The Huron Expositor, 1975-10-09, Page 2You think we've got it bad?
Sugar and Spice
by Bill Smiley
Perhaps, with Thanksgiving in the air,
it's as good a time as any to make a
personal inventory of what we have to be
thankful for, if anything. Maybe you'd like
to join me, substituting your minuses for
mine, your pluses for mine.
On second thought, I haven't really a
single minus. Oh, there are a lot of little
nuisances: arthritis in my foot; rambling
bursitis in shoulders, knees and neck;
dewlaps; a few less teeth than I'd like.
But everybody has these things. If we
didn't, we wouldn't appreciate how great it
is when the pains clear up for a few days,
or the fact that there's always plenty of
good grub to mumble with those ancient
molars. " •
I do have some negative thankfuls. I'm
glad I am, by choice, not living in a city,
with everything that entails in the line of
human harassment: dirt, traffic, crowds,
coldness. Especially when I can, as right
now, look out my window and see' the
yeljoyeDetokter sun blazing into the gaudy
flamboyance of the maples,—iird a little
further off, the blue of clean, unpolluted
Water, and know that if I st epped outside,
the art would be champagne, not cheap,
scented wine.
I'm glad I don't have six children. Two of
them. almost brought the Old Lady and me
to our knees, ecotionlieally and
I'm grateful that I haven't got stuck into
some job that I loathe, as so many men
have. What could be more soul-destroying
than hating to go to work every morning?
I'm glad I'm not sick, or feeble, or
pet-bellied, or ham-handed, or tight-fisted,
even though I am bow-legged, forgetful
and sometimes, after a sharp exchange
with my wife, have a ringing in 'my ears.
Those are just a few of the negative
thankfuls. They_ are vastly outweighed, to
the point where it is no contest, by the
positive thankfuls.
I couldn't begin to list them in this
space, but will touch on a few of the
highlights.
I'm extremely grat eful, even though it
should last only a few more years, that,
despite the machinations of the oil
companies and the stupidity and short-
sightedness of our "leaders," I can still
turn up the thermostat on a cold morning
and know that I and mine will not shiver,
through the day.
I am extremely thankful that I am not a
young man, recently married, mortgaged
to the ears for life, in an effort to provide a
roof and food for a family.
It's taken 30 years of slaving on the, old
plantation, toting many a barage and
lifting many a bale, but I own my own
house and don't owe anybody a nickel, and
I'm grateful.
Another thing to be thankful for is the
fatherly benevolence of Pierre Trudeau
and his gang (1 use the word gang
advisedly). They and their provincial and
municipal henchmen are content with
separating me from only about half of very
dollar I make, and there is no indication yet
that they will shortly sval an arm and a
leg each year as additiona tribute. Only a
few toes and fingers.
I'm very thankful that I live in Canada.
It's a magnificent country; a people who
could be magnificent, but refuse; and they
don't throw you in jail for speaking
disparagingly of the gang in power.(They
haven't got enough jails, and who would
pay the rent?)
I'm happy with my immediate family,-,
though thousands wouldn't be. My son is a
failure, in the ordinary middle-class sense.
He has never made more than $2,000 a
year, has no home, except • ours, and
couldn't produce the proverbial pot. But he
is working with ultra-poor peasants in
South American country, trying to make a
better life for them, eating their food,
catching their diseaSes, and I'm proud of
him. •
My daughter,' after adventures in the
sub-culture that makes me shudder still,
knocked them dead with her writing in a
university course, got her degree, is in
fourth y ear of a second degree in music,
has had a baby, and is about to produce a
sister for Pokey, my grand-baby, who is a
whipper-dipper, like all grandbabies.Not
bad for a rotten kid.
My wife (careful now, Buster, watch it)
is still a smashing looking woman, though
a granny, an excellent cook, great
company,' and is becoming virtually
serene. She hasn't thrown anything at me
fot nearly two years, except a wet dishcloth
• or something like that.It used to be plates
of food, telephones. Eaton's catalogue, you
name it.She did, actually, throw my
typeweriter downstairs last year, when I
made some mild remark about the bad
temper she used to have, but she didn't
throw it at me. That's progress.
I like my job, working with kids, who are
at least alive, not just going through the
motions, like so many of their, elders.
I have a few friends, whom I cherish, a
few enemies, chiefly the town engineer,
who does not cherish me, and a host of
likeable contemporaries and
acquaintances.
My blood p ressure is great,1 don't wear
glasses, my, heart hasn't given me a bad
knock, I'm chipper as the average
eighty-year-old woman and I'm 'already at
work on the book I didn't get around to
writing last summer, or the one before, or
It's just great to be alive, and I offer my
sincere thanks to God or Whoever is
responsible for it. How about you?
4.••••..
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ONTARIO, OCTOBER'S,. 1975
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Let's hear from you!
THE HURON EXPOSITOR welcomes
letters to the editor, We want to b ear your
• opinions about anything at all, 'be it lar ge or
small.
The only stipulation' required is that the,
letters be signed personally by the author. A
pseudonym, though not encouraged, is
' allowed providing we can authenticate the
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beef or a suggestion feel free to Oleic up your
pen or typewriter and let us hoar about it.
In the Years Agone
Sinee 1860, Serving the Community rot
-PeiblintiO at SEAPORT/I, ONTARIO, every Thursday "touting by ROMAN BROS, PUBLISHEI LTD.
ANDREW Y. *LEAN, Publisher
SUSAN WHITE, Editor
Worries and Thanksgiving
O At- the BattalionOCTOBER4 matchl55 7 for Huron County,
MajWc9e Iniglot7thr"at Wa.thNe
Seafprth
. veryany successful' eSth:f:agthte:
t
WM/10d score. e
Provincial Exhibition held last week at Ottawa. He carried off
eigmhtepssrrizse.s Tfo.r jhoihs nhsanadsome paintings.
completed the erection of a very' handsome hearse.
Thos. Mellis who has been in the employ of Wm. Grassie
Co. of Seaforth haverecently
for the past three years has taken
jb 01 ahcnk scmo oi t hp ienrg. business in Kippen formerly carried on hyll
Messrs. McIntyre & Willis have purchased from Joe
McComber, New York, a full set of his celebrated lasts,
these
togetherlastws.ith the right to manufacture boots and shoes on
GeGigeeor
.
.W. ilson Jr. of the Bronson line has sold his farm to D.
W. Davis of the half-way house, McKillop, met with a sad
accident. He was threshing at the farm of R. Smiley and
stepped out One of the arms of the horse power and his foot
slipped and was caught in the bull penion of the machine.
Drs. CAmpbell and Burgess of Seaforth and Dr, Graham of
Brussels amputated the foot.
John Ernigh of Blyth has a contract for delivering 16,000
ilieson the London, Huron & Bruce Railway.
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John Kyle has sold his farm in Hullett to Anthony Lawson
of Goderich Twp. for $4,000. Mr. Kyle intends moving his
family to Seaforth.
OCTOBER-5th, 1900
The Bayfield people had a delightful day for their show, the
only complaint being that it's too warm. In point of
attendance the show was a great success.
The 50 acre farm of W.G.McSpadden, Grey Township, has
been purchased by Duncan Taylor for $1,000.
A large gathering assembled at the station at Kippen to
witness the departure and to say good-bye to Rev. and Mrs.
Wm. Gould who are on their way to the mission field at
Formosa.
A complimentary dinner was tendered R.C.Cheswright at
the Queen's Hotel, on the eve of his departure to Walkerton.
B.B.Gunn was in the chair and the vice chair by James L.
Killoran. Songs were presented by Wm. McLeod , J.F.Daly,
and W.G.Willis. They presented him with a handsom chair
and leather suitcase.
W.N.WAtson of town has purchased from Miss Fortune,
the property on East William St. The price was in the
neighborhood of $1450.00.
Mrs. M. Whidlow, who has conducted a dressmaking
establishment in company with Mrs. M. Galbraith has taken a
good position at Chesley.
A large number of the members of the Methodist
congregation at Chiselhurst assembled at the residence of
Henry Pybus to give some tangible expression of their
appreciation of the services of Miss M.E.Pybus as organist of
the church. An address was read by Miss Annie Wren. They
presented her with a silver tea service and custard dish.
W. C. Davis of Hensall intends erecting another fine brick
block and has rented it to the Molson's Bank for a term of 10
years.
Geo. Parker was operating a circular saw, he had the
OCTOBER 2nd, 1925
While
misfortune to get two of his fingers injured.
The United Church in Brucefield was the scene of a pretty
wedding when Emily Alice Rattenburg of Brucefield was
united in marriage to Ross Scott. Rev. C. G.Armour
performed the ceremony.
Charles Holstead , nephew of Mrs. John Johnson had the
misfortune to break his leg while playing ball at school'
With deepest regret we learn of the death of Kenneth
Murray, infant son of Mr.. and Mrs. W. C.Bennett of
Winthrop.
Wm. Dietz, bean thresher of Kippen, while working on the
Taylor'farm waS Ubfertunate in having his arm caught in the
belt and two bones broken.
The choir of the Evangelical Church assisted by the
Paramount male quartette of Seaforth gave a well rendered
song service.
Snell Bros. of Constance have purchased a tractor from
J.F.Daly of Seaforth, also Dexter Bros. a tractor from R.
McKay.
The news of the death' of Mrs.F. Holmested, Seaforth,
which occurred at her home, GoderichSt. came as a great
shock to her friends as, few even knew that she had been ill.
First Presbyterian Church was the scene of a very sociable
evening when some 300 of the members were present to
welcome newcomers to the church, a pleasing feature of the
evening was the presentation of a five dollar gold piece from
the choir to Wallace Parke prior to his leaving for his holne in
England. D. L. Reid gave the address.
A quiet but pretty wedding took place at St. George's
Church, St. Catlierines when Lois, Madeline Holmes was'
married to Dr. James A. Munn of Seaforth.
OCTOBER 6, 1950
Ernie Luxton of Cromarty, had the misfortune to fall from a
ladder while silo filling at Frank Bruce's barn.'
The East street Bakery, Goderich, owned by Beverley
Beaton, formerly of Seaforth, was damaged by fire when a
gas stove exploded.
H. Weiland of Egmondville will celebrate his 90th birthday
on October 8th.
Miss Jessie Finlayson left for Creditors where she has been
engaged to teach school.
- Jas. R. Scott, of Toronto, has purchased the residence of
Geo. D. Ferguson. This house was the home of Mr. Scott's
grandfather, the late Dr. J.G.Scott.
Hon. R. H. Winters will address the' Huron-Perth Liberal
Association in Hensall.
Garry Mason of Dashwood, had his right leg broken above
the knee when' he ran into a truck driven by Clarence
Desjardine of Dashwood.
Judge J. L. Killoran, died at his home Stratford. Before
going to Stratford he practised law in Goderich and Seaforth.
Joseph Atkinson of Dublin, while assisting at the farm of
his nephew, Joseph Shea, was thrown to the ground, when
the team ran away. He escaped with minor bruises.
Finlay McKercher, McKillop, and Ed.
Harold Jackson attended a cattle sale on Manitoulin Island
Canadianvveso
t.f
Tuckersmith are on a business trip to the
Allen
last week.
The death occurred in Stratford of a highly respecte d
citizen of McKillop Township in the person of Mrs. Hiram
Blanshard.
The raspberry season is extending much later into the fall,
according to John L. Malone of Seaforth. He proudly
displayed a branch laden with fresh berries.
A turkey buzzard was shot by Alvin Pryce of Seaforth and
assisted by Harold Armstrong of Tuckersmith. The wing span
measured 6 feet from tip to tip.
When you are worried, it's a
little bit hard to be thankful: And
Canadians are worried these days.
They're worried about the fact that
their raises aren't as frequent or as
high as other people's. And when
the raises come, they are so quickly
swallowed up by the galloping cost
of living that most feel farther
behind, not ahead at all.
Canadians are worried about the
lack of government leadership in
basic things, like gettin gaffordable
houses built and mortgae rates
lowered to where the average
person can afford them.
They're worried about immigra-
tion putting pressure on our
countryts services. And maybe
they are deeply worried that hard
times and a western superiority
complex is bringing out hate and
prejudice which they thought
• Canadians didn't stoop to.
Closer to home they're worried
about what sort of education their
kids,,are getting or how they are
going to pay for the sewers, and
the arena and the water system
which their town seems to need.
For those of us who suspect that
we've been hit with winter about six
months too early, what with cold rainy
weather setting in in mid-August,
there is just one consolation.
It could be worse. In 1816 there was
no summer at all, according to the
publication Summer 1973. You think
we have it bad? Read on.
"The year 1816 is the year that is
known as the Summerless Summer.
Snow began to fall, in the middle of
June and by the middle of August was'
a foot in depth. The earth remained
under her winter blanket until the
following summer.
Absolutely nothing in the way of
harvest was garnered and everything
in the way of crops rotted in the
ground.
People lived on meat and fish.
They are worried that bad
weather this past summer is going
to bring them a big cut in income.
The world wide, the national and
the local picture is not very bright.
We may have to look hard for the
things to be thankful for but it's
important to do so. That's what
holidays like Thanksgiving are for.
For a short time, we have to forget
about inflation and all the other
messes in the world.
• Thanksgiving is a time to get
outside with our families and enjoy
thebeautiful fall weather and relax
with each other. It's a time to build
up memories of good times of
laughter and joy, memories that
will help us get through the other
parts of life, the parts we worry
about.
Be thankful this weekend. It's by
celebrating and giving thanks• for
all the good things in our lives that
we gain the strength to cope with
and challenge the problems.
You owe it to yourself -- no
worries, just thanks this weekend
at least.
There were no vegetables and there
was no flour. It was venison and fish
today and fish and venison tomorrow.
Cattle were slaughtered when it was
felt they should be so used: ,
Hay had to be shipped from Ireland
to save starving cattle. it sold for $45
a ton. Flour sold at $17 a barrel and'
potatoes a penny a pound which were
previously unheard-of prices.
The year was called "eighteen
hu'ndred and froze to death". The
cause of the cold was believed to have
been sun spots which were so large
that for the first time in history they
could be seen without the aid of a
telescope/
The following spring corn was $2 a
bushel, wheat $2.50, rye,$2, oats 90
cents and beans $3.
Amen
by Karl Schuessler
What every woman needs is a pair of boots.
And I don't mean those high stepping, fashion
trending leather boots that reaches the
knees.The kind that rises up and rubs against
That fur trim on the hems of swaying coats.
I don't mean those kind of boots. I mean
work boots. They're leather alright. Best
named brand y ou can buy. With thick rubber
soles -- steel toes optional -- and with laces a
half a mile long to thread through eyes and
hooks clean up to the top. Of course they don't
reach the knees. But they do cover the
ankles. Real good support. A kind of cross
your heart bra support -- with shoe laces --
only transported four feet lower.
Every woman -- every liberated woman --
needs those kind of boots. I gave my wife a
pair of them for her, birthday.
I had to apologize for the name on the box.
Kingtreads. Doesn't the manufacturer
realize? Those boots can comer female feet as
well? Why'don't they call theM Queentreads?
Or Duchess treads? Or plain Treads?
And why don't they gear clown those boots
to female sizes? But they can be flattering. A
Clementine size number nine becomes a
petite seven in this once male dominated'
world of work boots.
But size nine or seven, no matter. They're
boots -- work boots I'm talking about. The
kind every woman needs to make her way into
the work world, Shoulder to shoulder. With
men. Alongside of men -- as equal partners.
And now that my wife owned a pair of
boots, I figured she needed some overalls,,
That's what every woman needs for her
birthday -- a pair of flouncy bib overalls. The
kind that has all sorts of intriguing pockets
and hitches -- ,one for a haMmer, one for a
pencil, a pocketwatch, a pad. All sorts of
chambers and crannies strung out across the
bib. With snappy suspenders that hitch right
into metal buttons. You couldn't ask for
anything more.
Oh yes, you could-- a shirt-- a faded denim
shirt to go along with it. That's what every
overall needs -- a shirt. And every shirt needt
a red handkerchief tied around its collar.
Every red kerchief needs a hand. With
gloves on. A grey )rind with leather palms that
grips and keeps dut the splinters.
And to complete my wife's new outfit--top it
off more or less --a hat. Now some would call it
an engineer's hat puffed in tucks all around.
With headband and visor. But the name's not
really that important-. Just call it a work hat.
I chose this whole blue outfit--with
matching scarf and gloves--for my wife's
birthday. I gave her a brand new addition to
her fall wardrobe. And just think. I was
launching her into high style. Because denim
work clothes are the latest. Blue collars are in.
And my wife was going to be the first in our
neighborhood.
These clothes are what every liberated
woman needs. And I don't mean just as a
costume -- or a put-on. Like the university
students or their teachers. or some
newspaper people or TV producers. Why
they've stolen the blue collar clothes right off
the working man's back and they've never put
a shovel in their hand.
Nowadays the white collars are wearing the
work boots and jeans and denim jackets. And
the fellows who fix their plumbing and mow
their lawns wear the good clothes. Go walk
—down the halls of CBC and find the neatest,
best dressed man in the hall. He's probably
the corporation's janitor.
I had to get this straight with my wife. I had
to let her know that $40.00 outfit wasn't a
costume. A play dress-up. She wasn't going to
wear the best denim ever and serve afternoon
tea in them.
I couldn't be blatant. I had to be a little
subtle. Give a hint of my intention.So I spent
another $4.00. On a bucket. Don't be silly. It
wasn't an ice bucket, It was a big galvanized
pail -- a real sturdy type that won't buckle
under a pailful of cement.
And so she wouldn't dare hit me with it, I
gave her something else too. A bottle of wine.
I came with both hands. full -- a pail in one
hand and a bottle of wine in the other.How
could she accept the one hand and not the
other? She could see exactly what both my
hands were doing.
We could now celebrate together. We could
celebrate her birthday her new day of birth.
A liberated woman with proper clothes - a
blue denimed lady who's marching off in
Kingtreads to become the queen of
construction.of our old farm house that needs
much fixing.
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