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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-07-27, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, July 27, 2005 =CNA Editorial Opinion TIMES ADVOCATE PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the Financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Jim Beckett Publisher and Editor Deb Lord Production Manager &Published by Metroland Printing, rt Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • (519) 235-1331 EDITORIAL Bike Tour a great success Thumbs up to the 900 cyclists and more than 100 volunteers who made last week- end's RONA MS Bike Tour a success, rais- ing $500,000, the highest in the event's 15 -year history. Bikers dealt with an unforgiving sun and scorching temperatures Saturday on the first leg of the trip from Port Blake to London and then slogged through heavy rain on the way back Sunday. But no one complained and the Port Blake Conservation Area was full of smiles Sunday morning and afternoon as bikers completed their trek and relaxed with massages and a barbecue. Events like last weekend's are important since, according to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada: • Canadians have one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. • Every day, three Canadians are diagnosed with MS, a neurological disease whose cause is still unknown. • MS can cause loss of balance, impaired speech, extreme fatigue, double vision and paralysis. • Women are twice as likely to develop MS as men. For these reasons, among many others, it's important to support the MS Bike Tour. Not only do participants raise much-needed money for medical research, they get good exercise and meet new friends. Back on ice With the NHL now officially back in business, those clamouring for their hockey fix will still have to wait until October to watch their heroes on ice, although with the sweltering heat Ontarians have been experi- encing this summer, some may already be hoping for the start of winter. But the NHL is back and, if commissioner Gary Bettulan is to be believed, the game will be better than ever with new rules promoting offense, a new salary cap and ... a new NHL logo? Why the NHL decided to replace its classic orange and black logo with a drab silver logo with the initials "NHL" running up the logo instead of down is anyone's best guess. Let's hope the quality of play isn't as boring as the new logo. And let's hope the NHL fulfills its promise to offer a faster, more exciting brand of hockey and to become a more "fan -friendly" league. After the debacle of last year's cancelled season, the NHL has a lot of making up to do. 7]� WHAT MAKES YoU THINK CELk PIIONE COMPANIES ARE TARGETING KIDS? Do we do enou When was the last time you volunteered your ser- vices to help a charity or organization? If you're a ball coach, a Brownie leader or if you cut your elderly neighbour's lawn give yourself a big pat on the back for being a volunteer. There's a bigger problem though — we don't seem to have enough people reaching out to help others. A person may say, `I don't have extra time to help.' The truth is, you have to take the time to make the time to volunteer. It may sound confusing but it really isn't. Here's what happened to me. I received a phone call from Jennie Christian, district manager of the Easter Seal Society for Huron County. "Can you help with our Man on the Roof event at McDonald's in Exeter on Aug. 5/6? We need people collecting donations and working the prize wheel inside. A cou- ple of hours would be great!" Before replying I remembered I'm work- ing that weekend, my cousin is getting mar- ried that weekend, a group of friends is get- ting together for its annual camping trip that weekend and the Exeter Rodeo is taking place and I have to get as many photos as I can that weekend. I'm exhausted just think- ing about it! Then the guilt started setting in. I'm the outgoing vice -chair of the organization and I should really help out. Then again I'll be at the Easter Seals Camp Woodeden in August, volunteering to speak to kids about journalism. Isn't that enough? For me, it isn't to help others? and I feel I should be doing more. I told Jennie I would be there on the Friday night to get a picture of Kelly Maidens camped out on the roof for 24 hours. There's a slogan for this feat: You've seen him freeze (in the winter) now watch him burn (in the summer)!" I said I would try to get a couple of teenagers I know to help and I too would try to help. Then I started thinking again. Why is it so hard to get people to volunteer? There is no easy answer. You have to do it because you want to. You can't be looking for a reward after everything is said and done. Most of all, put yourself in the situa- tion where you are the client of an agency and its volunteers. What would you do without the support they offer? As I look forward to the Aug. 5 weekend with no time to spare, I take a moment to reflect and consider the Easter Seals kids who need help buying wheelchairs, walkers, leg braces and communication devices. If I was in their situation, would someone help me? Then another thought crosses my mind, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." It's not a matter of feeling guilty, it's a mat- ter of doing the right thing. Remember, you have to take the time to make the time to volunteer. So if you can, why not help out a charity or organi- zation? And if you're in Exeter on the evening of Fri., Aug. 5, stop by the McDonald's drive-thru and say hello. I'll see you there and thank you in person for helping us help the kids. STEPHANIE MANDZIUK CONSIDER THIS! About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales ....(519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $38+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $70+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $130 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $11.00 for 20 words, 20¢ for each addition- al word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15.00 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, (519) 235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings (519) 235-1336 (leave mes- sage) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 4 m. -mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher/Editor Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 REPORTERS Scott Nixon ext. 105 Pat Bolen ext. 113 Stephanie Mandziuk ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Kim Hern ext. 102 COMPOSITION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 114/103 Sharlene Young, ext 103 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Christina Scott ext. 108 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke