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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-03-13, Page 23By Jo-Ann McDonaldThe Brussels Cadet Corps 2967has just had the most incredibleweekend hosting an exchange Corps from Quebec. The 686 Cadet Air Squadron from Lachine arrived here to learn about the area and life in southwestern Ontario. The group of 40 young people aged 12-18, along with their four officers arrived in Clinton on Friday evening. They joined up with the 30 Cadets and four officers from Brussels. Their home base was the Dance Technique Studio in Clinton, where they spent their nights. The first day here they spent near Londesborough at the Home On the Range farm. They learned about grooming horses and went horseback riding. They played snow golf and other outdoor games. They enjoyed an outdoor barbecue for lunch and had a great time. They returned to Clinton and had pizza for supper, then were off to have fun at glow-in-the-dark bowling. It was an early rise the next morning to catch the bus for Hamilton. In Hamilton they toured the War Plane Heritage Museum, which for the Air Corps was quite fascinating. Then it was back on the bus and off to Niagara Falls. There they attended a fantastic show featuring the magician, Fred Fruen,whose show features tigers. Some ofthe Cadets had the opportunity tohave their picture taken with the tigers. The dinner, a delicious buffet meal and show were amazing, so they report. The group then had a couple of free hours to shop on Clifton Hill and take in some of the sights of the area. Another full day was ahead of them on Monday so after a continental breakfast they were off to tour the Pine River Cheese Factory. They viewed a video, found it very interesting and were able to sample different cheeses and crackers. In Goderich they went to the tourist information centre, where guides joined them and directed them around Goderich, showing them many points of interest. They went on a tour of the Goderich salt mine, then lunched at McDonald’s. Next was a tour at Goderich Airport. They saw a small jet leaving for Hawaii. The bus group split up with one off to the Museum and the other to the Gaol. After a time, the groups changed venues. The Corps from Quebec really enjoyed the tour of the Gaol. Next they went to the YMCA for some swimming and time in thegym. Then it was off to Boston Pizzafor a smorgasbord supper, that by allreports was fantastic. The group spent a couple of hours at the shopping mall before heading back to the dance studio for their farewells. The Quebec Corps gave the Brussels Cadets t-shirts and the Brussels Cadets gave the Quebec Corps pillows with personal messages on them for their new friends. The Quebec Corps spent the night at the Studio and headed home on Tuesday morning. The bus driver for the Quebec coach was good enough to follow a Brussels officer to Brussels to see where the Corps actually had its home base before being on their way. Cadets reported that they were very impressed with the amount of English the Quebec Corps members knew and the language problem was minimal. They knew more English than we knew French reports Cadet Barker. It was an absolutely great weekend and experience and one to be remembered by both Corps involved. Our hats go off to the Brussels Cadet Corps officers to have arranged such a great exchange forum for these young people. They managed to include educational activities that covered militarybackground, historical background,agricultural information, outdooractivities, area highlights and of course fun! Congratulations to Brussels Corp 2967 for a job well done. The Branch public speaking event will be held on Wednesday evening beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited to hear the talented speakers we have from Brussels Public School and Grey Central School. In the past, Brussels has had speakers advance to the second highest competition in Ontario, so we have some very talented young people. Public speaking is not something that everyone is comfortable with and we applaud those who have the courage to stand up and participate. Come out and support these young speakers. It’s only March but looking ahead to April, elections are just around the corner. The Branch would like to hear from any Comrades who would like to get more involved by serving on the executive committee, responsible for the day-to-dayrunning of the Branch. Sometimes afresh point of view and new ideas arethe nudge that is needed to turn a Branch around. Please take time to consider adding your time and talents to the executive. Drop in or call the Branch 519-887-6562 and leave a message if you wish more information on what being an executive members involves. Thursday night darts had 12 players take aim at the boards and welcomed new players to the evening. The first-place team was Sheron Stadelmann and Harry Smith. The second-place team was Heather Little and Gord Jacklin. The high shot of the night was by Marlene shooting 140 and Gord shooting 135. The high start was Sandra Josling with a 120. Darts start at 8 p.m. The Friday night supper saw a smaller crowd out to enjoy the sweet and sour meatballs and rice. Next week is baked ham. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008. PAGE 23. Which video games support healthy development, positive relationships, and are fun too? What will the next video game purchase be in your family? The Canadian Teacher’s Federation and other teacher’s groups in Canada, U.S.A., U.K. and the Caribbean are raising awareness about new video games like Bully- Scholarship Edition. Parents and caregivers may want to think about the video games that are on the shelf at home. “Parents and caregivers have a responsibility to guide their children’s use of video games at home, with friends and at school. They need to rely on their own values and ‘home’ rules that guide how they as a family talk together, show that they care for and respect each other,” says Marie Tyler, executive director of Rural Response for Healthy Children (RRHC). The Media Awareness Network- www.media-awareness.caThe Media Awareness Network- www.media-awareness.ca, a respected not-for-profit Canadian organization whose mission is to support and encourage media and Internet education offers some useful tips: • Find the right time and talk about video games in your family and child’s life. • Talk to your child about how they play video games at home, with friends or at school. • Learn about the video games your child may be using. • Ask your child what is appealing about the video games. • Which video games are the most fun? Most exciting? Most violent? • What messages do the video games teach about how to solve problems? • How do we solve problems in our families and our lives? • How are video games advertised? Why are they advertised this way? • Are there other ways that your child would like to spend their time at home, with friends, in the community? In a recent Media Awareness Network Survey (2005), 34 per cent of Canadian students in Grades 7 - 11 reported that they were bullied; 27 per cent say they were harassed over the internet. Some students said that they hid their identity on the Internet so they could be “mean and not get caught”. Young boys are the main target group of video game manufacturers. Most computer and video game buyers are young males. Violence levels and graphic designs are increasing the visual impact and emotional experiences young people have when playing these games. “It is ironic. I received an e-mail promoting ‘Internet school’, a helping hand for young people who are having difficulty functioning at school. Then I received e- communication about the release of the Bully-Scholarship Edition. This video game seems to promote the very problems that youth are trying to find alternatives to deal with at school.” comments Bob Hulley, parent support/education worker – father involvement at RRHC. “We know bullying and cyber bullying are a fact of life for many children and youth. RRHC supports parents to educate themselves and talk to their children about video games and internet use so they can influence in positive ways their children’s attitudes and behaviours.” Rural Response for Healthy Children offers a Parenting The Net Generation workshop in Huron County and offers Parenting Toolkits on their website www.rrhc.on.ca. Call RRHC’s office for further information about resources dealing with bullying and cyber bullying at 519-482-8777. Rural Response for Healthy Children is able to offer real help, right here, right now, thanks to our funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Their vision is a responsive community that protects the rights of children, reduces child abuse and neglect and strengthens families to nurture their children. What games are your kids playing? At the BranchCadets enjoy incredible weekend with ‘friends’ Blyth Rd., Auburn 519-526-7759 NOW LICENSED UNDER LIQUOR LICENCE ACT OF ONTARIO Stickers Family Restaurant Monday - 6:30 - 4:00; Tuesday & Wednesday 6:30 - 8:00; Thursday, Friday & Saturday 6:30 - 9:00; Sunday 9:00 - 7:00 Saturday, March 15 Steak & Wings 5 pm - 9 pm Friday Smorg. ~ 5 pm - 8 pm Sunday Smorg. ~ 4 - 7 pm Happy 1st Birthday Madison Lee March 17 Love Mommy & Daddy Buck ’n Doe for Shaun “Shmoo” McAdam & Connie McLean Saturday, March 22 Seaforth District Community Centre 9 pm - 1 am Lunch provided $5.00 in advance $7.00 at the door Age of majority Call Jason 519-527-1233 or Karen 519-440-2747 5:30 pm at Blyth Memorial Hall Good Friday (March 21) Brief devotional and video to follow Menu includes chili, rolls, salad, variety of desserts Good Friday Chili & Cheesecake FREE Community Supper An Easter Gift from Living Water Christian Fellowship to You!