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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-03-06, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2008. PAGE 7.Despite being busy with studies leading up to graduation, Grade 8 pupils in area elementary schools are also concerned about themove to Grade 9. Secondaryschools and teachers helpwith these choices for thefuture.Mikayla Allen from HullettCentral Public School givesus an insight into what herfellow Grade 8s are currentlyexperiencing: “Over the pastfew weeks, our Grade 8 class has had presentations and orientations from the high schools we will be attending in the fall of 2008.The first presentation wasfrom Central HuronSecondary School. It wasvery interesting andconvincing. Matt Popp andHeather Gibson, two formerHullett School graduates, toldus about their Grade 8experiences. Matt has chosenTech course and Heather was talking about business courses. Both students were very knowledgeable. CHSS orientation was held on a Thursday evening and Grade 8 pupils from many schools attended. Pupils were split into groups for a tour ofthe school. Everyone saw avariety of rooms such as theart, French, history and techareas.Another week, a GoderichDistrict Collegiate Instituteteacher with Grade 9 student,Dana Teed, also a formerHullett grad, came to talk tothe few who are planning to attend GDCI in September. At this orientation, everyone heard the concert band play. Following a talk by the school’s principal and the student council president, they went on a tour of the school.These orientations are agreat experience foreveryone. The pupils are ableto ask the questions that areconcerning them.I am planning to attend St.Anne’s Secondary School inClinton. A few weeks ago, myparents and I had a tour of thatschool. It was very nice and we got a lot of our questions answered. It is sad we are leaving Hullett but it is exciting to be going on to high school. Hopefully everyone has a great high school experience.” Hanging in there It was a mixed bag of weather this weekend as Old Man Winter is keeping his hold on the area with just weeks to go before spring. This blustery scene was caught on camera Saturday. (Vicky Bremner photo) AgriInvest - $600 Million Kickstart A New Business Risk Management Program: Growing Forward AgriInvest is a farmer account designed to help farmers manage small margin declines. It replaces coverage previously provided under the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program for margin declines of less than 15%. Federal, provincial and territorial governments are launching AgriInvest as part of the new Business Risk Management program suite. The federal government is contributing $600 million to kickstart farmer accounts. The New Business Risk Management suite also includes: AgriStability – Support for farmers when they have large margin declines. AgriInsurance – Coverage for insurable production losses. AgriRecovery – The disaster relief framework. If you have not yet received a notice for AgriInvest Kickstart call 1-866-367-8506 or visit www.agr.gc.ca/agriinvest to apply. The deadline to participate in the AgriInvest - $600 million Kickstart is April 14, 2008 Growing Forward A vision for a profitable, innovative, competitive, market-oriented agriculture, agri-foods and agri-based products industry. NEWS FROM LONDESBORO By BRENDARADFORDCall 523-4296PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO Anyone living in Ontario’s West coast areas understand what a tremendous resource the Great Lakes are. They represent the second largest commercial fishery business on the planet. Our Lake Huron is a cornerstone of the regional economy as an economic driver for trade and tourism. However there is Danger in the Great Lakes. Greg McClinchey, raised in this area, has found the study of the lakes intriguing and was present at the Feb. 27 meeting of the Happy Gang Seniors to share some of what he has discovered. In what is a relatively short time, as the wold is measured, new and invasive species – birds, animals, fish and insects – have found their way into the Great Lakes and surrounding wetlands. All these species have come as a result of natural, human activities. These invasive species are the second greatest threat to Ontario. The world has become very small with the speed of travel. The Welland Canal opened the lakes to the world. A shaded map shows how the St. Lawrence River brings trouble to the Lakes. Also, Greg gave an example of just how short the journey is from a pond along the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes. Zebra mussels, sea lampreys and round gobi are three of the invasive marine life having an affect on the lakes. There are now 800 species of alien plants, the purple loose strife for example, here now. The emerald ash borer, the gypsy month and the European wood wasp are just three of the 400 species of bugs alien to the lakes’ area. Greg explained just how easily these outsiders can travel here from Europe, Asia and the southern U.S.A. Greg encountered travellers, gardeners and fishermen to be educated about the dangers. He offered a few simple solutions such as not moving firewood from one area to another, inspecting fishing boats and gear, using native plants, etc. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters are a useful resource for these concerns. He stated that it is important for everyone in the Great Lakes Basin to be aware of these aspects of marine life and work to control the invaders. Greg reinforced his talk with a computerized slide show that gave the audience a close look at some of these unwanted invaders. During a discussion period, questions tended toward Greg’s area of work in politics. He explained that the construction of the ethanol plants will help shift the economy from a petroleum base to an agricultural base which should benefit farmers in this area. Perhaps corn will turn Ontario into the Saudi Arabia of green energy. He noted that corn can be used for much more than gas – disposable cutlery, cups, etc. that break down in a matter of days. The energy question also brought comments about windmills, nuclear and conventional light bulbs. To reinforce his statement that the use of one new style light bulb is equivalent to taking 66,000 cars off the road, Greg gave new light bulbs to everyone in the room. It was a most thought- provoking and interesting afternoon. Everyone went home with facts to consider and share. Gang hears about lakes Two babies took an important step in their journey of faith at Londesborough United Church on Sunday, March 2 when their parents presented them for baptism. Jake Carter Cullen, son of Brent and Angela Cullen and Sidney Adeline Duizer, daughter of Stephen and Christina Duizer, became members of the church of God. Assisting Rev. Pat Cook with the baptism were John Jewitt and Joan Goodall who presented each couple with a candle to signify the light of Christ. For the Lenten Tennebrae, Doug and Cheryl Trewartha added another symbol to the cross and read Matthew 26: 6&7. Their readings reminded the congregants that God gives love and compassion every day. The senior choir’s anthem spoke of God’s amazing grace as well, in spite of the fact that its title was How Sweet the Sound of Christmas. The title for the message that morning was Seeing Clearly. The symbol of light runs throughout the Gospel of John. John 9: 1-12 tells the story of how Jesus restored sight to a man blind from birth. The apostle wishes his readers to look beyond what is first apparent and see the light of Christ; to discern the difference between truth and illusion. The man was asked to go to the Pool of Siloam and wash off the mud. There is great significance to this order for “siloam” means sent. Jesus was sent to earth to reveal to people God’s love through His teachings. The blind man was sent to Jesus to be healed and sent to the pool to wash. Following the miracle he witnessed to people. God sent him on this mission for the Pharisees were blind to Christ’s purpose. The healed man was a light bearer to his world as he told of Jesus recognizing God has worked through him. Jesus is the light of the world. Rev. Cook noted that Christians can be a light to Christ in our actions and witness with others. She encouraged everyone to let God’s clarity shine in them. The Londesborough youth group will meet at the church on Friday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Bring along your favourite board game. On Thursday, March 13, the Sunday School invites everyone to attend their annual crokinole party. The excitement begins at 7 p.m. Bring your own munchies. The outreach committee of Londesborough United is hoping everyone will support their loonie/toonie campaign. Canisters for filling are available in the narthex. The monies raised will allow a disabled camper to attend Camp Menesetung for a week. Babies baptized