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Times Advocate, 1995-06-14, Page 28Page 28 Times -Advocate, June 14, 1995 COMM1 J NITY Helping hands in the Caribbean Molly McClure and 29 friends help repair the damages in Monserrat that remain after Hurricane Hugo went through in 1989 Ingrid Nielsen TA Staff CREDITON - Imagine your Car- ibbean holiday consisting of tearing out overgrown vegetation by hand, lugging heavy stones, and clearing trails with a machete. While it may not be typical, Molly McClure of Crediton and 29 of her friends from University of Guelph packed in these chores and many more as they helped the people of Mon- serrat repair the damage caused by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. "My neighbour at university told us about the Monserrat National Trust, which is sort of like their conservation authority. She got us in contact with them. They needed help because Hurricane Hugo in 1989 had blown through and so they were still dealing with the damage. We volunteered to help them out, to do what we could," said McClure. The group are in first year at uni- versity, and live in the same res- idence, which is called Eco House. The environmentally -conscious stu- dents were looking for a trip that they could take together when Rur selle Mead told them about her home in Monserrat. Once the group decided to go, they needed to raise $1,000 each. Between bake sales, craft sales, and car washes, it was a very busy sec- ond semester. They even catered the formal for the university in March. "We were really busy second se- mester because we were making all the crafts ourselves," said McClure. "We also got a lot of help and mon- ey from the university's different colleges. The Legion auxiliary here in Exeter also gave me a really big isonation." "We didn't quite get to $1,000, but it didn't end up costing that much either." Once they had the funds, they or- ganized the trip with a travel agent and left on May 4. The people wait- ing for them in Monserrat handled the living details once the group ar- rived. They stayed in the Girl Guide Centre in Plymouth, the capital city. The army brought in cots. They brought in most of their own food in their suitcases to save money. With one gas stove for 30 people, they decided to make their own breakfasts and lunches, but had someone come in to prepare the dinners. "At first, we were really excited about the food, but then we found out the cook was on a three day cy- "You walk in and its really strange. It looks like you're on the moon." cle, and we ate a lot of the same meals," said McClure with a laugh. "But it was really good. We were never hungry." While McClure insists that every day was "different", they found time nearly every day to enjoy the beautiful Caribbean ocean. "The first week, I was working at Galway's Plantation, which is a sugar cane plantation. It's not in op- eration anymore. It was operating in the 16th, 17th century. It's now for tourists." "We were working on an old stone mill. A wall was knocked out during Hurricane Hugo. When we got there, rubble was piled high on the floor covered in tropical vegeta- tion. The wall had caved in," said McClure. "We had to rip out all of the vegetation, and dig out the soil that had collected there." "We were imagining what it had been like for slaves (who did the original work). We were there be- cause we wanted to be. Our imag- inations really started working." As for the scenery, it was as unique as the experience itself. "Monserrat is a volcanic island and the craters of volcanoes were right there. So you walk in and its really strange. It looks like you're on the moon. And it stinks of sul- phur." The 22 girls and eight guys also had to contend with a few natives that they hadn't expected. "There was a lizard in the hath - room almost every morning. But they're not ugly at all. They are sort of like chameleons." The second week was spent at Fox's Bay Bird Sanctuary. McClure was working on clearing trails with a machete, and preparing a viewing platform. They needed a support to be built for the structure, and this involved making a human chain to carry the heavy stones along the narrow trails. It wasn't all work, however. The group did find time to enjoy the lo- cal night life. "We went out every weekend. It was very different from Gar's Bar and Grill in Exeter, " said McClure laughing again. "They love danc- ing, with a lot of reggae music." McClure's third placement was in a hospital, helping out where they were short-staffed. She worked the switchboard and in the kitchen. While the group was going down to help out, McClure says that their attitude wasn't "to save the world". Instead, it was to help out where they could and learn about the dif- ferent culture. "They could have done fine with- out us. Monserrat is not a poor, third world country. It's more that they really appreciated our help. Exeter wouid benefit from the same thing. We learned a lot." One of the volunteer workers taking a well-deserved break at Galway's Plantation. Keenagers offer extended family AILSA CRAIG - What a beautiful spring! The Keenagers at the Craigwiel Day Centre for Seniors have been enjoying a variety of ac- tivities and guests. Some people think you have to be an advanced senior to partake of our enjoyment. This is not true. The Day Centre caters to all adults who need some assistance with personal care, or who are feeling iso- lated and in need of socialization. We really do get to feel like a ex- tended family, and feel acceptance and support from each other. Just read on to see some of the things that are done together. The days travelling aren't always co-operative weather wise, but with the bright and cheery attitudes the atmosphere always seems sun- ny. One day a trip to Komoka to eat at the Little Beaver; then on a round -a -bout way home, we toured some subdivisions with dream homes that were beyond our wildest imaginations! It was one of those trips where we didn't know where we were going, but the suspense just makes it more fun, and the driver always gets us home. Another day we took off for Millbank and ate at an Amish restau- rant called "Anna Mac's". The food was delicious. Also a trip to Ma- sonville Mall and ajaunt to the Lampton Museum that provided pleas- ures of their own kind. Guests have brought a lot of delight. Mason Fletcher came to read some of his 'down on the farm" poetry. Fred and Eva VanderHeide came twice to entertain with their music. Evelyn McNaughton, the faithful provider of arm chair tours, took us to Chili, and on cruises to New England and the Agean Sea. Sandra Heidehrecht serenaded with delightful flute music before leaving for British Columbia. Rita Faw- cett gave some insight regarding our hearing, and Jane Martin did an excellent presentation on "Drug Wisdom". Trucy Lornelis showed a video that demonstrated what her family saw when visiting Lourdes. Donna Waterman gave three more presentations on "Physical Fit- ness," "Nutrition Guidelines" and "Coping with Stress" before taking a break for summer. At Easter time, we designed some Easter bonnets, and some had the experience of dying the first Easter eggs! With spring time, the pleas- ure of seeing some flower arrangements taking shape. The members tried some modern art and came up with a piece that is just as worthy of display as some that hang in our National Gallery! When Mother's Day arrived, we thought of our own experience in mothering through to teenagers and grown ups. Some mothers and a grandfather brought some little ones for an hour or so in the morning. It was a joy to see the little ones playing with each other and the ba- bies responding to the older children. May was "egg month" . The first day our creative director mad; cheese and egg Strata which, served with a lovely salad from the kitchen made a wonderful meal. Next day Quiche was served which was every bit as good. The third day egg salad sandwiches with Dutch soup was served. From the wonderful whirlpool baths, and foot care, the meal adven- tures and delight through the crafts and games. to the informative and enjoyable guests and day trips, we find health and satisfaction and a sense of purpose in the days together. 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It pays tO ah°p anticipating EXeter es • Great value donated pa • rticipating prle 0Gre in prizes Great Products a share of $36 e our community chance to winwhich serve y Plus you have a tici acing businesses local ar p - Shop Today!our purchase by your p Don't delay re available with y tickets a last! Y )(Our FREE p 15th 30th Es jure 30th g rile draw is _while they beginning at 6 p.m. or to the n �une - MONI ;. g it to the CAN CANADA DAY OPENING CEREMONIES, s out our AY CELEBRATIONS andb t the Rec Centre. l t Fill ADA DAY tin and EXti' for VHS WONDE R will abeam Rec Centre July 1st. �_,�, •. n Keep Your eyes ° get all day I`� greeting friends on Mai" - 9 1 1