set ib. Aaa’ ae eS oY Wednesday, October 27, 1976 By DONNA VALLIERES The lack of adequate facilities for teenagers is recognized by many, but Marilyn Coutts is doing something about it. She runs a drop-in centre, called the Central Saanich Teen Centre, for youngsters in the area to meet and organize their own activities under her - capable supervision. Mrs. Coutts, believing there was a need for a teen centre in the area, began planning for the facility in August and opened it to the teens on September I8th. “We have a really tight group now,” she said of the approximately 40 youths ranging in age from 12 to 16. A drop-in centre offers an alternative to teens who might instead get into trouble, she said. “Reading reports about vandalism, I realized the kids were bored,’’ Mrs. Coutts said. ‘‘Either that or nobody pays them enough positive attention.”’ She is concerned about the drug problem with adolescents What’s Cooking On The Peninsula By LINDA LUTTMANN ‘ CHICKEN-RICE CASSEROLE An easy-on-the-budget main dish, Ys cup chopped onion Y% cup chopped celery I tbsp. butter 1-1% cups cubed cooked chicken 1-10'% oz. can condensed cream of mushroom soup Y%2-¥% cups shredded medium cheddar cheese . Y2 cup cooked peas (not canned) 2 cups cooked rice Cook onion and celery in butter until tender. Combine cubed, cooked chicken, soup, cheese, peas and rice. Turn into a 1% qt. casserole; sprinkle with 4% cup buttered soft bread crumbs on top. Bake at 350°F for 30 min. Serves 4. Variations: Add cup dairy sour Cream to the above ingredients, A 7% oz. can of salmon, boned and flaked (with liquid) or a 7% oz. can chunk tuna may be substituted for the chicken. This recipe may be doubled.. CHILI CON CARNE An old standby. 1 large onion, chopped 1% Ib, lean ground beef 2 tins condensed tomato soup 2 tins kidney beans pinch of garlic salt 2-3 tbsp. chili powder 1 tsp. paprika Y% tsp. pepper Y% tsp cayenne 1%, tsp.,salt ~ Brown onion and meat in heavy skillet in oil or beef dripping. Add tomato soup, garlic salt and chili powder. Mix thoroughly and simmer for 10-15 min. Add balance of ingredients. Simmer for “4 hour. Seasonings may be varied according to individual taste. Flavour improves if made the day before and reheated. Serves 4. Serve with salad and hot, buttered cornbread. MONDAY PIE Y cup chopped onions Y cup chopped green pepper 2 tbsp. oil 1 envelope vegetable-beef soup mix 2 cups chopped leftover beef 1/8 tsp. pepper 1% cups water 2/3 cup mashed potatoes Y cup grated cheddar cheese Saute onion and pepper in oil till tender. Combine with meat, soup mix and water in a 2-qt. casserole. Top with Potatoes, dot with butter and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in preheated 350°F oven for | hour or until heated through and brown on top. Serves 4. WEATHER SUMMARY FOR THE WEEK ENDING OCT, 24,1976 Victorla Internotional Alrport Tomporaturas Maximum (Oct. 19) 15,9°C Minimum (Oct, 22) 1,2°¢ Moan 8.0°C Pracipitation 12.9mm Total Yoar 622.9mm Sunshine 35.7 Hrs. , Tataltodato 1762.4 Hrs. LONG TERM AVERAGES Tamperaturo Mean maximum 13.4°C Record maximum (Qct, 19/44) 19,4°C Moan minimum 5.4°C Racord Minimum (Oct. 18/46) 2.2% Mean Tamperaturo 94°C Normal Pracipltotion 567.2mm Matoralagical for the week ending Oct. 24, 1976 Max, Tamp. (Oct. 19) Min, Temp, (Oct. 22) 38°C Min, on grass “8°C Pracipitation 13,.7mm Total 599.4mm Sunshine 31.0 Hrs, A RATT Subseribe now to the Sidney Review. Subscription fee is $6 per year, $5 for pensioners, vagy HOS" a vet Hockey Sticks only $3°° [while stocks | Harbour Texaco Resthaven Dr. & Harbour Ra, 656-5033 He OR igh tea! Mi matey! OO accompanying Gaies ‘with the law and between the youngster and his parents. “If I can help only one kid become a sane, sensible adult without going that route, I’ve done something,” she said. GOOD RAPPORT Her age (Mrs. Coutts is 23) has helped greatly in establishing a rapport with the teens who come to the drop-in centre. “‘L talk their lingo, I wear the same clothes, I have some of the same thoughs and feelings, so we relate very well,’’ she said. “‘It wasn’t that long ago that I was 14 and 15, ‘‘l remember the tricks of the trade and also the frustrations.”’ Many of the girls in the group come to Mrs. Coutts to talk over. problems at home and schoo! and the youngsters are.able to phone or visit, Mrs. Coutts at home if they want to discuss something. The centre is open one evening a week from 7 until 10 when the teens can play ping- pong, darts, card games and pinball. There is a_ record player for music and an open room upstairs for guest speakers. Central Saanich - Police Constable Peter Martin recently came for a discussion with the youths. There is a need for volunteer adult supervision so the ‘activities can be expanded to include a drama group, folk guitar classes, arts and crafts and bus trips into town. “All those things someone else there,’’ Coutts explained. There has been a lot of positive response from the parents, she said. They have organized a car-pool for the teens to get to and from the centre, When a youngster comes to the centre for the evening, they must stay there until closing time, so that parents will know where they are. LITTLE TROUBLE. Mrs. Coutts stresses that the centre is not a place where need teenagers can come and do. things they cannot do at home. “Everytime I’ve suspected I’m going to have- trouble, _ they’ve proven me wrong,”’ Mrs. ' four reports concerning the centre, -..f THE REVIEW sr tacsontig M RS. COUTTS, supervisor of the Central Saanich Teen Centre. MARILYN she said, ‘‘they’re very capable of being responsible and together.”’ ‘*They respect the few laws I have laid down,” she said, they want discipline, but they don’t want to be nagged at. I would sooner be a respected friend than an authoritarian.”’ “The kids realize I’m not doing this for me. I’m interested and enthusiastic, but I don’t want to run the show. It’s not my centre, it’s theirs; I’m there for direction.”’ Mrs. Coutts said she had a lot of support from .Central Saanich council when she told them of her idea for the centre. The municipality paid the first month’s rent on Moose Hall and the centre gets a $60 grant from Saanich Peninsula Community Resources Society. SELF-SUFFICIENCY SOUGHT There is $1.50 per month membership fee and the youngsters are working towards | self-sufficiency with car washes, fudge sales and a raffle. “They are incredibly responsive and cooperative,” Mrs. Coutts said of the young people. She spends an average of hours a day writing phoning mothers, and putting together the centre’s newsletter. SIDNEY WATERWORKS DISTRICT Notice Payment of Taxes Five percent penalty will be added to all Current tases remaining unpaid at 8: 30: am. on ist November 1976, S.R. Gibbs Collector TURN ON YOUR CAR with a winter tune-up LET US CHECK YOUR ANTI-FREEZE TODAY. See Archie or Nick at YOGA 8 WEEK BEGINNER COURSE NOV. Ist - DEC. 20th (*20°°) Exercises designed to strengthen and tone the muscles, improve your figure and posture, and give a noticeable feeling of energy at the end of the class, Classes will be held at the K. of P. Hall, Fourth St., Sidney Monday Evenings at 8:00 P.M. 1215 Montrose Ave., Victoria, B.C. SHARON VERSCHUERE SCHOOL OF DANCE 382-2577 or 388-7371 However, she does not feel her work with the drop-in centre interferes with her busy home life. “Fortunately, 1 have fairly good kids and an exceptionally understanding husband,” she said, Mrs. Coutt’s husband, Donald, is a retail clerk and appreciates the work she does with the area teens. She has two children, Carolyn, seven, and Jason, two. A former counsellor for inmates and their families in Alberta, Mrs. Coutts writes Central Saanich Teen Centre Eliminates Boredom In Foungsters poetry and songs for her guitar when she has a free moment and designs stationery, letters posters and greeting cards. TIME FILLED UP She babysits two-year old Gordon Mitchell who is a playmate of her active toddler and appears to be kept busy every minute of the day. Still she finds time to spend with the teens and keep the centre running smoothly. “lve always thought kids that age were good kids,”’ she said. ‘And they’ve really Strengthened my belief.’? Securi rity. Income. And flexibility. | Agreat way to save! on sale now at all participating CREDIT UNIONS Leib ae: Leather... for all & all reasons. LADIES’ LEATHER cosrs Fall, %4 Length and Shortie LADIES’ FALL & WINTER» WE ALLOW A DISCOUNT OF..... Purchases must be paid for by Dec. 15/76, COUPON GOOD FOR THESE GREAT SPECIALS ONLY. “AT SPECIAL PRICES Bring In Your Discount Coupon And Pay 20% Deposit RETAIL PRICE OF ITEM Page 9 DON'T MiSS THE. HALLOWE'EN PARTY EVERYBODY WELCOME CHILDREN — GROWN-UPS REFRESHMENTS FIREWORKS 6:30 P.M. Sunday, Oct. 31st NORTH SAANICH FIRE HALL GROUNDS CORNER WAIN CROSSROAD AND WEST SAANICH ROAD SEE YOU THERE! seasons BEACON PLAZA Sidney, B.C.