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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-05-04, Page 1616 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday,May 4, 2005 Queensway worker bikes across Texas for fundraiser By Mike Johnston TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF HENSALL — Julie Keagan has a busy life. But between her jobs as a social worker in Kitchener -Waterloo (where she has two jobs) and at Queensway Retirement Home in Hensall, she somehow managed to find time to bike across Texas, 180 miles from Houston to Austin, to raise money for multiple sclerosis. She was one of 13,000 people who came to Texas from all around the world for the yearly event known as the MS 150. Together, they raised $10 million US. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, also known as the central ner- vous system. Those who have it may experience any number of symptoms including but not limited to loss of bal- ance and muscle co-ordination making walking difficult, slurred speech, tremors or stiffness. Julie's brother John died from MS at 40 in 1988. "Before he passed away he was in long term care, which tweaked my inter- est in becoming involved in long-term care," said Julie, adding she always had a negative idea of long-term care until her brother required it. "He loved it. It was a vibrant community for him, and he loved the people there." She has worked at Queensway for a year. "What really amazed the residents here was that it was a grandmother who did this," said Queensway program direc- tor Carol Gascho. The title "grandmoth- er" is misleading, though. Julie is only 51 years old. She's married with two grown daughters, and has been a grandmother for only a year. Looking at her, it's easy to tell she is fit as a fiddle. Julie started training in January for the event, running indoors on her tread- mill and biking outside in the snow as early as February. "That got a few comments from peo- ple," she said, laughing. She also had the help of a dietician, who gave her advice on what to eat. The event started April 16 at 7 a.m. The group biked 100 miles the first day. On the second day they started at 8 a.m. and biked the rest of the 80 miles left in the journey. They crossed the finish line at 3 p.m. "It was the volunteers that made it managable," said Julie, speaking of the 300 participants who cheered them on and made them meals. People also showed up to cheer who were not involved with the event, including some with MS. "It was inspiring. Just when I thought I couldn't pedal any more, there would be someone in a wheelchair cheering us on, and I got the strength to go on." Julie is already planning on going next year, saying it's going to be an annual thing for her from now on. "It's a humbling and worthwhile experi- ence to be part of something so big." For more information on the MS 150 visit www.ms150.org. Julie Keagan (centre) with her friend Susan (left) and cousin Colleen (right) pre- pare for the long road from Houston to Austin,Texas. (photo/submitted) St. Boniface students head to Vancouver nationals LATEX MIXES OBSERVATIONS FOR CONCRETE FIXES Three students from Zurich's St. Boniface school are heading to the Canada - wide Science Fair in Vancouver May 15. Top, Alyssa Becker explains how multi- ple-choice testing is not necessarily a fair way to assess students. Above,Amanda Welsh (left) and Rebecca Green joined forces to determine if a mixture of latex paint and cement is comparable in strength to what's available on the market. (photos/Stephanie Mandziuk) By Stephanie Mandziuk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF ZURICH — It's an experience of a life- time for three students from St. Boniface school in Zurich. The trio is heading to the Canada -wide Science Fair in Vancouver in mid-May for an eight-day adventure. They'll join 500 budding scientists from across the country. The girls won their school science fair and advanced to the regionals where they placed first in their respective cate- gories. Becker won four other awards while Welsh and Green won another three. Their school was also recognized for having the most winners at the regional fair. Becker, a Grade seven student, tried to determine if multiple-choice testing is a fair way of assessing students. The idea came from her older sister, who strug- gled with multiple-choice exams at uni- versity. It didn't matter how hard she studied, she seldom had success with multiple-choice exams. Becker concluded multiple-choice test- ing is not an appropriate means of test- ing because many people can guess at questions and are lucky enough to get the right answers. Becker's study also takes other factors into account. Welsh and Green are in Grade eight. They were trying to find a mixture of latex paint and cement comparable in strength to hydraulic cement or latex cement, typically used in repairing cracks in foundation. They concluded their mixture, made with the highest concentration of latex paint, was almost as comparable in strength as Bondex. Becker's first reaction to her big win was, "Oh gosh! This is an experience of a lifetime!" Welsh's response, "Wow, I'm going to Vancouver to meet new people and make new friends." Green's comment, "I can't believe it! I'm a nervous wreck. I'm going to see all the other projects and see how good they are." The students will stay in the dorms of the University of British Columbia. There's a packed itinerary waiting for them as soon as they arrive. As for Welsh and Green, you could call them jet -setters. Two days after return- ing home from their western adven- ture, they'll be leaving on their Grade eight graduation trip to Quebec City. Sorority raises funds By June Essery EXETER — On April 19, Beta Alpha Master Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met at the home of Donna Jones. Jones intro- duced the guest speaker, Cindy Reaburn who manages Curves in Exeter, Clinton and Goderich. Jones is a personal trainer and encourages everyone to exer- cise—including seniors. Classes on nutrition are held in the spring and fall. Curves in Exeter collected 2,057 lbs of food for the local food bank in March. Co -host- ess Elsie Witteveen thanked her and pre- sented her with a lovely plant. President Bev Delbridge called the busi- ness meeting to order. Elaine Bogart, Daffodil Day committee chairman, reported the net sales from the sale of daffodils was $6,635 for cancer research. Plans were discussed to attend the musical "Hello Dolly" in Stratford. The co -hostesses served a delicious lunch. Ada Dinney won the draw held by the Ways and Means Committee for a cake . r Our chapter attended the 74th anniversary of Founders Day at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Goderich April 26 hosted by Goderich Chapters of Beta Sigma Phi. Delbridge led in the Beta Sigma Phi grace. Everyone enjoyed the delicious dinner and the humorous entertainment. Pat Fletcher and Brenda Hennessey were lucky winners of door prizes.