The Citizen, 2007-02-22, Page 15THE CITIZEN. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2007. PAGE 15.
At North Huron’s Feb. 7 council
meeting, rescheduled from Feb. 5,
reeve Neil Vincent commended
those who worked on North Huron’s
Hockeyville application video.
Vincent said that he enjoyed it and
he called it very good in comparison
to others that he watched on the
website. In addition to those
compliments, he said it was
something that people from the
community should be proud of.
Vincent also urged everyone to
vote early and vote often for North
Huron in the Hockeyville 2007
competition.
***
A proposal to close the pool at the
North Huron Wescast Community
Complex on Sundays for the 2007
season was brought before council
on Feb. 7.
Council decided to defer this
decision until they could receive a
more thorough report. With the
attendance on Sundays being
poor, the thought was to save the
municipality money, but at
a possible cost to users of the
pool.
Councillor Archie MacGowan
said that closing the pool is a very
slippery slope and that he would
need more information before he
could make a decision.
***
Blyth’s landfill site reported a
surplus in excess of $12,000 for
2006.
A motion was carried that the
surplus from 2006 be put in a reserve
fund for when the landfill eventually
closes.
***
Blyth Minor Hockey is planning a
fundraiser for March 18 between 3
p.m. and 7 p.m. in Blyth.
The fundraiser will feature an old-
timers game among other events.
Council will donate the entire cost of
the ice for the fundraiser.
***
A bylaw was passed authorizing
the civil marriage solemnization
service in North Huron.
Mid-February and the number ofsnow days are growing with the sizeof the snow drifts. How does yourfamily manage those early morningdecisions about ‘children home
again’.
“I’m up early in the morning
listening to the radio to find out if it
will be a snow day. Once I know that
the children are home with me then
I start to plan our day together. I try
to be quiet so that the children have
the opportunity to sleep in. We
balance school activities, monitor
computer time and encourage
outdoor activities.” says Andrea
Muir-McGregor, parent
support/education worker with the
Rural Response for Healthy
Children Program who has a baby
and three children at home on snow
days.
Snow days can be stressful forfamilies. For some it means findingreliable, safe care for school-agedchildren in the early morning. Planahead with neighbours, family or
friends who can provide child care
options at a moments notice.
For other families where dad,
mom or another adult can stay at
home, it means thinking about how
the day will unfold. Be prepared to
change activities to suit everyone in
the family.
And what about those days when
the roads are closed, no one is going
to work and it’s ‘the family home
alone’. Make the most of this
family time together.
Canadians are spending less time
together as a family. According to a
Statistics Canada survey in 2005, on
average workers are spending 45
minutes less with their familiesduring workdays than in 1985. Family life is changing. The 2005survey highlighted people arespending more time alone, watching
television, eating alone and
spending less time on social
activities outside the home.
Tips for snow day enjoyment:
• Make sure your children are safe
and well at home
• Check in with everyone in the
family to find out how their needs
and activities will change
• Balance time alone and together
• Monitor Internet and television
use as you would in the evenings
and weekends
• Encourage time outside for fresh
air and physical fitness
• Provide nutritious snacks
throughout the day
Spontaneous indoor and outdooractivities are often the best and don’thave to cost money. Help withlaundry, clean out cupboards, makesome snacks together. Get fresh air,
go tobogganing, build snowmen,
snow sculptures, or igloos. Try
something new like snow painting.
All that’s needed for this activity are
a few spray-bottles, water and some
food coloring. Fill each bottle with
water, a few drops of food coloring
and soon you and your children can
create pictures in the snow. A little
imagination and some creativity
can result in some great works of
art.
After fresh air, some children may
choose to have a sleep or quiet time
with a book or music. Be prepared
for snow days. Why not borrow
some books, toys or videos from
your local library or toy lendingservice? Reach out to neighbours,friends and family to see how theirfamilies are connecting on ‘another’snow day.
For more winter activity ideas and
winter safety tips visit
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/kee
pingkidssafe/WinterSafety.htm or
check out our Parenting Toolkit and
activity pages at www.rrhc.on.ca.
Rural Response for Healthy
Children is a program funded by
the Public Health Agency of
Canada.
Huron County Child Abuse
Prevention Committee’s vision is a
responsive community which
protects the rights of children,
reduce child abuse and neglect and
strengthens families to nurture their
children.
WINGHAM & DISTRICT HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHTS
“Excellence in Rural Health Care”
Visiting hours are 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. daily. If you are ill, please do not visit our
patients.
If you do not have a fammily doctor and you require medical assistance, PLEASE CALL
357-3703. The clinic is operated on a limited basis BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Need a new or replacement card? The Ministry of Health holds a card replacement clinic
at the hospital regularly. An appointment must be booked by calling 1-888-376-5197.
The Ombudsman’s Role is to investigate complaints from members of the public who
feel they have been treated unfairly by some act, omission, decision or recommendation.
The Ombudsman can help to resolve complaints both formally and informally.
How can the Ombudsman Help Me?
You may think no one can do anything about your problem. If you feel Wingham & District
Hospital has treated you in a way that is unfair, illegal, unreasonable, mistaken or plain
wrong, you should bring your matter forward to the Ombudsman. Effective complaining
can serve to prevent or stop injustice, correct efforts and promote change for the better.
Call the Ombudsman if you have exhausted all avenues and your complaint is unre-
solved. Lisa Henry, 519-357-6631.
REMINDER TO VISITORS
PRIMARY CARE CLINIC
Phone: 357-3210 Fax: 357-2931 Website: www.lwha.ca
ONTARIO HEALTH COVERAGE
ROLE OF THE OMBUDSMAN
PO Box 237, 603 Campbell St.,
Lucknow, Ontario N0G 2H0
Phone: 519-528-2388 Toll Free: 1-877-582-5669
Email: lhcrstaff@hurontel.on.ca
Website: www.lakehuroncottagerentals.com
Owners: Carl & Belinda Sloetjes
TICO#50000 6589
Walk like an Egyptian...
... is exactly what the Grade 5 class at Grey Central Public School did on Monday, Feb. 12.
Their classroom was transformed into an Egyptian museum, complete with tour guides, a
mummy, King Tut (who woke up long enough to talk about his short, but memorable life), relics
of treasures found in burial tombs, Egyptian math (which stumped more than a few), replicas
of pyramids, home life, sculptures and poster. The students have been studying this ancient
civilization for the past couple of months and were well versed on the topic as they hosted
students, staff and visiting families. They also set out Egyptian food for their guests. (Photo
submitted)
Surviving those snow days in Huron County
NH council commends Hockeyville application
North Huron council briefs