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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2007-05-02, Page 4Page 4 May 2, 2007 • The Huron Expositor Opinion Proprietor and Publisher, Bowes Publishers Limited, 11 Main St., Seaforth, ON, NOK 1WO Van Egmond. volunteers mustn't give up bringing history to life It's an unfortunate truth that we're least likely to appreciate, remember or focus on what's in our own backyards. And, while Huron County is rich in history and historical buildings, some of which are .still .stand- ing in close to original conditions, it often takes a group of travel writers or tourists from outside of the area to remind us of the historical gems we live amongst. The Van Egmond Foundation has been working for the past several years, to take the local history and help to bring it to . life for local students. In the first of at least two programs planned for students, the foundation has prepared a half-day hands-on program on pioneer gardening and medi- cine along with a guided tour of the Van Egmond House for Grade 3 students. The next plan is to augment the Grade 7 curricu- lum by creating an educational program using Col. Anthony. Van Egmond's participation in the Rebellion of 1837. Unfortunately, the Grade 3 program, planned for the second and third weeks of May, has had a bit of a false start. Despite attempts by organizers to check with local schools about the likelihood of their participa- tion and the best timing for the program, it appears that the teachers approached forgot to tell organiz- ers that their attention will be focussed on EQAO testing in May. While the pressures of standardized testing for Grade 3 students may have gotten in the way, Van Egmond Foundation volunteers who have worked so hard for the past two years should not give up. Offering a hands-on program that recreates the history of the area and even the lives of the ances- tors of some of the students participating is too rich an experience to let go of without a second or even - third attempt. Just as Huron County students have travelled for years to the Ontario Science Centre in Zbronto for a hands-on experience, it's easy to imagine students from all over coming to Egmondville eventually to gain a glimpse of the settlement of the area. Susan Hundertmark Exr Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 E-mail us at seaforth@a bowesnet.com Visit our home page at www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OUEEKOR MEDIA Canada .ul Tem °We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs." TV makes all the difference between life as monk or zombie I thought I'd adapted to the monk -like existence of the last couple weeks. All the little luxuries that I'd come to take for granted were suddenly gone when I moved to Seaforth two weeks ago. Before anyone com- plains because they think I'm ragging on small town life, no, the little luxuries weren't gone because Seaforth is a small town and I've moved here from a city. They were all still in Guelph because after I'd packed the essen- tials there wasn't room in my little car for frills. Our Guelph lease isn't up until the end of this month anyway, so we haven't been rush- ing to get everything here. My inventory included toiletries, a few dish- es, a few glasses, a pot, a pan, some cutlery, a pad to sleep on, a sleeping bag and pillow, a camp chair, some books, a CD player, some CDs and a picture of my girlfriend and I. That was it. No couch or easy chair. No bed or kitchen table. No television or game console. And defi- nitely no computer or Internet. Eve had my own personal version of Turn Off the Screens week, minus the exercise they encouraged kids to do instead of watching television or using the Internet. I've cooked, listened to music, read and slept. Most importantly, I've had time to do nothing, which isn't something I've had time for in what seems like years. I find that doing noth- ing can be very productive since it gives me a chance to reflect, organize my thoughts and recharge. It was great. Not only had I convinced myself I'd "adapted," I was starting to think I was building new habits.- New abits.-New ways of living that didn't depend on the Internet or digital cable or cathode ray tubes. Pride goeth before you- know -what. Everything went well until the television made an appearance in the Seaforth apart- ment this weekend. It came with two of its friends: the DVD player and the Gamecube. Christa, my girlfriend, came to visit and brought a load of our stuff with her. After she made the trip back to Guelph Sunday night, I reverted from monk to zom- bie and spent the night watching special fea- tures on the DVD I'd bought earlier in the weekend. The morning after, instead of a clear head I had one that felt as if it was stuffed with cot- ton. There may be a lesson for me here some- where. I'll think on it tonight after playing video games. If there's time. Are you kidding? 'That teacher is a slave driver! SUBSCRIPTION RATES: LOCAL - 36.18 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. SENIORS; - 34.17 a year, in advance, plus G.S.T. Foreign: 36.18 a year in advance, plus $181.48 postage, G.S.T. exempt U.S.A.: 36.18 a year in advance, plus $92.56 postage, G.S.T. exempt Published weekly by Sun Media at 11 Main St.. Seaforth. 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Box 69, Seaforlh, ON., NOK 1 WO Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the Ontario Community Newspapers Association Tom Williscraft, Publisher Bernie Pugh Advertising / Office Susan Hundertmark Editor Aaron Jacklin Reporter Dianne McGrath Marcie Riegling Front office Composing Editorial and Business Offices - 11 Main Street.,Seatorth Telephone (519) 527-0240 Fax (519) 527-2858 Mailing Address - P.O. Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario, NOK IWO