The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

M ore than just a cross country ski clu b ... By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER If a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, then would a cross country ski club which also cycles, kayaks, and hikes in the summer, still be called a ski club? Perhaps. Nonetheless, a name change for The Halton Cross Country Ski Club is under consider­ ation. The club's manager/secretary Joe Lechner sug­ gests that maybe 'The Halton Outing Club' would better reflect the 25-year-old group's new realities. However, a name change, if any occurs, is likely a year or so away, he added. With or without a new name the 630 members of this massive club are quite aware of all that it offers. No wonder. An impressive club newsletter published five times a year is dominated by pages and pages (20 in the last issue in March) of upcom­ ing hikes, social outings, canoeing and kayaking trips and cycling schedules. The rest of the issue carries reflections of the past season's ski trips. The mood of each adventure echoes pure enjoyment, no matter what ski condi­ tions prevailed. Lechner is already preparing ski trips for the winter, repeating favorite club destinations such as Silver Star, British Columbia -- described in a member's story as that province's "winter par­ adise" -- Ottawa, Haliburton and Mont Ste. Anne in Quebec. The club has the advantage of capitalizing on group rates for cheaper bus and flight fares accom­ modations and meals. Travel becomes much more affordable for members embarking on the many day, weekend and longer trips offered, said Lechner. Club outings are also as close to home as 90- minute hikes along the Waterfront Trail in Oakville every Monday night, or Thursday nights when routes in Burlington's older neighborhoods create the backdrop for hikers. Trips further afield include Tobermory, Algonquin Park and the Finger Lakes in New York. Rest assured the hike doesn't cover those hundreds of miles - a bus takes members to those havens. Lechner assures the club is not full of fitness gurus, but has levels of exercise suited to every outdoor enthusiast. For example, the hiking schedule lists whether the journey is done at a slow or moderate pace, or is geared to the more experienced hiker. There's even alpine hiking for the really adventurous all- terrain travellers. The varied fitness interests of cyclists in the club is also what led to the creation of sub-groups. Where the Hares and Road Runners are geared to experienced riders, the Turtles Cycling Group rides at a more modest pace. Now, with the years of practice the Turtles have gained, the club created another sub-group called the Snails for those who haven't hoisted them­ selves on the seat of a moving bicycle for awhile. Canoeing and sea kayaking are the newest addi­ tions to the club's roster of activities. Introduced last year it is repeating popular day trips to local waterways such as Rockwood Conservation Area, Coote's Paradise, Christie Conservation Area and along the Grand River, as well as an overnight trip to Dorset, Ontario. Again novices are invited as are veteran canoists and kayakers. And you don't have to own the equipment needed -- the sites chosen all offer rentals. Lechner credits the club's 25 year existence to Photo by Wilma Blokhuis Cycling the Trillium Trail at Bronte Creek Provincial Park recently are Eleanor Shugan, left, and Joan Shewchun, both of the Halton Cross Country Ski Club's cycling group known as 'The Turtles,' which rides every Wednesday night The group cycles 20 to 25 kilometres, eats during the ride, and socializes. the variety of activity it has always offered and continues to do. The club's membership list is a mix of single men and women, teenagers, families young and matured, and seniors. Members come from around Halton, but some are from St. Catharine's, Guelph and Mississauga. The annual membership fee is $55 per family, $35 for a single membership or $20 for students. For more information about the Halton Cross Country Ski Club call (905) 634-2012 or toll free 1-877-877-4550, or visit its Web site at www.spectranet.ca/~hskiclub. Fact and fallacy of sunglasses Fallacy: The darker the sunglass lens, the more it will protect your eyes. Fact: It is possible to have a very high level of UV protection even though the lens may be very light. Read the label carefully for the degree of ultraviolet light protection. Fallacy: Light-colored eyes need more protection from the sun. Fact: Whether your eyes are light or dark, the amount of pro­ tection they need is the same--99 percent UVB inhibitors. For comfort, however, light eyes are going to feel better in darker lens­ es because they are more sensitive to light. • Since UVA and UVB rays are present even on cloudy days, wear sunglasses whenever you're out of doors. Foot-notes on walking (NC)--Walking is an easy, safe and inexpensive exercise that can keep you physically fit and improve long-term health and mobility. To get started, choose a good quality, lightweight walking shoe with a breathable upper. Make sure it has a firm heel counter, with adequate support and flexibility in the forefoot. Have it properly fitted and wear a padded sock of acrylic fiber that can wick away excessive perspiration. When walking, land on the heel of the foot and roll forward to push off on the ball of the foot. As always, check with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen. For more information visit www.footmaxx.com or call 1-800- 779-3668. Bite back on bites and stings (NC)-For most people, an insect bite or sting is a minor incon­ venience, treatable with basic first aid. Scrape out the stinger with a sharp edge like a credit card. (Grasping the stinger with tweezers or fingers may squeeze poison into the body.) Apply rubbing alco­ hol (but not hear the eyes!), a weak ammonia solution or a paste of baking soda and water to relieve irritation. For those nasty stings in the mouth, rinse with one teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water, or suck on a piece of ice. If the per­ son's mouth swells, or if they have difficulty breathing, get med­ ical help immediately. Monitor the casualty closely. For information about first aid and safety, contact your local St. John Ambulance office. Trafalgar village 125 Cross Ave [Across from tfic CO Station; SPECIAL CONUS OFFER f Join before July 15/99 and receive a , pai r of Nike Cross Trainers mm Running Shoes mm N E W ! Bell M ob ility 's R ealT im e R ate P lans Monthly Kale ' Real! true Additional Minutes Real Benefits $29 150 250 • Anytime Local Calling $49 400 250 • No Roaming charges in Canada • No Contract $79 650 200 • Per Second Billing on Digital PCS $99 800 200 • Call Waiting • Call Forwarding $159 1500 150 • Your choice of Digital PCS $249 2500 150 or Analog Service ©Trademark of Bell Canada. Used under license. See AirCefl for Details AirCell Communications Inc. A PPR O V E D AG ENT 481 North Service Road West (East of 4th Line), H o u rs : M o n -W e d 9 -5 :3 0 ; T h u r s -F r i 9 -6 ; S a t-S u n 9 :3 0-5 9 0 5 - 8 4 7 - 5 7 0 0 B e / / M o b i l i t y A * 849-9696 THE WOMEN'S CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE Do you have problems fitting into the clothes you once wore? Yes □ No □ Do you avoid social functions because you're uncomfortable Yes CJ No □ with how you look? If you had a choice to do a physical activity or sit would you sit? Yes d No C3 Do you feel tired anytime during the day? Yes □ no □ Do you have a stressful life? Yes □ No □ If you could improve your overall state o f well being Yes □ no □ would you? If you answered yes more than once we can help. CALL AND ASK US ABOUT OUR KICK START PROGRAMS To g e t the results you 're looking fo r ca ll http://www.spectranet.ca/~hskiclub http://www.footmaxx.com Fact and fallacy of sunglasses Foot-notes on walking Bite back on bites and stings Join before July 15/99 and receive a Bell Mobility's RealTime Rate Plans AirCell Communications Inc. APPROVED AGENT 481 North Service Road West Hours: Mon-Wed 9-5:30; Thurs-Fri 9-6; Sat-Sun 9:30-5 Be// 849-9696 THE WOMEN'S CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE Do you have problems fitting into the clothes you once wore? Yes □ No □ Do you avoid social functions because you're uncomfortable Yes CJ No □ with how you look? If you had a choice to do a physical activity or sit would you sit? Yes d No C3 Do you feel tired anytime during the day? Yes □ no □ Do you have a stressful life? Yes □ No □ If you could improve your overall state of well being Yes □ no □ would you? CALL AND ASK US ABOUT OUR KICK START PROGRAMS To get the results you 're looking for call