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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-16, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2003. PEOPLE AROUND WALTON By Jo-Ann McDonald Call 887-6570 There was a small birthday celebration for Marie McGavin at the Walton Inn on Wednesday. She was joined by husband Neil and friends from the Walton area. The Walton Hall euchre was held on Thursday evening upstairs again at the Hall. There were eight tables at play. The high winners were Lloyd and Lillian Appleby. The second place team was Frank and Kay Baer and coming in for third were Karen Hoegy and Gloria Love. The lucky lone hand winners were Wayne Robinson and Lois Cunningham. Euchre is every two weeks at the Hall. McGavin’s was hit by thieves this past week when a manure spreader was stolen. It was quickly reported by a concerned citizen but the thieves made a quick getaway. It is everyone’s responsibility to report any unusual activity in our community to the OPP and try and keep our community a pleasant and safe place to live. A community shower was held Friday evening for Amy Shortreed. The basement of Duff’s United Church was decorated in an Easter theme. There was entertainment provided by Margery Huether at the piano and Marjorie Humphries read a poem. Personal crisis prompts woman to organize self-defense course By Mary Simmons Student writer A workshop for up to 30 women interested in learning self-defense techniques from OPP officers will be held tomorrow at Grey Central Public School from 7 to 9 p.m. Last May, Andrea Hruska of Ethel found herself shocked into action when a convicted rapist trespassed on her property bringing the threat of danger to herself and her children. The journey to this point has been one of fear and frustration, but it was also a turning point in her life. The man had spent seven years in the Kingston Penitentiary for rape and was employed at a local farm. “It prompted me to get the ball rolling,” Hruska said. “I wanted to turn this negative into a positive.” Hruska said she wants to be a part of something which empowers women to do something for themselves to ensure their safety. “I know a lot of women think ‘it will never happen to me,’ but it can and you should be prepared in case it does,” she said. “You don’t think in your wildest dreams that you’ll step outside your house to get your laundry off the line and you’ll be attacked, but you should be prepared for that possibility.” Hruska stressed that the workshop is not just about domestic violence. Women face many dangers and there should not be a stigma about attending an evening out where they can work together with the OPP to find out what to do if a situation gets out of hand and they need to be able to escape and get help. Hruska’s personal experience with danger led her to find out what resources were available in Huron There was a clogging number done by some young ladies. Phyllis Mitchell was the emcee of the evening. Amy opened many gifts from the group of over 40. A lunch was served by neighbours and friends. Amy thanked all those in attendance and invited everyone to drop into their home near Seaforth. A shower was held on Saturday evening for Lee-Ann McDonald at the home of her future sister-in-law Jenn Cook. It was a gathering of close friends and wedding party members and she received many gifts. A potluck supper preceded the gifts and a social time followed. A roast beef dinner was held at Walton Hall on Sunday evening. There was a good crowd of around 80 in attendance. Funds raised go to the upkeep of the hall. It’s a busy and exciting time in the lives of our young people. Many are waiting to hear about college and university acceptances and others are in the midst of exams. Our Walton community will soon have many of the young people home again to swell our numbers. Summer employment will be sought by many to assist in their financial needs for school, so please consider hiring a student for the summer. The Women’s Day Out in Blyth on Saturday was attended by locals Anne Ryan, Mary Humphries, Marie Coutts, and Olene Dennis. Chris and Judy Lee have returned home, having spent the last few months near Sutton at the home of Brett, Tracy and Caden Lee. They were helping out as Tracy coped with a serious health problem. The good news is that Tracy is coming along very well and we wish her East for women. To her disappointment, she found very little information on women’s resources in the rural area. For women in this area who want help, it means having to travel to Seaforth, Listowel, Goderich or Clinton, Hruska said. “You really have to dig for the information you want.” She hopes events like this one will promote awareness for women’s issues in the area and motivate women to help themselves. She also said she realizes there are some feelings of discomfort among women about going to the police with problems, so she wants to bring a female face to the OPP. At the workshop, a female officer from the sexual crimes unit of the Kincardine detachment will be giving a half- hour speech before the hands-on training in self-defense techniques begins. It is geared towards women 20 years old and up. Although women have approached Hruska with the hopes of bringing their teenage daughters along, she has explained to them that this particular event is not for them. Hruska hopes that by telling of her own experience and organizing < INSURANCE PREMIUMS TOO HIGH? N IjnOmni JI Insurance Brokers Save 20-40% on your auto insurance and more on other insurance services * Free No Obligation Quote Paul Hallahan R.R. #3 Blyth (519) 523-9110 Fax: (519) 523-9278 Clinton Office: (519) 482-3434 \^email:phallahan@odyssey.on.ca ■ JIMI I continued and improved health. Doug Fraser spent most of this week in Wingham hospital with pneumonia. We are glad to hear he is home again and doing better. Margery Huether has returned from a 32-day trip to Australia and New Zealand. It was with Craig Tours of Toronto. There were 23 in their group. They flew from Toronto to Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand. It is very dry there. Margery stayed on a farm in the outback where they raise cattle and sheep. They had the chance to visit Ayers Rock, a huge out-cropping of rock that many people climb. They also stopped at Alice Springs the home of the Flying Doctors Association. Because of the immense area to cover, all farm families are given a medical box that contains 100 numbered bottles of medicine. The doctors are called by phone and assess the situation and prescribe the needed medications. Serious situations require that the doctor fly to the farm. They also visited the School of the Air where students are taught over the radio by qualified teachers. A stop at the Sydney Opera House and a performance of Hamlet was enjoyed before flying from Sydney to Los Angeles to Toronto. A 19-hour flight and a very long sit. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Enjoying a birthday celebration was Betty McDonald and friends Malinda Johnston and Lois McCall. Another two of the lovely old maple trees were taken down in Walton last week. The side of the road is looking very bare in front of Emmriches and Perries. Enjoying an early Easter dinner on events like this, she will let other women know they are not alone. Rural women can feel isolated, she said. This is one way for women to challenge themselves and enhance their knowledge for their personal safety. “When you look at your daughters, you don’t want them to accept what you accept, so you shouldn’t accept it yourself,” she said. Offering Insurance & Financial Services Farm/Commerclal/ Resldentlal/Auto Accident/SIckness J Sunday was the Williamson family. There were 19 on hand at the home of Tom and Joyce Williamson and family. Mom Kathleen and sister Shirley Skinner and family enjoyed a meal and family time together. Birthday celebrants include Marie McGavin, Bonnie Hastings, Heather Blake, Shannon Craig, Doug Mitchell, Jack Ryan, Katie Emmrich, Jennifer Williamson, Theresa Pryce, Sandra Sangster, Mitch Blake, and Donna Knight. Congrats to all. Manns greet at Duff’s service Members of Duff’s United Church were greeted by Jim and Mary Mann on Palm Sunday. The scripture . reading was presented by Marie McGavin. It was followed by Rev. Joan Tuchlinsky’s message, Messenger of Peace. The collection was taken by Ross Bennett and Lavem Godkin. Communion was administered by Rev. Joan, Leona McDonald and Jim and Mary Mann. The Good Friday service and Easter Sunday service will be at 11 a.m. An Easter breakfast will be served prior to the morning service. Greeting will be Leona and Scott McDonald. There will be no confirmation class. It will resume the next week. A grief recovery group is being offered in Brussels at the Mennonite Fellowship Building. Contact Huron Hospice for more information. National Camping Sunday will be celebrated at Victoria United Church in Goderich with the Bel Canto Singers April 27. On April 27 at Duff’s United will be the ACWW Institute church service featuring the Huron East choir. APRIL 24TH - 27TH The 27 th London Spring Home ^Garden Show best Over $25,000 in Fabulous Prizes! Home Entertainment Patio Living • Gardening Custom Kitchen Green ThumbJL Marketplace S.W Thurs./Fri. 1-9:30, Sat. 11-9:30, Sun. 11-5 Admission $8.00, Seniors (65+) $6.00, Under 12 Free WESTERN FAIR GROUNDS FROM WALTON WLS Stars talk about spring The Walton Little School junior pre-school shining Stars learned how to recognize the signs of spring, the parts of a flower and all enjoyed planting their own sunflower seeds. The letter of the week was F and the children enjoyed making fish, funny animals, flowers and a large farm mural to decorate the classroom wall. The senior preschool Acorn class has been learning to read a map. They have been reading about travelling and transportation. They have some books by Donald Crews. They have made their own freight trains. They are making plans to take a trip at the end of the month and most of the children would like to go to Florida. Special Show Features! Outdoor Home Theatre Gardening, Grilling & Idea Stages, Power Tools For The Home Garden Railroad • Flower Show .host of i Workshop irio's Largest