_ TERRACE STANDARD. The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, April 5, 1995 - B1 INSIDE SECTION B COMMUNITY CRIS LEYKAUF EVENTSB2 HERE BY CHOICE FAE COLLINS MOONEY Power of one HERE WAS a time, I've been told, when there was no such thing as garbage cans, waste baskets, or community dumps. Imagine that. And it wasn’t a messy world, According to Barbara Womboldt, writing in Nature Canada magazine last summer, she didn’t have garbage when she was growing up. “There was only the kitchen stove and our frugal nature...Nothing wasted, nothing wanted. We recycled, reused, reclaimed.” Today we need to learn these fessons all over again. Our present lifestyle doesn’t make it very easy. And bureaucracy doesn’t help, Fast food outlets didn’t exist back then, Prepackaged and disposable goods had not yet been invented. Convenience items were proba- bly synonymous with reusable ones, And junk mail - what was thal? Nobody was concemed about making a profit on leftovers. They were just used until there was nothing left over. Today we put a price on “leftovers”’ or we just dump them. How far we have progressed, Here we are, with local landfills filling up at an alarming rate. Here we arc, the throw-away - sociely, and we don’t know how to stop. We can’t go back. Our modem conveniences, - and the garbage can, are here lo stay. And so is the local dump. ~- So -how- do we-practice.the three Rs of the . 1990s? And what difference can one person make anyway? Lots. All I did was write a letter. The result ° _ Was not only a pleasant surprise, but a reward as well. Let me tell you what happened. So much of what we buy today is over- . packaged. Why is it necessary? Surprisingly, we ‘must accept part of the blame. My letter was to an environmentally con- scious company in California. ] asked them why they packaged a product which I felt did not need packaging. Their response was revealing, “The outer carton was originally created at the reques! of numerous retailers who were in- terested in controlling theft of the product.”’ Interesting point, If we steal, we stil] pay, in some way. And someone always suffers. In this case, It’s the environment, with overpackaging and the need for garbage disposal, It is unfortunate that in our society this extza packaging has become necessary, “*Also,”” the letter continued, ‘‘the carton al- lowed,..us an opportunity to offer our customers _ ‘Special Value Pack’ (coupon) introducing them to (our) line of products which are bio- ‘degradable, in recyclable containers and which have never been produced with animal testing.” ‘Wow. These people really care. They asked me to ‘please note that we utilize recycled paperboard in the production of our outer carton,’’ Wow, A generous ‘Special Value Pack” of four trial size products in minimal packaging. The products are biodegradable, and they use previously recycled materials and recyclable containers, plus no cruelty to animals. But it doesn’t end there, . “We are concerned about the environment just as you are,’’ they wrote, ‘‘and offer you an ~ invilation to return the outer cations to us where we will recycle them for you through our office recycling program,’* Unheard of! They will accept my garbage for recycling! All I have to do is mail it to them. They are willing to do what Terrace ought to be doing, Good for them. Shame on us! Yes, I realize the population of California is the equivalent of our entire country, They. would have been buried alive in garbage long ago if recycling facilites had not been set up, But is that what has to happen to our scenic wilderness before we take action here? **We are so concerned, in fact,” the letter continued, ‘that we have decided ta discontinue - using the outer carton in the production of our (product).’' So there itis. The power of one. One inquiring letter from one concerned person can prompt this kind ofa response. That is reassuring, Each one of us can make a difference, And in the mailbox, instead of a package of unsolicited junk mail there may be something ‘ike what I received. . Along with their letter, this ecologically responsible company included a. full-size pro- duct, minus the outer packaging, *'This is our way of thanking you for wrillng ~ to us-and hopefully we have addressed your” concems adequately.”’:. Loe I'd say so, Now, who’s next on my list? » “ (2), Glenn Thomsen, -'«, Thomsen, Vi: Timmerman, Ray / Tremblay, Sue Trombley (3), YOU JUST WON $5.6 million! You’re set for life. Sleek new cars, expensive homes, designer clothing — there isn’t much that a few million couldn't buy or fix. But that isn’t what a reporter ' discovers, when he comes snoop- ing on the set of Windfall, a din- ner theatre play scheduled to open April 28. Windfall, by Canadian playwright Nom Foster, is a comedy about the lives of Louise and Walter Brooks, lottery win- ners who won $5.6 million many years ago, The reporter, played by Bob Costain, is doing a series of arti- cles on what’s become of lottery winners, Some have given their winnings to charity, some are bankrupt, but in the Brooks’ case, he finds a couple who haven’t left their house for 16 years, Walter, played by Joseph Zuc- “chiatti and Louise, played by Mary Hiallsor, became bitter tecluses, after their son was killed in 4 car accident. Life is saner inside his house, Walter reasons, and he doesn’t see what the world on the outside could offer him. “He’s retreated because he’s had, like he says in the play, ‘one bad day too many’,’’ says Gordon Oates, director of Windfall. BETTY BARTON Photo § Money corrupts in FATHER AND SON confront each other in Windfall, a d Bea cement ctnM inamotei Mpa iS new play Te . ‘he aa wey inner theatre play directed by Gordon Oates, On the right is Walter, played by Joseph Zucchiatti. He hasn't left the house in 16 years, but his son, played by Rick McDaniel, may soon give him a reason to leave, That suits the Brooks’ two growa children just fine. Robin, played by Robin Hollett and Jeffrey, played by Rick McDaniel, aren't in a hurry to see their parents re-enter the world, While mom and dad have been hiding in their fancy house, the YUKING IT UP — Terrace Little Theatre members: are “floored” after an improv exercise. The Improv Group prac- tices bimonthly, and will perform at local theatre and com- munity events, such as the upcoming play, Windfall, Volunteer nominations pour in | 25 named as deadline passes By JEFF NAGEL THE NOMINATIONS are in and the work of the judges is now be- ginning. By the time Friday’s deadline had passed, a total of 34 nomina- tion forms had arrived naming 25 _ local. people for Terrace's first- ever. Volunteers Of The ‘Year sawards, Several people received multi- . ple nominations. '_. ‘The contest, sponsored by the Terrace” Standard and Over- waitea, is a celebration of the "achievements of local volunteers -—> a chance to recognize people “who have helped make Terrace a better place, The nominations are: Marjoric Brown, “Margaret Cooper (2), Brian Downie, Cecile Empson, Aileen Frank, Niki Godfrey (2), ‘Beverley. Greening, Carole Greenwood, Dave Jephson (3), Candice Kerman, Terri Mahoney, Wally Mantel, Deb McCoocey, Yvonne Moen, Jeanette Pauls, Earl Peden, Jim Ryan (3), Lawrence Stella, Pamela Straker Maria Helen Watson. Judges Doug Smith, Lovina - "Tyler and Dale Lufkin this week "begin the difficult task of selec-' ., oting a Volunteer of the Year and. . two. honourable mentions - ‘for. .. 1995. OE They'll be honoured at the Ter- tace Volunteer Bureau’s annual volunteer recognition luncheon ° Friday, April 28, A flood of nominations poured in during the final week of March, with 17 more volunteers - nominated, Here are profiles of the latest nominces, who weren't featured in previous weeks: i The Terace Hospice Society’s Deb McCooey was nominated by Diane LeBlanc. “Deb has been very active in the Terrace Hospice Society since 1993,”' said LeBlanc, ‘She offers many hours of volunteer service by providing support to persons, families and friends throughout the last stage of illness, at the time of death, and during bereavement.”” McCoocy is secretary of the Hospice board of directors and chairs the fundraising committee. M Stepping Stone clubhouse volunteer Jeanette Pauls was nominated by Pat McKinnon. _ “For over six months, Jeanetts _has worked wiih the choir and a _ Watercolour art class,’? McKin- non said. ‘She is very. selfless and dedicated. She has a position working for. Mental Health, but works Fridays — her day off — kids have been doing a little crea- tive investing with their parents’ millions. The arrival of a snoopy reporter could destroy their carefully laid plans, Windfall starts April 28 and runs till May 13‘stthe curling club. New to dinner theatre this year is a local improv group, which will performing an opening act, approximately 10-15 minutes long, before dinner is served. Tickets are $25 a plate, and are available from Carter’s Jewellers. Reserve seating applies. Look Ma, TERRACE’S NEWEST ac- ling troupe, the Improv Group, will be making it's debut performance-at the next dinner theatre, scheduled to open April 28, (see above) The Improy Group will be performing an opening. act ap- proximately 10-15 minutes long, giving audiences a sample of what improv is about, Beeb sens Improv actors don’t memorize any lines. They don’t even know what charac- ters they'll be playing till they get on stage. “Improv techniques are like tongue twisters for the mind,’’ says Catherine Croucher, a member of the recently formed Improv Group. “We've only been going at this since Christmas, so we're pretty new to this,’’ she says, Croucher helped start the group in order for actors to maintain an involvement in theatre, even when plays : ‘ # no script! aren’t being rehearsed or per- formed, But that doesn’t mean you have to be an actor, to do well at improv. ’ :**No experience is neces- sary,’* says Croucher, Instead of holding rehears- — als, the group practices ‘im- prov exercises. One exercise the group practices is trying to tell a story, by members yell- ing out key words that shift the flow of the story. In a performance situation. - it’s the audience which pro- vides the input for the improv actors. And the more creative the audience the more bizarre © the situation in which the helpless actors can find them- selves. , If you'd like a chance to uy your hand at this new style of directing, you can catch The Improv Group during per- formance of Windfall, See above story for ticket info. and Tuesday aflernoons as well.’’ M@ Double nominations arrived for Margaret Cooper from Ter- race — Anti-Poverty Group Socicty’s Helga Kenny and ‘the Girl Guides’ Lia Schmidt. Cooper has been active in Girl Guides of Canada for more than 20 years, canvasses for the Dinbetic Association and the Kinsmen Mothets March. She also volunteers at Terrace Anti-Poverty, where she’s a board member. She's been treasurer of the Terrace Stock Car Association for several years, op- crating the booth and organizing events, “Marg works tirelessly to help others with no apparent regrets,’ Kenny says, “Many people rely on her for advice and guidance." “She is recognized internally for her efforts, but she should be recognized in the community for ‘her part in helping to shape the community,’” . | Aileen Frank was nominated by Gertrude Grund- mann for her volunteer work on ‘behalf of city seniors. She has been an active voluntecr with the Happy Gang Centre and Old Age. Pensioners Organization, ( ... She has worked hard to bring affordable seniors housing to: town, belongs to the Herilage’. ~ Society and has worked on com-: mittees to bring Medic-Alert and the Handi-dart transit system to Terrace. “She cares for Terrace and its people and deserves to be recog- nized as one that wants Terrace to. be a better place to Ilve,”’ ‘said Grundmann, oo M@ Earl Peden was nominated for his work on behalf of Minor Baseball and Scouting, ‘A 14-year resident, Peden was assistunt regional commissioner and assistant § district com- missioner for Rovers and Venturers, , In Scouting, he’s taken loca youths to P.E.1. for Canadian Jamborees, a5 well ag to Prince George for provincial jamborees, Peden has been a long time mirior baseball volunteer, includ- ing equipment manager last year, . He was nominated by Stella Haigh and Scott Peden. « M@ .. Marjorie Brown was mominated for her work on local... Parent Advisory Councils over the last four years. Ps Nominator Sue Trombley ‘said Brown has chaired councils at. | Continued Page B4 e 638-7283