Dave Ogilvie
According to the World Health Organization, 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (i.e., near-sightedness, far-sightedness, or astigmatism).
Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses. Still, millions of people in developing countries are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don’t have glasses.
They can’t learn because reading is difficult. They can’t work to the best of their ability because they can’t see clearly.
For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development, and a better quality of life. For adults, it means greater employment opportunity and economic strength.
For seniors, it means less dependence on others.
The Emo and District Lions Club has boxes located around Emo, including two at the Emo Inn (two more boxes soon will be placed in other prominent locations).
If you have old eyeglasses sitting around your house, please consider dropping them in one of the boxes this month. It costs the Lions less than eight cents to provide a pair of recycled eyeglasses and that will help change someone’s life.
Together we can make a difference.
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The next monthly meeting of the men’s buffet breakfast group will take place this Saturday (Oct. 16) starting at 8 a.m. at the Emo Legion.
The featured speaker will be Christoph Koebel of Winnipeg. He was born in Switzerland but has lived in the city for the past 15 years along with his wife, who is from there.
His passion for making the Gospel known has found him in various countries such as Switzerland, Austria, and Canada serving as a missionary and pastor.
Currently he serves as a representative of “Operation Mobilization,” and works part-time as a courier in Winnipeg.
The men of the district are invited to come out for a great breakfast, bring a friend, and listen to Koebel share his love and passion for the Lord.
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The W.I. Pioneer Museum in Emo has a few events coming up that will be of interest to many people.
A new exhibit, “A Stitch in Time,” a display of antique quilts, sewing machines with patents that date as far back as 1866, and homemade clothes, will be open for public viewing.
The museum also will be hosting an information meeting for new and prospective volunteers this Friday (Oct. 15) at 1 p.m., as well as a workshop, entitled “Behind the Scenes,” on Monday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The workshop for volunteers and prospective ones will teach attendants about various museum operations.
Lunch will be served for $5. Call 482-3991 to reserve your seat.
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All seniors age 50+ are welcome to attend the annual Christmas turkey dinner and entertainment on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 1 p.m. at the Millennium Hall in Stratton.
Come and enjoy a country celebration!
In related news, seniors are invited to a potluck dinner at noon on every third Thursday of the month (except for August and December) at the Stratton seniors’ centre on the highway.
The next potluck meal is set for tomorrow (Oct. 14).
The centre also hosts a 500 party every Monday while aerobics takes place there every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m.
The aerobics group has been meeting for the past 20 years and is still going strong.
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The Christian Reformed Church in Emo is running a boys’ club called “Cadets” for ages nine-15.
Through Cadets, boys will be involved in activities such as exploring, merit badges, projects, camping, Bible studies, meeting new friends, hiking, games, and much more.
Cadets meet bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. at the church, with the first meeting planned for Wednesday, Oct. 20.
The annual registration fee of $50 includes uniform, guidebook, subscription to the club magazine, etc. Those interested are asked to register by Oct. 17.
For more information or to register, contact Darryl Marissen (482-3893) or Mike Veldhuisen (482-2644).
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The follow-up meeting to the community consultation that was held in May, entitled “Our Communities, Our Health, Our Future,” will take place Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Emo Inn.
In order to have a truly effective consultation process, it is important to involve as many key community partners and interested people as possible.
If you attended the first meeting, or are interested in joining the group, contact Wilma Sletmoen either by calling 482-2211 or via e-mail at wsletmoen@nwhu.on.ca
