The Citizen, 2007-07-26, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2007.THE EDITOR,When you think of 4-H,what comes to mind? Is it thevariety of livestock shows, the
countless number of
opportunities available or is it
the thought of driving your
kids to 4-H meetings and
attending awards days to see
what your child has
accomplished?
All of these things display
what 4-H is about.
4-H has been a part of our
community, our culture and
our life for decades.
Generations of 4-H members
have passed though the
program, developing
confidence, time management,
work ethic, responsibility as
well as leadership skills and
numerous other life skills in
the process.
In reality, there is virtually
no other program that offers
lessons on how to cook, sew,
survive in the wilderness,
build a business, train a pet,gain agricultural awarenessand learn about farmmachinery, horticulture and
photography, all in one
program.
As a program which has so
much to offer, it is important
to ensure that it remains stable
and prominent within our
county. With few to no
sponsors, the Huron County
Leaders Association finds it
difficult to guarantee the
future of 4-H within this
county. Financial struggles
continue to put the 4-H
program at risk. To maintain
the 4-H program within Huron
County, fundraising is a must!
The Huron County Leaders
Association is in the process
of planning a fundraising
event which will include a
roast beef dinner, a silent
auction and fun activities for
the kids. The date is set for
Aug. 12 at the Seaforth
Agriplex. Activities begin at 3 p.m.and supper runs from 4:30p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
You can do your part to
ensure that your 4-H program
maintains the status it
deserves. By attending the
event, donating a silent
auction item or monetary gifts
to 4-H, you will be
contributing to a program that
does so much for young
people. Lets make sure that 4-
H is available to youth for
generations to come.
To make further inquiries,
purchase meal tickets or
donate to this event, please
feel free to contact Kim
Higgins 519-887-6102 or
Lorri Ann Moore 519-527-
2817.
Sincerely,
Nicole Moore
10-year 4-H member
2005 4-H Ontario
Ambassador.
Nothing but praise for Huron
Letter
Family ready to move on
THE EDITOR,
On July 14 a benefit dance
was held for our family at the
Wingham Legion.
Our son Matthew was born
premature (26 weeks) and
spent six and a half months in
London Hospital. After four
surgeries and many other
challenges he was finally
discharged on July 9.
With many more
appointments and some
homecare his future is now
looking very bright.
We will be forever grateful
to everyone who supported us
at the silent auction and
dance. The money raised will
help put the past six months
behind us.
We sincerely hope
everyone who joined us on
July 14 enjoyed the night as
much as we did. It is so
amazing to see the support
and kindness of our
community. It makes us very
proud to live among such
wonderful giving people. Our
community is a great place to
raise a family.
One day we hope to return
the generosity.
Donna, Jason and Matthew
Young.
Continued from page 4
much more responsible than
many adults we know.
Are there opportunities for
our kids? Sure there are. If
they are not interested in
sports, then there are many
opportunities for kids to
participate in the arts. Besides
the theatre and dance
opportunities which abound,
Huron County kids get
involved and make their own
opportunities. There must be
more music being played in
garages and basements in
Huron County than anywhere
else around! And these
budding musicians have lots of
opportunities to display their
talents. Often they are
entrepreneurial enough to set
up their own concerts.
Most young people easily
find part-timework for the
weekends and after school,
learning valuable work ethic
and skills. They are an asset to
their community. Sadly, most
kids nowadays head out of the
county for post secondary
training and education.
Opportunities find them –
often through co-op
experiences – or because there
are no jobs in their specialities.
Its amazing to see the
contribution our Huron
County kids are making as
adults in other cities and
communities. For example, a
disproportionate number of
Clinton kids work in the media
and entertainment industry in
Toronto and Vancouver. Go
figure!
Our young people work in
banking, business, publishing,
medicine, education,
government, industry,
missionary work and the arts
all over Canada and the world.
A small number of post-
secondary grads – those in
more generic jobs such as
medicine, teaching, trades,
etc., have the option of coming
back to the lifestyle they
cherish, and of raising their
kids in our supportive
communities.
There are a lot more good
things to say about life in
Huron County. But Ms
Blizzard was talking about the
election – and when people
want more from their
government, they are going to
talk about their concerns.
Unfortunately, that set
Huron County up in a poor
light. Read the rest of her
columns. They are all for the
same purpose – and they all
make her into a doomsayer,
exposing the Achilles heels of
communities throughout
southwestern Ontario....
What I will agree with is the
fact that the government and
all of the parties have ignored
the needs of rural Ontario and
do need to pay more attention
to the needs of this part of the
province with policies that
directly relate to us. We need
improved policies for running
rural hospitals and schools and
social services in one of the
largest ridings in southern
Ontario. We need direction
relating to the environment,
water safety and alternative
energy.
With regards to the farm
crisis, I am pleased to say that
our local NDP candidate and
several other rural NDP
candidates have been
providing input to the party
regarding farm policies in our
province. Our party has
listened and has just
announced a new “Grow
Ontario” farm policy. Activists
within our party and other
parties are working together
on other issues as well.
I am working with many
others to address the need for a
CT scanner for our area, in the
hopes of providing this
standard of care service and
needed doctors to our county.
I am glad that Christina
Blizzard is educating Toronto
and the rest of the province on
the needs of ridings farther
afield. Torontonians need to be
less egocentric and to realize
how much they do depend on
the rest of the province for
food, raw materials, services
and markets.
However, I do wish she had
found a way to be more
positive about our lifestyle and
the good things we have to
offer in our corner of the
province. While the “trouble in
paradise” theme gets the issues
across, it doesn’t tell the whole
story. We know a travel editor
would give us a glowing
report!
Wilhelmina Laurie
President,
Huron-Bruce NDP
Letter from the editor4-H plans fundraiser
ATTENTION PRODUCERS
$400 Million Direct Payment
September 1st Deadline Reminder
The federal Cost of Production Payment provides
$400 million in assistance to Canadian producers to
help address high production costs.
If you provided your 2004 farming income and expense
information for the Canadian Agricultural Income
Stabilization (CAIS) program you do not need to apply
and will automatically receive a payment.
If you did not participate in 2004 CAIS, or started
farming in 2005 or 2006, you need to apply to receive
a payment.
For applications, visit www.agr.gc.ca/cop or
call toll-free at 1 866 367-8506.
Questions
Huron OPP were investigating a “suspicious” fire at the VanNes dairy
operation on Brandon Road just west of Ethel. Grey firefighters were called
to the scene early July 19 to find a shed and tractor ablaze. Chief Calvin
Semple said the blaze had been going for quite some time by the time the
firefighters arrived. Semple was called back to the scene several hours after
the fire had been extinguished by a familly member who noticed areas
where it appeared someone had tried to set other fires. (Photo submitted)
Much to the delight of
proud parents B.J. and Ange,
Jake Carter Cullen arrived on
Wednesday, July 18 weighing
in at 8 lbs., 6 oz.
Welcome Jake and
congratulations to B.J. and
Ange from villagers.
Pride of a different sort was
experienced by Don and Joan
Goodall on June 14 when
they attended the graduation
of son, Robert, from
Fanshawe College. Robert
graduated from a three-year
program as a Child and Youth
Worker. A requisite for
graduation was a work
placement. Robert did his at a
boys’ group home in London
where he now has a full-time
job.
Childhood and family
experiences brought Robert
to this type of career. He
plans to continue his
education until he qualifies as
a family therapist.
Congratulations Robert,
and best of luck in your
chosen field.
Sunday morning services
resume this Sunday, July 29
at Londesborough United
Church.
Rev. Pat and Bob Cook
have returned from an
enjoyable and relaxing jaunt
to Newfoundland.
Thanks to a couple of
splashes of rain in the past 10
days or so, the grass has
greened up again.
Sympathy is extended to
Milt and Helen Dale and
Lorne and Geraldine Dale for
the loss of Lorne’s sister,
Helen Storey. Regrets are
offered also to the many other
relatives and friends of
Helen’s in the area.
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
PEOPLE AROUND
LONDESBORO