Loading...
The Times Advocate, 2008-08-13, Page 5Wednesday, August 13, 2008 Times—Advocate 5 Opinion Forum News 20YEARS AGO August 3, 1988 - Jack Nairn has been selected to take the helm of the Exeter Junior Hawks next season as coach. Nairn, well known for his tenure with the now defunct Lucan-Ilderton Jets and Stratford Cullitons will take over the reins of the junior club when training camp starts in the last week of August. Jeni Hayter, representing Hayter's Turkey Farms was crowned Dashwood Friedsburg Days Queen on Saturday. Runnersup were Leanne Dietrich and Tammy Rau. Only two weeks after new facilities were opened for the Lucan and District Ambulance Service, owner Bill Haskett has received word that addi- tional funding will allow extension of the service from 40 hours to 70 hours per week. 30 YEARS AGO August 10, 1978 - Provincial NDP leader Michael Cassidy returned to the site of Fleck Manufacturing in Huron Park on Friday. Prior to giving a short address, Cassidy continued the custom started by other strike sympathizers and marched around the almost deserted plant with striking Fleck workers. Two Exeter brothers were winners in the recent annual competition of the National Model Aeronautics Association in Winnipeg. Paul and Mark Perry were second and third, respectively in the junior division. They are sons of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Perry of Edward Street. Willis Desjardine of Shipka won first prize in the 35-49 years age group in the annual fiddlers' con- test in Bobcaygeon. Willis has won prizes in every contest which he has entered this year. 45 YEARS AGO August 11, 1963 - John Anderson of Hensall broke 97 of 100 targets in the handicap event at the Quebec provincial trap shooting competition. His score equalled that of the winner of the event, but as an out -of -province shooter could not quali- fy. ROSS HAUGH BACK IN TIME Gar Myers, superintendent at the Pinery Provincial Park estimated this week that about 156,000 people visited the park in July. That's about 3,000 cars and 12,000 more visitors than last year. 50YEARS AGO August 12, 1958 - The Brewers Retail Store at Grand Bend was the last in Western Ontario to close after a province -wide strike created a beer drought in the area. Usborne Township school completed the instal- lation of oil burning air conditioning units in all of its schools this summer. In addition to the tri -service drill squad which formed the guard of honour for Prime Minister John Diefenbaker at Wednesday's CNE opening, RCAF Centralia will contribute a smoke writing team for the afternoon air show on Sept. 5 and 6. 60YEARS AGO August 10, 1948 - Mr. Roy Goulding was adjudi- cator at the juvenile contest conducted at the Kirkton Garden Party, Wednesday night. District men went on an old-fashioned bear hunt Monday afternoon and beat through an eight acre bush in Usborne Township, north of Exeter look- ing for a mother bear and four cubs seen by Bill Rowcliffe at the edge of his farm. L.V. Hogarth and Jack Weber leave Saturday to attend a school about poultry diseases at Dr. Salisbury's offices in Charles City, Iowa. A large water tank brought from Port Albert is being installed at Zurich. Its capacity is 65,000 gal- lons. Newton Clarke of Woodham was a winner in the annual field crop competition in barley. 85 YEARS AGO August 2, 1923 - Mr. Wes Dearing organized a picnic for the Trivitt Memorial Church choir and assisted by Messrs. Isaac Dunsford, William Taylor and Jas. Stanlake motored the choir to Goderich. After spending several hours there, they went to Bayfield where supper was served. The evening was spent at Grand Bend. The Boy Scouts held their annual service in Caven Presbyterian Church, Sunday morning. Scout Leader Tom Pryde, John Pryde, Kenneth Stanbury and Roy Batten provided musical enter- tainment. Seniors' Perspective By Jim Bearss Adult Activities Co-ordinator Q. Do you know what you call a boomerang that doesn't come back (Answer at the end of the Perspective Column?) Do you like ice cream? Plan to attend this enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Riverview Estates on Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. You will enjoy this special day so plan to attend and Eleanor Maloney tells me their will be lots of ice cream for everyone. Cost is only a $2. If you require more information phone 235-0600. Progressive bridge Every Monday at 7 p.m. there will be bridge at the newly renovated hall at Riverview Estates. Four Deal Progressive Bridge will be played with empha- sis on the social side. All seniors in South Huron are invit- ed to join us. Bridge lessons will start in September and will be scheduled in the morning according to preference. The beginners' course is an eight week one with supervised playing on subsequent weeks. Lillian Mathers is an accredited bridge teacher and for further information call 235- 1098 Come to the Fair — the SeniorsTrade Fair The South Huron Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 2008 Senior Trade Fair and Information Expo to be held on Aug. 20. Hours will be 1 to 8 p.m. at the South Huron Recreation Centre. A great day for visit- ing the many exhibits, listening to good music, first-rate food, great door prizes for spending time with your many friends and neighbors. Many of the exhibitors from the past Senior Fairs will be in attendance. Mr Wayne Otterbein, music director has reminded me that John and Genevieve Heaman and the Wayne Otterbein Band will entertain you from 6 to 8 p.m. RCMP Musical Ride Come out on Sept. 11 to the Recreation Centre grounds. Tickets are available at South Huron Recreation Centre or Bank of Nova Scotia, Exeter, Co-op Gas Bar, Dashwood Lock and Key, Gar's, MacLeans, Heartland Credit Union, Legion Branch 167 or any Lions Member. Legion roast beef dinner To complete your day after the show, enjoy a great roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, put on by the Exeter Legion Auxiliary Ladies at the South Huron Recreational Centre. Dinner will be served from 5 to 8 p.m. Adults $12, children $6 and children under five free. Tickets are available at the Legion at 235-2962 or by contacting Harvey or Esther at 235-1167. An Autumn colour tour on Fri., Oct. 12 Enjoy the fabulous colours on a Kitchener North tour. Harry has arranged for Warren, his famous knowledge- able guide who will explain the colours and explain the Kitchener North area to you. Theatre play `Crazy About You' Mark your calendar for Sat., Nov. 10 to go to the new St Jacobs Theatre play, entitled `Crazy About You.' Your ticket includes the coach, meal, shop- ping and to watch the Tony award-winning play. Farm show Canada's Outdoor Farm Show on Sept. 9, 10 and 11 at the Canada's Outdoor Park in Woodstock, Ontario. Volunteers connecting online Volunteerism, one of the oldest and most humanistic pursuits, is enjoying a strong boost from the online world - through Volunteer Connection. The web -based Volunteer Connection service makes it quick and easy for nonprofit organizations and potential volunteers to find each other now in Huron, Perth, Bruce, Grey and South Georgian Bay communities. The virtual volunteer services portal which began to take shape in 2006, is now a reality and about to launch thanks to an Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, and the collaborative efforts of United Way offices in Bruce, Grey Huron, Perth and South Georgian Bay, as well as Community Connection, and the BGHPGT Training Board. "United Way has long recognized the challenges volunteers and volunteer organizations in rural commu- nities face", says Mary Schreinert, outreach and educa- tion worker with United Way and the Volunteer Connection project. "We feel this is an exciting and viable solution for our communities. Easy access to volunteer opportunities that people are interested in and have the skills to help support our over burdened voluntary sector. It is as easy as turning on your computer, or picking up the phone." This brand new online service makes it easy for an indi- vidual, who may have only an hour, an afternoon or a day each week, to find a volunteer opportunity that matches his or her time, skills and interests. And second- ly, Volunteer Connection makes it possible for non -profits to more easily and cost effectively find enthusiastic, capa- ble volunteers. In addition to a matching service, non- profits can post information on training and workshops, special events, and post policies and procedures docu- ments in the virtual library. To use this new service, would-be volunteers simply go online to www.volunteerconnection.ca, fill in required information, the time they're available and their specific interests and a list of appropriate volunteer oppor- tunities is presented. Nonprofits interested in list- ing opportunities simply go into the "post" section of the site to register their organization. Once reg- istered, the non-profit will be able to post opportu- nities directly onto the service. A "help desk" function will also be accessible by e-mail or telephone where the Community will be able to connect directly with a counselor from Community Connection, who will be able to pro- arss vide help and additional information regarding human services. "This is an excellent opportunity to match individuals wanting to volunteer with organizations and service groups in need of volunteers, says Schreinert. To check out the site go to www.volunteerconnection.ca Media Contact: Mary Schreinert, Outreach Worker, Volunteer Connection Phone 524-7900 E-mail: project@huronunitedway.ca A good lesson learned the hard way I was walking around in a store, when I saw a cashier hand this little boy some money back. The little boy couldn't have been more than five or six years old. The cashier said, "I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll." Then the little boy turned to the old lady next to him; "Granny, are you sure I don't have enough money?" The older lady replied, "You know you don't have enough money to buy this, my dear." Then she asked him to stay there for just five minutes while she went to look around. She left quickly. The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand. Finally, I walked toward him and I asked who he wished give the doll to. "It's a doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much for Christmas. She was sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her." I replied to him that Santa Claus would bring it to her after all and not to worry. But he replied to me softly, "No, Santa Claus can't bring it to her where she is now. I have to give it to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there. "His eyes were so sad while saying this. "My sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give to my sister." My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said: "I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I get back from the mall." Then he showed me a very nice photo of him when he was laughing. He then told me, "I want mommy to take my picture with her so she won't forget me." "I love my mommy and I wish she doesn't leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister." Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly, I reached for my wallet and said to the boy, "Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?" "OK" he said. "I hope I do have enough." I added some of my money to his with out him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money. The little boy said, "Thank you God for giving me enough money!" Then he looked at me and added, "I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give it to my little sister. He heard me!" "I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose." My mommy loves white roses." A few minutes later, the old lady returned and I left with my basket. I finished shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn't get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local newspaper arti- cle two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away and the mother was left in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life-sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy? Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the newspaper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn't stop myself as I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her burial. She was in there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed feeling that my life had been changed forever. The love that the little boy had for his mother and sister is still, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him. Will you think again before you drink? A. A stick! Jim Be