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I The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, May 13, 1981 SMALL TALK By Donna Fairey Places Fifth Overall in Gymnastics Finals "He was curled in a fetal position on the ground with his face turned away from me. I knelt beside my son and turned his head toward me expecting to see, at most, a few minor scratches on his face. But what I saw struck terror into my heart and sent a rush of adrenalin pumping through my veins. The entire face area about his eyes had been crushed and I could see through the bloodied mass that one eye was severely displaced. Hardly a second passed until a strength in me I never knew I possessed surged forth. As I cradled my injured son I heard myself shouting rational commands which included a call for an ambulance." This unsettling quote was recounted to me on the weekend by a lady whom I've known for several years. Her son was seriously injured some weeks ago as a result of a freak accident which occurred while he was playing. At one moment, everything in that family's life was normal. In the next instant, their existence was in crisis and remained that way for several days. As I listened to the mother recall the description of those first few moments following the discovery of her injured son, it sent a series of shivers up my spine. I envisioned my own - son's freckled face and cringed at the thought of him suffering such a mishap. She talked of the agonizing hours that followed the accident, waiting to be told the extent of the damage. The family lived with the possibility the boy might lose the sight of one eye. He was rushed to a Toronto hospital. An emergency surgery team was brought together as soon as possible. Again the family waited. What would be the outcome of the operation? Would there be long term ramifications that could not be overcome? She then told of the hours and days her son spent in the hospital's intensive care unit. Finally, she began to be encouraged. Her boy was gradually making a slight, but nonetheless, perceptible amount of progress. In retrospect, she said the days that followed the accident were little more than a blur and that functioning was automatic rather than by motivation. Though she attempted to carry on as normally as possible under the Strike Enters 5th Day negotiated in the agreement. In other words, if the employees settled for a 12 per cent raise and the cost of living rose to 13 per cent per year, the outside workers would receive an additional one per cent in order to keep pace with the cost of living. "All we're asking is to try to keep up with the cost of living," Mr. Whitney said. He noted that at the lowest end of the pay scale, laborers employed by the Durham Region earn approximately $14,000 per year. Salaries ranged from $7.50 per hour to $9.88 per hour under the old contract. Mr. Whitney said there is no progress as yet and that C.U.P.E. workers plan to stay on the picket From Page 1 collective line until they receive their COLA agreement. He added that spirits among the striking workers are high. He explained that the local had been requesting an increase of approximately 13 per cent in each of the two years of a new contract with Durham. The Region has offered an annual wage increase of 10 per cent in a two- year contract with no COLA agreement. Union officials have said this week that the water treatment plants and sewage plants cannot operate successfully with a crew of management staff. They have warned that this means raw sewage may have to be dumped into the lake or trucked away. circumstances, the ailing boy was constantly on her mind. She revealed there were times when she was but a hair's breath away from crumbling. According to the mother now, the major crisis has passed and the boy is recuperating at home. He has resumed most boyhood activities and attends school. However, he is forced to use a good measure of caution considering the severity of the injury he suffered. Though the ordeal is not yet completely finished and more doctoring will be required, the boy is nonetheless on the mend. Several portions of her detailed story had an immense impact upon me. First, of course, it was a vivid reminder of how rapidly the course of our lives can change. As quickly as the batting of an eyelash, the path of our everyday existence can scream into a hairpin turn. And, as in this instance, it is frequently beyond our control. One simply goes where life leads and attempts to do the best job possible at handling the curves. I was particularly impressed with the mother's account of the adrenalin which exploded inside her at the time of the accident. It was apparently the same type of adrenalin reaction which powers an athlete or gives a man the courage to stand in the face of untold danger. Too, the quantity of reserve strength she was able to summon up to meet the occasion was a surprise even to herself. Prior to this crisis, she was totally unaware she possessed such a strength. Reserve courage is not a new story to many. Though probably on a much smaller scale, most of us can likely relate to a tense personal situation where our own reactions were a total surprise. True life drama after true life drama prove, in general, people react according to the demands of a situation. Humans are most assuredly a remarkably complex species. As a result of the accident, the mother says she has a new reverence for God. Though her son was tended by some of the best doctors in their fields, she holds a firm belief that the praying done following the accident played a major role in the boy's recovery. She attempted to explain how the incident has completely changed her perspective on life. The mother admits it was a harrowing experience and one that cut to the very centre of her being, but says she is the stronger person for it. Unfortunately, not all of life's true stories end as happily as this one. Ironically, the evening following my discussion with the woman I noted a line in a movie which more or less said it all. "Those blows to the back that don't break it serve to make it stronger." Bowmanville's Chantal d'Entremont finished fifth overall in the All-Ontario Junior B Gymnastics Competition held May 2 in Milton, Ontario. Chantal was competing with 42 other gymnasts representing the top six finalists in each region of Ontario. She received a gold medal for her score on the vault and also placed high in the bar, floor, and beam competition.- Chantal is a member of the Oshawa Gemini Gymnastics Club. Group Home Discussion procedures for group homes. Sub: From Page 1 approving future Dsequently, the town's staff recommended such by-laws be amended. The staff also advised that residents of a neighborhood where a group home is contemplated have an opportunity for expressing their views and concerns. However, prior to any changes in the by-laws, staff recommended that councillors discuss the controversial issue with Newcastle's Social Planning Council. Council decided Three Bowmanville Policemen Receive Awards this week they would, rather meet first with the region's experts than with the local volunteers. Councillor Diane Hamre took exception to the implication that the Social Planning Council lacks "credibility." "For people who have never been involved in volunteer work," she told the Statesman, "it's difficult to realize the level of expertise of the volunteers. And some people view anything without a high price tag as not worthy." rqss ; Seeking Exhibition Continuing to May 27th at Janet Louise Lawrence Janet Louise Lawrence, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lawrence, R.R. 1 Newtonville, Ontario, graduated with a diploma in Social Services from' the Sir Sandford Fleming College, Peterborough, Ontario, on May 9,1981. She is a graduate of Lake Vista Public School, Oshawa and Clarke High School. She is presently working working for the Oshawa and District Association for the Mentally Retarded as a residential residential counsellor. ?Balmoral QalUrq Hwy. 115 and 35 at Kirby, Ont. Open dally 10-5, Sunday 12-4, Closed Tuesday Oak China Cabinet with curved glass Cherry and Walnut Chests of Drawers Dry Sink in Pine r Many More Beautiful Pieces of Canadiana WATERCOLORS BY CAROL REYNOLDS Doris Roberts (Kirby Store) 983-5476 Three of Bowmanville's 16 Division Durham Regional Police officers were honored Friday night at the 12th annual Police Officer of the Year Awards Dinner. Staff Sergeant John McGuey (left) received a 25 year service plaque while Constable Ken Bromley was presented with a 30 year service plaque. P.C. Tom James, centre, received a commendation plaque from the Board of Police Commissioners to recognize special effort surrounding the investigation igation and subsequent arrests relating to a break, enter and theft which occurred in this area last year. Gunter Herrmann who worked at D.R.P. Headquarters and who died of cancer March 15th, was named Policeman of the Year. The award plaque was accepted by his twin brother Henry. Hosted by the Oshawa Central Lions Club, the awards dinner was held at Oshawa's Jubilee Pavilion. Executive Bowmanville's Red Cross branch needs a transfusion of new volunteers who would be willing to take on executive positions. Bruce Colwell, chairman of the local branch, explained at an interview last week that the organization has many volunteers. However, he added that there are vacant executive positions to be filled in five areas. The organization needs a loan cupboard chairman, a youth chairman, a blood donor chairman, first aid chairman and water safety chairman. He added that he would hope that two persons could share the responsibility in each of these posts and that means that a total of 10 persons are needed. Popular Truck Driver Honored on Retirement Van Belle Floral Shoppes ,.. much more than a flower store! 4 STORES tJI . HlghwsyNo.2 111 . King St. E.,0«h«w« ■UW. ..SimeonSt.N., Oohflwa I VAN BELLE' " 5^minvlii« ■'Trademarks ol Van Bell#Gardens Ltd. i J NOTICE HOLIDAY GARBAGE COLLECTION RESIDENTS OF BOWMANVILLE / Within the Municipal Collection Area of the Town of Bowmanville, there will be NO GARBAGE COLLECTION on VICTORIA DAY, MONDAY, MAY 18th, 1981. Garbage normally picked up on a Monday will be collected on the following day, Tuesday, May 19th, 1981. Your co-operation in the above would . be appreciated. J. DUNHAM, Director of Public Works, Town of Newcastle, HAMPTON, Ontario NOTICE Special Spring Garbage Collection RESIDENTS OF BOWMANVILLE Within the Municipal Collection Area of the Town of Bowmanville there will be a Special Spring Garbage Collection, as follows: May 20th & 21 st, 1981 - NORTH of King Street May 26th & 27th, 1981 - SOUTH of King Street Please place all garbage/articles for collection, neatly assembled, at curbside by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day. There will be no return trips. Yoqr co-operation' in the foregoing would be appreciated. J. DUNHAM, Director of Public Works, Town of Newcastle, Hampton, Ontario. Deaths About 120 fellow employees, family and friends attended a party at the Lions Centre last Tuesday night in honor of Russ Balson of Bowmanville, After 11 years service, he retired as a truck driver from L, & L. Tools Limited located on Simpson Ave,, South. He was presented with a wallet of money and two summer chaise lounges, The group attending the party enjoyed an evening of entertainment which included a special visit from "Second Hand Rose" (Dot Bond), followed by a luncheon and card playing. Pictured above during one of the presentations from left are: Shirley Locke, Mary Balson, Jack Locke - L. & L. Tools pres. & gen. mgr., Jim Coyle - plant manager and Russ Balson, CLARKE -- Garfield. At Memorial Hospital, Bowmanville, Bowmanville, on Tuesday, May 12, 1981. Garfield Clarke, aged 74 years. Beloved husband of Charlotte Clarke. Dear father of Dorothy Leaman. Loving grandfather of Bill, Bryan, Alice and Donna. Friends may call at the Morris Funeral Chapel, Bowmanville after 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Service In the chapel on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Interment Bowmanville Cemetery. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. 19-1 RAAPHORST -- Neelt|e. At Memorial Hospital, Bowmanville, Bowmanville, on Monday, May 11,1981, Neeltje Laros, of 199 Kina St. W„ In her 75th year; wife of the late Sam Raaphorst; dear mother of Isaac, John, Mrs. G. Groeneveld (Nellie), Mrs. D. Presson (Rla), Mrs. L. Patterson Patterson (Jane); also survived by 12 grandchildren. Rested at the Northcuti Elliott Funeral Home, Bowmanville, Funeral service was held Thursday afternoon at Emmanuel Reformed Church, Whitby, Interment Bowmanville Cemetery. 19-1N Experts in General Landscape Design ' and Maintenance • Lawn Programs (Fertilization and Re-seeding) • Weekly Yard Care For FREE Estimates Call Oshawa 433-1600 K/ FREE SKYROCKET JUNIPER to every customer who calls us for our services before May 24th, 1981 LEPRECHAUN LANDSCAPING