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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1996 THE GEORGETOWN GEMINI 9 Open Door Youths get help from Masons OPEN DOOR POLICY: Ann Scheepers-Nevins of the Open Door Youth Centre accepts a cheque from members of the Masonic Lodge in Geor- getown, Saturday. Money was raised at a booth at the Farmer's Market on Main Street this summer. Back row, from left: Jim Lilly, Sam Inglis and Ray Clark. Front row, from left: Len LaFond, Anne Schee- pers-Nevins and George Cozens. (Jamie Harrison photo) Health, legal issues of illiteracy highlight meeting BY JAMIE HARRISON The Georgetown Gemini The annual general meeting of the North Halton Literacy Guild provided attendees with some personal insights as to the debilitating effects of functional illiteracy in Canada. Speaking at the meeting, Public Health Nurse Maggie Connolly told the audience that low literacy rates can easily lead toa crisis in health care, often resulting ina lower quality of life for the func- tionally illiterate and those around them. "Literacy allows us to get information on health prob- lems and allows us to main- tain health," Connolly said. Adding to this is the fact that those who are illiterate are often trapped in low-pay- ing, high-risk jobs, with a death rate four times higher than those in better-paying, lower-risk environments. Statistics also bear out that the illiterate tend to be at higher risk with poorer diets, higher rates of smoking, with increased drinking and drug use, than those who can read. Connolly also noted that in Canada, the statistics seem to bereversed from the world- wide experience where two- thirds of the world's illiterate population are women, but in Canada, men are more likely to be illiterate. Constable Bill Riddle of Halton Regional Police Serv- ice told the audience how il- literacy affects the crime rate. He told the crowd that il- literacy is often overlooked but officers must make cer- tain a suspect can compre- hend what is placed in front of him or her, or risk having the case dismissed. "T've been doing this for 30 years and I've never hada witness or an accused admit to me they couldn't read or write," Riddle said, adding, "T couldn't find one officer who had ever found one." Riddle went on to say that one of his colleagues got into the habit of having an ac- cused person read back the first two sentences of a state- ment to ensure that he or she could read. Canadians are protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, en- sured they cannot be con- victed ofa charge if they can- not comprehend that what they are accused of doing was wrong. Literacy Guild President Kathleen Bellinger thanked Connolly and Riddle for their presentations. Bellinger also took time to recognize two board members who were leaving the Guild. Sandra Brownlee and Joan Banks, both board members since 1993, are leaving the Guild to pursue other interests, but both will remain active with the work of the Guild. In addition to the election of two new members to the board, Bellinger announced the Guild would be changing its fiscal period from Sep- tember to March, starting in 1997. "It has been an extremely busy year. It has been a per- 5 sonal goal of mine -- getting us working together as a team," Bellinger said. MILTON (905) 875-0971 Vv ON COMPLETE FRAMING PACKAGE (your print or ours) V TREMENDOUS PRICES ON ALL SHOWROOM PICTURES Quality Workmanship (18 years framing & decorating experience) Innovative Designs Unique Frame e Art GEORGETOWN : 42 BRONTE ST. S., UNIT #9 71 MOUNTAINVIEW RD.N., UNIT #5 Tues.-Fri. 10-6 (at Armstrong) (905) 877-2428 HOURS Saturday 10-5 The Gemini Loves Georgetown! CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY * Fleecy socks & warm cozy sweaters, all wrapped up with a new pair of Acorn slippers. Fight off that cold winter air- slip him into Solar Silk Underwear! Shopping in the Country oh what fun - a Gertex~ Jacket, that's the one! Hand crafted rockers, snowshoes & birdfeeders, even seed to feed those tweeters! Solitudes music fills the air, Christmas shopping's a treat, oh how rare! A honey survival candle flickers its light. Ahh... Aromatherapy Muscle Soak . what a delight! --. One of a kind. se shee Canoe Country OutdoorShop # Nature Centre on Winston Churchill Blvd. 1 Block North of Hwy #7 in Norval (905) 846-5000 853-0300 13-15 Main St. E., Acton mm, CHRISTMAS 4 SPECIALS Book Your Parties With Us ~ DiC ee Ciao ave Pru hy Unlimited Coffee ender & Juicy Prime Rib Dinner Fri, Sat and Sun BBQ Side Rib Dinner 95 Every Day $8 Ask us about our 2 for 1 Pizza Special! Party Rates Available