ADVICE FROM MOM P.11 - KEEPING THE PEACE P.11 - LIVING IN BALANCE P.13 - EYE FOR DESIGN P.13 - TO DO LIST P. 15

Vol. 2, No. 15 Jan. 15 to Feb. 11, 2009AWARD WINNING JOURNALISM FROM GRAND BEND

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PUT ME IN, COACHPUT ME IN, COACHHow our man in Washington created a sports media frenzy and almost tied an NHL record in the process - p. 2How our man in Washington created a sports media frenzy and almost tied an NHL record in the process - p. 2

PLUS: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT ZURICH’S VERSION OF THE NHL, WORLD RELIGION DAY, PLUS: AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT ZURICH’S VERSION OF THE NHL, WORLD RELIGION DAY, JOSY BRITTON, AND THE 2009 GRAND BEND WINTER CARNIVAL EVENTS GUIDEJOSY BRITTON, AND THE 2009 GRAND BEND WINTER CARNIVAL EVENTS GUIDE

COVER PHOTO BY MITCHELL LAYTON/WASHINGTON CAPITALSCOVER PHOTO BY MITCHELL LAYTON/WASHINGTON CAPITALS

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2 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.com

Our boy almost played in the big leagueTh e ultimate benchwarmer, Brett Leonhardt of Grand Bend lived a dream and almost became tallest NHL goalie

rely on us for our video work. Whenever there’s an event, I cover it with video; our team writer is my boss and I try to include him as a personality in my videos so he is with us in this transition from the written word to video.

Special qualifi cationsWhen I got the job, the sports information

director at Oswego knew a guy named Nate, the director of media relations here. They went to school together and Nate told him that he had a guy from Oswego who had just gotten a job here. “What’s his name?” “Brett Leonhardt.” “Oh, he’s a good kid, a good goalie.”

Nate was talking to our goalie coach and told him that a college goalie had just got a job if he ever needed anyone for practice, but he was just joking around.

That’s when Olaf Kolzig, who was our goalie last year, started taking morning skates off; he was older and felt more energized when he didn’t skate the morning of a game. So last year, the goalie coach came up to me and asked if I wanted to go home and get my gear to practice with the team. I was floored. It happened once every few weeks and rolled into this season.

It was crazy (facing NHL players). It was a huge jump. They shoot so hard and so accu-rate. The skating and shooting, everything is so fast. Everyone is so big and so good. You

naturally just find a way to play better, so I started making saves and did what I knew what to do, and started to fit right in.

The fateful weekBrent Johnson was a little sore after a game,

and our coach was asked in a post-game press conference, “Johnson looked a little sore; what are you going to do?” He was like, “I’ll give him the day off. Our practice goalie is right beside you,” and they all looked at me and had a chuckle. That was Wednesday night.

Friday morning, the goalie coach called me in my cubicle and said our other goalie, Jose Theodore had been nursing an injury, and that I should come down and take some shots. I knew something was up but they wouldn’t tell me. I ran down, and they still had my equipment from the day before, so I suited up two practices in a row.

I showered and went back to work, edit-ing the video of what the coach had to say at practice. The general manager, George McPhee, came up and put his arm around me and told me they were calling up a goalie, Simeon Varlamov. “Theodore cannot dress and cannot play, and the backup might not get here in time. Make sure your equipment’s ready because you might have to dress.”

I had to sign a one-day emergency tryout contract and fax it to the league. At 3:30 they called to tell me that Varlamov couldn’t get

here until just after 7:00 and I would have to be on the bench for warmup and for maybe the whole first period.

No. 80When they have rookie camp every year,

they make a jersey for everyone there. On the depth chart of the team, I guess I was the 80th guy, so they made me number 80. When I got there at 5 o’clock, I went back into the trainer’s room to get some socks because I only had dress socks on, and I there was the trainer sewing the letters into the back of my jersey. That was pretty cool.

Warmup was the thing I was most nervous about. People are watching to see if you’ll make saves, and you’re skating around seeing Spezza and Alfredsson across the red line. I just did my thing from college, recreating my routine like where I stretch on the ice. I just tried to stop everything and look like I belonged. It was pretty cool. It’s so bright out there and to have an NHL jersey with your name on the back is pretty incredible. It was one of the greatest moments of my life.

Game timeI had a pretty good warmup and coming

back out to the bench, it was dark with no lights on. The fans were going nuts. Sitting there on the bench, it just felt like college again. You hear the guys talking, like “I need tape; my skates aren’t sharp.” The coaches saying, “Come on, let ’s go.” I was on the bench when we scored a goal so the guys came down the bench giving high fives and they treated me like I was one of them.

I later found out that Ottawa knew what was going on because we had three goalies on the lineup when you’re only allowed two. I wasn’t too sure how they were going to take it. Johnson would make a crazy save from outside, and Alfreddson would come in way after the whistle and bump into him. It start-ed a couple of scrimmages and there were two goaltending interference calls. People were trying to say that it was something to do with me, but I just think there was some bad blood between the teams from previous games. During warmup, no one looked at me or stared at me; they just acted as if it was business as usual.

People asked me if I was nervous when that was happening, and I can’t lie; I defi-nitely was. I knew Johnson was sore earlier in the week, but he looked good in warmup.

At around the 10:00 mark, Simeon Varlamov arrived; it was the first NHL game that he dressed for, too, and he was a first round draft pick. He walked down the tunnel and the trainer hit me and we just switched positions. I was a bit relieved because these guys are professional athletes and I’d been out of the game for more than a year. I’m not saying that I didn’t deserve to be there or belong there, but it was definitely right to see an NHL player replace me.

The son of “Hardt of Huron” bed and break-fast owners Brian and Karen Leonhardt, Brett Leonhardt moved to the United States after receiving a hockey scholarship at NCAA Division III SUNY Oswego in upstate New York, where he majored in communications and media arts. His background made him the perfect candidate when the Washington Capitals made a push to improve their web presence last season. Now living in Washington, DC with his girl-friend Logan Kapinus, Brett Leonhardt made international headlines December 12 when his job put him in the right place at the right time.

As told to Casey Lessard

My parents got me into Learn to Skate when I was four years old, and I started play-ing tyke hockey when I was five. At six or seven I started liking goaltending. My older brother was a goaltender so it was natural for me to want to do it and I never looked back.

I was invited to Kitchener Rangers camp, and I was there two or three weeks and it was down to three goalies. I played in an exhibition game, and that year they had two goalies that were drafted higher than me, so I just went down and played Junior ‘B’ in Cambridge and kept my college eligibility.

Getting a scholarship was a goal of mine. I did well in high school and was definitely going to university afterward. I applied to Laurier, Waterloo, and U of T, but if I didn’t get a scholarship I was definitely going to go to university in Canada.

I got a scholarship to SUNY Oswego, and after two years transferred to Neumann College near Philadelphia, about two hours from Washington. My girlfriend graduated the year before I did and took a job in D.C., so when I graduated, I looked for a job here in Washington. I called the Capitals, and from what I did in college and my résumé, the perfect job opened up. I went for two interviews and got the job.

Dream jobThere are two things I love doing. One is

video and film, and the other is hockey. Not only at college, but after graduation, to be able to have the job I have is a dream come true.

A lot of people forget that there a lot of people behind the scenes that keep every-thing going in the office other than what’s on the ice. You take away the fact that there is a pro hockey team playing, and it’s run just like any corporation. There are so many different departments: sales, marketing, and commu-nications, which is on the rise right now. I do most of the video on the website and that’s something the NHL started last season. That was when my job opened up.

Our owner was one of the founders of AOL (America Online), and everyone tells us that we have the best website in the league. We track our views and people are starting to

Strip VIPs

Washington Capitals web producer Brett Leonhardt of Grand Bend warms up December 12 before joining

the team on the bench for ten minutes of their game against Ottawa. Had he faced game action, Brian and

Karen Leonhardt’s 6’7” son would have tied the record for tallest NHL goalie. Photo by Mitchell Layton.

Strip VIPshttp://www.GrandBendStrip.com Thursday, January 15, 2009 • 3

Brett Leonhardt’s family got Washington Capitals jerseys for Christmas. Here, his girlfriend Logan, mom Karen, nephew Bryce and dad Brian model theirs when Washington hosted and beat Toronto 4-1 December 28.

Post-game The local cable network always does one

interview during the break, so when I came back into the room, they grabbed me and did an interview there. The VP of communica-tions said to me, “You’re not going to believe this, but you’re the top story on ESPN, TSN, and SportsNet, so be ready when your equip-ment is off.”

I got showered and put my suit on. Usually I do a lot of pre-game and post-game videos, but during the game I sit in the press box and watch so I know what to ask after the game. I went to the press box and our media relations officer said, “Everyone wants to talk to you. Let’s do one big scrum.” I did a quick inter-view with our radio guy and did the scrum. It

was pretty crazy.Everyone had the story: our local NBC,

Fox, and I even saw it on ESPN and CNN Headline News the next day. (Sports Illustrated later ran a brief on his appear-ance.) I never thought it would be this big.

Perfect stormWe always joked that for this to ever hap-

pen, we’d have to have the perfect storm. A guy would have to get hurt the day of the game, and both of our farm teams, Hershey and South Carolina, would have to be in the middle of nowhere on the road in a small market. We always joked that someday it might happen.

My parents are just floored. My dad was

pretty happy when he found out that I got to practice with the team, so he couldn’t believe it. They were speechless. That’s the first time in my life I’ve seen them like that.

I got all these emails and letters mailed into the office, like “You’re my hero,” and “You give regular guys a chance.” Around the rink I’ve seen three or four of my jerseys on people I don’t even know. I made sure my family all got one for Christmas for sure.

I love being around the sport every day. No one likes getting up Monday morning and going to work. It’s my dream job. I wouldn’t change it for anything. No matter how many days in a row you work or how many nights you’re out late after a game working, the next

day it’s right back to hockey. I can look out of my office, and there’s Alex Ovechkin skating on the ice. I just love that I’m doing some-thing that I’ve been passionate about since I’ve was so young.

Grand Bend holds a special place in Leonhardt’s heart. Growing up, the family spent summers here, and now that the Leonhardts are based in St. Joseph, Brett visits when he comes home. “I still have my membership at the Grand Bend Fitness Centre and I’d always work out there. Every time I come home, it’s Tim Horton’s, the gym and Sea Jewels. Our whole apartment in D.C. is decked out in Sea Jewels stuff.” He says he and Logan would like to move back to the area when they retire.

Brett Leonhardt prepares to warm up. Photo by Mitchell Layton/Washington Capitals. Leonhardt and his girlfriend Logan Kapinus hope to retire in Grand Bend. Photo courtesy Brett Leonhardt.

Strip VIPs4 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.com

Hockey Night in ZurichDraft makes beer league thrive“112 leagues below the NHL”Story and Photos by Casey Lessard

It doesn’t draw the crowds like Toronto or Detroit, but the Zurich Recreational Hockey League, or ZRHL, certainly draws the play-ers.

“We have a waiting list of sometimes 20 players waiting to get in,” says convener Jason Schilbe. “We have guys coming from London, Clinton, St. Marys, Exeter.”

The league draws them in because they know they have a chance to win in any given year. Unique to beer leagues in the area, the ZRHL operates a draft every year where two captains from each of eight teams pick players from the pool. No two years are identical, and that keeps everyone on their toes.

“The draft means you’re with different guys every year,” says Jamie Rader of Zurich. “Any team can win on a given night. Seems to work well.”

The draft has helped Zurich’s league stay alive while others have faltered.

“A couple leagues in Exeter tried it where you picked your own team,” Schilbe says. “The same team won every year so it faded out. This league has been around for 52 years, I think.”

The league started after the junior team left town, leaving young men with nowhere to play. It started out with two teams and now has eight.

“The idea is to pick a goalie first,” he says, explaining how to succeed as a captain. “If you have a good goalie, you’re all set, so usually the goalies go first.”

One other twist was introduced a couple of years ago when the NHL did the same: shootouts to resolve ties.

“You always have a winner,” Schilbe says. “When the NHL went to it, everyone saw it and liked the idea.”

Varna’s Mark Buruma is impressed with his experience. This is his second year playing in ZRHL.

“It’s probably the most organized rec league around,” he says. “It’s all about the beer. This is a beer league.”

Brent Durand of Zurich concurs.“I’m a lifer. Love of the game and playing

with friends. Plus the arena’s beside the beer store.”

Then there’s the allure of winning it all in the league self-described as 112 leagues below the NHL.

“I actually scored the overtime goal to clinch the championship one year,” says Bryan Denomme of Exeter. “We went undefeated that season.”

Nevin Hodgins, a five-year veteran, hasn’t been so lucky.

“I haven’t. This could be the year. It would be the dream of a lifetime.”

Playoffs start this week with the Devils and Bruins leading their respective divisions.

“Playoffs are best of five, so each team is guaranteed two rounds,” Schilbe says. “The season runs 17 regular season games, and up to 15 playoff games. It’s a long season.”

Almost as long as the NHL’s.

For game times or more information, visit http://www.zrhl.com.

Mark Buruma of Varna has some downtime during an intermission.

Chris Gingerich can’t stop Bryan Denomme of Exeter, who comes in to score.

Brent Durand of Zurich has been

playing in the league f ive years.

“I’m a lifer,” he says.

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http://www.GrandBendStrip.com Thursday, January 15, 2009 • 5

Chad Ramer of Zurich tries to get the puck into the Bruins end. The North Stars were trailing 4-1 and pulled out a 5-4 win with moments remaining.

“It was a Team Canada comeback,” said Jamie Ramer. “Anyone can win on any given night,” he said. The draft “makes it more even.”

Two of Varna resident Ralph Stephenson’s grandsons play in the league. He was out to see them playing

against each other. “When I played,” he says, “it was open air. That’s going back to the late 30s, early 40s.”

The action is pretty quick in the Zurich Recreational Hockey League. Players come from various towns,

including London, St. Marys, Clinton and Exeter, to play in the league’s eight team draft system.

6 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.comStrip VIPs

Above: Zurich’s Chris

Gingerich controls the

puck away from Kris

McKinnon

Above: Convener

Jason Schilbe

discusses a rare

shootout.

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http://www.GrandBendStrip.com Thursday, January 15, 2009 • 7Strip VIPs

Lance Weiss of Hensall plays for the Blues.

Arena staff member Melvin Jewell cleans the ice between periods.

Jeremy Scherle and Bob Stephenson of Clinton leave after a long night. Their Devils, for which Scherle is the goalie, head into the playoffs at

number one overall. Games start this week at the Zurich arena; schedules are available at http://www.zrhl.com

8 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.comStrip Feature

Inspired by life in the woods

Grand Bend artist Josy Britton was recently honoured with entry into the Society of Canadian Artists. For each submission, the society’s jury looks at f ive paintings made within the last two years, examines the artist’s résumé and determines which would be a good representative of current art in Canada.

At told to Casey Lessard

We lived in Freelton and had 10 acres of maple trees. Gord’s work got transferred to Sarnia, and we were looking for a place there. Then Gord worked at the Bruce nuclear sta-tion and had to drive to his office in Sarnia. He had to pass through Grand Bend, and knew I had camped for years at the Pinery, so he timed how long it took to get from here to Sarnia.

He blindfolded me and brought me to what I thought was one of the houses in Sarnia. We stopped here on this lot and took off the blindfold with me looking up, and all I could see was this canopy of trees. He said, “Could you be happy here?” That’s how we ended up living here.

I have to live in a forest because I like feel-ing like I’m part of nature, and I think people can live in harmony with nature. I love every day looking outside when I wake up and see-ing what kind of day it is.

Right now I’m working on a series of water paintings. I find it an exciting subject because water doesn’t stay still. The movement is fun to create.

My calling is to paint and I find it really easy to paint, but the other part of being an artist is the promotional part, which doesn’t come naturally to me. I’ve had shows in Toronto, but I don’t have a gallery that represents me there. I think the next time I approach galleries, this will help give legiti-macy to my request.

My long-term goal is to have work in the National Gallery or the Art Gallery of Ontario. This is a vote of confidence from my peers that my work deserves to be there. That’s what I’m hoping.

Paintings by Josy Brittonhttp://www.josybritton.comEmail: josy@josybritton.com

http://www.societyofcanadianartists.com

Trinity, Josy Britton

Watercolour on Yupo

http://www.GrandBendStrip.com Thursday, January 15, 2009 • 9Strip Feature

Gentle Waves, Josy Britton

Oil on canvas

Autumn Tango, Josy Britton

Oil

Ripples, Josy Britton

Watercolour on Yupo

Strip Thoughts10 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.com

We love letters!mail@grandbendstrip.com

View from

the StripBy Casey Lessard

Grand Bend StripP.O. Box 218

Grand Bend, OntarioN0M 1T0CANADA

Phone: (519) 614-3614Fax: 1 (866) 753-2781

mail@grandbendstrip.comhttp://www.grandbendstrip.com

Publisher/Editor: Casey LessardAdvertising Sales: Casey LessardChief Photographer: Casey Lessard

Distribution: Joan McCullough, Rita Lessard and Casey Lessard

Contributors:

Tom Lessard - my dadRita Lessard - my momAnjhela Michielsen - social justiceJenipher Appleton - nature/birdingLance Crossley - national affairsLorette Mawson - interior designJames Eddington - fine dining

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It’s going to be an exciting month, even though it’s already half over. January will see the changing of the guard in Washington, and possibly in Ottawa, too. While the former is much more of a guarantee than the latter, it’ll certainly be interesting to watch history unfold in both cities.

Some of my students are heading to Washington for Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, and I have to admit that I’m jealous. While it’s unlikely they’ll get to see anything among the crowd, being present for an historic moment like that is unforgettable. I was shocked when none of them wanted to go to Chicago for election night; when I was a journalism student, everyone wanted to go to protests and anything else of such interest just to be there and be part of history. Something as big as Obama’s win will rarely be repeated in our lifetime.

Then there’s Ottawa, where things have

certainly changed since our last issue. With Michael Ignatieff in charge of the Liberals, the party now has more support than the Conservatives, according to a Nanos poll conducted last week. Will Stephen Harper have the courage to bring his own govern-ment down with more maneuvering, or will he try to hold on to power and resist forcing Ignatieff ’s hand? Interesting times indeed.

Here at home, the annual winter carnival is coming next month, and I hope to see you out at the community events. It’s been a tough, cold winter and we need something to loosen up our backs from shoveling.

I realize this is not the place to advertise, but I’ve been keeping busy working on a new project (above and beyond the paper and school). I’d love for you to visit my new blog, casey365.com if you have a chance. Comments are appreciated! See you soon.

Winds of change

Alternative

ViewBy Lance Crossley

It can get confusing listening to the vari-ous media pundits and experts talk about what’s wrong with the economy. You hear a lot of talk about “subprime loans”, the “credit crunch”, and “market confidence”. All this is true, but for me, there is no clearer illustration of what ails the economy than this startling fact: On the morning of January 2, at precise-ly 9:04 a.m., the country’s highest paid 100 CEOs had already earned what the average Canadian earns in an entire year.

That means that before these CEOs had barely recovered from their New Year’s hang-over, they had “earned” $40,237. This shocking fact was recently published by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, which analyzed the earnings of Canada’s best-paid CEOs for 2007. The study’s author, Hugh MacKenzie, puts it like this:

“If you made what most would consider a substantial salary – say, the $100,000 a year that gets you on the so-called ‘sunshine list’ in some provinces – the highest paid 100 CEOs would have pocketed your annual earning by the end of lunch hour on January 5.”

This perverse gap between the rich and poor is one reason it is going to be very difficult to get out of this deepening recession. In the last five years, hundreds of thousands of well-pay-ing manufacturing jobs have evaporated into thin air. Workers are left to scrounge for low-paying jobs, which doesn’t help in a country where not a single province has a minimum wage even close to the poverty line. In fact, Canada has the second highest percentage of low-paid workers in the developed world.

(Only the United States is worse).Meanwhile, household debt in Canada is

at a record high; as the recession worsens, a lot of Canadians simply won’t be able to keep up. Those relying on their home equity to bail them out of debt are in trouble too, as the Bank of Canada says that “a severe economic downturn could result in a substantial increase in default rates on household debt.” In other words, brace yourself for a housing crisis of our own.

In the last 30 years corporate profits have soared while workers’ wages in real dollars have either stagnated or declined. According to Canadian Business magazine, the country’s 46 billionaires are worth more than the total assets of the bottom 14 million Canadians. This ever-widening gap is finally catching up to the greedy few at the top. Why? Because no one has any money to buy the things they’re selling.

In 1914, Henry Ford announced he would pay his employees five dollars a day for their work. This was unheard of at the time, as most industrial workers were only making 11 dollars a week. He did so because he wanted his workers to be able to buy his cars. He real-ized that if citizens don’t get a fair share of the pie, then the economy cannot grow because capitalism relies on people buying things.

Ford’s philosophy helped build North America into an economic giant. Now the giant has grown top-heavy. Unfortunately, it’s the ones on the bottom who are going to suf-fer when it falls.

What’s really wrong with the economy

Partners in Learning, which is launching a new session this month (see p 13), has a new spin-off group that is planning to show feature films once a month. The group, called Sunset Cinema, will air its first film, Big Fish, January 22 at 7 p.m. at the Grand Bend CHC. Future films will show the first Thursday of each month from September to May.

Jane St. Laurent, Jackie Southcott and Dinah Taylor are the current film selection committee, and have only decided on the first film but are already planning for the future.

“We’re hoping to show films that are not readily available in our community,” Taylor says. “We get a lot of the blockbusters in London, but there are a lot of others that never get here. We’re looking at films from

the last 10 years and hopefully newer ones.”The group has no budget, and can’t charge

admission; donations are welcome to help afford movies that incur a cost.

While there is no specific theme to the programming, the group is leaning away from overtly violent or sexual films, but 14A-rated films such as Paul Haggis’ Crash are being considered. The group wants films to gener-ate discussion, which will take place after the films for those who wish to stay; the discus-sions are optional as the film presentations are also intended for entertainment purposes.

For more information about the films, watch for posters or call Dinah Taylor at 519-238-1114.

Partners launches fi lm group

Strip Thoughtshttp://www.GrandBendStrip.com Thursday, January 15, 2009 • 11

Advice

from MomBy Rita Lessard

I was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1937, the seventh child. I had three brothers and three sisters.

My mother was very handy with the sew-ing machine and needle and thread. She would get hold of Maple Leaf flour bags, take the stitching out, bleach the bags and then join them and make pillow cases, sheets, underwear and curtains. A lot of the time, the bleaching wouldn’t remove all the wording, so the shorts would have the Maple Leaf logo still visible.

My father was a tool and die maker and a part-time car racer at Detroit and Port Huron tracks. He built a house on Riberdy Road, out by the airport in Sandwich East. It was a two-storey building with a semi-detached garage and a good-sized Victory garden.

Everyone was urged to have their own gar-den during the war. In the summer, as the crops ripened, I’d take a salt shaker and start at one end of the cucumber row, pick a cuke, wipe off the prickers and eat and eat until I was full. When the tomatoes were ready, I’d take on the task of wiping them on my pants or shirt, lick them, add salt and enjoy the taste of fresh vegetables. My sister dug into the onions, which she loved and I didn’t.

Wartime meant rationing. Every family or eligible person received a ration book and coupons with which to purchase meat, but-ter, gasoline, tires, etc. Every Sunday, my dad would have his bacon and eggs for break-fast. If we were lucky, we’d get the drippings, in which we’d fry bread. It was a real treat. Butter was in very short supply so we’d use lard on our bread. My grandfather, who had a house across the street, would invite one or two of us over for breakfast. It consisted of porridge with ice cream on it. Mmm good.

In the back of our property, there was a huge farm owned by the Walker family, on which they grew acres and acres of cattle corn. When the corn was still edible, we’d pick a few dozen and set up a table on Walker

Windsor’s good eats

Road (the main street leading to downtown Windsor) and sell it. We’d tell everyone that it was Golden Bantam corn. I understand that one of our customers was Mr. Walker himself.

When there was no corn in the fields, we were able to witness the coming and going of military aircraft of all shapes and sizes either in training or heading to the war zones. Once in a while the “air raid” sirens would go off and we’d have to pull all the blinds down and turn off all unnecessary lights until the “all clear” sounded.

Our home was about five miles from the Detroit river, where there was a 30-foot div-ing tower and a beach. I remember my oldest sister telling me about the time she and my second oldest brother had 26¢ between them to get there and back and to have a treat. The bus to the beach cost 5¢ each to get there, and 5¢ each to get back. That left a nickel for popcorn.

When they reached their destination and were walking out to the pier, a lifeguard stopped them and asked where they thought they were going. “To the diving tower,” they replied. He pointed to a spot in the river and told them that if they could swim there and back, they could go to the diving tower. They were about 10 and eight years old at the time.

Well, they were good swimmers and had no trouble completing the task, so he allowed them to continue to the tower. When it was time to go home, instead of taking the bus they spent the fare on food and walked the five miles home. It was late when they arrived and my worried parents asked why they were so late. They replied, “You always tell us to take our time getting home.”

To the Crediton Community Centre com-mittee: Thanks for all the work you’ve done and for a great effort in raising the money required to renovate the hall!

Jim: Hope you get well soon!

Keeping

the PeaceBy Tom Lessard, C.D.

Finally, the old year of 2008 is gone and we welcome in the New Year of 2009. I certainly hope the old year was pleasant enough for everyone and hopefully 2009 will bring much happiness. As we all realize with every pass-ing year that we are getting older, it seems at times things don’t really change.

For instance, with clothing, history has a way of repeating itself. I remember years ago when my kids were young and I was a stay-at-home mom, I didn’t get out of my pyjamas until at least nine o’clock in the morning. As a matter of fact, after the kids went off to school I would scoot over to my friend Joanne’s place for tea, stay a while, and didn’t get dressed until I was ready to do my house-work. Looking back on this habit I can appre-ciate it when the young people stay in their pyjamas all day; they even go to school, do their shopping and all their other fun activi-ties dressed this way. I must admit I was never that bold, but one has to give the kids credit; they don’t seem to worry how they dress, whatever is the fashion: pyjamas, low rise pants, pretty underwear and short- or half-shirts. I really do worry about their cheeks and backs being exposed to the elements.

Like I say, times don’t really change that

Casual dress code

much. I recall my mother harping on me about always dressing warmly and she was always going on about wearing a hat in the winter time. As she said, heat rises so if you wore a hat, you certainly wouldn’t be cold. When I thought about it I decided to say to her, “So ma, if I wear a hat I could go out without my pants and I’d be perfectly fine.” Not so. I got a good clout for that comment. Kids, I recommend you get those hats on, especially if you don’t cover the rest of your assets.

I also worry about the cats and dogs out in the cold of winter. At this time of year, cats like to snuggle up in a warm place such as a car engine. You might save a cat’s life by honking your horn before starting your car.

My friend Tanya was concerned with her cat’s hair balls; someone told me if she added a teaspoon of vegetable oil to her cat’s daily meal, this would help prevent the situation.

Happy birthday Michael Lessard on January 24.

P.S. I apologize to Mae and Bill Brennan, who last week were forced to witness me put-ting my garbage out in my pyjamas. Force of habit. All the best in the New Year.

Happy New Year! Say hello if you see me at the Grand Bend Winter Carnival!

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12 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.comStrip Events

Renowned hoop dancer headlines World Religion DayWorld Religion DaySUNDAY, JANUARY 18

to p.m. – Grand Bend LegionFeaturing Lakota hoop dancer Kevin

Locke and the London Unity Choir. Clergy of local churches will offer readings and prayers for world peace. Refreshments served. Everyone welcome.

Gord and Josy Britton wouldn’t miss World Religion Day for anything. Currently in Ethiopia singing with Van Gilmer’s Bahá’í House of Worship Gospel Choir, the Brittons will return home just in time to celebrate the event’s fifth year in Grand Bend.

“Every year we’ve had participation from the Grand Bend United Church, the Anglican church, the Catholic church, the Presbyterian church in St. Joseph, a n d t h e U n i t e d church in Dashwood,” says Josy. “We’ve had representatives of the Muslim and Jewish communi t i e s . To cover other religions, we’ve had to invite people from outside the area. The last two years we’ve had the princess from Kettle Point come and do a native prayer.”

This year, orga-n iz e r s a re e spe-cially proud to have Amer ican Lakota hoop dancer Kevin Locke as the guest of honour.

“He’s an amazing individual,” Gord says. “He has such skill. His hoop dancing is unbe-lievable. What adds to its beauty is its sym-bolism.”

“His hoops are in four colours: black, white, red and yellow,” Josy adds. “They represent the four races, four directions, four winds. He uses 28 hoops to show all sorts of sym-bols of renewal. He makes them into birds, butterflies, eagles, sun, moon, and stars. He shows changing seasons through the dance. He shows that everyone is each other’s broth-er and there can be unity.”

Promoting unity is the main goal of the event, an initiative of the Bahá’í faith. The Brittons are members of this faith, and one of its principles is to build a peaceful world through the unity of mankind.

“We have to start understanding and cel-ebrating our diversity,” Gord says, “and World Religion Day promotes that unity in diversity.

All these faiths and non-faith groups come together to celebrate in unity.

“All of these religions share a golden rule, stated in different ways. Live together, respect each other and treat your neighbour as your-self. You don’t bomb your brother if you believe the world is one country and we are one human race.”

The Brittons faced concern when they con-verted to the Bahá’í faith, but have found the community more welcoming as time has passed.

“ S o m e o f o u r friends were worried that it was a cult or something,” Josy says. “There isn’t any fear anymore. People are surprised at how few Bahá’ís there are here because we’re quite an active group.”

“We often focus on the divisions,” Gord notes, “but all the world religions come from the same source, and that’s God. God wouldn’t create com-

peting religions. If they look closely enough, they’ll find a great deal of commonality in the spiritual teachings, but where the differ-ences lie are in the social teachings. Social conditions change. We shouldn’t be judging religions on the social differences.”

Ultimately, the Brittons believe we are all the same and looking for the same things in life. The key is to work to understand other cultures and religions, and events like World Religion Day help achieve that goal.

“Understanding isn’t tolerance. It’s celebrat-ing the fact that there’s something that con-nects us all. We’ve traveled to Israel, India, Africa, and elsewhere, and families are fami-lies. People wake up and care about their children and want to get on with their lives in a peaceful way. It’s not going to happen by accident, but by deliberate planning.”

The event is free, and people of all beliefs are welcome to attend.

Kevin LockeKevin LockePhotos courtesy KevinLocke.comPhotos courtesy KevinLocke.com

Education is the bes t provision for old age

Winter SessionFour fi ve-week sessions on WednesdaysSouthcott Pines Clubhouse, lower level

January 21 to February 1810 a.m. to noon - Space, the Final Frontier

Moderator: Mike Ash2 to 4 p.m. - Disasters of the World

Moderator: Don Santor

March 4 to April 110 a.m. to noon - Psychology of Self

Moderator: Molly Russell2 to 4 p.m. - Three Histories of Grand Bend

Moderator: Robert Tremaine

Socrates CaféThursdays 2 to 4 p.m.

February 5 &19, March 5 & 19 Schoolhouse Restaurant lower level

Structured discussion about topics of interest chosen by the group

Brochures:Brochures:Grand Bend Library, Grand Bend CHC,Grand Bend Library, Grand Bend CHC,

Post Office, Southcott Pines ClubhousePost Offi ce, Southcott Pines Clubhouse

www.partnersinlearning.cawww.partnersinlearning.ca519-238-5337 / 2237 / 1114519-238-5337 / 2237 / 1114

http://www.GrandBendStrip.com Thursday, January 15, 2009 • 13Strip Thoughts

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Eye for DesignBy Lorette Mawson

http://www.DecorateWithLorette.com

Depending on your situation, getting your home ready for the buyers’ market can be a daunting task. The job can range from small touches to quite a makeover.

To begin the process of selling your home, I suggest starting at the point where a potential buyer drives in your laneway. For me, the front door has to be your focal point drawing buyers in. I suggest painting your door an eye-catch-ing but pleasing colour. Also, if the hardware on your door is outdated, you should consider changing it.

My next step would be to take a walk around the property and fix anything broken, such as railings, fences, laneway cracks, peel-ing paint, etc.

As we approach the indoors, the most important steps are to clean and declutter. Put away seasonal items such as decor and cloth-ing; you may have to rent storage or find a friend who will lend you a spare room.

Next fix anything broken inside, including taps, lights and railings. Outdated items such as cupboards can be transformed with some paint and new hardware. When giving your

walls a fresh coat of paint, keep the colour fairly neutral to appeal to more buyers. Colour can be added through art and accessories.

Window treatments that are outdated can be replaced inexpensively with a bamboo or vinyl blind, making it clean and simple.

You may also want to store some of your furniture pieces if your rooms are too clut-tered. Sometimes moving items to another room or changing an item’s colour or hard-ware can give a new perspective.

Try to make the sprucing up experience enjoyable by having a painting party; inviting friends to help seems to make things like less work.

A home stager may help, although I find the television shows on home staging a little unrealistic; after all, people still have to live in these homes while selling them, and with busy lives, children and jobs, the showcase look can be hard to maintain.

Once you get your updating done, the key is to try keep it as clean and clutter-free as you can, and hopefully the right buyer will walk through that eye-catching front door.

Selling your home? Spruce it up!

Indeed the crow is common, but never underestimate its abilities. The correct name is American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), and it is entirely black except for its brown eyes. Studies of these very intelligent birds show that they can actually count, solve simple puzzles, learn symbols and retain information. They also hoard treasures like shells, coloured pebbles and shiny objects. They enjoy eating snails and cleverly break the mollusks’ shells by dropping them on rocks from above.

Ernest Thompson Seton wrote an amazing, true tale about a crow named ‘Silverspot’ in his anthology, “Wild Animals I Have Known”. In the late 19th century, Silverspot (so named for a nickel-sized white patch on one cheek) resided on a pine-clad hill near Toronto’s Castle Frank for more than twenty years! According to Seton, the crow was ‘always on duty’ and ‘ready for the attack’.

One day the author was out walking along the railroad track when he noticed an approaching flock of crows, with Silverspot in the lead. When they were quite near, Seton raised his closed umbrella slightly. Silverspot

gave a quick “Caw!” and the flock rose immediately out of gun range. This scene was repeated on several occasions. Soon the crows were wise to the trick and began to ignore Seton. However, when he changed the umbrella to a rifle, the effect was instant as the flock swooped to greater heights. Seton states that a crow can tell who is more dangerous; the farmer’s son or his daughter. Obviously, the son is more likely to be wielding a gun.

Crows take great pleasure in harassing large predators like hawks and owls. A lead crow will call gangs together, sometimes number-ing up to two hundred, to chase and pester the larger birds, subsequently driving them from their own territory.

Fergus the yellow Labrador and I were on an early morning meander at the back of our property during the Christmas holidays. From the edge of the deciduous forest I heard a raucous low-pitched “caw!” immediately fol-lowed by a higher-pitched “caw, caw-caw!” from some distance away. Then I spotted the red-tailed hawk, minding his own business as he soared loftily over our heads. He was likely hunting for mice or bunnies. Suddenly one of the marauding crows came in from behind like a jet fighter zeroing in on its target. The second attacker plummeted from above, causing the hawk to dodge and weave to escape the two pests, who had obviously planned their little game at the expense of the

Why do they call them Counting Crows?Living

in BalanceBy Jenipher Appleton

unsuspecting raptor. The last I saw of them was three tiny specks disappearing into the distance at the horizon.

Night brings a new threat to the crow. They do not see well in the dark and can fall prey to the sharp-eyed owl. Ernest Thompson Seton knew old Silverspot for twenty years. His clever feathered friend came to a sad end

one night when a great-horned owl dragged him off his perch as he slept. Seton found the bloody remains the next morning. He knew it was Silverspot when he turned over the head to reveal the white patch on the cheek. The tell-tale double-toed tracks of a great-horned owl were scattered in the turf.

Photo by Benedict Francis, used under creative commons license.

Drayton Entertainment announced its 2009 lineup Monday, with the Huron Country Playhouse hosting a Dickens’ classic, a big musical, a 40s music romp, and a medieval tale.

The season starts with Oliver!, the Broadway classic, June 2 to 20. Blue Champagne, which weaves 65 timeless songs from the 1940s, runs June 24 to July 4. Lerner and Loewe’s tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round

Table follows July 8 to 25. The season ends with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s epic, Evita, the tale of Argentina’s Eva Peron. It runs August 12 to 29.

Over at Playhouse II, two pianists tickle the ivories while striving for fame in 2 Pianos 4 Hands, which runs July 15 to August 29.

With tickets already selling to members and groups, Drayton has booked more than 65,000

seats in its theatres for the 2009 season. Tickets are now available to the general public.

Individual theatre tickets are $38.00 for adults; $20.00 for youth 18 and under, and $31.00 for preview performances. To receive a complimentary 2009 Theatre Guide, call the Huron Country Playhouse Box Office at (519) 238-6000 or 1-888-449-4463 or visit www.huroncountryplayhouse.com.

2009 Playhouse lineup includes Evita, Oliver!, Camelot

14 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.comStrip Events

Benguin goes to HollywoodFirst Weekend

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 to p.m. - GB LegionMeat Draws

: - PaddingtonsHollywood High Rollers Gala.

Glitz and Glimmer! Call 238-5788.

p.m. - Oakwood clubhouseGames night. Teams of 6-8 com-

pete at stations. $10 per person - register your team today.

p.m. - ColonialFat Kat karaoke with Bobbi

p.m. - Oakwood clubhouseM s . / M r. W i n t e r C a r n i v a l

Pageant. Prizes for 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Call Diana at 519-238-2324 for details. 9 p.m. Must be 18 + to enter.

p.m. - GablesLive music with 88s

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7Saturday and Sunday, both weekendsLions Park behind LegionG a b l e s - C o - e d S n o w p i t c h

Tournament. Contact Jane or John Musser at 238-6690.

a.m. to p.m. - Oakwood clubhouseSnowgolf. Cost: $15 p. p. incl.

golf (club &ball), chili with bun. Call 519-238-2324.

a.m. to p.m. - Pine Dale Motor Inn Bavarian RoomLynn Wllbur will be holding her

Creative Memories Scrapbooking

to p.m. - RiverbendOlympics. Register 519-238-6919.

to p.m. - GablesKaraoke with Fat Kat. Prizes.

Age of Majority.

to p.m. - GB LegionTroop Morale Spaghetti Dinner

to p.m. - Paddington’sHollywood Hall of Fame with

paparazzi and beverage with inclu-sion in Paddington’s celebrity hall of fame.

to p.m. - skateboard park behind LegionCarnival Fireworks Competition.

Donations accepted at entrance. Hot chocolate and hot dogs for sale at Youth Centre garage.

p.m. (after fireworks) - Oakwood clubhouseChili and specialty coffee. $15.

Entertainment.

p.m. - RiverbendKaraoke. Age of Majority.

p.m. - GablesLive music with 88s

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8Saturday and Sunday, both weekendsLions Park behind LegionG a b l e s - C o - e d S n o w p i t c h

Tournament. Contact Jane or John Musser at 238-6690.

a.m. to noon - Oakwood dining roomBreakfast with the Stars. Buffet

breakfast. Call for reservations 519-238-2324. Fun for the entire family.

For the kids

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6 to p.m. - Grand Bend school gymSobeys Drive In. 12 and under

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 to p.m. - Grand Bend school gymMad Science plus crafts, sports

and a movie. Call 519-238-1155.

to p.m. - Skateboard park beside LegionWinter Carnival fireworks. Hot

chocolate and hot dogs on sale.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8Youth CentreRoad Hockey Tournament. Ages

10+. Chili and hot chocolate. $5 includes lunch. Sign up by calling 519-238-1155.

to : a.m. - Grand Bend LegionRegister for youth darts. Call

519-243-2452 or 519-786-4959 for details.

to p.m. - Oakwood clubhouseTobogganing, & Hot Chocolate

FREE – children to be supervised by parents or guardians Hill at Hole #8

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 a.m.Chamber of Commerce-Rotary

Parade

SUNDAY FEB 15 to p.m. - Oakwood ClubhouseKids’ Talent Show. Register at

Guest Services before February 3. Sing, dance, play – bring your orig-inal ideas to win prizes! Prizes for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd. Register at 519-238-2324. (17 years and under.)

to p.m. - Oakwood ClubhouseBring the family for a free swim.

Special Kids menu begins at 4 p.m.

MONDAY FEB. 16 to p.m. - Oakwood ClubhouseBring the family for a free swim.

Special Kids menu begins at 4 p.m.

Second Weekend

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13GablesBring Your Own Meat BBQ.

Reserve early - 519-238-2371. Age of majority.

Colonial Rod and Gun LoungeLive music with Murray Andrews

featuring his Dirtyman Show

to p.m. - Grand Bend LegionSpecial Meat Draw

p.m. to a.m. - GablesLive music with Rumblefish.

Age of majority.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 a.m. to p.m. - Pine Dale Motor InnHealth and Wellness Craft Sale.

Everyone welcome. Vendors please book a table. Call 519-238-2231.

a.m.Chamber of Commerce parade

: a.m. - United ChurchU.C.W. Lunch. $6 for 13+, $3 for

children. Hot dogs available for children.

p.m. - Former Bernie Greens parking lot (beside No Frills)Winter Carnival and 104.9 the

Beach presents ‘The Wedding’. Everyone is welcome to watch the ceremony.

to p.m. - GablesSearch for Talent Contest. Age

of Majority event.

to p.m. - GB LegionSteak BBQ. Tickets will be

available at Legion. 519-238-2120.

Oakwood Terrace RoomValentine’s dinner and dance.

Phil Sloan’s Vintage Moments (formally Magic Moments). Bring your honey and dance the night away. Call for details. 519-238-2324.

p.m. or p.m. seatings - Paddington’sCandlelit Valentines Dinner.

Call for details 519-238-5788

ColonialL i v e m u s i c w i t h M u r r a y

Andrews

p.m. - Oakwood clubhouseLive music with Brian Dale.

p.m. to close - RiverbendKaraoke Contest. Age of major-

ity.

p.m. to a.m. - GablesLive music with Rumblefish -

Age of majority.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 to a.m. - behind Bank of MontrealGrand Bend Firemen’s Breakfast

a.m. - Grand Bend LegionVeteran’s Memorial Mixed Dart

Tournament. Registration at 11 a.m. Doubles and Teams.

p.m. - Colonial parking lotWaiters’ Race. Live music with

Lance Bedard

p.m. - Oakwood Terrace RoomGrand Bend Winter Carnival

presents the Academy Awards. Formal Dress. The paparazzi will be present. Dress as your favor-ite movie star or just come out in glitz and glitter. Nomination forms throughout the village. Tickets on sale Jan. 20. Cocktails 6 p.m. Awards 7 p.m.

Grand Bend Winter Carnival Events Guide

TWO BARBERS - HOT TOWEL SHAVESOtterbein’s Barbershop

Men’s & Ladies’394 Main Street, Exeter

519-235-0559Grand Bend

photo lessonsreturning soon!

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http://www.GrandBendStrip.com Thursday, January 15, 2009 • 15To Do List

Things to DoCommunity/Charity

EVERY TUESDAY p.m. - Grand Bend LegionBingo

EVERY OTHER THURSDAYSchoolhouse Restaurant, Grand BendSocrates Café. An informal discussion

group. For more information contact Dinah Taylor, 519-238-1114 or Ian Young, 519-238-5335.

EVERY FRIDAY to p.m. - Grand Bend LegionMeat Draw

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20 a.m. - Grand Bend LegionGrand Bend Men’s Probus Club. Speaker

Paul Seagrave, topic South Africa. Everyone welcome.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22Grand Bend CHCGrand Bend Social Film Club launch

night! Want to come out and enjoy a good movie with others? Then join us at the Grand Bend Area CHC as we have our first film night featuring the film “Big Fish”. This fun free event will be held monthly after the launch date on the first Thursday of the month. A questionnaire will be handed out to help determine the selection of films for each month. After the movie people are welcome to participate in a discussion group. Resources related to the topics in the films will be made available. Call Dinah Taylor at 519-238-1114.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28F.I.N.E. A RestaurantHuron County Playhouse Guild monthly

luncheon meeting. Speaker Mickey Gurbin Social Worker from the Grand Bend Area CHC will speak on Seasonal Affective Disorder. Everyone welcome call Mary 519-238-5640 for details

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 to p.m. - Grand Bend LegionTroop Morale Fund spaghetti dinner.

Tickets by donation only. Everyone wel-come.

Arts & Entertainment

THURSDAYS to p.m. - Grand Bend Art CentreOpen Painting. Cost is $10 - bring a proj-

ect and materials and paint with various artists.

FRIDAYS: to : p.m. - GB Youth CentreGrand Bend Drum Circle. Contact Anita

at the Youth Centre or call 519-238-8759.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17 to p.m. - Grand Bend LegionHorse Races

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 to p.m. - Grand Bend LegionLive music with Don Harvey

Health & Fitness

MONDAYS to a.m. - Southcott Pines ClubhouseWorkout for Your Life. $8 per class; $5 for

spouses and students. Call Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

: to a.m. - Grand Bend LegionT.G.I.F. (Thank God I’m Fit) exercise

class with Elinor Clarke 519-294-6499. $3 per week; all fees go to charity

: to p.m.Anne’s Yoga Works studio, Port Franks.Yoga. For info and registration call Anne

Chute 519-243-3552.

: to p.m.Anne’s Yoga Works studio, Port Franks.Yoga. For info and registration call Anne

Chute 519-243-3552.

TUESDAYS a.m. – Port Franks Comm. CentreHealthy Lifestyle Exercise Program.

Program includes warm up, low impact aerobic workout, strength work and stretching. Sponsored in part by Healthy Living Lambton. Cost: Free!! Everyone welcome. Contact Cindy Maxfield, Health Promoter at the GBACHC, 519-238-1556 ext 6 to register.

to p.m. - South Huron Golf & Fitness Centre, ExeterWorkout for Your Life. $8 per class; $5 for

gym members, spouses and students. Call Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

WEDNESDAYS to a.m. - Southcott Pines ClubhouseWorkout for Your Life. $8 per class; $5 for

spouses and students. Call Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

: to a.m. - Grand Bend LegionT.G.I.F. (Thank God I’m Fit) exercise

class with Elinor Clarke 519-294-6499. $3 per week; all fees go to charity

to : a.m. - Grand Bend LegionLine Dancing

to p.m. - Parkhill Leisure ClubAnne’s Yoga Works. For info and registra-

tion call Anne Chute 519-243-3552.

THURSDAYS a.m. – Port Franks Comm CentreHealthy Lifestyle Exercise Program.

Program includes warm up, low impact aerobic workout, strength work and stretching. Sponsored in part by Healthy Living Lambton. Cost: Free!! Everyone welcome. Contact Cindy Maxfield, Health Promoter at the GBACHC, 519-238-1556 ext 6 to register.

to p.m. - South Huron Golf & Fitness Centre, ExeterWorkout for Your Life. $8 per class; $5 for

gym members, spouses and students. Call Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

FRIDAYS to a.m. - Southcott Pines ClubhouseWorkout for Your Life. $8 per class; $5 for

spouses and students. Call Beth Sweeney, (519) 238-5555.

: to a.m. - Grand Bend LegionT.G.I.F. (Thank God I’m Fit) exercise

class with Elinor Clarke 519-294-6499. $3 per week; all fees go to charity

THURSDAY, JANUARY 22Blessings Community Store Zurich.Cooking Outside of the Box. Drop in and

taste test great recipe ideas for yummy low cost meals. Call Miranda Burgess Grand Bend CHC dietitian 519-238-1556 ext.222

: to : p.m. - Grand Bend CHCBeat the Winter Blues Session. Winter

weather getting you down? This session with social worker Mickey Gurbin looks at strat-egies that will reenergize you and help to get rid of “the blues”. Call 238-1556 ext. 223

MONDAY, JANUARY 26 to p.m. - Grand Bend CHCAlzheimer Caregiver Connections. Are

you caring for someone with memory loss? Do you feel overwhelmed, alone or angry? Join the Huron County Alzheimer Society as they present an educational session. Topics include an overview of dementia, the progression and stages of the disease and avoiding caregiver burnout.

: to : p.m. - Grand Bend CHCHeart Health Class. Contact Patricia

Baker RD.CDE, at 519-238-1556 ext. 235 for more information.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 27: to : p.m. or to : p.m. - Grand Bend CHCStop Smoking Program. Please join us for

this four-week FREE program that will look at the reasons why you smoke and assist you with strategies that will help you to reduce the amount you smoke and eventually quit smoking. Contact Health Promoter Cindy Maxfield 519-238-1556 ext 231.

: to : p.m. - Grand Bend CHCHealthy Eating In Store For You Label

Reading Program. Contact Patricia Baker RD, CDE at 519-238-1556 ext 235 to reg-ister

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28: to : p.m. or to : p.m. - Grand Bend CHCMental Health Education and Support

Group. Monthly support group for family and friends that provides tools and strategies along with ongoing educational informa-tion. Contact Social Worker Lise Callahan at 519-238-1556 ext. 230 for details.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 to p.m. - Grand Bend CHCCommunity Blood Pressure Clinic in the

Adult Centre Wing. Everyone welcome. Have your blood pressure checked by a Health Professional. No appointment nec-essary.

Grand Bend’sBest Kept Secret

(519) 238-2120

EVERYBODY WELCOME!Fun Darts

BingoMeat Draws

Mondays @ 7 p.m.Tuesdays @ 7 p.m.Fridays @ 5 p.m.

Hall rentals - contact Sharon (519) 238-6865

JOIN US SATURDAYS 3-6 PMJan. 17 - Horse Races Jan. 24 - Don Harvey

GrandBend

16 • Thursday, January 15, 2009 http://www.GrandBendStrip.com

365CASEY

.COM

A creativity development project by Strip photographer Casey Lessard

http://www.casey365.com

Now seeking collaborators (models, hair, makeup, props, locations, etc.)Send info to mail@casey365.com