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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2008-07-03, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2008.The paths of the two publiclyfunded school boards in Huron andPerth Counties converged last weekas Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board director of education Larry Langan announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2008. Less than two months ago, trustees of the “coterminous” Avon Maitland District School Board named their replacement – Chuck Reid – for another pending retiree. Geoff Williams, who has been top Avon Maitland administrator for five years, steps down effective Aug. 30. Langan’s announcement means both boards will have new leadership in 2009. “It did come as a bit of a surprise,” commented Catholic board chair Bernard Murray following a meeting of trustees on June 23. “Having said that, when you sat down and put the numbers together, you knew the time was coming when (Langan) would retire. In fact, he could have retired a couple of years ago.” Langan moved to the area from London six years ago to accept the Huron-Perth position. Prior to that, he served 27 years in London’s Catholic system as a teacher, principal and administrator. He continues to teach courses at the University of Western Ontario andhas established himself as aprovincial leader in the field ofspecial education.Those six years in Huron-Perthhave had an effect on him, however.Langan says he will remain a resident of the Bayfield area and continue with the strong record of community involvement that has seen him volunteer with such agencies as the Community Living Association, the United Way and the Children’s Aid Society. “It was one of the best decisions I made in my life, coming to this area,” he said in an interview. “I’ve found the people here to be extremely welcoming and hard- working.”Langan also had high praise forthe educators and support staffwithin the board, as well as the boardof trustees.“I have never, in these six years,felt that I did not have the full support of the trustees . . . and boy, does that ever make the job easier.” Murray returned the praise, saying Langan “served well the needs of the board to get the best for its students.” Interestingly, given their similar career trajectories over the past half decade, both Langan and Williams will meet up again soon in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They’ll both be recognized as 2008 winners of annual awards of excellence from their respective associations.“It’s an opportunity for his peers torecognize his ability,” Murray said,when describing the award beingreceived by Langan. Then, reflectingon the fact both Langan andWilliams will be up for recognition, he added, “I guess that says a lot for the quality of the individuals that we’ve had in our two counties.” According to Murray, Catholic trustees will meet soon to discuss the process for finding a replacement for Langan. The board chair couldn’t say if trustees would look inside the organization, carry out the process of an external search themselves, or seek the assistance of a human resources agency. Picture it. A beautiful June evening with just a gentle breeze. That was the weather for June 20. More importantly though was the effort and emotion that went into at least two graduations that evening. The Grade 8s from Hullett and Brookside Public Schools celebrated with teaching staff and family their many long days in their respective schools. These have been years of learning, bus rides, lunches together, award ceremonies, Christmas concerts, rural Ontario life experiences. The remainder of this report is from Brookside school where 27 students graduated with a 14/13 girl/boy ratio. Mr. Michael Beddow aka “Coach” was their homeroom teacher this year. The guys looked dashing and the evidence will be realized in their class photos. The girls were lovely in their pretty dresses, high heels and curls. The theme for Brookside’s graduation was Paradise. There was a mural of a sunset on the beach, a wash line filled with bathing suits. They had surfboards and flip flops on the walls and so on. After their delicious dinner, the graduates walked down to the brook near Brookside and threw the rocks bearing their names into the brook. This was a time to say best wishes for many good years in high school, let’s celebrate tonight, and let’s keep in touch. Here’s the quote that valedictorian Jeanette Schramm opened her speech with: J.R.R. Tolkien said: “The road goes ever on and on, Down from the door where it began, Now far ahead the road is gone, And I must follow if I can, Pursuing it with weary feet, Until it joins some larger way, Where many paths and errands meet, And whither then I cannot say.” Children, remember to register early for Out of Egypt Vacation Bible School July 7-11 at Huron Chapel. It starts at 9:30 a.m. July 7. A life-long Auburn couple celebrated 60 years of marriage during an open house at the Auburn Hall on Saturday afternoon. Elizabeth (Betty) C. Craig of Auburn, married Leonard W. Archambault of RR1, Auburn on June 26, 1948 at Auburn United Church. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Craig and son of Mr. and Mrs. William Archambault were the first couple to be married there. The ministers were Mr. Harold Snell and Rev. Hewitt. Attending the bride were the groom’s sister, Edna Archambault (Duncan), Joan Baechler, a friend of the bride and flowergirl, Betty-Lou Robinson (Murray). Best man was Glen Patterson, a friend of the groom, while the bride’s uncle Earl Craig and Roy Falconer, the groom’s cousin ushered the guests. The organist was Vivian (Straughan) Pentland while Zeta (Munro) Baechler was soloist. Waitresses for the wedding dinner were Jewel (McClinchey) Plunkett, Audrey (Andrews) Machan, June (McCabe) Johnston, Dolly (Beadle) Miller and Helen (Johnston) McFarlane. They enjoyed a honeymoon excursion to North Bay, Ottawa, Montreal and the Thousand Islands. The couple rented a home at RR1, Auburn across from the family farm. After a couple of years they took up residence on the family farm for over 30 years. They then built a home on another farm and have resided there for over 27 years. Together they raised four children Doug (Cheryl) now of Barrie, Brenda (Don) of Goderich, Rick (Shirley) who live on the home farm and Marilyn (Tom) of Clinton. They have 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The Archambaults have been active and remain so in the community. Len curls and plays euchre with a group of men. He was field rep for USCO for six years. Betty belongs to OES, Women’s Institute and the Walkerburn Club. Together they have looked after the senior games for 15 years and both enjoy euchre tournaments and all kinds of cards. Members of the Walkerburn Club served the afternoon lunch at the open house and a family dinner that night was served by the Women’s Institute, which Betty has been a member of for 60 years. Another special anniversary treat was a family outing to supper and to see Anne Murray in concert in London. 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 $32.00 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 AUBURN Life-long Auburn couple reaches 60th anniversary Catholic School Board director retiresBy Stew SlaterSpecial to The Citizen By Gail Dobie Call 519-526-7539 PEOPLE AROUND AUBURN Milestone Elizabeth and Leonard Archambault of Auburn celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary over the weekend at the Auburn Hall. The couple is still very active in the community in which they have spent their whole lives. They raised four children together and now have 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. (Vicky Bremner photo)