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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1998-04-01, Page 7•1, Gib brings cool memories back from Japan i►„ "4 .� d f w Ars itti 1 r By Craig Bradford T -A. Reporter GRAND -BEND — Gilbert 'Gib' Dow spent almost three weeks in Japan building memories that will lasia lifetime in February:— • Dow., ebruary - Dow., a level IV ski instructor - (the highest level), taught eager_ Japanese 14-year=olds how to ski from Feb. 1",18 in Hachi .Kogen.. Dow, now a Grand Bend resident and an"Exeter native, said he was given the opportunity through Whistler Blackcomh Ski School where he's worked for the last three - winters. . When not teaching powder -skills. Dow slipped to nearby Nagano, to soak up the atmosphere at the Win- ter Olympics. - `He talked with silver medalist El- vis Stojko at the airport ("he was very nice and approachable") and rubbed elbows -.with: U.S. hockey stars Brett Hull and Chris •Chclios at -a bar. He talked to. U.S, frec- style skiers Donna 'Wienbright and gold medalist . Johnnie Mosley. a personal highlight for Dow, 30, who has- been a full-time ski instructor for 12 years.. He also attended the Canada - Sweden mien's. hockey game after buying a ticket right before the game front..a scalper for 30.0(0 yen light for him. while in Japan,. Dow or- $350 Can. Dow said the ticket had trouble singling out just one originally cost $250, but scalpers thing. • were getting :more than $80. • a "The people, for sure,'he even - couple hours before the game.. .. - tually said: "They're very social. The world's most famous pot- • They have a real team effort in everything. The neat • stuff was seeing the peo- ple and their customs." Though •he compared Nagano to Chatham size - wise, Dow said that's- . where *the similarities between Ja- pan and southwesterhOntario end. "Everything is a lot smaller than you thought." the 6'2" Dow said. "Miniature streets with miniature` Cars. Over there a Honda Accord is a big car." There are also a number of differ- ences in customs that caught him o1T guard. "You can't blow your nose out on the hills," Dow, said. "That hugged me, hut it's rude to them: They just sniff. it's a sign of strength." And don't talk to Dow about Ja- pan's famous shoe, or lack of Shoes, custom: "I've never. changed shoes so of- ten or hit my head on doors ars much," he said.. - Despite a couple of headaches and chilly feet. Dow didn't hesitate- when. asked whether he'd make the flight over the Pacific Ocean again. "I'd definitely go back." he said.. head. Canadian gt)Id coed- . alist Ross- Rehagliati, sat _ "I'd in frontoI Dow- at the definitely game • go back. , But his main gig while . in Japan was to teach ski- ing basics to the Japancsc teens from Osaka, many of whom were on skis for the first time. •- "Evensliding for -them was a big thing." Dow said. The -language barrier," was -some- what Of a problem, he said — none Of his students spoke English and he doesn't speak Japanese. Dow did, have 10 key Japanese -phrases stuck to his wrist for teaching pur- poses, hut they didn't help much. "You - basically "The neat stuff just point at " some- thing with your lin- , was seeing the - ger." he said of his - people and their connnunicating . customs." technique. • He said. the Jap- anese were friendly and generous hosts. "Over there you're much more of a star,/ he -said. "If you're good at something they hold you in high re - When Asked what' was the high - Leader describes Cub activities' Roberta Templeman. Stafa correspondent STAFFA - Pat and Joanne. Donovan flew- to. England on 'Sunday evening. after spending 10 days with family members. While in England they had lunch with Jean and Dave Woodman and family before continuing their flight to Harara,Zimbabwe. • Staffa Women's institute held their public. relations meeting in the Staffa hall on March 25 with Esthcr-Smale presiding. • Roberta Templeman introduced guest speaker Marie Visschcr.- She is a cub leader and she told the group about how the Scouts, Cubs -and Beavers movement first started here in Canada and the many acti 'ities. that the Scouts. Cubs and Beavers enjoy. She ekplaincd that shaking hands with the left hand is a sytnhol of trust. , Esiher $male thanked Visschcr for her talk and read a" poem. Claudette Elliott read the minutes of the previous meeting. The presi- dent read the proposed policies for the District which the group dis- cussed. Members wcrc reminded that the District Annual -will he hosted by Motherwell W.I. on May 12. Claudette Elliott read two poems... Fees for the corning year wcrc discussed.The meeting was adjourned and lunch was served by Joyce Miller and.Kay Smalc. .Cromarty Marian Ritchie W.M.S.` n'ct in the church basement for their March meeting on Tuesday evening with Roberta Templeman pre- siding and opening with a hymn accompanied on the piano by Betty Lou Norris. Secretary Jean Carey read the minutes of the previous meeting. The worship service was prepared and presented by Cathie Elliott and Betty • Lou Norris. Elliott read scripture and Norris gave the meditation. Peggy 'Kerslake presented the study hook on Ethiopia assisted by Templeman. and Elliott. The group watched a video on Ethiopia. President Alice Gardiner presided for the business, when many upcoming events were discussed. • , Cromarty women will host a coffee hour on March 30 at 7:30 p.rn. when the guest speaker will he Judy Glenn from Glenn Farms, Listowel. Shc will speak on herbs and their uses. On March 31 at 7:30 p.rn. the Cromarty women have been invited to the Lutheran Church women's group. A potluck dinner will he held at 12:30 p.m. on Good Friday. The after -dinner -speaker will he Ann Blain. daughter of Bill and Lucie Milne. The Cromarty women have hien asked to join the Thames Road ladies on April 14 at 8 p.m. The roll call was answered by naming a favorite spring bulb. Learning the Japanese way. Top left photo: Grand Bend's Gilbert 'Gib' Dow withsome of his skiing students in • Hachi Kogen, Japan. The little snowman at bottom centre is called a Yuki Dame. "They said it was me," Dow said with a smile. Top right: Dow met Canadian silver medalist figure skater Elvis tujko at the airport. "He was 'very nice and approach- able," ,Dow said. Bottom: Dow soaks in the at- _mosphere at the Nagano train station. 4-H club learns about syrup Leader Margaret Bryan of London took charge of the ser- vice. The sermon topic was was talked :-about being able Extravagant Love' • based on the to distinguish realmaple lessons from Isaiah 43 and John 12. syrup from other kinds -At St. ' Pauls Anglican Church, and gave out information Kirkton. on Sunday. • Rev. Glenda Meakin led the Communion service sheets comparing. them. , and her message was about the new • life in Christ. The ..lessons were read by Norma Paul and the minis- ter. - • At the,Lcnten Rcllections at St. Pauls on arch 23,Rcv. Glenda Mea- kin- led the meditation on Almsgiv- ing one of the forms of self denial during Lent: -Granton 4H On Marcs: 25, the. Granton 4H .Club met at leader Jean Mctlhar- gey's home . when they discussed Maple Marketing. The roll call was answered by sharing a loud adver- tisement .and telling how it caught your attention. Further plans were made for the Achievement night. • Leader Margaret Bryan -talked about being able to distinguish real maple- syrup' from other kinds and gave out inlo►rrnatiun sheets com- paring them. The group then did a true of false test ahciut maple syrup and later pl.,yed marketing Cha- rades. •• The meeting was closed with the 41-1 mono and snacks wcrc provid- ed by Jodi - Pronchuck. Stan Van, denber.g was the secretary and re- porier. The next meeting on April 1 at the Mcllhargey home will take the lornt of a work meeting. . By Muriel Lewis Grunion correspondent • GRAN.TON - Robert Parkinson spent tick days over the March 21st weekend in Washington DC when he visited with Teresa. Brocr (for- merly of this community) and also toured some historical sites in Vir- ginia including the homes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Betty McIntyre and Elsie Lewis of Clandchoyc and Muriel Lewis of Granton WI attended a District WI executive meeting at the home of Ric Van Stceg near Strpthroy when program plans were made for the Middlesex County Wi Rally to he held at the Coldstream Community Centre on .tuly 14. A number of relatives froin this community attended 'the funeral of .Carman Rinn in Si. Marys on Fri- day, March 27. Sympathy. is cx- ,•tcnded to his family. Several from Granton enjoyed the spaghetti supper at St. Pauls Anglican Church Kirkton on Sun- day March 29. At the Granton United Church on Sunday March 29 Valerie Hodgson Times -Advocate, April 1, 1998 Page 7 • Caring. A mother's quiet devotion to her child. A father's calm support and guidance. A listening ear. A shoulder to cry on. - A safe place for your feelings. Caring. It's what sets us apart. Funeral Directors Bill Haskett and Dan Houle Exeter. Ontario • (519) 235-1220 Member by Invitation National Selected Morticians.- Capsule orticians.. Capsule Comments .with Ernie Miatello The herb, Saw Palmetto is used io treat pros- tate problems. There is some evidence it helps the condition known as benign prostatic hyper- plasia (BPH). In BPH, the prostate gland enlarg- es and obstructs the tube that carries, urine from the bladder. See your doctor before starting this product to rule out more serious problems. ' • Female condoms are non-prescription disposable pouches (like an inverted condom), that fit into the vagina. They have the ad- vantages of completely shielding the vagina and giving. women .control (for example if partner refuses to wear a condom) -and can be inserted 8 hours before intercourse. • It is estimated that 60% of Canadians aged 65-74 are at risk of dietary deficiencies. Main nutritional problems include excess fat consumption, a shortage of protein and certain vitamins and min- erals. There are many reasons for - these deficiencies including shopping difficulties, illness, eating alone, depression and taking Multiple medications. - - HURON APOTHECARY Ltd. Phone 235-1982 440 Main St., Exeter "Your Health Care Pharmacy" Style with Michelle INOW OIPEIN Finally, Michelle Moore has opened her own full service hair salon in Exeter. After working for 5 years in London at Raymonds Hair Care Centre she looks forward to offering you an outstanding salon experience of the highest quality at her new and convenient location. 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