HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-03-29, Page 3THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007. PAGE 3.
Janis and Brock Vodden of Blyth
and their daughter Mary Ellen
Zupanski of Dana Point, California
attended a Traditional Gathering at
the Chippewas of the Thames
community on March 16 and 17.
Just a few weeks before, Mary
Ellen had made contact with her
birth family from that community.
After over 40 years of thinking that
she had no siblings in her birth
family, the Voddens discovered that
in fact she had eight half-brothers
and two half-sisters. It turns out that
the family has been anxiously
waiting all these years for their
missing sister to return.
One could not imagine a warmer
or more joyful reunion, not only with
siblings but with other relatives and
members of the community who
knew her parents, who had passed
away some years ago.
The Voddens guessed that there
were 200-300 people in attendance.
Four traditional drummer and
singing groups performed
throughout the two days.
On Saturday, there were many
dancers in full regalia. There were
lots of opportunities for everyone
from toddler to elder to join in the
circle dancing.
The surprise event came on
Saturday afternoon when a special
ceremony took place to welcome
Mary Ellen back to the family and
the community. Two elders, who had
known her mother well, slowly
brought her towards the line-up of
family members while the drummers
played their infectious rhythms.
Another elder with a vessel of
burning sweet grass wafted the
smoke over the returning member as
a blessing. As she reached each
family member they presented her
with a gift - something they had
made, or found - nothing purchased,
and then embraced her.
This was a very touching part of
the event with nary a dry eye in the
large auditorium.
While this was going on the emcee
for the event sang a song in the
Chippewa language which he had
composed expressly for this
occasion. The song, told of Mary
Ellen’s life from birth to her return.
Then the entire family, including
Brock and Janis, joined together to
dance to the beat of the drummers,
circling the hall twice. At the conclusion of this dance,three family members presentedeach of the three visitors with ahome-made blanket, rolled and tiedwith a wide red velvet ribbon, thecolour of hospitality.
Janis and Brock both felt that this
was one of the most impressive
ceremonies of any kind that they
have ever experienced. They have
been invited back to the community
for a pow wow in June and they
definitely plan to be there, even
though their daughter will not be
coming all the way from California
this time.
Congratulations to Greg and
Heather Toll on the birth of their
daughter March 19.
We are glad to hear Doug
Whitmore is home from hospital.
Sympathy is extended to the
family of Selina Machan who passed
away this past week.
BLYTH UNITED CHURCH
Greeting at Blyth United Church
on Sunday, March 25 was Doug
Howson with the help of Candice
Abell-Rinn and Jon Hakkers
handing out the bulletins. Guest
organist was Elizabeth Stennett of
Belgrave. Ushering were Elaine
Brown, Joann MacDonald, Brenda
Brooks and Terry Richmond.
Guest speaker Barbara (Spoony)
Hicks welcomed everyone to church.
The call to worship was repeated in
unison followed by the first hymn O
God How We Have Wandered, the
prayer of Confession and the
Assurance of Pardon.
The choir sang an anthem Seek Ye
First.
The children came to the front of
the church during the singing of the
last verse of the hymn O Jesus I
Have Promised. Mrs. Hicks told
them a story of a little boy who had
caught ordinary birds and put them
in a cage. A man asked him if we
could buy them and the boy set a
price of $6 because the cage and
birds had not cost him anything. The
man took the birds and set them free
just as God has set us free from our
sins.
The scripture readings were
Jeremiah 31: 31-33 and Luke 14: 45-
47. Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross
was sung.
Sandy’s message to the adults was
Your Will be Done.
Morris-Turnberry councillors, at
their March 20 meeting, reversed a
decision from their March 6 meeting
and will allow farmers to delay
payment of their property tax on
farmland until November.
In turning down the motion from
councillors Mark Beaven and Paul
Gowing at the earlier meeting,
councillors had asked administrator
clerk-treasurer Nancy Michie to
prepare a report on the implications
and effects of a farmland tax
deferral.
She reported that 879 of the
township’s 1,823 taxable properties
are farm properties, with 372 of
those having only farmland. The cost
of borrowing money if all farmers
delayed paying their taxes would be
$7,458, she said.
The proposal council accepted, on
motion of Beaven and Gowing, will
not automatically defer taxes for all
farm properties, but will give farmers
the option of delaying paying taxes
until November without a penalty.
“I really do hope this is the last
year municipalities have to do this,”
said Beaven in moving the motion.
“I think it would be appreciated by
our farmer taxpayers.”
Mayor Dorothy Kelly who voted
against the motion originally,
supported the new version. “I like it
when it’s their option,” she said.
“They can use it or not.”
Pouring it on
There was a hearty breakfast in Blyth on Sunday morning
as the Legion and its Auxiliary hosted one of their regular
events. Darrell Wood was on pancake duty. (Vicky Bremner photo)
M-T to
defer
farm tax
OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, March 31, 2007
10:00am to 2:00pm
Speak with faculty and staff from
all programs and services
Participate in interactive displays
Pizza lunch provided along with live
Entertainment!
Four live radio broadcasts!
Bring your family and see what
Lambton College has for you!
Don’t miss your chance to WIN FREE
TUITION ($2,000 value!)
LAWN
QUESTIONS?
Organic Programs
Available
524-2424
-Trust the Professionals -
ACCREDITED
"BABY AND I
PROGRAM"
CLINTON PUBLIC HOSPITAL
April 2007, 10:00 - 11:30
CONFERENCE ROOM 2nd Floor
WHEN ATTENDING FOR THE FIRST
TIME PLEASE REGISTER IN
ADMITTING
PROGRAM TOPICS:
Wednesday, April 4 - Babysitters & You
Wednesday, April 11 - Infant Swimming
Speaker - Lissa Berard (Facility Manager)
Vanastra Recreation Centre
Wednesday, April 18 - Babies & Books
Speaker - Naomi Pelss (Early Childhood
Educator) Walton Little School
Wednesday, April 25 - Share Your Birth Experience
For more info call Veronica Farquhar - 519-482-3440 Ext. 6304
MMee TTiimmee
Rejuvenation of the
body mind and spirit
Reiki Master
Hot stone healing therapy
Call Kathy Huether
For Appointment:
519-523-4716
By MarilynCraig
Call
523-9318
From Marilyn’s Desk
NEWS
FROM BLYTH
By Keith Roulston
The Citizen