Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-03-19, Page 131'hl 11.4, it YID 1 t:UriL`1i Second Section - March 19 1997 Three members share their expertise in curling with youth Melissa Prout, left, and Graham Smith practice sweeping during a game. Members of the Exeter Curling Club began a Junior Program this season to introduce the sport of curling to youngsters. The program wrapped up on. March 9 with a bonspiel. By the end of the program Michelle Hunter, 9, (above) and Garret Redegeld, 8, (at right) were throwing rocks with confidence and accuracy. The program is designed to teach youngsters the basic techniques and etiquette involved with the sport. By Chris Skalkos T -A Reponer EXETER - Thanks to three members of the Exeter Curling Club, the sport of curling in this community will be alive and well in the future. Avid curlers Susan Brintnell, Les Hills and Harry Jacobi were concerned about the lack of youth entering the club and decided to do something about it by starting a Junior Curling program designed to introduce the sport to youngsters in the community. The program, which began in November, was an instant hit attracting about 30 kids from eight to 16 years -old. ' "We tried to teach the kids some of the basics and develop it to. the stage where they have some intermediate skills," said Brintnell adding this year was'an experiment to see if the program was successful. Judging by the turn -out she said they will run another program next year and perhaps start a league. With the help of parent volunteers, every Sunday, Brintnell and Hills tried -to teach the youngsters how to sweep, throw rocks and how to keep score. Last Sunday, the program wrapped up by hosting a fun day, where the kids played off in a bonspiel-imitation. "We wanted them to understand what a bonspiel was all about but they don't know how to skip or vice yet," said Brintnell. Having a junior curling league in Exeter would boost the High School curling program since it would give kids the chance to curl on a regular basis before grade nine. Jacobi, who volunteered periodically at the junior program on Sunday has dedicated his time to coach the South Huron District High School curling teams. -�1f Where Are They Now? -\Janice NaytarOKar Hills said the junior program will give the your - curlers and edge if they :,Lick with it and become club members. "The younger you start the better. Kids learn the proper techniques quickly. Adults bring bad habits in when they learn," said Hills adding the program appeals to kidswho's'parents may not be club members. He feels the most important aspect of the program is the social atmosphere and etiquette they tried to foster, these two things, he emphasized, are very much a part of the sport of curling. , "We teach them to shake hands before and after the game. A lot of other sports don't even do that," said Hills. VON Are They Now? is an extended series on South Huron District High School graduates and their career choices yf VON district nurse HENSALL - "The work has always seemed so varied," said Janice Hayter - Oke of her job as a district nurse with the. Victorian Order of Nurses. She likes the independence and variety of commuting around Grand Bend, Bayfield, Hensall and Dashwood to provide VON on-call services for between 45 and 60 clients in their homes. Many need post surgery care or help with handling medical conditions such as diabetes and stroke. District nurses supply clients with medication, support, treatment and education. "The emphasis is teaching the families to do treatment," she explained. During the past year, Hayter -Oke has noticed many changes in the health care system. For example, hospitals are sending patients home earlier. "People are going to have to be more responsible for their own health care," she said. Challenges her work presents includes travelling through all types of weather conditions. "Sometimes the weather catches us totally by surprise," she noted, recalling an incident when one Exeter client was isolated in his home due to closed oads and VON nurses gave the family treatment instructions by telephone. The biggest challenge for Hayter -Oke is the VON palliative care program. "A big part of our job is palliative care, people (who) are terminally ill," she added. "It's really a privilege to work with them at this difficult time." In an effort "to provide some other support," Hayter -Oke initiated the palliative care program at the Hensall VON office in 1992. It has since grown from eight to 40 volunteers. Hayter -Oke began working as a VON district nurse in 1985 and five years later became senior nurse, supervising the Hensall office. Due to family responsibilities, she has recently resumed district nurse duties. She lives in Grand Bend with her husband, Brad, and three sons, Christopher, 13, Jeffrey, 11 and Andrew, eight. Her hobbies include music, reading, walking and watching hockey. "When I'm not working, I'm a chauffeur," she explained of travelling to her sons' hockey games. Originally from Dashwood, the 1975 South Huron District High School grad notes being student council secretary and remembers fun classes taught by Mr. Elliot. Following high school, Hayter -Oke earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing and Bachelor of Arts in psychology. The double course load helped her develop "the ability to take a catnap" and survive on Kraft Dinner. She then worked in the coronary care unit at London's University Hospital. "That was exciting," she recalled. "I had a lot to learn." After 18 months at University Hospital, Hayter -Oke travelled to Saudi Arabia where her husband was offered a job. For three years she worked on a hospital medical floor with a multi -national staff. She quickly learned to brush up on her language skills and adhere to a dress code. She then became head nurse at another hospital in the area where she helped set up a medical and surgical ward. In 1983, Hayter -Oke returned to Canada when she was expecting her first child. She worked again at University Hospital, this time in the intensive care unit. Two years later, her family moved to Grand Bend where her husband began a business. IWYMMAAVI Janice hi -oh,`