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PAGE 18 TERRACE BAY NEWS JUNE 16,1971 MR. & MRS. GUSUL HONORED ON ANNIVERSARY Doris Borko from Montreai. Approximately thirty-five friends honored Harry and Stella Gusul at a surprise Silver Annjv- ersary party on Satur- day evening June 12th at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Latour. Guests in- cluded the Nick Chomniaks of Thunder Bay and a highlight of the evening was the presence of Harry's aunt Mrs. Harry and Stella were married on June 8th, 1946 in Thunder Bay and resided there until moving to Terrace Bay, where they have lived for the past fourteen years. Mrs. Scotty Hamilton co-hosted the affair and pre- sented Stella with a pink carnation corsage to compli- ment her dress of mauve crimplene. Entertainment for the evening included a skit relating to their courtship and a mock wedding with their son Gary and his friend Norma Walker as the bride and groom, bridesmaid Dot Koski, best man Bill Megraw and a red headed minister, portrayed by Peter Romanuk. George Churney and Bill Megraw provided appropriate music during the evening. The couple were presented with a lovely lamp and a crystal vase by the Chomniaks. Burning silver tapers and a lace cloth provided the setting for the cake made and decorated by Anne Latour and the delicious buffet which completed a very memorable evening for the Gusuls and their friends. ~- Photo by L. Waghorn. The following article was taken from the Globe and Mail, Friday, June 11, 1971 edition - "OPINION DIVIDED ON OLYMPICS BENEFITS - By REX MacLEOD Are organized sports, such as the Special Olympics for retarded children being held in Toronto this week, of thera- peutic value to those partici pating? A sampling of opinion indi- cates that the children derive benefit from competition, that it fills them with a feeling of | normalcy that would be diffi- cult to achieve in any other way. However, this is not a unan- imous declaration. Some med- ical men agree that mentally retarded should have physical activity, of a competitive na- ture, but not in a Grey Cup .atmosphere with photogra- phers and reporters and cheering - fans. This, they maintain, could have an ad- verse effect. "Don't quote me for Bert Lawrence's sake," said a doc- tor yesterday. "The trouble we've been having lately with the 'Minister of Health and Welfare I might lose my li- cence to practice. "Personally, I think this is a tremendous thing for the kids but I think it should be done on a lower key. Some of these children can benefit, but many of them have IQs from 40 to. 70. In some instances they are educable and traina- ble but can only derive minor benefits." The doctor was a little hesi- tant in his remarks because Lawrence remarked recently that some doctors were chop- ping out tonsils indiscrimina- tely--for profit that is. Another docior remarked that competition for retarded youngsters might have a be- neficial value for parents. That, in itself, he said, makes it worthwhile. Most parents, some of whom wept happily as their off- spring ran, stumbled, tried to jump or even fell in the at- tempt at CNE Stadium yester- day, said they didn't give a damn about theorizing. They said their children were having a helluva time and there was no other way they knew to duplicate it at home. If some doctor could prescribe it from a textbook they might give it a try. "These associations are great for youngsters," said Mrs. F. (Peg) Helmink, of Terrace Bay, Ont. "They're so glad to see kids they saw in- other games. How can Iu substitute for something like that? : "What many people forget is that a lot of these children come out of institutions. It is "important for them to get out and meet others. People who never had any trouble some- times forget that." English-born: Mrs. Helmink does not go around knocking doctors. She does not knock anyone. She is the type nor- mally described as plump, cheerful, and, if you want to tell a joke, get her in the front row. However, at the CNE Sta- dium - yesterday, among the halt, the lame and the infirm (the Argos start on June 19) she was not a clinical ob- server. Her 10-year-old daugh- ter Ann was a participant. Mr. Helmink has eight chil- dren, four boys and four girls. Ann is the only one who is mentally retarded, ) "I knew the first week after her. birth - that she wasn't nor- mal. They (the doctors) tell Jou to watch for deafness, lindness or merely if they * don't understand things. I just knew." = ! She develops a sad attitude if it is ested that some- one, mentally retarded, might grow up undetected and come, for instance, a bank robber. : : "That's ridiculous. In the first place anyone with a problem like that could not plan a robbery." . * Mrs. Helmink agreed that it was possible 'for a mentally retarded youngster to reach adulthood, even be installed in a responsible position. Ann, goes to school in Mar- athon, which is 50 miles from her home town. It is the near- est institution where she could be accommodated. "The first six years she was there I'll admit it was rough. Now, ' I admit, she 'enjoys going. We like having her home but she likes going back." Ann has never received spe- cial treatment in the Helmink household, beyond looking out for her welfare. J "The others know about her condition but if she gets out of line they cuff her around. She does the same with them.". That doesn't mean that Mrs. Helmink does not worry when her daughter is at home. 4 : "You always worry if she's missing, even for a couple of minutes. She can't talk . . ., you know. She's up to 40 words now, though." Mrs. Helmink said that pa- tience is the major require- ment in dealing with anyone who is mentally retarded or disturbed. On the other hand, she. noted that those afflicted have immense patience. "Failing to measure up to normal is embarassing to them but they try harder to achieve. Their patience is amazing. - You watch them trying to button a butten. A ormal child will eventua to rip it off but these chil- dren are very patient." Fires bumed 2 1/2 million acres in Canada in 1970