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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-10-18, Page 15rnmunit' Buddin ballerinas ®Entertainment *Features *'Religion ®Family ®More GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15„1986—PAGE lA SECTION Ballet and jazz dance classes are in full swing for the third year on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings at the Goderich Kinsmen Centre through the Goderich School of Dance Arts taught by Sandra Kreitner. Pictured clockwise from top right are students of the junior ballet class working at the barre, Aletia Warr striking a graceful pose, Kreitner showing Haley Lyons the proper way to hold her arms and Karla Jean Schmidt trying her hardest to stand on her toes. In the centre is Jennifer Meader who looks like she might be a little pooped out from ballet. a Photos by Susan Hundertmark POSTSCRIPT By Susan Hundertmark Sharing my stories with you has helped me. l9 row I've always hated to say good-bye. But, once again in my life, it's time to do just that. I have accepted a job at the Stratford Beacon -Herald, a small daily newspaper where I hope to meet new challenges, discover fascinating new people, learn new lessons and continue to hone the skills of my craft. Of course, I can't leave Goderich or Huron County without telling you how wonderful you all are. Don't' ever let anyone tell you that small town life is somehow less sophisticated, glamorous or fulfilling that a big city existence. Though it's great and even `necessary to travel beyond county limits, you don't have to go far in this area to be impress- ed by the people you meet. I've met an extremely varied, exciting, forward - thinking and enlightening group of peo- ple during my stay here. Goderich and its surrounding area form a vital place. It contains people committed to world peace who, through their own relationships and their collec- tive example, hope to effect peaceful solutions to explosive and devastating possibilities. It contains strong yet sensitive and compassionate men and women who hope to accomplish sexual equality and bring its accompanying greater oppor- tunities and choices for their sons and daughters. And, it contains global citizens who are secure enough to acknowledge their luck and good fortune and generous enough to share it with those who are less for- tunate. This area contains wise, thoughtful, creative, productive and in- spiring people of all ages! Of course, there are some local(��'' residents who are not as forward - thinking as others – those, for example, who do not see the advantages of suppor- ting a municipal day care centre – but such p,eople exist .emerywherg..Apd,,,tha. provide balance to a community s� that the rest of us don't rush off en- thusiastically in a • hundread different directions at once. Along with its people, I will remember Goderich for the chance it gave me to write • this column. And, more than anything else, I have loved and hated writing this column. I have loved the way it has encouraged me to look around, make observations, develop arguments, share my feelings, explore my beliefs or just have fun. During my best weeks, ideas have sprung into my head and proceeded to empty out onto my computer screen 'through my fingertips with almost no help from me. And, I've enjoyed reading the results. Those are the weeks which encourage me to continue. However, I have cursed this column during the times when the Muses have ig- nored my pleas for inspired assistance and I have been left struggling long into the night trying to make sense of half - formed ideas. Those are the weeks I'm left as baffled as one of my readers who asks me awestruck everytime she sees me how I come up with an idea every week. Sometimes, I just don't know! (I hope the results haven't been too painful to read ! ) I have also resented this column during the weeks when it takes my brain as a captive and bombards it constantly with various stimuli until I surrender by get- ting up in the middle of the night to record my over -loaded thoughts on paper. Sometimes it's hard to know just who's in control here – me or the column! ' But, the satisfaction of filling this space and your kind response to my ef- forts have always made the exercise worthwhile. Sometimes I've regarded writing this column as a therapeutic exercise somewhat like keeping a journal. Because I came to Goderich from a job situation which was destructive to my professional self-esteem, this column has helped me rebuild my confidence in my writing abilities and restore my en- thusiasm in my career choice. Along with helping me professionally, it's also helped me live through and deal with personal changes in my life. Anyone who's read this column regularly will • know all about my mourning of my mother's death, my apprehension and optimism about my father's re -marriage and my difficulties with and rewards from my relationships with sisters, friends and significant others. Sharing my stories with you has helped me grow in lots of ways. Thanks.'(By the way, thanks to my family and friends who never complained once when I used them as column material!) . I have always appreciated those of you who have stopped me to remark on something you've read in this space even if ..only to ominously state, "Oh yes, you're the one that writes that column." Bven if you've thrown thin column across the room in disgust (as one man admitted to me he'd done), I hope I've provoked your thought, challenged your .beliefs or maybe made you smile. Because, by reading and responding to my ideas, you've done the same for me. .w,