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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-01-14, Page 4Page A4 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Photo by Dominique Milburn Teunis Kolkman turned triple digits last Wednesday, celebrating his 100th birthday with friends and family at Maitland Manor Jan. 7. Kolkman celebrates 100 years with five generations signal -star staff "Who are you!" Teunis Kolkman demanded with a sly chuckle as one of his granddaughters drew close for a warm embrace. He's always been a jokester, according to family members as they began gathering at his side at Maitland Manor in Goderich. Kolkman celebrated his 100th birthday last Wednesday in the company of five generations of kin. Born in Holland in 1909, Kolkman lived a happy life with his wife, Lena,and their nine children. The family immigrated to Canada in 1951, and moved to Goderich in 1953 following the birth of their 10th child. The Kolkman family settled into the farm life just north of town in 1957, where Kolkman heartily worked the land until the age of 96. "After our mother's death in 1983, he stayed at the farm working and cooked all of his own meals until 2006," said eldest daughter, Stein Schoemaker. Father of 10, grandfather of 20, great grandfather of 32, and great, great grandfa- ther of 10 children, Kolkman had a lot to celebrate. Following a small family gather- ing in the morning, and residential open house in the afternoon, Kolkman was also honoured at Saltford Valley Hall Jan. 10 during a community open house. Stein was joined by her fathers side on Jan. 7 by all of her living siblings, Bernie,. Bert, Bill, John, Joanne, Henry, and Leonard for their father's big day. Son Sandy and daughter Mary have passed.. "I farmed all my life," said Kolkman while reminiscing about his life so far. "But, I'm not a millionaire!" Education key to change during Alzheimer month Dave Sykes signal -star publisher January is National Alzheimer Aware- ness Month and the Alzheimer Society of Huron County has a number of events and workshops planned throughout the county. During the month, the Alzheimer So- ciety is calling. out to Canadians to put their minds to it and make change hap- pen in three critical areas: research, an- ti -stigma and changes in public policy, all with a goal to lessening the impact of Alzheimer's and related diseases. For Alzheimer Awareness Month, the Society will be releasing the first data from its study, Rising Tide: The Impact of Dementia on Canadian Society. This data will, for the first time since 1991, provide updated information on the growing prevalence of dementia in Can ada and the need for increased funding to support critical research projects and • supportive programming. The awareness Campaign will chal- lenge Canadians to put tbeir mind to speaking out in an effort to reduce the powerful stigma that exists. Alzheim- er's and related diseases have devastat- ing consequences, • both for the people who have them, as well as their family members, friends and communities. The barriers in our communities need to be removed so that all Canadians touched .by these diseases can be diagnosed and treated. "We are asking Canadians to champi- on the fight against Alzheimer's disease, to take action and speak up for the half a million people living with Alzheimer's or a related disease," Cathy Ritsema, Executive •director for the Alzheimer Society for Huron County said. "We must ensure that our local, .provincial and federal parliamentarians also put their mind to making dementia a health- care priority, within every province, ev- ery community." One of the society's most successful and visible events is the annual Manulife Walk for Memories that will take place in five locations across Huron County on Saturday, January 24. The two-hour walk begins at 10 a.m. at Suncoast Mall, Goderich; St. Anne's Secondary School, Clinton; South Huron District High • School, Exeter; F.E. Madill Secondary School, Wingham and Seaforth Public School, Seaforth. To register and obtain a pledge sheet, call the Alzheimer Society of Huron County at 519-482-1482 or register on- line at www.walkformemories.ca. If you have participated in the event before, then bring a friend or co-worker along to join you in this walk in support of a great cause. Or, at the least, make a pledge and support a participant in the Walk for Memories. This month, the • Huron Society is also sponsoring `Caregiver Connec- tions', a two-hour education workshop developed to' give caregivers informa- tion on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The workshop, which will take place at Knox Presbyterian Church in Goderich on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 1 p.m., will cover an overview of demen- tia, the progression and stages of the disease and advice on avoiding caregiv- er burnout. This workshop is also sched- uled for Clinton, Grand Bend, Wingham and Seaforth. Check with the Society for dates and times. During January, the Huron County society has also been hosting Appetite for Awareness, a four-week, lunch -and - learn education series at the Clinton Adult Day Centre every Tuesday begin- ning at 11:30 a.m. The final two ses- sions, held 'Jan. 20 and 27, will cover an overview of dementia, brain behav- iour, risk factors and the eight steps to a healthy brain. While Alzheimer's and related dis- eases may be associated with an older generation, Grade 4 and 5 student's from across the county will be participating in Alzheimer Awareness month by entering the third Annual Healthy Brain Writing and Drawing Contest. Students have been invited to draw a picture or write a story on keeping your brain healthy. Prizes will be awarded and schools that submit as a class will be entered into a draw for a healthy pizza party. The Alzheimer Society has been pro- viding help and hope for over 30 years in communities across Canada, but they can't act alone. The Society needs every Canadian and every level of government to take action to ensure the necessary services, support and research dollars are in place to address this growing health and societal issue. Vision clinic at mall Thu' The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) is conducting a Lions Low vision Clinic in Suncoast Mali, Goderich on Thursday, Jan. 15 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The clinic will provide an opportunity for anyone to gain information on CNIB services, to access a schedule appoint- ment with a CNIB specialist and to view and demonstrate consumer products. CNIB is a nationwide, community- go*a based, registered charity committed t`! public education, research and the vi- sion health of all Canadians: CNIB pro -1 vides the services and support necessary to enjoy a good quality of life while liv ing with vision loss. For more information visit the clinic at Suncoast Mall this week or visit www.cib.ca. for information about CNIB programs, contact Paul Perna at 519-685-8420 or 1-800-265-4127. "�`'%/•G/�/.-sh. S/.Gfliir-fa�-��i!.� �n�'9i,";�r,i .aG'2J ✓,!9'./iyc?�..11i`>JF';,.%/J/i1X0rik7w: ibA%�lcfi ii;if(i"iF'�iii'1.,v9f%y%,�:..;(✓F .