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Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Orono Weekly Times - 17 Parents can help influence teen's decision on substance misuse at prom events WHITBY, ON, May 1, 2009 Prom season is fast approaching and Durham Region Health Department encourages parents to help their teens enjoy prom events both safely and responsibly, by better understanding the risks associated with substance misuse. To help spread the message, the Health Department has partnered with area salons, florists and tuxedo rental shops to distribute posters designed to get parents and teens talking about this important health and social issue. "Graduation and prom are highly anticipated events in a teen's life," said Sandy White, a public health nurse with the Health Department. "While these are fun and exciting celebrations, certain decisions can take a wrong turn, possibly leading to potential negative situations and outcomes." According to the 2007 Ontario Student Drug Survey, approximately one in six teens between grades 10 to 12 reported driving under the influence of marijuana. The survey also revealed that 26 per cent of teens engaged in binge drinking, having five or more drinks on one occasion, and other hazardous drinking habits during special events. "Teens in this age group often feel the need to fit in with their peers by using alcohol and marijuana, which can lead to risk taking behaviours, including driving high and being in a car with an impaired driver," said Ms. White. To help address these concerns, the Health Department encourages parents to sit and talk with their teens prior to these events. According to the 2005 Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, parental involvement and interactions between parents and children are protective factors that influence the way teens view substance misuse. "Parent-child communication acts as a source of natural harm-reduction by helping to decrease the risks of substance misuse," added Ms. White. "With information and resources, parents can make a difference by talking to their teens about the potential dangers of alcohol and drugs." For additional information and a free parent resource kit, contact Durham Health Connection Line at 905-6666241. Also available at www.durham.ca. The Great Farini by Myno Van Dyke William Hunt was one of Canada's most colourful characters. This man became "The Great Farini." Farini was known not only for his incredible high wire acts but also for being the mastermind of the first human cannonball act; an incredible "strong man" who could lift 1000 pounds easily; the inventor of folding theatre seats and the modern parachute; creator of the great myth of the Lost City of the Kalahari; and an artist. Although he was born in Lockport, New York, his family moved to the Port Hope and Bowmanville areas when he was a young boy. One hundred and fifty years ago, in 1859, young Bill Hunt made his debut as a tight rope walker at their farm in Hope Township. Shortly after he walked a tight rope at the fall fair in Port Hope and then across King and Liberty Streets in Bowmanville. For his walk across the Ganaraska River in downtown Port Hope on October 1, 1859, he began using the name "Signor Farini". In 1860, at Niagara Falls he challenged the world's most famous high wire acrobat, Blondin, to a competition in front of thousands of people. Here, Farini stood on his head, carried a man on his back, carried a washing machine and walked across the Niagara Gorge in total darkness. Farini's performances brought him worldwide fame. Four years later, he would walk in the rapids along the brink of Niagara's American Falls on stilts. Then he dazzled Europe as one of the first flying trapeze stars. He also performed some of the world's most daring circus acts, like "El Nino," "Mlle. Lulu" (El Nino in drag), "Zazel The Human Cannonball" (an act he invented), "Krao the Missing Link" (a famous "freak") and many others. He would be an author, an explorer of the Kalahari Desert, a businessman, an engineer, an inventor and an artist. He was a true and dramatic renaissance man. He also lived a long and productive life. He died in Port Hope, Ontario on January 18, 1929, in his 91st year. On Sunday, May 31st, the Newcastle Village & District Historical Society is hosting "Farini Fest" to celebrate the 150th year of William Hunt's debut as a tight rope walker. The Farini Fest will begin at 11:00 am at Newcastle Community Hall with a display of Farini art and artifacts in the Historical Room. At 1:00 pm a guided bus tour will take the group east of Newtonville to the barn where Hunt performed his first walk. Then we travel to The Great Farini the Union Cemetery south of Welcome to view his grave. The tour will then travel into Port Hope to see the homes he resided in and the spot where he walked across the Ganaraska River in October, 1859. The tour will then proceed to Bowmanville to see where his walk took place in 1859 across King Street, then to his school, his father's business location and their home on Lover's Lane. The tour will conclude back at the Community Hall at 4pm. Total Cost for the Farini Fest will be $10.00. Seats will be limited to about 50 and there will only be one tour. Contact Allan Kirby 905-987-5567 for tickets.