The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, March 29, 2000 - BI | - | TERRACE STANDARD | INSIDE SECTION B COMMUNITY ALEX HAMILTON EVENTS B2 > 638-7283 Seniors social open to all ~JUST-A THOUGHT KATHY FLORITTO ave you ever listened/walched one Are you a real of those navel-gazing programs, Canadian? H generally titled something like “What’s a Canadian?” | doubt there’s any other country in the world where its talking heads and like-thinking et ceteras spend so much lime trying to define themselves. In case this mind-numbing question has kept you awake at night, here’s a short list of typically Canadian characteristics. If more than 10 describe you, you’re definitely wrap- ped up in the maple leaf. 1. You know the French equivalents of "free", “prize" and "no sugar added", thanks to your extensive education in bilingual cereal packa- ging. 2. You understand the phrase, "Could you ‘please pass me a servietle, I just spilled my poutine.” 3. You know what a touque is and probably own one. 4. You eat chocolate bars instead of candy bars. 5. You drink pop or a soft drink, not soda. 6. You know that Thrills are something to chew and “taste like soap". 7. You know what it means to be on 'pogey’. 8. You know that "a mickey" and "2-4's" mean "Party at the cabin, eh!!" 9, You talk about the weather with strangers and friends alike. 10. When there isa social problem, you turn to your government to fix it instead of telling them to stay out.of it: 11. You're not sure if the leader of our nation has EVER had sex and don't want to know if ~ he has! 12. Pike is a type of fish, nat some part of a highway. ; 13. You drive on a highway, not a freeway. 14. You know what a Robertson screwdriver is. 15. You have Canadian Tire money, 16. You know that Mounties "don't always look like that." 17. You know that Canada is the only country to successfully invade the US and burn its ca- pital to the ground. 18. You dismiss all beers under 6% alcohol content as "for children and the elderly, and for export to the US", 19, You know that the Friendly Giant isn't a vegetable product line. ; 20, You know that Casey and Finnegan are not a Celtic musical group. 21. You are excited whenever an American television show mentions Canada, 22. You have some memento of Doug and Bob. 23. You admit Rich Little is Canadian and you're glad Jerry Lewis is not. 24, You know Toronto is not a province. 25. You can whistle/sing the Hockey Night in Canada, theme song. 26. You design your Hallowe'en costume to fit over a snowSsuiL. : 27. The mosquitoes have landing lights. 28. You have more miles on your snowblower than your car. 29, Canadian Tire on any Saturday is busier than the tay stores at Christmas. 30, You've taken your kids trick-or-treating in ‘a blizzard. 31. Driving is beiter in-the winter because the potholes are filled in with snow. 32. You owe more money on your snowmobile - than your car. ‘33. The local paper covers national and inter- national headlines on 2 pages, but requires 6 pages for hockey. 34. The most effective mosquito repellent is a shotgun. 35. You frequently clean grease off your bar- ‘ beque so the bears won't prowl on your deck. 36. You find -40C a little chilly. 37. You can play road hockey on skates, 38. You know 4 seasons: Winter, Still Winter, _ almost Winter and Road Construction. 39. The municipality buys a Zamboni before a hus. : 40. You understand the Labatt Blue commer- cials. 41, You actually get these jokes and forward them to all your Canadian friends. This list is part of a much larger one, but you pet the picture. And some folks say we’re dull (nice, but dull) Ha! Anybody that can fend off a bear wilh grease remover, take out a “mosquito at 20 paces-and wash a chocolate bar down with a soda:..well! ; It’s comforting to know we’re such an excit- ing lot, don’t you think? LOCAL SENIOR citizens know how to throw a great party. Every month Elsie Hull organizes a Senior’s So- cial - a get together for el- derly people to meet, sing songs, listen to live music and gab about the latest comings and goings in Terrace. Hull said she decided to organize a sacial for se- niors because evenis are rarely planned for elderly folks. There are plenty of out- ings and get togethers , _ planned for young peopie, she said. “And I thought there’s always a group left out,” Hull said, “It’s the older people. No-one ever plans things for them to do.” Now seniors have a chance to break out of their routines, socialize and have some fun. “They really enjoy it,” - Hull said. “It’s a time to get out of the house or nur- sing home. It’s something different.” On average about 22. people gather once a month in the Fireside Room at the Terrace Pen- tecostal Assembly. The Terraceview bus always delivers a crew, while other seniors walk fram the Happy Gang Centre or get rides from friends or family members. Last December, 77 Speaking THE HOURS Kathleen Gook spent studying French vocabulary and - grammar in high school have paid off, Gook, a recent praduate of French Immersion in Tertace, is currently taking university courses in Paris, France. “T can hardly believe if,” wrote Gook in a letter to the Terrace chapler of the Canadian Parents for French. “It’s an education- al experience cof a lifetime.” Gook said she’s thank- ful her parents, who do not speak French, chose French Immersion school- ing because having French as a second language has opened employment doors for her. “There is so much value and fulfilment in the attainment of a second language. All the effort is worth it!” — Kathleen Gook She has obtained sum: ' : mer employment and par- ticipated in two leadership conferences in Otlawa, simply because she can speak French. “J will have access to all of Canada when con- sidering career options be- cause I can work in both * Canada’s official languages,” Gook said, “I Know having a second lan- . guage will. be a strength my whole life.” Gook explained study- ing French in high school . wasn’t easy, but school is ’ often difficult no matter if your are in French. or English. “The main thing is to persevere — never give up- and to always do your best!” she said. One of the highlights of “ Canadian French Immersion school. | ing at both the elementary , a secondary levels, Gook ‘ says, is taking part in Si SPE guyeet PARTY TIME: Giuseppina Bernardo, Virginia Carpino, Elsia Hull, Tina Brouwer, Jaan Bruggman, Beu Bol- ton and Maureen Mercereau enjoy themselves at the Senior's Sccial held once at month at the Pente- costal Assembiy. people attended a Christ- mas social despite snowy and cold weather. | Tina Brouwer said she regularly attends the social to meet with friends. “We like the pood food, too,” Brouwer said, “We really like to have a break once in a while. We ap- preciate it very much.” Virginia Carpino at- tends the social for the fel- lowship. French opens doors “Because | like to join people,” she said. Hull said all mature adults are welcome to the. social, “If you’re 40 years old and alone or a shut in, you should be coming here to meet people,” she said. Transportation can be arranged lo pick seniors up _.at their homes by calling the Pentecostal Assembly at 635-2434, VIVE LA FRANCE: Kathleen Gook, a recent gradu- ate of the French immersion program in Terrace, is studying business, technology, communications and political science in Paris, France, She encour- ages parents to consider the advantages of French language education for thelr children. “Improv”, which involves playing speaking games. She said the games helped her learn to think: on her feet and to commu- nicate effectively in differ- ent ways in front of peers, Another favorite annual event, she said, was wri- ting and preparing spee- ches for Concours d’Arts Oratoire, which is a public speaking event held local-: ly and pravincially by the Parents for French. Through these activi- lies, students in French Immersion have a unique opportunity: to. gain com- munication skills including confidence and ease when ‘public speaking, she said, Gook urges parents not ‘to be afraid of the chal-° lenge of having their _ children study in French, “There is so much value and fulfilment in the. atlainment of a second - language. All the effort is worth it!” Local residents can re- gister their children in Kindergarten and Grade 1 French Immersion at Kiti .K’Shan Primary School (4730 Graham: Avenue) during school hours, or call the school at 635-3115. ek ee Se Free vision checks available OPTOMETRISTS in ‘Terrace are doing free cye tests for two and three-year-old children. There will be no charge to the parent or Medical Plan. Through the program, par- ents can receive important information about their child’s eyesight. Some eye problems can be difficult to treat if left until a child has begun school. If discovered when a child is young, treatment is most effective because the vision centres of the brain are still developing. Is your child using or abusing drugs or alcohol? THE FAMILY Place and Kalum Horseshoe Community School will host “Use or Abuse”, an information and question session for parents and youth on drugs and alco- hol on Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. at Clarence Michiel. Worried about your son or daughter? Wondering how , to tell the difference between experimenting and real trouble? Want up-to-date information on street drugs and ways to tell if your teen is using? What do you do if you're 13 and everyone at a parly is drinking or stoned? Got questions? Greg and Candace of Northwest Addic- tions will share their expertise. Space is Limited. Call the Family Place 638-1863 to register. Friends for friends campaign A FUNDRAISER is being held April 291h to raise money for Alexis and Rolf Ahrens, a local couple who were ser- iously injured in a vehicle accident in South America. Alexis suffered severe back injuries. The money will go towards helping cover the extensive medical costs that will not be covered by medical services. A live auction will be held April 29 at the Trades Fair . at noon. Many wonderful items were generously donated by local merchants. There will also be a community gar- age sale and bake sale April 29 at the Lazelle Mini Mall starting at 8 a.m. A hotdog sale will start at 11 am. _ with balloons, popcorn and face painting for children, Many garage sale items will be sold by donation. Donated garage sale items can be dropped off at Cen- tral Flowers, Pick up can be arranged by calling Nadine at 798-2070 or Megan at 635-3617, , Any businesses that would like to donate merchandise call Anna at Misty River Books at 635-4428. To donate money, an account was set up at the Northern Savings Credit Union. . At the Art Gallery Spring Arts and Crafts 2000: Come out and support our local Art Gallery April 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, and get some items for yourself. Admission is $1 and ever one is welcome. [f you are in being an exhibitor plo contact the coordinator Joelle at 638-8884 for an. entry form. all entry forms must be in by April 14. 4 2 Photodocumentary Workshop: We are looking to offer the community a workshop for those who practise photography and who want lo display their work. We will be offering the workshops at a minimum cost May 29-30. If you're interested call Joclic at 638-8884, The work- shop will be cancelled if not enough people register.