The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, July 22, 1998 - Bl “TERRACE STANDARD | INSIDE SECTION B COMMUNITY ‘EVENTS B2 - CHARLYNN TOEWS hat do you know about tweetle beetles? Well, when tveetle beetles fight, it’s called a tweetle beetle battle. And when they battle in a puddle, it’s a tweetle beetle puddle battle. AND when tweeile beetles battle with paddies in a puddle, they call it a tweetle beetle puddle paddle battle... AND when beetles fight these battles in a bottle with their paddles and the bottle’s on a poodle and the poodle’s eating nocdles, they call that a muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle bottle paddle battle. That is the best, most funniest part of the most best, funniest book ever written by Theodor Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss. The title is Fox in Socks, the ISBN is U - 394-80038-9. You should order a copy of this book right away and take it home and read it twice a day out loud. You will be amazed at the improvement in all areas of your life that will happen, all for $10.50 CDN, Now here’s the best, most funniest part of a book called Biting the Dust The Joys of Housework. It’s from the last chapter, called "Flappers and Scrubbers -- Which Kind of Cleaner are you?" I’] paraphrase a bit. The whole messy business of houseclean- ing revolves around two kinds of activity, two sets of attitudes, and two ways of -coping: flapping and-scrubbing. Flapping is random and unconsidered; scrubbing is painstaking and conscientious. These two approaches can mix and mingle with each other; they can free us or enslave us; the routines they involve around the house can be both comical and grim. Rather than being a method, flapping is a philosophy -- or lack of philosophy -- about cleaning. Flapping involves short-lived bursts of manic energy, often at odd moments: get- ting rid of suddenly-spotted cobwebs on the ceiling by jumping up and down waving a pair of jeans while you were dressing; dust- ing a picture frame with a grubby tissue . when you happen to be passing; cleaning fuzzy-looking chair rungs with a sock from the laundry basket. Every flapper develops odd and interest- ing habits, like cleaning the bathroom sink only while washing delicate laundry by hand, or cleaning the kitchen floor at pecu- liar hours with window spray and paper towels. Fabulous stuff, eh? Since the author, Margaret Horsfield, used to jive in Terrace, it is possible she conducted her research by peering in my windows. The ISBN of this excellent book is I - 85702-422-2. You should order one immediately and read it with your feet up instead of doing housework. Then you should discuss it with friends on the phone instead of doing housework. After all, one must rest and reflect upon ’ one’s work, mustn’t one? One must. The next most interesting part from a _ book is from one you probably don’t want to buy, even though it has pictures of my grandma and my great-great-grandfather in it. The ISBN is I -55099-008-X. It’s called Steinbach Is There Any Place Like It? and it’s a history of my home town. In the chapter about missionaries, the au- thor Gerald Wright talks about the Stillen- im-Lande (Quiet in the Land) philosophy pervading the community’s churches, Men- nonites kept quiet about their faith, so as not to provoke persecution or exile, and the only work nat too worldly to be sinful was farming. ‘““The only real mission work is done with a milking stool and a pitchfork.’ When in the 1930s the Evangelical Men- nonite Brethren Church sent out what was perhaps the first Steinbacher ever to be- come a missionary, a lot of Steinbachers sympathized with the view of one who is reputed to have said the man went to China because he was too lazy (o stay at home and do real work. ' But let’s not talk about real work now, let’s enjoy beautiful summer and holidays and lazy days and flapper ways. Let’s have a little talk about tweetle beetles. HE'S BEEN THROUGH a teacher’s strike, budget crisis, amalgamation, and a heck of a ‘lot changes since he started working here in 1976. After 22 years of serving as the school district’s su- perintendent, Frank Hamilton is retiring to spend his days on greener pastures — the golf course. “Maybe I'll work a little, travel a litte and play golf a lite,” he said, smiling. “No big plans except win-. ning a senior’s golf tourna- ment!’’ Although he was planning to retire next year, Hamilton decided to make this school year his last after budget problems plagued Coast Mountain School District 82. “The board needs to curtail their expenditures and have one less district employee so we came to the agreement that I'd retire this year,’” he said. Over the years, Hamilton has seen a lot of changes to the district as children, in- cluding his own son, have passed through the educa- tion system. Hamilton remembers when he was first appointed superintendent in 1976, he had to report to his boss in Victoria. Back then he was a government employee since the ministry paid his salary. Tt wasn’t until 1979 when the legislation changed that he started actually working for the school board, Hamilton remembers Ter- race’s school district budget was only $11 million when he started here. Today, Coast Mountain’s budget is more than $50 million. He’s also seen the gradu- ation rate increase (we have the highest number of First Nalions graduates in the province), the development of First Nations Language and Culture programs, the introduction of technology (computers), and changes regarding special services to students. When Hamilton — slarted warking here in 1976, spe- cial needs students were sent to a separate school — Jack Cook School. Today, special students aren’t segregated; they are integrated into the class- room. “I think that’s wonder- ful,” he said. ‘‘Students now have a belter under- standing that others are dif- ferent. It’s great to see.” Twenty years ago, the » COMMUNITY: ee you on the green, Frank HAPPY RETIREMENT: School board Superintendent Frank Hamilton is the sec- ond longest serving superintendent | in B.C, He is retiring this year after 22 years. desire for post secondary education in Terrace was also very low. : “You used to take over your dad’s business or would become a logger. Now you see a definite change. Education is beneti- cia] to everyone.”’ He has also seen an in- crease in the education level of teachers and staff mem- bers, For example, twenty “years ago only three slaff members had master’s de- grees: Skip Bergsma, him- self and one principal. Today, 50-60 staff mem- Labour of love brings honor MERRY HALLSOR JUST won big-time. At the Mainstage Festival in Abbotsford July 11, she was awarded the Eric Ham- ber Award for distinguished long-time service to com- munily theatre in B.C, “This is a really big deal,’ said her friend, Marianne Brorup-Weston. “Community theatre in B.C. has grown because of Merry.”’ Halisor said the award meant a fot to her because it was awarded by her peers, who share the same interests and love for theatre as she does. Recipients of this prestigious award must be nominated by their club, and only a select committee made up of previous win- ners of the award can decide future winners. “The community theatre has enriched my life and brought me great joy,” Hallsor said. Her major love, however, is the Terrace Little Theatre since she's been around since ils inception 45 years aga. It was Hallsor’s parents who started the Terrace Litile Theatre in 1953, when she was only a youngster, With theatrical parents en- couraging her, she’s been acting since she was ten years old. “Tve done everything AWARDED AT MAINSTAGE FESTIVAL: Merry Halisor was given the Eric Hamber Award for out- standing contribution to community theatre in B.C. Tr from acting, directing, making sets, fundraising — you namne it, ’? she said, She was president of Theatre B.C., the parent group for all the community theatres in the province, for three years. Hallsor also spent a num- ber of years as chairman for the Skeena zone, one of the eleven theatre zones in the province. To her, the best part of community theatre is the people. “T] have mel so many wonderful people. You can go anywhere in the province and go to a Jocat community group and mect great people.” Around Town TLT wins awards The Terrace Little Theatre won the best season category in the graphic competition at the Mainstage Festival in Abbotsford July il. Marianne Brorup-Weston was also ac- claimed president of Theatre B.C, for the third year in a row. Hazelton farmers’ market starts soon A farmers’ market {s starting at the old Royal Bank location in Hazelton August 1 from 9-11 a.m. No fees apply. For more info calf Emama or Patricia at 842-6110. Enjoy a nature walk The Terrace Women’s Resource Centre is offering a chance for women to explore the _ natural Mora and fauna around Howe Creck Tuesday, August 11 from 10-noon. A focal naturalist will lead the walk. For more info call the TWRC at 638-0228. Looking for bands Riverboat Days Concerts in the Park is looking for bands, duos, or single per- formers for Saturday, August 1 and Sun- day, August 2 at George Little Park, Con- tact Toni or Marilyn at 635-5333 or submit application to Sight & Sound on Keith Ave. , bers have master’s degrees, When asked what the lows have been over the years, Hamilton instantly became serious. He said that whenever a student or employee is hurt that is always very difficult to deal with. “The Toughest time is when I’ve gone to visit a parent whose youngster has been killed. Those are the most serious maiters; the big . things are always the people things — the ones that are always the most important.’ The high points, he said, were times like these when he’s received dozens of goodbye and = thank-you cards, , Hamilton admitted that while there are always dif- ferent problems every day, life certainly hasn’t been boring. He wanted to thank every- one he has worked with. “The school district does have a very confident and hard-working staff. I have been very pleased (o be sup- ported as superintendent by teaching, non-teaching staff and district staff.” moms and dads beaming. wasn'l nervous at all,’’ was the singing. words,’’ toddlers to teens last year. IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE: Students at the Aattle and Hum school of music put on their masks and their dancing shoes for their musical play last Friday at the Pentecostal Assembly, Audience members learned a very important lesson: “good friends will make you feel at home.” They rattled and hummed THEY SANG. They danced. And they had proud Fifteen children aged 6-11 at the Rattle and Hum school of music ‘“went bananas”’ in their performance of the musical play, It’s a Jungle out there! In two weeks of hard work, the children made their own masks (elephants, cheetahs, hyenas) and back- drops, as well as learned the script and all the music. “Tt was easy,” said youngster Alex Rabin. ‘‘And I What most of the children liked best about the play “7 liked the Cheetah song the best because it was a rap,’ said Courtland Slavik. ‘“You could shout out the - Instructors Jess Dafoe and Robin Hollett helped start Ratilc and Hum, a musical and fine arts schooi for This fall, the school offers a variety of fall programs from musicals and music classes to instrumental music programs (woodwind, brass and percussion). For more info call Robin at 635-4261 or Jess at 635-1798.