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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-09-13, Page 34PAGE 34. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012. Continued from 12 they host the match. If there is additional traffic or additional infrastructure that would have to be built, would there be funds available to the hosts? Falconer said he didn’t know for sure, but directed Knight as to whom he could call for that kind of information. Aid for IPM changes to be sought by Huron East Continued from page 9 to tables and chairs, corbels recovered from Goderich and old doors which were turned into tables. The storefront was redesigned to move the entrance from the middle of the shop to the side which allowed for a wheelchair accessible ramp. Anne said the plan always included making the shop completely accessible, so this move was important. “We moved the door which allowed for the wheelchair accessible ramps so that everyone can be here,” she said, adding that the ramp makes the location accessible for people with walkers or with strollers, stating that there are also wheelchair accessible washrooms on site. The grand opening date has yet to be determined. Anne said that until the shop opened up, the focus was really on getting the building ready and nothing much beyond that. “We were really just hoping to pass all our inspections. From there, we were just going with the flow,” she said. The store features merchandise as well including retail coffee and (when it’s available, tea), Queens Bakery shirts and aprons and French coffee presses. The shop will serve as a place for local entertainers to show what they can do, according to Anne. She said that, through coffee houses and intimate concerts, people will be able to see what local talent can offer. “We’ll also having some dancing,” Les said. Anne added that dancing, and the pair’s performance in Dancing with the Stars, was how the partnership between the two couples started. The history of the building was also of interest to Les who pointed out where black marks still existed from the fire of 1929. He also said that local historian Brock Vodden had a lot of information about the building not only because he is a local historian but because his father owned a bakery in the same location 60 years ago. Blyth bakery sits on site of old bakery Bicycles for Humanity returns for third collectionBicycles for Humanity Huron- Perth is returning for a third time after its second time out garnered double the support organizers were expecting. Blyth-area native Mark Nonkes originally created the program after spending some time in the African country of Namibia. After living there for a period of time, Nonkes realized that something as simple as a bicycle could change the lives of many in third world countries. The program was launched in 2008 with a very successful collection and in 2010 organizers set a goal of 400 bikes and collected 800. “It was spectacular,” Nonkes said in an interview with The Citizen. “We had to double our fundraising efforts, but that’s alright. I was just so impressed with how the community responded and the support they gave us.” Nonkes said that the goal of 400 bicycles was based on the size of the container that was to be shipped to Namibia, so the collection of 800 bikes resulted in a second container having to be shipped, which obviously added to costs. The concept behind the program, Nonkes says, is that bicycles will help people travel, reach places of employment and assist with travelling healthcare. Namibia is a country that is home to many suffering with HIV and AIDS. During the last collection, there were many different drop-off points throughout Huron and Perth Counties. This time around, however, to simplify things, there will only be two drop-off points andcollection will take place on just oneday.Bikes will be welcomed on Sept. 29 at Blyth United Church. The second location will be in Stratford, which Nonkes said was a popular collection location during the program’s last go-round.The recipients of the bicycles thistime around will change, however,as the bicycles will go to a group of disabled Namibians who have dedicated their lives to fixing up bicycles. Nonkes says the group fixes the bicycles and adapts them to handlethe rugged Namibian landscape andthen distributes them.“They’re remarkable. They’re doing remarkable things,” Nonkes said. Nonkes said he had known of the group’s existence for years, but it wasn’t until he paid them a visit thathe was certain he wanted to help them out as much as he could. For more information on the program contact Nonkes at 519-523- 9456 or visit the initiative’s website at b4hhuronperth.org This is a letter written by a 29-year- old Namibian woman Lavina Friedrich discussing the Bicycles for Humanity program. Dear friend, My name is Lavinia Friedrich and I am a 29-year-old Namibian woman. My life has not been easy. I was born into a family that didn’t have very much money. I grew up in a village and went to school like all the rest of the children. But when I was 14 years old, I was playing soccer with friends at primary school and fell down. I dislocated my left leg and the injury caused me to have a lifelong disability. I struggled. Having a disability in Namibia is hard. I continued to go to school but my classmates started to discriminate against me. When I finished Grade 12, my parents couldn’t afford to send me to university or any other higher institution. But I couldn’t get a job either. I looked for work for seven years. People did not want to hire me because of my disability and because I am a woman. Although we have a law against discrimination in Namibia, it is only on paper. Many disabled people are jobless. I worried that I would be unemployed forever. Then, the Disability Economic Empowerment Project (DEEP) came into my life. DEEP is a bicycle shop run by people with disabilities. The project started in 2007 with the help of Bicycles for Humanity. At DEEP, we receive donated bicycles, fix them and then sell them for a small price. If a bike breaks down, we fix those too. With the income, my four colleagues and I are able to support ourselves. I have to admit, at first I did not know if I could be a bicycle mechanic. It’s not normally a job done by women. But I decided to try. I now know how to repair a bike. I know all kinds of bicycle spare parts. Bicycles became my daily life. I love working with them. Being a bicycle mechanic empowered me emotionally too. I now have a strong feeling that even though you are disabled, you can do anything. I learned that disabled people can work at any type of job. For me, I was able to further my studies because of the income I earned. I now have an Office Administration Diploma and am both the secretary and a mechanic at DEEP. My family and friends can count on me because I have employment. The opportunities at DEEP also helped the most important person in my life, my son, Johannes. He is nine years old and in Grade 3. I am sending him to a good school, better than the one I went to in the village. I want to make sure he has good schooling for his future. I have to tell you, sending bicycles to Namibia is very important. It changed my life, and has changed many others too. We hope that good Samaritans who donated bicycles will not give up. We hope that those who have not donated before will be willing to donate. It means a lot to the Namibian people, especially to people like me. Thank you very much! Lavinia Friedrich Oshakati, Namibia By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen Bicycle program changed woman’s life The CitizenBlyth 519-523-4792 Brussels 519-887-9114 Drop by and see our great selection of books & DVDs at... BARNYARD GAMES & PUZZLES For kids who like the farm this book contains 100 mazes, word games, jokes and riddles, brain teasers and fun activities illustrated with lots of cartoon barnyard animals. $13.50 THE ART OF BIRDWATCHING Here’s a humorous guide to the fastest growing hobby in North America including both useful information and lots of fun. Also included, a list of contacts for naturalist clubs across Canada. $11.99 BEAN BY BEAN Beans are one of the most healthful and versatile foods and can be used to make soups, chilis and curries, salads, burgers, even desserts. Here are more than 175 recipes to make you want to run to the kitchen and start cooking. $18.95 BLYTH: A VILLAGE PORTRAIT In 1977 a group of Blyth young people produced a large volume of stories on the history of Blyth, many excerpted from early newspapers in Blyth and the surrounding towns. A few copies of this book are still available. $30.00 BUILDING DECKS If a picture’s worth a thousand words what is a 60-minute DVD worth? See how to dig and pour footings, build a square, true framework, lay a deck efficiently, construct stairs, make a newel post and build planters and built-in seating, and more. $26.95 CHICKEN COOPS Whether you’re looking for a project for the kids for the summer or want to grow more of your own food, this book provides plenty of ideas for housing chickens. 45 building plans for everything from a backyard coop to pastured flocks. $24.95 EDITH ADAMS OMNIBUS Looking for recipes the way your grandmother used to make it? This compilation of recipes by a famous Vancouver newspaper cook from the 1940s recalls recipes for baking, main courses, preserves and more. $24.95 HERBAL ANTIBIOTICS Through indiscriminate use of antibiotics humans have created “superbugs”, bacteria with resistance to drugs. Stephen Buhner offers evidence that plant medicines offer alternatives with their mix of antibiotic compounds. $17.50 FROM LOG CABIN TO MANSION: The Story of Joshua Tennant Blyth historian Janis (Morritt) Vodden tells of Blyth’s first teacher and the fascinating detective work, done in conjuction with interested reserchers all across the continent, to discover more about him. $10.00 Continued from page 27 Goderich hospital on Saturday. Keeping Marie in your prayers in the weeks ahead will surely help her deal with that loss. On a lighter note. I wasn’t quite sure that I was happy to realize a few years ago that I was now a great aunt. An aunt, yes, but a great aunt? Or as my sister says it,’ un grahnde ahunt’. However, when my newest great nephew of seven weeks, called to say he wanted to drop by for a visit, I was thrilled to entertain him and his parents - my ‘roses’ for this week. Village loses Krauter BUY? SELL? TRY CLASSIFIED