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The Times Advocate, 2006-12-20, Page 16Crossroads 16 Times -Advocate Wednesday, December 20 , 2006 Timmermans chosen for weight loss challenge By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — A candidate has been found for a four-month weight loss chal- lenge. Paul Timmermans of Exeter has been chosen from 10 applicants to enter the challenge, offered in conjunction by Dr. Karl Weselan of Excel Fitness and Lifestyle Consultants of St. Marys and by South Huron Golf and Fitness (SHGF). For being chosen, Timmermans receives a free four-month membership at SHGF and four months of free personal train- ing and nutrition with Excel. This is the fourth challenge program Weselan has run, with three previous challenges in Stratford and St. Marys. An open house was held at SHGF Saturday to announce Timmermans as the new weight loss challenger. Former participant Jim MacMillan, who lost 65 pounds in the program, was also on hand. Timmermans is six foot two and weighs 294 pounds. He said he has been working out at SHGF for a year and has lost 45 pounds, but wants to lose more weight and "go to the next step" by changing his diet and workout routine. He says he is excited about the chal- lenge and calls it "a good opportunity." Weselan, a St. Marys dentist in addi- tion to being a certified personal trainer, said under Excel's nutrition and training program, Timmermans will actually end up spending less time at the gym than he was previously, but will lose weight at two to three times the rate he has been. While Timmermans has lost weight, Weselan says he has "plateaued." Weselan adds rapid weight loss is healthy and easy to achieve with guid- ance. "You can work out efficiently and have a life." During the four month challenge, Timmermans' weight loss will be high- lighted and workshops will be held to show the community how Timmermans is doing and what the changes are in his measurements. "Healthy living can fit into everybody's lifestyle," Weselan said, adding Timmermans wants to be healthy for his family. Weight Toss challenge — Exeter's Paul Timmermans, front row centre, has been chosen to enter a four month weight loss challenge offered by Excel Fitness and Lifestyle Consultants and South Huron Golf and Fitness (SHGF). Excel owner Dr. Karl Weselan says under his weight loss program of nutrition and training,Timmermans will spend less time working out but lose more weight at a faster pace. Pictured in front from left are consultant Dana Robinson,Timmermans and fitness instructor ShelleyVan Osch; in back from left are SHGF co-owner Colin Muirhead, personal trainer Rick Perpich, trainer Heather Hrudka, SHGF co-owners Lucy Sedlak and Linda Muirhead and Excel owner Weselan. (photo/Scott Nixon) Province invests in OYAP CLINTON — Huron - Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell says the province is helping record numbers of high school students start their formal skilled trades training while still in high school "The McGuinty gov- ernment is on the side of Ontario families who want their sons and daughters to find opportunity," she said last week. "That's why we're helping Huron and Bruce high school stu- dents who want a career in the skilled trades get started on their apprenticeships." Offered through Ontario's secondary school system, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) pro- vides co-operative edu- cation and workplace - based experiences in the skilled trades to high school students. A record 24,000 stu- dents across Ontario are expected to take part in the program in 2006-07. This is almost double the 12,700 participants in 2002-03. More than 19,000 employers par- ticipated last year. The government is providing the Avon Maitland District School Board with $104,502, the Huron - Perth Catholic District School Board with $89,755, the Bluewater District School Board with $ 98,867, and the Bruce -Grey Catholic District School Board with $ 87,924 to sup- port OYAP in Huron and Bruce in 2006-07. As more students go into the program, the government is getting closer to meeting its commitment to raise the number of annual apprenticeship regis- trations to 26,000 annually in 2007-08. "Investing in appren- ticeship benefits every- one," Mitchell said. "Through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, we're work- ing to make sure Ontario's apprentice- ship system provides Ontario with the skilled workforce needed to compete in today's economy." Marcy chosen board chairperson By Stew Slater SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE DUBLIN — Commitment to education runs thick in the blood of Stratford's Marcy family, and when it comes to Ron Marcy, that's particularly evident. Marcy was the unanimous choice of trustees Dec. 4 to take over as 2007 chairperson of the Huron -Perth Catholic District School Board. It's a post he has held six times since first joining the board in 1974, most recently in 2004. "It's still pretty much the same as last time. Declining enrolment is still our major concern, but we've also got the addition to complete at St. Mikes (high school in Stratford)," the long-time trustee said after the board's inaugural meeting. He also noted there's a relatively new Education Minister at Queen's Park, and it's never possible to predict everything that might filter down from the provin- cial government. Marcy is a former high school math teacher, having followed in the footsteps of his father. And three of his children have also chosen the teaching path, two in the Huron -Perth board and another in the Halton Catholic board. Joining him on the board for 2007 are three other long-time trustees: Mike Miller from South Huron/Bluewater, who was acclaimed as 2007 vice -chairperson, Bernard Murray from Perth South, and outgoing chairperson Vince McInnes of North Perth/Perth East/Huron East. The one newcomer will be Jim McDade, also a former teacher but also former principal and administrator who spent 31 years with the Huron -Perth board before retiring in June 2005. Many in Huron County will recall the Goderich resident from his stints as prin- cipal at St. Marys (Goderich), St. Joseph (Clinton) and St. James (Seaforth). For the past six years of his career, he served as the board's Special Education Co-ordinator. McDade represents Goderich and the northern portions of Huron County. He replaces Mary -Catherine McKeon, who originally submitted papers to run in the recent municipal election, but then withdrew and allowed McDade to claim the seat by acclamation.