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The Huron Expositor, 1980-08-07, Page 9. BY Pi* Ans The .United Ptates of Aineriew, West Branch Michigan in particular, was invaded by more than 100 crazy Canadians over the weekend, as that town hosted the third annual Sister city games. The large Contingent of Seaforth area athletes travelled to West Branch to competein a, wide variety of sports,stanging front basket- , ball and tastpitch to soccer and swimming. According to. Bryan 'Peter, Seaforth recreation'director, "all the kids lik0 it. The competi- tions werereally close for what we had." tough to put,together good teams_ when we're traveft ins -"dOwn there.: They've got the same probiem4hen they come up here.. They can't alvintys put togethera full team. We wonld've had a much better team if it(the games) had been ttp het'ee's Although Seaforth was often unable to field a top team in each sport, we did win in several events, includ- ing boys' Weer, giris volley- ball and the swimming mei. One of the,problems was that many of the local athletes who would have competed had the games been in Seaforth were unable to THE HURON EXI,OSI.TOR Intite the 'hip:* ',forfeits ressong. As Well, inanY Of those who did go to Michigan had teflay in several differ- ent sports, ,and as Mr. Peter says, "I think if we had had - enough guys for separate teams, we would llave done better." • But nobody is complaid- Everybodylkad a great time, as could Chsily be seen Monday morning when. the buses back to Seaforth were about to leave, and dozens of ettinetaa:wPre Iamb clicking off shots of new friends, 'Mani results will not be available until next week, but a large number of local athletes returned bOlne with first place medals and -second place ribbons, - Planning for next year's event, which will be heift here in Seaforth, will likely begin in February or- March. No majar changes ard scheduled, although an attempt will be made to k eep Sports ,from conflicting :with each other. r• There have also been -disousilotts AbOnt, the possibility of holding Minter game* daring the alai:41ms holidays, with activities such as hockey, broomball and curling. Nothing definite has been arranged for that yet, and Mr. Peter expects that the winter competitions may not become a reality for one or two years. SAYING GOODY -BYE — With many new acquaintances being made during the activities in West Branch last weekend, there were many people saying good-bye to new friends Monday morning. Here, Karen Laverty and Dianne Gridzak speak with a West Branch companion. A CLOSE ONE — Mary Anne Heymsbergert reechedf rst base just a split second before the ball, and was called safe by the umpire In ladies' sio-pitch action. ANOTHER RUN — After losing the first game of a two out of three ladies' slo-pitch series, the team came back to dominate the second match.. With the ball almost In the glove of West Branch's catcher, a Seaforth• player crosses home plate to score a run. TAKING A BREAK — Dennis Nielsen and Ed Feiss relax for a few minutes Monday morning beside a lake near West Branch, before starting out on the six hew drive back to Seaforth. The two were in Michigan for the sister city summer games iast weeitend. SAFE AT FIRST — Julie Twynharit easily Iliakes It to first base dug the second game of ladies slo-pitch In the sister city games Sunday. The local team lost the first game, won .the second, but went on to lose the final match in the bottom of the last inning. , Photos by Pbul Ellis L • " CAPTAIN CANADA — Alias Brian Ruston, Seaforth's own super -hero, spent much of the king Weekend urging local teams on to victory as part of the Seaforth-West Branch Sister City Games. -60Y CHECK — While one West Branch soccer player heeds for the ball, another makes sure that Seaforth's Don CroCker doesn't get close enough to gain control. te, rAA UP THE FLOOR — As Kathy Larone dribbles the ball up the court, she Is acc.ompanied by a Welitillanch player and Susan Nigh in the ladles' basketball competition. The Seaforth squad was defeated in two straight games by the West Branch girls. Recreation isn't the only answer Continued from page 1 publicity. "If people really. want more recreation," said Mr. Peter, "they have to be prepared to pay the increase in taxes or volunteer their time." tn Seaforth, volunteering for activities is ' not a shared responsibility. Some parents, he said, beeome involved with everything and other don't get involved at all. "With any organization involving volunteert, they tend to over -work those they have, discouraging them from continuing to give up their time." Mr. Peter suggested more people get out on their own initiative and play tennis or jog a few blocks: .,`People think everything should be 'plittined for them," he said. "Some things shnuld be up to the individual." . Par those'who have ideas hitt are not sure how to develop them, Mr. Peter said he is wilting to discuss organizing new programs if enough people show an interest. "If the kids want something to do. to be bwolved in activities or to develop some- thing constrictive, they just have to get five or six others together and corhe and talk to 'ine. try to help them set something up." "the goal of recreation," he added, "is to get the public involved and to come to me with their suggestions. My door is always open, my phone is always here." Although Mr. Petet cited no lack of activities, several Seaforth teenagers expressed different views. "Why drink?" said one 18 -year-old high 4 „ school student. "What other choices do we have?" "Why drink in the car?" she added. "Because we are looking for something to Out of the small group of 17-19 year olds interested in discussing the drinking and driving issue, a great majority agreed that - organizaaons like the Junior Farmers are worthwhile and are inherent to die interests of Seaforth teenagers. So why drink and drive? FAREN'TS DON'T UNDERSTAND "Parents aren't understanding enough to let kids drink in the house." "Driving around you find people and they tell You about dances and things." "A lot of kids use it to get back at their parents and it becomes a release. an answer to their problernse." "Before I got -my liCence I .was unhappy and depressed, I couldn't go anywhere or do anything." "Most kids just can't handle staying in on a weekend and sitting around watching television. But if they're not old enough to go to the hotels, what else can they do at night? "Parents have to teach their kids to survive Ind drinking is a part of survival." "If we could find something eiii"to do that was interesting and fun, that wasn't enhanced by alcohol, we would do it." Dokyou feel pressured to drift' k? "Tbere is no pressure to drink, because everyone drinks.