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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1973-06-28, Page 2(Expositor Since 1860, &ruing the Community 'First FOUslied at SEA FORTH, ONTARIO, ()Wry 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) $8.00 a Year Outside Canada (in advance) $10,00 a Year SINGLE COPIES — 20 CENTS EACH Second Class Mail Registration Number 0696 Telephone 5279240 SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, June 28, 1973 A salary 'for housewives • A This year, as I mentioned previously, my wife taught English in a ' private school. It was her first crack at teaching, aside from kindergarten and music, and she taught a Grade 13 class, so it was no cinch. She worked hard at it. But the strain on me was something else. Every clay when I got hoMe from teaching 150 students, I had tb endure a two-hour monologue about her "kids" and what they'd said and done, today. Osanicde whileainndadonei . I'd try to- get in a word or phrase about what my "kids" had but it was like trying ,to stop Secretariat, in ful 1 gallop, with a piece of thread.. At the first of the year, she was, worried about a few of them, who gave promise of becoming recalcitrant. But by sheer charm, and her innate interest in other people, she was able to establish a close and friendly relationship with every single one of -her huge class of ten. By the time the last day" of school came around, she was almost in tears as she realized she'd , probably never see any of them again, or only as com- parative strangers. This is something that happens to most teachers who really like youngsters, especially when it's a .graduating class. There is generally a mutual warmth on the last day of school. The students suddenly realize that it's their last day in high school, surely one of the happiest times of their life. The teacher suddenly realizes that this is the last day, that he's made it once again without going around the bend, and that this is 'a pretty good lot of kids. Some of the youngsters are actually scared when if comes upon them that another umbilical cord has been cut and the great big hard world is waiting to tsewaalrs.lo w them. Occasionally there are one young lady wanted to know , as she wept,"How did you feel when you left high school?" She obviously meant that she was almost heart-broken. But she received the realistic answer, "Great. It was the happiest day of my life." At any rate, the last day of school usually produces a feeling of fondness and exchanges of, "Have a good summer, sir." , And the response, "Will do. You too. See you in the fall". Or, if they're 'graduating, Come and bee us when you're home from college." They usually do. Once. A special case is the - houSewife,more and more common as the 'cost of liv- ing, sky rockets,who holds' a full time job outside the home, along with her full, time housework. As a student in a recent article - '''''''' Tay for housewives says "Just being a housewife must be the world's most -demanding job. When you Just when you start to think the whole world is crashing down around your ears and there's nothing right about anything, there's usually a wonderful, soul-refresh- ing change and you feel good again. At. least, been my .experience.. Right now, we're in one of those great "up" periods when everything is coming up roses. For once in a long, long time the children are happy, happy, happy. The combination between responsibility-and irresponsibility is just about right to keep everyone in good spirits. Son Number 1 has a summer job. It is his first real honest-to-goodness, up- every-day summer job and he appears to be happy in it. Daughter is learning to cope with the housework (she's wdiking for me this .summer) and still find time for herself and her friends. son Number 2 is wrapped up in all the things a seven- year old boy can enjoy ... and he's truly satisfied with his lot in life. Like most mothers, I suppose, it a happy family to keep me happy . . . and right' now I'm about as happy as it is possible to get in this old world. ' But all the world is not happy . especially in families where children have chosen' to ten a different direction than . their parents. That's the 'generation gap' everyone's talking about , not a differ- ence in Understanding but a wide differenc in basic philosophies. Mom and dad think life should be lived one way . . . son or daughter think it grooves in another direction. It makes me sad wheni see kids leaving ' home before' the natural time. You know What I mean. As soon as a kid is 16, he or she is well aware of the law which states that Mom and dad no longer have any hold on that child . . . at least not legally. And young people often hold that over parents' heads. . . you treat me - the way I think I should be treated, or I lefaVe home. I dent. that too many kids really want to leave heihe .".. especially if they have a good dome- Where the people in it care about each' other and work to make each Other happy. But itiftuelcicia, maybe through 4W-latilt Ovirt,"&in't communicate attach a 40 hour-a-week job"on top, of that, it's asking a lot from one person."' - In pioneer days there, was perhaps more recog- nition of the housewife's contribution to her own farm and the community as husband and wife worked, equally hard at similar jobs. But now, at least in the towns, women who stay at home doing their 1 85 hour a week unpaid jobs cannot contribute econom- ically to the family unit and may find it demeaning to constantly ask the breadwinner for funds. Oh, there would be pro- blems. It has been sug- gested that quality control and job standards, complete with home inspection tests, 'might be introduced, as • well as compulsory child rearing and home making courses. And, of course, there is the overriding problem of rounding up the money to pay our home labour.. But 'industry would, surely •be willing to contribute handsomely and action to curtail waste' of the type that, federal and provincial auditors general have sug- gested exists, in govern- ment departments would pro- that our society grants to those who earn money. At least as an interim measure, until both house- hold tasks and work outside the home are shared more equally by both sexes, a salary for housewives is an excellent idea. For all we know, it would probably result in a lot of men applying for the job. their feelings to mom and dad and mom and dad don't know how to break down those awful barriers which sometimes grow up between loved ones, and before you know it the kids have' moved out of the house and into the wide, wide world. When this happens, when kids leave home at the age of 16 or 17, I'm always sad. I'm sad because I'm dne of those people who lost parents at ‘an early age through death and know what it is to be alone. I'm sad because families split up so easily these days, not realizing what heartbreak can haunt you years and years hence because of some silly mistake. I'm sad because home can be such a beautiful, beautiful place when ,people learn to give and take, when parents learn to respect their kids as much as their kids are expected to,respeet them. I'm saddest of all because I remember what it is like to be 16 and to feel excited about living and life. I remember how it felt to have all the answers and to be afraid of nothing. I remember the heady feeling of thinking you are grown up and ready for the world and anything it could hand you. And I remember the hurt of learning that no one has all the answers no matter how old he or she grows. I remember what it was like to find out what fear is ... and to long for a mom and dad to turn to. And I remember learning I wasn't grown up. . . and would never be so grownup that I didn't need parents and loved ones who really cared for me when everyone else had gone about his or 'her business and forgotten I existed. Yes, I'm sad when kids leave home. I'm sad for the kids and I'm sad for the parents who have to live' with the guilt • which usually creeps in . . . guilt which reminds them over' and over that they've failed in some way to do the job they set out to do. I guess that's why I'm happy now. I'm happy because our little family has sui'. vived the grey days so far and we're knitted into a tight little loving group which has leatned to work at this business of living together when others are worlds apart. It is a good feeling. The best. wott '4•0*e 1 t m,1 n 'i'44 ab 1i' try an give them the respect vido*+& t ciwnI n i VIVWQ 07'2 Ate Obtrelmt From My Window By Shirley J. Keller Can you find the owls John Esha of Manley left • for Saskatchewan, where he intends to settle down. He had been engaged with Fred Eckert for the past four years. The pupils of school section No. 8 made a presentation to their teacher, Miss Rose Dorsey on• the occaelan of her resignatIon after three years o f very successful teaching. The Diegel Bros. of Brodhagen are busy laying 'oak floors in D. McC n- nil's residence at Dublin. ' Miss Edna' Jamieson, teacher at No. 10 McKillop is 'completing a course in Elementary Agriculture at Guelph College. o _ While Miss Jane IsitcLauglin, Lead- bury, was returning home' from Walton, a few nights ago, her buggy collided with another driven ..by Miss McPherson and Miss Ella Howlett. Both rigs Wdfd-iip- turned and the occupants landed on Mother Reynolds, Hullett. Last week 'he sold one of his team, aged 6 years, to Messrs. Geo. W. Cline, of Wingham. The leading Archibald and Turnbull Seaforth for nearly $200. The sacred contata, Esther, was given in Cardno's Hall, under the direction of _ roles were taken by Miss Grace Mc- Faul, Mr. Ashbury, Mr.. J. G. Mullen, Miss Bertha Daly, James Scott, Miss McQuaid. raises better horses than does _Janos We are pleased to learn that John Scott, of Roxoboro,who had his leg broken is. recovering• nicely. rt There is no man in the county who Janies Mullen, "who----has- been teller in the Bank of Commerce for 2 years, left for his new appointment at Chatham. The Winthrop Cheese Company ship- ped their May cheese. It was sold to J. W. Steinhoff of Stratford. Geo. Stewart of town is shipping a lot of baled hay to the Old Country. Messrs. Broadfoot and Box shipped a car load of furniture to Iaobsomin, North west Territory. Major Anderson of town and his men are making good progress with the new plank sidewalk oh the north side of Goderich Street. F. Gubteridge and his men .have completed the new concrete floor in D. D, Wilson's stable. While playing lacrosse, John Bell, of town met with a painful accident. One of the other players, while checking him, struck him over the hand, cutting the top off one .of his fingers. Mrs. Murchie of Winthrop has had the post, officb fitted up with boxes, for the convenience of those who receive their mail here. John Mau dson of Chiselhurst had a successful barn raising. The picnic of school section No. 5 at Cromarty had for its object, l•hat of being together, the children, parents, teacher and their friends for social inter- course: The weather was good. The pleasureligihland Piper, A. McKellar, gave with his music. He has long enjoyed the reputation of being the fav- orite piper of the community. In the Years Agone o. JULY 3, 1948. Winners in the Dominion Day raffle by the Seaforth Amateur Athletic Asso- ciation were: Hilliard Lawrence, Hen- sall, cedar chest and Pete Nigh, Strat- forcirTadie. - James Scott, of Buffalo, N. Dakota, visited his brother-in-law, Wm. Somer- ville , McKillop, after an absence of 56 years. He is a son of Wm. Scott of Leadbury who arrived from Scotland, 75 years ago. Wilfred Coleman, who for 20 years has been a well known gravel contrac- tor, in the district, sold his business to Ed. Boyes, Ms.Killop Township. Ernest Clar'ke, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Clarke of town, third year student at Victoria College, Toronto, for the second year has been, awarded the John Trick scholarship. Mr. Clarke who is shidYride for the Ministry is serving at Port Elgin. Construction of the Bell bridge will be proceeded with, Tuckersmith Council decided as it awarded a contract to Miller and Lavis, Clinton, at the tender price of $5,885. Designed to promote citizenship and leadership, many students of the Seaforth High School, the Seaforth Lions Club, through its education committepNinaugur- ated to annual awards of $2.5.00 each. The boy's goes to Gordon wilson; son of ' and Mrs. D. H. Wilson and the girl's award to Madeline Wilson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Wilson. Dr. E. A. McMaster, of town, was informed this week that he had been appointed a. coroner for the County of Huron. Pupils of S.S.No. 4, McKillop, honoured their teacher, Mrs. Hackwell, who is retiring, when they presented her with a 'silver cream and sugar set at a picnic /held at the Lions park, Seaforth. The ' presentation Was made by Jean Scott and the address was read by Wayne Scott. Seaforth Firemen were called to the Hesky Flax Mills, when fire was discovered in a trailer. Geo. T. Preston of Toronto, is acting teller in the Provincial Savings Office while Ronald McDonald is , on vacation. r,rflcr , ulationsf,are,,extendedito,Mise , Mae, Mc finchey- laf- this 'town, who has . - been awarded the Sir John Eaton schol- arship at Wellesley-Hospital. It' carries with it a money value of $25.00. The Collegiate Cadet Corps, 21 strong left Seaforth to join the Western Ontario cadets in camp at Carling Heights. They were in charge of Capt. Adam Dodds and Lieut. Donald ,Kerslake and Sgts. Garnet Sillery and W. Blackwell. The privates were, C. Leatherland, H. Bristow, H. Hays, Fred Jackson, •W. Black, A. Mc- Rae, A, Dale, F. Cook, C. Aberhart, A. Burrows, C. Ament, W. Barber, L. Webster, J. Crich, Wm. McKay, R. Willis and Alvin Sillery. The congregational garden party of First Presbyterian Church was held at the beautiful grounds of A. D. Scott, Thornton Hall. ' Aubrey Crich of town, has been ap- POinted to the staff of Mayo Bros.Hospital at Rochester, Minn. Of course, the longer_ you teach, the tougher you get. In my first couple of year, over a decade ago, I was almost stunned by the good will on closing day. The class president w advance tor- the front --shed by 35 hawklike pairs of eye .,act Rafts!f woArnr4tegune arte:IiiVr after a Plqil;ndijiltelY-;1. b614Arrlitt w0 w oe itqql VtiP54 • Now, when the kids are choosing their class president, at-the beginning of the year, I assure the reluctant nominees that, "There's nothing much to the job, except to -collect the money for my Christmas and end-of-year gifts." It shakes them a bit, but pays off. Oyer the years, I've been the recipient of '86zens of golf balls, a bottle of good wine, a smart desk set, a lawn chair;' and shelves full of fancy shaving lotion and exotic talc and stuff I never use. This year, I didn't have a home form. No present. But I got a pleasant sur- prise. Last class I had .with my four- year Grade I I , a group I would have considered• least likely to do it, they kicked through. Marlene came up' and said,"mr.Smiley I this, is for you, for being such a nice teacher." Not a good teacher, mind. Just a nice one. And speaking of nice, it was one of the simplest and ,nicest speeches I have ever heard. • Ralf suspecting a practical joke, for this was group' I'd tangled with in the fall, I opened it, standing well back. No joke. There was a.handsome little book of inspirational poems and prayers. thought this might be a pointed suggestion that I needed both, and was still slightly wary. Then I opened the other package.- It contained an eternal match. This is a fancy type of cigarette lighter. You pull a sort of stick out of a little round barrel, it strikes a flint, 'and you have a long thatch-like light. It would be great for a pipe-smoker. Unfortunately, it wouldn't work when I tried it. Typically, Marlene had tried it thoroughly before wrapping it, so thoroughly that she'd used all the fuel. She tried to get it going for me, and was 'greeted with hbots of derision whed she couldn't. However, the thought was there, and they yelled at me that I couYd take it back to the store.( ' A small ' thing, in their busy lives and . mine. But it's warming to know that somebody out there loves yoi a little bit, even though you are a teacher, and is willing to ante up a dime or even a quarter to prOve it. I'd rather have that, once a year, than a gold -watch and a stupid scroll at the end of twenty-five years. ' 6 tzri) ... A BBC program has found that the housewife works , at least 85 hours a week,. at 71 different jobs(nurse, .teacher, hostess, etc.)and that, if paid for these at the going rate, she would earn about $8,750. This means that' house- ' wives are contributing - free of charge, services worth this large amount of money to the Gross Nat- ional Product and to the - community as a whole.House- wives feed, clothe, or- ganife, wake up on time •1" and love and nurture their husbands and children'-- • who are the majority of workers and students in this world. If industry ' govern- ment had to dog a these behind the scenes things trlot allow workers to come tT work and students 'to study, itswojld be at a tremendous cost.House- wives, as the saying goes, keep the show on the road, and if they were ever to go, out on strike (some- thing which is perhaps un- likely because they do labour for love - - -they must or the issue of pay- ing them for their house- wgr-Lwould have been raised some time ago) many indi- JULY 6, 1923. "Will you stop telling him the stork brought him?" 61.014.16. A1061.0, ..........