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For the finest in CUSTOM UPHOLSTERING call Baier's. Makers o f fine upholstered furniture. Outstanding `Drum' roles Arts & e n te r ta in m e n t OLYMPIC team trials Sports Mercedes-Benz WEDNESDAY. APKILI2.2(00 eoftflc* 75C&H*?piuiGST) Legless teen maintains positive attitude in hockey...and life Greg W estlake an inspiration to others By Kathy Yanchus SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Hospice visitor Volunteer of Year Barbara Watt honoured for work By Wilma BJokhuis OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Greg Westlake doesn't hesitate to hoist up his wide-leg jeans to expose his two fibreglass legs and attached rubber feet. Born with a rare congenital birth defect, Greg's legs were amputated below the knees when he was eight months of age. He received his first set of prosthetic legs short ly after his first birthday. To the chatty, spunky teenager, having no flesh below his knees is as natural as breathing. "I lost them so early, I don't know what it's like to have real ones," smiles Greg, the youngest of four active and athletic children belonging to Deb and Jim Westlake. Almost as soon as he could walk, which at 27 months for Greg was later than most children, he learned to skate. No wheelchair for this kid; the only time he uses one is while playing wheelchair basketball, which he does every Saturday at Variety Village. Greg wasn't going to be left behind while his siblings, Scott, Rachelle and Nicole, danced and played hockey, He fell in love with hockey by "being dragged to every single practice and game of Scott's," says his mother Deb. If he wasn't so open and nonchalant about his special legs, no one would be the wiser if they saw him playing street basket ball with his buddies, Andrew Mise and Pat Gadbois, or swinging a golf club at Rattlesnake Golf and Country Club, or lac ing up his skates. It's not as much a disability as people might think, says Greg. He proudly displays the Team Canada logo he had superimposed on the fibreglass legs, and demonstrates how his flex-foot enables him to `bend' at the ankle,. This allows him to snowboard because his feet Photo by Ron Kuzyk G reg Westlake doesn't let artificial legs slow him down in life or when tending goal. are buckled in, but not skateboard-- the one sport he would like to try, but can't Heavy duty braces, specially designed out west and used by professional athletes, give his knees added support while he's pur suing sports. And like other players' shins, Greg's legs take a beating. A slapshot to the leg can inflict damage to the fibreglass and tape is required to patch them up until he can find time between sports to have new ones fitted. The only time his legs come off is when he switches to his swim legs which "are lighter, not so stiff' and have holes in the back which allow the water to drain. Although Greg swam competitively for a time, rode horses as a youngster to improve his mobility, played rep baseball and volley ball for Brookdale Public School, partici pated in track and field and has his blue belt in ju-jitsu, his passions are basketball, hock ey and roller hockey, which he plays all summer. Every Saturday, Greg makes the drive to Scarborough to Variety Village where he undergoes a grueling training schedule to improve his upper strength. This includes (See 'Greg' page A2) Barbara Watt, who has provided care to terminally ill individuals and their families as a VON Hospice visitor, has been named Oakville's Volunteer of the Year. The award was presented Monday night at Town Hall as a kick-off to National Volunteer Week. "Barbara has been described as dependable, trustworthy and thoughtful," said Mayor Ann Mulvale in presenting the award to her. "Barbara visits with unconditional understand ing in a non-judgmental way. Barbara's involvement has enhanced the quality of I life for terminally ill individuals and helped alleviate human suffer ing and despair through active compassionate care. The Oakville community has truly benefited from Barbara Watt's commitment to people suffering both psychologically and physically. Watt, a retired dietit ian, started volunteer ing for the Halton VON - Victorian Order of Nurses, in October 1991. Since then, she Photo by P eter J. T hom pson has provided support to B a rb a ra W att: O akville's 14 terminally ill indi viduals in their own V olu nteer of T h e Y ear homes. She also pro vides respite to family caregivers and bereavement followup. In addition, say her nominators at the Halton VON, Watt is involved with the VON Candlelight Memorial Service Planning Committee, the VON Halton Fundraising and Development Committee, and participated in a national VON training video titled `A Friend for Life.' "I was very surprised to win, it's a huge honour" said Watt. "The VON is very special to me. "I visit people two to three times a week, or only once a week, depending on the needs of the client and the family. I not only get to know the client, but the family as well, and hopefully I can give some comfort to that family." Watt explained she's matched with one client at a time. "Barbara's approach reflects an understanding of pallia tive care and demonstrates her gentle and compassionate nature," said Councillor Janice Caster. "Barbara is a true example of selfless giving, and her smiling face radiates the pleasures she derives from helping others in need." (See 'Volunteers' page A8) Fire closes east-end restaurant three weeks after opening Three weeks after opening, the Coyote Restaurant on Winston Churchill Boulevard has been closed due to an early morning fire Sunday. According to Oakville Chief Fire Prevention Officer John Peters, the fire caused an estimated $100,000 damage -- mostly internal -- to the Coyote Restaurant, located in the restaurant complex next to the AMC Theatres. The Oakville Fire Department responded to the fire call at 3:15 a.m. Peters said the fire appeared to have started in the restaurant's office area next to the kitchen. The fire spread into the restaurant and kitchen area and breached the roof of the building, said Peters. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is still under investigation, said Peters. A spokesperson for the restaurant said it was too early to determine when it would be able to re-open. -- ------------- Discover new stars Fri. at Oakville Centre If you want to discover some new Canadian talent, you might check out `Voices of the New Generation: Singers & Songwriters of Ontario' at The Oakville Centre this Friday at 8 p.m. You'll hear three independent artists, including Gregg Lawless, Andrea Koziol and David Leask For more information see page B4 in today's Oakville Beaver. Tim Hortons worker charged following theft investigation A warehouse supervisor at the Tim Horton Donuts head office on Sinclair Road has been charged with theft over $5,000. George M urray Hearn, 40, of Hamilton, was arrested by the police at work Monday following an inves tigation by the company into an internal theft. Hearn was a 15-year employee with the company and had worked as a warehouse supervisor at the Oakville head office for the past five years. Patti Jameson, Tim Hortons direc tor of corporate communications, described the investigation as "very brief." "We were very quick to inform the police what had happened," she said. Jameson would not comment on the nature of the theft. Hearn was fired upon his arrest. "We are very disappointed," said Jameson. "He was a 15-year employ ee. He was a trusted employee." Hearn is scheduled to appear in Oakville Provincial Court on May 9th. today's paper ____ JV6 POMK .................. B1 Entertainm ent............... _____ B6 Homes & G ardens........ Business....................... _____ C3 C lassified....................... ...........C8 m Sports............................ .D4 Photo by Riziero Vertolli JO B FAIR: Halton Regional Police Const. Pineda, along with Teresa Dimock, Oakville Beaver classfied ad m anager and B ernadette Beecroft, sales m anager of the Holiday Inn Express, were discussing final details of Halton Job & C areer F air th at's being held at the hotel tomorrow. Those attending the 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. event, will have the opportunity to talk with representatives of 48 m ajor employers. The F air is sponsored by the Oakville Beaver, The Burlington Post, Milton C anadian Champion and HaltonSearch.com SpMai Supplements: Horn* defivcry- Party Oty. The Bay. Hy & Zeis. Bevy Home, Auto Parti f l.r f i'.l -1-H_____ U mJI Oa-1, T . - A - J a . L l- ir j___ riiml OW/YPfy. n O H a flOrtf I, IC ut, LiUO t rtOWJp, rm Tf Ptcitgers, Business Depot. Ho Lee Chow, Erin Hills Town Centre. Good Life. Rtull. U irt 's Wo/t Wvehovse. White Rose, CM S Drugs. Comon Nursm s. BiWir C anadian PuMcMlona Matl Product AgrMcM rt M JS -201 F IN E O U T E R W E A R S IN C E 1 8 1 5 ' ARONCIONS 209 Lakeshore Rd. E., Oakville 845-2031 Fur Storage · Competitive rates & exceptional service I PeterWats°n 1 U 1I N V E S T M F. 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