Loading...
The Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-12-23, Page 1ESTABLISHED IN 1873 "THE SEPOY TOWN" ON THE HURON -BRUCE BOUNDARY PUBLISHED IN WCKNOW, ONTARIO 20 PAGES 40C PER COPY Local boys heading to World Jamboree There are a couple of very excited youngmen in Lucknow this week. Their ex- citement stems not only from the coming of Christmas, but also from the fact that they'll be spending the first few weeks of 1988 in Australia. Chris Colwell, 13, and Jonathon Nelson, 16, both of Lucknow, will join 25 local members of the Boy Scouts of Canada from the Blue Water Region at the World Scout Jamboree being held in "the land down under". Five Scout leaders from this area will accompany the boys on this ex- perience of a lifetime. Eric Williams, a leader with the Kincar- dine Scouts, told the Sentinel, that this trip to the Jamboree being held near Sydney has been two years in the planning. "We started almost two years ago," said Mr. William, who's son Brent will also make the trip. "We had real good response from the parents we talked to about this. It's been a lot of hard work for the boys in- volved, a real challenge, and. they've done a great, job raising money and preparing themselves." The local boys will join the Canadian contigent of some 800 Scouts travelling to Australia for the Jamboree which is scheduled for December 31 to January 19. The Scouts and their leaders from this area will travel to Toronto on Christmas Day and will fly from the Pearton Interna- tional Airport on December 26. In all, some 14,000 Scouts from 75 coun- tries around the world will meet to form a tent city on the 395 acre Jamboree site at Cataract Park, located 80 km south of Sydney. Following the official Jamboree, the Scouts from the Blue Water Region will travel north by bus from the site to tour an outback cattle station, an opal mining operation and may even get in a little surf- ing if all goes according to plan. "At first, I wasn't sure about going," ad - Chris Colwell (left) and Jonathan Nelson are two lucky guys...they'll be spending the first few weeks of 1988 in the sun and sand of Australia. The two local boys will join a group of Scouts from Canada at the 16th World Jamboree being held "down under" this year. The group will head to Toronto on Christmas Day with their flight booked on December 26. Through a Wintarlo grant and money rasied by themselves, the boys were able to finance the trip. (Rob Bundy photo) mits Chris. "My dad talked me into it and I'm sure glad he did. It's going to be great." Jonathan tells a different story about his initial plan to attend the Jamboree. Lucknow Christmas Fund receives "exceptional response" About 50 children and their families will have a much merrier Christmas this year, thanks to the work of the Lucknow Christmas Fund. The local Christmas Fund, in only its se- cond year of operation, received "excep- tional response from the community," said Fund co-ordinator Mrs. Marion McFarlane, and many thanks are to be ex- pressed to the many service clubs, schools, churches and individuals who found it in their hearts to help those less fortunate at this festive time of year. Mrs. McFarlane told the Sentinel late last week that aproximately 19 families and 12 individuals (which includes senior citizens without family) from Whitechurch to Ripley would benefit from the drive. Special boxes containing food, small gifts and articles of clothing were delivered by Christmas Fund volunteers on Saturday. The names of the needy families become known to the Christmas Fund organizors through contact with the public health nurse, social services, Children's Aid, the local schools and churches and, according to Mrs. McFarlane, there is a tremendous need for this type of work in the Lucknow area. In addition to the money raised through events such as the Lucknow Carolfest, of which half the money was donated to the Salvation Army in Goderich, individuals in the community and the local service clubs such as the Legion, the Kinsmen and the Kinettes certainly did their part to make the Christmas Fund a complete success. One reason the Fund did so well this year, according to the local co-ordinator, was the fact that the group was able to get an earlier start then last year. This allow- ed time for public response and for service clubs to include a donation in their budget. As well, local senior citizens, because of last year's drive, were aware and had time to knit and donate a number of articles of hand -made clothing such as mitts and toques. Due to the success of this year's Christmas Fund, a similar project will be undertaken next Christmas. At a time when many people are think- ing only of themselves and their growing Christmas list, it is heart-warming to see that a community the size of Lucknow can reach out and brighten the day of the children who would otherwise be forgotten. Congratulations to the Lucknow Christmas Fund and its organizors and volunteers for a job well done. "I really wanted to go from the first time I heard about -it," says Jonathan. "I've got my luggage packed and about half of it is souvenirs and pins to trade with." The Lucknow boys were each responsi- Tree trimmers Congratulations to the winners of the Lucknow Sentinel "Trim a Tree Contest". From all the entries received, Danny Wylds, RR7 Lucknow, was awarded first place while Mandy Wylds placed a close second. Lucknow's Melanie Nicholson took third place in the contest. A festive `thanks' to all the children who participated in the contest. The decision was a tough one on the part of the judges and all deserve a gold star for their efforts. Holiday hours at the post office Just a reminder to , the residents of Lucknow that the Christmas hours for the Lucknow Post Office have been set. Win tells us the office will be closed dur- ing the days of December 25, 26, 27 and 28 and on New Years Day of Januray 1. Be aware also that the post office will close at 3:30 p.m. on December 24 and 31. The staff at the post office would also like to take this opportunity to pass along their wish for a lovely Christmas season for all. They look forward to serving you in 1988. ble for rasing about $2,400 each to finance the trip. This they did by working sum- mers and some weekendsover the past year -and -a -half. In addition, donations were gratefully accepted from local ser- vice clubs and organizations such as the Lions, Kinsmen, the Agricultural Society, Eastern Star and Women's Institutes. In preparation for the Jamboree, two pre -camps were held this summer for the Scows in this area. This, Mr. Williams ex- plains, was to give the boys a chance to meet the other Scouts making the trip and to see how they worked (and played) together. It also gave the boys and their leaders a chance to do some studying about Australia and its unique land, customs and wildlife. "I'm very proud of the way the boys have responded to this," said Eric. "Each leader took a different topic to discuss with the boys. Things like religion, wildlife, and weather." Since the seasons in the southern hemisphere are the exact opposite of that in Canada, the local Scouts will fly from the cold Canadian winter to the sweltering heat of a nation That is 60 percent desert. They have been told to expect temperatures as high as 40 celcius. "I think some of the kids at school are a little envious of us," Jonathan told us with a smile. "I've had lots of requests for souvenirs." With a nod of his lhead, Chris agrees and adds, "It's going to be great." Mr. Williams has promised to sent back reports from Australia to the Sentinel, allowing the boys to pass along messages to their folks at home, so be sure to watch for reports from the 16th World Scout Jam- boree in fortming issues. From eve one in Lucknow, here's wishing Jonathan and Chris a "fair dinkum time" in Australia. wwwe Santa Claus dropped in to Lucknow on Wednesday last and Ho, Ho, Ho'd his (or her) way up and down Campbell Street wishing shop owners and shoppers alike the best Christmas ever. We understand a few lucky ones were even gifted with a kiss from the jolly fellow. (Pat Livingston photo)