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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-05-18, Page 23T efirsti BY JOANNE WALTERS Whether moving across the street or across the country, 20 percent of Canadians pack up and move -each year. Although moving statistics are difficult to obtain, the most recent numbers from the Department of National Revenue (for 1968-69) in- dicate that 19 percent of moves occur from province to province while the rest are of a local or regional nature. Ming specialists agree that these proportions are still valid and an economist with the Hudson's Bay Company recently predicted that more than 25 percent of the population will be moving annually during the next decade. People move for various reasons. Some are young people lured to larger cities by promises of.better, higher paying jobs and a more exacting life style. Others are students who move away from home to attend university and community colleges. Newlyweds move from apartments into their first homes. And married couples with growing families need more space and they move to larger ac- commodations. Some people move within their communities to be closer to their place of em- ployment or their children's schools. Corporate people may move from centre to centre because of .job tran- sfers. And as teenagers move uut, many parents decide to move into smaller homes or apartments. People also move to warmer or drier climates for reasons of health and retirement. Also, higher energy,and maintenance costs 'k creasingly are becoming key factor in forcing people to change their accom modations . But whatever the reasons for moving, each move in- volves many similar problems. Moving, by its very nature, is an unsettling and anxiety -producing ex- perience. Breaking old ties with familiar surroundings, established routines, family and friends is difficult enough. And these obstacles may sometimes be com- pounded by the financial problems created by a move, according to a press release from the Royal Bank of Canada who have instituted a movers' loan to offset the high costs of moving. Many years ago, if newcomers moved into a community, they were often welcomed by neighbours who would bring baskets of food to their doors as tokens of friendship and acceptance. In this fast -paced and highly mobile society, it's refreshing to know that this pioneer tradition of welcome is still being carried on in some places, including Goderich. It has taken on a different form but the un- derlying principle is still there - making the newcomer feel welcome in the com- munity. In Goderich, newcomers face many unsettling ressions are important problems which can ac- company a move. They must learn f'o find their way around town (and Goderich's Square often makes this task especially confusing) ; they must find new playmates and reliable babysitters for their children; they must find new friends and activities for themselves; they must find new doctors and dentists, etc. te1, etc. In short, they must establish whole new lifestyles and routines. They are starting all over again by moving to a new town and they have many, many questions to ask ranging from what recreational facilities are available in Goderich to wiher' can we get a good pizza? That's where the Welcome Wagon and Hi -Neighbour hostesses come in. They can answer all the newcomers' questions and what they can't answer, they can find out. They call on the newcomers and make therm feel welcome, with letters from the mayor, the Chief of Police, the PUC, various clubs and merchants as well as maps of the town. They carry lists of all tF( doctors, dentists and chur- ches in town to give the newcomer some choice. They have lists of emergency numbers, literature from the health unit " and even in- formation on the Stratford Festival. Welcome Wagon is an in- ternational company celebrating its 50th an- niversary this year. Welcome Wagon has been operating in the town of Goderich for ten years at least, says hostess Joan Stiles. Mrs. Stiles . has been a Welcome Wagon hostess herself for about two years and says that both she and her assistant love the job. BASED ON PIONEER TRADITION Welcome Wagon is set up Turn to page 2A + SIGNAL- STA 131 YEAR -20 THURSDAY, MAY 18, 1978 SECOND SECTION Vacations can be Camille Burnett (left) and Susan Cook kicked up their heels at the Victoria Public School musical travelogue entitled Vacation Canada. The pair performed the can -can as part of the musical which took the audience through Canada's Northland. The Grade 2 students joined their school mates in an effort to raise money for an adventure playground for Victoria. (photo by Jeff Seddon) These kindergarten students at Victoria Public School didn't mind an afternoon out of the classroom Monday to catch a little fishing. The trio were part of the Victoria kindergarten version of Summer by the Beach in the school's Vacation Canada musical travelogue rehearsed Monday for the students of Robertson Memorial and some senior citizens. The three (from left) Chris Whetstone, Candi Shirk and Nicole Scruton, were helping their school raise money for an adventure playground. (photo by Jeff Seddon) un right hereat home What would a vacation across Canada be without being able to witness the ride in their performance. The students at Victoria gave a combination ' Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its famous musical ride. The students command performance -dress rehearsal Monday for senior citizens and the at Victoria. Public School didn't ignore the • hide when they put together a ,t sdents of Robertson Memorial. The musical is designed to raise money for musical travelogue entitled Vacation Canada. The Grade 3 students chose , an adventure playground for Victoria Schoo. (photo by Jeff Seddon) the Calgary Stampede as their vacation spot and highlighted the musical f 00 The grand finale of the Victoria Public School musical travelogue entitled chose to highlight in their performance, are joined by flag bearers and a Vacation Canada involves about 60 members of the cast and is a spectacle of – choir as they sing Canada, the song made -famous by Bobby Gimby in 1967. colour. The students, wearing costumes depleting the area of Canada they (photo by. Jeff Seddon)