St.Thomas/Elgin
Great People. Great Cars.
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Volume 7 No. 22
519-633-1640 • www.theweeklynews.ca
See Page 3
September 22, 2011
F A L L B R I D E S : S P E C I A L F E AT U R E S TA RT S P A G E 1 7
Super Mom to scale tower Retired teacher Carla
close up. “It was in the clouds,” she said. “I was terrified. I didn’t think I could do it. But then I thought of all those people with disabilities who have a lot to overcome and I said to myself ‘Why can’t I do this?’” All participants in the Drop Zone event receive training on how to rappel and what to do in case of an emergency. “They tell me it takes five minutes to go from the top to the bottom. Unless you fall, then it’s just a few seconds,” she laughed. “But it’s not really that bad. They say it’s doable if you concentrate on your feet and the rope.” Carla has been training herself physically by swimming, biking and lifting weights. She’s also preparing herself mentally by laughing a lot. “Talking and joking help me cope,” she said. She needs to raise $1,500 and is almost at her goal. But she needs a little bit extra to get her over the top. She says people can help her by donating online or in person at Fresh Co. on Talbot Street in St. Thomas this weekend where she will be fundraising Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 5pm.
Kuipers will jump from building in support of Easter Seals It’s something out of the movies – stepping off the edge of a skyscraper and climbing down the glass walls with only a couple of nylon ropes. But a local mom is taking the plunge in support of Easter Seals. Carla Kuipers is a 60-year-old retired teacher from St. Thomas Volunteer Jessie Charlton (left) and bookkeeper Kathi Vandermeer welwho will rappel down the side of come you to the Aylmer & District Museum, one of the sites at Doors Open the tallest building in London, the East Elgin this Saturday. (Photo courtesy of the Township of Malahide) 26-storey office tower called One London Place. She is joining over 100 other Lodge in Vienna. Doors Open in Aylmer, daring individuals on September Allison says this is the second 29 to participate in the Easter Malahide and Bayham year East Elgin has participated Seals Drop Zone to assist famiA variety of heritage buildings in the Doors Open program and lies of children with physical disin East Elgin will be open for pubmany new sites are throwing abilities with the purchase of lic tours this Saturday, plus sevopen their doors in Aylmer, mobility equipment and commueral community sites including Springfield, Vienna, Port Burwell nication devices. A major portion churches, fire departments and and Bayham. For a complete list, of the donations will go to Camp police stations. visit the Doors Open website. Woodeden in London, a fully ac“It’s a great way for residents cessible camp for kids who can’t and visitors to see everyday logo to regular camp. cations they may never have ex- IF YOU GO… “My son is an Easter Seals plored before,” says Allison Doors Open East Elgin child and I wanted to show him Adams of the Township of When? Sat., Sept. 24, that I respect the obstacles he 10am-5pm Malahide. has overcome,” she said. For example, two of the 23 sites Where? Various locations Michael Kuipers was originally on view normally not open to the Cost? Free admission going to scale the tower but once public are the Ontario Police Col- More info? 519-773-5344 or lege in Aylmer and the Masonic www.doorsopenontario.on.ca he saw the building, he changed his mind.
Explore East Elgin this Saturday
Never curled before? No problem! Curling 101 offers a course teaching you the basics and then a league to develop those skills. St. Thomas Curling Club Registration Week: Oct 4-6th; 7-9pm Find out why curling is the most popular winter sport in Canada! • All skill levels are invited • Co-ed, Kids, men and women leagues • Payment plans offered
• New equipment for sale • Discounted Rates for New curlers and Students!
St. Thomas Curling Club • 38 Parkside Drive, St Thomas www.stthomascurlingclub.com • Contact Christine: 519-633-0016
Carla Kuipers shows off the superhero costume she will be wearing when she drops off the top of One London Place September 29.
“Being a mom, I said ‘Don’t worry, I’ll do it,’ not really thinking about it.” Carla said it was a reflexive action because she had always helped him with the chal-
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lenges he faced as someone with a disability. She still wasn’t too concerned when she looked at the building from afar, but it was a different matter when she got
MORE INFO… Carla Kuipers at the Drop Zone www.thedropzone.ca Location: London Sponsor superhero: Carla
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