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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-07-21, Page 22-THI HURON IIIXPOSITOR, July 21, 2004 isty Oft FREE ESTIMATES Thank YOU The board of directors of the Seaforth Agricultural Society would like to thank the residents of Huron East and area for their continued support of the Tractor Elimination Draw. It is with the success of this event that we continue to be able to support our community in the following ways: •Offering free admission at the fair and asking for a donation to the food bank in lieu of admission. •Supporting 4-H activities as well as offering our facilities to them for judging competitions free. •Having our grounds/track available free for the local schools to hold track and field meets. •Including two local community groups in our event with an exchange of labour for a donation. *Offering a prize list with an excess of $18,000 available to be won at our fair. *Offering a calf club to our youth with financing available to those who could not otherwise participate. *Sponsoring a local Ambassador competition which gives local young men & women an opportunity to compete and go on to district and provincial level. Please join us on September 9, 10 and 11 at our 159th Annual Fall Fair and on July 2, 2005 at our 16th Annual Tractor Elimination Draw. We couldn't do it without you! Thanks from the Board of Directors of the Seaforth Agricultural Society OFFICE 519-527-1321 News •••,..•-•sirwi "Come Home" festival calls people back home • From Pogo 1 weekend a great success," said Agar. According to Agar, the festival will be similar to the community -wide celebration of Homecoming '95. The festival will be using the Seaforth website and a detailed database of names collected during Homecoming '95 to advertise to former residents. Agar said she's open to the idea of opening up the festival to other communities, such as Brussels. "Let's showcase Huron East." But for now, Agar is concentrating on Seaforth plans. "If I try and do too much and it (the festival) doesn't work out, it's not as good," said Agar, who explained she would like to see, "quality events." As for future Come Home to the Country festivals, Agar said that she would like to get next years event planned first. "I don't want to think in terms of every year until we get one year under our belt. Then we could, in two or three years time, have another one," said Agar. Dawe family sponsors Belarussian kids for fifth year By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff Since 2000, the Dawe family, of Seaforth, have opened their doors and their hearts to two children from Belarus. Now, five years after joining Huron County for Children of Chernobyl (HCCC), Lynn Dawe says • that Sasha and Lena Tsibouk are part of their family and lovingly call them their "Belarussian children." "They are part of the family. We consider them our Belarussian children. Six weeks isn't long enough for them to be here," said Lynn. During their visit Lena and Sasha will visit with their adopted family, get together with the other children in the program and visit Wonderland and Sportsworld. Five years ago the Dawe family read a newspaper article which mentioned the program and they became immediately interested. "It just struck us as something we wanted to do. Help the kids," said Lynn. Lynn said, the six-week visit to Huron County gives the children's immune system a break from the high levels of radiation in Belarus from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. "There are pockets of high levels of radiation in the country that really affects their health," said Jim. 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 .1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rechargeable Electric Youth Size Powerful 1/2 HP Motor 1 1/4 Inch Tubular Steel Frame Parental Key Switch 10 inch COMPOUND MITER SAWS FIX THAT DAMP BASEMENT 25 PINT with Auto Shut Off USA SURPLUS Features • Level & Laser Guide • 15 AMP Motor • 45 Degree Tilt only 115.E 135. oo COMPARE PRICES 212 Victoria St. CLINTON ✓ nlrurrrrrrr we r rr 1182-5,)O`? 1 1 1 1 rmrrrtmrrrr1 Jason Middleton photo Members of the Dawe family, Cory (left),14, Jim, and Lynn (far right) pose with their Belorussian children Sasha (top second from right), 13, and Lena, 1 In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster spread nuclear radiation throughout the surrounding countries. "It was April 26, 1986 and they don't even know how long the radiation will last. They can't even say," said Jim. "These kids weren't even born when the disaster happened and they're still suffering from it. It's great if we can help even for a little bit," said Lynn. Last year, Lena and Sasha's parents did not allow their children to make the journey to Canada for fear of the SARS outbreak. "Their parents were concerned. There were still children that came to Huron county, but not ours." said Lynn. So, instead of Jim and Lynn hosting the children the children and their parents hosted them in their home in Belarus which Jim and Lynn call an "eye opening" experience. This past winter, the 1 children were sicker than they had been in previous years where they had visited Canada during the summer. "I know their parents noticed a big difference in them nor coming. They noticed a big difference in their health when they didn't come (to Canada) during the summer," said Lynn. Sasha said that this past winter he was sick for the first time in awhile with tonsillitis. His sister, Lena was sick three times during the winter with a fever and the flu. While staying here in Seaforth the children will get to have some healthier fresh fruits and vegetables than what they could get back in Belarus. "They don't have fresh fruits and vegetables like we have here," said Jim. Both children said they love peanut butter, which they take back with them to Belarus. Sasha said he loves hotdogs and bananas, while Lena loves Kraft Dinner. Every year while the children are in Seaforth they get to visit the dentist for free. They also get to go to Paramount Canada's Wonderland, take part in various get-togethers and just hang out as a family. Lynn encourages other families to participate in the program. "The six weeks scares people off. They think it's 'a big commitment, but the time just flies by," said Lynn. Fundraising covers the costs associated with having the children stay in town. In Huron County, there are 15 children staying as part of the HCCC. At 7 p.m. on July 24, at the South Huron Recreation Centre magician Claude Haggerty will perform and proceeds of tickets sold by HCCC members will go back to the group. For more information on the HCCC or the magic show call Jim of Lynn at 527-2060. Local singer tests voice in Ontario open country singing competition ly Hilary Long Student Reporter Harness racer and fifth generation bee keeper Bill Ross is also an active singer. Ross started singing ten years ago when he was invited to join the Seaforth Harmony Kings, a barber shop type group. Ross said that he always loved singing and this was the start of something he knew he wanted to do. While still singing with the Harmony Kings, Ross sings with the Southwestern Ontario Gospel Singers out of London. "A friend and I sing a lot of karaoke. We do performances for nursing homes," said Ross, adding that it is nice to give something to seniors while he still can because, "I am a senior." "I sing all the karaoke I can find," he said, adding when he can find it he is right up on the stage singing. Ross is a competitive country music singer. "I think (my favourite singer) is aetween Eddy Arnold and Ray Price because they are two of the greatest country and western 'singers." "My singing is not just limited to country," said Ross, adding he sings all kinds of music. "I can sing Eddy Arnold, Ray Price, Neil Diamond and Perry Cole and others." Bill Ross Ross has recently competed in the Ontario Open Country Singing Competition in Wingham and the Canadian Open Country Singing Contest in Simcoe. "I did not do so well in Wingham," said Ross, "But I redeemed myself at Simcoe." Ross said he placed high in the top 10 in the Simcoe competition. "I am still waiting for my marks but I know I did well," he said. Ross said, "The competition down there was greet, and Clod willing, I will be going back." Ross said that he has been singing competitively for three years in the classic or senior category. "I like the competition, I like singing but I like competition because there are a lot of good singers out there," he said, adding he also likes to dress the part when he goes. He said he is looking forward to going back to both competitions next year and doing better in Wingham. Ross added that he is busy with the Harmony Kings preparing a concert at the Seaforth Public School in September. 1 1