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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2002-06-26, Page 19••• \ - • ..-...,„ k•-',, ',..,,'-',.'x'.-- -.' ..*..\\ \ \‘'N' , ..,... s.,,,:,...„. . ,.... . ftv Fun and games Londesboro-area little ones are enjoying education with the Ontario Early Years Centre Stepping Stones Playgroup. Held at the United Church every Thursday morning, pre-schoolers take part in activities geared to literacy and numeracy. (Vicky Bremner photo) Early Years at Londesboro THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2002. PAGE 19 FROM LONDESBORO Cheerios meet It was a perfect day, Wednesday, June 19 when the members of the Cheerio Club met for lunch at the Corner Café. Mary East welcomed them to her home for the afternoon. The gift of the month was received by Dorothy Johnston and presented by Mary East.. Mrs. Johnston opened the meeting with a quote from Laura Wilder, "It's the Simple Things". Roll call was answered with witty readings, jokes and pictures of interest. The group's next meeting on July 17 will be held in the Bayfield area. Cards and fellowship filled the remainder of a June afternoon. PEOPLE AROUND LONDESBORO By BRENDA RADFORD Cali 523-4296 This is the last day for pupils attending classes at Hullett Central Public School. Report cards for kindergarten to Grade 7 went home on Tuesday. As drivers we will all need to be aware that these young folk will be enjoying two months of holidays and are not always aware of traffic. Reliability is the catch word for these last three days of school. The virtue is supported by a quote from Cervantes, An honest man's word is as good as his bond. Sunday was a typical hot day for late June and Rev. Paul Ross's church service theme was apparently chosen with the outdoors in mind. An Enchanted Place was the message title. Genesis 28: 1-17 talked of Jacob's Ladder while John 21: 4-14 told of a beach breakfast. Churchgoers should remember that the service begins at 10:30 a.m._ next Sunday, June 30. It is a joint service with Auburn and will be followed by a potluck lunch. Dessert is provided so only first course dishes are needed. Happy Gang Seniors will __also enjoy potluck on Wednesday, June 26 (today) at 6 p.m. The meat will be provided for this gathering. On June 20 shortly after 11 a.m. OPP officers werecalled to the Tim Horton's just south of Wingham on Josephine Street. Sometime during the night an unlocked 1985 GMC pickup truck was entered and a quantity of cash was stolen from the interior. The `Kids' visit with UCW • Kids on the Block visited the Londesboro UCW meeting on Monday, June 17. The "kids" were three hand-crafted life-sized puppets named Stephen (10 yaars), Nam (II years) and Joanne (14 years) who brought a message about child abuse. Child abuse, physical and sexual, is not something anyone is comfortable thinking about or discussing as happening in our homes or communities. These puppets visit all the schools in Huron County once every two years and spend time with the Grade 3 and 4s. The puppet program originated in the United States in 1977 and the concept has been used with children to teal with many kinds of medical and social issues. Huron County has the only program in Canada dealing with child abuse, since 1987. The program receives funding from Health Canada through the Rural Response for Healthy Children initiative. The puppets and their handlers present skits for pupils in groups of about 20 and then have a question and answer period. A follow-up session is done a week later. Puppeteers and school personnel report any revelation or disclosure about abuse that may be made as a result of this program for investigation. The puppeteers, who are volunteers, receive training around the issue of child abuse. The style of puppetry used is Japanese, call Bunraku, and the puppeteers dress entirely in black so as to be unobtrusive. This style is extremely effective in creating an atmosphere in which children feel comfortable. Moreover it was a comfortable and interesting presentation that evening by. puppeteer Kelly (Bosman) Marks. She explained the program to the ladies, distributed several handouts, showed a video of a school presentation and answered questions. Organizing the program and worship for the meeting were Karen Whyte, Barb Bosman, Jane Hoggart and Reta Kelland around the theme, Children — Is Anybody Listening? The hymn, readings and poem reflected that all children are precious and that sometimes adults need to think childlike and see through young eyes. The women enjoyed entertainment by two other young people — Amanda Hare and and Heather Elliott. Both girls, accompanied by Barb Bosman, had performed a Clinton Spring Fair's Talent Search recently. Amanda sang There You'll Be from the movie Pearl Harbour. From an older movie The Sound of Music, Heather offered I Am Sixteen, Going on Seventeen. During the business part of the evening, many plans were updated as the next meeting will be in September. cash had been left inside the truck while the owner was at work. The money belonged to a service club after tickets had been sold at a function that night at the local arena. Anyone who can help in solving the crime is asked to call the OPP or by Crime Stoppers. Thursday mornings the basement of Londesboro United Church is filled with chatter, music, activity and laughter. Children from infancy to six years from Londesboro and area and their parents or caregivers are interacting in the Stepping Stones Playgroup. From 9:30 to 11 a.m. the children get to socialize with other preschoolers, hear stories, sing songs, play games and do a craft around each session's theme. Activities are conducted by Sandra Skinn of the Ontario Early Years Centre. Numeracy and literacy are - emphasized in the programs offered to the children. In September of 2001, the provincial government made a commitment to invest in children's early learning. Consequently the federal government agreed to provide funding for programs which would promote early development and a child's readiness to learn. There began plans for a network Graduation at Hullett Central Public School on Friday, June 21 was a memorable occasion, not only for the graduates but all who attended. The garden area at the school's entranceway had been carefully tended and along with the addition of a wrought iron arbor and some potted plants was a beautiful setting for picture taking. More plants, supplied by Greyhaven Gardens, lined the hall to the auditorium. A second arbor at the back of the gym was another photo site as each graduate was re-introduced for the program. The auditorium itself was tastefully decorated ;n Hullett's school colours of black and gold. Black serviettes with gold -narked the place settings. Table centres were helium-filled gold, black and silver balloons. Both bulletin boards were covered with pictures of the graduates throughout their years at Hullett. Each student had his/her of Ontario Early Learning Centres across the province. The planners recommended that Huron County be the lead agency for this new initiative under the auspices of the Ministry of Community, Family and Children's Services. Funds for the centres come from the Challenge Fund which currently also supports Kids Booster Club, a fathering involvement initiative, the School's Cool program and THE Bus. Huron County's Ontario Early Learning Centre has a main centre in Clinton with satellite services offered in Wingham, Goderich and Exeter. Clinton and the satellites are responsible for offering accessible outreach services in their area whih is how the Stepping St mes Playgroup came to Londesboro in. early June. Investigation by the directors of the program, Evy McDonagh for one, who was nudged by her sister, Barbara Lester of Londesboro. own black mortarboard cutout on the walls signed in gold by staff aryd. classmates. The evening's activities began with dinner at 6 p.m. catered by the Grade 7 class and their parents. Greetings from Hullett Twp. (Ward 2) were addressed to the 21 graduates by Councillor Tom Duizer. Mr. Drennan, their 2001/2002 teacher, toasted the graduates. Mr. Drennan and Principal Lois Tebbutt handled the introductions and presented diplomas to the graduates. AlWays an interesting part of graduation at' Hullett is the slide show of photos of the Grade 8s and everyone enjoyed this year's presentation put together by Amanda Rozendal, Jamie Crosby and teacher Mrs. deBoer. Rev. Gwen NiLhol MacDonald was the guest speaker. A movie The Titan, familiar to the young folk was the basis of her address. The movie is the story of a somewhat arrogant established that our area had a large number of youngsters who might benefit from the weekly sessions. Response to date has been encouraging. Clinton has also begun groups in the Clinton library and in Vanastra. An additional purpose of the Early Learning Centres is to disseminate information about early years services in the community. The centres and the groups make, parenting information available as well. The main office is located in the building at Huronview which formerly housed the Adult Day Centre. The program is looki/ig for volunteers to assist with its varied aspects. To volunteer or for more information.. drop in to the church some Thursday or call 482-8505. Anyone with childtren) at Hulled Central Public School will find an information sheet and calendar of events for the Centre in the school's newsletter for the end of June. young man whose life an personality undergo dramatic changes when he is confined to a wheelchair. Better qualities/virtues emerged and Rev. Nichol MacDonald referenced those qualities about each graduate that had been mentioned during the evening's presentations. The graduates were told that their qualities would impact on their futures. Following the program, the students dismissed all adults except the chaperones and ended the evening dancing. As not all students will be attending the same high school next year, it was an emotional day for them. Medic Alert ALWAYS ON CALL www.medicalert.ca For more information 1-800-668-1507 OPP investigate theft from car Grads prepare for Gr. 9