The Wingham Advance-Times, 1976-05-20, Page 13THE SILVER CIRCLE nursery is now housed in this building. However, in the fall, a
move is planned to a new centre. The Wingham Day Care program will also be making the
move. Despite the amalgamation, Silver Circle and Wingham Day Care administrations
will remain separate.
THE WINGHAM DAY CARE CENTRE is now located in this building on Josephine
Street. However, sometime in the fall the day care program is moving with the Silver
Circle to a new site close to the swimming pool. The cost of the new building, including
facilities and furnishings, will be close to $240,000.
THE CHILDREN OF Silver Circle enjoy an activity period where they play with string,
Ir lace, puzzles and other educational toys. Clockwise from centr€g front are Mary Jane Edis-
burg, Billy Zimmerman, Mae Berggren, Paul Dawson, Mrs. front
Vander Woude (nur
sery worker), Mrs. Marilyn McPherson (supervisor), Kathy Rlewett and Henri Poels.
1
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New centre provides key
Promising generation
it3y Halla Koba
Mental health care has come
long way since the time when the
mentally ill and retarded were
secluded. Today's trend in
modern care is the integration of
retarded people as worthy part-
ners in society.
The retarded children's nur-
Rer'y, the Silver Circle, and I, Iing-
ham Day Care Centre are expect-
ing to move together into a new
building sometime in the fall.
The new quarters are being
constructed by Schiedel Con-
struction Co. of Guelph, just off
John Street West, by the swim-
ming pool. Construction appears
to be top quality and is pro-
ceeding on schedule. If all goes
well, everything should be ready
by September or October. Total
cost of the project will be around
$240,000. This figure includes the
cost of facilities and furnishings.
Integration will be a key ad-
vantage in the Wingham project.
Mrs. Jane Lane, supervisor of the
Wingham Day Care Centre, men-
tioned that contact of her chil-
dren with the mentally retarded
is excellent. "It is good for them
to learn to accept handicapped
children," Mrs. Lane explained.
She said the children will mingle
in the outdoor playground, and
indoors, in the Gross Motor Area.
Several mentally retarded chil-
dren have visited the Wingham
Day Care Centre. They were not
treated as being "different" by
the other children.
Mrs. Marilyn McPherson,
supervisor at the Silver Cir,
a said "We're all the same, o
everyone's a different shad
Jack Gillespie, chairman
town council's day care cc
Mitt", thinks that differen,
among people are accepted m4
readily by children in day ca
programs, than children in pub
school. He and the two sup
visors are quiteenthusiast
about the results of mutual int,
action between the two grout
Mrs. McPherson is also e
thused about the new and bett
facilities. "The new building w
have things I've always dream,
about," she said. Besides tl
extra facilities, the new buildir
offers more space. Mrs. Lar
finds this very favorable. As st
Put it, "We are over -full here an
need more room."
One more benefit was di,
cussed by Mr. Gillespie. Th
Silver Circle is able to give ind
vidual attention and assistance t
each child. Because of this, it i
able to help both the retarded an,
children with learning diabilities
In the new centre it is hoped tha
the Silver Circle will provide ai
easier transition into the Wing
ham Day Care group. When chil
dren with learning disabilities
develop to a normal stage the}
are often transferred. Now, when
changing groups in the new
centre these children need not be
torn away from their environ-
ment.
FINANCES
The financial situation for the
KATHY BLEWETT, at Silver Circle, was fascinated by the
camera and kept on staring at it. Mrs. Marilyn McPherson,
supervisor, was surprised and pleased. She said Kathy is
seldom able to hold eye contact.
BECAUSE IT WAS A RAINY DAY the children at the
Wingham Day Care Centre were playing around a table.
Looking towards the camera is Brenda Hallman with
Heather Richey on the right. 40�
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new project is fairly complicated.
Building costs are funded loo per
cent by the Ministry of Com-
munity and Social Services. This
money was provided from funds
earmarked for day care work
with the mentally retarded and
Indian bands. When both the
Silver Circle and Wingham Dry
Care Centre applim for --par
grants, the ministry decided to
encourage amalgamation. Mrs.
Lane described the procedure,
"Toronto said it would allot
money only to an amalgamated
group." Wingham's new pro-
gram is one of the few to have this
type of amalgamation.
Operating costs are not ex-
pected to increase. Coverage for
these costs will remain the same
as it is now -8o per cent paid by
the provincial government and 20
per cent by the town.
Mr. Gillespie feels day care is
especially beneficial since it
affects children in particularly
formative years. "We spend
money on prisons, thousands of
dollars, and it is really wasted
money. Look at the repeaters."
Mr. Gillespie said that day care
level is the time to stop social
maladjustment. He emphasized,
"Children are our whole future.
In the long rpn, day care benefits
us all."
WMS meeting
features
book display
GORRIE—The Women's Mis-
sionary Society of Knox Presby-
terian Church, Gorrie, held its
meeting at, the home of Mrs. Da-
vid Neilson May 12.
The .president Mrs. William A.
Smith opened the meeting with
scripture Mark 9:41. The WMS
Purpose was repeated followed
by a hymn. Mrs. Smith offered
prayer.
Roll call was answered by to
members with a verse containing
the word, "kingdom". Miss
Louise Matthews read the
minutes and the ladies were re-
minded of the Presbyterial to be
held in Lucknow on May 31.
Mrs. Glenn Underwood gave
the treasurer's report. A contri-
bution to Camp Kintail was ap-
proved.
The offering was received and
dedicated. Mrs. Thomas Mac-
Donald then took the devotional
period. The subject was the se-
cond- commandment. Mrs. G.
Underwood offered prayer and
Mrs. D. Neilson read the scrip-
ture.
The annual display of- books
was also featured.
Mrs. Smith closed the meeting
with prayer and a social half hour
followed.
The Wingham-Advance-Times, Thurs„ May 20, 197g .Page 13
PAUL DAWSON plays while Mrs. Donna Vander Woude
looks on. Silver Circle is for the benefit of children with
learning disabiHties and thosesuffering from brain damage
or retardation. Assistance is given on an individual level.
PLAYING ALONE at the Wingham Day Care Centre is
Renay Taylor. The day care program will be moving into a
new building some time in the fall. Plans for the building on
Josephine Street remain vague, although some thought has
been given to housing nursery facilities there.
AWAY FROM EVERYBODY ELSE, these three enjoy a comfortable reading session
They are Peter Hooftman, Connie Burke (day care worker) and -Michael Bird. They were
reading a book at the Wingham Day Care Centre
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