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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-04-20, Page 1010 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, April 20, 2005 Residents at Hensall's Queensway Nursing Home were treated to an information night about the Goderich salt mines last week, as retired salt miner Grant McGregor and current employee Mark Consitt gave a talk on the subject and showed a video.An information booth was also set up.The evening was organized by Queensway's men's group, which is organizing a food drive for the Exeter Food Bank.After the salt mine presentation, 30 -year service awards were presented to Queensway dietary depart- ment staffer Sandra Consitt and nurse Elaine Stebbins.Above from left are Queensway resident Bert Dunn, McGregor, resident Jack Lavender, Mark Consitt and resident Doug Wedlake.Admission to the evening was a donation to the food drive.(photo/Scott Nixon) Macleans supports minor hockey This year the BCH (Bayfield, Clinton, Hensall) Minor Hockey League partnered with Macleans Source For Sports of Exeter and released a line of BCH minor hockey clothing. Macleans donated a percentage of the sales ($ I ,080) to the BCH Association. Starting at left: Jeff MacLean, BCH president John Coleman, Craig Ivatts, BCH vice-president Wayne Smith and Gary MacLean. (photo/Mike Johnston) Beef -A Rama is back By Christine O'Reilly EXETER — Beginning its third year in the area, the 4-1-1 Beef -A -Rama is back and big- ger than ever. The club's first meeting was held at leader Andrea Hern's house. Many of last year's members returned, along with a crowd of new faces. The club's first task was to deter- mine who would stand hi the executive positions at the rest of this year's meetings. Once again, Robin McKnight will act as the club's president, opening meetings and keeping the club on track. Elisha Coleman will be assisting McKnight as vice presi- dent. Jessica Brock will act as secretary and record min- utes for the club's records. Carrie Powe will balance the club's finances. Christine O'Reilly will maintain her position as the club's press reporter, updating the public about the Beef-A-Rama's events. John Urquhart was elected to help take up any slack in the executive if another member cannot complete a duty or needs extra help. After the executive was decided, Hern handed out weight tables and registration forms. Hern informed members of important dates for 4-H events, sched- uled future meetings, and highlighted changes to the club's program this year. Members will be required to either hand in their booklets at the end of the year, or complete a display in time for achievement day at the Exeter Fall Fair. Members are reminded of the meeting at 7 p.m. on May 16 at Coleman's house. Membership fees and registration forms are due at this meeting. Turn off screens week gets kids active By Mike Johnston TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — Turn off your television! That's the message the Huron County Health Unit and Take Heart Huron are trying to get across to families with their Turn Off the Screens Week which runs from April 17-22. Elementary school students are chal- langed to turn off their screens, includ- ing televisions as well as computer and video games (except for homework use). At the end of the week they must submit a log sheet signed by their par- ents or guardians for verification. Students who are screen -free for at least a day will be entered into a draw for prizes, including a $250 gift certifi- cate for sporting goods equipment. Sports packs will also be awarded to each elementary school with a 25 per cent or higher participation rate. "We're trying to get families to recog- nize just how much time they spend in front of the television and computer," said Linda Stobo, senior public health promoter for the Health Unit. She says she was hoping to learn that families used their extra time to be active. Stobo said Turn Off the Screens Week is important because the average child is watching 23 hours of television a week and spending five hours a week on the Internet or playing video games. "This is time that could be spent out- side. It's a significant health concern," she said, adding child obesity rates are up. Stobo has had families tell her they were dreading the five days without television, but found after the week was through, they felt much better and were sleeping sounder at night. "Television is overstimulating. Kids have a hard time turning their mind off and getting to sleep after too much of it." They should feel robbed Dear Editor: Re : The lead article on page one of the April 13, 2005 paper entitled "Lots of activity among downtown business- es". Kelly Maidens was quoted as stating , .. there is a housing shortage in Exeter". The chamber may have views different from the Town, but his observa- Le tions really got my blood A boiling, when I think of it < to to in the context of my housing proposal in 2004. I am the owner of the lands adjacent to the Ironwood Golf Course on the east side of town . The subdivision featured a sizable hous- ing development. As a result of my plan- ning, the course proposed an extensive enlargement and enhancement to Ironwood. The concept had additional benefits to the Town which included varying home prices , Engineering which improved flood control , a greater golfing draw , associated retiree appeal and a significant amount of employ- ment. Employment includes my employ- ees at Northlander Industries who would provide manufactured housing for part of the lands. I have owned this company for over 20 years and worked hard to maintain year-round work. Unfortunately the Town's Planners chose to decline my proposal. They stat- ed there was an abundance of housing lands . Missing from their reasoning, was the reality that the rejected plan was the best location. It has many other benefits to the town and was more likely to proceed due to my personal ability and determination to Iters see it move forward . the I hope the people of the area 'tor know how close they came to getting the facilities , housing, recreation , storm water control and employment in Exeter. They should feel robbed ! It is a shame that the system which is put in place to help the people often robs them of benefits they may not be aware of. In the same article , Pete Armstrong was quoted to say, "there's not a damn thing wrong". I do not feel this way . Our politicians and bureau- crats should take the brave position by supporting things which have common sense at the core . I believe the good planners of Huron County can still find a means to justify our proposal if properly supported and directed at a local level . Regards Northlander Industries ROBERT HAMATHER PRESIDENT Food Grains Bank meeting inVarnaApr. 20 By Joan Beierling VARNA CORRESPONDENT VARNA — The Varna Crokinole Club met last Tuesday evening for their wrap up for the season. The club has 19 regular members and several spares. The club met at the White Carnation for dinner. Rev. Jan Fradette, wife of regular mem- ber Gerry Fradette, gave the bless- ing. President Joan Beierling (yours truly) was presented with a gift cer- tificate by Marg Hayter and Katie Sparling for two years as president; I will continue for another year. Special thanks to Mary Ostrom for looking after the drinks on our crokinole nights as well as Ivan McClymont for running the games and making the score cards. The club will resume again in late October and the club never turns down new members or spares. If you are interested just give me a call at 233-7443 sometime between now and October. A few of the members took part in the crokinole tournament in St. Jacobs. Congratulations to Joe Fulop who finished second in the A Division and to Ivan McClymont who finished third in the B Division. Two teams took part in the tour- nament at the Schneider Haus in Kitchener. They placed third and fifth. Congratulations to Joe Fulop once again. He tied for first place over all. Some of the members will be travelling to Tavistock on June 4 to compete in the World's Crokinole Championship tournament. Good luck to those competing. Church worship was in Goshen on Sunday and Floyd McAsh lit the Christ candle. The children's story was on "Sheep Talk" and Pastor Elly's message was on "Cowboy Versus Shepherd." Food Grains Bank meeting There will be a Canadian Food Grains Bank meeting at the Varna church this Wed., April 20 at 7:30 p.m. An open discussion will follow on same-sex marriage at 8:30 p.m. Goshen UCW will meet Thurs., April 21 at 8 p.m. at the Goshen church. Sun., April 24, church will be in Goshen and it will be the Canadian Food Grains Bank service with guest speaker Lorne Underwood from Clifford. Sun., May 1, church will be in Varna with Bruce Whitmore lead- ing worship. Sun., May 8 will be Christian Family Sunday with Joyce Dowson leading worship in Varna. Five Alive presents the faith story of the birth of Judaism, Christianity and Islam with Dr. Barry Moore and Alan Davidson on Conference Sunday May 29 in the Brucefield church at 10:45 a.m. This is a dynamic thought-provoking and uplifting presentation in word and song featuring trumpet, organ and favourite sacred music. Your offer- ing will go to Camp Menesetung. There will be a luncheon to follow. Women from the Five Alive church- es please bring sandwiches. Brucefield, Kippen, Varna, Goshen vacation Bible school will be Aug. 2 to 5 with the theme being Safari Adventure. They would real- ly like some volunteer help this year. Please Contact Sue at 233- 3252 or Lauren at 263-5349 if you can help. Varna will be holding a village - wide yard sale on May 20, 21 week- end. The Varna pork BBQ will be held June 15 at the Varna Complex. There will be a community bridal shower for Mary Ellen Webster (daughter of Janet and Mac) on May 12 at 7:30 p.m. with dessert and refreshments to start; everyone is welcome.