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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 8, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Teacher touches a lifetime # DRIVE AWAY WITH GOLD 1 By Marilyn Meyers SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER 2004 HYUNDAI SONATA GL Alloys, Pwr Group, automatic, C Green 75,000 km. $ bi-weekly payments 112 $ ly eek s bi-wment ay p 122 2003 NISSAN Xterra Se T Hitch Side Rails Win Def, automatic, Black, 93,000 km. 2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON Power group, C/D, , automatic, Samba Red, 49,000 km. $ bi-weekly payments 122 $ ly eek s bi-wment ay p 93 2003 KIA SEDONA LX Comfort group, automatic, Blue, 52,000 km. 2003 HYUNDAI ACCENT GL 4 door, pg/cd, automatic, air, Silver 61,000 km. $ bi-weekly payments 89 "Class, sit up straight please," Mrs. Haufschild directed. I can still hear that authoritative tone which had kept me at a safe distance despite her friendly side. Now 40 years later, I found myself in a brave and persistent quest to find that same teacher -- that remarkable woman from my past. With a few scanty tips of her whereabouts, my sleuthing challenge began in several Oakville senior's homes where I checked mailboxes in entrances and inquired at front desks. Finally, I came across the name Haufschild in a newer phone book. While nervously dialing the number, questions raced through my mind. Would she remember me? Was she still coherent? Was she too feeble to speak? Is this just crazy? "Hello, is this Mrs. Haufschild?" I asked bravely. Affirmative. "Did you once teach at Baden Public School?" Seconds felt like minutes as I awaited the response. "Yes, I did, for many years," she replied confidently. "This is one of your former students calling. You would have known me as Marilyn Hallman in your Grade 5 class," I articulated slowly. Can she remember this average student in the archives of her long career list? "Oh yes. Did you live down Snyder's Road in Baden?" she asked. Good, good. Problem-solving skills and memory still intact. Sharp as ever. Her voice rose with delight when I shared my desire to come for a visit. As a Grade 5 student, before logic and I knew she must be living the final chapter of her earthly days, so I asked God to please keep her alive until I fulfilled this dream. Marilyn Meyers, author Evelyn Haufschild reason had obliterated fantasy and creativity from my young whimsical mind, I had loved to write stories. Mrs. Haufschild had often shared her pleasure in reading them. "Marilyn, I think you'll grow up to be a writer someday," she declared confidently. Those few words emblazoned on my heart, would impact me forever. After living for four years on board a Mercy Ship serving the world's forgotten poor with medical care, I had a unique story to tell. In doing so, I would be a voice for the poor. Our family had returned to Canada in 2001, exchanging our porthole ocean views for sunroom windows overlooking brilliant flower gardens and woods. I sat holding my laptop, on the verge of my greatest personal undertaking, unable to begin writing my book. Battling the giants of fear and selfdoubt, I recalled Mrs. Haufschild's words and another vision grew which inspired and propelled me forward. If I could get this book published, I would include her name in the acknowledgements and hand her an autographed copy. I knew she must be living the final chapter of her earthly days, so I asked God to please keep her alive until I fulfilled this dream. Now four years later, with my newlypublished book in hand, I was within minutes of seeing her. Arriving at Sunrise of Oakville, I identified her easily among the gathering of seniors in the sitting room. Her once tall, dignified stature was now slightly bent over a walker. "I did have the right person in mind," she voiced with a smile. We hugged and proceeded to her room. Her tiny home embodied memories of her recently passed husband, her family and her glory days of teaching. As we chatted, I became aware of the former student lurking deep within medesiring acceptance and approval, hoping to perform well. But the adult conversed warmly and easily with her. We talked about classmates, neighbours in our hometown of Baden and the See Student page 17 School Bus Orientation Day $ 12e1nts ekly i-w b yme pa Saturday, August 23, 2008 2003 HONDA CIVIC DX 4 door, C/d, A/C, automatic, Blue, 71,000 km. A safety program for all ¿rst-time riders. www.haltonbus.ca 2002 TOYOTA CAMRY CLE Power windows, CD, automatic, Green, 96,000 km. $ bi-weekly payments 131 The Halton School Bus Safety Committee is offering a free program for all ¿rsttime school bus riders prior to the ¿rst day of school. The program will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2008 in various locations throughout the Region of Halton. The one hour program promotes school bus safety and includes: · a discussion of student responsibilities while on school buses; · a Winnie-the-Pooh video for the younger students; · an interactive demonstration of school bus safety zones; and · a ride on a school bus to practise safe loading and unloading. $ ly eek s bi-wment ay p 67 2001 HYUNDAI ACCENT P/W, Comfort Group, automatic, air, White, 94,000 km. Please con¿rm attendance and a time slot, by calling one of the member bus companies of the Halton School Bus Safety Committee listed below. Scheduled time slots begin at 9:00 a.m. and parents are welcome to participate with their children. PROGRAM LOCATION Nelson High School Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School Georgetown District High School Acton District High School BUS COMPANY Attridge Transportation First Student Canada (formerly Laidlaw) Stock Transportation First Student Canada (formerly Laidlaw) First Student Canada (formerly Laidlaw) Tyler Transport Ltd. PHONE NO. 905-333-4047 905-335-7010 905-829-2040 905-877-2251 905-877-2251 519-853-1550 Follow the sunshine with DeNure Tours! You are Invited ... DeNure Tours Travel Show in Oakville August 19, 2008 at 1:00pm Holiday Inn Oakville Centre, 590 Argus Road Join us for a cup of coffee and a 1-hour presentation that features information about our "Sunshine Express" to Florida and Myrtle Beach, and our cruises to sunny climates. Special guests: Larry & Patsy Plemmons from Myrtle Beach! Seats are limited. Please RSVP to 1-800-668-6859 or email: info@denuretours.com 2001 HONDA CR-V GT $ bi-weekly payments 136 Air, rear spoiler, leather, automatic, white, 120,000 km. Front wind deflector, side rails, rear cargo mat, too many options to list! 2500 South Service Rd W. Oakville · 905-845-7791 ddeacon@hyundaiofoakville.ca **Some restrictions apply. *Prices are plus applicable taxes.