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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-02-21, Page 22Top speakers Students from Blyth public and Hullett Central Public School competed last week in the Blyth Legion public speaking contest. Back row, from left: Corinne Falconer, second palce, junior divi- sion, Blyth; Lindsay Gibson, first, junior, Hullett; Bryan Kasen, second, intermediate, Hullett; Jenna Rinn, third, intermediate, Blyth; Sean Martin, third, junior, Hullett; and June Patterson, Blyth Legion youth and education chair. Front: Tyler Black, third, primary, Blyth; Robyn Kassies, first, primary, Hullett; Jeff Elliott, first, intermediate, Blyth; Colton Kerr, second, primary, Blyth. (Clinton News-Record photo) Much thanks The Blyth Legion Youth and Education Chair June Patterson, centre, made dona- tions of $500 each to Blyth and Hullett public schools for swim- ming programs. Accepting for Blyth was Grade 2 teacher Sharri MacDonald, left, while Hullett Principal Lois Tebutt accepted on that school's behalf. (Clinton News-Record photo) Wedding announcement ANGELA AND ROBERT CAMPBELL Blyth United Church was the setting for the lovely autumn wedding of Angela Walden and Robert Campbell. The bride, daughter of Brian and Beverley Walden and groom, son of James and Marilyn Campbell, all of RR 3, Blyth, were wed Oct. 14. Laura Walden, sister of the bride, was the maid of honour while Melissa Campbell, sister of the groom, and Virginia (Rodger) Buttar served as bridesmaids. Attending the groom were Steve Campbell, brother of the groom, as best man and John Walden, brother of the bride, and Jason Buttar, as ushers. The reception was held at the White Carnation in Holmesville. Following the ceremony the couple honeymooned in Huntsville and Alliston at the Mattawasaga Inn. The newlyweds will reside at the Campbell dairy farm near Westfield. Special thanks goes out to ail who participated in the ceremony with the wonderful music. Also thank you to family and friends for making the day so special by being there. PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21,2001. Blyth girl gets second place in Legion competition By Jim Brown Wingham Advance-Times A Grade 11 student at the F. E. Madill Secondary School in Wingham took second-place honors at the district level of the Royal Canadian Legion youth education poster and literary competition. Jacklin Falconer, 16, of Blyth wrote an essay on A Canadian Experience in a Foreign Land, which claimed top honors in the senior competition at the zone level. Another Madill student, Julie Nolan, placed second at the zone level in the poster competition. First- place finishers at zone automatically advanced to the district competition. Wingham Public School students Kyle Ritchie and Stephen Benaway placed third at the zone level. This is Falconer's essay: I had never thought that when I took a plane eight hours away from my home to the far-away shores of France, that I would find myself feeling so Canadian. On the shores of Normandy I experienced the most Canadian experience. Proud and free, in solitude overlooking my sur- roundings I realized that Canada can be found other places than at home. When I got out of the van, I was not quite sure of where I was exact- ly, and to this day I still can't recall it. As I stepped out I placed my feet on the ground that many other Canadians had trod on before me. My scenario was a bit different, I was in no danger. The grass now grows over what I imagine would have been mud. There was a path leading around the bygone battle- fielda„This path took me on a journey. First it took me around to a field of endless holes. Many were five-feet deep. It was a windy yet beautifully sunny day. Maybe it was just the wind, but this vast field of bomb holes gave me a shiver. It seemed the least I could do to shiver for the men who died for me and world as I know it. As I continued down the path, it took me to a pair of bunkers. The rough cement was still standing strong, the rusted barbed wire still protecting them. One of the bunkers was open to visit, but I could not drag myself to go inside. It seemed sacred, but I stood there for the longest time imagining the events and goings-on that would have taken place in there. Maybe sleep, did peo- ple sleep in there? Or eat? Perhaps they refueled their stomachs with the same food day in and day out. It looked dark inside, maybe plans of attack were started here. Possibly prayer was done here. What exactly they used it for, I did not know but it seemed the least I could do was imagine. The trail then led me down toward the shore. The shore looked just as the shores Of Normandy looked on those movies on the TV history pro- grams. With almost a cliff dropoff the water was separated from • the land. The rocky drop was damp from the crashing waves of the English Channel. The water gleamed as I thought of how the men ran off the boats to shore carrying heavy loads of materials needed on their backs. I was standing so close to the edge of the cliff that the high-tides water came up and splashed me in the face. I giggled a little at the playful sea- salted water, but my disposition soon turned more serious as I thought of how many tears must have been shed, here in Normandy, and at home by loved ones every night. I'm quite sure that they alone could fill the Channel. A single tear trickled down my face at this thought alone. It trailed down my cheek almost as if it wanted to join the salty waters of the channel still damp on my face. It seemed the least I could do was cry. Off in the distance I saw rows of something. Curious, I walked closer following the path of two stone pil- lars and an iron gate with its arms open wide. All under the proud arm of a large Canadian flag flowing patriotically in the afternoon's wind. I stepped inside the gates and was greeted with an awing experience. Rows and rows of gravestones, each white granite stone engraved with a proud maple leaf. I felt the most amazing feeling. It was not happi- ness nor was it complete sadness either. I was in awe of the number of gravestones in front of me. I also noticed how neatly they were main- tained, with flowers neatly planted at the base of each stone. Seeing these gravestones rows after rows of the late soldiers, I thought that the least I could do was live. Live my life to the fullest in the amazing peaceful coun- try that I call home. "True north strong and free." All because they lay in a row on row. I don't think that one realizes the reality of how many men died until they have seen the sanctuary that was at peace in front of me, nor the effect still left on the shores of Normandy. It's easy for us to forget because the bomb holes, the barbed wire are not where we can see them. I travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to find the essence of Canada. The least I could do was remem- ber. R. Axtman hosts Huron East District WI meeting The executive and district direc- tors of Huron East District Women's Institute met at the home • of Ruth Axtmann of the Walton WI branch to plan and organize the events of the year 2001. A cheque to the district was issued from the Huron-Perth educational committee. The committee has decided to meet once a year and still have educational courses in each dis- trict only. A brainstorming session offered ideas of glass etching, basic photography, glass painting, recy- cling pop cans and tying a quilt. Bring project ideas and samples to the district annual meeting. Members are encouraged to con- tinue knitting layettes for the hospi- tals and teddy bears for the Alzheimer adult centre. In lieu of the registration fee at district annual either knitted articles, a comfort quilt or an article for the Christmas Bureau will be accepted. The ACWW church service will be held at Molesworth Presbyterian Church on April 29 at II a.m. The theme is Volunteers — "all ages. Offering will be donated to the ACWW project, Water for All. An e-mail workshop will be held at the Bloomingdale Mennonite Church on Saturday, April 21. Registration is at 9:30 a.m. and costs $10. This is sponsored by Guelph Area Women's Institute. The Huron East district annual will be held in Gorrie United Church on May 8. A panel instead of one speaker will focus on what volun- teers are, what they are called upon to do, and what liabilities there are for volunteers. All branches are to check their programs as to their duties, etc. The district is in need of a first vice-president and/or a second vice-president to be installed in May. Guelph area convention will be held at Maryhill on Oct. 24 and 25. There is need of a secretary, assistant secretary, treasurer-elect, a lobbying convenor, a Tweedsmuir curator, a PAC member from Subdivision 10 and an alternate. It is Huron East dis- trict's turn to have one. The area also wants five articles, homemade by a volunteer, for the convention. Branches are to bring articles to the District annual in May for Margaret McMahon to take to the Guelph area. Darlene Harding gave an update on "Women's Day Out" — a Howick WI project. It will be held on Saturday morning (April 28 or May 5) and will focus on Women's Issues in Health. Registration is in advance and will be from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission is $10 or $12 for the day including a luncheon: 'This is open to the community. Howick WI is having an evening of Country Dancing and Gentle Keep-Fit, March 15 from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the Fordwich Hall. Admission is $2 including a light lunch. Loose clothing and comfort- able footwear is recommended. The Huron County WI rally will be held Oct. 1 hosted by Fordwich and Lakelet WIs. It is the 50th anniversary. The theme is Time — A Precious Commodity. The roll call will be a mystery recycled brown bag containing a $1 gift. Check with programs. Let's attend for a day's fun. More volunteers are asked for the WI display at the Royal Winter Fair. Volunteers are also needed for weekends at the Country Heritage Park at Milton. A global Family History Fair will be held there Sept 29 and 30.