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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-04-02, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 2, 2009. PAGE 11. Jack and Helen Lee had arranged for a visit by Rev. Stan MacDonald for March 2. He and his nephew, Dennis Earl, were persuaded to stay and have lunch with the seniors. Stan was pleased to see so many folks he knew from his time in the Londesborough pulpit. And I’m sure many were happy to have a chance to speak with him as well. The Lees took Stan on a tour of the church for it has undergone some changes since his time in the village. Stan has given back to the Londesborough United Church the farewell quilt he received. He wishes it to be hung in the church quilt cupboard. As Rev. Stan is now in a long-term care facility he has limited storage space and felt this was the proper place for the gift. It will certainly be hung with pride there. Just at dark last Tuesday evening Adam Maize and a friend were headed south at the top of the hill south of the village when a deer surprised them. Adam swerved to miss the animal and flipped his truck in the ditch. Burt Lobb helped the two get out of the vehicle and neither were hurt, only somewhat shaken up. However a number of police and emergency vehicles attended the scene. On Saturday just around the noon hour the firetrucks and emergency van went through the village again. Derrick and Gery Greydanus had left the greenhouse on Winthrop Road to have coffee at the main farm when a passerby noticed fire there and called it in. Derrick expects the motorist noticed smoke coming from the vents. Just as the two men, twenty minutes later, headed back to work they followed the firetrucks to the greenhouse. Derrick credits Blyth Fire Department’s quick response for keeping the damage to a minimum. Some plants were lost and the afternoon was spent replacing plastic roofing at the front of the greenhouse. So did you remember to observe Earth Hour last Saturday evening? We had been encouraged by a son to see Slum Dog Millionaire if we had the chance. Saturday evening sat in the theatre to view this award- winning flick. The slums of India as depicted in this movie are disquieting to those of us living in Canada. Our tough times are nothing in comparison. However as we drove home during Earth Hour, we recognized that only a handful of homes had taken the message to heart unfortunately. It seems hydro consumption for that hour was reduced by just six per cent. Perhaps another year… On March 26 the village lost a long time resident. Doug Bell was raised on a farm on the 13th of Hullett to the east of Hwy. 4. He and his first wife, Donalda, along with their children, Elizabeth and Bill, built the house now lived in by Jim and Rosie Johnston. Later, he and Shirley purchased a double wide mobile home and settled it on the eastern edge of the village. Matt Smith and Dawn Dolmage live in that home presently. Shirley’s two sons joined Doug’s family and Chris still lives with Shirley. Doug was a big rig truck driver and drove for Jack Wilson, then, for 23 years for T.B. Allen. Many of those were long haul trips, Shirley noted. Poor health forced him to give up truck driving in 1990. By then Doug and Shirley had purchased the farm property on the northwest edge of Londesborough from Mervin Durnin. The barns at any one time may have housed goats, pigs, cattle, colts and chickens. Many villagers purchased eggs from Doug and Shirley’s self- serve porch. Doug even had a llama for a time. And, of course Doug found great pleasure in his teams of percherons. His horse and wagon teams were shown at fairs, took part in parades and were part of the Donnelly play in Blyth for two summers. Doug and Shirley gave wagon rides at dog trials, Benmiller, Point Farms and family gatherings. There was a quiet graveside service for Doug at Hope Chapel on April 1. Kathy Douglas, the youth minsterfor Huron - Perth Presbytery for theUnited Church, assisted Rev. PatCook with the Sunday service atLondesborough United Church onMarch 29. Kathy told the congregation that she is pleased to be doing full-time youth ministry in the area, noting that full-time work in this field is rare in the United Church of Canada. She works with 60 congregations and stated that she welcomes input and volunteers with her plans. During the children’s time at the front, Kathy and the young folk discussed acorns. It was agreed that an acorn kept in a pocket or a jar would never reach its full potential as a mighty oak tree. Similarly, children and people who keep tothemselves will also never reach thepotential God intended for them.Just as on oak tree would have manyacorns to share, people, too, shouldshare their talents and knowledge with others around the world. Kathy told them about an upcoming retreat planned for young folk in Grades 5-8 in Goderich. The theme for the time is, Put Yourself in Another’s Shoes. This retreat will be along the lines of the Me to We event held last Friday evening in Blyth when participants heard how youth can make a difference in the world. The theme speaker listed three things to remember in affecting change. Third, they were encouraged to not stop, to keep trying to make the changes happen. Second, it is necessary to listen to where the needs might be and how they might help and to talk about the issues of the world. Very quietly, the boys and girls ofLondesborough Uniteddemonstrated the first and foremostway to help, they offered big smilesto the congregation. The morning’s gospel passage, John 12: 20–33, was read by Kathy. In those verses Jesus predicts His death. The responsive psalm was Psalm 51. The Roetsicoender family, Jeff, Kim, Melissa and Curtis, led the Lenten Tennebrae and snuffed the fifth candle in the Lenten wreath. The senior choir anthem asked the question, Is it I, Lord? Rev. Cook began her message by acknowledging that glory is the giving of praise, honour and adoration. With the coming of Easter, the hour has come for the Son of God to be gloried. His time on earth has come to fulfillment. His three hours of glory are the time Hespent on the cross until His deaththere.A grain of wheat, like an acorn,dies to produce new life; it isineffective if never planted. By looking for the positives in life, learning from good and difficult happenings in life, we will grow and fulfill God’s purpose for us. Serving Him is our time of glory. We may need to give up the things we want and have in order to serve God. God says that only by service comes greatness. This is the me to we theme the young people are hearing about. If we give service to God room in our lives, our lives will be brightened. The senior choir will gather for practice at 10 a.m. on April 5. Anyone wishing to place flowers in the sanctuary for Easter should contact Jane Hoggart. Congregation hears of youth ministry The trophy Blyth PeeWee Reps won the WOAA PeeWee Gregg division trophy. Making the presentation to coach Scott Stevenson (back row, right), was Don Shrophsall. Players, front row, from left: Wyatt Carey, captain Spencer Stevenson, Michael VanWyk and Ryan Nesbitt. (Vicky Bremner photo) Perhaps it was the fact that driving presented no weather-related concerns last Wednesday, March 25 or perhaps because it was a grey, depressing kind of day, a goodly number of the Happy Gang Seniors came out for fellowship at the Londesborough Community Hall. Entertainment that afternoon was presented by the Music Airs of Varna. The group played a selection of familiar tunes, both instrumentally and with vocals and took some requests. As one couple in attendance remarked later “they lifted the spirits” of everyone there. The regional spring seniors’ rally will be held in Varna on April 9. Anyone thinking of attending should pay for their registration in advance to Helen Dale. It was noted that the April card party has been moved to April 17. The change was necessary because of Good Friday. Good turnout for Gang You've got the news The Citizen now offers electronic subscriptions If you have access to the internet you can get the news the same day you do at home, at no extra cost ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD T h e C i t i z e n No more waiting days for delivery: You can access the full edition of The Citizen on the day it’s published No exorbitant postal costs. The same local subscription price of $34.00 applies. Excellent idea for those who live far from home. For more information call: The Citizen 519-523-4792 ZAP! Go on-line to: www.northhuron.on.ca and click on to subscribe today! NEWS FROM LONDESBORO By BRENDA RADFORD Call 523-4296 PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO