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The Citizen, 2002-08-21, Page 20DANCE STUDIO 2 SPECIALIZING IN: ACRO-GYMNASTICS, TAP JAZZ AND BALLET AGES 3 & UP REGISTRATION DATES: AUG. 27, 28, 29/02 TIME: 5:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. LOCATION: 257 JOSEPHINE ST., WINGHAM (the new Andrea's Dance Studio 2) FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL: (519) 392-6215 OR (519) 523-9744 An epic march Helena Albers, centre, of Morris Ward, and .her daughter _ Patricia Harburn of Barrie, left, were among the thousands of walkers who participated in the 40 km. per day, four-day march in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Pictured just behind Albers are her sister and brother-in-law, Thea and Wim Wolters. (Photo submitted) Central Huron Secondary School SCHEDULE OF EVENTS All Students who are new to the School this September are invited to an ORIENTATION EVENT Wednesday, August 28 10 am - 12 noon Meet in the large Gymnasium. There will be a tour of the school, and students will receive their timetables and information about upcoming events. Lunch Provided. PAGE 20. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2002. Woman' marches for 4 days in Netherlands By Janice Becker Citizen staff _ What would entice someone to walk 40 kilometres each day for four days and end up in the same place they started? That trek was a long- held goal for Helena Albers of Morris. It is the International Nijmegen Four-Days' March in The Netherlands, undertaken by tens of thousands of people each summer just as an achievement. There is no competition and no winners. The walkers do it for the accomplishment of the task and for the companionship and support of fellow participants. Albers. a native of The Netherlands, had told herself she would try the march before she reached 'the _age of 60. So this summer, from July 16-19, she entered the 86th annual walk along with her daughter Patricia Harburn of Barrie, her sister and brother-in- law. Thea and Wim Wolters of The Netherlands and approximately.. 40,000 others from around the world. "This was the biggest march ever," said Albers. "The weather was beautiful and the scenery was wonderful. No one can imagine what it was like. It was incredible." However, the march is not just a casual stroll down country lanes. Participants are awaken at 4 a.m. so they can have breakfast and get to the line for the mass start. Though each day takes them along a different route, the circular 40 km. trip brings them back to the starting point by day's end. Walkers are also under a restriction- as to the time Huron County facilities and organizations have once again benefitted from contribution from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 180, Wingham, received $40,000 for renovations, repairs and equipment so the facility can continue to be used by organizations and the public for recreational, educational and cultural activities. Huron-Bruce MPP Helen Johns was on hand Thursday to make the presentation. The St. Joseph and Area Historical Society was given $25,000 to create an archive and develop a play about the life of Narcisse Cantin. The Bayfield Town Hall Heritage Society was granted $40,000 to The Huron Bruce Federal PC Association announced that MP Peter MacKay has accepted their offer to address local residents on Thursday, Sept. 26 in Holmesville. Born and raised in New Glasglow, Nova Scotia, MacKay graduated from Acadia University and Dalhousie Law School. He worked in Germany in 1992-93 and eventually returned to Nova Scotia to become a Crown Attorney. MacKay is the Member of Parliament for Pictou-Antigosh- Guysborough. Nova Scotia. First elected in 1997. he has played a dominant roll in cabinet as the PC house leader and justice critic. With - the recent retirement announcement by Joe Clark, the leader of the Federal Conservative allowed for completion of each day. If not across the finish line by the specified hour, the walker is not permitted to continue on the following days. When Albers began her walk, there were 41.545 people registered, though almost 1,900 did not appear, and over the course of the four days 3,504 dropped out, either due to slow pace or injuries. And injuries were common with such a walk. Albers herself suffered tremendous pain from blisters on her feet and had to have them attended to by the medical staff on hand. Amongst the 36,153 who finished the march were participants of all ages. the youngest being 11 and the oldest, 88. One woman, at the age of 86, had marched 66 times. Many of the walkers are soldiers, who undertake the trek with full gear loaded on their backs. Their walk was also 50 kms. daily. Walkers could opt for a 30, 40 or 50-km. route. depending on the age category and whether marching at the medal or certificate level. Albers took up recreational walking at home a couple years ago, but when she decided to travel to the event, serious training began. For a few weeks prior to the trip, Albers walked up to 20 kms. per day, _ though averaged 12-16. One of the hardest parts about preparing for the march, said Albers, is that she and her daughter were not able to fly to The Netherlands earlier, leaving more time prior to the event, because of family commitments. They left Canada July 14, arrived in the Netherlands on July 15 and began the march the following day. ensure the viability and expanded use of the hall by renovating the gallery and the stage floor as well as purchasing sound equipment. The hall is a 1882 Gothic Revival historic building used as a cultural and rental facility. Huron Safe Homes for.Youth will get $56;300 to develop co-ordinating services and programs to meet the employment and other needs of youth in Huron county through the YouthStart program. Epilepsy Huron-Perth will receive $74,000 over 18 months to enable the organization to increase its financial and volunteer resources and introduce a full educational program. The Lake Huron Centre for Party, MacKay is seen as a potential successor for the party leadership. Analysts predict a leadership vote in June 2003. Local Conservative organizers are in the planning stages for the event, which will include dinner and cocktails in addition to the highly anticipated address by MacKay. FARM SAFETY FACT Did you know? (NC) — Animal related incidents are responsible for one in five injuries on Canadian farms. Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program. — News Canadu In spite of the pain she suffered, Albers said. "It was all worth it." Though there are thousands who actually walk the journey, there are millions who join the adventure as spectators. Albers said there were 1.5 million viewers both along the route and in the community were the march begins. "They cheer you on along the way," said Albers. "They give you a boost to keep going." On the final day, many of the communities through which the walkers passed had prepared displays and had bands playing to celebrate the ending. Albers said this helped a's the fourth day was the most difficult to complete. At the end of the event, the socks worn by participants arc collected, to be strung across the streets • in following year. Eventually the socks are donated to Mother Teresa's Order of the Missionaries Charity. • Albers' husband and son-in-law were amongst the watchers, but both said afterwards- they wished they had walked, she added. Wolters has marched 10 times. Albers and Harburn are not the first in her immediate family to make the four-day trek. Daughter Ann Marie Fear of Brussels participated 13 years ago. Though Albers participated in the Nijmegen march, the largest in the world, there are . 13 other similar events across Europe and another eight in the Pan-Pacific -League which includes, an April march in Victoria, B.C. For. further information on these marches, check out www.4daagse .n1 or www.wandel.nl . to Huron Coastal Conservation will be given $102,000 over three years to undertake extensive community consultations in developing strategic, marketing, resource generation and governance plans that will secure long-term sustainability for this environmental group. The Huronia arid District branch of the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was granted $46,700 over two years to increase educational activities about anti-violence and -humane animal treatment in Huron County, by raising awareness and increase volunteerism and financial support. Check out The Citizen's WEBSITE at www.northhuron.on.ca HEALTH NEWS: ORGAN DONATION Q & As Organ donation: Did you know? (NC)--Nearly 4,00(1 Canadians are waiting for organ transplants that could improve or save their lines. Last year, more than a hundred people on transplant waiting lists died because no organs became available. For more information on organ and tissue donation and how you can donate. visit www.healthcanada.ca/ organandtissuc on the Internet. - Nevi CtI11,1thl Trillium funds come Peter MacKay to speak at federal PC meeting