HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-03-02, Page 5Wednesday, March 2, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 5
community
From the
47 countryside
John Russell
Special to the Lakeshore Advance
Okay boys! Start your engines. It has been over
ten years since I last wrote this column for our local
paper and now it is time to put it in gear.
First of all, I will state that whatever 1 write will be
my opinion and in no way represents the views of
the newspaper. I am not a reporter but would be
glad to get ideas and feedback through the editor
as to likes and dislikes, opinions and ideas for
future columns from readers. I love new ideas and
exploring different sides to issues.
I have worked at the Lambton Heritage Museum
for thirty years and have been fortunate to be sur-
rounded by great community loving individuals. It
my intention to use history and story telling as a
means to show how we have grown and prospered.
I would like to highlight stories of individuals and
groups who have made or continue to make an
impact on our lives. If you can suggest any of these,
feel free to write.
I will probably rant on about issues of a political
nature from time to time. Accept in a general man-
ner, I will not be commenting on issues that are
presently on Lambton Shores Council's agenda. As
for historical perspective and such, it will be pretty
hard to separate out North Lambton from those
issues. As it is with provincial, national and inter-
national issues in this ever shrinking world, the
interplay between and amongst them cannot be
separated.
As I write this column, I will be referring to my
favorite reading companion, John Ralston Saul the
odd time. I might even throw in some definitions
from his book, The Doubter's Companion, A Dic-
tionary of Aggressive Cotnmon Sense. As a good
starting point for those who see the need for posi-
tive change, read Saul's Voltaire's Bastards: The
Dictatorship of Reason in the West and The Uncon-
scious Civilization (The Massey Lectures). If a light -
bulb doesn't go off don't blame me.
Starting with A from the Doubter's Companion:
AARON The brother of Moses,who was
instructed, along with the heads of the other 11
tribes of Israel, to hand over his rod. They were
placed in the tabernacle and the next day, Aaron's
had budded,flowered and produced altnonds,
which won him the position of first head priest and
the perpetual privilege of priesthood for the House
of Levi.
This is neither the first nor the only example of
control over the miraculous giving power. After all,
the single word "yes" from the Delphic Oracle,
when asked whether Socrates was the wisest living
man, convinced the philosopher of his own igno-
rance and set him off on the quest for truth through
questioning which in turn led to his execution. But
th Aaron the concept of power through secrecy
*.as officially integrated into the western system.
'Ibday's experts simply conform to this tradition.
I could make a comment here about how this is
revealed weekly on the business and opinion pages
of our papers, but I think that will be a topic for
another column. And that's how 1 see it this week.
How to make your dogs winter
wonderland a little bit safer.
Michelle Gerrie-Pet groomer
Special to Lakeshore Advance
So we have made it through half of the
winter. That is not to say though that there
is not going to be more cold days and more
snow. Just like humans, dogs have opin-
ions of this kind of weather; some like to
stay curled up in front of a warm fire and
others embrace it full heartedly. Some
hints to help you and your furry friend
through the rest of this wonderful winter
are as follows.
Be extra careful when walking and play-
ing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers,
or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in
and get seriously injured or worse.
Groom your dog regularly. A well
groomed coat can keep them properly
insulated. Short - course haired dogs can't
handle the cold so consider a sweater or
coat and long haired dogs should have the
excess hair on the feet trimmed up. Towel
drying or blow drying your dog if it gets too
wet helps you both out with odors and care
of the coat.
Paw care is important with trimming the
hair around them and from away from the
pads. This makes removing snow clumps
much easier for you and less painful for
them. But if you are going to do it, do it
with caution as to not cut the webbing or
pads. A little petroleum Jelly on the pads if
St. Anne's gets involved
Mlkenna Lane
Lakeshore Advance
Following a relaxing day filled with family
fun, students came back to St. Anne's pre-
pared to get involved! Me second semester
is already very busy. The athletes of the
school had a very eventful week as the Nor-
dic Ski Team brought home two WOSAA
championships sending many students to
OFSAA (all Ontario's). The Boys Hockey
Team competed at Huron Perth on Febru-
ary 24th, 2010 with the entire school cheer-
ing them on during a very exciting game.
Our swimmers headed to OFSAA to make
some waves in Etobicoke. Our school chap-
lain has begun visiting classrooms and
helping each homeroom class create a
creed based on the Catholic Graduate
Expectations. Also for those who are in
grade nine and ten and are interested in a
special academic opportunity, there is a
they get cracked or dried out this will com-
fort them. There are products like booties
or paw wax that can be used as
prevention.
Don't leave your dog in the car alone. A
running engine will cause carbon -monox-
ide and a car that sits will get too cold for
them. Yes they have a fur coat but frost
bite is a winter hazard for them on tails,
ear and feet.
Some hazards to watch for while you are
out for those enjoyable walks are, anti-
freeze - it smells sweet and tastes that way
but is deadly if eaten. Rock salt this dries
out their feet, make sure that you rinse
their feet off. When using supplemental
heat sources insure that they have proper
safety features. For example fireplaces
have screens and portable heaters are at a
safe distance.
Enjoy the rest of this winter with your
furry companion and remember to be
'pawfectly' safe.
Michael Smith Science Challenge on March
10th, 2011. The challenge includes a one-
hour national science test presented by the
University of British Columbia. The compe-
tition will occur at 12 -1 pm at St. Anne's
and students can submit their name to their
science teacher or in student services! Our
Student Uniform Committee created a great
video for our weekly edition of "Wednesday
Pre -Recorded" and our Agents of Change
are busy preparing a survey to have student
voice heard. Parent teacher interviews hap-
pen right after March Break on Thurs.
March 24th so book that in your calendars
now.
Stephen Central celebrates students
Bayles and Emily
Lakeshore Advance
Last Wednesday our Grade 8 teacher
Mr.Hundey was persuaded by our Grade 2
students to wear make up. He looked very
eye catching with his bright red lipstick, blue
eye shadow and sparkles. On Friday we are
had our Terrific Kids Assembly honouring
students who demonstrate Perseverance
and the Grade 2 class put on three plays all
written by Brandon King, a Grade 2
student!
On March 1st our Grade 8 students had
their best smiles on for grad pictures.
On Thursday March 3rd our Grade 7 & 8
Bommel will run in October election
QM' Agency
PubllcatlonName:Lakeshore Advance
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Maria
Van Bomtnel confirmed last week that she
will be a candidate for re-election on Octo-
ber 6, 2011.
"Ontario is worth fighting for, we have
more work to do on the progress we've
made, and I am proud to stand for re-elec-
tion as MPP" said Van Bommel, parliamen-
tary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture,
and first elected in 2003.
"While the previous government closed
schools, hospitals, laid off nurses, water
inspectors and cancelled skills training pro-
grams, we are moving in the opposite direc-
tion, including record funding for health
care and education," said Van Bommel,
pointing out:
• Our kids now have full day kindergarten.
That's a first for North America!
■ Not only are wait times being measured,
they are now the shortest in Canada.
• The most dramatic tax reforms in dec-
ades are making Ontario businesses
more competitive in the global economy
- and that means more jobs and $12 bil-
lion in tax cuts for individuals.
students who have been working very hard
are finally heading to the high school for the
basketball tournament. Good Luck!
To end the week our school is holding
their One Night Out sleep over for Me to We
to raise money and awareness for the home-
less. We are looking forward to a night of fun
and games with the Stephen Tigers!
■ Our electricity system is being re -built - a
big job being done in a smart way with
more jobs and cleaner air.
■ 1.3 million children are receiving the
Ontario Child Benefit.
■ Thousands of Ontarians are getting a
fresh start in a new job because of our
Second Career program.
• Funding the Risk Management program
for grains & oilseeds producers, a main-
stay of support for rural Ontario.
• Millions of dollars in uploading to help
local municipalities.
"We're moving in the right direction. But
there's always more to do, and 1 look for-
ward to the opportunities that lie ahead,"
said Van Bommel.