HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-10-22, Page 14Page 14
Times -Advocate, October 22, 1997
COMMUNITY
Panther Power Walk a success
Over 600 students and staff walked over 17 km towards Kirkton
but had to be bused the final 2 km due to safety concerns
By Craig Bradford
T -A Reporter
KIRKTON - Over 600 sets of
'paws' set out from South Huron
District High School on Friday
morning for the first Panther Power
Walk.
The fundraising walk, along with
the community garage sale, break-
fast and road hockey and co-ed vol-
leyball tournaments on Saturday
were all part of the high school's
Panther Funfest.
The walk was cut short on Plug-
town Line at Huron County Rd. 6
after winding its way from the
school onto Huron St. E. to Plug-
town Line because of concerns
about student safety along the busy
road even though three Huron
County OPP cruisers were assigned
the detail. Staff and students were
bused the final about 2 km of the
total 19 km trek to the Kirkton-'
Woodham Community Centre for
lunch and activities.
"We can't have this," Const.
Liam Brennan said along the route
about students bunching up in
groups and walking on the road in-
stead of staying on the roadside.
"it's just such a safety concern."
Though a little disappointed about
cutting the walk short, organizers
didn't lose their enthusiasm.
"It's better than selling choc-
olate." student council president
Sunny Dinney said along the way.
Teacher/organizer. . Carey Eddy
said they hope to raise up to
S10,000 during the Funfest with 10
per cent going to the United Way.
Last year the Funfest raised about
$4,500.
"We wanted to give as a school to
the United Way," Eddy said.
Athletic Council chairperson Lori
Richardson said the walk did much
to boost the already considerable
Panther power.
"it creates .school spirit," she said.
Principal Bill Gerth said despite
concerns about student safety and
the length of the walk, no one suf-
fered any injuries except for "a
couple of blisters."
Attendance at Saturday's events
were down from last year, Gerth
said, likely because of the fine fall
weather and a plethora of other sea-
sonal events held throughout the
area.
But organizer/teacher. Jodie Bak-
er said the Power Walk proved to
be a great success (no final dollar
amount raised at press) and could
be beefed up for next year.
Road hockey and volleyball tour-
nament organizer George McEwan
said the low turnout for Saturday's
events is "a message we'll have to
listen to," adding the walk could
replace Saturday's events as the
main fundraiser next ytar. He also
said the sports tournaments, garage
sale and breakfast could be separ-
ated from the Panther Funfest and
be held at other timesof the year.
The school held the weekend
blitz of events instead of holding
several fundraisers like chocolate,
citrus and magazine drives because
even generous, community -minded
people are getting tired of all the
requests for handouts.
For more coverage on the road
hockey and volleyball tournaments,
see Sports.
Does It fit? Kaitlin Teel, 10, and greatgrandma Amy Lee of Lucan see it this hat fits dur-
ing the Panther Funfest community garage sale at South Huron District High School on
Saturday moming.
',•
6
1
Lion's Club honors Bob Dinney
for hall century of community service
One of the hlpNlghb of
the Exeter Lions Club's
60th anniversary celebra-
tions Saturday night at, the
Legion Hall was the recog-
nition
ecognition of Lion member Bob
Dinney's 50 -year member-
ship in the club.
Bob had the opportunity to
reminisce about his
lengthy membership includ-
ing his introduction to the
club. He is shown holding a
bib he was required to,
wear as a new member. He
had to do this until all club
members signed it. Since
then all but two have
passed away.
Bob Dinney's long membership in the
Exeter Lions Club was marked with the
presentation of two commemorative
'plaques, one from the focal club and one
from the District. Above from the left are:
Club President Paul Anstett, Governor
Mike Hilling, Bob Dinney and Past
Council C,hairrnan and local club member
John Stephens.
District Governor Mike Hilling presents
President Paul Anstett with a commemo-
rative plaque.
Biking joy. South Huron District High School Advisory
Council (SAC) representative Deb McCann, left, and SAC
secretary/teacher Jodie Baker hand over a new 12 -speed
mountain bike to Gr. 9 Pete Barnard at the school on
Monday. Barnard won the bike, donated by MacLean's
Source For Sports, in a draw during the Panther Funfest.
A mouthful. Bradley Keys, 9, gets ready to sample the
hotcakes, sausage, eggs, homefries, toast and Juice (and
coffee for the older folk) at the Panther Funfest communi-
ty breakfast on Saturday moming at South Huron District
High School.
•
Above. Over 600 South Huron District High School stu-
dents and staff made the trek from the school to just
outside Kirkton for the first Panther Por,er Walk. Walk-
ers are shown here on Huron St. E. about the third of
the way to Kirkton. Though final tallies aren't complete,
the fundraiser could generate thousands of dollars for
programs and equipment at the school.
Left. Andy Freiter, left, and Steve Farquhar were the
first walkers to finish the Panther Power Walk on Friday.
Though the walk was cut a couple of kilometres short
of its 19 km goal due to safety concerns, organizers
dubbed it a great success.
4.:‘
� v, t It
fi
•..
•iiiii
x.
4.
i,
•r Y.
it r `,-