthians 8: 12. “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according ot what he does not have.” Melanie Milne sang a beautiful solo with Miriam Barrie accompanying her on the piano. Guest speaker was Brian Johnston, teacher, musician, photographer, who grew up in Ashfield Township. Brian uses his many God-given talents serving in Romania at a seminary with the Reformed Church in Eastern Europe. Brian is supported by Presbyterian Sharing. Thank you to Erlma Haldenby who was honoured at Council upon retiring after many years of dedicated service. The Fall Rally wil be held in Lucknow on Sept. 24.