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The Citizen, 1991-08-21, Page 27THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21,1991. PAGE 27. Area families host U.K. visitors il -i ■ -1 •W Country exchange Debbie Craig of RR2, Blyth.back left, and Robert Flunking of RR1, Auburn, centre, and Ross McIntosh of RR4, Seaforth, not pictured, played host to three international visitors recently through the Junior Farmers/Young Farmers Clubs. With them are, from left, Jim Hodge from Ayrshire, Scotland, John Galloway from County Antrim, North Ireland and Vicky Ellis from Cornwall, England. BY BONNIE GROPP Three area families played host to visitors from the United King­ dom recently through an Interna­ tional Agricultural Exchange program. \ Vicky Ellis of Truro, Cornwall, England, Jim Hodge of Ayrshire, Scotland and John Galloway of County Antrim, North Ireland began their Canadian visit on June 1 as delegates of the Young Farm­ ers Clubs. Since their arrival they have been hosted by Junior Farmer members in virtually every county in Ontario, until their Huron visit, which began a few weeks ago and ended Saturday. Vicky, 24, who has been a guest at the RR2, Blyth farm of Debbie Craig and her family, has been a member of YFC for six years. After attending college for three years, Vicky returned home to the family farm to live. She has been employed by her County Council and Highway Department in the road safety section for one and a half years. Jim, has been staying with Robert Hunking al RR1, Auburn since arriving here. The 24-year- old has been with YFC for eight years and is himself truly a young farmer, employed on a 360 acre dairy and sheep operation. John, who is also 24, lives on a small beef farm, but works in the field of animal nutrition, primarily that of dairy, sheep and beef. A member of YFC since 1981, he has been the guest of Ross McIntosh of RR4, Seaforth. Becoming an exchange delegate doesn't happen just because you want it to. It involves a series of applications and interviews and only a few are selected. A total of 15-10 from the UK, two from Ger­ many, one from Australia and two from Southern Ireland-were the lucky ones for this year. Four Ontario Junior Farmer delegates are presently in the UK. What the selection committee looks for is essentially a positive public relations person, the three agreed. "They want someone with an outgoing personality, who isn't frightened by new things. They look for someone who can talk eas­ ily about themselves, knows about farming and has done a lot for the organization," said Vicky. Having a small amount of finan­ cial security is good too, John added, as, though there is a certain amount of sponsorship with the exchange, the balance of the costs are paid by the individual. The reasons the three delegates gave for applying were fairly simi­ lar, a desire to travel and what they viewed as an attractive opportunity. "I was to the point where I liked the idea of getting away for three months," said Jim, "and I knew that if I didn't go now, I never would. I thought of this as a chance to meet people and make a lot of new friends." "I had gotten to a stage in my life," said John. "I had finished my education and had no ties, really, so it seemed a suitable time to lake a trip. As well, at the first meeting of YF that I attended there was a slide show from an exchangee who had been to Canada. I thought then I'd LISTON A PIECE Of PAPER THE * i WAYS WE USE* OURfORtSTS AAi YDU WONT WIN A PRIZE BUT YOU Will PEMEMKD TOMORROW'S FORESTS ... TODAY'S CHALLENGE like to find out about that for myself someday." John added that in his country Canada is the most popular choice, a statement that met with Vicky and Jim’s agreement. "It's because the exchange is three months, but also because we hear often that the people are supposed to be very sociable." Vicky said that like John she had finished her education and had been working for awhile. "I fancied travelling but knew I would never have packed off by myself. Having been involved with YF I knew the people I would meet through the exchange would be people you have a common interest with and I would get a chance to see the coun­ try." All first time visitors to Canada, their most notable impression is of its size. "It's very large," said Vicky. "Ontario in general really. When you are driving and you real­ ize you are still in Ontario and there's all of Canada left to see it's amazing. To look on a map it comes home to you how vast it actually is." "Obviously the size impressed me, as it did all the delegates," said John. "I was equally surprised with how green it is, though. My 50th Wedding Anniversary Oliver & Bernice Anderson are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Friday, August 23,1991 The celebration will be a family dinner. A donation to the Alzheimer Society has been made to honour this special occasion. With love, William, Nancy and Greg. impression was that it would be like the prairies, though it is flatter than back home." "I like your climate, loo," he said. "At home it's been a very poor summer. It’s nice to call home and hear it's still raining," he laughs, adding, "But I hate your mosquitoes." Jim noted the difference in farm land, saying that the acres are small for the amount of livestock. On his farm, he said, they have 120 cows and 220 sheep kept on 360 acres, he said. "The straight roads surprised me as well," Jim said. " You can look and see for miles, whereas at home you look 100 yards ahead and you can see a bend. From the air it looks like a patchwork quilt," he illustrates, having seen it from the air with some of his host families. Though each have had many experiences during their stay, they have ones that were personal high­ lights. Both John and Vicky had the opportunity to go white water raft­ ing in Renfrew, which they found quite thrilling. "There were 12 in the raft and only one fell out," says John. "That was me." Vicky said the lakes impressed her, while Jim's favourite experi­ ence was flying over Niagara Falls. For Robert, Ross and Debbie, seeing Huron county through the eyes of someone else is not a unique expericnce-Roberl has host­ ed delegates four times, Ross and Debbie three-but it continues to be an enlightening one. "We see things that we don't see any other time," said Debbie. "We begin to look at some things that we take for granted and it's a whole new expe­ rience for us as well." Happy 25 th Anniversary Bob & Ruth The family of Bob & Ruth Gordon invites all relatives and friends to attend their parents' 25th anniversary celebration at the B.M.&G. Community Centre Brussels August 31 9 P.M. -1 A.M. Best ‘Wishes Only Tlease LONG DISTANCE? CALL 1-800-265-3438 FOR TOLL FREE MOVIE INFO AUG. 23-29 A PARENTAL ■ GUIDANCE FRI. & SAT. 7 & 9 P.M SUN.-THURS. 8 P.M. T11 Happy 21st Marc From The Gang Happy Birthday Bubba Aug. 20th Are you sure he's 19? the Btytb lw THURSDAY NIGHT IS WING NIGHT 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT WINGS 30C EACH MINIMUM ORDER 10 a variety of sauces available SORRY NO TAKE-OUTS Mon., Tues., Wed. 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Thurs., Frl., & Sat. 5 p.m. - midnight CHICKEN WINGS & CHIPS $4.95 EAT IN OR TAKE OUT THURS., FRI. & SAT. NITES PIZZA BUY ONE & GET A 2ND FOR 1/2 PRICE 5 P.M. - MIDNIGHT EAT IN OR TAKE OUT ENTERTAINMENT AUG. 23 -24 Dennis Siren 523-9381 L.L.B.O.