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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11, 1976, PAGE 9 Fun and hijinks abound Fire fig hters rest after hectic convention weekend By BRIAN WINTER Staff Writer A tired but happy crew of Whitby fire fighters rested up last week after what everyone considered to be a highly successful Ontario Fire Fighters Association con- vention in Brooklin during Carnival weekend. Deputy Chie f RonHawkins estimates that about 500 fire fighters from 50 to 60 communities took part in the convention, which the Whitby Fire Department had been planning for more than a year. About 280 campsites were set up on the Brooklin fair grounds, and the Brooklin Arena was the centre of activities for the weekend. Deputy Chief Hawkins said the Durham Regional Police handled the traffic and crowds at the convention very efficiently, andexpressed his thanks to the many Whitby and Brooklinresidents who took time out to párti- cipate in the convention. The Brooklin arena was filled to capacity for the Fire Fighters Ball on July 31, and people had to be turned away at the door, he said.. As in any convention, there was plenty of fun and hijinks. The rain on Saturday did not appear to dampen anyone's spirits. A fire fighter from Keswick provided free rides through the mud between the camp grounds and the arena, on a snowmobile on wheels. The TeeswaterFire Depart- ment, host for the 1977 convention, set off a cannon every hour, day and night throughout the convention, and other fire departments were letting off sirens at random. One department provided an antique fire bell which was located near the refreshment booth. Even during the serious moments of the convention there was evidence of the fun behind the scenes. Following the memorial service on Sunday, Convention Chair- man John Visser announced that a flag had disappeared from one of the campsites, between 2 and 3 a.m. and it would be appreciated if it was returned. The Whitby fire fighters, who acted as hosts for the convention, ran into problems because many visiting fire righters wanted their conven- tion T shirts. The Whitby fire fighters were offered up to $25 for their shirts, said Secretary Bill Clarke, and a few had them taken off their backs, Chief Ed Crouch included. ' Chief Crouch had his moment of glory during the convention when he literally threw himself across the finish line in the fire chiefs' 100-yard dash, barely edging out Chief Merv Evans of Ajax. Platoon Chief Ken Corner had a few problems when he was trying to fulfill his duties as parade marshal for the mammoth fire fighters' parade. Aug. 2. A member of one of the other fire departments decided to appoint himself as a parade marshal and started sending off the bands before they were supposed to go. The highlight of the con- venticn, according to all con- cerned, was the pyjama parade, the largest ever seen at an Ontario Fire Fighters' Convention, according to Deputy Chief Hawkins, who estimated that more than 300 people participated. Mayor Jim Gartshore was among the midnight revellers on this occasion, sporting a colorful dressing gown. The Vanguard of Penn Hills, a High School band from Pennsylvania, brought to the convention by the Whitby Fire Department, was very well received said Deputy Chief Hawkins. The band performed in the con- vention parades, and in the rainy-day County Town Carnival parade in downtown Whitby. The fire fighters' garnes were another successful event, with 26 women's and 32 men's teams participating in the waterball contest. The finals of the games started at 3 p.m. Aug. 2 and did not conclude until 8:15 p.m. There was plenty of antique fire equipment on hand for the Aug. 2 parade but it was kept carefully under wraps until the time the parade started. One adventurous fire fighting crew from Fergus mounted a 1934 fire truck and drove it through the streets of Whitby, delighting local residents. Ted Crouch, son of Whitby's fire chief, and Jack Usher provided musical entertainment at the conven- tion, and there were many other highlights such as the Heads Up! Summer's Here Summer slump? It's time to climb out. We have the boosters. Shape-up specials. Conditioner. Color. Cut. Look cool as a breeze. sw, presentation of an American flag from a fire fighters' association in Michigan at the opening ceremonies. Brenda Cowan, à 19-year- old Dunnville girl, was crowned Miss Ontario Fire Fighter for 1976 on the final day of the convention, in a competition with 10 other girls. -The,,second Brooklin Cub Pack won the fire prevention' window display, and winners of the convention draw were Burlington Hall Number Three, $1,000; Jim Petherich of Campbellford, $500; and A. Barrett of Brooklin, $300. The business . of the convention involved election of officers for 1976-77, and a number of meetings of delegates from the various fire departments in attendance. Ron Truax of Mount Forest was elected president; Jack Heaslip of Dunnville, first vice-president; Ivan Shepherd of Milton, second vice-president; and Don Johnston of Fonthill, secretary-treasurer. Directors are Ron Tulloch, Aurora; Carl May, Milton; Bert Hulme, Freelton; Ed Bohonos, Burlington; and Larry McDougall, Milton. Durham. Centre looking for volunteers The Durham Centre for the Developmentally Handi- capped is always looking for volunteers to assist directly in training programs with both children and adults. . According to a leaflet entitled "Volunteering Means Helpihg People at Durham Centre for the Develop- mentally Handicapped", "Volunteers are a vital aspect of the centre. It is through the help and support of volunteers that the goals of the centre are met". "The volunteers' greatest reward lies in the knowledge that they are involved in helping the residents to discover and use their oWn qualities and to become as self-reliant as possible within their capabilities". "Every individual has differ ¶t r-asons for volun- teering." 1 the importance of the ra of the volunteer can not L over-emphasized. Your contributions can THE enhance and broaden the effectiveness of programs. You provide a model for residents for behavior patterns. And working with the residents provides you with the satisfaction of helping people develop self- confidence while growing and learning". "Anyone can be a volunteer. There is no age or sex discrimination and interests can be widely varied. Your only qualifica- tions are the desire to help people and your continued commitment by being there when you're expected because others depend on you". "The amount of time you spend as a volunteer depends mainly on how much time you have to offer. Through discussion with staff at the centre, an arrangement to suit you, based on your personal situation, will be worked out". "Volunteers assist directly in training programs withboth children and adults. Your specific areas of interest can be a consideration for your role as a volunteer". "In addition to working with staff on programs, you could be organizing outings, special events and community visits for the resident". "New programs are always being introduced in rehabilita- tion, speech therapy, social work, as well as follow-up of discharged residents. fhere is always a need for volunteers to help with the implemen- tation of these projects". "Orientation and ongoing training is provided. You learn about thé practical everyday issues concerning the residents as well as acquiring knowledge about mental retardation". "As a volunteer, you can be a warm and enthusiastic companion, providing patience and understanding while acting as the important COMINGI A "Ye||0w Page" Classified Business Directory THE MOST COMPLETE BUYING GUIDE IN SOUTHERN DURHAM REGION Your Yellow Directory will be delivered to you soon. See what your Yellow Directory can dofor you ... * Complete list of businesses " Comprehensive listings " Complet list of postal codes " Plus many more time saving features model for behavior patterns". "You would also act as a link between the centre and the community, serving as a valuable public relations resoü.ïce to inform other people about the aims and objectives of services for the mentally retarded and pro- moting public understanding of the centre's role". "Your role in helping the residents discover their own capabilities and acquire self-confidence becomes a vital asset to the program at the Durham Centre for the Developmentally Handicapp- ed". For further information on the volunteer program, write Volunteer Co-ordinator, Durham Centre for the Developmentally Handicap- ped Services for the Mentally Retarded, Box 613, Whitby, LIN 5S9 or phone 668-7745 extension 435. DIREIORY HEAD OFFICE .382 KING ST. OSHAWA,ONT. 579.1668 A T LAST- The alternative Yellow Directo e you've been wating for. ry here soon. YELLOW Is DIRECTORY \WATCH FOR ITI - wELLoW LA CONTESSA .BEAUTY LOUNGE 119 Green St... - 668.9262 m,îýý