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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2005-03-31, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2005. Smoker butts out and wins Mustang Mississauga; Ann- Neumeyer-Rauch, Marion, IVri/i a little help from a friend Ron Herd of Wingham sits in his new Ford Mustang. Herd was the grand prize winner of the Ontario Quit Smoking contest for 2005. His supportive non-smoking friend for the contest was Mike Jardin. (Photo submitted) Butting out 41 years after getting hooked on smoking has earned Ron Herd of Wingham a sparkling new Ford Mustang, the grand prize in the Ontario Quit Smoking 2005 contest. The Huron County Health Unit and the Coalition for a Smoke-Free Huron are pleased to extend hearty congratulations to Herd and his family. Herd was among more than 19,000 adult daily smokers across Ontario who entered the contest. In Huron County, 161 daily smokers registered and participated by quitting for the month of February. “This time, it is for good”, says Herd. Herd, 55, and a smoker for 41 years, made the decision to quit and took action to make it happen. “I At the Branch just made up my mind I was going to do it this time,” says Herd. “My son is getting married in September and I told him I’d win the car so he could use it on his wedding day. I’ll never put another cigarette in my mouth.” This year’s contest was launched in December and encouraged smokers to begin planning for a Feb. 1 quit date. Each smoker had to sign up a non-smoking buddy to support them through the tough times in the quitting process. A potential grand prize winner and regional winners were chosen by random draw and their smoke-free status verified by a urine test. Along with Herd, seven regional quitters have won surround sound home theatre systems. The winners include: Paul Nagy, Orleans; Joe Pellegrino, Louise Scarborough; Marshall Penetanguishene; Cindy Lannigan, Sault Ste. Marie; Robin Matteis, Leamington; and, Trevor Brown, Beamsville. The buddy of each winner receives $250 in cash. The Huron County Health Unit and Coalition for a Smoke-free Huron are thrilled with the Huron County community’s participation in the contest. It is so easy to take up the smoking habit and it is so tough to quit. “We applaud everyone who has tried to quit smoking”, says Pamela Scharfe, public health manager, Huron County Health Unit. “If you haven’t been successful yet, try again. It often takes many quit attempts before successfully kicking the habit for good”. Tanya Kulnies, chair of the provincial Quit Srh^king Contest 2005 planning team sai^ the contest has proven to be a fantastic incentive for smokers who are thinking about quitting. “The number of smokers entering the contest has risen every year and the number of smokers in the province has continued to drop. We don’t think that’s a coincidence. The vast majority of smokers will tell you they want to quit. The contest gives them a quit date and helps them build a support system to succeed.” Contest data shows that smokers entering the 2005 contest were almost equally split between men and women. On average, participants had been smoking about 18 cigarettes a day for about 20 years. Among previous contest participants, research shows 30 per cent of smokers who stayed smoke free for the quit month were still smoke free one year later. The Quit Smoking 2005 Contest was funded in part by Health Canada, and supported by more than 60 local councils on smoking and health and public health units throughout Ontario with sponsorship provided by Pfizer Canada Inc., Pfizer Consumer Healthcare Division, the Industrial Accident Prevention Association, Ontario Smokers’ Helpline, Ontario Dental Hygienists Association, Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, Ontario Dental Nurses and Assistants Association and the Association of Local Public Health Agencies. Bluevale Recreation is hosting a special Mo-tAci'A Slay &ia{i Sho-ui <£ Safe at the Bluevale Hall Upvit 30 9:30 to 4:00 featuring both traditional & unique gift ideas from local vendors. Food booth provided by Bluevale U.C.W. Small turnout for meeting By Jo-Ann McDonald There were only a few in attendance for Brussels Legion’s general meeting on March 22. The branch has been working very hard to improve its financial situation with many functions. More members are needed to volunteer. April is also election month. The Branch needs a secretary and treasurer. Anyone interested call Jo- Ann McDonald for details. There were 10 men in attendance for the men’s blind mixed darts on Tuesday evening. It was also the night for the Cadets meeting. The Thursday night mixed darts had a dozen take aim at the boards. The winners were Lisa Glanville, Norm Dobson and Harry Smith. This week’s Friday night supper is ham and scalloped potatoes. Saturday afternoon euchre had 13 tables of players. The first-place team was Viola and Allan Edgar with 84 points. The second and third-place teams were tied with 74 points. Prizes went to John and Iola Subject and Bob Regele and Bill Siemon. The lone hand winners were Neil Hatt and Donna Robinson. Not-so-lucky players with low points were Ed Stewart and Glen Sellers. A successful evening of cards was also held Saturday evening. Thanks to Bob Fowler, John Harrison, Murray Lowe, Barrie Currie and Jim Brown for doing some repair jobs over the Easter weekend. The silent auction is this weekend. There are some nice items that have arrived. Come in and check them out. Branch 2l8’s poppy chairman is Comrade Linda Bird. Assistants are Terry and Judy Buchanan. Throughout Canada in each and every year, the 11th day of November is Remembrance Day. It is a day for Canadians to remember the sacrifice of those who fell during the wars in which Canada took part. The Royal Canadian Legion will, as a sacred trust, ensure the continuing observance of Remembrance Day on the 11th of November at 11 a.m. each year. The poppy is the emblem of the supreme sacrifice. An obligation and responsibility of the Branch is to carry out an annual poppy campaign. This will include poppy distribution, school programs, parades, ceremonies and special events. The object is to raise funds and awareness for the relief of distress among veterans and their dependents, and to preserve the memory of those who died in the service of their country. Each year, poppy boxes are placed within the community. As well, there is a door-to-door canvass on the Saturday prior to Remembrance Day. Everyone is encouraged to take and wear a poppy and donations are gratefully accepted. Comrades of the Legion and the Brussels Cadet participated in year. The poppy welcome more Comrade Branch. Is coming to the Wingham Library! Every Tuesday morning from 10:15 - 11:45 Corps have the canvass each committee would assistants. Contact Linda NEW IN APRIL This is a FREE INTERACTIVE PROGRAM for babies and their parents/caregivers. There will be lots of playtime and we will end with songs and fingerplays. Information on a new topic will be available each week. Older siblings are WELCOME to join us and there will always be age appropriate activities for their enjoyment too! reg #2392471 Rocky Mountaineer Vacations presents Monday, April 4, 2005 2pm - Huron County Museum Goderich 7pm - Exeter Town Hall R.S.V.P. Carlson Wagonlit Ellison Travel Exeter 235-2000 or 1-800-265-7022 Goderich 524-8692 or 1-877-847-1272 Open Saturdays and evenings by appointment www.ettravel.com For more information, please contact Lesley or Jennie at the Wingham Children's Centre - 357-2424. Ontario Early Years - A Place for Parents/Caregivers and their children from b.irth to six years of age. ® Ontario