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------ -- ------ ---- op 8 tee di __ ames oeat-dibesdiiagesee ai "A Family Tradition for 128 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, Oct. 25, 1994 - 17 A cr Photos by J. PETER HVIDSTEN Gary and Pat Johnstone, owners of Wood 'n Needles, peek out from behind some of the clocks and woodcrafts they had for sale at the Christmas Craft Show held at Port Perry High School on Saturday. Large crowds attended the many booths Donna Marlow and Karen Hockley, church volunteers, were busy at the Catholic Church Bazaar selling crafts and other donated items. Proceeds from the bazaar will go towards roof repairs for the church. Members of the Pine Ridge Garden Club were busy selling Christmas decorations at the annual Hospital Auxiliary Bazaar held at the Latcham Centre. Club volunteers are, from left, Betty Forsyth, Marliese Hassler, Shirley Love and Fran Binns. Grief recovery group will help those suffering loss of loved ones Port Perry sessions to begin Oct. 31 By Jeff Mitchell Port Perry Star A recovery group beginning sessions in Port Perry at the end of the month is aimed at helping those grieving the death of a loved one accept their loss, and get on with their lives. The grief recovery group will, over the course of seven weekly sessions, allow the bereaved to work through their emotions in the com pany of others, and provide them with practical information and advice on moving on, said Sharon Barton, who's coordi- nating the effort here. "For some people, grief is something they can cope with," said Mrs. Barton, who ran a similar session last year. She said, though, that some others are overwhelmed by the loss of a loved one, and left virtually paralyzed. "Some people are not able to cope because they feel they have lost just everything. "When you lose someone you also lose your self-esteem, and can feel very isolated and alone." For that reason, the accent of the program is on support, said Mrs. Barton. It brings together a group of people who are enduring the same experience -- group size will be kept to a maximum of 10 - - and allows them to rely upon and support one another as they sort through the many emotions and reactions they are experiencing. The program also address- es a relevant issue at each of the seven, two-hour meetings, introducing and instructing participants to the tasks and steps necessary for them to settle estates and prepare for the future. The final topicis "re-entry", said Mrs. Barton. "We're getting them to talk about their future, and focus on the good memories," she said. "The emphasis is on Sharon Barton of Port Perry Is hoping for a good level of participation in the grief recovery group that will start meeting here at the end of October. recovery, and how they are going to carry on." An important element of the discussions is encouraging participants to avoid denial of the loved one's death and help them face the reality of the event that has occurred, said Mrs. Barton. That's an important step in beginning the grieving process, which is natural and necessary. The group format can actu- ally be more effective than reliance on family or close friends, and participants often find they are willing to work together after the seven ses- _ sions have concluded, setting up their own support network. Mrs. Barton said the timing of the latest group's meetings -- they'll begin Oct. 31 and continue weekly for seven consecutive weeks -- has been specifically targeted: "The idea of offering it now is that people who have lost a loved one find Christmas a very try- ing time." "Port Perry's grief support group is an extension of Durham Community Bereavement Services, based in Oshawa. It's a non-profit, charitable organization dedi- cated to providing support to adults who have lost loved ones, partners or parents. An organization dedicated to aiding children through bereavement also exists. The local group will meet Monday nights between 7 and 9 in the lounge at the Port Perry United Church. There is a registration fee of $25 per person, or $40 per couple. For more information, call Durham Community Bereavement Services in Oshawa at 728-3741. hesann a how Tor rege vafio LAKESIDE RECRE a 225 P| = 1S atten Blvd.Scuqoq Island ~COSTUMES ARE A MUST = -3763 F-