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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2009-04-30, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009.Rug hooker guest speaker at UCWPatti Armstrong, who lives inZurich area, was raised in a familythat appreciated art. All in her familydid things, crafts, etc. with theirhands. She liked to draw and paint.That interest in faces and colours has manifested itself in a new way in recent years. She talked with the ladies gathered at Londesborough United Church on Monday, April 20 about her new interest. She was introduced by a fellow rug hooker, Marjorie Duizer. A few years ago Patti contracted an illness that affected the use of her hands and made it impossible to hold a paintbrush. Consequently she suffered emotionally as well. Then her Aunt Patsy introduced her to the old art of rug hooking. The task of pulling fabric through thecanvas was great therapy for herhands and creating rugs broughthealing. Her negative thoughtsturned to positive ones.And that was one of the messages she wanted to stress to the women – that creating and using one’s God given talents has marvellous benefits. For example, one of her rugs depicting her daughter was done in the five months Patti’s daughter was away in Central America. It helped to dispel worry as she worked. Patti describes herself now as a hooking fanatic, hooked on hooking. It has become an amazing aspect of her life. She has done 140 creations since 2002. Because she feels fortunate tohave been inspired by many womenin her life, she has decided to honourwomen through her craft. To dateshe has completed 13 women-inspired rugs and is aiming for 24. She claims to have many creations in her head waiting to be done. She spoke with a great deal of passion about each of the rugs she showed that evening. She told wonderful stories about each of them. Her rugs range in size from 18" x 12" to a room-sized rug 8' x 10'. The feeling and emotion she puts into each rug is apparent to anyone who views them. Patti is allergic to wool, the traditional fabric for hooking. So she hooks with strips of nylon stockings. To honour a friend who died as a result of cancer following the birth of her son, Patti adapted a pictured, Mother and Child. That rug won the Rowan Award in 2008 as chosen by other hookers. It was the first rug to win that award using nylons. After a visit to the Grenfell Mission in Newfoundland she hooked a rug depicting a woman hooking in her kitchen. She was inspired by the story of how Newfoundlanders collected a variety of materials with which the women could work to make rugs to sell to maintain their community. A portrait of her grandmother will be hooked with lace and work socks to achieve the affect she sees in her mind. Sometimes she creates from apicture. That is how she hookedMaude Lewis. Maude waschallenged in many ways and hergnarled hands are obvious in thehooking. But Maude is an inspiration to those who know her story because she didn’t allow circumstances to prevent her from seeing and sharing the beauty of colour in her paintings. In her creation Patti tried a new technique, reverse hooking on the background. Patti’s talk and beautiful rugs certainly inspired the women of the UCW to find their passions/talents and enjoy the benefits of creating. Other members of the group The Municipality of Central Huron is pleased to announce the 8th annual Central Huron Façade Grant Program. The Program includes façade improvements for all properties in Central Huron that are assessed as Commercial for taxation purposes. The Municipality has set aside funds to assist property owners in the expansion or improvement of the build- ing façade or signage. Budget The current 2009 Façade Grant Program budget has been set and is divided into two pro- gram releases (a maximum of $5,000 of matching funds per application). The funds will be distributed on a “first come first served” basis. The application deadline is May 31st. Funding may be in the form of a cash or in-kind contribution. To Qualify The structure for the proposed enhancement must be within Central Huron and must cur- rently be assessed as Commercial, in whole or in part, for taxation purposes. The pro- posed façade improvement must meet the specific property criteria outlined in the “Façade Improvement Concept” and enhance the “cosmetic” appeal of the structure from a streetscape viewpoint. The application must be completed in its entirety and must receive approval prior to the completion of the works. It is understood that the applicant will be reimbursed the grant amount following the completion of the works and submission of all project receipts. Successful applicants will be required to submit a post project report iden- tifying the use of the funds. Application Applications for funding should include: • Description of the project • Timeline for completion of the work • Budget for proposed project • Visual representation of the proposed project • Supporting information, as appropriate • Amount of funding requested, specifying whether a cash or in-kind donation is required. Deadline Applications must be received by 12:00 noon May 31st, 2009. If you have questions or comments please direct them to the Municipal office at 519-482- 3997. Applications are to be addressed as follows: “Central Huron Façade Grant Program” Attention: Brenda MacIsaac, Clerk Municipality of Central Huron P.O. Box 400, 23 Albert Street Clinton, Ontario N0M 1L0 Interested parties must contact the Municipal Office to receive a copy of the Façade Grant Program Policy and Application Form before applying for funding. The Municipality reserves the right to fund projects as deemed appropriate. BABY AND I PROGRAM CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL May 2009, 10:00 - 11:30 CONFERENCE ROOM 2nd Floor WHEN ATTENDING FOR THE FIRST TIME PLEASE REGISTER IN ADMITTING PROGRAM TOPICS: Wednesday, May 6 - Infant C.P.R. Choking & Safety Wednesday, May 13 - Infant Car Seat Safety Wednesday, May 20 - “CANCELLED” Wednesday, May 27 - Share Your Birth Experience For more info call Veronica Farquhar - 519-482-3440 Ext. 6304 Give us a call 519-887-9061 Fax 519-335-3570 R.R. 2 Bluevale It’s Gardening Time • Natural Mulch • Screened Topsoil • Regular Topsoil • Recycled Crushed Asphalt (call ahead to make arrangements) • Sand • Gravel • Fill • Loading & Hauling • Bulldozing • Excavating Delivery Available You Pickup John CONSTRUCTION LTD. NEWS FROM LONDESBORO A change in weeks definitely didn’t affect the attendance at the April card party held at the Londesborough Community Hall on Friday, April 17. Hosted by the Happy Gang Seniors, there were 16 tables of euchre players that evening. Winning first place with 82 points at the end of shuffling were Betty Thompson and Bernice Moore. Stu Wilson and Alex Townsend took second place with 77 points. There was a tie for third place as two couples tallied up 75 points, Delores Howatt and Dorothy Dalton and Al and John. There was also a tie for most successful lone hands - Edythe and Angela Beacom and Sandra and Charlie. Both couples recorded seven. The next card party will be May 8. Gang hosts euchre Just my size Aurora Gibbons, 13 months, checked out the fit on this pair of sandals on offer at the Mom-to-Mom Sale in Blyth United Church on Saturday. The event was a fundraiser for Blyth Minor Hockey (Vicky Bremner photo) Continued on page 11