---- ¢ 26 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, July 2 1986 Helping those with problems Friendly Visitors mark 18 years 'by Mildred Hope For the past 18 years, a group of women in the Port Perry area has been working quietly to help im- prove the lives of people with men- tal problems. Friendly Visitors was formed, almost by accident and over the years has done much to bring some joy and entertainment to those with mdatal problems. Last month, at the annual meeting of the Canadian Mental Health Association in Oshawa, the Friend-- ly Visitors group received the Presidents Award for outstanding contribmfions to the mental health program. Mrs. Helen Jewell, one of the foun- _ ding members of the group, was presented with the Distinguished Service Award from the Associa- tion, She received this on May 31. The following is an account of how Friendly Visitors was formed aud some of the work it has done over the past 18 years: In November 1968, Mrs. Stella Heayns who operated a Home for Special Care with 8 men in residence expressed her wish that _ the people could have something special for Christmas. Friends and neighbours Mary Williamson, Helen Jewell, Mildred Hope, Leta Doupe, Joy Newnham, Mabel Sturman, Kasie Harper, Marie Kroes obtain- ---- PASSPORT PHOTOS Ready while you wait! Please Call for Appt. PORT PERRY STAR 235 Queen Street 985-7383 ed the use of Prince Albert Com- munity Centre, prepared a Christmas dinner and served it to Mrs. Heayns men plus 5 more from Mrs. Parkers home, R.R. 1, Port Per 'y and Velva Chilvers from her own home, Dinner at noon was followed by a program and sing- song. : In February 1969, a meeting was held at Joy Newnham's home and Mrs. M.B. Dymond, Director of the Ontario Country Mental Health Association came and outlined a program for us to consider working on. On March 11, a meeting was held at Mildred Hope's home to form a Volunteer group for. residents in homes for Special Care. The follow- ing executive was selected: Presi- dent Mildred Hope; Vice-president Kasie Harper; Secretary and Treasurer Helen Jewell; Birthday and Lunch Convenor Mary Williamson. We had no financial backing, but Mrs. Dymond agreed to put our work before the public, by writing letters to organizations and the use of newspaper write-ups. We obtained the use of the Parish Hall, and held a-St. Patrick's party there, another home for Special Care from Myrtle with 5 residents, was invited to join us, plus 3 more people from private homes. We then divided into groups and visited people in their own homes, thus the name 'Friendly Visitors.' We took lunch with us, giving Bir- thday cards and a small gift to anyone having a birthday that month. May 13, 1969, we had $35 in our treasury, so we established a bank account. Donations were received from several organizations and our bank account grew. We also decid- Emmerson at 985-7306. Port Perry. Free trip to Bahamas for local business Local businesses are being given a chance to win a free trip to the Bahamas as part of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce annual Caribbean Festival Days celebrations. The trip for two will be awarded to the business with the best over all participation in the event being held July 10, 11, 12. Entrants will be judged on (a) exterior and interior appearance of their stores (b) staff enthusiasm (c) staff costumes and dress. In order to be judged for this contest, anyone wishing to be judged must enter the contest. Entry forms have been distributed to local merchants, but if anyone was missed they may get a form from Larry The trip for two to the Bahamas has been arranged through the Bahamas Tourist Office, Thomson Vacations and Marlin Travel in Help make this years Caribbean Festival Days an event we can remember for years to come. Enter your store in the contest and take part in the festivities July 10,11,12. GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CERTIFICATES Monthly Rates Annual Rates 9 7/8% 10 1/8% 10 1/8% 10 1/2% 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 4 YEARS 5 YEARS 2 YEARS 3 YEARS 4 YEARS 5 YEARS -- MORTGAGES BOUGHT & SOLD Rates subject © change without note Call the office for information SCUGOG FINANCIAL SERVICES QUEEN STREET -- PORT PERRY PHONE 985-3832 All Members of Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation ed to hold our own Rummage Sale, at this time several other Volunteers joined our group inc'uding Helen Wozney and shortly after Marlene Blain. In November 1969, we were able to obtain the use of Prince Albert Community Centre for our meetings, bringing all residents there, it was brought to our attention that there were two homes for Special Care in Uxbridge. Mrs. Louis Hartney volunteered to bring one group over and Helen Jewell went over and got the other group. At this time, we received some ex- tra help from the Catholic Church, alsp some support from Canadian Mental Health. The Uxbridge group came to our meetings for five years, the first 3 being driven by volunteers -- later when they were moved to Daheim Nursing Home, they came in a small bus, for 2 years, then developed a group of their own. We extended our program to in- clude a Craft Day on the first Tuesdy of the month. CM.H.A. pro- vided us with a staff person to help with this and paid us for taxi fare For the past 18 years, the Friendly Visitors have been working in this community to bring help and support to those with mental problems. The group recently received a Presidents award from the Mental Health Association, and Helen Jewell (front right) received the Distinguished and travelling expenses for trips, plus rent for the hall. Other than that, we raised our own money by 'means of a Flea Market and Quilt Raffle each year. The program consists of: bingo, games, special occasion parties, "bowling, mini golf and a couple of bus trips a year. A birthday cake is brought once a month and gift for those with birthdays. At Christmas, there is a gift for each resident and a Christmas din- ner provided. This year, Prince Albert U.C.W. donated and served our Christmas dinner. - The group received the Presidents Award for their work this year and were presented with a certificte at the Annual Meeting of Durham Mental Health. Helen Jewell, president of the group, was nominated for the Distinguished Service Award. Three of the original members are still ac- tive with the group: Helen Jewell president, Mildred Hope treasurer, Mary Williamson birthday con- venor, Marlene Blain and Helen Service award. From left front are: Helen Wozney are also still with the group -- other volunteers are Maura Howard secretary, Kay Woods lunch convenor, Esther Morilli, Ethel Luifora. Eighteen residents from homes for the Special Care are presently attending our meeungs from Port Perry, Pontypool and Cannington. Laura and Keith l.yle ° are also very active and supportive members of our group. Helen Jewell, President of Friend- ly Visitors was given a Distinguish- ed Service Award for her work with this group. Helen was one of the first members to join in 1968, first as secretary and treasurer and later in 1974 as President. Helen drove as a volunteer -- first to Myr:le and later to Uxbridge un- til we could afford a taxi to bring these people. She has always shared her time and her talents freely for the benefit of this group. This award was given at the 34th Annual Meeting, May 31st. Helen was one of eighteen people to receive this award in Ontario. Wozney, Mildred Hope and Mary Williamson (both original members) and Helen Jewell. At back from left: Marlene Blain, Kay Wilson, Maura Howard, Esther Morelli and Ethel Lucifora. See story for what kind of work the Prince Albert Friendly Visitors have been doing over the years. Championship horse pull Oakwood Fairboard presents a horse pull Sunday July 13, 1986, us- ing a Dynamometer from the state of Michigan at the Exhibition Grounds in Lindsay, Ontario. The Dynamometer used ex- clusively in the United States for horse pull competitions, an in-- teresting method used to determine a teams pulling strength. It is a dif- ferent concept of pulling compared to the stoneboat loaded with heavy concrete blocks used throughout On- tario. The principles behind the dynamometer go back to the late 18th century, when the farmers were using the old time slings in the barn to store the harvested crops. The farm team was required to lift the load vertically upwards, by us- ing a series of ropes and pullies to the top track in the barn where the load lo. ked into place. Then it was moved to the mows for storage. The harvest pull was considered by the farm folk as the ultimate test for a good team and soon became a source of recreational entertain- ment. In 1923 a group of Iowa farmers created a machine with ropes, pullies, and a hydraulic principal to create this concept of a vertical lift and started having social competi- tions which became known as "barn yard pulls." As years went by with the improv- -ed development of hydraulics the horse pull machine has become known as the Dynamometer. Lloyd Cords of Michigan State now has the only fully hydraulic dynamometer known in the United States. Cords Dynamometer is used in 25-30 Fair Pulls, including the Great Lakes In- ternational held in Detroit, as well as 25-30 more barn yard pulls. Cords Dynamometer will be in Lindsay, on Sunday, July 13, 1986 for teamsters from across Ontario and Quebec to test their teams skills. The teams shall be given a total of three trials to move any load the full distance of 27'2 feet. With Dynamometer horse pulling the teamster and team must move the load the full distance. There is no in- ching of the load along. The record in the United States stands at 4550 Ibs. over a double block for the heavy team class and 4050 lbs. over a double block for the light weight team class. The championship Dynamometer Horse Pull will be held Sunday, Ju- ly 13, 1986 Lindsay Ontario in the Lindsay Exhibition Grounds. Ad- mission to the grounds will be $4 for adults and $2 for Public School, preschoolers free, refreshments will be available. Starting time will be 1:30 p.m. rain or shine. The classes will be held for light teams and heavy teams competing for over $1500.00 dollars in cash prizes. An added feature will be a ladies single horse pull using the same dynamometer. Trophies will be awarded for the champion and the reserve light and heavy teams and the ladies single pull. Trophies also for the best light and heavy turnout, in which a teamsters horsemanship will count. The proceeds from this event will be used by the Oakwood Fairboard at their 138th annual fall fair, held in Oakwood September 5,6,7, 1986. For further information please contact: Mr. Brian Starr, R.R.1, Woodville, Ontario. KOM 2TO - 705-374-4681. Rh, mn