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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-10-11, Page 44 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, October 11, 2006 =CNA Editorial Opinion lit= MISIM 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 costs. Canada Jim Beckett – Publisher Deb Lord – Production Manager Scott Nixon – Editor 4 Published by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Peter Winkler -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL A valuable talk Those who attended one of Mike Neuts' several talks at local schools last week heard an important message, one that truly drives home the deadly results that can be played out by bullying. And nobody knows more than Neuts about what can happen when a child is bullied — Neuts' son, Myles, was killed after being hanged from a coat hook at his Chatham school in February 1998. After a few days in the hospital, Myles' parents had to make the painful decision to remove their son from life sup- port, a decision no parent should have to make. Most people have experienced some form of bully- ing at one point in their life. For many, it's a part of growing up. Luckily, examples as tragic as the 10 - year -old Myles Neuts are few; that doesn't, however, mean bullying should be accepted or tolerated. Children need to realize there's nothing "innocent" or "fun" about bullying another student. Parents and teachers need to be vigilant in ensuring another child doesn't suffer the same fate as Neuts. Thankfully, over the last several years, school boards across the province have taken an active role in trying to eliminate bullying. Students themselves have become leaders in trying to make their schools a safer place. It will never disappear, but through edu- cation and communication, schoolyard bullying is hopefully something that will rarely appear in head- lines. Mike Neuts has an important, emotional and thoughtful message — here's hoping his audiences are listening. Let's participate Here's hoping local businesses become active par- ticipants in a new study designed to identify and solve the problems and challenges local business owners face. The 'Business Retention and Expansion Program' has taken place in communities across the province. Locally, the program, called the `South Huron Alliance for Retention and Expansion' will see businesses in South Huron surveyed, followed by action plans that will address any local business con- cerns. Many people have bemoaned the state of the local economy for years, particularly pointing to empty storefronts on Exeter's Main Street. Here's a study that aims to find out what the problems are and search for a solution. Volunteers are needed, making this a project that requires the community to get behind it. It will be interesting to see how many get involved. WHAT DOYou MEAN,YoU WANT A4YKID?/ Tli chyluitarl bx' f'ox,orl+an 5*tictc Q, nrl1 ra to inr I'm no kitchen princess It's all my mother's fault, I swear — the reason I can't cook! Actually, it's really not, she tried but I didn't. It's just always easier to pass the blame on to others and it'll be a lot of fun watching her jaw drop when she reads the first sentence of this col- umn. But yes I really can't cook and the holi- days are always a good reminder of this. The turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes and so much more. And I can't forget those homemade baked pies and ice cream. Why just once can't I get the praise for making some tasty treat? Oh yeah, now I remember, because I've never tried. And if you don't try you don't get anywhere, something my mother has said to me sev- eral times, especially in the kitchen. For years she would say, "Why don't you help me make dinner?" I would reply, "No, I'm busy." Obviously I never was but noth- ing was getting me in that kitchen unless it was to do the dishes, which if you ask my mother happened either half-assed or seldomly. You know how teenagers can be. I always figured growing up I'd just get a cook. It seemed simple when I was 15 years old. Now, I'm starting to worry slightly. I'm 22 and the most I can make is French toast which I've proudly mastered, eggs on a good day and, oh yeah, I can heat up some fabulous TV dinners. Yes, sad I know but true. I truly believe in my heart that I'm honestly cursed when it comes to cooking. I mean every time I've attempted anything, anything at all, it always seems to go wrong. From burnt toast to almost burning down the kitchen, really it varies. Actually, it's a good thing our kitchen didn't burn down; my parents had just remodelled and I'm pretty sure that wouldn't have gone over well. Let's see, what else have I done? I remember once back in college I invited a friend over for lunch and of course explained as we got to my apartment that I didn't know what to make, where to find it or how to turn anything on. So she luckily took care of everything. We had a common college meal, pizza and garlic bread. I had one job, that was it. And I thought, yeah, I can handle it. All I had to do was take the pizza out of the oven. It was a fine idea until I actually attempted to help out and it fell to the ground, cov- ering the floor. Another classic kitchen moment of mine was making Kraft Dinner, which took a good 45 min- utes and tasted like chalk. So, I can't cook and I'm at peace with that. Although apparently my mother's not because it looks as if I'm getting cooking lessons for Christmas. But just in case that doesn't work out, does anyone know of any cooks who'll work for free? NINA VAN LIESHOUT KICK THIS AROUND 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: $40+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $72+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $140 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $11 for 20 words, 20(t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + 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. 2 p m. E-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 Jim Beckett ext. 109 ext. 112 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Elaine Chipchase ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 103/114 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 Marg Pertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke ext. 206