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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2008-11-27, Page 6Two students have taken a dormant project under their wing and hope to brighten up Central Huron Secondary School as early as next year. Katelyn Watson and Nicole Greidanus, who are both in Grade 12, decided to inherit a memorial garden project that had been discussed, but not acted on at the school as part of their leadership class. The idea began when Laurie Forrester, a longtime physical education teacher died of breast cancer in 2006. She left her two sons and husband. Forrester’s untimely death, coupled with the current shabby condition of the school’s courtyard sparked discussion of sprucing up the area with a memorial garden. The girls have spent their time brainstorming fundraisers and doing the legwork associated with the fundraisers for a project of their magnitude. The school’s vice-principal and woodshop teacher have been collaborating, working on plans for the garden. There will be a walkway throughout with an archway and benches for the students to sit on. Currently the pillars in the courtyard are being sandblasted so they can be repainted, but those involved are hoping the garden will begin construction in fall of 2009. So far there has been a hat day fundraiser at the school which raised $105 for the project and on Dec. 4, the project’s biggest fundraiser to date will take place, a silent auction from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The auction is taking place at the school on the same night as the school band’s Christmas concert. The pair has collected donations from businesses throughout Blyth, Clinton and Seaforth, but hopes to receive much more before the actual auction date. The leadership class teacher, Cindy Carter, saysshe is very pleased the girlshave accepted this project andis thrilled with the work theyhave done so far.“They have really goneabove and beyond the call of duty here,” she said. “They have put a lot of time into this project and it’s going to be great when it’s completed.” Ever since they decided to take on the project, both Greidanus and Watson say they have received tremendous support and advice from many staff members as well as members of the community. They have set up individual goals for each fundraisingevent. Their first event, the hatday fundraiser’s goal was$100, which was barelysurpassed, the goal for thesilent auction is $800, whichthey feel is attainable. The first fundraiser into 2009 will be a Winter Wonderland dance for the students. However, all of the focus right now is on the silent auction. While Watson and Greidanus will no longer be students at the school by the time shovels are planned to be in the ground, they hope next year’s class will continue their work. Their hope is that thememorial garden lives on andthat honouring Forrester isjust the beginning. “Our courtyard has thepotential to be beautiful,” saidGreidanus. “Hopefully, once it’s completed, people will be able to go outside and sit and have lunch there.” Watson also has very high hopes, saying she plans on coming back often to see the progress of the garden long after she leaves the school. “If it stays the way we hope it will, it can be enjoyed for years to come,” she said. Donations are currently being welcomed at the school. PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2008. Taking the lead Katelyn Watson, left, and Nicole Greidanus have taken a lingering Central Huron Secondary School project under their wing with hopes of getting results. While a memorial garden has been discussed there for years, Watson and Greidanus are finally taking the initiative to begin taking steps towards actually putting the garden in place. The first teacher the garden will honour is Laurie Forrester, formerly of the Physical Education department. Forrester died in 2006 of breast cancer and was well-loved at the school. (Shawn Loughlin photo) CHSS students take on project to honour teacher THE EDITOR, The Christmas season is coming upon us quickly. The snow has covered the ground, the shops are full of music, sparkle and Christmas cheer. However, for some families, this is a very painful time of year, especially when one of their loved-ones has died. The empty chair at the table, the one less person around the Christmas tree, the family gatherings… remind us of the losses we have experienced. Huron Hospice Volunteer Service wants to help in making this season more bearable. We have set up a Memory Tree in the Wingham Hospital. Anyone can come and place an ornament on the tree in memory of their loved one. Bring a special memento of your own, or use one provided by Huron Hospice. Come, sit a while with the memories of your loved one, and, write a note about that person in the Memory Book. We hope that this Christmas season will become a time of ‘remembering’ your loved ones. Sincerely, Kathy Procter Huron Hospice Volunteer Service Letter Hospice service strives to make holidays better WANTED 7 HOMES THAT NEED ROOFING 7 homes in your area will be given the opportunity of having an INTERLOCK metal roofing system installed on their home at a reasonable cost. This lifetime product is capturing the interest of homeowners across the country who want to know this will be the last time they will have to re-roof their home. Our product is environmentally friendly and comes with a transferable Lifetime Limited Warranty with an excellent choice of colours to complement your home and is going to be introduced to your local market. Your home can be a show place in your neighbourhood and we will make it worth your while if we can use your home. Please call Angelo: 1-888-696-0548 Toll-Free 24 hours 7 Days a week By Shawn Loughlin The Citizen Sunday morning, Nov. 23 at Huron Chapel Evangelical Missionary Church the recently-returned mission team spoke on their trip to El Salvador. It was great to finish the work in the same village where last year’s team had worked. The six houses went up quickly and there was time to spend with the children and villagers. One team member said that although there is a cost to going, you come back with something that money cannot buy. Another team member talked of the gospel of peace and encouraged the congregation to read Acts 9. The extreme poverty and lack of food for many of the people of El Salvador was evident and is a reminder of how fortunate people are here in rural Ontario they said. At Knox United Church, Nov. 23 Rev. Pat Cook gave the message. Scripture readings were Psalm 100 and Matthew 25: 31-46. Their white gift service is Dec. 7. The Olympians theme this week is to dress as for a career of your choice. Parents are invited to attend the award ceremony on Dec. 3. Operation Christmas Child area collection is this week at Huron Chapel. Huron Chapel’s Christmas concert is on Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m. COMMEMORATE THE NEWEST FAMILY MEMBER'S 1ST NEW YEAR Join the gallery of faces in The Citizen's baby photo display January 8, 2009 Send or bring a picture of your little one born in 2008 along with a writeup which includes full name, birth date and parents' names, to be featured in The Citizen's Gallery of Faces on January 8, 2009, for only $20.00 (GST included). Please send picture (with name on back), along with a cheque, to The Citizen prior to December 19. Photos may be picked up after January 8. THIS MUST BE PRE-PAID. - Sample - Please Complete Baby's Full Name ______________________ Birth Date ____________________________ Father’s Full Name_____________________ Mother’s Full Name ____________________ $20.00 Enclosed DEADLINE - December 19 2 pm in Brussels • 4 pm in Blyth ❑ Alex John Smith May 18 son of Mike & Laura Smith BB aa bb ii ee ss oo ff tt hh ee YY ee aa rr 22 00 00 88 By Gail Dobie Call 519-526-7539 PEOPLE AROUND AUBURN