a say INSIDE. COMMUNITY EVENTS B2 _ JUST A THOUGHT EV BISHOP Make it a salsa-cone, mom y friends who went on to do ex- citing things after pradualing... obtain University degrees, travel extensively, party in “big” cities, ete often ask me if I don’t get bored being “just” a mom. I no longer go into spiels about how I’m a chef, a laundress, a child care pro- vider, and entertainer, Allhough.1 mean to be funny, people took me seriously and would nod sympathetically, Now ] just answer honestly, “No, I like it.” [ don’t get offended: exceptions ‘being the following two occasions. “Oh... You’re a stay at home mom? What a waste, you used to have such a good brain.” J didn't even have a witty reply, my mouth just - hung open in shock... perhaps preparing to vali- ‘date their “ her brain is gone” theory. Someone else commented that it was a shame thai [ stayed home because I was so good with kids that I’?d have made a good tea- cher. I said, “ thanks... I think.” I didn’t bother to point out that it’s kids that I stay home with and it’s nice for them if I’m good with them. Even if poorly worded at times, ] don’t think _ people mean anything negative by their quer- ies of “how do you do it?” When people com- ment on your slay at home status, it’s out of curiosity. They wonder whal it’s like because they’re not doing it. ‘Some people have to wait until mid- die age for a shot at a second child- hood and then it’s usually somewhat frowned upon by others and labelled a midlife crisis. I’m not an engineer and | would expect to he able to ask someone who is, “Do you like your job? Do you find it fulfilling?” without them getting all tied in a knot. When the ques- tions come from people who knew me “when”, no wonder they’re a bit skeptical. The truth of the matter is that | sometimes look at myself and I wonder how | ended up where I did. Somehow I went from “never -going to marry and never having kids,” to mar- tying at 19 and now having two children.. And I am so giad [ did. For the record, 1] still use my brain..Sometimes | even think about non- child related things — Gasp! Some people have to wait until middle age for a shot at a second childhood and then it’s usually somewhat frowned upon by others and labelled a midlife crisis. I, on the other hand, get to enjoy a perpel- val childhood and am instead labelled a “goad” mom, an “imaginative” parent! Play- ing in parks, reading picture books, walking through puddles, watching Disney, tobogganing...and countless other kid stuff joys are all mine. My husband and | can buy the newest toys without gelting weird looks be- cause we drag our kids with us and the chalty clerks assume that the toys are for the kids. They’re almost right... we do share! ‘The other day I was feeding my children and a little boy that [ baby-sit a snack, tortilla chips and salsa. My son asked for an ice .¢ream cone and | explained that sure he could chave one but without ice cream because we were out. That was completely fine wilh him. : A few minutes later I had to run out to pick- up their dad from work and they asked if they could bring their snacks with them... “Oh alright,” 1 said. As ] loaded them into the truck, | happened to glance at my three-year-old son’s bowl... There sat the pink ice cream cone nestled in white chips, heavily laden with salsa, My son definitely has an eye for calour but I’m not sure about his taste... I laughed and shuddered al the same time, “That’s really gross, honey.” “Oh no, Mom,” my daughler and son insis- ted in unison, “You’re just not used to it, It’s really good.” He seemed to be eating it quite happily so I took their word for it, yet politely declined a “try.” Later I realised that the salsa cone summar- ised my view on stay at home parenting. It’s a little weird at times bul sweet, It adds spice to an otherwise plain existence, at least in my life. And although to‘some it may scem gross, it’s really good once you get used to itl One day soon I suspect I’l} have to enter the adult world for awhile... my children are enter- ing school and while 1 fcel incredibly privi- leged to get to stay home with them, I would be dreadfully bored there without them. Part of me anticipates this new growth for them and for me with excitement, patt of me wishes they could stay kids forever. Yet thai very fact, that growth is inevitable, they grow, you gtow, is what makes me proud of my profession, TERRACE STANDARD The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, November 10, 1999 - 81 OMMUNITY-=: SECTION B 638-7283 Warrant officer LeCleir remembers | JIM LeCLEIR was only 17 years old when he volunteered in 1942 to fight in the Second World War. Although men and women had to be 18 years old to join the armed forces, LeCleir had changed his birth date on his identification pa- pers to sneak in. He joined, he said, because al the time, it was the right thing to do ~all his friends were enlisting and men were needed. -. “But when the bullets started flying, | wan- ted to come home, " he said, “But it was too late,” Only four. out of 17 men who LeCleir spent ‘six months in aviation training with: returned home from the Second World War alive. With odds like that, LeCleir was one of the fortunate ones: Not only did ‘he. return from Germany in’ good health, but he also came back with all of his body parts. “Absolutely, I’m. lucky: to be “alive,” he said, “There were some close calls. When somebody is shooting at t you, everything i 1s a close call.” LeCleir served his time in the war as a gun- ner, flying in the infamous Lancaster bomber planes. These giant fighter planes, equipped with four Rolls Royce engines, are renowned for being ceaseless nighttime destroyers of German industrial centres and cities, As a gunner, it was LeCleir's jab.to shoot _ down any enemy aircraft that fired. The purpose of his crew’s missions how- ever, was to drop bombs over Germany, de- stroying buildings, bridges and major roads. “The only reason we shot down the enemy was self protection,” LeCleir said. All of his flight missions -were at night, Along with 25 other planes, LeCleir and his crew headed out from the barracks in England at about three in the afternoon to arrive in Ger- many by nightfall. He said as soon as his crew dropped the bomb they were carrying, they headed straight for home, feeling numb’ For most of the eight hour return trip. “T guess you can say. if anybody said they weren't scared for their life, they'd be lying,” he said. “When you gel over there and the shells are flying, everybody gets scared.” LeCleir said it- was hard-to tell how many planes he gunned down because it was dark. And when planes are travelling at 426 kilo- metres per hour, combat was over ina flash. “You didn’t see the planes disappear, he Remembrance day service JIM LeCLEIR was a gunner flying in Lancaster bomber planes in the Second World War. After 30 flight missions in Germany, he was discharged in the fall of 1945 after the Americans dropped an alomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. said. “They just don’t come back.” : And whenever a fellow crew's plane didn’t return home after a mission, another one soon replaced it, making it difficult to realise how quickly fellow officers were being killed. Once. men returned from combat, they were offered a drink of: rum lo ease: their nerves be- fore being interrogated about their mission. For dinner, officers were also offered the gift of one fried egg to eat with their mutton and fried bread. “One epg, that was your reward,” he said. ° LeCleir said he flew a total of 30 missions. After six weeks on, men were given one week off to relax in London. LeCleir was sent home immediately after the war ended in Europe because he was nee- ded to help fight in Japan. He returned to Canada in-July 1945 only to be sent to Greenland where he waited to be shipped over to Japan. But the Americans dropped atomic bombs in August before. bis departure, and LeCleir v was discharged i in the fall, LeCleir said on’Remembrance Day it’s im- portant to remember the men and women who died while serving in the war. “Most of these people were just young kids,” he said. “They never had a chance to experience life.” 7 LIVING IN Canada today, it is easy to forget that the 20th Century has been one of the most violent periods in human his- lory. From the World Wars in the first half of the century to NATO operations in the done by Lt. Michael Spears. 10:55 a.m. the last post will be per- formed by Robert Butchard. Around Town SILENCE: The Legion is asking every- one to pause for two minules to reflect about war, peace, and about those who ” their lives. former Yugoslavia, mote than 1.4 million Canadians have volunteered to serve in our mililary and merchant navy. More than 116,000 men and women have given This Remembrance Day, it is up to all Canadians to make sure the men and women who have lost their lives in the died while in the military. ° 11:05 the Bugler’s Reveille will be performed by Robert Butchard. The address will be said by Legion Padre Branch 13 Rev. Lance Stephens. A message will be read by Legion Pre- sident Patrick Smith. Following the theatre service, the par- The Kinette Club of Terrace is raising funds for the CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION by sponsor- ing a “Talent Nite’? at the Northern Motar Inn (George’s Pub). It will take place Sunday, Novem- ber 28, Anyone (must be 19+) interested in entering an act, please contact Katherine Hicks at 615-9592 {days) or 638-1782 (evenings). military are not forgolten. Terrace service 10:15 The parade will form af 10:15 a.m. in the Safeway parking lot with par- ade marshall Comrade Bud Kirkaldy. Everyone will begin marching to the Til- licum Theatre at 10:20 a.m. 10:50 The Tillicum Theatre service will begin. The opening ‘prayer will be ade will reform in front of the theatre and proceed to the Cenotaph for the laying of wreaths Veteran Cmde. WJ. LeCleir and president Patrick Smith will take the sal- ute en route to the Cenotaph. There will also be a laying of the wreaths and a prayer read by Rev. Lance Stephens. Afterward, the parade will return to the Safeway Parking lot. Warm clothing needed As temperatures drop, registered nurses in B.C. are inviting Northwest B.C. residents from Houston to the Queen Charlotte Islands to join them in do- naling warm clothing and blankets for the poor and homeless. Locals are asked to donate blankets, socks, sweaters, coats, sleeping bags and hygiene items TLT opens with such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and combs. Contributions should be dropped off at Mills Memorial Hospital or the Northwest Health Unit before November 19. - Nurses al each facility will ensure contributions ‘are turned over to local community service organi- zations for distribution to the needy, The Odd Couple By Betty Barton THE ODD Couple is a timeless tale written as a play by Neil Simon, our leading writer of comedy, It was first presented at (he Plymouth Theatre in New York City in March of 1965, It will open Terrace Little Theatre’s millennium season on November 18th. This is the story of two men who de- cide to share an apartment in New York cit ‘Oscar i is a slob and Felix is a neal- freak . The play opens on the regular Friday night poker game. Felix. doesn’t turn -up, and we discover his wife has kicked him out and he has gone missing. When he finally shows up, Oscar invites him to move in. Terrace Little Theatre Auditions TERRACE Little Theatre will be hold- ing auditions for its spring production of “Suitehearts", a comedy by. William Vin Zandt and Jane Miimore, on November 23 and 24 at 7 p.m. al the McColl Playhouse. Director Gotdon Oates {s also looking for backstage assistance. Anyone wanting to work on this play should altend the au- ~ from the hit TV series, A: play which will After three weeks, Oscar thinks it’s time for some female company and en- gineers a double date for himself and Felix, This does not po according to plan, And Oscar and Felix. aren't having much fun sharing the apartment, Almost every line in the play is written to make'us chuckle,- giggle or howl with laughter, a8- we accompany. these guys on their journey to the single life. Set in 1965, TLT has worked to create an . authentic 1930s. NYC ‘atmosphere, complete with the original theme music appeal to everyone from 12 to 8!. The Odd Couple: runs November 18, 19, 29, 25, 26, 27; December 2, 3 ,4 at the McColl Playhouse a8 pin Tickets are available al Uniglobe Courtesy Tra- vel. dition, The ‘cast calls for five actors (3 male and two females aged early 20s to mid 40's), The play deals wilh a-young couple ihat checks into a posh New: York hotel to fill their weekend with bliss, only to have it filled with strangers. The play is packed”. UNBC raises big bucks The University of Northern British Columbian's Annual Giving Campaign has topped the $100,000 mark — more than Liree limes its goal. The UNBC annual campaign raises money for the library, student services, scholarships and bursaries. Mast of the contributors to the annual campaign are individuals, small companies, original petition signers and founders, The Annual Giving Campaign is part ‘af North to the. Future: Building on Success, which is the Uni- " versity’s second fundraising campaign. from 1992- 98, the University raised’ $15 million’ for scholar- ships and bursaries, equipment, and the library. Since June 1998, -a further $101 million has been HERE IS your chance to learn about how the January 1,2000 Workers’ Compensation Board Re- gulations on smoke -free workplaces will affect . you! The Clean Air Coalition of Terrace is planning a Community Information Session. Thursday, No- vember 18 from 7-9 p.m. at the Coast Inn af The West in the West Banquet Room. Refreshments provided. Talent search Clean Air Coalition with sight gags and one liners,