Loading...
The Citizen, 2002-10-30, Page 124:14",4 „00,0007/05:074W ;55‘49, 09,,W4 740507,. 41, /0500050X0(007.74MOMMMOk.A AirymN/~.5,,v/A:W~.103XXWAr., , ,50.60.,~00,9rAMEMebzma, /9,4000053/49~0=r4mmoor,004 Friends from across the ocean After spending three months with local families, Clara Zanino, second from left, and Maria Pallone, second from right, both of France, not only improved their ability to speak English but became friends with the host families. Zanino was hosted by Heather Elliott, left, while Sarah Bokhout hosted Pallone. (Janice Becker photo) People Breaking the Pattern of Poverty Coll 1-800-5656 USC to pledge your support today! 56 Sparks Street, Ottawa ON KIP 5B1 www.usc-canada.org Heart arn'd Community Credit Union Limited is pleased to announce that a total dividend payment of 00% (1.65% Cash Dividend and 0.35% Patronage Dividend) has been declared on Credit Union member's Life Saving Accounts for the past fiscal year ending September 30, 2002 An additional 2.50% Cash Dividend on existing patronage' share balances has been paid Heart6:fa Community Credit Union Limited Head Office Clinton 482-3466 Exeter Branch 235-0640 Listowel Branch 291-6189 website: www.heartlandcommunitycu.on.ca PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2002. French exchange students enjoy visit to Canada By Janice Becker Citizen staff Filled with the exuberance of youth and the unbounded enthusiasm for the adventure of living in a foreign country for three months, two exchange students from France, visiting Blyth and area, will soon tle heading home. Maria Pallone, who has been staying with Sarah Bokhout and her family, comes from a community to the southwest of Paris. She is thrilled with the opportunity to visit this country so that she can improve her English. "This is a good way to learn," she says. "I have learned more in three months here than I had in years at school." "The first week was really hard," says Bokhout when she tells of trying to communicate with Pallone. "She has improved so much." Asked about her favourite aspect of her exchange, Pallone quickly says that it is attending Central Huron Secondary School. "School at home is more boring, less fun," she says. "There are a lot more activities here, not like at home." Students in France attend classes from 8. a.m. until 5 p.m. (in most cases), though' there are more . holidays throughout the year. She adds afterwards, with a smile, that it is also "fantastic" living with the Bokhouts. Heather Elliott and her family hosted Clara Zanino who comes from a small village in the northeast of France. Aside from also improving her English skills, Zanino says she became interested after friends of hers, visited Canida two years ago. "They said it was good and lots of fun," she says. Elliott admits the first week with Zanino was "scary" because they were unable to talk to each other. "She has gotten really, really good," says Elliott, "We didn't use the dictionary after the first week. If she didn't understand we just asked in a different way. Bokhout says the need to be understood also helped the Canadian students improve their vocabulary as they strove to express themselves. Heather's mom, Anne Elliott, says it affected the entire family as they realized how much slang they used. Pallone teases, saying, "They wouldn't correct us when we were (saying words) wrong. That's not very nice." Pallone and Zanino say it was nice to have a fellow countryman close as they could still speak their native tongue at times. "It was nice to talk fast to Maria instead of a long _ English explanation," says. Zanino. Zanino also says she got involved in the exchange because she wanted to meet new people and see a new country. She points out the difference between her area of France and southern Ontario. "In my region there are a lot of mountains. Here it is very flat." However, she did have the opportunity to see the Rockies when the Elliotts travelled to British Columbia for a week. - Pallone remembers a stay at the cottage on the lake and a trip to Niagara Falls with the Bokhouts. In spite of the exceptionally hot summer in Ontario, part of which the girls experienced, they also thought Canada was very cold as the temperatures turned cooler in October. In discussing the differences the girls have discovered, Pallone says the English language itself is different from what they hear from Great Britain. "Chips are fries and trousers are pants," she says. They also laugh about some of the unusual foods they have experienced. . "No more blue juice or Jello," says Pallone. Apparently, the French students found Jello rather gross., "I gave Clara a large scoop and she just looked at me," says Elliott. They also noticed the distances between communities and the "huge" vehicles Canadians drive. "The cars are big and no one has a pick-up in France. I saw one for the first time," says Pallone. Of the things they miss, cheese and a crusty- baguette top the list. Though they do say they miss their family and friends, neither is anxious to go home as they have thoroughly enjoyed their stay in Huron County. Bokhout -and Elliott will be visiting France from February to May next year in the return exchange. Both girls are very excited about the prospect, but somewhat hesitant as well. "They are the brave ones," says Elliott. "They came here not knowing us, but when we return, we will already have people we know." Anne Elliott gives credit to the Canadian Education Exchange Foundation from Barrie which placed the students. "The foundation did a great job finding compatible students and similar families," she says. "This was as much a growing experienCe for the whole family as it was for the girls." Though Elliott and Bokhout have 'been studying French since at least Grade 2, neither is sure how they will fare dealing solely in the French language. "The system here (focuses) on the grammatical," says Bokhotit t , However, both are more confident after spending three months with their;French friends. The girls do hope to stay in touch and e-mail will make that easier. • Program promotes time with Dad By Bonnie Gropp Citizen editor The role of father has changed considerably over the past threedecades. The traditional idea of family, where roles were clearly defined, working father, stay-at-home mother, is a thing of the past. For many men, what is expected in today's society . can be a little confusing. How to become a more positive influence as a father is behind the inception of a new program from Rural Response for Healthy Children called Dad and Me. The program, which was launched last Wednesday night at the Early Years Centre in Clinton, will be held the first Saturday of every month. It is planned that other .Dad and Me programs -will be set up in other county locations later. Bob Hulley, fathering involvement facilitator, believes this is the only "dad-specific" program offered in the county. "There are tons of facts and figures Ticket sales in the fourth annual Blyth Bulldogs Win! Win! sweepstakes are underway and the first early bird bonus draw will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Blyth and District Community Centre. The prize is 10 free sweepstakes.tickets. The grand prize draw will be held Christmas Day for a 2003 pickup 'of the winner's choice. For more information, contact one about dads being involved in family, keeping in mind the positive influence of this idea," said Hulley. • For example, ,Hulley offers information which states that infants of highly-involved fathers are more cognitively competent at six months than others. School-aged children from the same situation achieve more. academically. Postive influence from fathers is also good for emotional • developinent and a child's well being. They will be more tolerant and satisfied, as well as being less likely to suffer from depression or negativity. Socially, fathers can impact their children as well, said Hulley. Studies- have shown that when a father is involved in. a child's life the child is more likely to enjoy positive relationships with peers and siblings. Children who live without fathers will, according to studies, more probably have difficulties in school. They may have behaviour problems and one study suggests "consistently score lower on a variety of moral indexes." of the sweepstakes organizers: Paul Cooke, Todd MacDonald, Barb Forbes, Darren Richmond or Steven Sparling — or call the 24-hour ticket line at 523-4256, extension 29. Cash, cheque, VISA or MasterCard accepted. Net proceeds to the Blyth and District Community Centre Building Fund. But Hulley notes, the benefit does not just go to the children. "Involved fathers are more effective as parents," he said. The Dad and Me program will help fathers become more comfortable in their role. They are invited to bring their children if they wish, said Hulley, but -it is not a requirement. Registration is required. For information call Hulley at 482-8777 or 1-800-479-0716. While the mandate of RRHC is for the ages of zero to six, Hulley said there is some flexibility. "We realize families come in all ages so will try to accommodate them." Hulley also hopes, a peer support group will benefit participants as "seasoned" dads can share stories and knowledge with new fathers. Either way, Hulley believes that family men can enjoy and benefit from the program. "Anyone attending will come away knowing more about being a dad than when they came in, and I promise it won't hurt." "And there's food." Early bird draw Saturday Being able to share in the profits of a cooperative financial institution such as a Credit Union is definitely a benefit to the members. The staff and Board of Directors wish to thank the members for their patronage to their Credit Union.