News Leader News for March 4, 2008
FAIR BOARD LOOKS AT FUN EVENTS
A number of entertainment possibilities were presented to members of Princeton & District Agricultural Fall Fair Association. The recent meeting, held at Town Hall on February 26, had excellent attendance, with 23 present.
Lawnmower races, monster truck rides, horse massage, horse demonstrations, and musical entertainment are under consideration. The decisions on what to bring to the fair on September 6 and 7 will depend on the budget, which is not firm at this point.
There was more discussion about a community mobile bandstand. The Fair Association cannot afford to buy this big ticket item on its own, but is willing to spearhead a committee to approach the Forest Corporation for assistance in purchasing this item if other community groups are willing to join in the application. This type of bandstand could be set up for the use of any group in town at any location in town or in the area. Fair Board President Linda Allison said she will contact heads of other community groups to see if there is interest in a mobile bandstand for Princeton area.
The Fair Board is applying for a BC 150 grant to upgrade the heritage building at the fairgrounds for display of antique farm equipment.
Nearly every crew needed for the fair has a convenor now, with a few exceptions. Lyn Melnechencko is Head Convenor. Convenors are still needed for the refreshment and concession area, gate, security, and parking or camping.
Terry Inglis asked convenors to advise him as to what maintenance, repairs or upgrades are required for the fair.
President Linda Allison reviewed the 2007 BC Fairs Association evaluation of Princeton's fair, and noted where the improvements can be made. More signage is required on the grounds.
The number of people attending Fall Fair meetings is growing, a clear sign that the interest in being part of the fair and its plans is attracting new members. The next meeting will be at Town Hall on March 25.
STUDENTS FLY TO SPAIN
A group of 10 students from Princeton Secondary School will leave for Spain on March 12, and will not be home until March 24, after visiting both Spain and France. The tour will include visits to famous landmarks in cities included in the tour.
Students begin the tour in Costa del Sol, then go on to Seville where they will take a walking tour. The following day, they will travel to Cordoba and on to Madrid, where they will visit the Royal Palace, The Prado, and enjoy an orientation tour of the city.
The students will tour Barcelona and Carcassone before going on to Toulouse, France, where they will take an overnight train to Paris, where they will spend three days sight-seeing. The trip to Paris includes the Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Tour chaperones are Patrick and Jessica Kaiser, Lori and Dan Dodds, and a contract tour guide.
GROUP ELECTS 2008/09 EXECUTIVE
Vermilion Forks Field Naturalists held their annual general meeting February 12th where they elected the 2008/09 executive.
The results were: President - Joan Gariel, Vice President - Blaine Marsel, Treasurer - Linda Neumann, Recording Secretary - Joan Kelly, with Directors Ken and Cathie Yingling, Madelon Schouten, Cora Cherry, Shirley Campbell and Marion Marsel.
The March 11th evening program will feature Dr. Chris Purton as guest speaker. His presentation is titled: "You are a Node of the Universe!" Dr. Purton has spent a lifetime in astronomy, studying the universe in general and doing research in radio astronomy.
He has a wonderful talent in bring huge concepts down to an interesting and understandable level. He has lived in and worked in the Okanagan for the past 26 years at the White Lake Observatory. Chris' talk will be out of this world! The public is invited to attend at 7:30 PM at the Wellness
Centre.
PSS REQUIRES COMMUNITY MENTORS
Next year we are offering our students a slightly different way of earning high school credits.
It's called Independent Directed Studies (IDS) for grades 10, 11 and 12, and it allows our students to co-design and explore their own course, in an area of interest or personal passion.
Working with our teachers, their peers and a Community Mentor, each student creates and carries out an individualized learning project over the course of a semester.
A Community Mentor would be paired with a young learner who shares one of their passions, talents or dreams. Princeton is home to many skilled and talented people with expertise that could enrich the lives of the young people in our community.
The people in our community are a wonderful resource that we would like to tap to help our students follow their passion, and help show them that learning occurs everywhere. How does it work?
Our students will identify areas that they are interested in pursuing. Horseback riding, quilting, coaching, animal husbandry, fitness, mechanics, carpentry, photography, dance, gardening, and natural history are just some of the possibilities. As long as we can find one learning outcome from a Ministry approved course that fits, and a Community Mentor who shares that interest, the student can design a course. Where does it happen?
At school and away from school. Portions of the course design are research based and will be done here at PSS. Community mentors will most likely work with our students away from here, unless we have specialized equipment required for the skill or talent. Do you believe in the power of community when it comes to raising happy and healthy young people?
Do you love discussing and sharing your talents, passions and enthusiasm with other interested people? Do you enjoy the energy, wonder and inspiration of being around young learners? If you answered YES to these questions we want YOU to be one of our Community Mentors.
For more information call me at (250) 295-3218.
