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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1982-12-01, Page 2PAGE 2—GODERICH SIGNALrSTAft, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1982 Helen Videan always taught the child bile T.Marr was because, "Goderich was When Miss Heien Videan special to me. Waterloo of Guderich was attending County. ,actually offered me a Stratford Teacher's College higher paying job, but in 1943, one of her prof, essorL.. because I was raised here I used to say, "To tea h the 'decided to return." child not the subject, is our She says her second reason task supreme." Now as she approaches her retirement in December, Miss Videan • still believes that her professor was correct. "Although I • have seen many changes since I started teaching, I still believe in that saying," Miss $$dean explains. Ater 39 years of teaching, whiefincludes 10 years of acting as Victoria Public School's vice-principal, .Miss Videan is able to recall, not only the. changes which she has observed over the years, but also the experiences which she considers•special. When Miss Videan graduated from Stratford Teacher's College. in 1944, she was hired by Goderieh Central School. As a child she had attended, Central School and her reasons for returning as ..a teacher were two -fold. Miss' Videan says,htr first reason was because, "at the time a new system was being set up for children. It was called an acceleration class and the point of the program was that the children would do grades three, four and five in two years. I was asked to program. the course and teach it. Since it was my first teaching job, it was a real challenge." . To add to the challenge, Miss Videan had a group of war -time evacuees in her class. "There was a child from England, a boy whose family had escaped from Hungary; two young German girls and a Latvian child," she recalls. Besides remembering the special children in her first class, Miss Videan remembers a very special event remembers occurred that year,. "One day the door to my classroom opened up and in walked Walt Disney. He chatted to the children and they didn't know who he was until he drew MVii,ckey Mouse on the blackboard. I don't think I washed either my hand which he shook, or the blackboard, for a week," she says with a bigsmile. Another big event for Miss Videan that year was being able to work with people who had taught her. She explains, "When I came here to teach, there were two people who were still on staff who had taught me, Mrs. Thorrieloe and Miss McDowell. II lwas sort of impressed at becoming a co -equal with people who had been ,my superior." Now that she is teaching alit Victoria Public School, ttss process has come full cir0.5sy Two of Miss Videan's co- workers have been her students. "Mrs. Steep was a pupil of mine when I ways practise teaching and Mr. Brereton was a pupil of mine in one of my primary classes," she says with a wide grin. Miss Videan says that she enjoys working with these teachers and other younger teachers because, "I enjoy the challenge of being able to reach, support and guide other teachers." Over the years Miss Videan has not only guided her fellow colleaulgues, she has also helped parents. She explains, "Parents are people too and they also need support and guidance. Through the years I have been helping to try and make the school an approachable place for parents." She continues, "Years ago parents may have been afraid to come to the school but now we encourage it. We want them to come to events which happen at night and which their children -are involved in and we also ;icauraye pare -fits to wUsh;m the school as volunteers." Although Miss Videan has seen many changes over the years, she says that children in general have not changed. "Children are children and_I think they just adapt to the generation in which they live. With this generation, television has a remarkable influence," she explains. She continues, "I think children today have more Garb & Gear for, ..Gj►eat Fit, Great Quality, Great Selection...and the Best Price Around The onfidence of Protection e Freedom of Light V!/eight • • "An Ideal Christmas Gift!" LAY -A -WAY NOW w�- Cooperall Pants Designed for ultimate flexibility and freedom of movement, allow maximum heat dissipation ton. Featuring a plasia - foam knee insert for extra protect- ion to the . vulnerable area between thigh guard and shinguard. Cooperall Girdles All girdles provide unsurpassed protection and comfort. The padding is removable for easy cleaning. Thighs. tail hone, hips, kidneys and abdomen are always protected. because the girdle keeps the padding where it count.. SENIORS PROFESSIONAL MODE L SENIORS PRO STYLE IUNIOR PRO MODEL Garb & Gear's BEST BUY PRICE Shop & Compare at only Garb & Gear's BEST BUY PRICE Shop & Compare at only Garb & Gear's BEST BUY PRICE Shop & Compare at only 4 9, iO4. $74,99 GET FIT AND A LOT MORE...FOR A WHOLE LOT LESS! 4 THE SQUARE CODE RICH 524-282.2 pressure on them. The three main influences, school, home and church, they are changing and therefore, a lot more is required of the school." Just as the children adapt to their generation so does the school, Miss Videan has noticed a big change in the amount of hardware that is now part of the teaching material. She says, "At one time when a teacher wanted a certain piece of equipment, they went out and bought it. I always have had a great love of music so I always had a record player in my classroom. Now, here at Victoria we have a PET computer, tape recorders and exon, t; pv recorders." Although she will be retiring from the teaching profession in less than one month, Miss Videan does not plan on remaining idle. "I will continue to remain in- volved with music and the arts and I am quite Involved with church work. I love to travel and I will do that as long as I am capable of it," she says. She also says when she retires, "I hope I can retain a sense of optimism, a sense of humor and a lot of patience." Although Miss Videan will not be teaching new generations of children in Goderich, she will always remain a familiar and friendly face to those people she has taught. As she ex- plains, xplains, "One of the nice things, as years go along, is when children I have taught Miss Helen Videan of Goderich is retiring from the teaching profession after 39 years. Although Miss Videan has seen many changes during those years, she says her basic philosophy of education, "to teach the child not the subject is our task supreme" has not changed.(phote by T.Marr) come and visit me. Or if I see them on the street and we stop and chat. They are always so astounded when I remember their names and it is surprising how many names I do remember." When she leaves Victoria Public School, Miss Videan will be taking many memories with her and she will also be taking many momentos of love which she proudly displays in her of- fice. As she points to a small bottle which contains a picture she says, "That was given to me by a boy who I bet didn't have a nickel to spare. You don't forget that type of thing." New town council takes office Monday The new Goderich town council will take office at a special inaugural session of council Monday, December 6 at7p.m. Huron County Judge F.G. Carter will administer the declaration of elected office and oath of allegiance to Mayor Eileen Palmer and members of town council. The newly elected council has some fresh faces and retiring and defeated members expressed their thoughts on serving on town council at the close of the November 29 meeting. Elsa Haydon, a councillor for over 12 years, suggested the incoming council would provide effective leadership. "The new council has an excellzutt OrgailiZatit3HT ttp work with and an open municipal government," she said. "I would like to pay tribute to council, ad- ministration, the employees and people who serve on boards and committees. I was proud to be a part of the collective achievements." "It was a tremendous learning experience and I extend my best wishes to the new council. I am now reverting to the role of a supple taxpayer and council will be working for me, on my behalf." Deputy -reeve Bob Allen commented that his eight years on council were a learning experience. "Council has grown in its procedures and methods and grown in openess," he said. "I have appreciated working with this council, it has been. a pleasure working for the town and I appreciate all the help." Mayor Harry Worsell said he always tried to do his best as mayor and indicated he would put the same effort into the reeve's job. "I was nevefrefused help when I asked and I hope to work well with the new council." Councillor- Jim. Magee_ tlrtinlked etttltraa fab: II*, cooperation during during his four years on council and said that in- retrospect council deals with conditions rather than problems. At an earlier meeting, councillor Stan Profit, thanked council, the ad- ministration and town employees for their assistance while he served on council. He said it was a pleasure to serve the public. Kinsmen donate $10,000 for machine The Goderich Kinsmen Club has agreed to pledge $10,000 over' three years towards the purchase of a new ice -clearing machine for the arena. The club endorsed a CREDIT UNION'S NEW LOW RATE FOR LOANS °AP * Completely Open for prepayment * Life Insured *Simple Interest If you have a good reason to borrow...a new or used car, home renovations or repairs,. insulating, refurnishing, Christmas expenses, holidays, paying off your charge cards or even consolidating bills...turn to the Credit Union. WOW...we have a good rate to borrow on. TM People Helping People GODERICH COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION . 39 ST. DAVID STREET GODERICH/PHONE 524-8366 motion at its regular meeting Monday to enter into an agreement with the town to provide the balance of funds needed to purchase the machine. The project is subject to a Wintario grant of $7,500, leaving the Kinsmen with a $10,000 balance ,allowing for a trade-in price of $6,100 on the present tractor and ice cleaning unit. If the project receives the approval of town council and the recreation board, the Olympia ice machine, manufactured in St. Jacobs, could be in use by February 1983. Vote on • concessions Members of Local 1863 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union held a vote Wednesday to determine if the membership, would continue to grant con- cessions to the Domionion Roads Machinery company. Employees agreed to a 10 per cent wage and salary reduction to help the com- pany remain competitive in the marketplace, with the understanding the matter would be reviewed in six months. The six-month period has expired and the company has asked employees to live withthe concessions for another six -months so it can maintain a competitive position in the marketplace. While employees relinquished a six per cent pay increase and agreed to a 10 per cent pay reduction, the company has offered to equitably share the profits with the employees to the end of the contract year in July 1983. Parade • winners announced A total of 16 prizes were awarded to the top three entries in each of five categories in the annual Santa Claus Parade Saturday. Benji Crane, R.R. 6 Goderich won top prize in the individual category while Joanne Shand and Michelle Moore were second and Mary Clairmont, third. Club Heimatland of Blyth was first in the non- commercialcategory while North Street United Church and Goderich Little Theatre shared the second place prize money. The Huron County Library float was judged third best in the division. The Goderich Day Nursery float won first prize in the youth category while the Free Methodist Church and Third Goderich Girl Guides finished second and third respectively. The students of Colborne Central School won first prize in the school division with St. Marys finishing second and Vanastra Public School third. Moffatt and Powell took top prize in the commercial category with Culbert's Bakery second and Dear- born Steel third. There was a total of 48 entries in the parade.