Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-02-05, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2009. PAGE 3. With the recently announcementof restructuring at Wescast inaddition to the eventual closing ofVolvo many people are watching their wallets, but few are watching their health. In times of financial strife and economic uncertainty, health concerns are often as serious, if not more serious, than monetary concerns. However, they are often pushed to the side. This has sparked a proposed research project by the Gateway Rural Health Research Institute in Seaforth. The Institute has proposed a study to the Ministry of Training,Colleges and Universities on thehealth effects associated withunemployment and how thesecircumstances will affect Huron County’s largely-ruralpopulation. “In talking about the situations at Wescast and Volvo, we thought Gateway should address some concerns these people will be facing,” says Dr. Claudio Munoz, Gateway’s head of research. “It is very important to keep the unemployed individual healthy so they can cope better with the situation, shorten their period of unemployment and re-enter the workforce as soon as possible.” Munoz says there are psychological problems that can come along with unemployment as well as physical concerns like hypertension, high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Munoz first discussed the idea with Gateway’s project manager and Huron County’s head of doctor recruitment Gwen Devereaux and the Huron Business Development Corporation’s Paul Nichol. Nichol became involved at the very beginning, saying that Gateway can handle the health of these residents, but at the same time, the Huron Business Development Corporation can do its part to helpready people for their next careermove.“If you’re someone who is lookingfor work, it’s important now that youare literate. I’m saying that you alsohave to be healthy. Why do we pay so much attention on one and none on the other?” Nichol said. Nichol says the Institute is ready to go on this project now. They are just waiting and hoping they get approved for funding from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. After a recent call for proposals from the Ministry, Gateway acted, thinking this project would fit the criteria of being a special research project looking at employability perfectly. The proposal has been accepted and the people at the Institute are waiting to hear back if they have made it to the second round, which would be the full proposal stage. “We thought we should take a look at helping people find new jobs by improving their health,” says Devereaux. “It would be significant for anyone for these findings to be documented.” Nichol has already been working with workers at Volvo for several months now. This will just be an extension and expansion of the work that has already begun. “We have been working withworkers from Volvo for the past fewmonths, coming up with some plansfor what they’re going to do with therest of their lives,” says Nichol.“We also talked about barriers thatcould keep them from getting back into the workforce. A significant number of these workers said their health was one of the most critical barriers they expect to have in finding new work. They’re saying that if they don’t get their health under control, they’re not very employable.” In spite of the snowy weather 25 seniors made their way to the Memorial Hall for a potluck dinner together on Wednesday, Jan. 28. December birthdays were acknowledged for Edythe Glousher, Edward Watson and Jean Plaetzer. Isabelle Craig was the only one with a January birthday. After a sing-song and a brief business meeting, lost heir and euchre were played. Kay Hesselwood reminded the group about the luncheon the Legion Ladies Auxiliary are putting on Feb. 19 from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Funds raised are to be used to buy coffee for the troops overseas. The president, Shirley Nicholson announced that the Blyth Public School board will be at the next meeting. Happy birthday to Brenda Edgar of Clinton who celebrated Feb. 1. Happy birthday to the following people who will celebrate this week: Vera Hesselwood, Feb. 4; Mac Brooks, Feb. 5; Evelyn Caldwell and Jeff Josling, Feb. 5; Lawrence Plaetzer, Feb. 9 and Nan Gore and Jacob Josling, Feb. 11. The groundhogs saw their shadows so we will have six more weeks of winter. Just hoping they are nice, bright sunny days like Monday. Euchre results for Jan. 26 were: high lady, Marj Vere, 78; high man, Jane Glousher, 76; lone hands, Betty Archambault and June Robinson, tied with three each, Doug Cartwright with five; low lady, Ruth Shiell and low man, Edythe Glousher, 39. The door prize went to Willis Bromley and share the wealth was won by Pearl Mason, Ruth Shiell and Jewel Plunkett. There were seven tables in play. The next euchre is Feb. 9 in the Legion Hall at 7:30 p.m. BLYTH UNITED CHURCH Greeting at Blyth United Church on Sunday, Feb. 1, were Fred Meier and Doug Howson. Ushering were Nancy Hakkers and Hope Button. Margaret Kai was organist. The annual meeting is on Feb. 15 after church. The UCW meeting is on Thursday, Feb. 26. Members are reminded to bring in their grocery tapes from Scrimgeour’s and Zehrs and also to bring in their used stamps to give to the Bible Society for new Bibles. Rev. Gary Clark welcomed everyone to church and introduced the congregation to Prairie Jewel, two girls from Winnipeg who sing with accompaniment of a guitar. The choir sang the introit. The prayer of approach was followed by the first hymn, They That Wait Upon The Lord. The scripture Exodus 2: 1-10 was read by Emily Phillips. The children came to the front bringing the baskets of food for the food bank. Rev. Clark asked them if they knew why the mother in the scripture lesson put her baby in a basket and put it in the river. He explained to them that the Egyptian princess came along and found the baby and asked her sister to have someone look after him. The Egyptians were afraid that the Hebrew people would overtake them so they made a law to kill all Hebrew baby boys. The mother protected her baby by putting him in the basket in the river. Brett Glousher carried the candle down to Sunday school for their time of worship. The second scripture was Acts 13: 13-18, 23-25, 42-48. Rev. Clark’s message to the adults was The Daring of Youth. He said there are two ways of dealing with conflict. One is to turn away and have nothing to do with it. The second is to talk about it. When conflict shows up it is better to talk about the conflict than to brush it aside. By talking it out sometimes people’s minds can change. The hymn, Take My Life was sung. While the offering was received Prairie Jewel favoured the congregation with a song. This was followed by the prayers of the people and the singing of The Lord’s Prayer. Blyth and its history will soon be getting a closer look. At the Jan. 19 meeting of North Huron council, clerk-administrator Kriss Snell said that students from the University of Waterloo are going to be visiting Blyth to draft policies for heritage conservation and marketing. “This is an excellent opportunity,” said Snell. “It’s a great start for us looking at heritage aspects and how we can market them.” Snell explained that there had been a desire from some residents to make Blyth a Heritage Conservation District. However, “it’s about $50,000 to move forward,” he said. So, he said, community development co-ordinator Connie Goodall contacted Dr. Robert Shipley, a professor who has taken on a few projects. “to give students real-life experience. He agreed to take on Blyth.” NH to look at heritage Local study focuses on recent job losses BBLLYYTTHH PPRRIINNTTIINNGG IINNCC.. BLYTH 523-9211 PRINTING IS OUR BUSINESS • Colour • Business Printing Forms • Posters • Brochures • Letterheads • Flyers • Envelopes • Carbonless • Business Forms Cards • Labels WE CAN DO IT ALL! Wedding Announcement David Hessels and Priscilla Schneidersmann were married Saturday, October 4, 2008 in Ancaster, Ontario. David is the son of Everett and Cheryl Hessels, Blyth and Priscilla is the daughter of Ron and Juanne Schneidersmann, Caledonia. David and Priscilla reside in Toronto. NEWS FROM BLYTH By Marilyn Craig Call 523-9318 From Marilyn’s Desk Give your sweetheart a gift certificate from HEIDI’S ESTHETICS 42043 Blyth Rd., Walton 519-887-9348 Free paraffin treatment with each certificate purchase By Bonnie Gropp The Citizen By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen