HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-01-29, Page 7Belgrave-area student Grayson
VanCamp has excelled in the field of
worldly knowledge, all from a
computer chair in Wingham.
VanCamp breezed through the first
two stages of the school’s annual
geography challenge, placed first in
the school’s final challenge and is
now confident he did well on his on-
line qualifying test for the provincial
challenge.
VanCamp completed the on-line
qualifier earlier this week, but says
he won’t know how he did and if he
will qualify for another month.
He says he didn’t find the first two
stages of the challenge very difficult,
but the later stages have been
increasingly challenging. While he
is confident about his answers in the
on-line qualifying stage, he says he
did speed through some of his
answers concerned about a potential
time limit.
VanCamp, the youngest of four
children, spent his elementary years
at East Wawanosh Public School, but
says that right now, his favourite
class at F.E. Madill is technology
class. He is, however, just finishing
up exams and will start a new
semester on Friday that will face him
with the challenges of math, science,
physical education and French.
VanCamp’s two sisters and one
brother are all married and hold
positions in the engineering,
education and medical fields. “It’s a
pretty smart family I guess.”
He says that he never really went
out of his way to learn geography,
but that he was always paying
attention to the daily news, which
gave him an idea of the countries in
the world and where they’re located.
Other than that, he said, he has an
atlas or two around the house.
Despite his proficiency in
geography and several of his science
courses,VanCamp says that while he
has never ruled it out, he has never
really considered a career in
geography.
“I’m still pretty young, so I
haven’t thought about a lot of that
stuff yet,” he said. “I have thought
about being a farmer here or maybe
a carpenter, but who knows?”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 2009. PAGE 7.Local gets first ingeography challenge
Florence McArter and George
Allen greeted worshippers at Knox
United Church on Sunday, Jan. 25.
Rev. Tom Murray will be taking
his first service at Knox United
Church on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Jenna Hopper lit the Christ candle
assisted by Melissa Snyders. The
senior choir sang, Hope of Abraham
and Sarah accompanied by Elizabeth
Procter.
The children went to the front pew
for story time. Mrs. Snyders gave
each of them a party hat. People
should perform more service to
others and live a Christian life. Life
is all about change and celebration.
Mrs. Snyders read Romans 13:8-
14.The congregation sang, Walk
With Me. Mrs. Snyders’ message
was Now That the Party's Over.
People have all taken time for their
own pleasure. God gives
stewardship and all are guilty of not
carrying it out, she said. Now the
party is over, people should get more
spiritual and perform more service.
There is always more room for
improvement.
Joyce Vincent and Doug Walker
took up the offering.
Doug Walker thanked Mrs.
Snyders and gave her a gift of
appreciation for her presence in the
pulpit over the past 16 months. Her
inspirational messages and her
willingness to take on such topics as
the sports and camp days will always
be remembered, he said. These
required a great deal of extra effort
and all the sacrifices were
appreciated that were made to
ensure the Knox congregation had
the best possible services.
He added that the children would
greatly miss Melissa’s time with
them and the entire congregation
will miss her energy and enthusiasm.
Sincere thanks and best wishes
were extended and a hope to see her
some time in the future.
After the service, lunch and the
annual meeting followed in the
church basement.
Congrats
Grayson VanCamp from the
Brussels area was honoured
last week with the top prize at
F.E. Madill’s annual geography
challenge. He completed his
on-line qualifying test earlier
this week which will tell him if
he will be heading to the
provincial challenge in a few
weeks. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
The Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA) has advised the South West Local Health
Integration Network (LHIN) and the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care that after
exhausting all available staffing options, the Seaforth Community Hospital site’s
emergency department will move forward with an interim adjustment to its hours of
operation effective February 7th, 2009.
“Given our current staffing reality, this is the most responsible decision we can make,”
stated HPHA CEO Andrew Williams. “The fact that we have been able to maintain
uninterrupted service for as long as we have is a testament to the dedication and
commitment of the entire HPHA team, most notably the nursing staff in Seaforth,” said
Williams. “We are working toward a long-term sustainable solution, but in the interim
it’s just not feasible, nor fair to our staff or the community, to continue the way we have
been.”
According to Mary Cardinal, Site Administrator, the Seaforth Site has been challenged
for the last 2 1/2 years to meet baseline nursing needs, specifically with respect to RN
coverage; this is largely a reflection of retirements and departures outpacing recruitment.
Nursing staff have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to sustaining staffing levels,
working considerable overtime, and foregoing vacations.
"The Seaforth Physicians understand the need to adjust ER hours at this time and,
although not preferred, support the decision," stated Seaforth Site Chief Jason Datema.
"We will continue to work closely with the hospital to do all that we can to help address
the staffing challenge over the coming weeks," he concluded.
The South West LHIN, Dr. Lisa Shepherd, South West LHIN Emergency Department
Lead and the HPHA are working together to ensure that the reduction in hours of
operation has a minimal impact on the communities served by the Seaforth Community
Hospital by notifying the affected communities and providing alternate emergency
services options.
Over the next week, the HPHA will work to confirm exact hours of operation and will
ensure that the Emergency Department remains open during those times of the day when
it is used most often.
Emergency departments across the province are facing similar and significant staffing
challenges. The lack of available personnel is putting incredible pressure on existing
staff, increasing patient wait times and driving the need to make difficult decisions about
service delivery.
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen
NEWS
FROM BELGRAVE
Congratulations to Shawn and
Chris Cottrill of Belgrave and Rob
and Mike Laurin of Ayr who
competed in the Fairfield Marriott
Challenge Zone 14 curling
competition in Hanover on Jan. 10.
The team finished in the top two
and advance to the provincial finals
in Trenton and Brighton on Jan. 23 -
25.
We would like to wish Chris
Cottrill a speedy recovery after his
eye surgery in Toronto on Jan. 21.The community extends sinceresympathy to Susan and JamieRobinson, Wayne and Linda Elston,Murray and Trudy Elston, KeithElston and friend Heather Young andMary Ellen and Wayne Ross in theloss of a dear mother, Isabel Elstonwho passed away at BraemarRetirement Centre, Wingham on
Jan. 13.
Sincere sympathy is extended
from the community to the family of
Amos Smith who passed away at
Huronlea, Brussels on Jan. 13.
The community extends
congratulations to Ben Procter who
placed 35th at the Phoenix meet with
the high school Nordic ski team.
Joyce Van Camp of Cayley,
Alberta, was a guest for one week at
her parents, Jim and Mary Hunter.
She also visited with other
relatives and friends.
By LindaCampbellCall 357-2188PEOPLE AROUNDBELGRAVE
The Belgrave Women’s Institute
meeting was at the Community
Centre on Jan. 20 beginning with a
potluck meal at noon.
The president, Nancy Jardin
welcomed 10 members and 19
guests, then read a prayer for the
new year.
Isabel Campbell gave a reading,
How True It Is, then introduced
George Underwood who spoke and
showed slides on his trip to China.
On touring the country they spent
time at the Great Wall, at agricultural
centres, rice paddies and large ports.
He was impressed by the dense
population, the architecture of the
ancient buildings and the industry of
the people.
After answering questions he was
thanked for an interesting program.
The business meeting started with
the minutes and treasurer’s report
given by Dorothy Coultes. An
update on the progress of the sale of
the hall was discussed.
A list of the WI classes for the
Belgrave School Fair has been
prepared by Mrs. Campbell.
It was decided to have another
potluck lunch at the Community
Centre in February and March.
The District annual meeting will
be held at the OMAFRA Office in
Clinton on Monday, May 25 with
Belgrave WI as hosts.
Mrs. Jardin asked for a full
membership meeting to be held soon
to plan for future caterings.
The roll call was answered by
giving the number of volunteer
hours.
Potluck begins WI meeting
New minister at Knox, Sunday
There were 11 tables of shoot in
play on Friday, Jan. 23 at the
Community Centre. Prizes were
awarded to Mary McIntosh, high
pink card; Joann MacDonald,
second high pink card; Muriel
Coultes, most shoots; Mary Hunter,
high white card; Dorothy Carter,
second high white; Richard Moore,
most shoots.
The next shoot is Friday, Feb. 13
at 1 p.m.
It is a dessert shoot with dessert
first and then shoot to follow.
11 tables
in play
at shoot