The Citizen, 2007-01-11, Page 3After a rest over the Christmasseason the Blyth youth parkcommittee is back “full steam”formulating plans to complete thefinal stage of the Blyth youth park;the ramps and rails. According to committee memberSusan Howson, thanks to many
generous donations – financial,
material and labour, the first stage
(the cement pad) was completed in
September under budget, leaving
approximately $2,000 to put toward
the ramps and rails.
The committee has several
different styles that they have been
investigating, trying to decide which
would be the best for Blyth.
Two basketball sets have been
purchased and are ready to be
installed. The landscaping will be
completed in the spring.
“The timing for this next step
depends mainly on our finances.
Fundraising is continuing. The
committee needs your help with
suggestions and money. There has
been wonderful support from the
churches, service clubs, businesses
and some residents. The committee
is very grateful for your support,”
said Howson.
Several questions have been asked
that the committee would like to
answer, she said. One is what
community benefits there will be.
The main group to benefit will be
the youth (skateboarders, BMXbikers, basketball players, etc.) butnot limited to. At this point the youthinvolved on the committee are boys,but it is the intention of thecommittee to encourage girls andboys of all ages to take advantage ofskateboard lessons to be offered,
said Howson. On the “wish list” are
skateboard and bike demonstrations
and competitions. One community
has told us that the bike competitions
have become very popular. Along
with competitions comes a
fundraising opportunity for
community groups with food booths,
etc.
The basketball court will be at one
end, and although it will be limited
in size, it will be ideal for one-on-
one games. A suggestion has been
made to set up one-on-one
competitions for all ages at the
Thresher Reunion.
The site will also be used during
the Thresher Reunion for the minor
hockey booth. During this time
the park will not be available
for skateboards and bikes, said
Howson.
In-line skaters are also welcome,
and for the “fitness folks” a
suggestion has come from a
community that uses the ramps and
rails (when the kids are at school) for
running and training exercises.
The park will provide
entertainment opportunities for thefamilies who use the campingfacilities. In the winter the pad willmake an excellent street hockeylocation.Surrounding communities arewelcomed and encouraged to usethis facility. With that come the
parents who will shop in Blyth while
they are here.
On the question of how the park
and its activities will develop
leadership skills, the youth will be
“policing” the park themselves, said
Howson. Everyone will be expected
to obey the posted rules. The youth
will be organizing the collection of
garbage from the site and generally
keeping the area neat and clean.
There has already been one parent
volunteer to be part of a supervision
group if that becomes necessary. It isexpected that younger children willbe supervised by their own parents.”Co-operation and sportsmanshipwill be developed as the youth sharethe facility, she said. “The activitieswill provide good physical exercise,and the opportunity for the youth to
take their sport to a higher level. This
has already happened with Micah
Loder of Blyth winning the
Provincial Competition and placing
eighth in the Canadians in
skateboarding last summer.”
Howson notes the Youth Park
committee still needs help. “We
challenge you – the Blyth
Community to respond. Help us to
continue our reputation of being a
caring community where
volunteerism shines.”
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2007. PAGE 3.
Sympathy is extended to Thelma
Johnston and family in the death of
her husband Ken (Speed) Johnston.
Ken will be missed in the
community.
Don’t forget the Legion euchre
starting again for the winter on Jan.
17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Legion Hall.
Come out and enjoy the fun.
Happy Birthday to Charlie Shaw
on Jan. 10.
As I look out the window this
morning, winter is back. It still isn’t
very cold but when you can’t see the
neighbours you know winter is back,
but we have to remember, it is only
Jan. 7.
Bodie and Ollie Craig hosted the
annual Craig Christmas on Sunday,
Jan. 7. Those attending were Joye
and Murray Kane of Fullarton,
Lauree Elder of Stratford,Al, Cindy,
Bryan and Ashley Kane of Mitchell,
Doug Craig of Atwood, Kim and
Mark Hornyak of Strathroy, Paul,
Sue, Emily and Amanda Craig of
Waterloo, Deb, Fred, Jon and
Quinton Hakkers, Don, Marilyn and
Dave Craig, all of Blyth. Everyone
enjoyed the food and visiting with
one another.
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
Greeting at Blyth United Church
on Sunday, Jan. 7 were Joan Clark
and Myrtle Badley. Guest organist
was Lynda McGregor. Ushering
were Rob Mason, Brenda Brooks
and Nicole Kerr. Cheryl Cronin led a
hymn-sing of Christmas carols
before the service.
Barb Hicks of Clinton, who was
guest speaker, welcomed everyone
to church.
The children’s hymn was Gentle
Mary Laid Her Child. The children
brought the food for the Food Bank
to the front of the church. Mrs.
Hicks wished the children Happy
New Year and asked them their
favourite gift they got for Christmas.
She asked them what Christmas was
all about and explained to them that
the sharing and giving of Christmas
should continue for the rest of the
year not just at Christmas.
The lectionary readings were
Matthew 16: 24-27, Romans 12: 1-5
and the responsive Psalm was 147.
Mrs. Hick’s message to the adults
was New Thresholds. Christmas has
come and gone and today looks
more like spring than winter. Let’s
keep the Christmas spirit all year
long. Christmas is a time where
Christians show their belief.
Most go back to their old ways
after New Year’s. She encouraged
everyone to keep a journal to look
back on in years to come.
With God’s help people can make
good decisions in the coming year.
Each one has a job to do and
together they will get the jobs done.
The Ausable Bayfield
Conservation Authority (ABCA) has
appointed two part-time
conservation land patrol officers to
help prevent potential environmental
damage caused by prohibited
activities. The new patrol officers
are Mike Herrington and Carol
Noonan. They both have experience
in working with the public and
enforcing legislation.
The land patrol officers won’t just
be enforcing responsible use of
conservation lands, however. They
also have an important job in
educating the public. The land patrol
officer responsibilities include
informing the public about ABCA
programs, services and permitted
uses of conservation lands and
encouraging compliance with
ABCA conservation land
regulations.
The ABCA board of directors has
authorized Herrington and Noonan
to enforce the Conservation
Authorities Act and Trespass to
Property Act.
The ABCA’s main concern relates
to environmental damage caused by
unauthorized activities. The ABCA
has acquired about 9,500 acres of
land to protect the environment.
Area residents and tourists rely on
these areas for recreation such as
hiking and bird-watching.
Dogs left off their leashes is also a
concern at some of the more-
frequently used properties,
especially at Morrison Dam
Conservation Area, the
MacNaughton – Morrison Trail and
the Bannockburn Conservation
Area. The Conservation Authorities
Act states all dogs must be on
leashes at all times on ABCA
properties.
Monk explains that this is to
ensure dogs do not harm wildlife,
pets do not get harmed by wildlife
and people are not harmed or
frightened by dogs. Pet owners are
responsible for the actions of their
pets, she emphasized.
ABCA lands are not Crown land.
The ABCA is an autonomous non-
government agency governed by the
Conservation Authorities Act. As
such, people cannot assume that
activities allowed on Crown land are
permitted on ABCA land.
A table listing authorized
activities is available by calling the
ABCA at 519-235-2610 or 1-888-
286-2610 or by visiting the
Conservation Areas section of the
ABCA website at www.abca.on.ca
“The vast majority of people
follow the rules on conservation
lands,” Monk said. “We our
introducing trained patrol officers to
help preserve conservation lands for
the full enjoyment of all those
people who are already enjoying
them responsibly..”
Youth park committee set for new year
Serving breaky
Jake Schurter served up the delicious fare at the Belgrave
breakfast, Saturday morning, hosted by the local Optimists
and the community centre board. The event was part of
many held to celebrate Hockey Days in North Huron. (Vicky
Bremner photo)
at Blythe Brooke Orchards
“Where Good Health Grows on Trees”
1 mile west of Blyth on Blyth Road
WWWW iiii nnnn tttt eeee rrrr SSSS aaaa llll eeee
oooo nnnn AAAA pppp pppp llll eeee ssss
1 bu. large seconds apples $10.00
Open 9 am ’til 5 pm ~ 7 days a week
Try our
new
homemade
apple
jelly
1/2 bu. No. 1 grade apples (10 varieties) $10.00
10 lb. peck $6.00
For sale at the farm or local delivery ~ phone 519-523-9338
NEWS
FROM BLYTH
By Marilyn
Craig
Call
523-9318
From Marilyn’s Desk
Digging in
Steven Ellis was among those who turned out for a hearty
start to their day with a home-cooked breakfast served up
by the Blyth Legion and Ladies Auxiliary on Saturday
morning. (Vicky Bremner photo)
ABCA hires conservation patrol