The Huron Expositor, 1975-08-21, Page 2Our right to print,
your right o know
Outside Canada (in advance) $12.00 a Year
SINGLE CONES — 25 CENTS EACH
Second Class Mail Registration Number 0696
Telephone 527-0240
SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, AUGUST 21, 1975
Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association
Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association
and Audit bureau of Circulation
Subscription Rates: •
Canada (in advance) Si 0.00 a Year
Since 1060, Serving the Constantly First
, ONTARIO:every Thursdaymorning' by McLEAN BROS. PUBLISHERS LTD.
ANDREW Y. McLEAN, Pubhaler
SUSAN WHITE, Editor
Canoe Shapes.
Suppose you had some information
that was probably of interest to most
people in Seaforth, about their taxes,
for example, or about a planned
industrial development. • Suppose
someone came to you and said teat it
would be harmful to make that
information public, that people would
misinterpret it, wouldn't understand
it, that publication would do more
harm than good.
Would you publish it or would you
sit on it? That is the kind of decision,
about small stories as well as big
ones, that newpaber editors have to
make.
Usually, because the newspaper
feels some kind of loyalty to the idea
of a free press, and of ter the
information is carefully checked for
accuracy, the story is printed.
It is a newspaper's job, you see, to
protect the right of the public to know
what is going on. A good newspaper
is -not the public relations arm of
government, business or a political
party. A newspaper lets people know
what these other 'bodies are doing so
that they can make informed
decisions as they, effect their lives.
A ' newspaper can't accept the
opinion of one group or person that it
would be harmful to print a certain
.story. It is up to the newspaper to
decide what is in the public's interest.
A free press is supposed to be the
guardian of the public, to make sure
that government or other groups are
not, without earthshaking reasons,
keeping important information secret.
It's a big responsibility. But we
think a newspaper, is better ,able to
take on the job than someone quoted
or involved in a particular story who
has a vested interest in how an issue
turn‘ out. •
We'll take on the responsibility of
deciding what to print• because we
think that our readers are a
pretty bright lot who can judge for
themselves. We don't think stories
need to be cut culled of all interest
and possible controversy so that
people won't misunderstand.
We don't think background on
some important decisions needs to be
kept from the public "for their own
good". Anybody in the news business
has o believe that freedom' of
in,for Lion is important.We also
bell hat people who have the most
facts make the best decisions.
A call for more citizen involvement
in local politics, for example, IS all
very well. But it's the paper's job to
see that people know what is going on
in local politics now.
That means quotes from councillors
at town meetings.That means delving
behind arguments. It may mean
printing a story about a town program
that contains some _unfavourable
quotes by observers.
People speaking to the press should
realize that unless a reporter agrees
"it's off the cuff" before a statement
is made, it's on the record,. and their
remarks may very well appear in
print.
A newspaper just can't operate if
every story they print has to be
checked line for line with the person
being interviewed or quoted. Most
people would want to change
anything that doesn't make them look
good and it isn't a paper's role to be
only a PR, wart removing publicity
sheet for local people and
organizations,
Quotes give a story ille'and give
some of the atmosphere of meetings
or news events to the reader. We
don't print libelous personal
comments, however, even if a
speaker, or• a person being
interviewed, does say theme because
we can be liable even for only
publishing someone else's remark.
Although we try hard to be as'
accurate as possible in our reports,
mistakes and misunderstandings are
bound to appear. But we want to
preserve our credibility and keep
these to a minimum.
Readers can help us by calling and
letting .us know when they think we
have misquoted them or made an
error. Don't tell all your friends and
criticize in phvate: tell the editor so
that a correction can be printed, or
write a letter to the editor telling your
side of the story. But the main thing is
keep communication open.We' II have
a better paper and your right to know
will be a little more secure.
Amen
by Karl Schuessler
love my local Blyth fire department.
And it's not because the men put out my
fires.
Last night eight of them drove their big red
fire truck over to my barn and set a blaze to
her. " •
And before fire chief Erwin Bowes, poured
on some kerosene and struck the matches, he
wanted me to assure him.
I didn't have any insurance on the building.
And , no, neither I nor my heirs, would
make any legal claims against his department.
And, yes, I would pay him a fee.
' Fire, I figure. , was the best way to get rid
of this tumbled-in barn. To put a final end to a
century of standing. To lay to rest forever
timbers and crOssbeans that housed
generations of cattle and hay and straw.
This barn had to go. There was no hope of
any life in her. She'd served her day. But no
longer this day. They just don't build bains
any more that way. With. those huge
threshing floors on the
bunt
storey.
Accessed by a bank slope buiilttight into her.
Ahd with the bottom floor Walledu in a' storey
high of rock and cement fOundations:'
The fire chief knew exactly what to do. 'He
checked the wind. Good. It was in the right
direction. Away from the farm house. He
knew exactly where he wanted to start the
fires.
'`Upwind," he said, "at this end," he
pointed. So, the wind will 'sweep the ,fire to the
furthest end of the barn.'
He had checked out the whole barn. He
knew where the fire would spread. he knew
what beams would go first. What wood would
serve as fire bridges to other parts of the barn.
His men took all the precautions. They
fell-dol_vn a nearby building. They put on
their hats' Ind slickers. They became'
watchmen in the night as the flames licked
and danced skyward.
"Pretty good fire going, eh, Chief?" I
asked. •
"I like the way it's crackling. It sounds
good. We're getting some heat in there. You
really have to turn it on high to get a good
combustion temperature."
I told him I was disappointed. I, expected a
few fire chasers to, drive over to watch our
barn fire. But no one was coming out.
'Veil," he said, "This fire's not very
spectacular. It's not that high to set much of a
glow in the sky. With a real good barn fire you
can .see it six and seven miles away.
"And besides, people saw us drive out of
town. Slow. No sirens going. No, speed. They
know it's Thursday night.. Our training
'night.That's when-we have practice runs.and
teach the new men the ropes and demonstrate
the equipment."
And then he explained something else to
me about fires. Fires excite. They make the
blood run faster. They quicken. There;s a
surge of thrill and adventure --- even for the
chief after 27 years on the volunteer
department and over 600 fires later.
Fires brush with death. They tease rand
touch disaster. Fire usually is disaster.
But a deliberately set fire? By a fire
department? '
He said one night a man rushed up to him
while'they were lighting a fire. On a barn -- a
real honest-to-goodness fine barn that was
sending up glows ten miles away.
I've driven miles to see this fire," the man
told him, "Do you know who set it?"
"I did, " the fire chief said, "This farmer is
a pig farmer. He says he doesn't need this
high old barn anymore. ;:e wants it out of the
way," , • _
"Do you mean I came all this way to see this
fire for nothing?" the man moaned.
"But a fire's a fire," the chief said.
"Oh, no it isn't. It's not the same," the man
shook his head and walked away to his car,
and drove off.
"See what I mean?" said the chief.
No wonder no one" came , to my barn
burning. I guess in fireman's terms I had only
a weeny roast burning.
And just to prove any suspicions, the fire
boys did bring out some hot dogs. And
mustard and catsup. Only of Course towards
the end when everything was under control
and the fire was burning nicely.
They found, themselves some sticks and an
old coat hanger and they squatted down by
some glowing embers.
Can you imagine? I thought I was giving a
spectacular barn burning. And instead I was
only putting on a barbeque.
AV9VST2D,4975
YV:cirrify,*olane$er Ogilvge B Ca' a, Mills In Seaferth
inforniS us Oat 'the ;first two loads of fall leat, were
delivered at the mills on Monday.
As the train going west was shunting at the Seafoarth
Station, a young man met with an accident. he was caught
between two cars and severely bruised. he was conveyed to
Hay's hotel where he received the best attention,
R. L. Sharp's trotting pony, "Poison" came to a tragic end.
A dog took after him and he jumped aver a pile of ties at the
railway track. He struck his, head against a car killing him
instantly.
The•excursion to Niagara Falls was very largely patronized
and at Seaforth 215 tickets were sold..
Wm. Klopp of ZutIch has purchased from Mr. Widorean, •
his harness shop and lot for $1,050.
A ,cow belonging to Wm. Stoneman of Tuckersmith, gave
birth to a 'calf which when born weighed 147 _NUM& It was
living when born but died shortly afterward.
AUGUST 17,1900
Dominic Reynolds is one of the oldest men in Hullett,Twp.
He is verging on 90 years of age and is still quite active.
Willie Kemp of Hensall, while working at T. Weis '
mill had the thumb and first finger badly cut saw.
Mr. Ament is hustlilng out the staves at present at
Brucefield, he having shipped 11 carloads last week. Mr.
Mustard has his shingle mill 'in operation as well.
Lachlan McLean of Cromarty left for the west and•on the
• eve of his departure a number of friends presented'him with
handsome presents.
The residents of Hensel) were aroused by the alarm of fire
which was supposed to have started in W.C.Davis' general
store.
James Beverley of Hensel) is moving to Exeter to engage in
the furniture and undertaking business.
Wm. Copp of town met with a severe accident when he fell
from a scaffold at Staffa, and alighted on a pile of stones.
Master Roger Roberts, son of J.S.Roberts had the
misfortune to fall from a fence and break his arm in two
places. "
Wm. Morrow, died at his home here after a brief illness,
aged 53 years.'
Civic holiday came on the 13th and well laid plans were
knocked on the head by the wet weather.
James Cameron of Tuckersmith has left with us a stalk of
corn which measured, 13 feet 5 inches. It is almost a tree.
Mr. and Mrs. F. Holmested enjoyed a trip to the upper
lakes having gone to Duluth.
James Somerville of Roxboro, finished harvesting on the
10th -of August.
Teddy Case, of town was kicked on the knee by a horse last
week, but is now as spry as usual.
There were 132 tickets sold at Seaforth for Berlin on Civic
holiday.
Mr. Thos. McFadzen of Walton, had cern which measured
13 feet.
The electric lights at St. Joseph, which have not been in
order for some time, are running again.
Wm. Miller of St. Joseph has just finished a large kiln of
brick.
Fraek Carlin is,buildir.g a new brick kitchen to his hotel at
Staffs.
Bayfield is a lively place at present.The hot weather of last
week brought large numbers to enjoy the balmy breezes
of Lake Huron.
W. G. Lynch, son of Mrs. (Dr.) Lynch of town who went to
South Africa with the Strathcona Horse Regiment, has been
invalided home and sailed from Liverpool on Thursday.
The many friends of Geo. Murdie, of McKillop as pleased
to learn that he has recovered sufficient to be able to come to
town.
AUGUST 21,1925
Mrs. J.R.Murdoch, of Brucefield, entertained in honor of
her daughter, Beth's birthday. They motored to Bayfield to
spend the afternoon.
Miss Agnes Eckhart of Manley has completed a position as
teacher in Wallaceburg.
John Stobie, former resident of town died at his home in his
82nd year.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Archibald' and Miss Ella, were ie a
were on a motor trip to Owep Sound.
Miss Ethel MacKay and Miss Evelyn CArdno have
returned from a,trip to Hamilton, Dundas and Niagara Falls.
Miss Billie Chesney of Tuckersmith has returned frOm a
three months visit with relatives in Rochester.
Joseph McClinchey has purchased from E.J.Box the lot on
John Street where Mrs. Wm.'Westcott lived. he is extending
the foundation and will move the house owned by Harry,,
Town.
Reid,' Edmunds of town has been apppointed principal , of
St. GeOrge Continuation School.
Quite a number from Winthrop are attending the shows
given every night by the Shamrock Medicine Co.
Mr. Hopper of Seaforth completed a drilled, well on the
school property of Constance. A good supply of water was
struck.
Miss Mabel Livingstone left for Chillawack, B.C. to teach in
a mission school,,
Frank Hagan of Hillsgreen threhsed 675 bushels of grain
off 15 acres.
4
4'
Every mid-summer, for some petuliar
reason, my wife and I get into the same
conversation. We talk at some length about
where we should go for a holiday.
We have this ridiculous, guilty feeling
that we should do what normal people do
on their vacations; go to a lodge; rent a
cottage; buy a tent and go camping; hire a
trailer; go for a "trip" somewhere.
Anything.
We talk about it for weeks, off and on.
We keep referring to "our little trip".
Perhaps we should just jump in the car
and go gypsying around the country, we
say. It sounds good, nice and careless and
• fun, with a new adventure just around the
next curve.
Or maybe this year we'll do the culture
bit; a week at Stratford, take in all the
plays, dabble our feet in the Avon, look"
with the eye of old theatre-goers at the
stunned gawping tourists.
Or, for a change, book in at a posh lodge
for a :Yea; ±r& 'meals for the old lady to
.conk, dress to the hilt for dinner, mingle
with the fascinating auh-jettet.
Or this year, ftir once, we'll rent a
cettage for ,two Weeks, dint-the-expense,
get arittY froth' the telephone, slouch
axisU) bate feet and shorts, and li.tten
ttr f'he loons eit the lake at flight. •
*Or, hit a exitriplete e :Inge, maybe we'll
gtyttf the city, Check Ya ei a fatty hotel with
a pool, lc nge around in an air-conditioned
room, and go out to dinneer and a good
show.
There's only one trouble with all these
plans. They require decisii,e action, and we
never seem to get around to either decision
or activity.
Take the posh lodge, for example, First,
they are all clip joints. Secondly, they' re
booked for the whole summer. Thirdly, we
don't have the wardrobes to dress to the
hilt or anywhere else. Fourthly, they are
full of bores. And the food is no screaming
hell.
Then , the culture bit. It's awfully
difficult to gear yourself up for a week ,of
Shakespeare and Shaw and dressing up
and standing in lineups for dinner, when
you're lying in the backyard listening to the,
birds, with a good book, and barely enough
energy to reach for your glass, and you
know there ain't going, to be no lineup for
the fried chicken and the young, new
potatoes and the juice-spurting corn and
the cold, tangy tomatoes in your own
house.
Gypsying around in the car is fine,
except that you have to get out on the road
with all those maniacs, and drive and drive
in the heat,- and pay a ransom for motel
rooms, and eat friedfood until you begin to
feel like a french-fry, and watch a IN set
offering reruns of last winter's re-runs.
The biggest adventure here is wondering
whether the toilet will back up.
A couple of weeks at a cottage is
appealing. Efut what the heck, we slouch
arounda t home in bare feet and shorts,
and as far as listening to the loons at night
goes, you can always ask a few of your
friends to drop in.•
A few days in the city has an equal
appeal. I always catch a cold in the
air-conditioned rooms, neither of us likes
swimming in a pool with a lot of common,
,middle-class people, you have to sign a
second mortgage on your house to pay the
bill, and you can hardly wait to get home,
where the room service is free and great
deal faster.
So this week, with our "little trip"
looming up "like a vampire, we both
discovered, instantaneously and with great
relief, that we'd juststay home for the time
being.
She: "I was really just agreeing because
I thought you wanted to get away
somewhere."
He: "You mean to say that you don's
want to go off in the heat and be soaked
every time you turn around and eat all
those rotten french-fries and besides the
tires on the car aren't so hot. I was only
going because I thought you'd like
achange,, get away from the meals,"
She: '1 can't Stand other people's
cooking and I hate motel rooms aed you
know how hard it is to find a decent place to
swim."
He:"Yeah, and if we took our golf` clubs
we wouldn't have room for anything else
and if we didn't, we'd' have to 'rent them,
for an arm and a leg."
Ironically, we live smack in the centre of
one of the great resort areas in Canada.
People who move here from the city can't
undrstand why anybody wants to go away,
even for a day,
Anyway, great, mutual sighs of relief.
But there, was still that guilty feeling, that
sense that we weren't pulling our weight in
the great holiday farce. So we
compromised.
He: "Tell you what we'll do. We'll drive
down to the marina and look at the boats.
Then we'll check the prices at two of the
local motels. Then we'll drive out to the
beach and look at the cottages". a
She (eagerly): "Yes. And then we'll
come home and turn on the sprinkler and
I'll get you a dinner that would cost you $14
in a restaurant' and tomorrow morning
we'll play golf at the most beautiful course
within 300 miles, and tomorrow afternoon
we'll sun and swim it the most beautiful
bbach within 400 miles."
He: "Yesl Yes! Yesi And there's 'a
terrific movie on TV tonight, four stars,
and we've only seen it twice." -
Who needs a "little trip" anyway?
- AUGUST 25, 1950
Mrs. Thos Richardson entertained 30 neighbors of Mrs.
Ruby Dundas, prior to her leaving to teach school n ear
London. Mrs. W.F.McMillan read an address and Mrs.
A.C.Routledge presented her with a lamp. Lunch was served
by Mrs.Elmer Stephenson, Mrs. Weber, Mrs. Dunn and •0 Mrs. Reg. Knight.
Some thirty pigs and the season's hay and-grain crop were
lost when the barn of Archie Cimpbell, Th istletown and
formerly of McKillop, went up in smoke.
Mrs. John MacTAvish told the)Women's Institute of the air
trip which she had taken to H6liand.
A miscellaneous shower was helda t the home of Eleanor
Shannon in honor of Miss Mae Clarke, bride elect. Miss Mona
Bennett read the address and Miss Margaret Carter and Miss
Shannon brought in a basket laden with useful gifts.
Employees of the Robert Bell Industries Ltd. honoured two
of their number at a presentation at the plant on Friday. Jack
Wright was presented with a club bag by Clayton Horton, and
Emmerson Durst was given a silver smoker by Lewis Nigh.
The addresses were read by Robert Smith.
Ronald Rennie and Donald Dale. of town have completed
their cours ein leadership at Lake Couchiehing.
Mr. and Mrs. I3,F.Christie and Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Dale
were on a motor trip to Chicago and Cleveland.
A very pleasant time was spent at the home of. Mr. and
Mrs. Wm. Hyde, Hensall, when' Mrs, L. Mickle, Mrs. J.
Faber, ,and Mrs, Florence Joynt arranged a lawn picnic in
honor of their aunt, Mrs. Eddie McLeod, of Calgary.
Diane Koehler, of the Parr Line while visiting at the home
of her uncle Leonard Erb, was bitten by the -family dog. The
wound was over her right eye and required a number of
stitches.
Approval has been obtained for the use by the Seaforth Boy
Scouts of the accommodation in the Post Office. A.Y.McLean,
M.P. made representations to the Department of Public
Works for the use of the space.
The W.A.of Bethel Chute'', McKillop, had a successful
garden party at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Millen,
Sixty dollars was realized.
Sugar and Spice
by Bill Smiley