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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-02-23, Page 22Page 22 Times -Advocate, February 23, 1994 CQM M U Stretch time to start the day off right DASHWOOD - A lot of people say they would like to exercise more, but just can't find the time. Well Eleanor Ritchie can solve that problem. Ritchie is an aerobics instructor in Dashwood and her class meets at a special time that fits into almost any schedule. "Few people have appointments at 6 a.m.," Ritchie said. So that's the perfect time to schedule classes. As well, people are more likely to keep with the program if attending classes this early. Chances are they won't have to miss any classes be- cause of other commitments. This helps people stay motivated and keen on exercising regularly. She said a lot of people tell her they hate to get up in the morning. And if that's the case. Ritchie says you might as well start the day with something positive like a good hour-long workout. "Once it, becomes part of your routine, you want to attend because it makes you feel good," Ritchie said. "The hardest part is getting start- ed." In Dashwood, this early morning class is catching on. Ritchie has twelve regular clients that come out faithfully to the twice a week classes regardless of rain, snow, sleet or the comfort of a warm bed. She said these women help to make the program a success because they make it fun and make newcomers feel welcomed. Ritchie, a qualified aerobics instructor, first started the 10 -week ses- sions in September. She has also worked in many towns throughout the county over the past 12 years and IN definitely committed to fitness. She said the low impact aerobic program she uses was designed by the fitness company she works for. Bodyfit Canada, and is geared to every age group and fitness level. The program emphasizes three rnain areas: endurance, flexibility as well as strength and muscle tone. "It's fun and something everyone can do," Ritchie said. "You don't have to be at a specific fitness level to come out to the classes." She said clients range in age from teenagers to women in their late 50's although she has had seniors attend her classes. One noticeable group missing from the classes are men although they are welcome. "Maybe all the men in the county are already fit," Ritchie said. Or maybe their just waiting tor the April sessions when the weather is a bit warmer. An aerobics class in Dashwood begins the day for a lot of area people. Shown above going t'3rough their 6 a.m. workout are Nancy Rader, Rose Rader, Marilyn Zimmer, instructor Eleanor Ritchie and Zelda Inthout. UCW meeting EXETER - Alma Langford presided for the UCW meeting and read a poem the Usual Way, followed by the Purpose. The minutes were read and roll call taken followed by the treasurers report. Olive Thomson convener of Outreach gave her report also the quilting report. There were 26 from our UCW at the Presbyterial. Living our vision will be theme of a meeting in St. Johns United Church, Stratford on April 4 and 12. Westminster weekend will be May 27,28, 29 and summer event will be July 23 at Siloam Church. Jean Murray and Ruby Beaver were conveners of the meeting with the theme Love. Scripture was read by Marian Dougall followed by a reading by Laura Sillcry. Prayer was given by Virla Allen. Ruby Beaver read What is a Valentine? followed by a reading Smiles by Olive Hicks. Public speaking at Biddulph LUCAN - The Biddulph Speaking Contest was held on February 4. The junior winners were: Luke Stahle, Dan Pletch, Sarah Dudleigh, Lindsay Benner and John Mardlin. The intermediate winners were: Mark Stahle, Lindsay Hardy, Dan Clarke, Carrie Stephenson, Lisa Haskett. These s(udents participated in the Biddulph- Lucan Home & School Association Speaking Contest on February 8. In the junior division first place went to Luke Stehle; second place Dan Pletch, third place Lindsay Benner. In the intermediate division first place went to Mark Stahle, second place Lindsay Har- dy, third place Lisa Haskett. Mark Stehle and Lindsay Hardy will go on to speak at our Area Competition to be held at Centennial Central School on February 23. A special thanks goes to Mme Griffith who organized the public speaking and to the judges, Claire Ander- sen, Ron Memmel, Barney Rooney, Bruce Pocock, Ruth Pugh and Phyllis O'Neil. The Middlesex County Public Speaking will be held on March 8, 1994 at Medway High School.. Basketball Both the boys and girls basketball teams have been busy with tournaments. The boys have participated in the England Auto Body Basketball Invitational and won two of their three games; the Woodstock Optimist Tournament and Your Views Letters to the editor won the Consolation Championship losing by 2 points to the tournament champions - Wilton Grove; the Medway Invitational Tournament and defeated St. Pat's in the championship game; lost to Parkhill -West Williams in the Area Championship; and the Sir John A. MacDonald Tournament and won the Consolation Championship. The members of the boys team are as follows: Kevin Boshart, Mike Campbell, Less Cosens, Tyler Cosens, Jay Funston, Dave Hickson, Nathan Keen, Aaron Patterson, Rob Silver and Corey Smith. The girls participated in the Medway Invitational' Tournament playing games against St. Pat's, Plover Mills and Delaware.The Area Tournament Final was held on Monday at the Lucan Community Centre. The members of the girls team are as follows: Amy Abel,' Rebecca Diane, Cara Chomicki, Kelly Davis, Lindsay Hardy, Christine Latta, Colleen Moore, Deanna Pepe - ride's, Kendra Peters, Heather Reid, Kelsey Rushton, Shauna Townsend, Stacey Walz, Lori Wood. Biddulph Winter Olympic Gaines Biddulph's Winter Olympics are scheduled for Fri- day, February 25 starting at 12:30 p.m. Students will be participating in a variety of winter sports activities as members of a team. Teams represent countries in- volved in the Olympic Games in Lillehammer. Grade 7/8 programme important "To call the present programme a stale one.... seems to be rhetoric aimed at disguising an unpopular decision." Dear Editor: Your recent edition of the TA outlined the deci- sion to cut the Family Studiesllndustrial Arts pro- grammes for grade seven and eight students of Hu- ron County. I know that alt avenues must be explored to cut and slash budgets, but this seems to me to be a very mis-guided decision. To call the present programme a stale one, need- ing a breath of fresh air seems to be rhetoric aimed at disguising an unpopular decision. Teaching math and reading are old programmes too, but are also necessary. Our children arc facfhg a future of almost sure un- employment and rising costs. What better ways of preparing them for the uncertainties ahead than teaching them the very basics of survival. 1 thought that my daughters were so foridnate to have the op- portunity to travel to Huron Park every Thursday to learn about home management and how to handle tools that 1 had no opportunity to master. To think that from now on others are to he deprived of this is extremely unfortunate. To have to dismantle the ex- cellent classrooms already in place and to set up new "module" learning is an error, and 1 sympathize with upcoming classes of children that will be de- prived of an area of education that cannot be re- placed with anything else. Sincerely, Mrs. Mary Cassell RR 1 Woodham Annual meeting features awards and discussions EXETER - Presentation of con- servation awards and lively discus- sions on the future of the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority highlighted Thursday's annual meeting held at the South Huron Rec Centre. Five individuals and groups were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the watershed. Andrew Dixon of McGillivray township, a former agricultural teacher at South Huron District High school received an award for the second time. It was noted Dixon influenced students in wise agricultural forest- ry and conservation practices. After his retirement he reforested 50 acres of wide spaced tree plantings and used early pruning to ensure more growth and productivity of high quality knot -free lumber. Dixon has also toured the prov- ince of Ontario showing slides of his ag-forestry program. Ralph and Eleanor Smith of Stan- ley township with property adjacent to the Authority's Bannockburn Wildlife area were honoured for their co-operation in establishing outdoor classrooms for elementary lively discussions and direction for our future and that's exactly what we got," said Kate Monk of the ABCA A large portion of Thursday's meeting was spent in six discussion groups where people were asked to identify the strengths and weak- nesses of the Authority and the pro- gram priorities for the Authority in 1994. The Authority's work in reforest - ration , flood forecasting, water quality and education were seen as strengths while one of the common weaknesses is the poor communica- tion between the ABCA and its member municipalities. Ideas were wide -spread about what programs should be priorities of the ABCA. Flood forecasting, water quality and tree planting were identified as top priorities. But, the ABCA's role in conserva- tion land ownership wasn't as clear- ly defined. Some groups felt the Authority shouldn't own land while others thought it was important to provide recreation and protect environmen- tally significant areas. As well, some thought that land use plan - school students to learn the general ning was being done locally and ideas of caretaking of the natural provincially and perhaps the ABCA environment. Both are former , did not have to be so heavily in - teachers with the Huron Board of volved. Education. I The results of the discussions will The third honouree was Elmer be used by an ABC ad hoc commit - Trick, now living in Clinton. Trick while fanning in Goderich town- ship specialized in improving streams and creating grassed water- ways for fish and wildlife. Lambton Wildlife Incorporated is a group using the advocate role for the environment and the Authority's strategic plan and shoreline plan. The Armstrong East Cottage As- sociation of Bosanquet township is attempting to preserve the dunes in cottage country in the Port Franks area. Making the conservation award presentations and staff service awards were ABCA chairman 2 Bob Benner, general manager Tom Prout and communications manag- er Kate Monk. Past chairman Joe Gibson who represents the town of Seaforth and the townships of McKillop and Hullett received.a 15 years service award. This year, the ABCA changed its annual meeting format to get more input from its municipalities and stakeholders. "Since we call our- selves the local conservation agen- cy, we felt that we should give our stakeholders a forum for direct in- put each year. We hoped for some tee of four directors and two staff to identify the programs that the Authority can offer with the funds that are available. "We got the message that we are definitely needed. There is an im- portant role for us to play in pro- tecting our watersheds and people do receive a lot of benefits from our being here. They want their re- source management decisions made at the local level, not in Toronto," said ABCA's general manager Tom Prout. "One thing we are disappointed with was the lack of municipal rep- resentation at the meeting. Apart from the Authority directors, less than one-third of the 32 member muncipalities sent councillors to the meeting," said Prout. "We hope this was because the meeting was rescheduled from January 27, and not because of a lack of interest." The board of directors voted to try this new annual meeting format on a one-year trial basis and will decide later in the year if it will be repeated in 1995. Elections and res- olutions were dealt with at the regu- larly scheduled January meeting of directors. ABCA chairman Bob Benner presents a conservation award to Ralph Smith of the Varna area. Smith and his wife Eleanor have established outdoor classrooms on their property next to the Bannockburn wildlife area. Winning a conservation award from the ABCA for the second time is Andy Dixon of McGillivray township. From the left are Authority chairman Bob Benner, Dixon and general manager Tom Prout.