Clinton News Record, 2015-07-01, Page 2222 News Record • Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Village businesses get special visitors
Brenda Radford
Special to the News Record
Londesborough UCW
In July of 1921 approxi-
mately 100 people gathered
in Goderich for a one-week
retreat, the beginnings of the
Goderich Summer School.
Ed Lawson sold land just
north of the town off High-
way 21 to the Huron/Perth
Presbytery in 1933 for
$2,160. From 1947 to 1997
this parcel of land was used
for camping under the title
of Goderich Summer School.
Over the years since other
names have been associated
with the camping experi-
ences there: Camp Hiawa-
tha, Camp Minnehaha and
Camp Menesetung. Since
1997 the site has officially
been recognized as Camp
Menesetung.
Barb Knox has been chair
of the board for the camp for
14 -years and stopped by the
June 15 meeting of the
Londesborough UCW to talk
about Camp Menesetung
and answer questions.
Although there have been
many changes at the camp
since she joined the board
Barb thanked the UCWs and
Huron -Perth Presbytery for
their continuing support.
She noted that the presby-
tery donates $12,000 yearly to
the camp. But in order to stay
solvent, the camp hosts many
fundraisers during the year,
most on site: a pancake
breakfast, a Zehrs hot dog
sale day, a spaghetti & salad
supper and a turkey dinner.
Not only do these events raise
much-needed funds but they
serve to make the public
aware of the camp and to get
people on the grounds.
The camp is a public site
and groups other than the
camps organized by the
board use the site. It falls to
the members of the board
and many volunteers to
keep the grounds and build-
ings in good repair and safe
for everyone. Barb read an
overwhelming list of things
that need doing and a list of
the inspections that are
yearly, and in some cases
daily, occurrences.
The director for the camps
this year is Janelle Eeuwes
and along with assistant
director, Mary Ross, has
developed the program and
hired the counsellors. The
training for the counsellors is
extensive and involves CAS,
Community Living, first aid
training and WHMIS to name
only a few. Then they must be
familiar with all details in the
60 -page manual.
The success of the camp is
measured in part by the ful-
fillment of the board mission
to provide recreation and
learning in an outdoor set-
ting and to enhance the spir-
itual development of all.
However with the changes in
society today the demo-
graphics of camping has
changed and the board and
counsellors find it challeng-
ing to present that spiritual-
ity without overwhelming
the children. They try to
instill determination, trust
and faith in a higher power.
Mrs. Knox reminded the
ladies that the camp has a
bursary fund to assist fami-
lies who cannot afford to
send their children to camp,
be it day camp or a weeklong
experience.
The board, of course,
always has a wish or strategic
planning list. For 2015 it was
to have the pool repainted
and that has been accom-
plished along with a new pool
pump and pool house plumb-
ing repairs. An accessible
washroom is a future priority.
Barb ended a most inform-
ative time with the group by
reading a poem by Linda
Kish titled Jesus, a Camper.
Brenda Konarski, Joan
Howatt, Joan Goodall and
Margaret Wright lead the
evening's time of devotion
during which the group sang
the hymn It Only Takes a
Spark (to get a Fire Going).
The scripture reading was
Luke 6:37 - 40.
A poem, My Friend, was
read which talks about the
camping experience like the
various activities, the memo-
ries made, the laughter and
the friendships forged.
ET CETERA
Businesses in the village
had young, energetic and
well-behaved visitors last
week.
Mrs. Stanley's grade one
pupils were participating in
an elementary map study.
With the help of Mrs. Bos-
man the group toured a
number of sites, like the
church, the village as well as
the businesses and learned
of their significance.
Each year the walk takes a
different route as they walk
past the homes of children in
the class itself. At each stop
the children add a symbol to
their map of the village.
Radford's post office has
always been a stop on the
way and we all enjoyed their
visit. This year we had a sci-
ence surprise for them as
well. A big old turtle had
been touring the village for a
number of days looking for
the perfect spot to lay her
eggs. That morning she
arrived on our doorstep in a
large bin. We kept her for the
children to see and then
relocated her to the creek at
the edge of the village. It was
interesting to note she had
obviously suffered an injury
at some point, perhaps a
lawn mower blade had
nicked her shell.
Have you been sleeping
tight this week? Early beds
were made with a wooden
frame. Ropes were tied across
the frame in a criss-cross pat-
tern. A straw mattress was
then put on top of the ropes.
Over time the ropes stretched
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causing the bed and mattress
to sag. The owner would then
tighten the ropes for a better
night's sleep. Flipping the
mattress as our mothers
taught us to do would no
doubt be easier and not need
doing quite so often.
The other half of that
expression, don't let the bed-
bugs bite, most likely refers
to the fleas that might be
enjoying life in the straw.
Londesborough United
Church
Kyle Bauke Gerretsen
began his faith journey on
Sunday, June 21 at Londes-
borough United Church
when his parents Frank and
Karen (Bergsma) presented
him for Baptism. A large
number of relatives as well
as regular congregants were
on hand to witness the
event. Kyle was wearing the
christening dress all his
Bergsma uncles and aunts
had worn for their baptisms.
Darrell Bergsma was the
elder representative that
morning and Laura Scott pre-
sented Kyle and his parents
with the candle that repre-
sented a new light in God's
world and his first Bible. Fol-
lowing the act of Baptism,
Rev. Fletcher did a walkabout
with Kyle to introduce him to
the congregation.
Bergsma uncles and aunts
shared their gift of music by
singing an appropriate num-
ber, Go My Children with
Your Blessing. The senior
choir sang When We Sing to
the Lord.
In keeping with Father's Day,
Rev. Fletcher chose the scrip-
ture passages Proverbs 4:1-5
and John 8: 18 -19. The respon-
sive Psalm was Psalm 103.
Terry remarked in his
message that society consists
of many different roles and
no one is perfect. Ergo
fathers and mothers can
only strive to do their best
when rearing children. Being
present and caring set the
best examples for their chil-
dren while training and lov-
ing them. Parents can turn to
the guidelines offered by
God in the Bible. His words
guide parents and children
through life.
Terry ended his message
by reading When I Was.
These thoughts about Dad
by a son changed as the son
grew up.
During this Sunday's ser-
vice, June 28, Londesbor-
ough United will hold a Cov-
enanting Service for Rev.
Fletcher. Lunch and a time of
fellowship followed the ser-
vice. This was be the last
Sunday service until August.
The Londesborough congre-
gation will be on holidays
during the month of July.
The Ball's Cemetery Deco-
ration Service will be held on
Sunday, July 5 at 2 p.m. Rev.
Fletcher will be the speaker
and the Harbouraires of
Goderich will provide spe-
cial music.
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