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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-01-04, Page 66 Exeter Times—Advocate Wednesday, January 4, 2006 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 ence of retailers, processors and grocery industry spe- cialists. He is a firm believer that local produce attracts customers, and produce from local farms is a key factor in his marketing strategy. Contributed by Glenn Powell, special to "Ontario Farmer" McCully's Centre for Rural learning on the grow: The development of a Rural Learning Centre at McCully's Hill Farm is now a reality. Fifth generation McCully family member David Pullen (son of Don & Florence Pullen) Don is a past Agricultural Representative for Huron County. David explains that "the long-term vision for the McCully farm will protect the property not only for future generations in our fami- ly, but will preserve public access for the hundreds of families and thousands of school children who visit the farm each year." As a not -for profit organization, the McCully Centre for Rural Learning will operate the farm. Production and sales of maple syrup, meats, vegetables and farm made preserves associated with McCully's Hill Farm will con- tinue, with revenues going into the operations of the farm and learning center. Seasonal tours and events will also continue with an increasing emphasis on edu- cational programming. Overall a five -member board of directors will govern operations of the farm with David Pullen acting as executive director and several long time staff members assuming expanded management roles. Plans over the next three years include the creation of an outdoor learning area, and renewable energy demonstrations. A visitors' center also planned with a demonstration kitchen, meeting areas and facilities. The McCully Centre for Rural Learning has received let- ters of support from a variety of groups that visit the farm annually. Dr. David Suzuki and former Minister of Agriculture Eugene Whalen have also sent personal notes in support of the farm's future developments. The McCully Centre for Rural Learning is now seeking individuals, businesses and other groups that wish to help launch this exciting project. An agreement with the Rural Learning Association, allows tax-deductible dona- tions to the McCully Centre, For more information on the McCully Centre for Rural Learning, visit the Rural Learning Association website at www.rurallearning.ca McCully Hill Farm is East of St Marys. St Marys Journal Argus Only In Canada EH: • Only in Canada...do drugstores make the sick walk all the way back to get their prescriptions while healthy people buy chocolate bars at the front. • Only in Canada...do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters. • Only in Canada...do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage. • Only in Canada...do we buy wieners in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight. • Only in Canada...do we use the word politics to describe the process so well: Poli' in Latin meaning many' and tics' meaning bloodsucking creatures. Only in Ontario: • If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 36" of ice and sitting there all day hop- ing that the food will swim by, you live in Ontario. • If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May, you live in Ontario. Thank you to Stedmans Dear Editor: We are writing this letter to voice our appreciation towards Stedmans, specifically Bob and Deb, and their wonderful staff. When South Huron Lakeshore Optimists (Junior Optimist) became an orga- nization, Stedmans was the first to support our cause directed at the youth. They have continually helped us prepare for the Much Music dance, selling tickets and becoming appropriately known as the "Much Music Express." Bob, Deb and Stedmans' helpful staff have offered their services willingly and without hesitation for many years. So as we sit and plan our future events, it will be hard to find the same hard work and dedication to the community that they have shown year after year. From all the members of South Huron Lakeshore Optimists, and one advi- sor, we thank you for treating us as valued customers and being such an important part of our success as a club. Sincerely, SOUTH HURON LAKESHORE JUNIOR OPTIMISTS January is Alzheimer Awareness Month Dear Editor: The VON Alzheimer Community Support Program (ACSP) is pleased to offer two events in partnership with Sprucedale Care Centre on Thurs., Jan. 26 in the Sprucedale Care Centre Auditorium, 96 Kittridge Ave., Strathroy. This year we welcome back Gabriele Del Bianco, who will be speaking on "A Haven of Self -Care in the Whirlwind of Caring" at 2 p.m. Gabriele is the founder and president of "Innerfit", an inno- vative counselling, consulting, train- ing and retreat service. Our evening guest speaker is Dr. Jennie Wells. Her presentation at 7 p.m., entitled "My Mother has Alzheimer Disease...Will I Get it Too?", will focus on genetics, current research and medica- tion. Various agencies that provide services to peo- ple with alzheimer disease and related dementias will be on site to provide information and to answer questions. They will be available from 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. There is no charge for these events, but please call to register as seating is limited. Ask for Lesley or Diane at VON: 245-3170 or 1-800-265-7058. Transportation can be arranged through VON Senior Support Services. The VON ACSP provides services to all of rural Middlesex County and pro- vides support, education and respite to individuals with alzheimer disease and related dementia, their families and / or caregivers through in-home visits, regular telephone contact, caregiver support groups, resource centre and volunteer (respite) visiting. There is no fee for these services. If you or someone you know may need our assistance, or if you would like to volun- teer with our program, please call us at 245-3170 or 1-800-265-7058. LESLEY PILAT, B A, Gerontology / Psychology Coordinator VON Alzheimer Community Support Program Letters tO the E�tor • If you instinctively walk like a penguin for six months out of the year, you live in Ontario. • If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of his forehead, you live in Ontario. • If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Ontario. • If you have had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you live in Ontario. The unfair thing about life is the way it ends. I mean life is tough. It takes up a lot of your time. What do you get at the end of it? A death! What's that, a bonus? The life cycle is all backwards. You should die first and get it out of your way. Then you live in an old age home. You get kicked out when you are too young. You get a gold watch then you go to work. You work forty years until you're young enough to enjoy your retirement. You do drugs, alcohol, you party, you get ready for high school, you become a kid, you play, you have no respon- sibilities, you become a little baby, you go back into the womb, you spend your last nine months floating. George Carlin Now that they are retired, a lady and her husband begin discussing all aspects of their future. "What will you do if I die before you do?" the man asked the woman. After some thought, she said she'd probably look for a house -sharing situation with three other single or wid- owed women who might be a little younger than herself, since she is so active for her age. Then she asked him the same question, "What will you do if I die first?" He replied, "Probably the same thing." Project hopes to honour vets by telling their stories Dear Editor: I am writing to you at this time because there is another project concern- ing our veterans that needs attention immediately. My project is to write about the men and women of Huron County who served this country and did not come back home to Canada. As well, I want to speak to our remaining veterans and compile their stories. My goal is to speak to as many veterans as possible, to speak to the families, to obtain their military histories, to obtain letters home from overseas, to gather poems and to find out where our men are buried. All the information gathered will then be compiled in a format that can be provided to our schools, libraries and museums. As well, we will offer it to service clubs, businesses and the general public upon completion. This will not be a six-month or a one-year project, but may take years to complete. I am willing to begin this project and to do so in a professional and caring manner. If we don't do this now, it can never be started because shortly we will have nothing but memories. The Huron County Museum is interested in assisting, as is the Huron County Library, and with the help of the public this is a very doable and worthwhile project. To get things rolling, there will be a public meeting at the museum in Goderich on Wed., Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. with a snow date for one week later. I have asked Eric Heywood of Exeter to join us. He has worked on some- thing similar in the south of the county. It is my understanding that there are monies available through the Trillium Foundation. I hope to form an executive committee at the upcom- ing meeting to pursue such funding. If anyone would like to take part in this exciting and vital project, please consider attending the meeting in January or call me at 524-2605 for more information. JIM RUTLEDGE Government needs divine guidance Dear Editor: In the last few years we Canadians have certainly not kept our Christian beliefs that were in place for many years out for all others to try to under- stand. Same sex marriage is one of the changes that does not fit. In the plumbing industry male and female parts simply need to be opposite to work properly. Abortion also does not fit the Christian belief, its taking a life and that is criminal. Our government recently sent a lot of our tax dollars to a number of crooks in Quebec. Church and state should be separate but it seems as though our govern- ment desperately needs divine guidance based on the bible. KEN KELLER, Exeter Letters to the Editor The Times -Advocate welcomes letters to the editor as a forum for open discussion of local issues, concerns, complaint, and kudos. By mail: P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 By fax: (519) 235-0766 By e-mail: editor@southhuron.com Please include your name and address. Anonymous letters will not be published. The Times -Advocate reserves the right to edit letters for brevity.