HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-06, Page 9Pat Bolen
TIMES ADVOCATE STAFF
STEPHEN–Being hurt,
frightened, or lost is
bad enough for
adults.But when a child
faces these things it can
be an overwhelming
experience.
When that happens
the Rural Block Parent
Program is there to
assist. As part of the
Week of the Child, and
as a lead up to
Halloween, Leanne
Robinson, co-ordinator
for the Dashwood area
Block Parents, was at
Stephen Cental Public
School on Oct. 23. With
the aid of her furry
companion, Rudy
Round the mascot, and
a short video, she
briefed students
on the Block
Parent program
in general and
Halloween in
particular.
Block Parent
has expanded to
rural areas to protect
children from many of
the same dangers they
face in the city, as well
as specific rural
threats.
Kids in rural areas
are exposed to greater
open distances. They
may be victimized by
extreme weather,
molesters and
animals.
Leanne told the
students they
should never:
•Open the door
to strangers.
•Pick up nee-
dles.
•Answer the phone
when their parents are
not home.
•Get in a strange car.
Their parents should
have a pickup password
for them if a different
person is picking them
up.
She reminded the chil-
dren there are special
things to remember on
Halloween night such
as:
•Staying on one side of
the street, then the
other.
•Wearing white reflec-
tive costumes.
•Not to go inside a
house to receive candy.
•Wear short costumes
and makeup instead of
masks.
•To let parents check
any food received
before it is eaten.
Block Parents are
expected to provide
shelter to those in need,
call for assistance, and
report any suspicious
activity to police.
They are not required
to provide food, first aid
or transportation. Not
only children can make
use of the system,
adults who may also
find themselves lost or
with a dead battery,
can call on a Block
Parent for help. If you
would like to volunteer
contact the Ontario
Block Parent Program
at 1-800-563-2771.
By Joan Beierling
VARNA CORRESPONDENT
VARNA - The Family
Halloween Party at the
Varna Complex Oct. 26
was quite successful.
Several games and con-
tests were played.
Coloring contest win-
ners were: four and
under Rachel Simpson;
five to eight Sabrina
Metzger and nine to 11
Kaitlin McBride. Best
costume winners were
Joe Pavkeje, Amber
Brandon, McKayla
Dunn, Kalvin
Westerhaut, Sydney
Kinsman, Jacqueline
Van Altena and Jade
Biglow. The pumpkin
carving contest was
won by Kelly Consitt
and Kimberly Coast.
Other activities
included a Haunted
Trail, the Pumpkin
Bean Bag throw,
Pumpkin Bowling,
pinatas and doughnuts
on a string.
Hot dogs and sweets
were enjoyed by all.
The Blenders Dance
hosted by the Five Alive
on Nov. 2 was very suc-
cessful. Door prize win-
ners were Ross Carter,
Jim Keys, Elaine Dunn,
Anna Maria Koomen,
Marg Urbshott, Cathy
Mustard, Adrian
Koomen, Mildred
Merrill, Casey De
Brouwer and Evelyn
McKinley.
The proceeds of the
dance will go the
Christmas Bureau. The
U.C.W.s provided sand-
wiches and the Trends
made and donated cen-
tre pieces for the
tables.
The top shuffleboard
scorers for Oct. 30
were Elmer Hayter and
Anna Keys, both with a
score of 245, Wes
McBride 206, Hugh
Johnson 197 and
Eleanor McAsh 193.
Church was in Varna
on Sunday with Pastor
Elly VanBergen lead-
ing. Next Sunday the
Remembrance service
will be in Varna.
Following the service
everyone is invited
back to Varna Church
for a Simply Soup
Lunch with hot dogs for
the children. The free
will offering will go to
Mission and Service.
The Trends will meet
in Brucefield at 7 p.m.
on Nov. 8.
The Crokinole Club
will meet Nov. 12 at 8
p.m. at the Varna
Church.
There will be a Board
meeting Nov. 18 in
Goshen at 8 p.m.
Many from Varna and
area attended the 90th
birthday open house for
Alec Murray on
Saturday in Clinton. He
was a former resident
in Varna.
The third 4-H meeting
was held Oct. 30 at
Joyce Dowson’s home.
They also finished
meeting four which
they had already start-
ed. The group talked
about natural
resources (natural,
man-made and human).
They also made paper
from old scrap paper.
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Block Parents explained to students
Leanne Robinson regional co-ordinator for the Block Parents program, was
speaking Wed at Stephen Central about the program and Halloween safety rules.
Front L-R Emily Hodgins, Anna Tripp, Samantha Riley-Smith, David Lenting. Back
Kelly Platt,Leanne Robinson,Ashley Finkbeiner.(photo/Pat Bolen)
Crokinole club to meet in Varna
Although it appears Santa Claus has traded in his sled
for a more stylish ride, it is actually John Relouw tak-
ing part in the 1st annual Kause For Kids motorcycle
parade.The parade for local children’s charities took
place in Grand Bend Nov. 3 and had almost 100 bikes
making their way through the town. Many of them
were decorated even brighter than normal, wrapped
in tinsel, christmas lights and with teddy bears for
passengers. Relouw, who was one of the organizers,
said the day couldn’t have gone better. Even with a
slight chill in the air,it couldn’t discourage riders from
as far away as Michigan. Relouw added local business-
es were very supportive of the event, and many
donated $400 each in cash or prizes. Organizers are
already planning next years event, and Relouw says it
will even bigger and better.(photo/Pat Bolen)
Bikers for Children’s charities
10 Wednesday, November 6, 2002Exeter Times–Advocate