l j^S 0 . <0? fp * ~ L tr*ï i ir^ /OnPT . lx <£=---. ! L-..1 a ü ! i p i! '•-:- • tT7 p) -- i i t* P J f • |v J/ I! \1 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27,1991 8. r Ü ;i: V? 1 .H'î:hfV' : : j How Do You Feel About Sunday Shopping? 2 History Recalled in Page from the Past 3 Zebra Mussels Found in Prized Waterways 7 If you can read this article, you likely aren't a candidate for a course in Adult Basic Literacy or English as a Second Second Language. But, perhaps you know someone who could benefit from either of these locally- offered programs. And that's why you should read on. Estimates indicate that one in five Canadians can't read at a functional level. In other words, although they may have some reading skills, they can't follow written directions directions or understand a technical technical manual or even comprehend comprehend a note which is sent home from a school their child attends. A knowledge of how to read and write would greatly enhance their self-esteem and quality of life. Unfortunately, it's difficult to convince these people to attend classes where their literacy skills can be upgraded. Gail Rickard, a teacher at Bowmanville's Centre for Individual Individual Studies and coordinator coordinator of the Adult Basic Literacy (ABL) and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs, explains that the emphasis is on creating an informal, informal, non-threatening atmosphere atmosphere in the ABL classes. And there's a similar friendly atmosphere in the ESL programs. Naturally, both courses arc offered free of charge. And there are no examinations or tests to pass. Students at all levels of learning work at their own pace, The needs of people learning learning English for the first time and English-speaking adults learning to read and write arc different; therefore, Hie Centre Centre for Individual Studies offers offers separate evening courses for both kinds of students. The Adult Basic Literacy .class runs Tuesday evenings from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The English as a Second Language course is Thursday night, from 6:30 to 8:30. Both classes are at Central Public School in Bowman- ville, a school which also houses a variety of adult classes conducted through the Centre for Individual Studies. This year, both classes have fewer than the minimum number of students needed to continue for the remainder of the school year. So it's important important that any students who might be considering studying studying reading, writing and conversational conversational English register soon. The Adult Basic Literacy Course, which is taught by Evylin Stroud, includes students students at all levels of reading and writing skills. The two- hour class includes both individual individual instruction and group activity. A variety of reading materials is used, including a special newspaper which contains contains information and current events that can be understood by beginning readers. Students learn practical applications for their literacy skills. They might, for examples, examples, learn how to write letters or fill out forms. Some exercises exercises allow students simply to put some of their life's experiences experiences in print. In addition to attending the weekly classes, students may choose to work with volunteer volunteer tutors on a one-to-one basis. Bonnie Stewart, the teacher teacher of the English as a Second Language class, notes that the students work together to help build their skills. "We help each other, I stress that," she explains. For instance, students who have more English English can help those who have less. . Games, audio tapes, videotapes videotapes of newscasts, newspaper newspaper articles and group discussions discussions all help the students to build their skills. Emphasis is placed on pronunciation and vocabulary and also on understanding written materi al. Mrs. Stewart notes that although although the students are having having fun, they're also learning. "There is a nice feeling in the class," the teacher adds. Mrs. Stewart has found that there really isn't a "typical" "typical" student attending the ESL classes. Some may be newcomers to Canada, but others may have lived here for some time without picking picking up the language. Regardless of their level of skill, many adults can benefit benefit from either ESL or ABL programs. The difficulty is encouraging these potential students to take that first step into the classroom. For further information, call the Centre for Individual Studies at any time. Their phone number is 623-6505. Potential students are also welcome to visit a classroom where either the ABL or ESL courses are taking place. Linda Mills volunteers a couple of hours on Tuesday mornings to phone people people on the "to call list," a service provided by the Community Care program. Linda Linda inquires about whether or not a senior needs an extra service that day and how the person is doing. Shirley Moffat is a care giver in the care giver program program that can be accessed through the Town of Newcastle Newcastle Community Care office. Care givers become like extended extended family members to clients they care for while the primary care giver takes a well needed break. m by Laura Richards One would have never thought that going to the vegetable vegetable vendor could cause so much trouble for a young fellow. fellow. However, for Jacob Two- Two, trouble there is. Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang, a play adapted by its author, Mordecai Rich- ler, is a delight of song and music. Jacob's trouble looks like the Hooded Fang, a monstrous monstrous ogre of a wrestler on the television. Jacob, played by 15-year- old Jean O'Brien, is a six- year-old boy who isn't quite big enough yet to do some of the things his older brothers and sisters do. So far he is not old enough to cross the street or ride a two-whcclcr by himself. In fact, life is pretty boring. boring. That is, until he begs his father to send him on an errand. errand. Jacob is sent off to buy "two pounds of firm red tomatoes" tomatoes" from the local vegetable vegetable shop. When he gets there, lie is teased by the vendor when lie asks for the "two pounds of firm red tomatoes" twice. lacoi) TwchIwû' Makes : nnovemoer ty il (y And that's the crux of the matter. Jacob always says what he wants to say twice. Or, in the case of the Bow- manville Drama Workshop production, he sometimes sings what he wants to say. However, some people don't understand his little idiosyncrasy. idiosyncrasy. Jacob does not buy his two pounds of firm red tomatoes, tomatoes, but leaves the vendor and goes to the park so he can cool off from the confrontation. confrontation. While in the park, Jacob falls asleep and dreams about a prison for children. Bowmanville singer and actress, Ms O'Brien, brings life to Jacob, the hardly ordinary ordinary little boy. Directors Vic Goad and Georgina Preston have their hands full orchestrating the cast of dozens in this entertaining entertaining production. The truly interesting character, character, die Hooded Fang portrayed portrayed by Judy Bradshaw, can bring laughter and perhaps perhaps a twinge of fear to your daughter or son. Tom Barley as Master Fish and Ms Preston as Mistress Mistress Fowl arc terrific foils for each other, And their voices suit the characters. Mamie O'Toole as Artie Octopus, Melissa Brignall as Louie Loser and Ken Brignall as the narrator, father of the family and Justice Rough bring forth an array of characteristics characteristics to delight their audience. audience. The music is fun and rollicking rollicking And there is definitely definitely a "bluesy" type of song within the play's framework. You will find yourself tapping tapping your foot to the beat or bopping in your seat during some of the songs. Although much of the technical stuff is still to be worked out and into the play, one can tell from the rehearsal rehearsal that it was being worked on with tender loving care. Opening night of Jacob Two-Two is on Friday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. Two matinees will take place on Saturday at one and four to complete the three-performance run of this play. If you arc looking for a fanciful and frolicking play about children and their dreams, this is it. And, while you're at it, take your children, children, or your neighbor's, they'll enjoy it too. Seniors can attend a free dress rehearsal on Wednesday, Wednesday, November 27, commencing commencing at 7:00 p.m. Master Fish (Tom Barley) and Mistress Fowl (Gcorgi- shop. The play, which secs almost 30 actors in all on na Preston) talk to Jacob (Jean O'Brien) during a scene stage at various times, also has 40 people working on from the play Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang, off-stage items, such as lights, sets and music. The production is by the Bowmanville Drama Work- Bowmanvillc Senior Public School student, Dan Archer, is Community Care's youngest volunteer. The grade eight student helps senior citizens in the Bowmanville Bowmanville area with their yard work. Dan is shown here with Forrest Dilling, who is telling him what part of the property he would like to have raked. •More Than 300 Volunteers are the Key to Success of Important Agency The Community Care staff who greet clients each day are COPE secretary, Jane Bothwell; COPE Administrator, Janice Kroft; Home Support Administrator, Roxy Bames; and Meals on Wheels Coordinator, Sally Barrie. Community Care volunteers volunteers help keep seniors in their own homes, said a client of the Community Care Home Support program. In fact, Rena Storesbergen is grateful for the work done by her volunteer, Heather Sturm an. "I have a hip problem and Heather does whatever is necessary," necessary," said Mrs. Storesbergen. Storesbergen. For Heather, that means she could be dusting, cleaning cleaning windows, vacuuming, or cleaning Mrs. Storesbergen's refrigerator. Heather is one of 317 vol- y unteers with the Community Care programs in the Town of Newcastle. She and her cohorts supply supply a variety of services, including including transportation to doctors' doctors' offices, clinics, shopping, home maintenance, home visits, telephone contact contact and information services. Heather became involved with this particular United Way Agency a couple of months ago after her grandfather grandfather died. "My grandpa asked me to be of help to other people," she said. "He wanted me to help seniors to be comfortable comfortable in their own homes." Shirley Moffat, another volunteer with Community Care, supports primary care givers. "I go into a home to let the primary caregiver have a break," Shirley said. "I go in as a part of the family -- as an extended member." The Caregiver Relief Program Program is a region-wide respite service service developed by.,. the Durham Region Community Community Care Association to provide provide planned temporary in- home relief to primary caregivers caregivers of frail elderly and disabled disabled adults. While the primary caregiver caregiver takes a break, the relief care giver is responsible for providing help as close as possible to that which is provided provided by the primary caregivers. caregivers. That includes everything from giving medicine orally to giving bed baths and lifting lifting the patient into a wheelchair. wheelchair. Sometimes the lime spent with a client entails doing small things that bring back memories for the woman or man she is working with. "One woman would watch me do needle point. She watched my progress. "I decided not to work on that piece unless I was with her. She would watch me as I did the stitches," recalls Shirley Shirley Moffat. "She said she remembered when she could do the same. "Sometimes the things arc little to us but very big to the receiver" This program is partially subsidized and can be provided provided at a reasonable cost to the client. Each relief caregiver is trained to care for the elderly. New workers go through an intensive training which focuses on "how to conduct ourselves within a family home while being professional," professional," Shirley said. They also learn how to cook nutritious meals, and the Best way to lift a person. To supplement their course, there arc meetings held at Durham College. "A lot of what goes on comes from natural instincts. "How would you take care of this person?" The workers look at the different aspects of working with elderly and/or disabled adults. "We have to be relaxed, but on our toes," said Shirley. "We work as part of the family -- giving and taking." The home support worker and the relief caregiver programs programs arc all in place to provide provide people with mechanisms to manage with their daily lives. Another program which helps people is COPE. COPE is a community mental health program which serves as a support system for individuals 16 and older with emotional or psychiatric problems. COPE helps these individuals remain in their communities and function as effectively as is possible. "COPE offers a one-to- one support for stressed people," people," said COPE administrator administrator Janice Kroft. 'The program helps stressed people access services services relevant to their needs," she said. Some individuals need someone to teach them how to cook nutritious meals, how to clean, or how to cope with being a mother. In other words, COPE is to support anyone experiencing experiencing stress in their lives that they need help coping with. Ms Kroft said currently COPE has 16 volunteers who are one-to-one supporters and 10 volunteers who work with groups. "We're always looking for new volunteers, and we don't expect expertise or background background in mental health backgrounds," backgrounds," she said. One of the volunteers who has joined COPE is a chef, Ms Kroft said. "She is bringing her skills to the program," added Ms Kroft. "We want people who will be committed to the program. "And we are always looking looking for male volunteers. It would be nice to be able to match men referred to the program with male volunteers," volunteers," she noted. To become a volunteer, there arc two five-week training training sessions each year--one in the spring and one in the fall. Individuals who wish to use COPE can be safe in the knowledge that their case will be completely confidential. All the volunteers of COPE, and the other 12 Community Care programs, can rest assured that they arc helping people within their own community. To become a volunteer or to be listed as a client of the services provided call 623- 2261. Story and Photos by Laura J. Richards