Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1983-05-25, Page 2•r Page 2 Times•Advoe • t Grossman visits Meadowcrest complex A tranquil, bucolic scene greeted provincial minister of health Larry Grossman last week when he visited Meadowcrest Residences at RR1 Lucan, a complex of two group homes, greenhouses, workshop, barn, bakeshop. giftshop, orchard and 8 -acre garden on Highway 7 weseof Elginfield. The site is home to 30 adults ranging' in age from early twenties to senior citizens whose unifying bond is a background of psychiatric problems. Most have been referred by the London Psychiatric Hospital, Don- • wood, or the provincial cor- rectional services. Fpr the residents, it was business as usual on the 20 -acre location. One mowed grass beside one of the five ponds, another spaded flower beds. two more worked in the greenhouses producing everything from bananas to 30.000 bedding •plants. Another group sanded and stained items of furniture brought to the workshop for refinishing. MEADOWCREST VISIT BY HEALTH MINISTER — Larry Grossman was welcomed to the Meadowcrest (mental health Crest Division) by board chairman John Burke - Gaffney and executive director Ruth Brough before touring the facilities. Dates set for summer s wimm in g9'p00! program Our new league was foamed Monday, May SU at ironwood to promote "fun and mass in- Golf Course at 6 p.m. Five volvement" in competitive lessons are offered an Mon - swimming. Anyone interested day evenings by the Ironwood can sign up at the rec centre. Men's Club with nine holes for Fee for swim team is $12.00 pa By Lynne Farquhar Registration dates have now been set for lessons at Exeter and district swimm- ing pool. Youngsters canbe registered on.Tuesday, June 7 at 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Wednesday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the South Huron rec centre. In order to ensure fairness to all people registering. no registrations will be accepted prior to the evening of June 7: Fees for registration this season are as follows: 1 week sessions - moms and tots $7.00 per week: 2 week ses- sions $14.00 per session; :3 week sessions - $21.00 per ses- sion: 4 week sessions - $40.00 per session (Bronze and. Leaders) - this fee includes books. All sessions begin on Monday, July 4. We are also offering adult aquafit this summer. Thistis an exercise program done in the water. Four 2 week ses- sions will be offered weekdays from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. starting July 4, for $14.00 per session. We are looking for lots of youngsters to join the Exeter swim team this year. We've formed a new league which consists of teams, all within a 30 mile radius so travelling has been cut considerably. The swim team practices every weekday afternoon and Will compete in four swim meets held on Saturdays throughout the summer. To join it is not necessary to be an exceptional swimmer. for the summer. Registration for Grand Bend s•.virnrners coming to the Exeter pool will be held on Thursday. June 16 from 7-9 p.m. at the Grand Bend town hall. All people registering on that evening, must have a bus reservation previously ar- ranged with Pauline Lingard. This summer holds something a little different in store for area youngsters. This year we are offering a Summer Sports Development program for youngsters eight and over as well aka "Bert and Ernie Club" playground program for younger children. . Our sports program will of- fer skills in various sports such as tennis. ball hockey and indoor soccer with small tournaments scattered throughout the program. The fee for the sports program will be $2.00 per week per youngster and fee for "Bert and Ernie Playground" are $1.00 per week per youngster. This summer program was possible through the funding of Summer Canada Students EmploymentOrograms. Fun- ding for our leaders in train- ing was tn.»1e available by the local "Exeter Lions Club." Junior golf lessons start on REDI•MIX CONCRETE itt" PRECAST PRODUCTS DEALER McCann Redi-Mix Inc. MANGERS STEPS Dashwood, 237-3647 SLATS CURBS Exeter 235.033$ MTC Approved ALL TYPES OF CONCRETE WORK REDI-MIX CONCRETE & FORMWORK rticipants on the sixth even- ing. Lessons are for youngsters 14 and under and cost $2.50 per person. Register at the rec centre. Tennis memberships are -available at the rec centre for $20.00 (single) and $25.00 (family). This membership includes a court key and $5.00 will be returned to members at the end of the season upon return of the key. Non-members must pick up a court key at the rec centre office in the daytime or from the concession booth in the evening. Court fees are $2.00 per person to a maximum charge of $4.'00 per court. Martins and Downs Circus is in town on Friday, July 1 for two shows at 6:00 and 8:15 p.m. Advance tickets are available at the rec centre7for $3.00 per person. At the door they sell for $3.50 for children and $4.00 for adults so BUY THEM NOW!! Remember, by purchasing early you are helping to support recreation in your community. We still need some more guys for rec ball hockey on Sunday afternoons and men's recreational slo-pitch on Sun- day evenings. If interested call the rec centre at 235-2833. Why not drop by the ball park som,e evening and sup- port your local clubs. They'd appreciate it. start exercising, SA± the TAX IE You'll never find a better time to buy than right now. Our price, are low and of course there is now no 7% Provincial Sales Tax. Your Homeland furniture and applbnc• stere WTITI1 G'S • Warehouse furniture and Appliances Unlimited (New and Used) • Antiques and Things Main St. Exeter 235. 1964 YES, WE HAVE SOME BANANAS — Meadowcrest staff member Art Finch picks some dead leaves off a stalk of bananas in one of the greenhouses before a visit to the facilities by minister of health Larry Grossman. - Inside the two sppaacious, bright, comfortably funished and attractively decorated residences some women were having a fruit juice break in one of the homey dining rooms, others worked on craft projects in one of the lounges. Helen, who has perfected the art of pie making in the 11 years she has been a resident, was skillfully rolling out crust for some of the many pies turned out in the bakeshop both for Meadowcrest tables and individual and commer- cial customers. Two hundred and fifty -hens clucked conversationally in one section of the barn, and alert, healthy pigs made their presence known in another. Two riding horses and their two splendidly -horned goat companions stared with casual curiousity at the visitors before returning to their grazing. Before Grossman's arrival, founder and executive direc- tor Ruth Brough had outlined some of Meadowcrest's history. As a psychiatric social worker at London Psychiatric Hospital in the 60s when that institution was classed as an asylum, she observed numerous patients sitting around all day in a catatonic state. Mrs. Brough began taking some of her pa- tients on outings and field trips, and watched them blossom as they explored the outside world. Further research revealed many of the patients had been rejected by their family or community, had failed to res- pond to conventional urban - centred rehabilitation, yet had nowhere else to go. Why not try the old-fashioned fami- ly lifestyle in a rural setting? Through "the cooperation of a lot of people and a caring community," Mrs. Brough's concepts and dreams became a reality when a residential program was established in a expenditures to bit $52L000 Local expenditures by Bell Canada to maintain and upgrade telephone services in the Exeter exchange will cost Bell $528,000 in 198,3. Peter Croome, local manager, said today. This compares with $85,000 spent in 19132. Croome outlined in a letter to council the scope of Bell's local involvement. Some of the projects: • New conduct and manholes from switching centre to north end of town. New trunk cable to Hensall. Rehabilitation of older plant. Fibre optics transmission equipment from Exeter through Hensall to Clinton. He said Bell employs 150 people in its Stratford section, with their annual payroll ex- ceeding $3.4 million. The ex- change had 1,925 customers at the end of 1982. in 1982 Hell paid $52,531.79 in taxes to the municipality, as follows: real estate, $2.736.54; business, $819.80: gross receipts, $48,975.45. The gross receipts tax is a special tax levied against telecommunications com- panies. 11 is five percent of all revenue derived from Ontario customers the previous year and apportioned to each ex- change depending on its number of telephones. in 1983 13el1's gross receipts tax to be paid focally will amount .to $55.8`4.95. The real estate and business taxes for 1983 will be determined once the local mill rate is set. Last year Bell invested $1.4 billion in ,its network. two thirds of which went towards meeting subscribers' re- quirements. Another large portion of capital expen- ditures waS.usg d.to improve the quality'4EService in such Congratulations to Catherine Lynn who was crowned Queen of the Prom at the North Middlesex District High School last weekend. Velma Hardy. June Henry and Jean Hodgins attended the all day session of Mid- dlesex North Women's In- stitute District Annual, held on Thursday at Poplar Hill Baptist Church. Several ladies from this area attended the Lucan Revival Centre, Blossom Tea, on Wednesday evening. Visitors last week with Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Lynn and fancily were Sandy and Margaret Thom, Ottawa, Charles Thom and friend Dianne, St. ('atharines• and Mr. and Mrs. Clark, Scotland. Congratulations to Harold and Velma Hardy on (he ar- rival of their third grandson, Jeremy Rees. Ruth and Alan hill enjoyed the holiday weekend camping at Niagara Meadows, Niagara Falls, with the Cana- dian Motor Home club. areas as operator services, line testing, switching and transmission and rural service. More than $200 million worth of digital switching equipment, including DMS -100' and bMS-200' swit= chers, was installed. in each of 1983 and 1984 Bell is ex- pected to invest more than $300 million to expand its farm hone at Nairn in 1971 The non-profit organization received its official provincia charter and seven men and five women ( formerly served by London Psychiatric Hospital) under the direction of houseparents Art and Marie Gingerich, formed the nucleus of Meadowcrest Residences Inc. The RR 1 Lucan site was wastelandwhen purchased by the organization in the mid - seventies. The two residences were built by professional contractors, but the out- buildings were—constructed under supervision by the residents. Mrs. Brough believes in work not for the sake of busy-ness, but to pro- vide a sense of self -accomplishment. The goal of as much self- sufficiency as possible is at- tained through canning, freez- ing and preserving the pro- ducts from the huge garden. the hens supply all needed eggs with some left over for sale, the residents take care of the houses and grounds, make and sell items in the gift shop, refinish furniture, and sell cookies, tarts, and pies from the bakeshop ovens. When the ministry of com- munity and social services restricted their their funding to mental retardation residen- tial programs in late 1982, and the ministry of health took over the responsibility for mental health, the' Meadowcrest board formally established two divisions, mental health known as the Crest Division at RR 1 Lucan and the Nairn Division for the mentally handicapped. The ministry of health pro- vides $36 per day per resident. which covers room. board, recreational activities, and personal needs. The residents are also paid by Meadowcrest on a point system for their work. This money is used for extra -special outings like a football game in Toronto, a baseball game in Detroit, or a trip to Florida. "We invited Mr. Grossman to say a personal thank you...we are proud as residents and board to have a showcase for him", Mrs. Brough said. Grossman agreed a group - home like Meadowcrest was a model way to get people with a background of psychiatric troubles back in- to the community, now that expertise and psychotropic drugs are readily available. Anyonewishing to getaway from stress and pressure and recharge their batteries may make arrangements to spend a day at Meadowcrest. They nay talk to a social worker, dig in the garden, work in the barn. watch the wild geese or digital switching and transmission capability. just sit quietly and listen to the grass *row. "You never know here if you are looki : at a Volunteer. a staff members, a resident or someone out for the day." Mrs. Brough said wi MEADOWCREST GIFT SHOP — Meadowcrest business manager Judy Lloyd holds up a ceramic bowl made by one of the residents for sale in the Meadowcrest gift - shop. Minister of health Larry Grossman and members of the press toured the facilities last week. Summer program set for Clinton' The Huron County Board of Education is offering a full summer school program at Central Huron S.S. in Clinton again this year. Courses are offered to both elementary and secondary school students -in math, English, science, history and geography. For a four week 'period beginning July 4, ,summer school students receive inten- sive, personal instruction in one subject for three hours each day. Since class sizes are usually wall and since only one subject is being studied, students have an ex- cellent opportunity to im- prove their understanding of a subject so that the following years' work will be easier. ' Bus transportation has been arranged to collect students from the major areas of the county. This ar- rangement will be improved once school actually starts - and we know who is coming. In the past, both staff and students have found summer school, to be a rewarding ex- perience — not only for the improvement in regular school work, but also for the experience of summer school itself. Small classes, a new environment, good weather, a relaxed atmosphere all tend to make summer school - enjoyable. A- complete list of courses offered is available from all school principals, guidance counselors or by contacting Summer School principal R. Parr at C.H.S.S.. Clinton. U(/eehenet ifTasty - Nu, � al° peC[cl d white or 60% whole wheat Bread 24 oz. sliced loaf 1 10 varieties 1 Cookies doz.1-.19 Dutch, 9" Apple Pie ea. 2.29 Mild or spiced, Gouda Cheese Maple Leaf Processed lb. 2.49 Cheese Slues Ib. 2.69 We have cakes for all occasions. (Watch for our rff5aSIf/-flu rst anniversary celebration) . /3aher, andji1 hee seou3e Mein St., Exeter 235-0332 i : M lit„ 44 .y%..: MEADOWCREST BAKESHOP --- The bakeshop was part of the tour when minister of health Larry Grossman visited Meadowcrest. Helen; an 11 -year resident, has become an expert at baking dozens of pies each week. P OTO FINIS 1 ING and film supply headquarters! • Polaroid Cameras and films • Kodak Disc Cameras • Films • Batteries 48uHO11R PROCESSING "We use Kodak paper for the good look" • Finishes available Bordered, Borderless, lustre or glossy • Disc films, 15 exp. '6.49 - Reg. film 12 exp. '5.49 • Two sets of prints available for small extra charge • King size prints available too • Money -back guarantee if not satisfied • Exeter Pharmacy Ltd. Main Street 235-1570 •,.-