COMPUTER TRAINING EXCEL for WINDOWS 338â€"6600 facapemy or iz Oakvilie‘s Business School By WILMA BLOKHUIS Focus Editor id you raise a toast to St. Vali love? Did you spend a roms dlelight dinner with wink your unwavering love you‘ve been married for Do you, even though you‘re in a hap . for that certain something, perhaps ano you,‘ but can‘t find the words. If this is y your marriage is nevertheless, a good one, Encounter‘ weekend will provide the answer to ways of saying ‘I love you,‘ using different wo ‘Marriage Encounter,‘ explain Norm an about improving your communication skill$ other. "Our weekends are for good marri to improve their communication skills Norm. "It‘s not a substitute for marriag Added Joan: "It doesn‘t mean you w long as you live!" , The concept of organizing weekend re ing to develop new lines of communication, in Spain by the Roman Catholic Church (the Catho . ends in Spanish, Korean and Italian) during the 19 y group of couples who wanted to help other couples who wished to develop better communication skills and a richer, fuller life together," he explained. Since then, it‘s been embraced by about a dozen other denominations including the Anglicans, Lutherans, Mennonites, United, and Christian Reformed, among others, in more than 50 countries. "But," stresses Norm, "it‘s not a Bible study weekend like other churchâ€"run retreats. In fact, you don‘t even have to attend, or be affiliated with a church to attend one of these weekends." The Grahams got involved as volunteer coâ€"ordinators for *Marriage Encounter‘ weekends in this area after attending one themselves two years ago, said Joan. "Most couples come with friends, but you work on your communication on your own. You don‘t see anybody else accept at breakfast, lunch and dinner." The weekend begins with a formal presentation by couples who have participated in the past, to explain of the retreat‘s objective. "The weekends follow the original plan as set out by the Catholics, but, it‘s not a group discussion," said Joan, adding there will be a few surprises for those who attend. Norm recalled one of his fears when first asked to attend a ‘Marriage Encounter‘ weekend was having to share his experiâ€" OAKVILLE . Nightclub A silent oath to service. ~FOCUS 1 _ L _ Finding new ways to say ‘I love you ‘Marriage Encounter‘ finds the words ences with others. "I was very nervous at first, but I learned very quickly we were there to leara how to improve our communicaâ€" in private." Their initial fears prevented them arriage Encounter‘ weekend four years ago, cond opportunity came two years later, an £ church, they accepted. "It was very satisâ€" valuable experience for us," said Joan. unn‘s United Church, and are among 11 encountered.‘ way from home, family, and everyday worâ€" Friday nights to Sunday afternoons. The next are April 8th to 10th, and Nov. 4th to 6th. weekend focusing on each other," said Joan. Susy these days, they don‘t spend this type of other." f with four presenting.couples who have tions, experiences and aspects of their ng discussion between spouses. long you‘ve been married, whether it‘s »» ," said Joan. t would be beneficial for them to spend a lot he Grahams are behind the scenes coâ€"ordinators on .. behalf of the United Church for these ‘encounters,‘ arranging up accommodations and food. "At our last weekend, we had 28 couples, which too many, and as a few as 11," said Norm. "On average, we get about 17 couples, and I think we‘ll cut the registration off at 24. There‘s a lot of interest and support for this. We‘ve had couâ€" ples offering to look after their friends‘ kids so they can go to one . of these weekends." This year, 40 ‘encounter‘ weekends are . scheduled across Ontario. The weekends cost $35, plus a goodâ€" will donation to cover accommodation and food. So, what‘s the secret to a good marriage? "The most important thing is that you love each other," said Joan "through good times and the: difficult times. The bottom line is that you make a deciâ€" sion to love each other." "You have to work at your marriage," concluded Norm. "People have become so involved with their work, their families, kids, clubs . . . they don‘t really devote . quality time with the perâ€" son they‘re spending most of your life with." For information about ‘Marriage Encounter‘ weekends, call the Grahams evenings at 845â€"4508. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1994 ‘ry intense experience, a tremendous opportunity to * e who are retiring, and having both worked â€" Hopedale Mail | Serving Oakville for Over 30 years, Monday to Friday 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. *Sunday 12 Noon to 5:00 p.m. (*Not all stores may be open) Located at 3rd Line and Rebecca in Oakville |< * $27â€"0229° y Page 13 Norm and Joan Graham not only cherish their ‘Marriage Encounter‘ mugs they got two years ago, but have learned to cherâ€" ish each other more fully, thanks to new communication skills they have learned. Now they are volunteer coâ€"ordinators in Halton for the United Church. (Photo by Riziero Vertolli) presents ... We take a great sense of pride in providing the quality, caring service you expect for your loved ones. As dedicated, trustworthy professionals, we feel it is our responsibility to accommodate you with a broad range of services. We will take care of all the details and complexities, making sure we provide a memorable, meaningful service. s Our service does not end after the funeral. We are available to help you, and can provide informative literature on coping with grief. If we can be of assistance in helping you make funeral and cremation arrangements or simply answer any questions you may have, please do not hesitate to call. Every Sunday starting Feb. 20th Over One Million Jokes Served Light Dinners Available reserve call 849â€"7919 * Group Rates Available * 309 Lakeshore Rd. E. Oakville CLARKE FUNERAL DIRECTOR Bs (GL TERRY COOKE 74% SHAUN WEBB SHANNON GOWRIE FUNERAL DIRECTOR FUNERAL DIRECTOR 56 LAKESHORE ROAD WEST OAKVILLE, ONTARIO L6K 107 (416) 842â€"2252 PaRTICIPACTION ,o Woww} goa 2 2 mg-fl“#’ #funeral Bome . plus a 25 meter lap pool, and a All Proceeds To "â€"18" kiddie pool, for just a CAMPAIGN small donation to Individuals $5.00 | C Couples $10.00 Families $15.00. FREE tennis clinics courts FREE racquetball clinics courts FREE squash clinics courts j o FREE call in advance to reserve FREE Activities FREE gg’,'g;(das:: ) Organized by Professional Staff ;:EE fl:lflm tlfad‘ =PLEASE JOIN US ; SWIMMING: . TENNIS: Conï¬iï¬e? Qggg el?s‘gi!l‘i‘;" 5 indoor pools 140‘ waterslide availâ€" Com Iimgnéary Bzeginrgezs Clinics (equi%mentt:l?pplied) ablezfgr °Utf 9‘:933 ef:loymeflt, including: at. Sun. 2 pm 4 pm meter lap poo Open Tennis Play (superw’;ed) Open Play 1 pm to 6 pm Coâ€"ed Jacuzzi whirlpoo! â€" Sat. Sun. 1 pm to 6 pm SQUASH: Special kiddies pool with . o mushroom fountain, AEROBICS: Complimentary Beginners Clinics bubbling rock and kiddies slide Sat. . Softball Squash 2:30 pm i I I Doubles Squash 4:30 pm Aerobic, therapy lesson poo 140‘ indoor waterslide Complimentary Aerobic Classes Sat. _ HiLo Combo 2â€"3 pm Step N Slide 4â€"5 pm Hiâ€"Tec/Cedar Springs 3 on 3 Teams Sun.â€" Step N Slide 2â€"3 pm Tourney. Excellent for Spectating HiLo Combo 4â€"5 pm Sun. Complim. Beginners Clinics Hardball 2:30 pm FITNESS: Softball 4:30 pm .. Equipment Orientation Open Squash Play (supervised) Sat. Sun. 1:30 pm to 6 pm 1 pm to 6 pm VOLLEYBALL/ o s BASKETBALL: ATHLETHC Sat. _ Basketball 1:30â€"3:00 pm se Volleyball 3:30â€"5:30 pm @0 ~"_RACOUFT CLUGC Sun. Basketball 1:30â€"3:00pm _ .. .‘ [\ BURLINGTON â€" ONTARIO Volleyball 3:30â€"5:30 pm 960 Cumberland Dr., Burlington, Ont. L7TN 3J6. 632â€"4800