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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-04-13, Page 31Wednesday, April 13, 2005 Exeter Times–Advocate 31 Classifieds / Community Many services offered at ExeterYouth Centre By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — The Exeter Youth Centre wants to see more youths using its ser- vices. The centre, situated at the back of Trivitt Memorial Church, opened in January 2004, offering a variety of services for those aged 14-24. Program services leader Katie Pickering says she'd like to see participation increase. The centre offers a relaxed atmosphere where youths can watch TV, use the computers (with Internet and print- ers), play music, games, read or just hang out with friends. Pickering also does informal counselling at the centre and can refer those in need to other counsellors and help them find access to county ser- vices such as Safe Homes for Youth. She also helps with resumes, job search- es, interview skills and can help high school students meet their volunteer work requirements. The Youth Centre has an emergency food bank and gives out hygiene and clothing to those in need. Pickering will also take students shopping for fresh food like bread and milk, with the Youth Centre picking up the tab (within reason, of course). There are many resources available in the centre, including brochures on topics such as parenting, addiction, mental health, housing, scholarship and work- place safety. Pickering says there are more youth issues in the area than people realize. Because this is a small community, she says peo- ple are afraid to talk about such things in fear of being stigmatized. She hopes more youths will realize the centre is a comfortable place they can go to, discuss their problems and get help. The Youth Centre is open Monday to Thursday, from noon until 7 p.m. All the Youth Centre's services are free, with the exception of the occasional classes they offer, such as a self defense class that will run May 7 and 14. Pickering says there are three myths about the Youth Centre preventing more students from taking part: • Since the Youth Centre is in a church, there is a common belief among stu- dents that the centre is ExeterYouth Centre program services leader Katie Pickering, right, is hoping more youths in the area access the centre's services.With her is South Huron District High School student Meghan Stuart, a mem- ber of the centre's youth council. (photos/Scott Nixon) religious -based — it isn't, • Students are also it simply happens to be afraid they need to make located at the back of the some type of commitment church. to the Youth Centre. There • Another misconception is no commitment, is that the centre is all- Pickering says, except ages, leaving some high when they sign up and pay school students concerned for the courses offered. the centre will be full of When it comes to recre- small children. In actuali- ation, Pickering would like ty, the centre is for those to hear from students on aged 14-24. what they would like. "If they express an inter- est," she says, "we'll be more than willing." One student who does access the Youth Centre is Meghan Stuart, a Grade 12 student at South Huron District High School who said the centre helped her find a job last summer. Stuart has been visiting the Youth Centre since it opened because, as she says, "Exeter's boring." She likes the relaxed atmosphere of the centre and says it's a good place to go with friends. Stuart encourages other students to let the Youth Centre know what kind of ser- vices and recreation activ- ities they want. Pickering is doing every- thing she can to promote the Youth Centre. An SHDHS grad, she has joined the School Council to make parents more aware of the centre and has joined a number of committees, including a new anti -bullying group. She also visits the school on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at lunchtimes to answer any questions students have on sexual health. Pickering also wants to start holding movie nights at the Youth Centre and is planning a Canada's Wonderland trip in June for students to celebrate the end of the school year. Another plan is to hold intramural sports at the high school. A big success for the Youth Centre was last summer's Battle of the Bands, which will be held again this year July 16 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will include Art in the Part, a silent auction, free public swimming and a children's activity tent. The event will coincide with Exeter's Sidewalk Days. Last year's Battle of the Bands, a fundraiser for the centre, attracted 300- 400 people. Pickering is now looking for bands for this year's event. To be eli- gible, bands have to be unsigned by a major label — priority is given to those within an hour's drive of Exeter. "People are really excit- ed about it," Pickering says. The Youth Centre's par- ent company is Youth Opportunities Unlimited, an agency that also runs youth centres in London and Strathroy. For addi- tional information on the Exeter Youth Centre and its services, call 235-4651. Welcome home all of Zurich's winter travellers By Carmel Sweeney ZURICH CORRESPONDENT ZURICH — The Zurich Has -Bean Old Timers' hockey team and their wives recently travelled by bus to ZUNI( Falls to compete in a tournament in which they won their division. Congratulations to Lou and Delores Schilbe who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sun., April 10 with a family dinner at Hessenland restaurant. The musical play, Grease, will be put on by the drama club students of St. Boniface April 13, 14 and 15, 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are avail- able at the door. Welcome home Welcome home all our Zurich friends who have been away to various places over the winter months: Daryl and Tillie Rau, Marge and Hubert Schilbe, Dot Hess, Joe and Rose -Marie Regier, all home from Florida. Also Bea Lenehan of RR 2, Zurich, who spent the past three months in Windsor visiting family members. Kathlene and Mick Todoroff of Zurich were in Texas since last October; Kay and Morris Webb of Grand Bend recently returned home from being on holidays for two months on Vancouver Island. President Bridget Groot and some members of the Zurich Women's Institute enjoyed helping the Grand Bend WI cele- brate their HNEWS 6 0 t h anniver- sary last Thursday at the Grand Bend Legion. The four Sweeney girls, Heather, Carrie, Beth and Renee had a great time together in Las Vegas for a few days. This was a stagette for sister Renee who is being married in September. If anyone missed sign- ing their children up for baseball this season call Randy Craner at 236- 7107 as soon as possible. Happy birthday Happy 98th birthday wishes to Lylyan Greb on April 8. She is a resident at Queensway Nursing Home in Hensall. An open house will be held for Emma Schilbe on Sat., April 16, from 2 to 4 p.m., at St. Peter's Lutheran Church Hall in Zurich to celebrate her 100th birthday. Everyone is welcome. Happy birthday to our grandson Michael Boyle who was five years old on April 11. The next free bus ride to the Bank of Montreal in Hensall is Fri., April 15 and again on Wed., April 27 at 9:15 a.m. from Maplewoods and Blue Water Rest Home and 9:30 at the main cor- ner in Zurich. Welcome to Phil and Linda Regier who have moved into the former home of Vonnie Overholt in Zurich. The Catholic Women's League fun night held in Stratford last Wednesday was great! A delicious potluck supper was enjoyed and humorous skits put on by other councils. Those going from St. Boniface parish were President Joan Regier, Deb Pennings, Mary -Lou Denomme, Carmel Sweeney and Martha Mungar of St. Peter's Catholic Women's League. The Zurich Brownies, their leaders and some parents travelled to London recently to visit the Children's Museum. Due to cold wet weath- er, cookie day was changed to Sat., April 16 in Zurich. If you will be away and want cookies call Sharia at 236-7004 to put in an order. There was an inter - generation Games and Fun Night held at St. Peter's Lutheran Parish Hall last Friday. Many attended from the com- munity, ages young to retired people. There was a good attendance at the Zurich Complex for the bingo and silent auction. Don Beauchamp was the caller and there were 152 donated items that went to the highest bid- der. Several door prizes were given away. The share the wealth games were won by Curtis Regier - $140; Arlene Cottel - $171. Thanks for the hard work and plan- ning done by Monique Hartman and Connie Masse and their helpers for making this a suc- cessful evening. The profit going towards the construction of a pavilion at St. Boniface School. The Golden Agers had their monthly meeting at the Hay Township Hall April 11. Dessert, bever- age and program was supplied by Bridget Groot and her committee. The quilters guild will be meeting Mon., April 18, 1:30 p.m. If you would like to quilt, come at 9 a.m. and bring a bag lunch. Quilting is also held at the township hall every Thursday morning begin- ning at 9 a.m. For more information call Doris Hamilton at 236-7520. Pepper games are held every Friday at 1 p.m. Lunch and prizes provid- ed at a cost of $2. Everyone welcome. BWRH news Residents at Blue Water Rest Home were enter- tained by the Seaforth Harmony Hi-Lites April 12. Wed., April 13 guest speaker Deanna Delve will show pictures of New Zealand at 2:30 p.m. The monthly birthday party will be hosted by the Catholic Women's League from Grand Bend Immaculate Heart of Mary parish at 2:30 p.m. The nursing home singers will be out Tues., April 19 at 6:30 p.m. On Wed., April 20 at 2:30 p.m. Corkey and Friends will play music for the residents. The fair board will meet Thurs., April 21 at 8 p.m. in the township hall. Plan to attend and bring a friend. The next Catholic Women's League meeting at St. Boniface parish hall will be held Tues., April 19 following 7:30 Mass. Bridget Groot and Audrey Smith's groups are in charge. The con- vention is in Sarnia on Apr. 26 and 27. 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