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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1983-08-31, Page 7TO MARRY — Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Miller, Dashwood are pleased to announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Carole Dianne to Robert William Biggam, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Biggam, Toronto. The wed- ding will take place Saturday, September 10 at 3:00 p.m.: at Zion Lutheran Church in Dashwood, Open reception to follow at 9:00 p.m. TO MARRY Shirley and Jerry Steele of London, wish to announce the forthcoming marriage of their daughter Jo -Dee Darlene to Michael Everett Desiardine, son of Phyllis DesJardine, and the late Everett DesJardine, Grand Bend, Ontario. The wedding will take place September 17, 1983. Open reception to follow in Lucon. MAIN STREET, EXETER 15 COLOUR PORTRAITS SPECIAL OFFER TEN WALLET SIZE T W O COMPLETE PACKAGE $1 95 On Delivery ALL AGES WELCOME. ALSO FAMILY PORTRAITS IN YOUR CHOICE OF BACKGROUND. Enlargement Portraits available at reasonable price with Complete Package. 51.00 Sittuut Pvt. Pnr Person .11. 111..11!1.1: ().\T111:S1: 1). I I L.S' Thurs. Sept. 8 11-5 Fi. Sat. 9 10 10-8 10-4 SATISFACTION GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY CHEERFULLY REFUNDED moo me mos Si En Ni NM= Ng no Is mim OM 011l IN MI 1.5 1 VALUABLE COUPON 1 I SAVE $1.00 i ON COMPLETE PACKAGE BRING THIS COUPON II 1TO PHOTOGRAPHER a 1 �------/scan--rl•tl•T:1at tonin Laotian family don't take it for granted Long struggle ends with Canadian citizenship Somsay Chansamone is a very happy man. He, his wife Bouavanh and five=year-old son Sayasina have just received what many others take for granted - Canadian citizenship. The three were part of a group of 48 people from many countries who stood in a Lon- don courtroom August 25 and, with gestures holding deep significance, raised their right hands, placed their left on a Bible, and pledged allegiance to a queen and a country now theirs by choice. The journey to that cour- troom had been long and pain- ful. While growing up in Laos, half a world away from his present home in Huron Park, all Somsay knew of Canada was that it contained the world's second-largest land mass, and formed the top part of the North American conti- nent. He was in his second year of university, training to become a hieh school French teacher, when the Com- munists invaded Laos in 1975. Seeing conditions gradual- ly worsen and accustomed freedoms disappear, and knowing the• rich and educated were usually among the first classes to be eliminated under totalitarian dictatorships, Somsay soon began thinking of leaving the land of his birth. For two years Somsay and Buoavanh planned their escape. They dared' tell no one, not even parents. It was too dangerous. Late on the night of March 27, 1979, the Chansamones gave stheir nine -month-old baby half a sleeping pill and stealthily made their way to a camouflaged shelter onthe banks of the Mekong River. There they waited for five hours, their hearts almost failing each time they spotted a land or river patrol. During the long wait the baby had to be given the other half of the sleeping potion. Finally nine adults careful- ly climbed into a canoe, their combined weight settling their craft a scant three in- ches above the water. In 20 minutes all were in Thailand, missing a patrol by minutes. The party hid in a field of chest -high tobacco plants un- til daybreak to avoid falling into the hands of Thai pirates preying on the hundreds of Pentecostal ladies meet The regular monthly meeting of the Women's Ministries of the Pentecostal Tabernacle was held at the home of Mrs. Elmer DesJar- dine with 15 members present. The meeting was opened by singing "We are Women of the Harvest". with ldena Des - Jardine at the piano and Mrs. Connie Donnan at the organ. Mrs. Ada Triebner offered prayer. The minutes, of the last meeting were read by Mrs. Shirley Prouty. Roll call was answered with a verse of scripture contain- ing the word "l farvest". A let- ter was read from Mrs. Eileen Stewart, the W.M. leader. A missionary reading was given by Mrs. Marie Ilamilton. Mrs. Mary Blan- chard read a poem entitled "Our Father's Will." Mrs. Jean Jolly gave the message of the afternoon. tier theme was entitled "Waiting' . This time can be very productive in our lives. A time of prayer followed. after which a delicious cold p'ate supper was served by Mrs. Ruth McLaren and Mrs. Edith Millar. assisted by the hostess. Clandeboye WI at show refugees streaming out of southeast Asia. The Chansamones walked to the nearest police station and were immediately asked for . money. As they didn't have any, Somsay and his wife were separated and put into separate cells. Women, especially those with young children were treated reasonably well, but Somsay ended up in one large cell with about 200 other men. No one had room to lie down, and the men took turns stan- dings for a few minutes at the one barred window breathing in some fresh air. Somsay moves quickly through the rest of his story, about eventually being admit- ted to the refugee camp because by this time his wife was very ill, and earning enough money through giving English and French lessons to build an eight foot by sixteen foot bamboo and thatch shack which was home to seven men, two women and the baby for the next ten months. A younger brother, Thomhai, swam across the Mekong and was reunited with Somsay in the camp. Hearing that Canada had opened its borders to refugees of the Vietnam war, Somsay applied to come. He and his family passed their medicals and their interviews, were transported to Bangkok, boarded a .plane three days later, and landed after a 3;3 -hour flight in Edmonton, Alberta. The date was February 13, 1980. The Laotians stepped put in running shoes and lightweight clothing to the first snow they had ever seen, and promptly withdrew back into the air- craft. They were given blankets by a refugee associa- tion, taken to an army mess hall, and fed. In the meantime, the Ex- eter Pentecostal Church had applied to sponsor a refugee family. A group headed by then pastor Keith Gonyou met the Chansamones at London airport six days later and drove them to their new home. a house next door to the church which had been fully equipped with furniture, ap- pliances and food donated by church members. c Retailer Norm Whiting contributed a rug. Dorothy and Ted Prouty. part of the welcoming com- mittee, remember how sad the visitors looked when they landed in London. "We want to he your Cana- dian parents," Dorothy said impulsively. and she and Ted have been Mum and Dad to their adopted family every since. Dorothy added "they were so easy to love it.wasn't hard to help them." Gerry Ferguson had been looking for a trainee at Pryde Monuments. Ile interviewed Somsay for a job that Satur- day, hired him, and now con- siders him a valued employee and friend. Clandeboye Women's in- stitute members and friends, enjoyed a day out. last Wednesday having lunch at Grand Bend followed by the matinee performance of "South Pacific" al the Huron Country Playhouse. ' Mrs. Viola Carter was hostess for a family reunion on Sunday, in honour of Clarence Carter. who was celebrating his 39th birthday. The Carter. Lee and Simpson families in attendance were from Gravenhurst, llarriston. London, Kirkton. Brinsle and Clandeboye. The Clandeboye United Church Women catered for the Thomson -Lynn wedding dinner, held at the Lucan Community centre Saturday evening. Beth and Rea Neil attended the Leatherland family reu- nion on Sunday at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Nor man Vincent at Londesboro During the afternoon a gift was presented to Beth, who was celebrating a birthday. Town Topics Mr. and Mrs. Robert Par- sons and Jenny of Montreal visited recently with Mrs. Olive Parsons and other relatives Bev Robinson began drop- ping around to teach Bouavanh how to cope in a Canadian kitchen. She retails her student's alarm when Bev began taking the stove apart to eli an it. The newcomer was certain her teacher would be singed with the fire that obviously burned somewhere within the stove's enamelled exterior. The Laotian family often walked to short distance to the home of another commit- tee member, Gerry Hamilton, when they needed Delp with English, interpretation of some baffling Canadian custom, or a boost in their morale. The Chansamones were also observing their sponsors, both in their kind, helpful everyday actions and their Sunday worship. They were Buddhists. Somsay's father had been a monk before his marriage, and Somsay had twice shaven his head and donned saffron robes for seven days to hasten admis- sion to heaven for close relatives. Their Asian home had had a "god shelf" where the family daily presented fresh flowers and burned incense. In the Exeter church Som - say heard the pastor praying for others' requests and thought "why not me 'too" Silently, inwardly, he asked for help for the family left behind. Six weeks after his arrival, Somsay knelt at the church altar and exchanged the lord- ship of Buddha for that of Jesus Christ. Bouavanh soon made an identical commitment. The Fergussons began Bi- ble classes for a number of Laotian families in the area, but Gerry maintains the teaching has not been one- sided. The Chansamones have taught the Canadians many things - to enjoy rice, what it means to be faithful and dedicated to work and to church. and how to save money. Somsay has whittled his debt to the Canadian govern- ment for the,lamily's air fare to Canada thorn $2,350 to around 51,400. And his prayer was answered Ile has been able to sponsor two younger brothers. Khampane lives nearby with another brother in Huron Park. and Dorkeo lives with Somsay. Both at- tend SI IDIIS, where Dorkeo is the kicker with the senior football team. As for the rest of his family in Laos. a way Come and Sing Be truly bi-lingual: use English, the language of commerce and Music' language of the soul. SINGING LESSONS Advanced voice produc- tion, diction techniques, musicianship, exam work, tiny tots adventure group. Marilyn Duffus Zivkovic A.R.0 T. (Assoc. Royol Consery of Toronto) A.R.C.M., (Performer's Royal Col lege. Eng.) 1-G S.M. (licentiate Guildhall School. Eng.) l R.A.M. (Teacher's) (honours) Royal Academy. Eng.) Private and Classes 235.0765 7 a.m to 10 p.m COLLECTORS PLATES 'Through the Years Aircraft of World War IF Now Taking Orders SUGAR & SPICE of Exeter 409 Main St., Exeter 235-1211 t Bed • Both Kitchen • Gills Boutique Drop in awl discover our new and ex( ding stock arriving ('very day' Chosen with you in mind; bra ,s, copper, porcelain dolls, music boxes, tableware, candle lamps, ('tc .. ('very nook and cranny is filled with delight! We also /MVP a n('k►' line of Martex and 1,l(Iy Pepperell towels, 100% thick and thir`tr ( o(- tOn at a special price Of $25.95 per Set! And if your mind is too boggled with so r)luch tO choose form, Gift certificates dvaddhle. Store Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 9:30 - 5:30 Fri. 9:30 - 9:00 Sat. 9:30 - 5 405, MAIN STREET EXETER, ONTARIO 235-2957 are opened up to enable Somsay to send them money directly through missionaries in Thailand. Last week a number of church members involved from the beginning with the former refugees accom- panied the Chansamones to London. None had seen a citizenship conferral before, and all came away with a heightened appreciation of what it means to be a Cana- dian. Somsay's treasured citizenship certificate, besides conferring on him a share in all the rights enjoyed by his fellow Canadians, say he now "assumes the special responsibility of protecting and preserving the principles of democracy and human freedome which are the cor- nerstone 9f our nation...your choice of Canada honours your fellow citizens." Fergusson said the • whole town can take credit for the Chansamones easy transition from Laos to Canada. Diana Chansamone, born April 1, 1982 and baby sister Dolly, (short for Dorothy, a gift from God), born June 6 this year, were not issued plastic citizenship cards. They are Canadians by birth. Times -Advocate, Au•ust 31, 1983 MR. AND MRS. DENNIS McBRIDE Mary -Ellen Ducharme and Dennis Wayne McBride ex- changed marriage vows on July 30 at St. Boniface Church, Zurich with Father P. Mooney officiating. The bride is the daughter of Ray and Grace Ducharme, and the groom is the son of Wayne and Pat McBride. The maid of honour was Karen Brand and bridesmaids were Karen Ducharme, Julie McBride and Debbie Ducharme. Best man was Brad McBride and ushers were Bryan Beer, Craig Kerslake and Dave Rowcliffe. MR. AND MRS. ROGER MORRISON Vicky Bell and Roger Morrison were united in marriage on August 20, 1983. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Bell, RR 2 Kippen and Mr. and Mrs. Gor- don Morrison, RR 1 Lucknow are parents of the groom. The maid of honour was Teresa Ferris and bridesmaids were Pam Bell, Sandra Bell and Jackie Bell. Kim Yamamoto was flower girl and Shane Webster was ring bearer. The groomsman was Ralph Morrison and guests were ushered by Karl Morrison, Jeff Allan and Wayne Shapton. After a reception at the Hensall Community Centre and honeymoon in the Poconos mountains of Pennsylvania, the couple is residing at RR 4, Seaforth. Geusts attended from Boston, Denmark, Halifax, Lucknow, Wingham and surrounding areas. Photo by Frank Phillips Our Specialty Is helping you to decorate the way you want. For that personal touch in wolf coverings and window treatments CALL Carolyn Bradford at 229-6194 (Days or Evenings) P.S. Remember Our FREE Shop At Home Service. ,•• AIDES and Other Things KIRKTON - PHONE 229.6194 m.„ a ..• p„ 10. Buy a livingroom, bedroom or dining room suite and let Dinneys give you a FREE SUIT Check our value prices on our large selection of livingroom, bedroom and diningroon( suites and we're sure you'll agree we're offering ex- cellent value on first quality tnerchandise. NoW..'don't forget we'll give you a merchan- dise voucher entitling you to pick up a free suit (Value $270) at Swartman's of Exeter. Thio special offer valid until Friday, Sept. 30 Plus you could A Vacation for two to MEXICO Ellison Travel end Carousel Holidays have arranged a beautiful vacation for two In Puerto Vollorta, Mexico. En• tub the draw at our store or Swartman's of Exeter. Draw will bo made Saturday, October 1. Approximate retail value of vacation package Is $ 1,400. Fine Furniture 467 Main St., Exeter 235-0173 /