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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2004-08-04, Page 5Opinion Multilingual io-year-old Mahmoud sells the tourists a lot of postcards From Page 1 Canadian, he launched into his spiel again, this time in French. When we applauded, he prodeeded through German, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew and Japanese. His •accents were amazing and he changed his whole manner of speaking with each lingual shift. The School of Life, as Aladdin had called it in Egypt, is just as necessary in Jordan. Mahmoud sold a lot of post cards. One of the biggest differences between sites in the Middle East and anywhere else in the world is the lack of safety precautions. You can climb all over them. So it was that I found myself in the bat (and rat) infested storage rooms under the floor of the temple, and then 50 feet up on a 200 -year-old wall to take pictures back along the cardo. Laura Foley shouted up "Remember, you've all signed a waiver!", and the view was spectacular. Climbing down was quite the experience. Diane, who is very short, had a particularly fun trip. We also went to a Crusader castle (a Muslim one), which was a maze of dark corridors, random holes in the floor whose function we never figured out and worn out stair cases that looked like Esher drawings. From the highest room in the tallest tower (we all thought it, but only Ian was brave enough to say it), we looked out over the Jordan Valley, green with olive trees and replanted pines to the Sea of Gallilee. 1t was 45 degrees, and the wind was blowing so hard, we had to sit down to avoid being swept away. After dinner, a group of us went out for Nargila, the water pipe. We had pineapple flavour, and I kept coughing,hecausc the guys were blowing smoke out of their noses and I couldn't stop laughing. It was odd, but 1 decided that it is culture, and I should try it once. It's been really, really hot here the last few days, but the evenings are wonderful. I think I've fallen in love with this country, for all the discomfort it causes sometimes. There's a timeless quality to everything here that is unlike anything 1 have ever experienced anywhere else. It's fabulous. News Safely Home program helps keep wandering Alzheimer patients safe By Jennifer Hubbard Goderich Signal -Star Staff Local Long-term care facilities are making life a little safer for their residents, thanks to the Huron County Alzheimer Society's Safely Home program. "It really is a great partnership to have," Maitland Manor executive director Angie Dunn said. "We have our own policies and procedures to ensure the safety of residents, but this further enhances what we already have in place." Formerly known as the Alzheimer Wandering Registry, the Safely Home program provides a database of people with Alzheimer and related dementias. A photograph and information is taken from each participant and put on file with the national registry. Each participant then receives a bracelet — similar to a medical alert bracelet — with a number corresponding to their file, which can be accessed by police throughout Canada. During a recent workshop featuring Sgt. Don' Webster, of the OPP Search and Rescue division, 28 facility representatives from across Huron County learned how to make their current emergency plans more effective. "It really was a good eye opener," Ritsema said of the July 13 seminar. "Not only did it tell what to do in case of an emergency, but how to identify people who could wander and prevent those emergencies from happening." And while the Safely Home program is not new to Huron County, local Alzheimer Society executive director Kathy Ritsema said she is hoping to increase awareness of the program's benefits locally. Twenty-eight new people registered to thc program during the recent campaign at Maitland Manor in Goderich. Seaforth Manor, Queensway Nursing home in Hensall and Fordwich Nursing Home. Seaforth Manor administrator said that while only four or five Seaforth-area residents registered during a July 26 opportunity for community members to join the Safely Home program, she's hoping to get more local people involved. "It's an excellent program," she said. "When someone goes missing, it's frantic no matter what. But with this program, the search will probably go more smoothly." Ritsema said she is pleased with the response and is planning more sessions for August. She encouraged all families who have relatives suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other related dementias — both at home and in Tong -term care facilities — to consider the program. "Wandering is a common behaviour for Alzheimer patients and while it doesn't happen to everyone, the possibility is always there," Ritsema said. "It can he a dangerous situation in both urban and rural areas because they can end up anywhere. It's better to be safe than sorry." Dunn also stressed the importance of the registry program. "It's one of those programs that has to get out there. People need to realize how important it is to he involved with the Alzheimer Society." she commented. "There aren't a lot of people signed up right now, but once people begin to hear more about I'm sure there will he more participants." Registration to the Safely Home program is voluntary. For a one-time fee of $25, the Alzheimer Society will provide an identification bracelet, a Caregiver handbook and identification cards. The program is offered through a partnership between the Alzheimer Society of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. For more information or to register for the Safely Home program call thc Alzheimer Society of Huron County at 482-1482. with files from the Huron Expositor Huron County council anxious to begin septic re -inspection program By Jennifer Hubbard Goderkh Signal -Star Staff With an estimated 50 per cent of septic systems needing repair in Huron, county councillors are anxious to get moving on a new re- inspection program. "1 really hate to see this drag on and on," Deb Shewfelt (Goderich) said. "We need to get going on this and the area west of Highway 21 is a good place to start. Other municipalities are far ahead of us." A report on the septic re- inspection program by public health manager Pam Scharfe was presented at a June meeting of the •health and planning committee and then forwarded to the June meeting of the county water - protection committee. Scharfe's report included research obtained through interviews with sewage haulers last January. It was determined that education was a key starting point to the success of any program from those interviews. The report also suggested a pilot study would be beneficial in assessing the feasibility of a larger county -wide program. Tracking identified as the single most important consideration in the effectiveness of are - inspection program. Rob Morley (South Huron) said while he agreed with Shewfelt, it was important not to forget the numerous septic systems in the county's small towns and villages. "It's not just about protecting thc lake, but our water sources as well," he said. "Small towns should be included in our hot spots." Shewfelt suggested following the Icad of other municipalities by using Quoted 'It's not just about protecting the lake, but our water sources as well,'-- Goderich Mayor Deb Shewfelt steering infrared camera aerial shots to identify those hot spots. According to county estimates there are in excess of 14,000 septic systems within the county, serving about 64 per cent of the population. Since 1997, the health unit has issued 1 ,1 14 certificates for new or. replacement systems. There arc currently 9,067 septic records on file. Ben Van Diepenheck (Ashfield-Colhornc- Wawanosh) suggested getting reports on all of the county's septic systems was a good place to start, but cautioned council not to move too quickly. "Yes this is important, but if we're going to mandate When R Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Turn to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. AL N ARTER Specializing in PENNY OVERBOE Farm - Commercial - Auto - Home 5 MAIN STREET, SOUTH SEAFORTH, ON (519)527.2500 Goon Monday to &kWy tr:X sm. • 4:00o.m. - OR by appotnmsnl f flooded At 1 prypar',to return to Oilmen to face the rhnllnrges ahwu1,!woad like to take a Hawses to thank tntt the people ofHaron-Rntee, for ‘nor tappon during she mon recent freleml eleatirm owl since 1993. h has ban a pkanutr to ane a IvordfP and 1 look foneard'to continuing to front on tour behalf in Canada': Parltantmt 3U Vitlntif urea a1K 0o4leeich. Offiio N7A 2g6 Ohmic (519) 324.4 938 ToII Pree t 800-065.1716 Fax (319) 324 F. malt dakp0 rt .ca Pod terhtutHart* -Pox. reo*?a •tflA..mw people to spent upwards of $10,000 on an upgrade the grant money has to he there," he said. "We need to he able to walk in the door and say yes, you have a problem. but we can help you fix it." said Warden Bill Dowson (Blucwatcr). A report from the steering committee will he discussed at the Aug. 3 health and planning meeting. THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Aug. 4, 2004-5 IRWIN PHYSIOTHERAPY P111""-'44144 y 1344 • Reduce Pain • Strengthen Problem Areas • Improve Mobility • Prevent Injury • Restore Maximum Function Craig Irwin, PT CALL: 527-1551 Or visit us at the Seaforth Community Health Centre 28 Centennial Drive, Seaforth Most Services covered by WSIB, Auto Insurance or We bring you LOCAL news like nobody else. LOCAL Sports LOCAL Weddings LOCAL Birth Announcements LOCAL Obituaries LOCAL Clubs and Organizations LOCAL Community Leaders LOCAL Business News LOCAL Education News LOCAL Farm News LOCAL Government News LOCAL Crime Reports LOCAL Sale Prices LOCAL like nobody else. Why subscribe to The Huron Expositor? Because this is where LOCAL people Lind LOCAL news 52 weeks a year! Call today to subscribe. Phone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 email: seaforthebowesnet.com Church Services St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Pansh of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr Michael Atkins Pansh Office 527-1522 Sunday, August 8 The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost Worship at 9 30 am Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday Worship Hour 10 am Drop in Centre Fridays 7 -10 pm Jim Wyllie - Pastor NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Cavan 9'30 a.m 11:00 a m. Northside Winthrop 54 Godench St. W. Minister Rev. John Gould Sunday, August 8 Sermon - The Divine Intruder Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Egmondville United Church Sunday August 8 Join us at 10:30 for Worship Everyone Welcome Stave Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister In Training First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Minister Rev. Henry Huberts SUN., AUG. 8 11:15 a.m. Service AIS [ VOL READY FOR HEAVEN'? GOSPE %WV von.dby Joseph St. Gospel Hall August 1st - 20"' 7:45pm - 8:45pm nightly excluding Saturday Tent Location Beside Lavis Ball Park on #8 Highway, East of Holmesville Speakers Mr. Mark Bachert: Delores, Nicaraugua Mr. Gary Sharp, Midland, Ontario ' JESUS IS ('ONiIN(i....f 1:A DV OR \O]' YOUNG PEOPLE'S 8/81F HOUR August 9 to August 13 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. a4. BSS, 6>'►W r %Solk t1; t"iii' Bj5! q ee 10042),* ABSOLUTELY FREE for information or transportation call: Dan Bachert 527-0540 Mark Bachert 357-7871