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10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanvillc, September 24,1986 Section Two Happy Birthday Zoo Employee Has Tamed World's Biggest Rodents Sandra and Tom Schmahl of Newcastle would like to present their daughter, Carly Gail. On September 17, this little beauty was two years old. Helping celebrate on that very important day will be her older brother Jordan Thomas and all her little friends at her favorite place, Chuck E. Cheese, Toronto. Proud grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Gord Garrod Jr., Newcastle and Mr. and Mrs. Willi Schmahl, Orono. Proud great grandparents are Mrs. Raye Friedlander and Mr. Gordon Garrod Sr., both of Newcastle. by Tammy Hill Ted Strikwerda doesn't use a flute but he could very well be the next Pied Piper of Bowmanvillc. The Bowmanvillc Zoo employee employee has accomplished the task of taming the capybara, the largest member of the rat family. Picture an oversized rat with webbed feet, tipping the scales at 200 pounds. Picture an animal with a big nose and ugly eyes swimming swimming in its natural habitat, the Amazon River of Brazil. Put all of these characteristics characteristics together and you've got a capybara. Mr. Strikwerda is believed believed to be the first person to tame these animals--a major achievement when one considers that the capybara is the largest rodent rodent in the world and is known as a very vicious animal. animal. When they first arrived at the Bowmanvillc Zoo three years ago one of the uncontrolled uncontrolled animals ripped the throat out of an llama which strayed too close. Mr. Strikwerda began taming the capybaras at the beginning of the summer. He describes the process as long and exciting. The time spent eventually paid off for Mr. Strikwerda since he can now enter their cage with apples and feed them right from his hand. The male capybara can grow to be approximately 200 pounds and the female is about three quarters that size. It is difficult to distinguish distinguish between a male and female capybara, since the only obvious distinction appears appears after two years. The male capybara will grow a scent gland on its face-- something the female does not have. A capybara is virtually of no financial value. However However Allan Connell, a coowner coowner of the Bowmanvillc Zoo, says: "We are not keeping keeping them for the profit. It is nice to be recognized by public zoos as a species saver. It's more a prestige- ous thing." In 1985 the University of Guelph conducted a study on capybara breeding which suggested that the Bowmanvillc Zoo produced a better breeding rate than the Metro Zoo. There was no evidence in the testing as to why the rate was higher but Mr. Connell suggests it may be due to the large quantity of fruits and vegetables fed to the rodents each day. Last year the Metro Zoo loaned a male capybara to the Bowmanvillc Zoo, under the assumption the animal was sterile. The so- called sterile animal bred twice during its stay at the Zoo. "They know we're doing something right, they just can't figure out what it is," Mr. Connell says. The capybara gestation takes approximately 125 days and usually occurs in late fall. Since the rodents have been at the Bowman- ville Zoo they have bred twice. Two of the offspring were given to the Metro Zoo in thanks for the loan of the male. The Bowmanville Zoo now houses six,of the unusual unusual animals.. Mr. Strikwerda, Strikwerda, an Oshawa resident, has named his pets: Stella, Esmerelda, Biff, Buffy, Cleo and Rachel. Surprisingly enough, in South America they are Intended for Last Week Mr. and Mrs. Harold Souch and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Souch spent last weekend in Pittsburg, Pittsburg, Penn, returning home on Monday. On Saturday, they attended the marriage of Miss Michelle Matisz and Mr. Tim Lewis at a Presbyterian church in the city. Michelle is the daughter of the former Myrna Souch. -On Tuesday, Mr. Harold Little of Campbellford was a luncheon guest of Mr. and Mrs. Llew Hallowell and in the afternoon visited with Mr. and Mrs. Brenton Farrow. On Tuesday, Mrs. Dawn Brettell spent the day' in Toronto visiting with Bruce's parents Mr. and Mrs. Hartley Brettell. Mrs. Isabelle Trim visited Wednesday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Bert Trim. Mrs. Terry Caswell, Marisha, Shaughn and friend Ryan of Newcastle, Mrs. Ada Hallowell, Mrs. Mary Caswell, Mrs. Pat Windatt, and Mrs. Mary-Lou Fonk were luncheon luncheon guests on Wednesday of Mrs. Bev Higgins, Mary, Sarah and Maia. Mr. and Mrs. John Oudyk, Sixth Line have had Alice's brother, his wife and son visiting visiting with them from Holland last week. Visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Llew Hallowell during the week were Mr. and Mrs. Ben Kortekaas one evening, Mr. and Mrs, Les Davis of Orono South another evening, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Austin of Welcome on Sunday afternoon and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Paeden of Newport Beach, Calif, and Mr. Lome Paeden of Crooked Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Gary Higgins, Mary, Sarah, and Maia were supper guests on Wednesday Pitch-In Ontario* of Mr. Doug Lynn, Kevin and Heather. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Stark visited Friday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Tamblyn, Orono. Miss Theresa Murphyr of Oshawa spent the weekend with her grandparents Mr. and Mrs. John Murphy. On Saturday afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Todd attended the 50th wedding anniversary celebrations in honor of Mr. and Mrs. C. Johnston of Fenelon Falls. Mrs. Emily Brown of Port. Hope, spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Brenton Farrow. On Saturday afternoon, Elfën, Brenton and Emily attended the marriage of their great niece Miss Sharon Good- murphy to Mr. Jack Button of Oshawa at Maple Grove United Church. The dinner which followed was held at the church with the dance at the Community Centre in Orono. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Flak of Toronto spent the weekend with Mr, and Mrs. Bruce Brettell and Susan. On Saturday, Saturday, Dawn and Debbie attended attended the Oshawa Art Festival held at Camp Samac and sponsored by the Oshawa Art Association. Mrs. Jean Collins of Oshawa, Dawn's sister, sister, is a member of the Association and had entered some of her paintings. On Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Higgins, Mary, Sarah, and Maia spent the day at a friend's cottage at Clear Lake at Young's Point. Mr. and Mrs. Brian Caswell were supper guests on Saturday Saturday of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Caswell, Port Hope. On Saturday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Stutt attended a retirement-going-away party in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Reed of Orono and held at the Orono Town Hall. Bea and Ron are moving to their cottage cottage near Picton. Mr. Ted Stark of Knoxville was a luncheon guest on Sunday Sunday of his parents Mr. and Mrs. Jim Stark. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ruth- ven of Port Hope visited Sunday Sunday afternoon with Mrs. Edna Dobson. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Souch and grandson Blaine Souch visited Sunday afternoon with Mr. Milton Wannan, Kirby. On Sunday afternoon, Mrs. Dorothy Trim wth Mrs. Dianne Rowe of Bowmanville If you had to entirely rebuild your home tomorrow, could you? With State Farm, you can got guaranteed 100% coverage on your home plus extra contents protection. Call to see it you quality. DON IRVINE 623-4482 108 Waverley Rd., Bowmanville Lihu a i/ml ucii/iibor. Sllllo Farm 15 Ihvrv Sum I Jim f ns and Casually Comiimv Cinjilun lie,hi Ollicu Scjilioiough, Onl.1119 STATI FARM INSURANCl attended a baby shower in honor of Mrs. Cathy Trim and new baby daughter Laura held at a friend's home in Bowmanville. Bowmanville. Mr. and Mrs. David Rutherford, Rutherford, Michelle and Mark of Orono were Sunday supper guests of Mrs. Isabelle Trim. Miss Ellen Windatt of Portland Portland near Smiths Falls arrived home on Sunday to spend a few days with her parents Mr. and Mrs. John Windatt and Erin. On Sunday, Mrs. Anne Simpson and Mrs. : Martha Farrow, attended the pot luck luncheon held at Newcastle Baptist church and later the musical and devotional afternoon. afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Windatt of New Lowell visited on Sunday Sunday afternoon with Mr. and Mrs. John Windatt, Ellen and Erin. On Sunday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Llew Hallowell, Miss Mary Higgins and Miss Marisha Caswell of Newcastle were dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Brian Caswell. Later, Mary and Marisha stayed on overnight and Monday with their grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Jim Stephenson of Kirby visited Sunday evening with Mr. and Mrs. Larry Sinclair, Todd and Tara. On Sunday evening, Mr. and Mrs. Bert Trim were supper guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Rowe and Tiffany, Bowmanville. Our schools have opened again for another school year. Here is a list of a few of the students who have completed milestones. Steven Foster is starting Grade 1 at Kirby Public School, while Ryan Johnson is in Senior Kindergarten at Kirby. Jodie Souch and Lesley Westheuser are starting at the Pines Senior Public School in Grade 7. Beginning Grade 9 are Dwayne Souch, Blaine Souch and Paul Simpson at Bowmanville High School while Jody Farrow, Stacey Thompson, Melody Farrow, Angela Kortekaas and Mark Cholmondeley start at Clarke High School. Nicole Da Costa is at Ottawa University majoring in Languages. Kenneth Farrow is at Mohawk College in Hamilton taking the 2 year course in Electrical Engineering. Paula Robinson is at Sir Sandford Fleming College in Peterborough taking the Food Service Supervisor course. Cheryl Robinson is taking the Registered Nursing Assistants course at Durham College in Oshawa. Hi! It's your TOPS reporter again. Just a little reminder, that TOPS No. ON870 Bowmanville Bowmanville is still alive and slimming. slimming. If the picnicing and barbecuing of the summer has literally gone to your waist, don't Htesitate. Find a TOPS club near you and start to 'Take Off Pounds Sensibly.' TOPS has some great "figures" in more ways than one. Here are the weight loss statistics for 1985. There was a total weight loss of 1,769,105,89 lbs. (885 tons), approximately 14,954 lbs. per chapter (club). The membership statistics are . 304,643 total enrollment, with the total number of chapters being: Ù.S.A. -9,882, Canada - 1,870, Overseas - 94. The KOPS, which are graduated TOPS, have a total enrollment of 42,805. A survey was done in the States to determine how dieters diet, who, and why. One question on the survey was this: What is the most compelling diet motive? Forty per cent of those surveyed said they really wanted to lose weight, 39 per cent said for medical and health reasons, 19 per cent to maintain their weight and one per cent were dieting to gain. When a person diets, for whatever reason, they know they look better and they feel better. Looking better leads to a healthier view of ourselves. This does not mean that a dieter has to be as slim as a pencil. You lose weight to a point where you are comfortable and where your doctor feels it is medically medically correct for you. Being too slim is as dangerous as being very obese. Depression, caused by being overweight, can be lifted once you find you can lose. High blood pressure in most cases is easier to control when the body has less oi a burden to carry. Weight loss can relieve chronic back pain in alot of cases. Extra weight puts a strain on the back which supports our body and can aggravate back problems. Whatever your reason for wanting to lose weight, make sure you follow a balanced meal program, and get exercise exercise no matter how mild. While shaping up you have to firm up. One of the best exercises exercises you can do (unless medically medically unable), is a good brisk walk. Start out ,i with short,' walks, at a comfortable pace,' without pushing'yourself: and work Up td-ujoager 1 ' walks, Always wear coadortable and good supporting ; shoes. So many people take their feet for granted. Losing weight, will take a lot of strain off your feet and you will have a healthier, happy pair of them. To sum it up, weight loss in most cases, will improve your whole body and your mind right down to your toes. One very important point in starting a diet 'is 1 see your doctor first. A good checkup is needed to detect any problems. problems. The doctor can set you on a sensible diet plan. Fad diets and not knowing enough about nutrition can be harmful. harmful. A signed medical slip is needed to join TOPS. TOPS no. ON870 Bowman-, ville meets at the Lions Centre on Beech Ave., Bowmanville, each Thursday evening. Weigh-ins aré 6:30p.m. to 7:15 p.m., meetings at 7:30 p.m. New programs land contests are being discussed and new ideas are always welcome. Towards Christmas there will be a craft sale, to keep idle fingers busy. Area Rally Day will be on October 19th at the Bowmanville High School. Yours in TOPS BarbArnburg TOPS ON870 Bowmanville Now a Church Moderator What is this ugly rodent you ask? Well, it weighs 200 pounds, has webbed feet, big ugly eyes and nose and loves the water. It's a capybara. Ted Strikwerda has taken the world's largest rodents and tamed them to eat right from his hand. The capybara is a vicious animal, but with a lot of time and hard work Mr. Strikwerda has managed to be the first person to actually get close to the rodents. Starkville and Area tops Figure. p„n'tUe These are definitely not more "cuties" from the zoo but they do sell for about $1,000 each. The pot bellied pigs arrived at the Bowmanville Zoo a few raising the capybaras for meat products. But there is no such thing going on in North America and Allan Connell says "I don't think they would be a big hit in Miracle Mart." years ago and have been quite an attraction ever since. She began as a Sunday school teacher and now, over 50 years later, Anne Squire has been elected Moderator of the United Church of Canada. In its September issue, The United Church Observer features an interview with Squire who became the church's first lay woman Moderator at the August meeting of the United Church's highest governing body, the General Council. Commenting on the fact that she is not a minister Squire says, 'the. ministry of Jesus mm kens Superior quality - wood coatings engineered to stand up against the elements. Available at Central Paint and Wallpaper 2!)!> Ititson ltd. S. 728-118(1!) Oshawa Christ is shared by everyone...both lay and clergy. In many cases, people agree in principle but are not picking up their responsibility to minister and some ordained ministers are making it difficult for them to do so. 'It's a sign that we as a church are beginning to take seriously our rhetoric about the ministry of the whole people of God,' Squire told General Council commissioners in her acceptance speech. In her Observer article, Muriel Duncan says,There is no doubt this gracious cheerful woman from Ottawa is a pioneer for both laity and women. While you might miss this slight unassuming woman in a crowd, when she speaks, her message is forceful.* MIDWAY MIDWAY MIDWAY MIDWAY MIDWAY c::.!.' Bigger Pictures Plus Fast Accurate Service FREE! 5x7 Enlargement with every 041-110, 126-135 film processed. INSTANT PASSPORT PHOTOS OSHAWA CAMERA CENTRE LTD 728-4631 OSHAWA SHOPPING CENTRE (ACROSS FROM THE PHONECENTRE) s MIDWAY MOTORS ti Tod Strikwerda, of (lie Bowmanville Zoo, makes friends with even the most 1300 Dundas SI. E„ Whitby GG0-G028 DURHAM REGION'S No. 11MPORT TRUCK DEALER NISSAN