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6 By FRANCES NIBLOCK The New Tanner An Acton teen's essay on her unconditional love for her late, alcoholic father is the first place winner in the sen- division of ior the BOYES PLUMBING Water Softener Rentals Water Pump Service Georgetown Optimist's Laws of Life contest. The contest, based on a character building program of the U.S. -- based Templeton Foundation, recognizes the importance of personal moral values by awarding prizes to high school students for writ- ing 500 -word essays on the spiritual "laws of life" they have identified through reli- gious teachings or their own personal experience. Although a scheduling problem prevented Georgetown students from taking part in this year's event, 153 Acton area stu- dents entered essays which Optimist past-president Rick Chambers said were judged GUELPH UPHOLSTERY 30 Years ago in 1969, Ruth & Earl Jensen started Business in ACTON, under the name ACTON UPHOLSTERING GUELPH UPHOLSTERY We still serve ACTON & ROCKWOOD area. ; Recovering Furniture, Antique & Modern. « Please call fora FREE estimate in your home or j visit our FABRIC SHOWROOM at 303 Victoria Rd. N. GUELPH (comer of Speedvale) Or call 824-0533 (local call) Free pickup and deliv SISOS ey, The Wellness Centre CHIROPRACTIC: Dr. Tom Thompson D.C. Chiropractors correct misaligned vertebrae (subluxations), which produce nerve interference. When subluxations are corrected, optimum nerve supply is generated to the body which increases the potential to heal; and stay healthy. MASSAGE THERAPY: Mark Weidner R.M.T. is the assessment and treatment of the soft tissues and joints of the body. It is used to prevent physical dysfunction and pain, as well as maintain and rehabilitate. Massage therapy is relaxing, pro- duces a natural state of well being and is helpful in relief from many conditions. CHIROPODY: Deanna Wilson D. Ch. is the science of assessing, treating and pre- venting disease, injury and dysfunction of the feet in all ages. Biomechanical assessment, gait analy- sis, orthotic prescription, diabetic foot management, wound management, wart removal, nail avulsions, debridement of painful lesions and taping for pain and stabilization. HOMEOPATHY: Valerie Stevens B.Sc. BA.D.S. Hom.Med. There are six main therapeutic approaches in naturopathic medicine: botanical (herbal) medi- cine, homeopathic medicine, oriental medicine, clinical nutrition, physical medicine and lifestyle counselling. Homeopathy is a 200-year-old scien- tific alternative without side effects. It addresses the whole person dealing with the mental, physical and emotional aspects of the individual. OSTEOPOROSIS SCREENING: Dr. Barbara Jeans M.Sc. D.C. + Thin or small framed? + Low calcium intake? + Cigarette smoker? - Post menopausal female? + Family history of osteoporosis? + Sedentary lifestyle? - Taking medication for thyroid or steroid-based drugs for asthma? For consultation/appointment, call The Wellness Centre (519) 853-3460 THE NEW TANNER Acton teen wins top place in Optimists'essay contest on the impact of their mes- sage. "The contest is to get the kids discussing with them- selves and hopefully their parents, which ideals are im- portant to them," Chambers, who said it was " fascinating and heart-warming" to read -- the submissions which highlighted values like optimism, self-control, humil- ity and forgiveness. Melissa Young, a 17-year- old OAC student at Acton High, was rised that her essay won. The project was an English class assignment that the students could sub- mit, if they wished. "Tt (the essay) was a good way for me to write out my feelings. My essay really wasn't about one law of life, it was about my dad who had died and how I was able to love and respect him, despite the problems we had to go through," Young said, adding she might not have made the essay so personal if she thought she'd win. Essay contest winners re- ceive prizes of cash and gift certificates from Maple Lodge Farms and their essays are published in a book that is distributed to local doctors and dentist offices and the li- braries. The winners received award certificates from the Optimist Club on Tuesday. The winners include: Senior lst -- Melissa Young 2nd--- Devon Lambert 3rd--Jeff Birrell Junior 1st --Tom Wilson 2nd--- Jackie Christie 3rd--Danielle Jensen THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1999 ESSAY WINNERS: The winners of the Georgetown Optimists' Laws of Life essay contest received their awards last Tuesday. The Acton area winners include, (front, left to right): Devon Lambert, Melissa Young, Jackie Christie and Danielle Jensen. Back: Jeff Birrell and Tom Wilson. - Frances Niblock photo Daughter learned from father The following is Melissa Youngs winning essay. By Melissa Young As I sat down to put pen to paper, many ideas rushed through my mind. There are so many events and individu- als that shaped the person I am today. Which one do I choose? After much delibera- tion, I decided to write about my Dad who passed away last year. I thought and thought about two laws of life that he abided by. Thinking about him in this way made me real- ed how much he changed my fe. My Dad was born into an alcoholic family. Despite his awareness of the problems caused by alcohol, the dis- ease eventually took its toll over him. It was very difficult for me to see my father lost in aworld of turmoil. He affected every aspect of my life from young child to teenager. So many times I sat at his side as he fought for his life in the hospital. He was definitely a fighter, but you can only fight for so long. When he died my life changed so much. How could a father be taken from his family? From the day he died until now I've tried to put him ona . felt I needed to for- get the pain he caused me. I wanted to ease the loss by believing he had been per- fect. Sitting down and writing my thoughts made me realize I didn't necessarily admire him, I just loved him. I finally allowed myself to understand that what I was feeling was understandable. I no longer had to mask the problems that / Was ou BE p Come and try our BLACKSTONE Skate Sharpening We have Corporate & Team Wear with custom embroidery Personalized Hats, Golf & Sweat Shirts Wew & Used Skates & Equipment COMPETITIVE PRICES 113 Mill St. E., Acton 853-9597 Mon - Closed, Tues-Wed 11-7, Thurs-Fri 10-8, Sat 9-6, Sun 11-4 had formed between us dur- ing his short life. I realized I could just love him, not for the person I wanted him to be but for the father he was. Ican now look at the past and re- member the good times, but I no longer have to shut out the bad ones. The struggles that my family faced forced me to learn how to cope with problems. My Dad left me to ponder what life is really about. He taught me how to survive in an often times, cruel world. Somehow he left me with the strength that he never had. I will always be grateful to him for making me such a strong individual. He wasmy ~ dad and I have always loved him with all my heart. Even though he has been gone from my life for over a year I'm just realizing what he gave to me. I understand that he was only human, as am I. Despite the flaws that he had, he taught me that inner strength comes with the knowledge that understand- ing and caring are the uncon- ditional qualities of love. WW MASTER HOME [MPROVEMENTS BATHROOMS BASEMENTS PAINTING IODE By DOT NORTON Rosealea Dawkins hosted the October meeting of the Lakeside Chapter IODE. Re- gent Helen Jocque opened the meeting with the Order prayer and flag salute. There were 10 members and One guest present for the meeting. Fergus IODE invited mem- bers to tour their Heritage Homes in November. The Le- gion has invited chapter mem- bers to participate in the Re- membrance Day parade. Re- gent Helen Jocque will place the wreath for the chapter. The group will award the same bursaries to students as last year. = Rosealea Dawkins has heard from the school the chapter supports in Makovic that the toques and mittens sent to them were appreciated but they need even warmer, thermal, items for the really ~_ weather in January and ebruary. Joyce Sprowl will attend the Salvation Army's Oct. 14 meeting to learn what is needed for the Christmas ham- pers. Ernestine Grammick will be presented with an honorary plaque for all her help in knit- ting and sewing for the chap- ter's bale. She is welcomed as an honourary member of IODE. The chapter's big event of the year, its annual bazaar, will be held Nov. 13 at Knox Pres- byterian Church in Acton from 12 noon to 3 p.m. It will bea great Christmas shopping day with a 50-50 draw, bake table, crafts, homeade chili and other goodies from the penny table. All the members of the chapter's executive have re- turned to office for another year. Members are sorry to hear Gladys Davidson has fallen and broken a bone in her wrist. Hope it's well for the next meeting, Gladys. Ernestine Foster will host the chapter's Nov. 2 meeting at 7:30 p.m. Don't forget to bring grocery supplies for the raffle baskets.