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The Citizen, 2018-6-7, Page 12PAGE 12.THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2018. OPP, MADD to host impairment awareness event By Denny Scott The Citizen On June 19 Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) Huron - Bruce and the Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are hosting an evening focused on impairment by marijuana and other drugs. Originally, the event started with a focus on the imminent legalization of marijuana, however, due to the many questions that still exist around pending legalization legislation, the guest speakers, all OPP officers, are taking a slightly broader view with the meeting. The event is scheduled for June 19 at 8 p.m. at the Emergency Services Training Centre (ESTC) located at 40193 Blyth Road. New duds The Brussels Optimists and Brussels Tigers Fastball Club made sizable donations to local minor baseball teams last year to help buy new jerseys. The donations were made at the annual Brussels Ball Day and, at this year's Brussels Ball Day, the results of the donations, jerseys and equipment, were plainly visible. Back row, from left: Brussels Tigers, Brussels Optimists and Brussels Minor Baseball representative Shawn Daw, Optimist Shawn Jacklin and Tigers Jene Johnston and James Hickling. In the front row are Ally Riegling, left, and Lola Johnston of the Brussels Squirt Girls team. (Hannah Dickie photo) MADD Huron/Bruce Chapter President Barb Rintoul said the event is open to everyone. "Marijuana is going to become legal in Huron County and the rest of the country and MADD Huron/Bruce... has decided to take drugs under our mandate as part of impairment," Rintoul said. Rintoul explained that OPP Constable Russell Nesbitt, a member of the MADD board, contacted OPP officers to speak at the event. He has lined up Detective Constables Max Millar and Lindsey McLaughlin of the Huron County Street Crime Team and Police Constable Scott Mead, a specially - trained Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE). Rintoul said that having the ability to recognize someone impaired by drugs is an important skill to have these days. "Alcohol impairment is still important to recognize, but what drugs do to our young people may not be understood by everyone," she said. "We're hoping to bring out a general group of people, from teenagers who are driving to older people, to help people recognize the signs of drug impairment." Nesbitt said that, due to the ongoing development of legalization legislation, officers would not be discussing the legal sale and use of marijuana, but instead focusing on the impairing effects of drugs, both legal and illegal. "Until legalization is law, there isn't a lot we're prepared to commit to," Nesbitt said. The presentations will be more in line with the officers' experiences, Nesbitt said. "We'll look at street drugs, trends, experiences through warrant and intelligence. Everything will be for public consumption," he explained. Nesbitt said that DRE Mead will be able to walk the audience through a drug impairment arrest, and explain what happens to someone impaired by drugs. "He will look at who he is going to speak to, walk through that process, as well as evidence collection, outcome and penalties," he said. Nesbitt echoed Rintoul's comments that the event is for anyone with an interest or curiosity about the impacts and signs of drug impairment. That includes people looking for impairment in public, but looking closer to home as well. "It will give people an idea about what to look for," he said. "If someone has loved ones involved in drugs, we will be able to provide a level of awareness there." He said that until marijuana dispensaries are legal there isn't much the OPP can talk about in regards to them, though he said he expects that some will be established in Huron County once legalization is law. "The biggest thing with this is it's all suggestive at this point," he said. "Nothing is firm, including the government and policing of it. We still don't have any concrete answers." For more information, contact MADD through Facebook or at 519- 357-4552. FACTS to host natural dyeing class in September Blyth's natural palette Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston will be turning to the colours of Blyth's native flora for one day of her two-day natural dyeing program set for later this year. Triemstra-Johnston explained to The Citizen that the area is rich in colourful, natural dyes, as shown above. (Photos submitted) By Denny Scott The Citizen Jennifer Triemstra-Johnston has finalized her next class through the Fashion Arts and Creative Textiles Studio (FACTS) program which will focus on natural dyeing. The program will run Sept. 15 and 16 at the Blyth Lions Park pavilion and each day will focus on different aspects of natural dyeing. On Saturday, the class will be focusing on the dye garden that Triemstra-Johnston has put outside her home, which is directly across the road from Blyth Lions Park. "We're going to focus on horticulture," she said. "We will look at the different plants available and how to make a dye garden and what plants provide which colours." Triemstra-Johnston said the class will also allow experiments through dyeing with mordants, a substance used to set dyes on fabrics. "We will learn to work with mordants and see what different colours they can produce when matched with natural dyes." Sunday will focus on discovering the natural dye palette of Blyth. "This will be a foraging class," she said. "It's very neat that every area has its own unique palette of colours that can be found through natural dyeing processes." Triemstra-Johnston explained that plants in and around Blyth, including those on the Goderich-to- Guelph Rail Trail (G2G), will be the focus of the class. "Blyth will have specific colours and they will be different from, say, Calgary that has different soil and a different climate," she said. Some of the plants that will provide unique colours include walnuts, elderberry and goldenrod, allowing for some interesting dyeing projects, according to Triemstra- Johnston. Local restaurants will also be asked to provide food waste for the event, as Triemstra-Johnston said some great colours can be found there. "Pieces of onions and carrot tops, for example, provide great dye colours," she said. The programs run 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and registration is limited to 20 spots. Individuals can reserve a spot prior to registration by finding FACTS on Facebook or e -mailing Triemstra-Johnston at jtjcostume @ gmail.com Wool for the days will be provided by Steele Wool, a local wool farm near Blyth. Part II Bistro will be providing a picnic lunch. The class is being made available through a co -investment between the FACTS program and Blyth Destination Development Partnership. Are you tired of getting a second-hand newspaper? Be first in line and get your own subscription! One year subscription to The Citizen $3800 only Enclosed is $38.00 for a 1 -year subscription Name Address Town Postal Code On-line subscriptions available too at www.northhuron.on.ca Mail cheque & coupon to: P.O. Box 429, P.O. Box 152, Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Brussels, ON NOG 1H0