All good things come to an end

The inevitable day has arrived.
I had hoped I would be able to continue to provide the Grand Bend Strip newspaper for free indefinitely, but after thinking long and hard this spring, I realize that the only way for the paper to publish this winter is to ask for your support.
Like you, I value the ability to learn more about the people who live and work in this community. I love meeting you and capturing your memories for the paper. This is what I feel I can bring to this community, and I want to stay here.
I also feel it’s important to bring to light some of the problems that exist here, and the challenges we face in this community. I’m willing to put the work into creating quality journalism here, but I can’t do it alone.
The Strip will continue to be free until the end of the summer, which on most people’s calendar is the Thanksgiving weekend. After that, it will be available only to Strip Club VIP members. Even the website will be restricted to VIPs. I have yet to decide whether the exclusivity will continue next summer.
I promise to make membership worthwhile, and hope you will contribute to surveys to improve the paper, and take advantage of special offers from our advertising clients.
For more information about club membership, please see our subscription page.

The 80s are back at SHDHS

All 1980s grads invited to August 2 reunion

If you attended South Huron District High School during the 1980s, you’re invited to attend a reunion August 2 at the South Huron Recreation Centre.
Tickets are $25, and are on sale at Movie Gallery in Exeter, or by contacting Tim Rowcliffe (timaro -at - yahoo.com). Luncheon will be provided and entertainment is courtesy of Jane’s Rehab. Proceeds from the event are going to Scott and Denise Halpenny to assist in her treatment for MS.
If you attended South Huron and graduated from 1981-1992, we’d love to see you!

And the winners are - 2008 SHDHS students of the year

Lauren Haberer of Zurich and Marcus Haccius of Shipka were named South Huron District High School’s 2008 Students of the Year at the June 6 prom, held at the school’s small gym. For more about the winners and nominees, see:

Katie Anderson
Lauren Haberer
Janita Pfaff
Carly Schroeder

Dimitris Fragiskatos
Marcus Haccius
Bryce Halpenny
Kurt Van Osch

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Kurt Van Osch

Kurt Van Osch
Parents: Gerald and Lori Van Osch, outside of Mt. Carmel
Nickname: Van O
Known for: Sports. That’s about all I’m known for.
Fall 2008: Guelph for Business Agriculture
Most Memorable Moment: OFSAA hockey championships in Ottawa this year. Just being in the hotel with my friends and playing my favourite sport.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Grade 9. I was walking with all the Grade 12s and I dropped my book and all my papers fell out. Having the Grade 12s look down on you is pretty embarrassing.
Regret: Not focusing on school enough, but I still got into the program I wanted.
Thank you: to my parents for sure, all my friends and all my teachers. I’ve had good teachers for every class.
Sorry to: my English teachers; I feel sorry for them having to mark my papers all the time.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Bryce Halpenny

Bryce Halpenny
Parents: Scott and Denise Halpenny of Exeter
Nickname: B-Rice, Brizzo, Bryzness
Known for: Volleyball. It’s my passion.
Fall 2008: UWO for Engineering
Most Memorable Moment: The last game of WOSSAA volleyball. It was a bad day, we got last, but it was also one of our best days because it was one of the best games we played.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Too many things to list. I do a lot of things people find embarrassing, but I’m used to it.
Regret: I wish I had done more than sports.
Thank you: to my best friend Marcus, who made my year a lot better. I’d also like to thank Miss Bowers, Miss Migchels and Miss Hawley. Those three teachers were my favourite this year. And my family. My mom has helped me through a lot.
Sorry to: my dad. He doesn’t want me to leave.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Marcus Haccius

Marcus Haccius
Parents: Hubertus and Linda Haccius of Shipka
Nickname: Man, Chocolate, Coconut, Tiny
Known for: Announcement guy, and drama
Fall 2008: Beal for Musical Theatre
Most Memorable Moment: In Grade 10 I belly danced in front of the whole school.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Belly dancing in Grade 10. Comedy night in Grade 11, but also one of the most memorable. I just did the roles no one else wanted to do. Screwing up lines in Our Town and trying to make it sound like they actually said those things in 1901.
Thank you: to my parents and family and friends. All my classmates and the community for supporting our events.
Sorry to: all those people for being myself.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Dimitris Fragiskatos

Dimitris Fragiskatos
Parents: Nick and Jane Fragiskatos of Hensall
Nickname: Frag
Known for: Being loud, throwing high fives, sports
Fall 2008: Fanshawe for Construction Engineering
Most Memorable Moment: WOSSAA soccer, or the windshield incident with Kevin Ha. I can’t tell you about that.
Most Embarrassing Moment: Getting ketchup and mustard on my tie at formal, just now.
Regrets?: No. I was happy with everything.
Thanks to: everyone for being there with me to have a good time. I really had a good time at high school.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Carly Schroeder

Carly Schroeder
Parents: Steve and Brenda Schroeder of Dashwood
Nickname: Schroeds. Some people call me Car because they’re too lazy to say my whole name. It’s only two syllables!
Known for: Music
Fall 2008: UWO for Music
Most Memorable Moment: Grade 10 music trip, and this year, being part of the National Concert Band.
Most Embarrassing Moment: We were playing field hockey and my stick got caught, and my skirt ripped off, but they were in our end, so I still had to be defense and hold my skirt up. It was difficult.
Regret: Not taking tech in Grade 9. It looked like fun and everyone got to make things.
Thank you: to everyone. Family, coaches, especially Jim Workman, and my music teachers.
Sorry to: Mr. Moore. And my family. I’ve been a pain over the years.

2008 SHDHS Student of the Year nominee Janita Pfaff

Janita Pfaff
Parents: Dennis and Marian, outside of Crediton
Nickname: Juanita, JP, Jan-Jan
Known for: Thinking outside of the box
Fall 2008: UWO-Fanshawe for Collaborative Nursing
Most Memorable Moment: Field hockey this year. The final game that we played against Goderich is the most memorable, but it’s not pleasant. We lost by one goal and it was a penalty stroke and no one knows what it was called for. It haunts my dreams.
Most Embarrassing Moment: All my moments are embarrassing.
Thanks to: peers, coaches, teachers, staff. Jim Workman has been a big influence. Miss Jantzi and Ms. Burrell.
Sorry to: mom and dad. We’ve had some highs and lows. Just the whole growing up thing.

2008 SHDHS student of the Year nominee Lauren Haberer

Lauren Haberer
Parents: Steve and Michele Haberer of Zurich
Nickname: Low
Known for: Good Marks
Fall 2008: Ottawa for Political Science
Most Embarrassing Moment: We were out for lunch, the badminton team after WOSSAA, and our coach ordered 20 chicken wings. We were like, “You can eat 20 chicken wings, that’s a lot.” He said, “Man, I could eat 40 back in my day. I said, Think of all the chickens that is. That’s like 80 chickens.” Everybody stopped and said, “Uh? Does a chicken have half a wing or what?”
Regret: Not playing volleyball every year. I only played in Grade 10 and 12, and I wish I had played every year.
Thank you: to all my teachers, coaches, friends and family.

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