Times Advocate, 1995-07-12, Page 7ji',4 )[J[ ! 1 d Times -Advocate, July 12,1995 Page 7
Learning on vacation
Brenda Burke T -A staff
EXETER - After spending ten months travelling to
British Columbia, the United States, Australia and
New Zealand, the Beattie family has discovered just
how small the world really is.
Along their travels they stayed with friends in Syd-
ney and were visited by Exeter neighbours on an ex-
change to Australia. They also met a couple they
knew who had lived in Exeter for a year before going
to New Zealand, and were feeling homesick at the
sight of Exeter residents in photos along the wall of
another friend's home in New Zealand.
Al and Heather Beattie, both area teachers, left last
September with their three teenaged sons on a leave
program through the Huron County School Board
and returned home July 3.
"It was the people we met that was the
best part of the trip," said Heather, re-
ferring to both people she knew as well
as tour guides and natives of the areas
they visited.
The couple home schooled their sons
while travelling, a schedule Ryan, 14,
could get used to.
"I liked the fact you didn't have to get up at 9:00,"
he said.
But the trip wasn't all play and no work. Sixteen -
year -old Scan completed four credits through night
school and had a chance to work with university tur-
tle researchers in Australia. At one point the family
had to help turn a huge Loggerhead turtle away from
the beach waves so a researcher could tag it.
Helping turtles was just part of an eventful year
with Australia making up nine weeks of the ad-
venture. The Beatties will never forget their favourite
Australian 'Bart Boat,' a small vessel carrying 60
people 'sick at sea.'
"We made some mistakes," recalled Al. "As rook-
ies you don't know. "
Heron Island was also an experience to remember
with its 50 tonnes of yearly bird droppings and Mut-
ton birds howling underground. Snorkeling with the
turtles and reef sharks proved to be fun too.
Regarding the sharks, Al explained, "The line (of
the resort people) is 'We haven't lost anybody yet.'"
The family spotted kangaroos on golf courses, wit-
nessed koalas in a spat, fed the emus and celebrated
New Years Eve with a musical fireworks display at
the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And although they
couldn't get their hands on egg nog, stove -top stuff-
ing or marshmallows, they did try Vegamite, a black-
ish -brown vegetable spread.
"It hurts your teeth after a while," recalled 12 -year-
old Aran.
Grimacing, Ryan described Australian burgers as a
mixture of egg, beet root, shredded carrots and fried
onions. When they arrived in New Zealand, the boys
found Pop Tarts and Big Macs were just in the midst
of being introduced to the country.
Not only was the food different, the electronic com-
forts of home were not always available.
"When you get teenage boys and there's no TV"...
began Al.
Sampling new food was one thing but trying out a
different schocl system was an experiejtce in itself.
While in Australia the boys spent a day at Barker Pri-
vate School where they found uniforms were a must
and the top academic student was called 'the duck.'
Al and Heather, being teachers, found it interesting to
discover parents were paid to home school their kids
in New Zealand.
Also to be discovered was the country's wildlife.
After Ryan was stung by a jellyfish and his mother
fright-ned by a big, harmless spider on the wall, the
family was a little wiser. And that, believes Heather,
is the main reason for travelling - to
learn, to broaden one's horizons.
"You can't put a value on travel ex-
perience," she said. "It really opens your
eyes."
For one thing, she explained, travelling
makes you appreciate your own country.
"The scenery in New Zealand was
spectacular," she said. "But the moun-
tains in B.C. are just as spectacular."
After experiencing Kukup, Malaysia, described by
Al as "a fishing villiage on stilts" and Singapore, the
'fine' city that fines its citizens for minor acts such as
j -walking and spitting, the Beatties remembered to
appreciate Canada.
But they did enjoy para -gliding, jet skiing and cruis-
ing along in an executive bus where they had a
chance to watch television and see undeveloped rain
forests from their windows.
Once in Quala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia,
however, Al discovered the traffic was "absolutely
horrendous."
A city congested with small vehicles offered taxis
equally as small. Because it was illegal to transport
five people in one taxi, the family of five had to split
up into two taxis to travel anywhere in the city.
Once in Sanfrancisco, the traffic changed on Lom-
bard street. With zig-zags at 45 degree angles dec-
orated with gardens, the most crooked street in North
America became a sharp -cornered maze for the fami-
ly.
The entire trip, with its unexpected adventures and
eye-opening experiences was a definite learning ex-
perience for the Beattie family and they admitted
time did fly while they were away.
"Five years in the planning and its over in the blink
of an eye," said Al. "We got to retire and enjoy a year
with our kids," he said, adding the experience will
likely persuade his sons to travel when they get older.
But perhaps the experience has taken an immediate
effect.
"Five years
in the planning
and it's over
in the blink
of an eye"
"No sooner did we get back than Aran was saying
'Lets go to Africa,' said Al.
The Beattie family at the Pancake Rocks in New Zealand. From left, Ryan, 14, Al, Heather,
Aran, 12 and Sean, 16.
Blue Water residents enjoy
`lemonade in the shade'
ZURICH - The residents of Blue
Water Rest Home spent a quiet
week after their long Canada Day
weekend. Wednesday afternoon the
residents enjoyed "lemonade in the
shade", in the courtyard under the
awning and umbrella table.
Rev. Merlin Bender, Lakeview
Conservative Mennonite Church,
St. Joseph, conducted Thursday af-
ternoon chapel service. Fr. Matthias
Wronskl, St. Boniface Church, Zu-
rich celebrated Mass.
In the evening the residents
jumped to their feet to the sounds
of Max Ducharme and the Town -
liners and their foot stomping mu-
sic. Max played the violin, Claire
Masse and Harvey Smith the guitar,
Doug Insley the spanish guitar, and
Joyce Pepper on piano. "My Wild
Irish Rose", "Beer Barrel Polka"
and "Tice Green, Green Grass of
Home" were just a few of the
wheelchair swaying, toe tapping,
hand clapping, old fashioned songs
they played. Claire sang and played
three numbers for his special audi-
ence and musical colleagues An-
drew Rau and Jack Simmons. Mari-
lyn Durand, Cathy Shantz and Rose
Broderick . served refreshments to
the residents and their guests.
We wondered why Bill and Jean
Burr are smiling so much lately -
they celebrated 51 years of mar-
riage on June 28.
Condolences to the family and
friends of the late Madeleine So-
phie Dalton, who passed away at
Blue Water Rest Home on June 30
in her 79th year. Madeleine had
been a resident of the Home less
than three months but she and her
family are well known by the resi-
dents and staff.
The residents look forward to
their July birthday party with Cre-
diton UCW, Hilda Rader's 90th
birthday party Open House on July
16 from 2 to 4:00 p.m., a picnic in
Goderich July 21 and a visit by the
Dashwood/Seaforth Band after the
Zurich Fair on July 22.
•
Off to.the Jamboree
The First Exeter Scouts flew to Newfoundland last week to participate in the seventh
Provincial Jamboree Discovery '95 where they will meet scouts from across Canada and
the United States. Frot t left, scout leaders Bill Dinney and Ron MacEacpern. Back from
left scouts Steve Darbishire, Jamie Keys. Front, Left, Terry MacEachem and Kyle Fusick.
Missing from photo is Nathan Kraftcheck. He's already there.
Vacation Bi
planned for
Organizers are look-
ing for one more
teacher.
Joan Beierling
VARNA - Vacation Bible School
for Bruccfield, Kippen, Varna and
Goshen is being held the week of
August 14-18.
Anyone wanting to register their
child may phone Brenda Wright at
263-6078. A teache,c,is needed for
the grades three/four class. Contact
Brenda as soon as possible if you
are interested in this position.
Swimming lessons
Swimming lessons are the weeks
of July 17 to 28. If you're interest-
ed in registering your child, call
Sandy Robinson. This is sponsored
by the Stanley Township Rec Com-
mittee and the bus pick up will be
in Varna and Brucefield.
Elimination draw
There are still a few truck tickets
available for the Stanley Township
Rec Committee Truck Elimination
draw to be held Saturday, Septem-
ber 2 at the Complex, with a dance
and lunch for two.
Contact any rec committee mem-
ber as soon as possible as there are
only a few left.
Graduates
Other grade eight graduates from
Varna and area that were omitted
Have a
news tip?
Call the
Times Advocate
235-1331
ima
asty u For a limited timel
BismarksE % White Bread
6/$1.99 880 g. 690 loaf
Fresh, fine quality products
Weekly Specials
Fast, Courteous Service
Cafe - sit down or take out. Sandwiches,
salads, soup, pastries,
coffee and donuts and more
Cheese mouse
Wide variety of Canadian and Imported
cheese - "Fresh off the block"
Bary and Cheese
Tasty?'iukeHouse Cafe
1 444 Main St. S., Exeter 235-0332
4
ble School
Varna area
last week are Mathew Armstrong,
Robert Stephenson, Greg Hoo -
genes and Jason McBeath. Sorry
for any inconvenience this may
have caused.
Church serviced •
Varna -Goshen joint church ser-
vices begin this Sunday, July 16 in
Goshen Church at 10:30 a.m., fol-
lowed by Sunday, July 23 in Varna
and Sunday, July 30 in Goshen.
Sunday, August 6 the picnic ser-
vice is at the Complex.
Visscher Farms
Country Market
Now harvesting
Broccoli & cauliflower, other fruits
and vegetables in season
Baked goods, jams, honey
Open 9-6 daily
Closed Sunday
3 miles west of Exeter
on Hwy. 83
237-3442
•
•
Summer
Sale
20°'° - 50°'°
Off all
Summer
•
Merchandise
Starts Fri., July 14 •
•
• •
MERRY RAGS
fashion boutique
Open 7 clays a week
1 1/4 miles south
2382818 Grand Bend on Hwy. 21
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370 William St. Exeter
was printed incorrectly in the Who Does What
R Directory of the Times -Advocate phone book
Ron page 145.
ti THE CORRECT NUMBER IS
o
o 235-1220
The Times Advocate apologizes for any
inconvenience this error may cause.
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•
Summer
Sale
20°'° - 50°'°
Off all
Summer
•
Merchandise
Starts Fri., July 14 •
•
• •
MERRY RAGS
fashion boutique
Open 7 clays a week
1 1/4 miles south
2382818 Grand Bend on Hwy. 21