Grand Opening Robert White, Chainnan of the Heritage Homes Board of Directors, cuts into the cake durii)Q the Grand Opening of the Heritage Homes Community Hub at 146 M~nro St., West Lome on Feb. 3.

Jesse Cnocllaert llle Chronicle

Cutting the cake walter Gretzky (middle) was the special

guest at the official opening of Talbot Trail Physiotherapy Feb. 3. Gretzky has been a patient

of Talbot Trail for almost the last year, receiving treatments to calm a tremble in one of his hands.

Along with Gretzky at the cake cutting were Jason Higgins (left), registered physiotherapist,

and Chris Streib, owner.

Jesse Cnockaert The Chronicl

Physiotherapy service opens in West Lorne Jesse Cnockaert The Chronicle

An injury changed Chris Streib's life. Streib is the owner of Talbot Trail Physiotherapy, which

had its official grand opening Feb. 3 at the Heritage Commu­nity Hub at 146 Munro St., West Lome. Streib was originally studying to be a teacher at McMaster University, until he practically fell in~o physiotherapy.

Streib was at McMaster's studying math, history and phys ed, and phys ed was going to be his primary. He spent five years playing volleyball, and suffered an ankle injury in his

fifth year, which is what introduced him to physiotherapy. "I stepped out on a guy's foot as I was trying to close the

block. .. I could feel my tibia torque. I thought I was going to break my leg," said Steib. "All of our team trainers were phyiso's. That was my first exposure to physiotherapy:'

S~eib got hooked on physiotherapy through his love and interest in human anatomy, and decided to start his own physiotherapy business.

·Talbot Trail Physiotherapy opened its first clinic in Aylmer in 2002. The business grew with a second location in St. Tho­mas in 2006, followed by a physiotherapy and musculoskel­etal clinic in St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital in 2008. j Another clinic in Woodstock was added in 2010. The West Lome clinic is their latest.

''I'm very excited. In the three months that we've been here, the support has been great," said Streib. "I've always been a big proponent of getting service into the smaller towns so people aren't having to drive:'

Talbot Trail offers rehabilitation for conditions including back and neck pain, ankle/foot pain, tennis elbow, muscle p,ains, sports injuries, vertigo, bracing, and many other conditions.

During the grand opening, Walter Gretzky, father ofNHL legend Wayne Gretzky, made an appearance. Gretzky has been a patient of Talbot Trail for the last year, receiving Myopulse treatments to calm a tremble in his hand.

"I've seen the results. I'm one of them," said Gretzky as he held out his hand to demonstrate its steadiness. · Gretzky shared his story of physical rehabilitation follow­

ing his stoke in 1991. Gretzky spent ten months in the hospi­tal. He recalled standing· using the support of two parallel bars, and at first he couldn't even lift his legs, but could only swivel from side to side. ·

"Rehab is the reason I am standing here before you today," said Gretzky. "I had to relearn life. Totally relearn. I didn't know how to open a door. I didn't know shoes went on your feet."

Elgin Audiology Consultants opens in Heritage Community Hub Jesse Cnockaert The Chronicle

David Pfingstgraef has been helping people to hear better for over 20 years, and it all goes back to his uncle.

Pfingstgraef is a principal audiologist for Elgin Audiol­ogy Consultants, which opened their new location Feb. 3 at the Grand Opening of the Heritage Community Hub at 146 Munro St., West Lome.

Pfingstgraef took an inter­est in audiology because of his uncle, who suffered a hearing loss.

"The state of the art at the time left a little bit to. be desired. Why he couldn' t hear bette~ why that product wasn'tdoingmorethanwhat Let's have a look

people have when they can't hear, they can't communi­cate, th·ey begin to avoid so~al situations. They start to have a hard time relating, even to their grandldds or family members," said Ffing­stgraef. "When you're at home

· most of the time because you really don't want to go any­where, and to go back to the lifestyle you had before because now you can under­stand, not feel embarrassed. The anxiety isn't there that you're going to say something wrong anymore. That, to me, is a good job:'

Elgin Audiology provides complete hearing health care to all ages. They provide advanced diagnostic hearing testing, prescribe hearing aids and assistive listening

it did for him .. .I gradual~y got an interest in that," said

• Pfingstgraef, who studied audiology at the University of Western Ontario. "I've been enjoying working in

lauren Vannus, audiologist, examines the ear of David Pfingstgraef, principal audiologist for Elgin Audiology Consultants, which opened their new location Feb. 3 at the Heritage Community Hub in West lome.

devices, auditory processing evaluations for children, hearing aid repairs, and other services. · "Hopefully, people will get

this field and providing hearing services since." Wlien people find it difficult to hear,. they may retreat from

social situations, according to Pfingstgraef. He described his work as allowing people to get back to their old lifestyle.

"The ability to hear and understand some of the issues

to know that we're here. Give us a call;' said Pfingstgraef "I think the community has done a great job bringing these services to this area. I congratulate the whole board from the Hub and the folks in West Elgin."

Ontario Senior Safety Line at risk of closin~ To the editor,

In response to the Jan. 26 toronto Star article, 'Ontario elder abuse bot­line in jeopardy; I would like to draw attention to the local impact of the potential loss of this Senior Safety Line (SSL).

'' This 800 hotline, while operated out of the Toronto area, is an important" resource available to· seniors in trouble across Ontario. Many seniors from right here in Elgin County have used the SSL to help them deal with issues of Elder Abuse.

This 800 hotline, while operated out of the Toronto area, is an important resource available to seniors in trouble across Ontario. Many seniors from right here in Elgin County have used the SSL to help them deal with issues of Elder Abuse.

The Elgin Elder Abuse Resource ConrurrUttee(EEJURC)hassupported

this line since its inception three years ago. EEJURC is a network of organiza­tions who work with seniors, and our network has members who are com­munity seniors as well. Our purpose is to raise public awareness of Elder Abuse, provide education to service providers and the general public, and provide a consultation process for those dealing with issues of Elder Abuse. We are seeing more and more cases of elder abuse in Elgin County. As Coordinator of this EEARC committee, I woUld like to state that we feel this SSL can have a major impact in supporting the estimated 1200 seniors in Elgin County who are being abused. It can provide information and referral, as well as advice and emotional support to those seniors, or their concerned family and friends who call the SSL.

On behalf ofEEARC, I would like to request that potential donors, as well as government bodies, consider funding this vital safety link for seniors. Your donation right now will help maintain the functioning of the Ontario SSL, until more long-term, stable funding can be acquired. Contact the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, at www.onpea.org or by phone 416-916-6728 to make a donation. Thanlc-you.

Bonnie Rowe, Committee Coordinator,

Elgin Elder Abuse Resource Committee

MARCH IS NUTRITION MONTH t;et th ieeat '[)eat tNe ~ ?ltud

March marks a month when Dietitians of Canada aim build on Canadians' interest in food and nutrition. Nutrition Month 2012 is dedicated tct.Jot.Js;tinJtt up popular food and nutrition myths by bringi~g truths to Canadians from and nutrition experts.

Some Nutrition Month Food Facts. •• • "Multigrain means that there are ~ren:dc:l_.

whole. To·know if a food is whole each cflfferent grain listed.

• Frozen vegetables have .been harves;te(l•• process seals in the good great choice.

• Honey, maple syrup, Dro>Wn'Slllla our body can't tell the d~erancE•ptw,een moderation. Fresh

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Art Therapy . . Krista Schneider, left, Jo-Ann Hutchinson, and Josina Donkers, right, engage in some painting for some art therapy at the West Elgin Community Health Centre March 27. People gathered at the Health Centre for a Healthy Uving Tips event, which included education, health promoting activities for the benefit of people I with life-altering health conditions, or caregivers who devote themselves ~o the chronically ill or disabled. Guest speaker was Lauren Vannus from Elgm I Audiology Consultants. Healthy living Tips sessions are held at the Health Centre monthly.

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WESS Girls Conference builds self-esteem Jesse Cnockaert The Chronicle

The first ever West Elgin Secondary School (WESS) Girls conference has hopefully given some young women a better idea of what it is to be a woman in today's world.

The West Elgin Girls Conference was held at WESS Aprill2 for the Gr. 9 and Gr. 10 female students. The conference had guest speakers and workshops all day that focused on developing self esteem, building healthy relationships, and social networking.

"We want for students to recognize that we are all equal. We can get a long. We can feel good about ourselves," said Barb Ross, WESS instructor.

The conference is a Safe Schools initiative. Safe Schools also provided purple t -shirts that were given to everyone who participated. The t-shirt was itself designed by WESS Gr. 12 student Elorah Fangrad.

The first speaker of the day was Amy Hill, a marketing student at Fanshawe college and a Thames Valley Addictions

·Services counselor and youth Speaker. Hill spoke to the students about how her life went on a downward spiral because of drug abuse.

Hill first started smoking marijuana in Gr. 9, and that eventually lead her to doing more serious drugs such as

· cocaine and ecstasy. By 2007, Hill found h erself in a homeless shelter, and was prostituting herself.

"I didn't care enough about myself to stop and think," said Hill. ul guess its really hard to see the consequences of drug use:'

The conference also included guest speaker Melissa Cheater, who spoke about internet responsibility, a work­shop lead by an OPP officer about Violence Against Women Services, Elgin County, a yoga session and a healthy lunch.

Taking charge of your life

Guest speaker Amy Hill, with Thames Valley Addictions Services, shared her story of drug abuse and recovery with Jhe students.

Sea of purple The Gr. 9 and Gr. 10 female students wore purple at the first WESS Girls Conference held April12.

Kerr school class picture Joe Kovacs found this picture of the class of 1947-48 from the Kerr School House and shared it with The Chronicle. The teacher of the class was Geraldine Lobban, and later it was Mrs. Robert Kerr. The school was located near the corner of Kerr Rd. and Silverclay Une. Row 1 (on far left): Grace Kovacs, Wilfred Rivest, Norman O'Neil, Virginia Schnekenburger, Roslie Rivest, Jim Bennet. Row 2: George Nute, Ruth Schnekenburger, Jim Munn, Fay Hessanauer, Trudy Schnekenburger. Row 3: Donna Schnekenburger, Peter Pinter, Susan Gemmel, Joe Kovacs, Jim Schnekenburger, Lois Baker. Row 4: Percy Ross, Sedonia Kovacs, Rosmary Gammel, Ross Zoller, Betty Pituk, Shir1ey Schnekenburger, Louis Rivest, George Pituf<, VIOlet Driver. Row 5: Elise Rivest, cart Kovacs, Steve Pomay, Thelma Schnekenburger, Gerald Rivest, Betty Kovacs, George Kovacs, Eleanor Rivest

Devils triumph over Crusaders

Blue Devil Brian Azevedo head buts the ball during the game between the Devils and the Crusaders in West lome Aug. 25. The Devils walked away with a 3-0 victory.

~by Angle Gagnon, WESES Chair

WESES Boys Back Row (l-R): Eddy Wells, Sean Ricker, Cody White, Patrick Acres, Robert carter, Brody Pemberton, Jordan McEachren, Dawson Parker, Tim Dierickse, Austin Szusz, Tyler Skedgel. Front Row (L-R): Ms. Davidson, River Peter, Justin Gagnon, Kirk Mcintyre, Kellar Livingstone, Tanner Page, Hunter VanRaay, Drake Redmond. lying Dowo: Austin Miller

WESES Girls Back Row (l-R): Kenisha Russell, Bailee Howse, Marlene Slaght, Julia Rybiak, Tenisha Murray, Miekette Begin, Tara Wilson, Molly Parks, Kayla Smith, Mr. Mclenaghan. Front Row (l-R): Chantel Gray, Christa McDonald, Melissa Hooghiem, Lexxi Langs, Montana Sloetjes, Scarlett Redman, Abi Hansen, Ryann Fink. lying Down: Aleah Jabara.

Change Bandits raid St. Mary's school Jesse Cnockaert The Chronicle

At. St. Mary's Change Bandits stole money ... for a good cause.

From April 20-27, the school was involved in fundraising efforts for Children's Health Foundation. Money collected helps to pay for specialty beds, designed to provide care for children at London Children's Hospital.

Hat and Gum day was one event held April 20 where the kids could pay a dollar to wear hats and chew gum in class.

'' We couldn't possibly provide the care we provide without programs like Change Bandits." -Cameron O'Keefe, Community I

Relations Assistant with Children's Health Foundation

But the biggest event was when the Change Bandits mascot, a big bear named Dr. Beary Goods visited the school April 19. This year, the St. Mary's Change Bandits raised a total of $3019.21.

care we provide without programs like Change Bandits;' said O'Keefe.

Grade 7 and 8 students, as well as two SK students at St. Mary's, made up this year's Change Bandits. These students went around and collected donations.

The Children's Health Foundation's Change Bandits fundraising campaign runs fro m March 29 to April 28 to support the purchase of new equipment at the Children's Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre . Those interested in joining up, or making a donation, can register online at www. childhealth.ca or phone 519-432-8564.

Dr. Beary Goode Dr. Beary Goode, a big brown bear ll'_l~scot for the Change Bandits program, VISited St. Mary's School in West l ome April19. Student Josh Molengraaf got to wear the mascot outfit, and he was helped getting ready by his fellow Change Bandits and teacher Sharon Stockman.

Dr. Beary Goode went from class to class, high five -ing and waving to the students. Dr. Beary Goode was accompanied by Cameron O'Keefe, Community Relations Assistant with Children's Health Foundation, and Sarah Leach, Co-op assistant. O'Keefe explai n e d the importance of the Children's Hospital and the beds they need.

The Change Bandits . Change Bandits is a fundraising program f?r the Children's Health ~oundat1on, to support new equipment at Children's Hospital at l ondon Health Sc1ences Centre. St. Mary's students in West Lome became Change Ban_dits this ye~r, and collected donations for hospital beds. Back Row (l -R): Alyssa Pcuva, Twan D1eker, Dr. Beary Goode, Jami Jensen, and Stanley Wilkins. Front Row (l-R): Sadie and Tanner Matos.

"We couldn't possibly provide the

Gratitude for community support Dear Editor,

We, the staff of St. Mary's, would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank the parents and . families of our school commuruty for the outpouring and generous support of our Catholic faith teachings.

Your involvement throughout the year in such events as: The Terry Fox Run, The Caring Cupboard Lenten project, Cash Bandits for Sick Kid's Hospital and

most recently the Talent Show relief effort for Japan has helped to reinforce the home and school connection as well as instill in our children the importance of helping others first. Projects such as these remind us all that we are called to be global citizens.

We appreciate the positive role models that you represent to the students.

Sincerely, Staff of St. Mary's

Dance fest On May 6, students at St Mary's catholic School held a Dance Fest presentati_on. The grades 6 and 1 students are shown here busting some moves on the tannac. The entin: stude~-~ from St Mary's attended a multi-day dancing event in StThomas on May 11 with ~pating schools from across the London District Catholic School Board. The dance presentation on May 6 was to put on a show for parents who might not be able to attend the St Thomas event

Talent show for Japan relief efforts-~n May 3, f!!e students and staff of St Mary's Catholic School, West l ome held a school-wide talent show to support relief effol1s rn Japan. ~ctured here are students in the school's Glee club performing the opening number •sing". The students also created art pieces to sell. The 175 students at the school raised $ 2,053.34.

Food Drive The Grade 3/4 students of Mrs. Joanne Anderson's class at St. Mary's Gatholic School, West lome, have been hard at work for the last several weeks collecting food items for the lent season. The food items will be donated to the caring Cupboard.

St. Mary's collects food for the needy Jesse Cnockaert The Chronide

The Chronicle • Thursday, April14, 2011 \

Students at St. Mary's Catholic School, West Lome, are observing Lent with a food drive.

The season of Lent is a Christian tradition that involves prayer, repentance, self-denial and almsgiving. The students of St. Mary's have been hard at work with the "almsgiving" part by collecting food from March 30 until April 14. Collected items will be donated to the Caring. Cupboard, Rodney.

"We, as a class, decided that during the Lent season it would be nice to show our appreciation for what Jesus did for us by giving back to our community through a Lent food drive," said Chantel Kewin, a student teacher at St. Mary's. "I think it really shows, for the students, that they have what it takes to make a difference."

The target goal of the food drive is 1,000 items. At the half-way point on April6, items collected totaled 664.

"We have been bringing in items and

· counting them, putting them on charts," said 8-year-old student Marcus Dasilva.

"Some people don't have as much as we do. Sometimes we have extra, so we can give stuff to them," added classmate Bella Van Oirschot.

While the whole school is involved collecting donations, Mrs. Joanne Anderson's 3/4 class have been the project's managers. The food drive is being used as a cross-curricular project for the grade 3/4 class, with them learning about math and religion. The students have also been learning about language use by writing morning announcements anP. writing persuasive letters to their families about the food drive.

Progress chart Students Olivia Rawluk-Tasker, Jelica McGill, and Nick Sowden, mark their daily progress of food items' collection on their class chart

Jesse Cnoc:bert The Chronicle

Students of the Month Here are the winners of the November Students of the Month Awards at West Elgin Secondary School, along with Principal Richard Pincombe (middle row, far right). The awards are gi'fn to any students deemed exceptional in some way by a school ·

WES'I, IUAJIN S.S.

~~ves We Can!" DOOR-TO-DOOR

CANNED FOOD DRIVE Wed., December 14 • 6-8pm

If you cannot be home, please leave your donations in a marked bag on your porch

or the end of your laneway. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Mother/Daughter players Mothers and daughters faced off against each other in the annual Mother/Daughter basketball game at West Elgin Secondary School Nov. 30.

Moms and daughters bring it on Kelsie Kiss

The Wes t Elgin girls' basketball teams h eld their official Mother-Daughter basketball game Nov. 30 at the high schooL This game put the junior and senior girls basketball players on one side,

and their moms and some younger sisters on the other.

Both sides fought hard, but in the end the junior and se.nior girls pulled ahead, beating their mom's 33-31.

The Mother-Daughter basketball game is becoming a tradition. About six years ago,

Moms VS. Daughters Jessica Feere makes a pass during the Mother/Daughter game at West Bgin Secondary School Nov. 30.

players came up with the idea of this game as an end of season celebration, and teams have been repeating this custom ever since.

"I don't know of any other schools where anything like this h appen s," said Danny Kajan, Girls basketball Coach and Mother-Daughter game organizer.

Kajan mentions that family is very importa n t in this community and to the girls, so holding this game each year "really says a lot about our players~

"It was a lot of fun," said Mary Jocius, from the "mom" team.

Many of those involved, like Mary and her daughter Stephanie, have never done anything like this before, and came out because of daughters and older sisters on the high school teams.

Everyone put out a lot of effort, and there was a great tum. out, definitely a successful l night!