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The Citizen, 1999-12-08, Page 11THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8,1999. PAGE 11. Londesboro family returns from St. Vincent By Janice Becker Citizen staff It was an unusual experience for anyone landing at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, but particular­ ly for a Londesboro family returning home after a year in the Caribbean. The first thought that entered Thelma Dougherty’s mind when she disembarked on a warm day in August was how fresh the air was. It was not that St. Vincent, the year-long island home of Thelma, Sam and Steven Dougherty, had pol­ lution. It was the high humidity and salty air every day. “I felt like I could breathe again,” she said. That was just one of the many dif­ ferences the Doughertys see after being back in Canada for four months. It is only now that the fami­ ly is beginning to settle back into a routine. From 95 per cent humidity and temperatures of more than 35° C every day, the Doughertys found a Canadian August cool, but it was great to sit outside soaking up the sun, says Steven. Weather reports in St. Vincent are a rarity because the weather is always the same, says Sam. Though the islanders only have to deal with sun and rain, Thelma says the downpours during the rainy sea­ son can be tremendous and mud­ slides can block the only road out of the community. “One day, we got six inches while I was at school and the retaining wall fell,” adds Steven. Though intermittent rains were common, a full day of clouds caused depression in the natives, says School bd. resumes old schedule By Susan Hundertmark Special to The Citizen After completing a three-month trial period which saw the Avon Maitland District School Board meeting three times a month, the board voted last week to resume the old schedule of two meetings a month. Trustee Abby Armstrong asked if delegations will be able to speak at each of the meetings, once the old format resumes. “We seem to have a very difficult time under this board allowing people to speak,” she said. Education Director Lome Rachlis said the board would i want to breathe clean air. CAN-DO ™E 4^ LUNG ASSOCIATION Thelma. “In a year, we had one day with no sun and the Venetians were really depressed.” With the differ­ ent environment, the Doughertys soon learned there would be new gardening chal­ lenges in their adopted country. A creature called a ground puppy actually pulls the plants back into the ground for consumption. Mosquitoes are a major concern because of the humid climate and there is actu­ ally a mosquito inspector who checks homes to ensure there is no standing water. Even puddles must be sprayed with chemicals to stop insect breeding. However, the warm rainy climate is great for growing exotic foods and the family had a huge selection in their backyard. “There is no way anyone could go hungry in St. Vincent, says Sam. “Food is literally falling off trees.” Glad to be back home where they can just jump in the car and go, the Venetian public transportation sys­ tem often left the family waiting. The bus system was a fleet of mini- vans which came through town whenever. “You could wait an hour and then five would come in a row,” handle delegations as it previously did before the trial period began. During the trial period, delegations were limited to the second meeting of three each month and their numbers were limited to 10 delegations per £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ JOHN McKERCHER CONSTRUCTION LTD. • Backhoeing • Bulldozing • Loader & Truck Rental k • Sand • Gravel • Drainage Stone • Topsoil • Screened Topsoil • 1" Terra Stone • White Marble • Bark Mulch • Licensed Septic Installations Baking Supplies Bulk and Pre-Packaged 222 Josephine St., Wingham 357-3466 887-9061 FAX 887-9999 they said. Licensed for 14, 23 people often crammed in. Learning how to be small was key to riding the busses, says Sam. “If you left a little space, someone would try to fit in it.” Steven saw a great difference in the school system as he often showed up at school, but the teacher did not. Though there was a comput­ er at his school, no one knew how to use it and Steven was not allowed to show the teachers. “Children do not teach adults,” says Thelma. Very few students advance through the system as they must pass a national exam to enter high school and only a limited number are allowed to move on. It is common for less than one third to pass. Steven is glad to be back at Hullett Central because he is not afraid of getting beaten and the “principal actually likes me”. While St. Vincent has almost no industry, businesses are always look­ ing for employees. Sam says he could have worked every day if he had wanted to. However, the natives have a very different work ethic than Canadians, says Thelma. They work when they want to and if they want to. Some business owners also have a more relaxed way of dealing with customers. “You are a total incon­ venience,” says Thelma, “Even if you have money laid out on the counter, they will finish a conversa­ tion and make you wait 20 minutes.” However, there were a lot of busi- meeting. The schedule resumes board meetings to the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, except for December and January when meetings will be held Dec. 14 and 21 and Jan. 18 and 25. ness people doing very well because they had the ambition and put in the time needed to succeed, says Sam. Price stability and consistent sup­ ply are unknown commodities on St. Vincent. “If you see a box of screws you need, you had better buy them all today because they could be gone tomorrow, not in stock for five months or the price could double,” says Sam. With everything imported, supply and pricing is erratic. Thelma says she also saw a tremendous difference the first time she went shopping at the mall in Goderich upon their return. “The average age on St. Vincent is 25 (roughly the age of their older child). In Goderich, during the middle of the week, we were amongst the youngest there. Everyone had white hair.” The Doughertys discovered if they wanted to learn about their tempo- Christmas Or maybe you couldn't speak clearly. Or your vision was blurred. That's what it's like to live with multiple sclerosis. But with your help, we can connect with a cure. Food or Body Care Pre-packaged in our store or custom-made for you more the tid- the rary home, they would have to do it on their own and were soon knowledgeable than locals. One of the funniest bits they shared was fact that the walls in homes are magnetic because the drywall is made from vol­ canic material. To hang a picture, just attach it with a magnet. The Venetians were unaware of this. They also found that the image often ■ projected on television about Third World countries can be misleading. After watching several of the local women bundle up the laundry and head to the river for a day of washing, Thelma asked why they do it when they have water at the house. The answer? It is a social outing and they enjoy it. Scenes of men cooking outdoors over open fires with what may appear to be minimal, tools and basic foods is actually an Easter tradition. Pictures of homes with “bam board” siding may actually be filled with good furniture and the latest in stereo equipment and a television. There is just a different perception of what is important, says the Doughertys. With their return home, the Doughertys have found that their lifestyle in Canada is much more laid back and quiet. “We had to go through some hard times to get the experience. It was not a picnic, but I would not discour­ age anyone (from living abroad),” says Thelma. Now settled in at home, the Doughertys have a very different perspective on life in other countries and are keen to show their collection of slides or give a presentation. 1-800-268-7582 Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada