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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-10-27, Page 22 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, October 27, 2004 Regional wrap up New doctor SEAFORTH — One new doctor has been recruited to work at the Seaforth Medical Clinic but he will only be working two days a week. The Huron Expositor reported Dr. William Milne, who has 30 years experience as a family physician in Owen Sound and is cur- rently doing locums (filling in for other doc- tors) in British Columbia, will begin in Seaforth the first week of November. Mary Fisher, manager of the Seaforth Medical Clinic, says Dr. Milne will be seeing orphan patients from Dr. Ken Rodney, who retired this summer, and Dr. Vince Tong, who left Seaforth in the spring. Dead loons raise concern GODERICH — Area residents expressed concern after eight loons were found dead along a stretch of Lake Huron between Sunset Beach and Meneset on the Lake. The Goderich Signal - Star reported the num- ber of dead animals climbed dramatically with the discovery of two more loons, three red -breasted mer- gansers and other large birds. Two of the dead birds were incinerated by cottagers not wanti- ng to have their chil- dren or dogs exposed to the remains. Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation coastal services manag- er Geoff Peach blamed the discovery of dead birds on a paralyzing toxin produced com- monly in nature known as Type E botulism. Paul Steckle re -appointed WINGHAM — Paul Steckle, MP for Huron - Bruce, has been unani- mously re-elected to the post of Chair of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri - Food. The Wingham Advance -Times report- ed Steckle had been suggested by local agri- cultural leaders as a potential candidate for agriculture minister. However, even during his election campaign, Steckle expressed the desire to return to the standing committee on agriculture. Upon his re -appoint- ment, Steckle said, "This committee has, in the past, worked together in a manner that is both effective and non-partisan." Students looking to stamp out bullying By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — A two-day workshop last week has given South Huron District High School's peer men- tors a better idea of what bullying and harassment are. The workshop was brought to Exeter after SHDHS guidance teacher Barb Poole attended a program called "Beyond the Hurt" last May. Eventually, after getting the OK from principal Jeff Reaburn and funding from the Avon Maitland District School Board, the work- shop was brought to the Exeter Youth Centre. Eight of the school's peer mentors took part, as did Poole and fellow guidance teacher Betty Janke, Exeter Youth Centre pro- gram service leader Katie Pickering and provincial representatives for the program Karen Moore and Amy Woods. After attending the two- day workshop, SHDHS's peer mentors intend to spread the word to other students and teachers about bullying and harass- ment. The first day of the workshop dealt with the differences between bully- ing, harassment and assault. Power and privi- lege were also discussed. Poole said one of the things learned during the workshop was that every- one needs to use their power responsibly. The second day showed the students how to facilitate their own workshop on bullying and harassment. Also learned were differ- ent types of intervention and prevention skills. Poole called "Beyond the Hurt" a "really exciting workshop." Games, activi- ties and group work were used to keep things fun. "It's a tremendous train- ing experience," she said, adding students will get a certificate for their partici- pation. One of the exercises saw the students go back to SHDHS and count the examples of bullying and harassment in the hall- ways. While Poole said the school doesn't have a worse problem than other schools, the problem exists. She described the stu- dents as "very enthusias- tic" about the workshop. "They're an excellent group of kids to work with." Poole noted attend- ing the workshop was a big commitment from the students because it meant they had to miss two days of classes. Peer mentors at SHDHS are Grade 11 and 12 stu- dents who partner with Grade 9 students to help with the transition to high school. Poole called them "model teens, with a keen desire to make the school community a better place." Two who attended the workshop were Zach Dougall and Casey Cyr, both of whom came away impressed. Cyr called the workshop informative and interest- ing. They both liked the informal atmosphere and Eight South Huron District High School peer mentors took part in a two-day workshop on bullying and harassment at the Exeter Youth Centre last week.The students intend to further educate other students and teachers and hold workshops of their own. In front from left are Katie Glavin, Shannon Wedge, Emma Puchniak, Stacey Pfaff,Amanda Zehr, Casey Cyr and Vicki Hartman; in the middle row is Zach Dougall; in back from left are SHDHS guidance teacher Barb Poole, Exeter Youth Centre program service leader Katie Pickering, SHDHS guidance teacher Betty Janke, and provincial co-ordinators for the program Karen Moore and Amy Woods. (photo/Scott Nixon) the fact the learning was kept fun. Cyr said one of the things she learned is that bullying isn't just pushing someone around — gos- siping, for example is a form of bullying. She said bullying happens all the time and everyone has the potential to be a bully. In 10 minutes at SHDHS, peer mentors noted 34 bullying incidents. Fill shoe boxes for needy children EXETER — Once again, the Exeter Pentecostal Tabernacle will serve as a collection centre for shoe boxes of items for children in war-torn countries. In 2003, through Operation Christmas Child, 6.5 million needy children in more than 95 countries on six continents received personal gift filled shoe boxes. For many, it was the only Christmas present they had ever received. Canadians donated more than 730,000 shoe box gifts. Collection week at Exeter Pentecostal is Nov. 9-13. Drop-off hours Nov. 9-12 are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 13. Shoe boxes, brochures and labels are now available at Exeter Pentecostal. In Canada, thousands of schools, churches, busi- ness and civic groups will help pack shoe boxes, along with 11,000 volun- teers who prepare the boxes for shipping. This year's boxes will be distributed to Argentina, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Granada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, St. Vincent, Senegal, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and others. You can call 1-800-303- 1269 for gift ideas. Since 1993, more than 31 million shoe boxes have been hand delivered to needy children in 125 countries. After taking a year off, the Harvest Hop was back in Lucan Oct. 23 for the sixth time to raise money for the Canadian Diabetes Association. Cabin Fever of Mississauga entertained the crowd of 200 people who took in the dance and auc- tion. Committee members Wayne Hall, Don Liley, Peggy Mastorakos and Sue Haskett say they all have personal reasons to support the Canadian Diabetes Association and are proud to announce over $13,000 was raised.They would like to thank the Lucan Lion's Club for its generous support.Auctioneer Hugh Filson called the auction. (photo/Mary Simmons) Dougall added that a contributing factor to bul- lying is the bystanders who watch it happen. If the bystanders leave, the situation becomes harass- ment. Cyr, Dougall and their fellow peer mentors will take the information they learned and speak to other students, teachers, parents, administrative staff and SHDHS's feeder schools. i E 0 c CZ CU 0 s 3 FREE REI COMMUNITY FLU VACCINATION CLINIC AT THE SOUTH HURON MEDICAL CENTRE 23 Huron St. West Exeter FRI. NOV. 5 from 4-7 p.m. MON. NOV. 15 from 4-7 p.m. EVERYONE WELCOME NO APPT. NECESSARY Heart1'id Community Credit Union Limited Where membership makes the difference is pleased to announce that a total dividend payment of 2.19b (1.6% Cash Dividend and .50% Patronage Dividend) has been declared on Credit Union Member's Life Savings Accounts for the past fiscal year ending September 30, 2004 In addition, a CASH DIVIDEND of 3.10% was paid on Patronage Share Accounts and credited to Member's Life Savings Accounts Sharing in the profits of a co-operative financial institution is only one of the benefits of being a member of our Credit Union. The Staff and Board of Directors wish to thank the members for their patronage to their Credit Union. Head Office Clinton 482-3466 Exeter Branch 235-0640 Listowel Branch 291-6189 website: www.heartlandcommunitycu.on.ca