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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-04-23, Page 22The South Huron Hospital. Auxiliary Rummage Sale and Auction committee members from left, Shir- ley Cooper, Beady Dyk- stra, Pat Down and Kathy Bray pose in front of the donated goods before the sale on Wednesday. It took only seconds for the Rec. Centre hall to fill -up with eager bargain hunt- ers, many of which were- teenagers who were there J just for the excitement. Reporter takes on rummage sale By Chris Skalkos T -A Reporter EXETER - As a reporter I sometimes'get the chance to cover a story by immersing myself in/ a situation. You know, really getting in there to experience what I'm writing about. This is how I chose¢to tackle the South Huron Rum- mage Sale and Auction last week. The fundraising event, sponsored by the South Huron Hospital Aux- iliary, has gained a colorful reputation through the years after shoppers emerged telling stories 'about. the bargain they got and who they had to climb over to get it. Even though i wasn't there to shop. I was the one who got more -than he bargained for. • Sure, I heard the rumors about the pushing the shov- ing. How bad could it really be? Armed with my camera and note pad, I went to the South Huron Recreation Centre early. I thought get- ting there 30 minutes before the doors opened would allow me time to interview the first people in line. The only problem was, I couldn't get anywhere close to the front of the line as a large number of peo- ple stood crammed between the doubt%} doors, spilling outside onto the parking lot. 1 tried to sneak in but was halted by a rather large, burly man who refused to budge for anybody. "Back of the line pal!" he harked. 1 could see my press credentials held no weight here. 1 tried the rear entrance and after finally convincing a security guard i wasn't pretending to he a reporter trying to sneak in to scoop some early deals, 1 gained access to the Rec. Centre hall, which was filled from one end to the other with items donated by the com- munity. 1 collected committee members Shirley Cooper, Beady Dykstra, Linda Russell and Kathy Bray for a quick snap -shot and then asked if 1 could stand in front of the door to get a picture of the first person in line. "You want to stand where!" said Cooper her eyes widening: I repeated my request and for some reason, she began to laugh. "Okay," she said, leading me to the tightly locked entrance, that would be opened at 7 p.m. "But i won't be there with you...you're on your own," she said. I stood in the middle of an aisle about 25 feet away, poised with my camera ready to snap the picture of the first eager shoppers racing through the door. "You're not going to stand there?" asked Kay Els- ton, who was stationed at a nearby booth. "You'll get trampled," she warned. Grace Adkins who was standing behind the silent auction table, also shared her concerns. "if you see them coming, move!" she said. They must be exaggerating, 1 thought to myself. it can't possibly that bad. 1 was right, it wasn't that bad...it was worse. The doors were flung open and a massive human sea surged forward. 1 raised my hands to shield myself from the onslaught and for a while it worked. i felt like Moses parting the Red Sea as a wave of shoppers split around me, but after getting two elbows in the ribs, one shove and a verbal: "Get out of the way id- iot!" 1 decided to take cover. The scene that followed was unlike any other I had ever witnessed. The massive crowds of fans you sec al European soccer games had nothing on this group as they barged through the doors. Some were running at full speed, flicking garbage bags open as they darted down the clothing isles. Within seconds, the entire room was full with at least 700 bargain hunters rum- • maging frantically through the piles of clothes as if • they were in,a race. 1 couldn't help but notice a lot of them were teen- agers., Amber Halfpenny from Seaforth, was one -of them and she- was furiously stuffing clothes into her garbage hag 'without a second look. 1 asked her how she knew the clothes she took would tit her. She explained there was method in her madness. "All, the girls are in the washroom trying them on! If something doesn't fit, we pass it on to the next stall and so on," she said. "i'm looking for some really cool sweaters - hey i like that..." she said. abruptly ending our interview. John Knight, a teenager from Stratford, said he heard about the rummage sale through friends in Exeter and was experiencing it for the first time. "i'm a rummage sale virgin," proclaimed Knight, who already had his garbage bag half full only minutes into the melee. "1 heard this was a great time. Besides this stuff is cheap and we're all broke." Unlike the younger shoppers, Glen Statten was walk- ing calmly through the buzzing, crowd cradling a white and purple teddy bear under his;arm. "This is for my granddaughter," said Statten, adding four car loads of family members visit the rummage sale every spring and fall. "This is for a good cause and the deals arc good too." In the foyer, five cashier lines were full with some shoppers waiting an hour to pay for their goods before stashing thcm in their cars only to return for more. "Nobody has manners tonight," said Marg Miller, who was working at one of the makeshift tills. "They're just pushing and shoving...they're really go- ing to town." Where was security amidst all this? Volunteer security guards Wilmer Adkins, Lloyd Webber, Ray Consitt and Eldon Heywood were busy securing a game of euchre in front of the canteen while their wives worked feverishly in the next room. The fundraiser depends entirely upon volunteers from the community and about 100 show up to help with the mega -sale, and auction that follows the next day. Leftover items are picked up by a Goodwill outlet in London with South Huron District High School stu- dents helping load the truck. Every year, two brave souls in particular have to vol- unteer to take the dreaded "door man's job." • Bill Parson and Bill MacLean had the frightful task of opening the doors at 7 p.m. Fearing a full-scale riot, the two were careful not to open them a second too late. According to Parsons, the duo have a special tech- nique when the time comes to open the flood gates. "We push the doors open and hope we don't get trampled," explained Parsons. "They come stampeding in here like a herd of cattle. i tell ya, it's a dangerous job." The funds generatedby the rummage sale and auc- tion go towards "the betterment of patient care" at South Huron Hospital. Although donated items were down this year, organizers still raised $7,900, which is the average amount raised each spring and fall. i can't say i'll be at the next fundraiser in the fall. But if I do, i'll be dressed in a suit of armor. - Reporter, Chris Skalkos really got into his work at the rummage salt, but how did he do when he joined the Exeter Volurttier Fire Department for a grueling practice session? Read next issue's Crossroads fea- lure story to see what happened when he crawled into a smoke-filled building during the firefighter's search and rescue exercise. Times -Advocate, April 23, 1997 Page 21 Yoiir'Viewi Letters to the editor Nursery school closing "Toddler's Inn has been a won- derful part of my life." Dear Editor: Toddlers' Inn Nursery School will be closing in June after 20 years of serving Exeter and the sur- rounding area. The school was started by Susanne Strang is her home. As the class size grew, they moved to the Scout Hall. in 1984, I purchased this business and along with dedicated E.C.E. teachers and volunteers, 1 have continued to operate the half-day Nursery School until this time: I would be amissnotto mention our faithful supply teacher, Barb Wein, who has been with us for 13 years. The school moved to Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle in 1990 and then to our present location at Bethel Reformed Church in 1993. Enrolment increased from 45 children in 1983 to 72 children (three classes of 24) in 1985. These numbers remained constant for six years. As Junior Kindergarten began to be implemented, the enroll - ment gradually decreased to a low of 32 children (two classes of 16) in 1996. This year one of our two classes has not been quite full. The decision to close the school was a difficult one to make, but un- fortunately, it is no longer economical to operate this program. To the parents who were planning to enroll their children for the fall, I can only say, I'm sony and I hope that they will find an alternative to meet their needs. Over the past 13 years I have had the opportunity to meet so many children, their parents, siblings, grandparents and even some of their babysitters. Working with these little ones has been a very re- warding experience, filled with so many fun times. In fact, my husband once jokingly asked howl had enough nerve to charge fees for having such a great time with the children! Toddlers' Inn has been a wonderful part of my life. Thank you for the memories. Sincerely, Glenda Wagner The long arm of the law "..,rules were meant to keep, not break..." Dear Editor: In regards to the law...if we are participating in any illegal activity that goes against the law of the land...or the higher law - the law of God...this is a barrier to experiencing joy and happiness. When we break the law...rules...we have to deal with our conscience. Breaking the law...increases our stress level. Rules were meant to keep, not break! We need 'boundaries' and 'rules' within which we can be 'free'. Freedom is being content with who we are and what we have, and being con- tent to live within the law...rules...of where we live. Example: A group of educators decided to remove the chain -like fences from around the school play- grounds. They believed the fences promoted feel- ings of confinement and restraint. The curious thing they noticed, however, as soon as the fences were removed, the children huddled in the centre of the playground to play. The conclusion: Children need 'boundaries' and so do we! There is no freedom in getting our own ways and doing whatever we want. That only leaves a path of destruction and pain. When confronted with an opportunity to do wrong, remember that you will either be guilty or guilt -free. If you want peace and happiness, choose the latter. Matthew 7-12 - The Golden Rule. "...do unto oth- ers as you would have them do unto you. ,." Thank you. Yours sincerely, Ken and June Campbell, RR 1, Hay. M.A.D.D. have successful campaign Our Board of Directors is in need of volunteers from south Huron and Bruce County.... Dear Editor: M.A.D.D: Hu_rotJ,/Bruce Chapter would like to thank all those who contributed to 'our successful 1996 Red Ribbon Campaign. With the help of dedi- cated individual, businesses and services in both counties as well as Perth and Wellington, we raised over $3400.00 and tied red ribbons on to many ve- hicles, signifying sober driving. These funds will go towards the purchase of equipment for police ser- vices to be used in the detection of impaired drivers, school programs, court monitoring, victim services and awareness projects. We are working hard to change laws regarding drunk driving, to support those who need help when a loved one is killed or. injured by an. impaired driver and to bring aware- ness to the public of the devastation caused by this terrible crime. Our spring and summer projects are in the planning stages now. We will participate in the Goderich Home and Garden Show, an Antique and Collector's Car Show in Goderich, our third an- nual M.A.D.D. Golf Tournament at the Wingham Golf and Curling, Club, June 18, and our second "Signs of Summer" campaign. .Our Board of Directors is in need of volunteers from south Huron and Bruce County to join us in the fight against drunk driving. We hold eight eve- ning meetings throughout the year in Wingham. If you feel that you have some concerns and time that could be well spent in helping us with our cause or wish to participate in any of the above projects,.. please contact our chapter at our phone/fax - (519) 357-4552. Your involvement now could help save the life of someone you love! Yours in safe driving, Lynne Magee, Wingham, Ontario NOG 2W0 1=519-357-4552 OCSA responds to health services restructuring commmission Community Support Services fo- cus on health promotion.... Dear Editor: "Recent funding announcements made by the Minister of Health are a good start in addressing current pressures facing community support agen- cies, but they do not provide agencies with the re- sources to meet the future demands for service giv- en the proposed changes in the health care system" said Mark Adler, President, Ontario Community Support Association. "Adequate dollars need to be allocated to the community and the existing infrastructure enhanced before the transition can take place. The client's health needs must come first!" Adler said. As the Health Services Restructuring Commission travels the province, far reaching recommendations are being made regarding the future of our health care system, particularly the hospital sector. The Ontario Community Support Association endorses the need to restructure the hospital system in Onta- rio communities to make it morc efficient, equitable and economically viable. Good health care means having the right level and type of care available at the time it is needed by the client. There is a place and a need for all providers in the delivery of care. This continuum includes Community Support Services, Personal Support Services, Visiting Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Social Workers, Supportive Housing, Long Term Care Facilities and Hospitals. Fewer hospital beds, reduced average length of stays, increased outpatient procedures, changing demographic trends and a shortage of long term care beds all add up to an increased demand for more complex care provided in the community for longer periods of time. Community Support Services focus on health pro- motion, wellness and early intervention in address= ing client needs and may often delay or prt:vent in- stitutionalization. A broad range of service options is essential in ensuring clients can live at home in their own community. This includes Adult Day Pro- grams, Supportive Housing, Personal Support Ser- vices, Transportation Services, Meals on Wheels, Home Maintenance, Homemaking, Friendly Visit- ing, Security Checks, Emergency Response sys- tems, Foot Care, Congregate Dining Programs and Caregiver Support Services. The Ontario Community Association is commit- ted ommitted to an organized, planned approach to the restruc- turing of institutional based care to the community. Collaboration and partnerships with the community providers, clients and caregivers is essential in en- suring a smooth transition. The Ontario Community Support Association is an organization that represents more than 300 com- munity based not-for-profit health and social service agencies. VON Volunteer Programs, Middlesex County is a member of OCSA. • Contacts: Jackie Wells, Manager VON, 245-3170, Fax 245-3164. Volunteer Programs, Middlesex County. e-mail: vonhp@odyssey.on.ca Exeter Optimist Home Show door Deb O'Hagan Barb Sharpe, Exeter Donna Bigelow William Craig Cathy Prance, Centralia Shane McGregor, Exeter, Fred Parkinson, St. Marys Beth Prouty, Exeter Dave Devries, Brad Gregus' Tom Ellerington, A. Poreriton Bruce Coleman, Irene Kenney Dorothy Chapel, Dorcas Wein Marion Skinner $25 gift certificate Lint roller Home video Coffee pack Ball cap $20 grocery pack each Coffee gift pack 4 Coffee mugs each 4 Coffee mugs each 4 Coffee mugs each 4 Coffee mugs each 4 Coffee mugs Note: Winners can pick up their prizes at the South Huron Rec Centre. prize winners Darling's Foodland Canadian Tire Reel Time Tim Horton's RSD Sports Holtzmann's iOA Tim Horton's Steamatic Steamatic Steamatic Steamatic Steamatic