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Clinton News-Record, 1983-03-09, Page 3Bim Fe Intl S A choir eiley Me '':egg; To sung in a school or church choir is an excellent learning experience and an op- portunity to share fellowship and interest with people devoted to music. Talented singers in this part of Ontario also have a rare opportunity to sing with a large community choir that is steadily gaining recognition and acclaim as one of the finest choirs in the area. The Blyth Festival Singers have been practicing and performing at the Blyth Centre for the Arts for three years now and Lynda Lentz enthuses, "The choir has a history of sold -out concerts and tremen- dous community support." Mrs. Lentz of Londesboro is one off the founders of the Blyth Festival Singers and the enthusiastic president of the choir ex- ecutive- Enthusiasm and excitement is running particularly high this week as the 85 -voice choir prepares for this Sunday's double concert presentation. In the works for the past two -and -a -half months, the choir will be presenting an all -Canadian concert in two shows, at 3 and 8 p.m. The concert will give choir members an opportunity to present a new repertoire of music, as well as face the challenge of per- forming back-to-back shows. According to Mrs. Lentz, it is this excite- ment and enthusiasm that makes the choir a rare and wonderful experience. "We're firmly cemented by the love of music. It's a bond that's hard to describe," she said, explaining "There's the thrill of preparing for a concert and working with such a great director." The success of the Blyth Festival Singers is largely due to the director, Laurie Rowbotham off Listowel. Director of the Listowel high school choir for the past 10 years, Mr. Rowbotham has led the students' choir to national acclaim and last week the school hosted a weekend event, Youth Choirs in Concert, a province wide happening. As well, Mr. Rowbotham recently led a two-day choral workshop in Clinton for high school students from Clinton and Goderich. Mrs. Lentz can only sing praises of the Blyth Festival Singers director, "We made an incredibly fortunate choice," she ex- claimed. "Laurie strongly supported the Blyth project. He was equally enthusiastic to start a choir. Few directors have the op- portunity to start a choir from scratch." The idea to form a choir came about in 1980. In September rehearsals started, 66 people turned out, and according to Mrs. Lentz, "We never looked back after that." Coming from a 40 miles radius, from as far away as Huron Park and Listowel the differ'nce Festival Singers now average a naember - ship of i1r;t - They meet in Blyth each Mon- day night for a two hour rehearsal. Choir mem + :-rs ; : ve established a close rela- tionship and they hold social nights once a month. For the choir, hard work and enjoyment go hand in hand, or as Mrs. Lentz explain- ed, "Laurie works us and we love it." She noted that the choir is an educational experience, as good as private singing lessons, allowing local people the oppor- tunity to sing in a well disciplined at- mosphere. The Festival Singers is not an auditioned choir. Mr. Rowbotham believes everyone should have the opportunity to join the choir, and he will develop each voice. "Laurie is amazed how advanced the choir is," Mrs. Lentz said. "He has the un- canny knack of knowing how far to take us. He's democratic and open to suggestions." In the area, and outside the district as well, the Festival Singers are earning a respected following. Their concerts attract capacity audiences to the 491 seat Blyth Memorial Hall. People from as far away as Lindsay and Peterborough have attended the concerts, but Mrs. Lentz explained that the choir's appeal is largely to the local area. She noted, "People like to hear their neighbors sing and they want to enjoy good music." The choir has developed a large reper- toire of songs, however, financial con- straints have occasionally limited them from buying more sheet music. Mrs. Lentz proudly stated that the Festival Singers have managed to finance their own way, without extra assistance from the Blyth centre for the Arts board. The Festival Singers operates as a separate organization within the Centre. Mrs. Lentz is president of what she calls a "fantastic executive." Choir members who also assist Mrs. Lentz with behind the scenes work are: vice-president, Judy Morton of Belgrave; treasurer, Louise McGregor of Londesboro; secretary, Carol Stuart of Exeter; uniform co- ordinator, Marie McClure of Blyth; social co-ordinator, Annette Lindsay of Walton; music librarian, Joan Perrie of Walton; fund-raising, George Ribey of Seaforth; stage manager, Don Dunbar of Ethel. Last, but not least, is one of the most vital members of the Festival Singers, accom- panist Arlene Darnborough of Goderich. This Sunday, March 13, the work of the Blyth Festival Singers will be presented on centre stage. Their all -Canadian concert will bring together a selection of songs chosen to reflect the musical styles of dif- ferent regions of Canada, as well as various times in the country's history. Mayors meet with Drea While Conam pity and Social Services Minister Frank Drea did not offer assurance that six regional centres for the developmentally handicapped would re- main open, Goderich mayor Eileen Palmer said a meeting with the minister was productive and fruitful. Palmer, along with the mayors of Brockville, Cobourg, Aurora, Whitby, St. Thomas and Woodstock met Drea to discuss and protest his ministry's propos- ed closure of the regional fac'!ties for the developmen, . lly . n i'capped in those communities. The closures are part of the ministry's five-year plan to deinstitutionalize residents and provide community -like settings in group homes. Drea has insisted that community sup- port services would be in place before one resident was moved out of a government facility. The ministry expects to save over $23 million through the closures but has promised to pump $33 million back into the communities to provide support services for affected institution residents. In a written report to council, Palmer said the mayors expressed concern about the lack of communication between the ministry and officials in the affected municipalities. The mayors suggested that ministry and municipal officials had a cer- tain accountability to the public. Palmer said the mayors were looking for answers to three basic concerns: 1.) the economic impact of the closures on the municipalities; 2.) the future of the residents, follow-up care in the com- munities and the long-term financial liability of the municipality and 3.) the pro- posed use of the closed facilities. While Drea made no firm promises, Palmer said she was granted a 45 -minute private meeting with the minister and the nature of those discussions.:will be divulg- ed_at a later date. Palmer said she will respect the confidentiality of the meeting but said statements made by iI rea will "all,.,y some fears". A slide program was presented to the mayors outlining the ministry's five-year program and long-range plans. That slide presentation will be made available to the municipality along with the ministry's guidelines and plans. The ministry's five-year plan implicitly states that residents of regional facilities for the developmentally handicapped will not be moved into the community until the support services are in place. Palmer said support services include proper workshop facilities, group homes and recreation op- portunities. The minister also told the mayors that services required by local associations for the mentally retarded will be funded by the ministry and only residents from each respective county would be placed in that county. Palmer said 20 residents at Bluewater Centre are from Huron County. With the closure of the regional centres and the establishment of group homes, municipalities must have the proper zon- ing in place so licences can be issued. To that end, Goderich council has requested planning board to immediately begin working on a zoning bylaw and to for- mulate guidelines for council concerning group homes. Palmer instructed members of council to personally visit the two proposed sites, 16 Elgin Avenue West and 79 Wellington Street, for group homes. Goderich planning board called a public meeting on March 8 to look into the establishment of the two group homes in the municipality. WATCH HAPPENING IN EAFORTH See next week's Huron Expositor for complete details Laurie Rowbothain of Listowel directs the Blyth Festival Singers, The 85 -voice cona- munity choir will present an all -Canadian concert on Sunday. (Shelley McPhee photo) Huron goes computer BY STEPHANIE LEVESQUE General administration, government and maintenance budgets were approved by Huron County council along with a $25,000 computer study for the county. The computer study was approved as part of the adminiistration.,t2udget whiff totals $349,120. Morris Township Reeve William ELfton called for discussion on the study because, as he pointed out, if council has,the study , done it should be prepared to go along with the consulting firms recommendation which may include spending $100, 1 to $200,000 for a computer outfit. Reeve Paul Steckle of Stanley Township asked if there would be a reduction in staff. "If we're not reducing staff, what is the purpose of getting a computer?" asked Reeve Steckle. Clerk -treasurer William Hanly said he doubted if staff would be reduced but it won't increase. "The main reason for the computer is availability of information that is up to date and can be gotten out quickly," said the clerk -treasurer. He added that if the cons !ting firm doesn't think the county is ready for a corn- puter, it should state that in its report. Zurich Reeve Don Van Patter suggested the county get the information it needs from a computer supplier. He also said he is surprised the county is not already on computers. "There's no doubt we could go to IBM," said Mr. Hanly, "but I can guarantee you we'll end up with IBM equipment. It might not be the right equipment for our specifications." 11 He explained the county needs software equipment that meets its needs. "I want to make sure the computer will meet the county's needs for the next 20 years," said Mr. Hanly. The consulting firm of Woods -Gordon of Toronto will prepare the study. The general administration budget totals $349,120, up from $294,900 in 1982. This includes salaries of $206,560 up from $196,71 i' in 1982. The general government budget totals $163,. t up from $150,71 t in 1982. The cost of council sessions and committee, board and other meetings increased because there will be one additional meeting in the year. (County council changed its meeting date from the fourth Thursday of the month to the first Thursday of the month w i ch results in one adi; tional meeting.) Council sessions have been budgeted at $30,1, 5, up frgm $27,800 in 1982. Commit- tee, board and other meetings have been budgeted at $55,61 1 up from $50,960 in 1982. The warden's salary and cost for other meetings has actually been budgeted for a decrease. In 1983, $10,500 has been set aside for this category while $12,320 was set aside in the 1 12 budget. Reeve Tom Cunningham noted that county councillors did not take a wage in- crease for 1983. The total maintenance budget has been set at $251,117, up from $241,612 in 1982. A breakdown of the 1983 maintenance budget shows $132,440 for the court house, $26,000 for the registry office, $56,872 for the assessment building, $6,500 for the Library building, $1,'i5 for the jail building and $27,500 for the health building. PURINA CHOWS GOING INTO BUSINESS SALE! See us for these pet f:;.: d %p clods Purina - 2® kg. bag DOG CHOW Perin® - 8 kg. bag DOG CHOW Purim® - 20 kg. bag 11 �® Purim l2 leg.W' � 4� 5 ® CAT CHO®� 7 2 Purim® - 6 lag. / CAT CHOW 0 I ®® 5 ®g food201 6 FIELD 'N FARM • * 'I Purina - al lege CAT CHOW RICES IP! EFFECT TILL SSATURv AY MARCH 111 547 CENT HIGHWAY N 8 WEST CLINT N 482-7/06 ie : RAUB CLINT ^t1 FORD TRAM 'xR 1L< ..,;c AAT Ott OPEN: Monday - Fri.,;.: T 8 ani - 5 pm; Saturday 8 son - 12 notkei Tuck CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1SE3---PAGE 3 is to receives ant for shi improvement By Wilma Oke A grant of $16,448 from the Canada - Ontario Employment ;Ievelopranent program will be awarded to Tuckersanith Township for a beautification project in the township this summer. Clerk Jack McLachlan said it will give employment to three unemployed persons who have exhausted their unemployment insurance benefits. Proposed projects to be carried out during April, May, June and July include work in such areas as Vanastra; the old cemetery on Highway 4 southeast of Brucefield, no longer in use, where members of pioneer families are buried; and the two small township parks in Egmondville. The parks are the recently purchased property adjoining the historic Van Egmond property and the land across the street donated last year by the late Mrs. Vera Pierce of Arizona, a relative of the Quinlan family who used to live on the property. In addition to the government grant, the township will have to contribute $4,100 to the program. Following Court of Revision council accepted the tender of Parker & Parker of Hensall, the lowest of seven received, amounting to $4,825 for repair and im- provement of the Dill Municipal Drainage Works. The highest tender was for $7,975. The work is to be done this summer. Council approved a petition for the repair and improvement of the Glenn Municipal Drain in Hibbert Township in Perth County, and accepted a petition on the Finlayson Drainage Works on which the Henry Uderstadt engineering firrn is to make a report. The firm of Diegel, Malcolm & Hagey of Stratford, the township auditors will implement a new one -write basic ac- counting package for the township municipal office at a cost of $4,750. It will tee in action by the end of June. The costs are covered by a $5,000 provincial grant. Council is concerned about dust problems for neighboring properties if a severance application is approved for Rachel Kootstra of R.R. 5, Clinton, on concession 1, Lot 30, of Stanley Township. It is understood that a grain cleaning p, ::nt is to be erected on the property. Council has been ask ; r, by the Land Division Committee for Huron County ., comment on the severance aa'_alication. Council's main concern is for a restaurant across the road and a near -by boat building firm in Vanastra which could be affected by dust carri . by the prevailing westerly winds. No action was taken on a severance application of Murray Traquair to the Huron County Land Division Committee on Lot 3, Con. 4 of Tuckersmi4: Township because of a freeze on severances in the township while the secondary plan is being prepared. Council approved a $750 per year in- crease for building inspector Henry Van Wieren, for 1';1; . who presently receives $3,900; and the same for part time secretary Linda Dillon bringing her wage to $5.85 per hour. The township dog catcher will be given a $100 retainer fee per month and he will provide one regular patrol each month of township hamlets. While on a call because of a dog problem he will be paid $6.70 per hour, paid mileage at the rate of 32 cents and $8 for each dog caught. Last year the dog catcher was paid $1,200 for the work. Much of Tuesday's four-hour council meeting revolved around the proposed budget for the Vanastra recreation centre as it was presented by the centre's director, Diane Durnin. She was careful not to reveal any figures for the amount off the deficit as was council, but suggestions were made to cut it down. Mrs. Durnin, who had made no provisions for increasing fees, was asked by Reeve Robert Bell to raise them for some programs. Mrs. Durnin was instructed to trim the budget and bring back the revised version to council at its next meeting on March 15. Passed for payment were the following accounts totalling $200,987.04: Vanastra recreation centre, $11,380.,1,1; day care centre at Vanastra, $6,11::;.79; special day care centre at Vanastra, $4,707.51; roads, $14,259.90 and general accounts $164,550.04. SYSTEMATIC TRAINING FOR EFFECTIVE PARENTING (S.TLE.P.) The Huron Centre for Children and Youth will be offering a parent edxucation prograrnnae. Topics to be discussed include: understeinding your chlid's behaviour and misbehaviour, Improving communication. encouraging children, and developing confidence as a parent. This group is for ail parents who ere interested In Beaming more about and/or improving their relationship with their children. LOCATION OATES: TIME: FEE: REGISTRATION: The Huron Centre, 168 Huron Street, CLINTON, Ontario Every Wednes ay, March 30th -May 23tlh 7:36-9x30 p.m. There is 6leo charge for the course, however, `1.30 will be required to cover the cost of the parent manual. Limit of 16 participants INSTRUCTORS: Janie G ttinger, M.S.W. Nancy McLeod, M. Edo, Counselling Psychology For farther information. or to register, please tali the Huron Cen- tre at 402-3931. 524-2424 We're back for another great season! pH Ng LIf�11�� oPE�+i 10 __ CALL BEFORE MA '.:CH 31 AOR A EE QU TE AND SEE HOW YOU CAN A EI5°% ON THE WEED MAN FULL PROGRAM PACKAGE We Guarantee Resuits The { d BO 455 OO®E ICH. 0;-?TAt,I TAI, 4C7