The Times Advocate, 2004-11-10, Page 66
Exeter Times–Advocate
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Opinion Forum News
Seniors' perspective
Continued from page 5
These wars touched the lives of Canadians of all
ages, all races, all social classes. Fathers, sons, daugh-
ters, sweethearts were killed in action, were wounded
and many of those who returned were forever
changed. Those who stayed in Canada also served —
in factories, in voluntary service organizations, wher-
ever they were needed.
Yet, for many of us, war is a phenomenon viewed
through the lens of a television camera or a journalist's
account of battles fought in distant parts of the world.
Our closest physical and emotional experience may be
the discovery of wartime memorabilia in a family attic.
But even items such as photographs, uniform badges,
medals, diaries can seem vague and unconnected to
the life of their owner. For those of us who were born
during peacetime, all wars appear to be far removed
from our daily activities.
As Canadians we often take for granted our current
way of life, our freedom to participate in cultural and
political events, and our right to live under a govern-
ment of our choice. The Charter of Rights and
Freedoms in our constitution ensures that all
Canadians enjoy protection under the law. The
Canadians who went off to war in distant lands went
in the belief that such rights and freedoms were
being threatened. They truly believed that "Without
freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without
peace no enduring freedom." (King George VI at dedi-
cation of National War Memorial, Ottawa, May 21,
1939.)
In remembering their service and their sacrifice, we
recognize the tradition of freedom they fought to pre-
serve. These men and women had faith in the future
and by their acts gave us the will to preserve peace for
all time. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the
courage and gallantry of those who served their country.
During times of war, individual acts of heroism
occurred frequently; only a few were recorded and
received official recognition. In remembering all who
served, we recognize the many who willingly endured
the hardships and the fear so that we could live in peace.
Major scam:
Don't ever dial area code 809, 284 or 876. For more
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New reading material:
Pick up `Services for Seniors: A Guide to Federal
Government of Canada Services for Seniors and their
Families.'
Things it took me 50 years to learn:
(A) Never ever, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on
the same night.
(B) There is a fine line between "hobby" and "mental
illness."
(C) People who want to share their religious views with
you almost never want you to share yours with them.
(D) No matter what happens, somebody will find a way
to take it too seriously.
(E) Nobody cares if you don't dance well. Just get up
and dance.
(F) Never lick a steak knife.
(G) The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.
(H) You will never find anyone who can give you a
clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight
savings time.
(I) A person who is nice to you but rude to the waiter is
not a nice person.
Answer to testing your knowledge:
The arable land in the world is three per cent.
Remember, every time a block of arable land is sold for
housing, the remaining less than three per cent has to
feed us forever.
Dialogue on suicide
and depression
Dear Editor:
I am new to rural living, new to
the deeply rooted and intercon-
nected life that my husband and I
have discovered here in Zurich
and the surrounding area. For
me, it is a re -connection to my
roots, for I grew up on a farm just north
of Guelph.
It is very different from the city. I've lived my adult life
in two cities — Kitchener and Niagara Falls. There, after
10 years in the same neighbourhood, I knew a few folks
to say 'hi' to — but otherwise our lives did not connect.
I like connectedness. But sometimes it hurts. When
tragedy strikes a village, everybody is affected. When
the tragedy hits the still water of a village, the ripples
spread quickly into every home. In the days following
the suicide of one of our residents, many people were
touched — not only friends, family and co-workers, but
many others. Community support for the family was
very evident. At the post office, the grocery store, the
hockey arena, the bakery... everywhere, folks had a
memory and a tear to share.
Depression and suicide affect us all. In the city, it is
hidden behind closed doors, but here in a village it is
more in the open. Wherever you live, it leaves behind
guilt and bewilderment in those who survived. When
you live closely together, you can feel false guilt
because you think — "I should have seen it coming, I
should have been able to do something." But it is not
that easy.
Knowledge can help those of us still here. Having a safe
place to express our feelings of grief can help. Hanging
on to faith in the midst of it all — that also helps.
The churches of Zurich care about all who live in our
village. Together we are sponsoring a dialogue on
depression and suicide on Sunday, Nov. 14, from 7 to 9
p.m. at the Bluewater Arena in Zurich. Our resource
people will be trained counsellors from 'By Peaceful
Waters' Counselling Services — Janine Schultz and
Mark Wolters. This event is free to public. Our hope is
that many will come, for someday a friend or loved one
may need you to understand.
God's peace and love to my new neighbours
REV. ANN KRUEGER
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Zurich
Liberal cop out
Dear Editor:
In response to an article in the Times -Advocate on
Oct. 20, 2004, with the headline `Rumours Unfounded',
regarding the possibility of the closure of Clinton and
Seaforth hospitals.
I quote in part: "Huron -Bruce MPP, Carol Mitchell
believes that trust is something that has to be earned.
Those fears are unfounded. They come on the heels of
Huron -Perth Health Care Alliance's recent announce-
ment that $7 million in savings must be found in order
to meet provincial standards."
Is she saying that she and the provincial government
are not responsible for the closures? Who told the hos-
pital board to cut $7 million?
KEN MCCANN, Exeter
Wave of silence
Dear Editor:
For the past several years, the members of the Royal
Canadian Legion have asked the towns and cities,
schools, businesses and churches, and citizens of
Canada to stop for two minutes at 11 a.m. and pay spe-
cial tribute to the 116,000 Canadians who have given
their lives in war to defend Canada.
In each of these years, the silence begins in
Newfoundland and sweeps across the country like a
wave, as the clock strikes 11 a.m. in each time zone.
The objective is simply to allow as many Canadians as
possible to participate in Remembrance Day. The
'Wave of Silence' has received resounding support
from Canadians in all parts of Canada. Trains stopped,
factory workers paused and school children participat-
ed in record numbers in remembering the heroic sacri-
fices of the men and women who went to war in the
20th century.
We come again this year to solicit your support for
the 'Two Minute Wave of Silence.' We urge you to
encourage staff and clients, your students and neigh-
bours to sustain the momentum achieved in the obser-
vance of Remembrance and in the special tribute paid
to the men and women to whom all Canadians owe so
much.
Thank you for your support. Please help us to make
the 'Two Minute Wave of Silence' a continuing tradi-
tion of remembrance in Canada.
RoN HELM, President
The Royal Canadian Legion
R.E. Pooley Br.167 Exeter
Principal's message
EXETER — Last week was an emo-
tional roller coaster for many of us at
South Huron, myself included.
For me, the week began with a call
from the police to advise me of anoth-
er senseless act of vandalism over the
weekend. Once again, someone decid-
ed to express his/her feelings about
the school by climbing up onto the
roof of the school and breaking sever-
al windows on the second floor. I find
this sort of senseless behaviour
extremely frustrating, and if that is
the goal of the perpetrator, then I
guess he/she is succeeding. The students have been
advised that anyone caught on the roof of the school
will face charges from the police and suspension from
school.
On a positive note, we witnessed a tremendous burst
of school spirit as the Students' Council pumped up the
JEFF
REABURN
PRINCIPAL'S
MESSAGE
student body in support of our girls field hockey team
as they headed off to the OFSAA Championships. The
girls had won the WOSSAA championship the previous
week and entered the provincial competition seeded
second. At OFSAA the girls had a 2-2 record, advanc-
ing to the quarter -finals. I know the tournament ended
on a disappointing note for the girls who had hoped to
finish in the medals, but it is a great accomplishment
even to make it to OFSAA, and they should be proud to
have finished among the top eight teams in the
province.
Congratulations to our coach, Jim Workman, his
assistants, Linda Farquhar and Heather Strano, and to
all the girls on the field hockey team for yet another
great season. The students and staff of South Huron
are proud of all of you.
Congratulations also to Mr. Robilliard, Ms.
Hollestelle, and all the students in the bands for their
excellent performances Thursday in the massed band
event at Central Huron. Although I was not able to
attend this event myself, I have heard from several
sources our students performed extremely well, as
they always do. They too, are excellent ambassadors
for SHDHS and are deserving of the accolades they
receive everywhere they perform.
Despite these successes, last week was a difficult one
for many of us as we struggled to come to terms with
the death of a very valued member of our staff. Laura
Hern, a beloved member of our Mathematics
Department, was taken from us after a lengthy battle
with cancer, and it is hard to express in words the
tremendous sense of loss we feel. Not only was Laura an
excellent teacher, she was also an exceptional human
being who cared deeply about her students. Even when
she had to leave work last year because of her illness,
she continued to check with her replacement to see how
her students were doing. Laura's tremendous dedication
was evident to all who knew her.
Laura's quiet leadership will be greatly missed at
South Huron. She epitomized all that is good about the
teaching profession, gracing us with her passion for
teaching, her dignity, and her integrity. As a former
student and as a colleague, I know Laura's presence in
the school will continue to be felt for many years to
come, but we shall deeply miss her.
Although I did not know Laura well outside of school,
it was obvious from the huge number of people who
attended her visitation and funeral that she had
touched many, many lives and she will be greatly
missed. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to Laura's
family and friends. We know Laura will live on in our
hearts and in our memories.
Panther Profile
EXETER — South Huron has started
its annual Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox campaign!
Just grab a shoebox, fill it with little
items such as washcloths, tooth-
brushes or little toys! It's a really fun
and heart-warming activity. Spread
some of your North American wealth
with some children for Christmas.
See Mr. MacLeod for more informa-
tion.
OFSAA girls field hockey was last
week and the girls performed
tremendously, but didn't bring home a medal this
year. That's still cool though, and they're number one
in my books.
Also, the Students' Council went to the annual con-
ference in London from Sunday to Tuesday, and I'm
sure we had a great time, but I don't really know
because I'm writing this on Sunday, so I haven't
actually been there yet.
Yearbooks can be picked up at lunch in Room 118 for
anyone who hasn't picked them up.
There are still some folks who need to pay their stu-
dent fees — come on kids, I've paid mine.
For any students who missed commencement, they
can pick up their diplomas in the office.
Upcoming events:
Wed. Oct. 10:
• Girls basketball at South Huron, juniors play at 9
a.m. and 2 p.m., seniors at 10:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.;
• CLN bowling trip to Zurich;
• Mr. Peat's class to the Seaforth Career Fair;
• Parenting seminar in the library at 7 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 11:
• Remembrance Day assembly, 9 a.m.;
• Senior boys volleyball.
Fri., Nov. 12:
• Fanshawe College presentation.
Mon., Nov. 15 - Thurs., Nov. 18:
• Grad Photo Week.
Mon., Nov. 15:
• School council meeting, 7 p.m., library.
Sun., Nov. 21:
• Pops concert, large gym, 2 p.m.
AMANDA
ZEHR
PANTHER
PROFILE