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Times Advocate, 1992-11-25, Page 28e 28 Times -Advocate, Noven ber 25. i 7r r iF: Skyding centre volunteer chosen as Junior Citizen nominee GRAND BEND - Amanda Hoop- er, 12, of Grand Bend has been se- lected as a Junior Citizen of the Year nominee by the Ontario Com- munity Newspapers Association. Hooper was presented with a nomination certificate Monday af- ternoon by Times Advocate editor Adrian Harte. Her name will be en- tered in the final judging in Decem- ber to select the Junior Citizens of the Year who will be presented with their awards in February at the annual OCNA Convention. Hooper was nominated by Mary Watson, the only female skydiving instructor at the Grand Bend Sport Parachuting Centre. Watson says Hooper's volunteering has made an invaluable contribution to the cen- tre. - "Amanda lives just off the airpon and often comes over to help out. As you can imagine, an airport and skydiving centre can be a very dan- gerous place for children. Amanda is seen as our volunteer safety guide. She watches out, not only for my children, but for any chil- dren there," explains Watson. Watson points out that many chil- dren who come to the centre are frightened by the prospect of seeing their parents go skydiving. Hoop- er, she says, is able to comfort and reassure them. "We often get children of all ages coming to the airport with their par- ents, who arc jumping for the first time. Many are a little scared and most do not "know the rules of safety". Amanda always takes charge, makes them feel comforta- ble, and lets them know what they are, or are not allowed to do," she said. Hooper is the oldest of three chil- dren, a grade 7 student at Stephen Central School, and is also in- volved in Pathfutders. Watson said Hooper is already well aware of the importance of being a good female role model. "I cannot begin to describe how unglamourous a skydiving centre is. Amanda seems to make the best out of almost nothing. Many times she has Saved children from getting too close to the airplanes, drinking motor oil, climbing on dangerou objects, toying with parachute equipment and going in unauthor ized places....We have a lot of re spect for this Junior Citizen," said Watson. Amanda Hooper of Grand Bend was presented with her certifi- cate as an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year nominee by Times Advocate editor Adrian Harte on Monday. Hensall firm gets contract for theatre renewal project GRAND BEND - A Hensall con- struction company has been select- ed as the winning contractor to build the first of five phases of ren- ovations to the Huron Country Playhouse. Oke Woodsmith Building Sys - terns of Hensall were chosen from six pre -qualified companies who tendered on thc $400,000 project to build a new workshop for the thea- tre and to upgrade the theatres safe- ty systems to meet fire regulations. Brad Oke, who was present for the signing of the contract ceremo- ny last Wednesday, said he was very pleased his company was cho- sen for the project and that the work went to a Huron County com- pany. All work, he said, should be finished by the end of March in time to allow the 1993 season's sets to be constructed in the new work- shop. Simon Day, production manager for the Playhouse, said while thea- tre patrons may not see all the im- provements behind the scenes, thc effects of the 7,000 square foot workshop will be evident on stage. Aside from allowing larger and more elaborate sets to be built for the productions, a larger doorway between the workshop and stage will permit them to get them onto the stage in one piece. The new work area will also be insulated, allowing crews to get a head scan on the season's sets in the cold weather. Although construction is just be- ginning on the first phase, staff are already looking ahead to the future phases for renovating rhe 628 -seat theatre. One of the highlights oC the plans calls for a 17 -metre fly' tower to be built above the stage, allowing the theatre a greater varie- ty for scene changes and above - stage storage of sets for upcoming shows. It all paves the way for more entertaining and better - coordinated live theatre, explains Day. Other renovations include the demolition and replacement of the reception arca and Playhouse 11 with an entirely new structure, but architects call for the complete re- tention of the "barn" identity which has established the Huron Country Playhouse's rustic image over the years. &AVM the oal*iact for p 4ae one of the Huron Country Playhouse renovations we Brad Oke ,and Tom Kneale (front centre, left and right). Behind, from left, are Don Oke, Betty Oke, archi- tects Alan Avis and Adolfo Spaleta, Playhouse director of development Kate Burnett, building committee chairman Bob Turnbull, committee member Shirley McIntyre, and new artistic direc- tor Max Reimer. /.ULAN/z/viizete, "ezizeze,w,,emzzee•fiz eezem et��zette ze../ew.ewiwzw,G ,,,,/f�Leizi., �J////!//!!/////!/!///!//i/iii/ LET'S GIVE TAXES THS BOOT " ust In time for Christmas" /////4, --/77,7 1 717 7 7//:::/.7/1700,,,.'r/7/7,777 ArlirWAZZAW17Z/Z7.44/4////' ■ ■ ■ DINNEYS WILL PAY IT FOR YOU! 3 Big Days Thurs., Fri., Sat. 9-6 9-9 9-5 V/ mi 8t Fine Furniture, cnneys Flooring and Window Fashions +467 Main St. -Exeter 235.0173 • applJN ally to "Maws Ng. low p,ios.