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

6-Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, February 8, 1989 Newt on ville Alive by Peggy Mullan Lorraine Pitt and Goldie of Newtonville. "Bogey and Bacall, Burton and Taylor, Scarlett and Rhett.." very fascinating twosomes. Everywhere you go, you come upon warm, interesting people, who at times can be quite remarkable. Newtonville certainly is no exception exception as we know. This is White Cane Week. What an appropriate time to meet and chat with someone in our own midst, who certainly has a first hand account of life from a different different "point of view," Néwton- ville's Lorraine Pitt and- her beautiful golden retriever, Goldie. Very seldom do you see Mrs. Pitt without her canine companion. ' Goldie is a seeing eye dog. Many have seen Lorraine out,and about, but few 1 believe have really got to know her, and I think that is because of her blindness. As with any other "handicaps" people tend ' to shy away from getting close, or asking questions just about anything. As 1 ponder this column today, the two particular things that stick out in my mind about Lorraine are that she has a terrific sense of humour and she is remarkably, independent. independent. She never ceases to amaze me just how much she can do. Lorraine is candid and speaks «openly about her blindness and how it all happened. ' "1 was a pretty normal kid.." Lorraine begins, "1 guess except for the fact that my dad was in the army, army, and we moved about the country country alot, Borden, Calgary and other places." Due to a brain tumour at the age of fourteen, Lorraine was left almost totally blinded. Completely so in her right eye and all but 5% in her left. "Yes, of course it was a shock to me, and to my family. And there sure were some rough times in the beginning. Surprisingly enough though, 1 was able to adjust quite well through it all." She recalls. "I had to go to blind school...the W. Ross MacDonald School for the blind is an excellent school. Students attending live in the whole week. They arrive on a Sunday evening and slay until the Friday. I l.e school spans Grades 1 through 12. Even though school was not one of • my favourite things, it did wonders for me. I still enjoy typing and have my own braille typewriter at home that I use for various projects, projects, including taking down favourite recipes. I started at MacDonald MacDonald School in the fall of 1966 and left in 1972 to be married." "I have really always lived in this area my adult life. In 1982 my husband husband Jim and I moved here to Newtonville with our three children. In 1983, T was very fortunate fortunate to be able to attend "Seeing Eye" in Morristown, New Jersey for a three and a half week period, it was here in Morristown that I became acquainted with Goldie and trained along with her. The school operates classes of 18 students and 18 dogs. The •instructors •instructors have attempted to match student student and dog and closely à § possible to get the ultimate result. Some dogs are naturally suited for country1 country 1 living and others, the city. Within the classes of 18 there are three groups of 6 and one instructor per 6 students. The program is wonderful. The dogs begin their training at 13 months and it usually ' lasts for a sold 3 months." "Jim and I have been married for nearly 17 years. We love it here, as do our children. Family is the most important thing to Jimmy and I. Our kids, Paul 15, Laurie Ann 12 and Lyndsey 9, do not bring up my blindness as often as you might think, although now that "Paul is heading for 16, he is talking about getting his driver's license, (she chuckles...well, there will be a few Conditions set out I'll tell you!) Anyway, kids are kids. They are expected expected to help with the chores around the house along with a few other things like helping me match socks...now that drives me crazy!" Lorraine is extremely indepen- 1 dent. She cooks, cleans, helps with the homework and tries to get a good brisk walk in every day. She adores swimming, and whenever she can, satisfies her passion fpr water-skiing. Lorraine told me a story...She recalled a time shortly after she lost her sight. I think it was her sister who was setting l orraine up with a •• blind date. Lorrâ' ne sa 'd, "hey, little little does he know he is really going to get a blind date!" This is really typical of Lorraine's nature. 1 couldn't help asking her, how she did it, and that I didn t think 1 could do it, or go through what she has..She replied, "Qh sure you could, Peg, sure you could!" Four years ago, with the continuous continuous milestone support of the Lions Club, Canine Vision in Canada has opened up in Oakville. Canine Vision in Canada now are qble to train seeing eye dogs along with students, as is "Seeing Eye" in Morristown, N.J. They are wonderful wonderful people with a wonderful set up,' and welcome any ■ inquiries, and may call (416) 842-2891. After spending sometime with Lorraine, one just can't help feeling refreshed, just a little lucky, and on occasion perhaps, a little guilty. I wish everyone could be as happy happy as you are, Lorraine. Thank you! Little Scoops... - Thanks to one and all who attended attended the Scrumptious pancake lunch served at Newtonville Church, Sunday, Sunday, February 4th and to all who made it out. - Congratulations to two Newtonville Newtonville ladies and their business, "Barina Home Check", Barbara Shetler and Ina Cox of Newtonville, upon entering into the Town of Newcastle Chamber of Commerce. Continued success with your safe- home business. - Remember to get out if you can in support of your local Big Brothers Chapter in this, Big Brother Bowl for Millions Week. Bowlers and Sponsors eagerly welcomed - and needed! - Congratulations to Newtonville Public School custodian, Troy Best and his wife Lisa on the birth of their first child January 17th, Jessica Lea. - Newtonville Public School Kindergarten teacher Carol Norcutt is recovering at home after her release from Cobourg Hospital. She is looking forward to her return in March and joins students and staff in thanking Peggy Hawthorn who has substituted for Carol all this time. - Grately missed as well at our. school has been grade 1/2 teacher Wenda Eames who is welcomed back with many open arms this week. Thanks to Marilyn Gardiner who taught Mrs. Eames class in the meanwhile. - More great school news, our enrollment is up again from 93 in September to 124 presently. Rah! Rah! Rah! -1 always welcome youf suggestions and contributions and I look forward forward to talking to you. Remember your sweet heart or special one - Valentine's Day is Tuesday the 14th. Priorities in education Director of Education, Gary Tushingham, tabled the Board's priorities for the next two years. They include an intensive study of the impact of future growth on the area's schools, and a continuing emphasis on programs at the general level. The general jçvel initiative initiative has already, seen the development of some special programs programs for students who are at. risk of dropping out, and Board statistics show the pass raté is improving improving in French, English and Mathematics: The Board also plans to design new programs to meet the changing needs of students. Euchre holds strong at Kendal Hall On Friday, February 3, 1989 The newS this week ends, on a sad despite the chilling winds, there , note, with the passing of Dorothy, were 10'A tables of euchre in play. Mrs. George Mercer. Dorothy was High score, Alec Moffat, 2nd John the Worthy Mistress of Kendal Hills Lowery, 3rd Jean Jillison, 4th 'L.O.B.A. No. ,1420 and was just Robin Alldred. The 50/50 draw was beginning her 2nd year in office, won by Mrs. Bryon. See you all on Her courageous spirit, her z.est for Friday, February 17th, hopefully life, good humour and generosity, the weather will be kinder to us. were an example to all of us. She The Junior Lodge will be meeting will long be remembered and great- on Wednesday, February 8th. ly missed by all of us. We wish to The Kendal Hills L.O.B.A. meet express our deepest sympathy to on Thursday, February 9th. George and all of the members of her family. J'Me Fashions are going to help you celebrate VALENTINE'S DAY We are giving away a beautiful Sweater With every purchase between ' January 18 and February 10 you will receive a number. If your number matches number • drawn on February 11 you receive the sweater. Happy Valentines Authorized Dealer Lifetime Warranty for as long as you own your çar AUTO CENTRE ORONO MILL STREET NORTH USED CAR SALES Radiators - Air Conditioners - Muffler's - Brakes - Body Work * Tune-Up Electronic Ignitions,- Fuel Injection Systems • Prqpane Conversion.and Inspection - Rebuilt Engines and ■ , ' Cylinder Heads Safety Inspection Station - Guaranteed Service . Lie. Cl. A., B, H, 3P, S6A/S6B Call Mike . . 983-5130 or 983-5487