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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-01-06, Page 4ffr Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, January 6. 1998 Home fromTaiwan for the holidays By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER -- While Christmas is seen by most as a time to get together with family, that credo has special meaning for one Staffa resident. Lillian Sparling returned to Canada on Dec. 21 to spend the holidays with family and friends after spend- ing more than a year and a half teaching conversation- al english and bible courses to college-age students at the Presbyterian Bible College in Hsinchu, Taiwan. While she returns to Taiwan on Jan. 7 where her two-year contract will end in June, her time back in Canada gives Sparling time to catch up with her son Stephen, his wife Cathie and their three children. She says her grandchildren were upset when she left for Taiwan in 1997 and are happy to have her back, if only for a couple of weeks. Sparling says she's had an interest in Taiwan for many years, although living there wasn't something she really considered. "I never dreamed that I would be there some day," she says. Chinese New Year Because only three per cent of the population is Christian, Christmas isn't the major holiday of the year in Taiwan like it is for most Canadians. Instead, the Chinese New Year, celebrated from Feb. 15-18, is the biggest holiday. Sparling describes the Chinese New Year as a time for families to get together and have a large feast and special foods — much like our Christmas. Also, the colour red has special significance during the Chinese New Year. The colour is placed on door posts for good luck and parents give money to their children in red envelopes. Sparling will spend the Chinese New Year in Taiwan with a Taiwanese family. She said they will spend time reminiscing about the past year. Each Chinese New Year is represented by an animal. This year is the Year of the Rabbit. Sparling says rabbit pictures and images will be displayed across Taiwan during the year. Christmas in Taiwan While Christmas isn't as popular in Taiwan as it • is in Canada, Sparling says it is becoming increasingly commercial - bed. She also says Christmas carols are popular. Sparling spent Christmas in Taiwan last year and, while she missed spending the holidays in Canada, she said it was interesting to spend Christmas in another country. In terms of the country itself, Sparling describes Taiwan as flourishing and industrialized. She said she can buy any- thing she wants there, although some goods are much more expensive in Taiwan than in Canada. A 10 -pound turkey, for example, would cost about $50 in Taiwan and a hamburger can sell for $20. "It's just daylight robbery," she says with a laugh. While Sparling says it took her awhile to get used to the Taiwanese people and the country's culture, she's now completely comfortable there and says the only culture shock she experienced was when She returned home to Canada. Pressure on students Sparling said there is •a lot of pressure in Taiwan for students to achieve high marks and enroll in the coun- try's best universities. Their school day runs from: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can also include weekends. In addi- tion to their normal schooling,they go to "cram schools" where they study for special exams. Lillian Sparling sings Christmas caroti with Rachael, a friend from Taiwan. Sparling has been teaching in Taiwan since August 1997, and returned home to Canada recently to spend Christmas with her family. "They work very hard," Sparling say -. if Taiwanese students. Different weather One of the things Sperling had to get accustomed to in Taiwan was the weather. During the rainy season, she says, it rains non-stop for weeks. As a result it's hard to prevent mildew from growing on some clothing materials such as leather. She adds that the houses don't have indoor heating, making everything feel damp during the rainy season. During the summer, on the other hand, Sparling says the temperature is very high, making people carry umbrellas to protect them from the sun. While Sparling knows only a few key words in Mandarin — Taiwan's official lan- guage — she said she's able to get by without knowing the language, although it makes her unable to drive because she can't read .the - signs. As a result, she does most of her . travelling on foot or by taxi or As fo ' people,' Sii dining describes them as friendly and grateful. She says while many people from Canada who have gone to work in Taiwan have experienced loneliness she says she's been lucky because there are four Presbyterian mission- aries she can talk to. She also spends a lot of time on the phone with her family and friends in Canada. When Sparling's two years in Taiwan are finished in June 1999, she'll return to her home in Staffa, when she will begin her deputation work — talking about her time in Taiwan and encouraging others to go there. A retired school teacher, Sparling says she's not sure what she'll do after her deputation work is done. She says she won't rule out going back to Taiwan, although if she does go back it won't be for as long as her cur- rent position there. She says she will miss the people in Taiwan and will probably keep in touch with the staff at the Bible College, and with her students, some of whom call her "grandmother." Taiwan will be celebrating the Year of the Rabbit beginning in February 1999. The Exeter Times Advocate surveyed prominent members in our community asking for their fore- cast of 1999. Will it be a year of development, change or chanllenges? Or will it be a year of cut- backs, hard decisions or hard work? ORGANIZATION Ted Jones, Exeter's 1998 Citizen of the Year "99 WILL BE A YEAR OF: Will '99, the last year of the cen- tury, be a year of development, change or challenge? Or will it be TED a year of cutbacks, hard decisions ONES and hard work? WHY?:In my opinion it will be a combination of - all of the above. To name a few specific ongoing projects that I am confident will be formalized dur- ing '99. 1. Development. Exeter has a history of progres sive and timely development that is the envy of many neighbouring communities. I see this contin- uing in an orderly manner as need dictates. 2. Change or challenges - Certainly amalgama- tion makes both of these words very applicable. Let's not forget to include, hard decisions, hard work, and possible cut backs when considering this scenario. Hopefully this will be behind us by this time next year. 3. Healthcare - I am not sure which heading this comes under, but it is important enough to war- rant any, or all of them. Historically, Exeter and the surrounding area have done well looking after and providing services for it's people. I would expect this to continue, and every effort will be made to accommodate the needs of the profession- als in this field, hopefully in 1999. 4. Opportunities - This word was not used in the ; suggestive format, but I would like to point Out a` few for 1999. The International Plowing Match to be held in our area. What an opportunity to showcase our ai�ea to the many tlfou nds of people attending.,; , •'Dont be hesitant to *ohm ttft 4tVit�t W, ;Hake this major event a success. Be involved - Be active in your community, that's • what makes it what it is. Keep in mind confidence : . comes, not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong. Happy New Year. ORGANIZATION Dr. Doug Hoover, South Huron Hospital Board Chair 99 WILL BE A YEAR OF: Positive change. "WHY?: 1998 has seen the formation of the Huron Perth Hospitals ership; a network of eight predomi- nantly rural hospitals. Many, many mee r k_ d hours of discussion have allowed us to forge a partnership agreement, establish some cost saving strategies, hire a Chief P.xecutive Officer, and begin the intricate task of providing quality, data driven health care to all of us. The foundation for health care delivery in Huron -Perth has been poured, and it is now time to expand the derived concepts and take initiatives, not only for cost savings, but most importantly the betterment of patient care. 1999 will certainly be a year of positive change. THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND HOW TO MEET THEM? There are several chal- lenges that will need to be addressed. These include, for example, the horizontal integration of other Health Care Providers into our hospital setting; Doctor recruitment and retention; consistent Emergency room cover- age; a balanced budget; expansion of clinical programs; and the development of the relationship with our new Partners and the District Health Council. Furthermore, the Health Services Restructuring Commission is to release directives in early January stipu- lating how we need to do business. All of these challenges must be squarely confronted. It is only through the support of our community, our employees, our Board and our Physicians that we will be able to spell success. DOUG HOOVER The Exeter Times Advocate surveyed prominent members in our community asking for their fore- cast of 1999. Will it be a year of development, change or chanllenges? Or will it be a year of cut- backs, hard decisions or hard - work? ORGANIZATION Jim Love, Reeve, Township of Hay "99 WILL BEA YEAR OF: Uncertainty, decisions and changes. WHY?: The current property assessments changes are still not clarified by the provincial govern- ment. The downloading was not revenue neutral. We still do not know what the policing costs will be for 1999. In addition, the downloading of the ambulances and its costs stall remain a big question mark. THE COMING YEAR'S CHALLENGES AND HOW TO MEET THEM? We will again have to try and deliver the same level of services with less dollars; however, we do not expect any more downloading until after the provincial election. It will continue to be a challenge to keep the same level of service at both the county and townships. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The "shining" side of '99 for Hay Township residents is. having the International Plowing Match and Farm Machinery Show within dur boundaries. The hard work -and dedication of all the residents of Huron County will make this a very successful and memorable event. JIM LOVE