The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutLakeshore Advance, 2011-09-07, Page 44 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, September 7, 2011 Grand Bend Likesbiro Ailvance New volunteer recognition marks OFA's 75th anniversary PUBLISHED WEEKLY P.O.BOX 1195 58 Ontario St, North Grand Bend ON NOM 1TO phone: 519-238-5383 fax: 519-238-5131 email: ladvance@bowesnet.com SUN MEDIA A Quebecor Media Company NEIL CLIFFORD Publisher/Advertising Manager ndifford@bowesnet.com LYNDA HILLMAN-RAPLEY Editor ladvance�� bowesnet.com STEVE NORTHEY Advertising Sales MARK STEPHEN Advertising Sales JULIE HARRISON Typesetting/Classifieds KATHY YOUNG Accounts Receivable www,Iakeshoreadvance.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: Regular $39.95 (38.05.1.90 GST) Online subscriptions available—same rates Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO LAKESHORE ADVANCE CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT P.O.Box 1195 58 Ontario St. North Grand Bend ON NOM 1 TO For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: phone: 519-238.5383 e-mail: iadvanceebowesnet.com Changes of address, orders for subscriptions, and undeliverable copies (return postage guaranteed) are to be sent to LakesforeAdvance at the address indicated here. Advertising Is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous Item together with a reasonable allowance for signature, wiN not be charged for, but the balance of the advertise- ment will be pail ate* applicable rates. We acknowledge the financial support Of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Periodical Fund (CPU) for our publishing activities. Canada �ocn a Norco saks Canadildetloan Community 1 K.i Noncoms( Apocianon.na the Ontario Community Newspapers Aseodtaion Outstanding volunteers will receive special recognition by the Ontario Federation of Agri- culture (OFA) with the announcement of the uhganira- tion's 75th anniversary celebra- tion awards. Nominations are now being accepted at each county and regional federation of agriculture office for OFA members who work diligently to promote agriculture, lobby on behalf of farmers and raise awareness of agricultural issues. To mark OFA's 75 years of farm advocacy, regional or county level volunteers will he chosen from all the npplica• tions, as well as one outstand ing provincial volunteer. Noma nees will he evaluated on theh OFA volunteer work, general volunteer activities, impact of volunteer work and other out standing strengths, Each regional or county winner will receive a commemorative anni- versar'v farm gate sign.'1he pro vincial winner will he announced at the ()FA annual meeting and convention in November. "\\'e are proud 10 he celehrat- ing 75 years of advocating for Ontario's framers •- and volun- teers are a huge part of our sac cess," says Bette lean (:trews, president, OI A. "A recent study indicated 46 per cent of Cana- dians actively volunteer, and many of them can he found in agricultural or rural auras. OFA volunteers are vital to the orgaulirtuion because without them OFA would not he the longstanding successful farm organization it is today," For more information about the county or regional awards contact your local federation of agriculture secretary, member service representative or the 0E:\ provincial office at 1-000- 660 3276. Nomination deadline for the 01.A provincial award Is October 1, 2011. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture MEM r\) is the largest general fat in organization i1) Ontario, representing 37,000 farm families across the prov- ince, As n dynamic farmer_ 0Ignni/atinn based in Guelph, the l )F:\ winks to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through gov- etanent relations, front policy ►ecolnlnendaations, lobby eftni Is, community representa- tion, media relations and more. 1)1:.\ is the leading advocate for Ontario's farmers and is ( )11tal'to's voice of the farmer, ABCA staff donating to Goderich disaster Lakeshore Advance ABCA staff are donating to disaster relief in Goderich and Benmiller area atter the August 21 tornado ,,, and encouraging other organizations and busi- nesses to consider the same: Staff members from Ausnhle Bayfield Conservation Author,. ity (ABCA) have donated $600 this week to tornado relief efforts for people in the Goderich and Benmiller areas in the watershed adjacent to ABCA's area. The local agency encourages staff from other organirations and businesses to also con- sider donations of their own, Staff members contribute regularly to a charitable fluid and have supported causes Wish as conservation educa- tion programming, Canadian Aid for Southern Sudan water projects, and )else's journey ar Duchenne muscular dys- trophy research, 'Ihe staff donated MOO to the Goderich Disaster Relief Fund and MO to Big Brothers Big Sisters North Huron for sup- port to affected client families from the Goderich and Hen - miller arras, Those wishing to make a financial donation to the Goderich Disaster Relief Fund, can do so at any chartered bank or visit goderlch,ca Sands of Time Lynda Hillman-Rapley Editor, Lakeshore Advance Finding Marlene As I have mentioned in the past- social media has worked for good and in some cases it has backfired nn those trying to get their message out. It is, for so many a tool w find people. And that is where this col- umn is heading. Four decades ago 1 was in a serious car accident where my friend died. We were very young and her family moved away soon after, She had three brothers, and over the years I looked for the elder brother's name to crop alp somewhere- but to no avail. l had no idea %on lye` the family %vas, 1 also kept in mind there was a name change- with their new father adopting them during the time of the car crash. That has complicated things over the past •10 years. \\'hen my friend died, the com- munity raised dollars fon two paintings to he hung at the school, in her honour. When the school closed 1 asked what happened to the paintings. 11 had been so long, people moved away, former friends grown and gone and no one even remembered the story - or the paintings. 1 kept looking for this family, searching both names. As it neared the •10 -year mark in lune - 1 felt a deep need to find the mother of my friend. 1 had no spoken In Int since my early teens, One thing 1 always remem- bered of Illy friend was her favour- ite song- "Get Back" by the Beatles. ! ler new baby brother' was born in 1969, when the song came out, 1111d Its name was toe and she loved to sing, "Into was a man who thought he was a loner„ " 1 checked Facehook often and could never find anyone. People am added sporadically, so this was something 1 did whenever it came to mind. In lune, where the 40 year anniversary was nearing, my search became one of impatience, I thought 1 found the oldest brother but waS disappointed. Then, for whatever mason that Beatles song came into play- I was humming it for no reason and I decided to check on the name Joe. last week I found one and sent him a note asking if his ninth's name was Mar- lene. I told this stranger 1 was look- ing for her for ninny years and that 1 hoped he was tvho 1 thought he WUS. Days later 1 got the message, " !Wile) that would he my mother! She just called here and she's really excited to hear from you. Mom spoke of you often. That would make her day! Nice to filially pelt a face to the Mahle of someone ally mom spoke highly of. !lave a great day. Here's her number,,." My heart was actually poun(1- ing. 'Ibis was not just a blast from the past- finding Marlene was going to open floodgates for both of us. liven knowing that- 1 waited only seconds before calling her. She cried. She raised her three boys -now well into their •10s and 50s- hut as 1 had expected- her pain never faded. She began to tell ale stories that 1 had forgot- ten. Families her daughter and 1 bahysat for, how outgoing her daughter was- keeping nothing private -telling mons all, I could not help but smile when she told ale before the school her laugh ter 1)11(1 1 attended, closed- some one retrieved the two paintings for her. My heart was heavy -hitt with gladness. We talked for a long time and she told me tales that only moth- ers of youngsters would remem- ber. Memories came to surface, tears flowed and laughter erupted as we went back to a time that had been under lock and key for so many years. We both needed this conversation- a dialogue that began with "Mar- lene ...it's Lynda....and ended in promise we would keep in touch. And that is a promise 1 intend to keep,