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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-09-08, Page 66 Exeter Times–Advocate Wednesday, September 8, 2004 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 advance to receive your prize. These products may include "coin collections", personalized pen sets, etc. The products are generally cheap or overpriced, but may sound valuable over the phone. Remember, in a legitimate contest you do not have to purchase a prod- uct to qualify for a prize. You may also encounter the "sweepstakes scam". After entering a fake sweep- stakes contest in the mail, you will receive a call within two to four weeks from a fraudulent telemarketer. This person will usually identify himself or herself as a lawyer, judge, customs agent or other official. They will represent themselves as an agent for a particular company. You will be told that you have won a large cash award, but money must be sent up front for taxes, etc "X" Marks the Spot Two friends are out fishing and return to shore after landing their limit in just a couple of hours. "I hope you remember the spot where we caught all those fish," the other replies. "I made an 'X' on the side of the boat to mark the spot." The first guy is irate. "You idiot. How do you know we'll get the same boat?" Bereavement Support Group: VON Palliative Care Volunteer Program is sponsoring a bereavement support group. Spend time with others who are grieving the death of a loved one in this 10 weeks facilitated -peer support program. This program starts September 22, 2004 on Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 P.M. The location for the weekly meetings is at the Precious Blood Catholic Church, Sanders Street, Exeter. Contact Kim Winbow VON Consultant (519) 235-2510. Multidisciplinary Palliative Care Education Level !Course: This course is for general information, for persons who wish to volunteer, PSWs, RPNs and RNs. The dates are Mondays, September 27 to November 1, 2004, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This training is held at South Huron Hospital, Exeter for 5 Mondays for a total of 30 hours. Please register by September 20, 2004. Registration fee is $20 payable to VON OCVP, 24 Huron Street West Exeter NOM 1S2. For more infor- mation call: VON Palliative Care Program c/o Karen Lehnen at (519) 235-2510. This program is funded by the Ministry of Health for Long Term Care What's in a Name? A fellow was invited to the home of some old friends for dinner His buddy preceded every request to his wife by endearing terms, calling her Honey, My Love, Darling, Sweetheart, Pumpkin etc. The guest was impressed since the couple had been married almost 70 years, and while his wife was off in the kitchen he said to his friend, "I think it's wonderful after all the years you've been married, you still call your wife those pet names." His buddy hung his head. "To tell you the truth, I forgot her name about ten years ago. Hospital Happenings Tips and Tools for Everyday Living A workshop for healthcare providers working in long-term care and the community Workshop Topics Cognition, Perception, and Behaviour What are the invisible barriers that affect a stroke survivor's behaviour and ability to func- tion? What strategies can you use to help them? Communication In what ways can stroke impact the ability to �OUTH speak and understand? 4(URON How can you make com- OSPITAL munication easier for stroke survivors? Feeding and Swallowing How can mealtimes be safe and enjoyable for stroke survivors? Learn strategies to maximize safety and independence. Mobility How does stroke affect the person's ability to move and transfer? Learn how you can help. Join Us! September 28 & 30 and October 5 & 7 14:00hrs to 16:00hrs Space is Limited to 15 par- ticipants! South Huron Hospital Boardroom and Physio Department Please register by September 10th, Call the Physio Dept. @ SHH (235-4002 ext.246) or e-mail; shha. physiotherapy@shha. on. c a The Tips and Tools Workshop is made available with support from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long -Term Care SSOCIATION South Huron... beware Dear Editor and Residents of South Huron and Area, Just a "heads up" regarding a flyer that is circulat- ing Exeter and area. Tri -County Distributing offers weekly earnings up to $1000 per week to stuff and mail flyers for companies, out of your home. Out of curiosity, and knowing that this was too good to be true, I called Bell for a number to contact for further information. No num- ber out of Palmerston or area. Contacted the Better Business Bureau and they are not listed with the BBB. In fact, they have numerous consumer complaints reported about this company. For more information call the MidWestern Ontario Better Business Bureau at 1-800- 459-8875. DO NOT send them money. It is a scam. It sounded too good to be true. It is. Just wanted to make people aware. PATRICIA SPENCE, Exeter, Ont. Time for creative thinking Dear Sir, It seems that each time we open our mail from the Municipality of South Huron these days we are hit with another increase in taxation. The latest, a separate charge for street lighting is an example. I think it is time for some creative thinking to reduce these bur- dens on our meager resources and since the council seems incapable of containing costs, here is a cost sav- ing suggestion for them. In the case of the street lights, why not let we citi- zens each adopt a street light. It has merit, we could then individually control the cost of operation. When the running cost gets too much for us we could do with them what we do with other things that drain our pockets, switch them off. Now how about that for a fis- cally responsible approach. A simple no brainer approach that fits right into the class of the simple no brainer approach the council has when they continual- ly dip into our wallets every time they need more money. Let's see now, we were recently surcharged more money for water, we saw the general tax bill jump significantly and here we are now paying for street lights. What next? I wonder. Oh yes, there's the air we breath. Mind you it would really be a creative move on behalf of this council if they could find a way to meter that and levy a charge on us. But leave them to it and I'm sure they will find a way now that the idea has been mooted. Silly me for mentioning it. When you think about it though, it could have a cost benefit if handled properly. They could patent the idea sell it to other tax -grabbing councils and gain billions of dollars in fee revenue, thus reducing by half the next tax hike they have in mind for us. To be serious, take heed councilors, you must stop these incessant attacks on our pockets. Many of us on fixed incomes just simply cannot afford you anymore. Avoiding costs is not an option in the decision making equation it is an essential part of it.Try factoring it in once in a while. Not wishing to be all negative and to end on a posi- tive note, here's a really good suggestion for you. Why not limit your tax increases to the same percentage increase the federal government increase our pensions by each year. That, we could go for and who knows, we might even keep our adopted street lights burning for you. RON HELM, Tax paying Citizen of South Huron Love to sing? Why not join in? Dear Editor: It's that time of year when choral societies regroup for the fall season and start rehearsing for Christmas concerts. For the Blyth Festival Singers it will be an opportunity to sing some of the best -loved selections from Handel's Messiah. Christmas selections from the great oratorio will be performed by the Blyth Festival Singers at their December 5 concert at North Street United Church in Goderich. The concert will be one of three performances booked for the 2004-2005 season for the community choir. New members are invited to join in this professional- ly directed choir. Weekly practices are held on Wednesdays from 8-10 p.m. in the June Hill Hall, above the administration offices at the Blyth Festival. Rehearsals begin on Sept 8. For the first evening prac- tice will begin with registration at 7:30 p.m. The Blyth Festival Singers was founded in 1980 and is widely known as a fine choral group. The choir, with some 50 members offers soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections. The Blyth Festival Singers provides amateur musicians with an opportunity to sing a variety of choral music from sacred to secular, from classical to folk. Performances are often supported by professional accompaniment and professional soloists. For information about choir membership call Shelley McPhee Haist at 482-9306 or Joan Perrie at 887-6182. Principal's message EXETER — The new school year has begun on a sad note as the result of a car acci- dent last month. Amber Borden, a Grade 10 student at South Huron, died last week of injuries she sus- tained in the accident, and we are all deeply saddened by her pass- ing. Grief counsellors and a mem- ber of the local clergy have been on hand at the school this week to assist our guidance counsellors in responding to the emotional needs of the students and staff. A memo- rial service has been planned for this Friday at 2 p.m. so staff, stu- dents and friends may share their thoughts, feelings and memories. Although she has left us, Amber will live on in our hearts and in our memories. Two other students were injured in the same acci- dent: Holly Hern is at home recovering from her injuries, and Caitlyn Hill remains in hospital with serious injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with both of them in these difficult times. It will take con- siderable time for all of us to come to grips with what has happened, and the healing process may be a long and difficult one for many of our students. We will do everything we can at the school to support and assist our students in the weeks and months ahead. The school building has seen considerable changes over the last two months, with a major renovation occurring at the east end of the main floor. We now have two fully refurbished science labs, a new multi- purpose classroom and an updated computer lab. The halls at the east end have new locker fronts, as well as a new ceiling and lights. The results are wonderful and I think the students and staff are impressed by the changes. I would like to thank Mike Rau from the board office, the various trades- people, and especially our custodial staff for all their efforts getting the school ready for a new year. They have worked incredibly hard and faced numerous obstacles to have the school ready on time. It was no small feat to pull off a major renovation like this in only a few short weeks. Congratulations to all on a job well done! We have also had a few personnel changes, the biggest of which has occurred in the administration. Pat Seim, one of our vice -principals last year, has been promoted to acting principal at GDCI. Taking her place as VP at South Huron is George McEwan, our science department head. Melanie McCowan has assumed the role of acting department head of science, and Mandy Migchels (formerly Mandy Hastie) has returned to the science department to take over McEwan's teaching assignment. Carrie Durand has also joined the SHDHS staff as a half- time teacher librarian. I wish all these people well in their new roles, and I know they will do an excellent job. Returning to the staff are several teachers who were on leave last year: Julie Bowers returns to her role as math department head; Brenda Hill also rejoins the math department, while Scott Richardson returns to the Canada and world studies department, and Jan Beitans joins the science department. I would like to remind parents the first school council meeting will be Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. in the school library. In addition to our regular agenda, we will be electing new members for the year to various positions, and plan to have a panel discussion on the rights and responsibilities of parents. All parents are welcome to attend the meeting, and we encourage you to come out and support the school council. Finally, I would like to welcome back all the returning students and extend a special welcome to the incoming Grade 9 students, as well as a number of new students who have transferred to South Huron this year. SHDHS is a great school and I hope you enjoy your time here and take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities we have to offer. JEFF REABURN PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE