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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1970-11-26, Page 10• • Sugar and Spice by Bill Smiley • From. Aly Window In recent weeks, this column has again been appearing in one of the first news- papers ever to run It . , . and much to my delight, I've been getting comments from those readers which indicate they're still glad to read about the life and loves of old Shirley. Funny thing about the folks who read \4"--- this column. They prefer to hear about my family - and all the everyday hap- penings in the Keller home. I don't want to bore any of you' but for lack of any other subject, I'd lik4 you to know my theory about babysitters. You see, babysitters have formed a large part of my life since I went to work about seven years ago. My children have lived with babysitters during that time and I feel I'm somewhat qualified to pass judgement on the girls and women who make babysitting a part-time career. Let me say at the outset that a good babysitter is as precious to me as a reliable doctor or a gentle dentist. Baby- sitters are not just ordinary people. Who would entrust the life of her children to the care of just anybody? I happen to know some women who are somewhat embarrassed by the fact that they babysit for a few extra dollars. Believe me, if a woman is a good baby- sitter, she needn't feel the job she does is mediocre. In fact, she is providing a service which is vital to the working mother - or the woman who needs to get away from the children for a day or so to preserve her sanity. Not that the babysitter and I are on unfriendly terms. Heavens, no, It is just that the babysitter and I seemed to disagree about which way to raise children, she being just as determined as I that there was only one way to bring up toddlers, and our differences left the child confused and unhappy. For instance, I'm a firm believer that while a child should have order and discipline in his life, he should be able to decide for himself pretty much how he would like to spend his days. If my children prefer TV to the outdoor life, I have no objections. If boys would rather play with dolls than with trucks and trains, so what? I remember being a child and loving to build rafts and float down the muddy river more than having tea parties. This one babysitter took the opposite view. A boy should behave like a boy, a girl should behave like a girl and a child, any child, will respond to one certain kind of training. Which brings me to the conclusion that the one attribute for which I look in my baby sitters (and I suppose it is the same with all mothers whether they realize it or not) is the ability to see the child's inner self under all the veneer of bad habits and misbehaviour, and to let that take priority as long as it doesn't interfere too much with the babysitter's daily schedule. And in my opinion, a babysitter who will allow a child to be himself is a babysitter who loves children - and that's all important to me as a working mother. So hats off to all the wonderful, wonderful babysitters in th e country. Accept if you will, my word that you are invaluable people who contribute in every special way to the economy of this land. Neva fee` you are a less-than-anyone- elss.„%preedt. A good balaysitter is truly a prOfe'ss115al who deserves the com- mendation of the masses. In the Years Agone #ht Anrou expositor Since 1860, Serving the Conintunity First Published at SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, every Thursday morning by McLEAN BROS., Publishers Ltd. ANDREW Y. MCLEAN., Editor Member Canadian) Weekly Newspaper Association Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and Audit Bureau of Circulation Newspapers Subscription Rates: Canada (in advance) $6.00 a Year Outside Canada (in advance) $8.00 a Year SINGLE COPIES — 15 CENTS EACH Second Class Mail Registration Number 0696 Telephone 527-0240 Ready for Winter Seaforth 4431423427' 8 Main Street ..4400C4111 JACK THOMPSON'S FOOTWEAR SERVICE SHOES RUBBERS BOOTS FOOTWEAR and REPAIRS MerchandiseAupons for 10% off any value — Redeemable any time — SAVE 10% WHILE YOU — WAIT SERVICE • • • NOVEMBER 29, 1895. John McGavin of Walton went to Seaforth to attend the Collegiate Institute. Mrs. Sage of Walton is making preparations for extensive improvements to her hotel and stables. She has the brick and stone on the premises ready to renew the hotel. Miss Maggie A. Smillie of Hensall, has been re-engaged to teach in S.S.No. 6 at an increase of $40.00. Thompson Murdock's horse, Joseph, has hauled the Zurich stage for the past five and one half years making two road trips each day. Joe has travelled in all 42,050 miles. Geo. Eilber has on exhibition in Crediton, probably the largest snake ever captured in these parts. It measured eight feet, one inch in length. This monster was killed by Mr. Eilber at Elimville. On Monday night a very heavy wind- storm passed over this part of the country. One of the brick walls of Cooper's plan- ing mill, Kippen, was blown down; several chimneys fell and one of the chimneys on the House of Refuge was damaged. There died at his home in Wingham,, J. D. Sills, a former resident of this town, and brother of Geo. Sills. Wm. Jamieson of the Huron Road left On Saturday for the Old Country. He went in charge of a cargo, of fine steers shipped by R. Winter. Scott Bros. of Seaforth, have received an order from the Presbyterian Church in Brandon, Manitoba, for a fine church organ. The Hibbert Agricultural Society held a grand concert in the Staffa Hall. Wm. McLeod, the comic singer and dancer of Seaforth and Miss Tracksall, soprano soloist of Seaforth were the artists. Isaac Bolton has completed the car- pentry work on the residence of J. J. Irvine, at Leadbury. A very happy event took place at the residence of Mrs. Bolton of Winthrop, when her daughter Annie was united in marriage to Robert A. Campliell, also of McKillop. Chas. Greb, of Zurich, proprietor of the Huron Hotel has shot and bought about 140 black squirrels, out of the skins of which he will make himself an overcoat. The'oncert in Cardno's Hall under the auspices of the Christian Endeavor Society of the Presbyterian Church was a moat decided success. Thos taking part were, Miss Ewing, 'Grace McFaul and Mrs, J. C. Greig. Harold Jarvis, the celebrated tenor of Detroit delighted his audience with his singing. NOVEMBER 26, 1920. The new Standard Bank at Dublin is nearing completion. It is of red brick, elegantly constructed by the contractor. Mr. Looby, the genial creamery man at Dublin, is turning out large quantities of butter daily. John Bennewies M.P.P. of Brodhagen, has decided to locate in Dublin and is getting material to erect a dwelling next spring. The fuel question at Dublin is becoming a serious matter, wood and coal, both being scarce. About 30 guests gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McGregor to join in celebrating the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan McGregor of Tucker- smith. Master Morley Cooper presented Mrs. McGregor with an eight day clock, while Winston Workman and Alex Mc- Gregor presented Mr. McGregor with a gold headed cane. Sproat Patterson read the address. Wm. Elcoat, of Tuckersmith, who re- cently sold hi s farm has moved to his new home in Seaforth. Rev. Mr. McFarlane, of Hayfield, met with a nasty accident while on his way to Hillsgregn when his car skidded into the ditch owing to the icy condition of the roads. About 5 o'clock Saturday afternoon Geo. Bunsch met with a serious accid- ent at the Canada Flax Mills. His hand was drawn into a machine and the first finger had to be amputated. On Sunday, while returning from First Presbyterian Church Mrs. J. C. Laidlaw had the misfortune to fall and fracture her leg near the ankle. Dr. Field, public school Inspector, paid an Official visit to the Seaforth Public School this week. Miss Helen French of town , who has been seriously ill in Toronto, has suf- ficiently recovered to be able to return to her home here. W. A. Crich of town has purchaged the residence of Mrs. Mulcahy; it will be occupied by his baker, Chas. • Adams. Fred Eckart of Manley has purchased a Merlin tractor and plough which will rustle along the work. Dr. Colin Fletcher of Thames Road is retiring after 40 years of ministry, this being his first and only charge. The presentation of a purse containing $1500 was made to him. At the annual meeting cif the John It4orrow Screw and Nut Company noted the retirement of J. Anderson Coulter, who is an old Seaforth boy. Mr. Coulter is a nephew of Miss Hargan of this town. i. • NOVEMBER 30, 1945. Appointment of Miss Margaret Wilson to the new executive office of business manager of ParkWood Hospital, London, was confirmed. Miss Wilson had been superintendent of Scott Memorial Hospital for 16 years. Frank Kling, who recently purchased the large business block of Mr. John Mac- Tavish, opposite the post office, is having the interior completely modernized. In addition to the %tore improvements he is building three heated apartments The Department of Education has notified the Seaforth High School that Donald Stephenson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leo. Stephenson, ranked first in Huron County for the Carter Scholarship which is valued at $100.00. A large group of neighbors and friends assembled at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Manley, of McKillop, to honor Stephen Manley and MisS Olive Petrie, who were recently married, Stephen Murray read an address and a pair of wool blankets and chenille spread were given to Mr. and Mrs. Manley. Miss Isabel Betties of Winthrop gave an interesting talk on her trip to England and her experiences as a nursing sister at a meeting of the Red Cross held in Cavan Church. Percy Harris, of Hensel', who is the owner of 1000 turkeys is taking no chances. Every night he sleeps in the colony house with a shot gun handy. Nursing Sister Hazel Usher, of Bruce- field, has returned home from Overseas and is visiting her parents Mr. and Mrs. C. Haugh. J. Clifford Bell, of St. Marys, has been unanimously elected to councillor - at- large to St. Marys Council, in which town he carries on a large coal business. Paul McMaster, had the misfortune while sliding on the ice to falband fracture his arm. Hugh Dunlop had the misfortune to fall on the slippery streets recently and fracture his leg. A home welcome and presentation was made in Hayfield by the finance committee of the Red Cross to the forty-four young men and young ladies who signed up for war service. Solos by Miss Lucy Wood and Mrs. Brown Higgins were well re- ceived. The presentation of billfolds and a $5.00 bill was presented Mrs. ueo. Johnston, well known resident of the Parr Line in the Hensall district passed away suddenly in her 54th year. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. ThOs. Coleman of Tlickersmith. Young people df today, as we all know, don't want to do anything the way their elders did it. This includes getting married. Most still stick to the traditional service, but many modern wedding cere- monies are completely different from the time-honored and time-worn ceremony that most of us endured. Nowadays, instead of hearing the organ triumphantly booming Comes the Bride," you may be startled, but shouldn't • be surprised, to hear someone belting out "Hey, Jude?" - with guitar accompani- ment. Instead of the comforting, traditional and often anachronistic passages in the orthodox ceremony, you may hear an erotic poem by Leonard Cohen. Any day now, you'll see the men lined up to kiss the groom on both cheeks and shake hands with the bride. In many ways, I agree with the trend. I had the devil's own time with my wife before our nuptial vows were finally nuptialized. She wanted the "obey" deleted from the phrase, "love, honor and obey," and fought me right up to the altar, where she muttered it only to avoid a scene. And, of course, she has never obeyed me since. Another bit that got her back up was, "With my body I thee honor,", spoken by* the groom only. She took it the wrong way, and thought it a perfect example of male vanity. "In sickness and in health" is another howler that could be jettiSoned, WhenI'm practically dying with the 'flu, she has less sympathy than she would have for a rattlesnake making its death rattle. And if there's anything I can't stand, it's having a sick wife malingering around the place and not getting the meals. The last bit of farce at our wedding was when the preacher, being, a little coy, looked at me and asked, "Would you care to salute the bride?" It was an Anglican ceremony and I was a bit at sea anyway. In addition, I was just out of the air force, where "salute" meant just that. I gawked at him as he repeated the question. "Well," I thought, "if this is the way these Anglicans do it, O.K.," made a smart left turn and was about to whip up a snappy ‘salute, when my bride, who knew the damn fool was telling me to kiss her, solved the situation by grab- bing me around the neck and kissing me. It was a beautiful kiss, I got a mouthful of her veil and that's about all. But with my personal experience, and in view of the divorce rate today, I'd go further than the modern kids do. Not only would I bring the service up to date, I'd insist'on an air-tight contract to be signed by both parties before they swore to anything. There's not nearly enough space here to set out the contract in full, but I'll give you a skeleton, and you can fill In the flesh. ITEM. If either party suffers from cold feet, he or she will refer to a hot water bottle, rather than shock treatment to the party of the second part. ITEM. It will clearly be understood who is to put out the garbage, who will get up to close the window, who will get up to shut up the baby, who will get the car on opening day of the trout season. ITEM. Neither partner shall spend more than ten minutes during each 24 hours' telling the other partner what a hell of a day he/she had at work/home. ITEM. She will not say, more than once a week, "You never say you love me anymore." And he will refrain from replying, "Certainly I love you; now will you quit bugging me about it?" ITEM. Neither party will promise the kids something ridiculous, then confront the partner with a fait accompli. ITEM. The male partner may invite anyone for a drink or dinner regardless of hair curlers, ',the house is a mess," "there's not •a thing in the house to eat," or "you might have a little consideration for me." ITEM. Males will refrain from shout- ing violently, "Why is there never any peace around here?" Females will not hit, except in the clinches. (I have scars.) Carry on chaps. I've just begun. There's money, jealousy, sulking, teas- ing, nagging, back-seat driving, decorat- ing. There have been far too many books written about sex and marriage. Let's get down to the realities. a