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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-12-29, Page 151 Main St., Seafo 527-1681 GICs & Mutual Funds RRSPs RRIFs RESPs Life & Disability Insurance Employee Benefits Retirement & Financial Planning Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2004 $1.25 GST IMrri i Ista ngiss ain St. Seaforth ' ; 527-0794 Iii brier Blood donor clinic today at Seaforth community centre aiming for 190 units By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor• Canadian Blood Services is hoping to collect 190 units of blood at its Seaforth blood donor clinic today (Wednesday, Dec. 29). "Seaforth has always supported this clinic, it's always a very well attended clinic," says Erin Bryden, of Canadian Blood Services. While last year's clinic was held on Boxing Day, Bryden says the change of date to Dec. 29 shouldn't affect the turn -out. "It's a great Christmas thing to do and it doesn't matter what day it is in Seaforth," she says. Because donations are increasing in Huron and Perth Counties, Canadian Blood Services is offering an increasing number of clinics locally, with chances to donate throughout the area at least once a month. Seaforth's three clinics in 2004 will be increased to four clinics in 2005. Clinics are also increasing in Clinton and Mitchell. Bryden says she's encouraged by the fact that many young people are beginning to follow their parents' lead and become blood donors. "I've had young people tell me they can't wait to be 17 so .they can start donating," she says. Today's clinic at the Seaforth C ommunity Centre from 1:30 to 8:30 p.m. is part of the province -wide More the Merrier campaign that aims to collect 20,000 units of blood across Ontario before Jan.14. Inside... Local fans miss NHL... page 3 Local snowmobilers ready for season ... Pig Jason Middleton photo Roger Lee, manager of GT Mini Mart in Seaforth, contemplates the necessity of covering up his cigarette display if proposed provincial smoking legislation is passed. New smoking legislation will be 'a pain' for shopkeepers By Jason Middleton Expositor Staff Local business owners are reacting after the Ontario Government announced legislation that would prohibit smoking in all workplaces and ban countertop cigarette displays at all retail outlets. The proposed legislation would limit the sale, distribution and use of tobacco products, including stricter measures to ensure only those 19 years of age and older can buy cigarettes. Mohammad Farhan, Macs Milk operator, said that the legislation would just make extra work for his employees. "Even if you're going to take the displays down, it doesn't matter. They're still going to come and ask for their cigarettes," said Farhan. "The only problem is going to be for us when we have to bend under the counter to get the smokes." Karen Martin, manager of Seaforth Shell, said that the legislation would be a pain for the customers. "I think us having to put the cigarettes away isn't going to help because people want to see what you have," said Martin. According to Farhan, close to 30 per cent of all convenience store customers purchase cigarettes. "For anybody who smokes it's not an impulse. They feel an urge at home and they want a smoke," said Farhan. "They think, 'I'm getting out of smokes' so they come to the store. Their mind is already made up." Farhan said that in the six years he has been running the See SMOKING, Page 5 Skate park could soon become ice park By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor A downtown outdoor skating rink could be ready for use behind town hall by the new year, says organizer John Ryan. Ryan, of Egmondville, who organized the Seaforth All -Wheels Skate Park with a cement pad and ramps behind Seaforth's town hall, is trying to have the pad flooded for winter use now that the ramps have been stored for the winter. "It will be a nice pad for 15 or 20 kids to `skate around," said Ryan. Ryan took the idea to the Seaforth recreation board recently, who told him to enlist a local service club to help with the outdoor rink project. Before he could ask a service club for help, Huron East Public Works Coordinator John Forrest volunteered to flood the surface if Ryan could remove a wooden fence on one side of the skate park. "It wouldn't take anything at all to do it. You'd just need to clean it off, set the snow back into banks and put a water sprinkler in the middle. I don't think it would be hard," said Forrest. "You just need some cold water and some ambition," he said. Ryan said he initially See RYAN, Page 2 Northside Christmas Day dinner draws small but cheerful group to 'lovely meal' By Susan Hundertmark Expositor Editor Whether they were having a tough Christmas or couldn't get together with family members living far from Seaforth, a small but cheerful group enjoyed the first ever Christmas Day supper at Northside United Church on Dec. 25 at noon. "It's very convenient," said Wayne Walmsley, of London who grew up in Seaforth and returned to visit with his mother Geraldine Fraiser. "It's just Mom and me this Christmas and we didn't get a big bird," he said. "It's a lovely meal," agreed Fraiser. "We're having a downer Christmas so we saw this and phoned up to help," said Jane Hoggart, of the Londesboro area. "We're out in the country by ourselves this Christmas and this takes us away from eating alone out there," she said of herself and husband John. Delphine Dolmage, of Seaforth, attended the Northside dinner with friends Charlie and Perkins. Her son, wholives in Kirkland Lake had invited her to spend Christmas with him but she said she wasn't up to the trip this year. "I just didn't want to do it. 1 don't like the four-hour wait at the Toronto airport," she said. "This is a nice break isn't it and nice company," added Perkins. Harold Kumm, of Seaforth, said he would have spent the day alone if the dinner had not been held. "It's a good meal and I'm really glad to have it. It's not Christmas anymore without family around and this makes it better. I don't know all the people here but this feels like a family," he said. Johannna and George Goodman, of Seaforth, attended the Christmas dinner at Northside because without a car they were unable to visit family in London. "We're in town for the day and this is a good meal," said Johanna. "It's nice to have something like this when there's no family around." Organizer Susan Campbell said she was pleased with the turnout of four tables of eight people and added she had to turn away both food and volunteers for the dinner. "We got far more than we could ever use. The Susan Hundertmark photo Wayne Walmsley and Johanna and George Goodman fill up their plates at the Christmas Day dinner at Northside United Church. outpouring was overwhelming. We tried to use everybody who wanted to donate and we'll maybe send everyone home with some leftovers," said Campbell, adding tb'd church members of every congregation in town donated. Still, she had to direct some turkey donors to the local food bank. "We were given one very large turkey and had to turn away two more" she said. Many of those who attended the Christmas Day See DINNER, Page 5