www.durhamregion.com THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, JULY 9,2003 PAGE 7 A fine balance Ünicyclist has clivine inspiration PY JACQUiE MclNNES Staff Writer v r- I; DURHAM - For some Durham motorists, motorists, sharing the road with a man rid- jhg a unicycle who is simultaneously juggling balls is an everyday event. Î; But there is nothing ordinary about puncan Tillson, whose idea of a daily billing is a 30-kilometre trek on one wheel. i. For the 6' 2" Bowmanville resident, jiiding a unicycle and juggling is all jlbout balance, not just in the physical sense but spiritually as well. !■ Eveiy day, weather permitting, Mr. il'illson travers throughout Durham on his unicycle, which serves as the base tor an act he performs for parades, special special events and birthday parties from Bowmanville to Toronto to Peterborough. Peterborough. But the genesis of his talents was |6orn out of a desire to make the lessons he gives to kids at Bible classes and camps more memorable, r "I used to be involved in Sunday jschool and was looking at creating ways to preach to kids," explains Mr. Tillson. It began with illusions like eating fire and swords. Ten years ago he learned to juggle. Soon he was performing numerous numerous juggling tricks, even juggling hatchets, hatchets, a real audience thriller. Each act was incorporated into the lessons he was teaching and accompanied by humorous patter to help keep his young charges' attention. attention. ;! Then, two years ago, at the age of 46, Mr. Tillson came across a unicycle, something he says he had always wanted. wanted. After a five-minute demonstration and hours of practice he was on his way. "It just shows you, you're never too old to learn," he says. Once you get the hang of it, Mr. Tillson insists, one wheel is easier than two, especially on hills. Kids at a neighbouring school have even dubbed him 'uni-man' a moniker he has adopted for himself. After working to perfect his unicycle technique until riding became second nature, he decided to throw the juggling into the mix. "I thought 'gee I might as well put the two together.'" £ Over the years his Bible lessons have become so popular, it is common to sec adults finding their way down to the kids' program in the church basement when they arc supposed to be upstairs getting the grown-up version of the gospel. j For those who miss him at church appearances, appearances, there's a good chance of seeing seeing him on roads thi'ough Durham, particularly particularly in the east.end as he practises his craft alongside passing traffic. Averaging Averaging about 30 kilometres in his daily workout, Mr. Tillson says he is now ready to lake on a greater challenge, even riding across Ontario if there is a worthy charily in need of his services. "It would be a great promotion. People are always waving and honking and stopping to talk," he says. In the meantime, Mr. Tillson has taken his talents to youth detention centres centres in the GTA where he volunteers to talk to audiences of troubled young adults about their future, their choices and of course, balancing life. He draws on his own experience as a troubled youth and tells them how he made the choice to walk away from his problems and instead focused on creating creating positive forces in his life. "When I was young I had a wild temper. temper. I got in fights. I got in trouble. But then I got into boxing and through that I learned self-discipline." In 1980 he entered the Golden Gloves and then retired from boxing with his street-fighting days long behind him. "I learned it takes a bigger man to walk away," lie says. Thai's part of the message he takes to the kids. While Jesus remains the centre of his life, lie says, lie is careful not to make people feel uncomfortable about the message he has to share when he is performing performing at public events outside the church. "I might ask them if they talk to Jesus." If they say no, he says, that's OK. "But, I tell them, get on one of these things (pointing to the unicycle) and you will start talking to him, real quick." Duncan Tillson entertains and delivers delivers his message of faith to children children across Durham. Marriage This anniversary, tell her that the \ J most beautifid thing about it... is a is her. Then surprise her with a diamond that dances and dazzles. beautiful / She'll feel more beautifid than the day you married her. thing Value Assurance Policy Should you find the same* item as in this ad advertised at a lower price, we will match the price and offer an additional 10% discount on that item. 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Willowdale • Toronto • Rexdale • Etobicoke • Scarborough Brampton • Newmarket • Richmond Hill • Orangeville Whitby • Bowmanville • Burlington Story idea? Call The Statesman: 905-579-140.0 NE072A403 to 2003. Soars Canada Inc. NOTICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE #4 Highway 35 Four Lane Planning and Preliminary Design Study From Highway 115 Northerly to Highway 7 in the Municipality of Glaring ion/ Region of Durham and hie City of Kawartha Lakes Class Environmental assessment. Group T3" Project W.P. 241-99-00 DATES OF PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRES: July 15'\ 2003 4:00 p.in. to 8:00 p.m. Ops Community Centre 2569 Highway 7, Lindsay July 16,2003 4:01) p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Mausers Arena and Community Centre Highway 7A, R.R. 1, Bethany STUDY AREA Lindiay ; CWIWH *•»#< « X 0 \ W v\ ■ > \. ® ^Uv^\ t ORwra \71' Orntmw THE STUDY; Hie Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has retained URS Canada Inc., (formerly URS Cole Sherman) to undertake a Planning and Preliminary Design Study to examine the future plan for Highway 35 from the junction of Highway 115 northerly to South Highway 7 in the City of Kawartha Lakes and Regional Municipality of Durham. The purpose of this study is to develop a plan for the Province's strategic goals for the movement of people and goods through the City of Kawartha Lakes and Regional Municipality of Durham. Tliis study will determine the ultimate vision for the Highway 35 corridor, and the need for interim capacity, safety and operational improvements. CONSULTATION TO PATH; Three previous rounds of Public Information Centres (PIC's) were held June 2000. Jiuie 2002 and December 2002. The first round was held to introduce this study, obtain information from local residents and the agricultural and business communities on local conditions. The second round presented the final study design, study scope and limits, problem'opporUuiity statements, ultimate vision for Highway 35. median alternatives, analysis of alternatives, and proposed interchange locations. At the third round the selected median for Highway 35 was identified as well as interchange alternatives, service road alternatives the proposed evaluation methodology. PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRES; The fourth round of Public Information Centres has now been arranged to present the following: Project Background and Process- Results of the Third Round of Consultation . v. • Issues and Concerns Raised and Project Team Responses Analysis and Evaluation of Interchange Alternatives • Interchange Evaluation Criteria • Selected Interchange Alternatives Analysis and Evaluation of Service Road Alternatives • Service Road Evaluation Criteria • Selected Service Road Alternatives Selected Interchange and Service Road Plan • Interchange and Service Road Evaluation • Technically Preferred Interchange and Service Road Network 1 HE PROCESS: The project is being planned to meet the requirements of a Group It project wider the Class Environmental Assessment for Provincial Transportation Facilities (2000). The opportunity for public input has been provided throughout the course of the project. At the completion of the study, a Transportation Environmental Study Report (TESR) documenting the anticipated environmental effects of the project and the corresponding ways of reducing impacts will he prepared and submitted to the Ministry of the Environment ami the publie for review. Another notice will be published at that time. Consultation is an integral component of this project. All stakcholdeis. including local municipalities, government agencies, and the public will continue to have an opportunity to he involved and assist in the development of the recommended plan for improvements to Highway 35. COMMENTS; Comments and information regarding this study are being collected to assist the Ministry oT Transportation in meeting the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. This material will be maintained on tile for use during the .study and may be included in study documentation. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record. l or further information, or to have your name placed on the mailing list, please contact: Mi. Steve Jacobs, 1*. l ing. Senior Project Manager IJRS Canada hie. 75 Commerce Valley Drive East, Markham, Ontario, I.3T 7N') l ax: (i)05) 882-4300 Tel: (005) 882-3532 sieve javohsiH titseorp.voin Mr. Tyler Drygas Environmental Planner URS Canada Inc. 75 Commerce Valley Drive Easl. Markham, Ontario. I. IT 7N0 l ax; (005)882-4300 Tel: (005) 882.3540 tylcr drygasiii ur.svorp.com Yisll us lit: litlp://lliuliwny.35,IHiiimiiiL'Slmlv.on,t':i ® Ontario MiniMiy nn'iiin»|>oiliilioii Mi. Fail Itoio Senior ViojiYt M.mmvi i'l,iiiiiin:: .uni l)i\.i|:u Minisliy nrTi.mfoil.iliim 355 Cmmlvr Sluvl l'oMiil liny. 411(111 KiniNim, ( YiiI.iiit). KVI, 5A ' V'.ix: <01 Jl 54il'5IU(i loll I'rvL-: |.Sll(|.2(i7.()295 iMil.io.wvnmo.i'.nv.mu'ii