The Citizen, 1997-08-20, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20,1997
Norwegian girl visits on exchange
A world away
Hilde Moi of Norway spent several weeks with Kittie
MacGregor and her family of Hullett Twp. as part of the
Lions’ Youth Exchange program.
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
It appears the eating habits of
Canadians is one of the most mem
orable things for European
exchange students visiting this
country, other than- the friendly
people and clean, safe communi
ties.
“We only have doughnuts on
special occasions, no hot breakfasts
and desserts only on birthdays, at
Christmas and maybe on Sundays,”
says Hilde Moi of Byrne, Norway,
who stayed with Don and Kittie
MacGregor of Hullett Twp. from
July 1 to Aug. 11, as part of the
Lions’ Youth Exchange Program.
When Moi decided to lake part
in the exchange program, her first
thought was to visit the United
States, but soon acquaintances told
her Canada was a better choice.
“I heard Canada was nicer than
the U.S., the society was better, it
was safer and (the Lions’) camp
was better,” says Moi. “I like it
here.”
Though Moi describes her home
as a small town of 12,000, she
comes from a community which is
surrounded by agriculture. Moi
says that she lives in a flatter area
of Norway, a very mountainous
country, but there are still no
straight roads as there are here.
Aside from the terrain, Moi says
the summers in Norway are cooler
’ than in Canada, with rainy weather.
Accustomed to touring European
countries through summer months,
Moi has been kept busy by the
MacGregors who have taken her
sightseeing through Huron County
as well as to Shelburne, London
and Kitchener. In conjunction with
the week-long camp run by area
Lions’ clubs, the many teens
involved in the exchange travelled
to Canada’s Wonderland, Bruce
Nuclear plant and Niagara Falls.
One of Moi’s favourite activities
was the sunset sailing on the Flying
Dutchman. The MacGregors rented
a sailboat to take their visitor out
on Lake Huron.
Another activity often enjoyed by
visiting teens is the opportunity for
shopping. Moi says prices are about
half those in Norway for items such
as CDs and film developing. She
grins and nods when asked if she
took advantage of the bargains.
Though she comes from a coun
try where English is not the native
language, she speaks it fluently,
saying she began studying English
in Grade 4 and now has studied it
for seven years.
She says she has also learned a
lot from the American television
shows available at home, which are
subtitled. Long-term pen pals in the
U.S. and Canada have also added to
the knowledge.
Only days before her planned
departure. Moi said she had a great
time in Canada and would definite
ly recommend it to others. “It is the
chance of a lifetime. It gives you a
chance to understand the society
and the culture more because you
are living with a family.”
Cooks celebrate 50th
On Russell Cook's 23rd birthday,
Aug. 1, 1947, he and Marion
Garrett exchanged wedding vows at
the bride's home near Benmiller.
Their attendants were Mae Rilling,
sister of the bride, who now lives in
Kitchener and Ray Vincent, who
now lives in Goderich, but was a
long-time resident of Blyth.
Shortly after Russell returned
home from the war, they were
married and lived on the farm in
East Wawanosh near Westfield
where they raised turkeys and
broilers for quite a few years. Later
Russell worked at the Air Force
Base just south of Clinton.
Together they raised seven
children, Eleanor Babcock, RR 1,
Clinton; Linda Loder, Blyth;
Wayne Cook, St. Catharines; David
Cook, Blyth; Joanne deJong, RR 1,
Londesboro; Leslie Cook, Blyth
and Merrilyn Black, also of Blyth.
Needless to say Marion had no time
to work elsewhere. They now have
18 grandchildren and five great
grandchildren.
In 1960, when Merrilyn was just
a baby, they moved, house and all,
into the village of Blyth. Here they
ran an upholstery business, were
managers of the Blyth Arena and
both drove school buses until they
retired in 1989.
Saturday, Aug. 2, 1997 a
celebration was held at the home of
their eldest daughter, Eleanor and
Randy Babcock. An open house
was held from 2-4 p.m. with
special guests from Ottawa,
Montreal, Elliot Lake, Glencoe,
Kitchener, London, Zurich,
Walkerton, Dashwood, Bayfield,
Goderich, Blyth and surrounding
areas.
They also received a phone call
from grandson, Jamie Black, who
is now visiting Finland.
After family pictures were taken,
a delicious dinner was had by 60
friends and relatives.
When the meal and all the toasts
were over, the family displayed
their talents with a very interesting
program. A poem was read (and
composed) by Joanne DeJong, a
solos was performed by Katie Cook
(daughter of Leslie) while wearing
Marion's original wedding dress,
and a hilarious skit was performed
by Murray and Merrilyn Black.
Last but not least was the
following skit by David and Fran
Cook, along with sons Derek and
Kirby.
Many years ago a young
Golden occasion
Marion and Russell Cook celebrated 50 years of marriage
this past weekend, with an open house at the home of
Randy and Eleanor Babcock.
telephone operator was dreaming of
the man she hoped one day to
marry, (enter Russell)
(To the tune of Oh Where have you
been Billy Boy)
1st verse:
O WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN
RUSSELL DEAR RUSSELL
DEAR
O WHERE HAVE U BEEN
DARLIN RUSSELL
I HAVE BEEN TO FIGHT A
WAR, NOW MY LEG IS VERY
SORE
I'M A YOUNG MAN WHO
SHOULDN'T LEAVE HIS
MOTHER!
But Marion had other plans for
Russ and hoped to somehow
persuade him leave his home
knowing the way to a man's heart
was through his stomach.
2nd verse:
CAN YOU BAKE A CHERRY
PIE MARION MARION
Continued on page 23
Golden Wedding Anniversary
1947 1997
Mary and Murray Huether, together with their children and
grandchildren invite, relatives, friends and neighbours to
join them in celebrating their Golden Wedding
Anniversary, Sunday, August 24 at the Brussels Legion,
commencing at 2:00 p.m.
Entertainment at 3:00 p.m.
Light supper at 5:00 p.m.
Best Wishes only. Your presence will be our cherished
gift. Please accept this as your personal invitation.
Blyth Lions Club and Blyth Festival present
Sunday, August 31, 1997
Blyth Community Centre
featuring: Barn Dance Band, Country Versatiles, Ernie King, Larry
Mercey, Sharon Strong, Earl & Martha Heywood and the cast of
Bamdance Live!
Barbeque I Concert I Dance
4:30 - 6:30 / 7:30 - 9:00 I 9:30 - midnight
ADVANCE: $20 (incl. BBQ) / $12 (concert & dance only)
-AT THE DOOR: $22 (incl. BBQ / $15 (concert & dance only)
FOR TICKETS CALL 519-523-9300
ZXsr&ee
Happy 40th Grannie