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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-12-01, Page 30PAGE 30. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011. Ribbon cut at playground Ministry holds up renovations Continued from page 1 to provide a grant.” Menzies stated that the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which distributes approximately $1 million per year to worthy projects throughout the province, was happy to congratulate both the volunteers in Auburn who made the project possible as well as the three municipalities who donated to the cause; North Huron Township, Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh (ACW) Township and The Municipality of Central Huron. Representatives from the three municipalities as well as Lisa Thompson, the MPP for Huron- Bruce, were on hand for the ribbon cutting. “This project really shows the values of Huron County,” Thompson said referring to both the co-operation of everyone involved and the re-using of parts of the old playground. “We work together and we don’t throw the baby out of the bath water.” Thompson stated that it was good to see this project come to completion and provide a safe place for children to play in the community. Deputy Reeve David Riach of North Huron township stated that it was great for the three municipalities to work together with the residents of Auburn. “Congratulations have to be given to everyone involved,” he said. “The community, all three municipalities and the Trillium foundation have created something special here.” Mayor Jim Ginn of Central Huron stated that, while the municipalities worked well together, what really made the project a success was the community volunteers. “Municipalities can’t do everything, we have to work with communities and committees,” he said. “I’ve always been impressed by the Auburn community and their volunteers.” Reeve Ben Van Diepenbeek of ACW stated it was a great pleasure to help open the playground equipment and stated that the number of children present showed it would obviously be well used. Dignitaries from the municipality, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and members of the playground committee all gathered and cut the ribbon before celebrating the event with snacks and refreshments. It is really hard to believe that it is just 25 days until Christmas. It was a lovely evening to enjoy the Brussels Santa Claus Parade and it was a wonderful parade. There was a great crowd on hand to watch and the floats were very impressive. It maybe didn’t seem like Christmas without any snow, but it was quite comfortable to enjoy the parade. Returning from a holiday in South Carolina were Doug and Gail Schroeder along with Gail’s sister and brother-in-law from Ajax. They travelled south down through Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and headed to the south of South Carolina. They toured the city of Savannah, Georgia and it was lovely. It was the cotton bartering capital of the world and had lots of old buildings and interesting sights. Savannah has one of the largest seaports and they are in the process of dredging it so it will be the largest. The men spent time golfing and the ladies shopping and relaxing. They were away 10 days and the long 18-hour drive is not one they looked forward to, but they hada great time and great weather.Returning from a two-week stay in Florida were Clint and Judy Emmrich. They were a week on the Gulf side at Madeira Beach and then a week on the Atlantic side at Daytona Beach Shores. Their condos were very nice and they enjoyed exploring the areas. They spent time exploring the flea markets and garage sales and shopping at the malls. Fishing is also a very important pastime and Clint spent many hours doing that. They had great weather and returned home early Sunday morning. I have spent the last two weeks delivering mail for the holidaying Judy Emmrich. It is always a nice change of pace to drive around the countryside myself, talking to myself, singing to the radio, or planning in my head what jobs need to be accomplished when I get home. The countryside looks very quiet these days with most crops off and field work mostly done. The drainage companies are busy, hoping to get all their work done before snow flies. I noted many changes including new lanes/roads into properties, new additions on homes and barns, new homes being built, barns that have been taken down and fences too. There are always changes in the area and sometimes it is quite surprising to see the difference they make. But it’s back to normal this week for me with the usual schedule.Congratulations to the F.E. MadillMustang boys volleyball team who captured the AA Championship bronze medals at OFSAA in Stratford last week. Members of the team included Jacob McGavin and Adam Cousins of the Walton/Brussels area. Blaine Hackwell of Milwaukie, Oregon was home for a few days to visit with Mert and Doreen Hackwell. They brought Doreen home from the Seaforth Manor for the day to see how she can manage at home. We hope she was able to cope and will be home soon. The Walton Hall was busy over the weekend with the Girl Guides of the area. They enjoyed a campout inside/outside at the hall. The group was there for the weekend and by all reports they had a great time with no problems and lots of fun. The deer population is getting a little thinner, but not by hunting. Heidi McClure hit a deer in the swamp area between Walton and Brussels and our daughter LeeAnn hit a deer as well last week. Both cars sustained damage, deer dead, but the important thing, neither of the ladies were hurt. Next week is the late hunt for deer, so the deer will be on the move, so drive carefully and be watchful at dusk and dawn especially. This is the first week of Advent, leading up to the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Duff’s United Church was decorated for the Christmasseason by the McDonald girls –LeeAnn Konarski, Kelly Jarosz and Alicia McDonald. Walton had Adam and Emma Baan read the responsive Advent liturgy and Karen Hoegy was the scripture reader. Rev. Peter’s sermon was entitled “The End …or the Beginning”. Announcements included the UCW Christmas dinner is Dec. 7 and if you haven’t reserved your ticket, you must do so soon. Contact Monique or Theresa Baan. It is White Gift Sunday this Sunday, Dec. 4. All donations are gratefully accepted by the Huron County Christmas Bureau. Clothing, electronics, toys, and cash will be distributed to those who are in need. Teens are always the group they are short for. Please bring unwrapped gifts for collection on Sunday. Abby McGavin is collecting winter coats for the homeless and please bring them to the Church or McGavin’s at your earliest convenience. They will be distributed to the homeless in Toronto. A pre-Christmas breakfast will be held on Dec. 11 following Church. Come out and celebrate Advent and have food and fellowship after church. The UCW ladies are providing treats following Church the next Sunday, Dec. 18. Duff’s of Walton will host a Christmas Eve Service on Dec. 24 led by Rev. Peterat 7 p.m. Invite your family, friendsand members of the community to join in the celebration of the birth of Jesus and to spread the joy of Christmas. Celebrating birthdays this past week was Craig Gillis, Jo-Ann McDonald, Brad and Brent McKague, Nicholas Zwep, Lin Steffler and Kaitlin Williamson to finish the month of November. The Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) is ready for the first phase of a $6 million project at Listowel District Secondary School (LDSS), but the Ministry of Education isn’t. At the board’s Nov. 22 meeting, superintendent of business and treasurer Janet Baird-Jackson presented a report recommending an approval of tender. The tender involves alterations to the art and music rooms and fashion design area at LDSS, including mechanical and electrical upgrades. Baird-Jackson explained that the work would be the first phase of a multi-year capital plan developed by the board’s facility team and LDSS staff. The Ministry of Education has allocated over $4.1 million in enrolment pressure funding for the project, while the entire project will be near $6 million. “We’ll do it as fast or as slow as funding permits,” she said. But funding isn’t the major obstacle for LDSS at this point. Baird-Jackson told trustees that staff is still waiting for the Ministry to sign off on various approvals. “The letter was written on July 25 and it is sitting, as I understand it, in a stack on the Ministry’s desk,” she told trustees. North Perth trustee Jenny Versteeg asked if trustees could help speed up the process, noting the crowded conditions at LDSS. “There’s more kids than space there,” she said. Baird-Jackson said that she was still awaiting a response from a second Ministry of Education official before taking the issue to the assistant deputy minister, adding that she was hopeful that the sitting legislature might also speed things up. Chair Randy Wagler asked if a letter to new Minister of Education Laurel Broten was in order, but Baird-Jackson said she preferred to contact the assistant deputy minister first. Trustees approved a motion to accept the tender from low bidder Sierra Construction for $593,250 for the project’s first phase as well as Sierra’s $93,055.50 bid to re-roof the art room, boiler room and associated cladding. Work won’t start until the Ministry of Education signs off on all required approvals. When all phases of the project are finished, LDSS will have 77 new pupil spaces created, will have improved accessibility and visibility around the front entrance and will have building code and fire safety issues around the cafeteria, common area and main gym hallway resolved. Tickets at The Centennial Hall Box Office. Call: 519-672-1967 or online: www.centennialhall.london.ca TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2012 – 7:30PM CENTENNIAL HALL - LONDON Makes A Great Christmas Gift Makes A Great Christmas Gift Makes A Great Christmas Gift Tickets at The Centennial Hall Box Office. Call 519-672-1967 www.centennialhall.london.ca MONDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2011 – 7 PM (550 Wellington Street – London) Tickets at the Blyth Festival Box Office or by calling 1-877-862-5984 Also available online at www.blythfestival.com MON. MARCH 19, 2012 – 7 PM BLYTH MEMORIAL HALL By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 PEOPLE AROUNDWALTON NEWS FROM WALTON Madill Boys capture bronze at volleyball tourney By Rita Marshall Special to The Citizen