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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1983-09-14, Page 3Grace Patterson, president of the Bluewater Centre Volunteer Association and Earl Ralph (Dusty) Switzer, a resident at the Centre, present the first Earl Ralph Switzer $500 Scholarship to Leana Finlayson, a graduate of GDCI now studying Mental Retardation Counselling at Fanshawe. Another official presentation of the scholarship will be made at the GDCI commencement ceremonies September 30. The story of Earl Ralph (Dusty) Switzer will live on in scholarship name The Bluewater Centre Volunteer Association has established a scholarship named after Earl Ralph (Dusty) Switzer. Earl Ralph Switzer was born in Ontario on July 22,1917. He was considered to be a mischievous youngster. He was guilty of throwing mud at the local boathouse; he asked questions incessantly without waiting for answers; he liked to collect junk; and he made snor- ting noises when he laughed. As a con- sequence of these acts which continued over the years, he was deemed to be a public nuisance and subsequently, in 1938 at age 20, he was committed to a psychiatric hospital. It must be noted that Earl had no psychoses or mental illness, but his parents did not know how to manage this young man and the community offered no support systems. He was put away just to separate him from society. (It wasn't until much later that Earl was diagnosed as be- ing mildly retarded. ) As was common practice in the 1930s, medical staff - in the best interests of the family and child - advised Earl's parents to sever all contact with him, which they did. From then on, Earl was classified as a "Citizen of the World", a term used for residents identified as having,no,family at all. Earl was often confined to locked wards in institutions for his own protection. He had been guilty of wandering off outside and twice had his hands frostbitten as a result, so his freedom was curtailed. Earl spent 19 years in the first psychiatric hospital and 18 years in the next. (The second was closer to his county of origin.) In 1975, when care of the developmentally handicapped was transferred from the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Com- munity and Social Services, Earl's case was reviewed and he was transferred to a facility for the developmentally handicap- ped where he remained for one year, prior to the opening of Bluewater Centre. In 1976, after 38 years of confinement, Earl was admitted to Bluewater Centre. The social workers there looked into his case and searched for several years to determine whether or not he had any living family members. In 1978, contact with family was re-established. While age and distance prevented his parents from visiting, they were obviously interested in his welfare and maintained contact through mail and parcels. Earl's parents passed away in 1980 and 1981. His sister and brother now maintain close contact and make a point of visiting., Earl is impish and joyful, a chatterbox with sparkling blue eyes and a grin. He has found his niche at Bluewater Centre and has carved out a career as a farmhand. He loves animals; he is in his glory brushing the white Welsh ponies; he sees that the ponies, pigs and goats are fed, watered and their stalls cleaned. He's quite a gardener; he carefully hoes around the tender new vegetables in the market garden; he proudly displays the produce he's grown. He's a regular visitor down the main hall; he takes his work boots off at the door and pads down the hall in stocking feet to tell everyone what is happening at the farm that day; his stories light up the day. He had a nickname, he's Dusty, a man of the soil. In 1983, at age 66, the significance of helping young people with their education so they one day could become mental retardation counsellors was explained to Earl. He was told that scholarships would be given in his name, so the story of his life would never be forgotten. Earl understands that the volunteers are help- ing people who will one day help the han- dicapped. Dressed up in his best suit, Earl himself presented the first "Earl Ralph Switzer" scholarship of the Bluewater Centre Volunteer Association to Miss Leana Finlayson on June 1, 1983. Earl still snorts when he laughs and he still likes to collect junk. He is a very special person who has touched the lives of all who know him. WI reviews Tweedsmuir The Goderich Branch of the Women's Institute met September 1 at 10:30 a.m. for its regular meeting after the summer holidays to review the Tweedsmuir History Books that curator Celia Taylor has compiled over the last few years so very capably. The book contains a complete history of Goderich Women's Institute, the Town of Goderich and surrounding communities. Ten members and one visitor enjoyed a pot luck luncheon at 12:30 p.m. Ow- ing to previous engagements, a number of members were unable to be present. The Institute Ode and repetition of the Mary Stewart Collect opened the business meeting with Helen Morley, president, presiding. Thank you cards were read from sick and bereaved members. The roll call was answered by a display of pictures of the members' grandparents. The WI Fall Rally will be held at Gorrie early in Oc- tober for the West Huron In stitutes. Celia Taylor entertained after the business with some of her tape recordings. The Branch Directors were hostesses for this meeting. The Institutes from Auburn and Wingham are to be invited to the October meeting. The roll call is to be answered with, "An article used in pioneer kitchens." CORRECTION NOTICE Anti -Rabies Vaccination clinics HENSALL-WILL BE HELD AT HENSALL COMMUNITY CENTRE not at South Huron Recreation Centro TUESDAY SEPT. 27TH. 1963-4e00P.M.-8e00P.M. Sorry for any Inconvenience this has caused LIFE AUTO HOME, COMMERCIAL FARM INSURANCE SERVICES JIM BELL G�7 BUS S24-2138 RES 524-$S21 the co -ope atoe 31 WEST ST., GODERICH Also a white elephant sale will be held. Helen Morley will convene the meeting. RaRTI(!RaerI®ni GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMLBER 14,1003—PAGE 3 Association will disban ut scholarslii will continue Despite the disbhnding of the Bluewater Centre Volunteer Association on September 16, the Association's name will live on through the awarding of a $500 annual scholarship. A $500 perpetual scholarship funded by the association has been named after Earl Ra"1ph (Dusty) Switzer, a resident of Bluewater Centre since 1976 (more Complete details on Dusty's life can be found In the accompanying story). The Huron County Board of Education will administer the scholarship. An amount given to the board by the association has been in- vested and interest accruing on the principal will be used for the funding of the scholarship. If sufficient interest accrues, more than one scholarship may be awarded in a year. The board has also been granted the authority to increase the amount of the annual scholarship at such time as $500 represents no more than 50 per cent of the estimated costs of tuition and books. First priority for the scholarships will be given to students from Goderich District Collegiate Institute with second priority going to students from Central Huron Secondary School in Clinton. If no eligible candidate exists in either of these schools, one may be selected from 8ny . other Huron County econdary school. To be eligible, the can- didate must be accepted by any Ontario Community College into a . mental retardation counsellors program for the coming year; should have volunteer experience of at least one year, preferably with an institution or agency providing services to the developmentally han- dicapped or alternately, volunteer experience in the health care field; and should have salaried summer of part-time experience with an institution or agency providing services for the developmentally han- dicapped or alternately salaried experience in the health care field. Selection of the candidate will not be based solely on scholastic achievement in terms of marks, but may also consider a candidate's financial need. If Ontario Community Colleges should discontinue the program in mentwi retarbation counselling, the Back care program offered at Centre BY BARBARA ALKEMADE Low -back pain. Got it? No? Well, chances are, you've probably had it, or are going to get it. More common than a ten- sion headache, it is the number one complaint of people knocking on the chiropractor's door. And the back spasm itself, where the muscles tie up so much the victim feels unable to move, is about as devastating and anxiety -producing as a mid- life crisis. The trouble with lower - back pain is that the victim isn't too sure of the cause and is also afraid that there's no hope of getting better. Nothing destroys morale as much as not being able to do what you once could, because of some pain you can't figure out but are terribly afraid is serious. See your doctor. Obvious- ly, a worried person is more tense and unfortunately, will suffer more pain. Ask him to suggest some reading to help you understand your situa- tion. Dr. Hamilton Hall's The Back Doctor is a very clear explanation based on his own patients' ex- periences. It helps to know you're not alone too. If you have your doctor's okay, the next best step to relief is exercise. Don't flin- ch. This isr exercise that helps you to relax and sup- port those over -stressed back muscles. Let me give you a little background. I'm a fitness in- structor at Vanastra Recrea- tion Centre and the `Active Care of Back Pain' program is my responsibility. The program was designed by Doug Lafreniere, a graduate in kinesiology at McMaster and has been approved by local chiropractors and medical practitioners. It's been going for a year now and, according to the people who have taken the classes, has been a great help. Here's an idea of what happens in a typical class. Let's use Brenda as an ex- ample of the low -back -pain sufferer. She's had one ma - board may allocate the scholarship to whichever program,they consider the closest in content. This year's scholarship recipient Is Leans Finlayson, a graduate of GDCI who has been on the summer staff of the Bluewater Centre for two years as well as being a volunteer there. She is - presently enrolled in the Mental Retardation Coun- selling course at Fanshawe College in London. jor spasm that put her to bed for a week, but she "recovered," more or less, from that and is able to go along with her daily work. The only thing is, her back aches at the end of the day and she has a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach that she's going to be like this for the rest of her life. At the first class, she's nervous, more than she thought she'd be. She's afraid this is going to hurt and she's probably a bit in- timidated about exercising in front of strangers anyway. (She's not in the best of shape, so she thinks.) In fact, she's so nervous, she can't seem to breathe. She's right, she can't breathe. So the first thing we do is breathing exercises, tyingu`' 'ist 'IVO • :- those s '6 'ets, t neck, the back: ry ital home: Lie down on the caret, or an ex- ercise mat if you' have one. 'Your feet should be flat on the floor, your knees bent, your arms relaxed by your sides. Close your eyes and take long, slow, deep breaths. Inhale through your nose. Exhale through your mouth. Now, tuck your chin in, breathe in, and think about touching the back of your neck to the mat. Breathe out, let your chin relax up and let your neck relax off the mat. Tension leaves with the stale air: Then move your attention down to the shoulders and the upper back. Breathe in and push the upper back into the mat. Breathe out and relax through the upper back. Concentrate on your feeling of relaxation. Now focus on your lower back. Breathe in and tilt your seat up so your lower back is in contact with the mat. Breathe out and relax through the lower back. Once you feel that you can relax, we go on to more relaxation, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Interested? I hope so. Give us a call (482-3544). Ask questions. We're glad to help. Antique Show The annual antique show and sale established by the Bluewater Centre Volunteer Association several years ago to raise funds will;, also continue on despite the STATE FARM ® , INSURANCE FOR INSURANCE CALL BILL BARWICK AGENT 380 KINGSTON ST. GODERICH. ONTARIO 524-7551 L1lI e a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Stale Farm Insurance Companies Canadian Head Offices Scarborough, Ont DAILY CAR RENTAL You Can Drive A 1983 Plymouth Compact Equipped with Many Op- tions For As Low As 1 6 ■ per day 95 OR A FULL SIZE CAR WITH AIR CONDITIONING AT SLIGHT ADDITIONAL CHARGE Spepial Rates For Vacation Periods Includes 100 FREE Kilometers. Must have a valid driver's license and be v� 2i y a� 'otaget • 1SOc11rlty deposit - 'E required.51O0.0' Deductible insurance available. For More Information Inquire Today! GODERICH CHRYSLER LEASING 414 Huron Rd., Goderich 524.7383 termination of the Association, It has been taken over by the Goderich Arts Foust - dation and will be held next August in the newly renovated Livery. Prime Objective The antique show was just one of several fund raising events held by the Volunteer Association. The prime objective of the Association has always been the welfare of Bluewater residents. Money raised from the antique show, annual bazaar and raffle and the operation of the canteen, has been used over the years to benefit the residents in many ways. The volunteers used the money to develop a cam- pground for the residents complete with barbecue campfire pit and above ground pool. Each year they bought Christmas presents for the residents. They purchased electric wheelchairs, a mobi-scooter and a hydraulic hoist for the Centre's van. They un- derwrote , bowling, horse back riding and special summer camp programs for the residents as well as educational trips each year to such places as the Grand Bend Zoo and Canada's Wonderland. They made the residents' surroundings more 'homey' by providing furnishings for the waiting room areas and drapes and dividers. A registered charitable organization, the Bluewater Centre Volunteer Association is officially surrendetring its charter this week in conjunction with the closing of the Centre in November. Residents who are moving from the Centre are receiving parting gifts of luggage, track suits, T-shirts and caps with funds provided by the Association. The Citizens of the World (those residents without families) will receive special gifts. i LSDH CO CU MEATS S FRE IMPORTED & DOMESTIC CHEESES 1 FRUITS & VEGETABLES RYE BREADS - DAIRY PRODUCTS Take the Monotony Out Of Meal Planning.... Try Something New From Our DELI COUNTER 11J o � 8uicher Shop4De1i Has It All ---- CELERY LOAF 5.70 Kg. 16.2.59 PEPPER (LOAF HAM SAUSAGE 5.70 Kg. lb. 2.5 9 5.48 Kg. lb. 2.4 9 S And From Our BUTCHER SHOP - eCii CANADA GRADE A-1 BEEF BLADE ROAST 3.50 Kg. - I .59 SHORT RIB ROAST 3.50 Kg. 1 .59 C OSS RIB ROAST a 16 Kg. 1.89 STEW BEEF 4 16 Kg. 1.8 9 MED. GROUND BEEF 3.72 Kg. 1 .69 lb. lb. lb. lb. lb. And From Our PRODUCE COUNTER Special! Large CAULIFLOWER 794 Caruso'," CATER TOO. Inquire About Our Meat Trays. Cheese Trays. Relish Trays And Fruit .' BaElc�s ' tritAdt dis-'thio. apt*Lot . .YON , ,s Titi20,-;;1 li For Ygrii Quality Is Our Aim Caruso's Is Our Name JV:0 9 ,4) &debt Shop S Deli .a. Street Goderlch, Ontario SPECIALS WHILE QUANTITIES LAST Beside Culbert's Bakery We Reserve The Right; To Limit Quantities. 524-9672 L'OREAL ELSEVE BALSAM INSTANT BEAUTIFYING CONDITIONER OUR SPECIAL PRICE s1079 Suites, private and semi-privafb rooms, all with four piece bath, fully carpeted and tastefully decorated. Cable T.V. and telephone connections. Excellent home cooked meals are served in the large elegant dining room. For your safety, we have installed smoke detectors, solid core doors, hot water baseboard heating, and controlled hot water taps. 24 Hours supervision. An elevator makes all rooms ground level. PLUS 254 OFF EXTRA BONUS SAVINGS FROM L'OREAL PAY $ � A 200 m1. ONLY s -T siPe Available in Regular/Extra Body/Light Balsam I IV] K 1 I� 4 SHOPPirmacERS SQUAREV/ a/ GootRICH 524.7241