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16 The Canadian Statesman, Bowman ville, September 27,1989 Parents Do That School Thing Region Sets United Way Goal at $67,000 This school thing started thirteen Septembers ago. It was a sunny day. My daughter daughter Nellie held my hand as we approached her school. She was a cute bundle of excitement, excitement, curiosity and fear. Mother was a bundle of nerves. As we approached the school on Nellie's first day of kindergarten I relived that special moment of her birth. Nellie is my first bom. My labour lasted over twenty- four hours. Her birth was a time of tears, of pain, of hope. Nellie's birth was a time of great joy. When I left the kindergarten kindergarten class that first September September morning of many similar September mornings to come, I cried. The vision of her sweet face framed by a big pink ruffled bonnet that matched her pinafore and pantaloons, followed me- home. All summer I had anticipated anticipated a few quiet mornings to relax or run errands without without three small children in tow. Once Nellie started school the number in tow would dwindle to two - her younger brothers. Like most mothers, I dwelled on the fantasy of life with my children children in school. At the time I had no idea that fantasy was a myth of freedom conjured conjured in my mind. As I walked away from the school tears cascaded ' down my cheeks. I tried to fathom this inexplicable burst of sorrow. Hadn't I wanted this moment moment to arrive for the past year? Didn't I know how important important school would become to my daughter Nellie? Yes, I had longed for this moment. And yes, even at five years old, Nellie's intelligence intelligence and personality marked her as special. She was going places! Deep inside, however, I felt I was losing a small part of her that morning. Perhaps Perhaps I envied all the teachers teachers who would leave their mark on Nellie's personality. And maybe I dreaded their mark. Teachers, play an important important role in 1 'the lives of our children. Our concern is certainly certainly warranted if we are caring parents who wish to assist our children to become become responsible adults. So, I worried about the negative effect some teachers can have on a child. But that was thirteen years ago! Thirteen summers of hearing 'I'm bored,' 'There's nothing to do 1 , and 'It's too hot'. Summers ended. All that lingered were the vague memories of baseball games, barbecues, snapshots taken and squabbling children. Summers ended on a note craving routine. And this summer was no different. My family anticipated the return of the schoolyear with a restless ambiguity. This September has changed all our lives. My little little Nellie has gone off to live on campus at the University of Toronto. She has begun a five year program in International International Development. Last September hubby and I (with three children in tow) toured the Queen's University University area to see what was in store for our daughter. It was the first time we had ever witnessed the antics of the university students. Often Often we had read about the crazy orientation happenings happenings that the students participate participate in each September. This, however, was the first time the purple-faced a ueen's colour) young ults had become a reality. On the 401 was a sign meant to reassure parents and boyfriends arriving from out of town, and to intimidate intimidate first year female students. students. The sign read, 'Don't worry, She won't sleep alone'. An array of signs adorned buildings with groups of fun-loving purple faced students students in front sporting spray water bottles. Here are some of the tamer tamer signs that were evident. 'Kingston Torture Chamber Chamber Straight Ahead. Free Froshette Physicals. Mom Kiss Your Virgin Son Goodbye. We Carbonate Frosh and Drink Them Like Beer' This September I drove Nellie to her residence at U of T and helped settle her in. DURHAM REGIONAL CRIME STOPPERS I tried not to flinch when my daughter's first pamphlet she was handed was about sexual harassment on campus. campus. I even tried to be mature mature (Is that what you call it?) when Nellie, along with other students, was given two condoms and lubricant in an envelope advertising safe sex. What happened to chastity chastity belts? At that point even a chastity vow seemed a good idea. When I left my Nellie all SOLVE A CHIME ===.•= NEVER GIVE YOUR NAME EARN A CASH REWARD CALL: 436-8477 IF LEINO DISTANCE • CALL COLLECT ON CALL THROUGH TOUR LOCAL DUNHAM NEQIONAl POLICE NUMBED alone in her residence with her sexual harassment pamphlet and 'safe sex' paraphernalia, paraphernalia, I cried. I wanted to turn back the clock, take back all those Septembers and walk Nellie to kindergarten again. I did not want ner to leave home or become an adult. I wanted wanted to keep the world at bay. And because I knew this was impossible I cried, my years of love and pride driving driving home along the 401. Nellie will no longer use all the hot water in the morning bel ore anyone else gets a chance to wash. Nellie will no longer yell at her brothers 'Get out of my room! Mom!!!' Nellie will no longer leave wet towels on her new carpet or leave dirty dirty dishes under her canopy tied. Nellie will no longer borrow my clothes and return return them torn, stained or dyed. Yes, we will all miss Nellie. Nellie. But please don't feel too sad for us....Nellie is threatening threatening us with weekend visits. visits. The staff at the Region of Durham are doing their part for the United Way by setting setting their own fund-raising goal of $67,000. Jackie Boufford, chairman chairman of the United Way committee committee at the Durham Re- headquarters Whitby, came before members members of Regional Council last week to tell them of their goal and to ask for their support support in the events they have planned this year. "We are working very in hard this year," she said, and mentioned that $700 had already been raised at the regional headquarters by holding a "jeans day" on September 1. A campaign kick-ofi. breakfast was held last Tuesday for staff and a baseball baseball tournament was scheduled scheduled to take place on Sunday, Sunday, September 24, at Iroquois Parkin Whitby. She said a dunk tank would be one of the attractions attractions at the tournament and suggested Don Evans, the Region's chief administrative administrative officer, might be a candidate candidate for the tank. Mrs. Boufford was not the only United Way volunteer volunteer to address the regional council. The chairmen of the Oshawa-Whitby-Newcastle and the Ajax-Pickering United Ways, also asked for the support of the council members. "We at the United Way and its agencies are experiencing experiencing growth as you people are," said Walter Bcath, in the community, that you general campaign chairman would encourage and sup- of the Oshawa-Whitby- port...and by your personal Newcastle United Way. contributions, support the "We request, as leaders United Way." he added. DURHAM REGIONAL CRIME STOPPERS _ 436-8477 „ I1V\ i ••• •'* V;S ?i! '.'Wi :/ // l-'A Z •'hy vv/ 'v.y.'w y.'i ■$?< ï/Û v.v •** * • * I » • *1 ,• V ». , • ■ v r.•; .** **• "* %••!*/*.*Y'.\ .v v,.-. tut .. • ••* -../.*•■ • :v. «...V •?•# « f-V-.': •••: v v JA V 'V' V ' V v I V .V V; .* •. • .-IMBI r*,V'r :V.}.*V,' V• \ •' V I* •Vv:-.'*.:. •* . *',• L.. \v; .v;*VV : •/• • • • t» • : . >• !. : ft *.*• •• * .•.* *• 1 V I». • ,1* . • .• ,• i.'j V* V 1** * *•* *•** •• *• : . V* • * V* .• V-.fvvTT 7 ^ The management and staff of . Roy Nichols Motors Ltd. request the pleasure of your company at the Formal Introduction of the 1990 Chevrolets--Oldsmobiles -- Chevy T rucks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9 -- 9 9 -- 9 9 -- 5 September 28th, 29th and 30th Hot Dogs -- Refreshments and Door Prizes available A special invitation is extended to all families in the Durham Region and General Motors employees for the unveiling of the 1990 Cutlass Supreme 4-Door on Thursday, at 7:30 p.m.