HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1975-04-24, Page 2r...1 •
- ANDKE
SUSA
. McLEAN, Publisher
W HITE, Editor
Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association
Ontario Weekly Newspaper Assoekation
and Audit Bureau of Circulation
Subscription Rates:
Canada (in advance)$10.00 a Year
outside Canada (in advance) $12.00 a Year
SINGLE COPIES — 25 CENTS EACH)
Second,Class Mail Registration Number 0696
Telephone 527-0240
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, APRIL 24, 1975
On booze
In the Years *one
Since 1860, Serving the Comniunity First •
Published at SEAFORTH, ONTARIO. every Thursday morning by McLEAN BROS. PUBLISHERS IN.
Spring lambs
A,
"Mix some thinking with your
drinking --- that's one of the themes
'of a new alcohol information
campaign, that's been launched by
Ontario's Health Minister Frank,
Miller.
Posters, pamphlets, films and ads
haye been made up to tell us about
the vessures to drink, -the damage
alcohol can do and the costs that
drinking add on to all of us.
It's not an axe swinging
temperance campaign, , it's a _mild,
low key Inforittation program and we
are sill for it.
It is absolutely amazing how much
alcohol has become a major part of
our lives.in the past twenty years or
so. Booze is" now served at bridge
clubs, bridal showers, service club
dinners, and in many, many homes as
matter of courSe., We often drink
liquor at functiOns"where coffee, tea
or a non-alcoholic punch would have
been the norm a few years ago.
The..prof it from the bar, not from
the admission tickets, is what most
clubs who sponsor dances look for in
their fund raising budgets. Social
drinking in moderation is just fine,
For most of the year, the song of
the starlings is as melodious as t)ie
squawk of an angry pariot, the bleat
of a sick goat, the squeak of a rusty
hinge - combined. Even a crow '
sounds downright Musical-
comparison. He sounds like he looks.
But then comes spring . . .And it
might be said that even• r the
nightingale in all his glory was ever.
heard to sing like the starling in
spring! • . Well, that may be an
overstatement, but the trans-
formation is really amazing. Suddenly
he becomes a singing star. With
stunning virtuosity he lilts up and
down the scale, tossing off effortless
trills and cadenzas, entrancing the
ear with his dazzling repertoire.
"What bird is this?" you ask. "Is it
the lark? the bluebird? the sweet
thrush?" . No. Believe it or not, it's
"—?
Last week you ran a thoughtful editorial
asking: "What are YOU doing for
Centenial?" You mentioned a "funny
letter" to the editor of the Clinton paper, in
which the writer criticized the rather
unoriginal and tired approach to that
town's upcoming festivities.
I was the author of the letter which
appeared in the Clinton News-Record. I am
gratified to learn that you, at least, saw the
humorous side (of my remarks.There are
persons in Clinton (you'll never believe
this) who were so terribly offended that
they have not spoken to me since, This, of
course, is one of the really bad things about
small communities - people are too
' Sensitive; they take umbrage at silly little
things, and stay angry for years.
Consequently, how can useful criticism
ever be offered, and how can community
project; involve everyone and be
successful? There is no prisaible way.
1 had many disagiee with my comments,
yeti had far more who told me they shared,
my feelings.The sorest spot I touched was
that a few people set out to monopolize the
events and organizations in town, and they
will not tolerate "outsiders!' or persons
mho Are hot in the clique. The majority of
our residenis are good people who would
like to-participate in a club or a carnival,
but they are so fed up with the arrogance of
the perpetual Early Birds that they
dissociate &Chiselling in disgust from all
so-trailed "Town activities". Which; in
turn, is just what the grabbers wanted to
See happen; it eliminates all traces of
ititieVationi and rieviktimers.
In the particular ate, of this, year's
Clititert eententriiith the first meeting was
heldi and the eketittiee installed, well over
ii year lit Ababa. Who on earth could
really :he interested then? So the Early
the Ontario government campaign
points out,., but the fact that we are
drinking more liquor than ever before
also has its costs.
Many of the health problems that
make our health budget go up so
alarmingly, are • related to alcohol.
,Acohol Is also involved in many of the
car accidents that cause financial loss
and personal suffering:
Broken families, job loss and
wasted lives can all be attributed to
alcohol in many instances.
' Liquor is here to stay. As the
government pamphlets point out, how
o•ten do we say "Come over for a
drink" instead•of "Come over • for a
visit"? Too often, Probably.
We're not knocking booze. But
we're.saying that the• increasing
consumption of liquor in our province
is exacting a „heavy price.
In Ontario today 300,000 people of
all ages -drink enough alcohol everyN,
day to endanger their: health.
Think about the hidden costs of
alcohol at your next party. Are they
-really worth that expensive and
'‘temporary high?
the STURNUS VULGARIS - the
common starling. For •,courting
purposes only, he's mimicking the
lovely songs. of these birds - and 'he
does) it to very good effect. At least, it
seephs to have the desired effect,
judging by the alarming proliferation
of this species in North America.
It's a welcome change - but isn't it
annoying to think that all the time lie
was squawking and squeaking, he
COULD have done better? It makes
you think he just wasn't trying - until
courting time came along. And you
just wait - as soon as that messy nest
is afull of screeching little ones, he'll
fly off to the nearest treetop', throw
back his head, open his yellow beak
and say "squaaa-AWKI" . . . And
that will be his song until next spring.
There would seem to be a s lesson in
there somewhere. (Contributed)
Birds swooped in again. Everyone
observed that the same old show was to be
repeated with the same old players, and
NOW, when it is time enough to get
interested and involve/A, no one (except the
Early Birds) will touch the project with a
ten-foot pole.And the Centennial
Committee is worried, because they are
afraid people will not come and SPEND
MONEY. So the citizens get blasted
regularly, in the paper, for 'being a bunch
of slackards, sluggish boors, tc, etc., etc.
Apparently we are to take t blame for a
situation created by the ommittee -itself.
The celebrations in Clinto are doomed,
I am afraid. We are to have th usual beard
growing contests (I wish some brave
woman would enter the category for the
Poorest Attempt, and scandalize the
judges). A couple of dances and bingos,
and the like. And, of course, the usual
parade. I always get embarrassed for the
town, just watching these awful things.
They are nothing but *vulgar, brazen
advertising caravans for farm machinery.
Every float is pulled by a big. shiny tractor.
courtesy of Sne of our local equipment
dealerships. 'There ARE other ways of
moving a float, you know. It does not take a
lot of ingenuity to build a float around and
over a small car or tractor, so that the
driver, can see, yet the machine is hidden.
Most of the activities in Clinton's
Centennial are regular, annual thingi that
will, simply gain the word "Centennial"
this year. So nothing, really, will be (very
special ahout 1975.
Perhaps Seaforth can learn from .
Clinton's mistakes, in advance, and benefit
by avoiding them. Cert ainly your
Centennial supplements to the paper are
ambitious - if only your citizens will take an
equal, interest, you'll lue c 3
Amen
By Karl Schuessier
I think'my government took a step backward
when it announced that Wintario lottery"'—""
scheme of theirs. But then, almost within
hours, it took a step forward. When it took on
another` vice, Drinking. Only this time the
government wasn't pushing. It was trying to
pull me away -- a little bit-- from the stuff.
Ivly government wants to tell me; the lottery
is okay. But drinking has some nays. And over
the next three years my Ontario government is
going to spend two million dollars to tell me all
about it.
The government is going to show me the
dangers of drink in 'a reasonable and health
oriented way. The health minister promised
no scare tactics or bully approach. Or absolute
prohibitiOns. Just plain common sense.
I didn't get a chance to brush off the man,
by saying this doesn't apply to me. l' re no
alcoholic. For he told me I'm the guY, his
government wants to reach. The casual
drinker. The' social drinker. The average
consumer. The man--every man-- who makes
part of his life a glass of beer, a cocktail at
noon, a before dinner drink, a dinner drink, an
after dinner drink, a party drink. Maybe not
all in imp day of course. But anyope who's no
stranger tp those kinds of &inks.
He wants to talk.tO,the guy whobuys liquor
along with the groceries-Who makes drinking
part of- the normals of life. He wants the
parents who sigh--in relief--that their
teenagers aren't on drugs, only liquor.
I could see why the minister didn't have to
be terrifying. The statistics in the recent
United Church Observer are. Alcohol is
implicated in 70% of one-vehicle traffic deaths
and 50% of two-vehicle traffic deaths. It's
involved in more than 50% of pedestrian
deaths from traffic, accidents, 64% of
murders, 65% of all liver 'cirrhosis deaths,
39% of the rapes and 42% of other sexual
offeeses: a '
And I can't blame the alcoholic for all these
social and moral upheavels. For the social
costs of alcohol. are closely related to society's
over-all consumption.
And that's been going up and up over the
years. In Canada we drink 30% more alcohol
than we did twenty-five years ago. And we not
only drink more, but more of us drink. That
success with the celebrations.
Here are a few suggestions that Seaforth
people may find useful:
Try to involve as many individuals as
possible. Ask people to lend antiques,
clothing, photographs, and time. Set up a
emporary museum during the height of the
activities, and display articles of special
interest from Seaforth's past. Dig out old
products, furniture, harness, et that were
manufactured in your town and put them
on display, with placards or attendants to
explain their history. WARNING: Be
realistic - have several eagle-eyed watchers
on "casual" patrol; there are always a few
thieves in a crowd who will pick up
anything they think they can lift. if the
displays are behind a rope barrier, and
attendants are nearby, the articles should
be fairly safe.
Have the merchants (and citizens) dress
in various fashions of the last hundred
years. Try to get authentic old clothes - if
made by an area tailor or milliner, so much
the better. Don't worry if a dress or suit is
only 40 years old, either; you are
celebrating not just 1875. but all the years
since, as well:
Have an old-fashioned Box Social, A
Strawberry Social, a pot-luck supper, a
'community picnic. You've probably
already planned for old-time dances and
afternoirn tea.
Any parades should feature as many
horse-drawn vehicles as possible, also
antique automobiles and self-propelled
vehicles (other than tractors, please!). Use
old bicycles, goat-carts, a yoke of oxen (if
you can find them somewhere). Set up little
concession stands, selling candy, old-style
hot-dogs; an outdoor ice-cream parlor, a
lemonade stand - selling hom&rnade
lemonade right out of a barrel, Have
number jumped from 60% of the population to
80%. We've made it up to number twelve
from the top when it comes to the world's
drinkingest countries.
Of course drinking's been made easier for
us. Alcohol is quite available -- very-much
available, even now to the eighteen year olds.
And liquor is relatively cheap, even if the
price did go up not long ago. In one recent
round of inflation, food costs went up 16% and
booze only 2 1/2 %.
So, booze may be a good buy, but your
health minister isn't telling you that. Neither
is he going to tout the income the Ontario
government makes off our drinking -- 300
million dollars a year.
Now that's great revenue. The government
wouldn't want to cut off that flow. But the
government knows 'something else' 'Mo. It
knows it has to pay ;dear fer its",drinking
citizens. It knows that "normal'erinkers
don't have a different drinking pattern than
alcoholics. Alcoholics are simply an extension
of, the drinking population,
France--one of the countries th,a takes top
honours in drinking--spends over 40% of its
total health expenditures on alcohol related
diseases. Fifty percent of its hospital beds are
occupied ,by patients suffering from those
diseases.
My Ontario government doesn't want that
to look forward to. It can't afford that. No
wonder it's sending out a warning.
But will I listen?. Will I let the warning
become as fine print as all those bewares on
the back of cigarette packages?
But my government's told me. I've been
warned. It's over to me now. 1 can 'write my
own epitaph. Compliments of the Globe and'
Mail editorial:
"Ashes to ashes, and dust to dust;
If the liquor don't getcha, the lottery
must!"
booths of local home baked goods,
handicrafts, woodcarvings. Sell local
pottery and artworks. Homemade candles
and pioneer soap are great items (people
buy them just for the novelty) if you can
find someone willing to make them.
if the people of Seaforth use a bit of
imagination, there will be' no limit to the
things you can de for Centennial. Try to do
it for your town and your neighbors, more
than for yourself or the money and
advertising the town will receive.Try to
build that feeling of a true community that
small places are supposed to have.
Many places, like Clinton, pretend they
are 'neighborly, close-knit communities,
which is an outright lie. There are all sorts
of little factions existing in one town, but
they do not work together, and many
residents isolate themselves from all town
activities because they are disgusted with
the cliques. The .same old 'folks run
everything, and the population fragments;
interest runs' down and the town withers
away. Clinton is embarrassed to remember
what it was years ago (see the County
Atlas description, at your library) because
it has so sadly, and needlessly, gone
downhill. For us, there really isn't
anything to celebrate.
Centenary should be not so much a
reminder of the past, as an ideal for the
future. Can a tpwn be self-sufficient, can it
be thriving and stable (without growing in
dangerous proportions), can it be,a secure,
yet stimulating environment for those who
live in and near it? .That, I guess, is the
challenge. I hope you are up to it, Seaforth.
Many Happy Returns!
Respectfully,
Reginald ;tarries Thompson
ei,,,ten, Ontario.
APRIL Z3141 1875
Tenders for the work of fencing, grading and bridging the,
London Huron and Bruce Railway from London to Blyth were
opened at London. The contract for the first two sections was
awarded to R.M.Steele of St. Johns, Mich—and the remaining
two to Burbank- and Sinith of La Crosse, Wisconsin.
We understand that a joint'stock company has been.forined .
for the carrying on of the Kinburn cheese factory and a-
charter has been obtained from the Government.
, Again the fields at Cromarty are covered with snovy to the
depthlosing of ten inches, It lasted for four days. A number of
farmers have sown-;klielf, peas, etc. and are in danger . of
We understand that Messrs. Thompson and Currie of
Mitchell, have purchased from F. Seigmiller, his oat mail site,
near the railway.
It is our painful duty to record- a sad accident, resulting in
the death , of one of the most respected residents of
Tuckersmith, 'Wm. Alexander. He brought a load of grain to
town and proceeded to Messre. Wilson & Young 'for the
money. He stepped into an open' stairway, striking his head
on the stairway. tie. was '64 'years of age,.
J. Allen of Cromarty has sold his residence and blacksmith
shop to a Mr, Hunkin•of Usborne Twp.
The annual spring show of the South Huron Agricultural
Society for the exhibition of entire stock was held' at
Brucefield.
Pascal J. Moran, son of Daniel Moran of Seaforth was the'
successful competitor in two different pelling matches held
at Atlanta, Georgial. •
The. Tuckersmith Branch of the Agricultural Society-have
leased their grounds to the • Seaforth Cricket and Baseball
Club.
We notice that the merchants of several neighboring towns
have decided to close their stores at 7 o'clock from now tintil
the commencement of winter.
APRIL 20,.1900
W. Logan of Hillsgreen, who left recently for Moose Jaw,
had the misfortune to lose a span of horses, and a cow, by
death, on the way.
James Chesney and Robert Elgie of Tuckersmith were at'
Lucan with ,a yearling draught Colt; 'one that the competent
judges.of horse flesh say was of the right quality and stamp.'
Messrs. Robert Boyce, and Adam Douglas of Blake, took a
trip to London and vicinity and gathered a large load of
well-bred calves, 17 in all.
The fish from Lake Huron, are beginning to find their way
up the river at Egmoriciville and the men are at the dam at
nights, fishing, but seem tp have very poor luck at it.
Seaforth was represented at the annual convention of the
Canadian Lacrosse Association held in Toronto by Messrs. G.'
C. McIntyre, Frank 0. Jackson, Frank Nelson and. Fred
Baker.
Mrs. Murray Si: of, Goderich St. had a dandelion in full
bloom in her window on Saturday last.
B.B.Gunn has added a millinery department in his exensive
establishment.
Mr. R. P. Bell of the Seaforth foundry has orders ahead for
eight new engines.
Henry Jackson of Egmondville, has purchased the Van
Egmond woollen mill and the store house and residence of
Wm. VanEgmond across the street- for $ 4,000.'
Alex Broadfoot leaves for Manitoba on a prospecting tour.
Stephen Lamb of town has gone into 'partnership with P.
Keating in the lumber business.
H. J.D. Barrister of Hensall has purchased from Messrs.
McDonald a very fine Heintzman piano.
At three o'clock Sunday a.m. someone broke into
Henderson's Hotel and collected a considerable amount of
liquor, a box of cigars and $1.30 in cash. The porter saw one
man but was unable to identify him.
Robert McDougall 'of Kippers was ticketed to Oak Lake,
Manitoba, by R.J.Me*Donald, C.P.R.Agent.
APRIL 24,1925
Toronto.
David Crawford orWalton, shipped a carload of cattle to
Mr. and Mrs:I-tarry Jackson have moved into Walton and
are in Mrs. Barrow's
h The death of Tobias Nash in McKillop, removes an ancient
landmark, as he was so well known for his unusual height
being over six feet high.
Thos. Paton, for many years a familiar figure in the life of
Seaforth, passsed away at the age of 80 years. For many years
he was superintendent of the D.D.Wilson egg emporium.
Mrs. L.L.McFaul, one of Seaforth's .most highly esteemed
citizens passed, away at her home Lra Villa, Seaforth.
About three inches of snow fell on 'May and the weather
was very cold. '
Wm. Alcoot of town has purchased a new Ovelland Sedan
from G.C.Bell.,
' Walter Scott of town has accepted a position with a firm in
W
Jack
alke Hrvilillce.
hley has accepted a position on the staff of the
Brantford Collegiate.
Mr. and Mrs. John Looby of St. Columban have fhoved into
their new home lately vacated by Peter DeCoursey.
APRIL 21st 1950
Candles and lamps came into their own on Wednesday
evening when hydro service was interrupted for nearly an
hour. The cause of it was a break in the Stratford-Goderich
'transmission.
Winners of the hampers of groceries offered by W. Arthur
Wright, in connection with the opening of his new store were
Bill Holmes,Mrs. James Elliott and Mrs.A.Y,.McLean.
Lloyd Elliott of Staffa is reported progressing favourably
' after being in bed following an accident, while repairing the
local telephone line, when he slipped on a pole and tore a
ligament in his leg.
Mrs. Pearl Stephen halsold her home to Mrs. Donald Park
of Hensall. .
The male members of St. Thomas AnglicanChurch
gathered in the Parish Hall with hammer, saw, wrecking bar
and overalls to start the first stage the master renovation
plan adopted by the Board of Management riveting.
During the T.B. testing of cattle in McKillop Township,
Mark Hamilton near Walton, had his entire herd of beef and
dairy cattle, about 60 in number, go down as reactors when
tested.
A number of neighbors gathered at the home of Mr. and
Mrs. Lorne Hay,Tuckersmith and presented them with a
mirrotprior to their departure from the neighborhood. Jack
McKay read the address, and Orval Cooper made the
presentation.
Jack Christie, chief clerk of, the Dominion Batik,' SeafOrth,
has been transferred to the Guelph branch 'as assistant
accountant. A. F. Edmunds , accounfant at the Guelph
Branch has been transferred to the Main Branch, Hamilton,
as assistant manager.
Albert Alexander of Tuckersmith of Hensall has purchased
- the' residence of Mr. and Mrs. L. Tiernan.
Harry Martin, a resident of Egmondvilfe for many years,
passed away following an illness of two months. He was in his
86th year.,
The death occurred of Jean Carnochan Dickson, widow of
the late A.D.Sutherland, which took place alt her home,-
capsed wide-spread regret among her many friends. She was
in her 77th year.
Otte of Seaforth's best known residents passed away in the
person of William Whiteworth Smith in his 72 year. He came
to Canada in 1903 and was a veteran of World War 1. ,
• Funeral services for the late Joshua Pollard were held from
hislate residence with Rev.D.A.McMillan officiating.
Miss Winnifted Savage of town arrived safely in Sweden by
air. She left Dorval, Montreal, on Tuesday of last week.
. Harvey Damm of Kippen, was the holder of the lucky ticket
on a draw at Hillsgreen store. Theficket entitled the holder to
a handsothe new bicycle. .
A lesson somewhere
To the editor:
Reader suggests box, social, ice cream parlour for Centennial
0
tf
•.;
p