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The Huron Expositor, 1976-05-06, Page 2POlislAP4 at SEAFORTH. ONTARIO, every Thursday morning by McLEAN BROS. PUBLISHERS LTD, ANDREW Y. McLEAN, Publisher SUSAN WHITE, Editor DAVE ROBB, Advertising Manager Member Canadian Community Newspaper Association Ontario Weekly Nespaper Association and Audit Bureau of Circulation Subscription Rates: Canada (in advance) $10.00 a Year Outside Canada (in advance) $20.00 a Year SINGLE COPIES — 25 CENTS EACH Second Class Mail Registration Number 0696 Telephone 527-0240 SEAFORTH, ONTARIO, MAY 6, • 1976 A Who's going to run for election? You can• lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. You can't teach an old dog new tricks. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. To these old adages might be added , another,-closely related,Xewean't create a 'fluent, sparkling, bilingual out of a dull, middle-claSS, middle-aged civil servant. I'm glad to see that some semblance of sense has seeped into the senility surrounding the approach to bilingualism at Ottawa:- • Keith Spider, •the grand ' poobah of bilingualism, appointed by • the Trudeau government to we-nurse one of its favorite babies, has finally reached a,cortelusion that an average 12-year-old' could have arrived at;Without undue mental strain, in abotit 15 Minutes. " "• Ile lletidett,- and had -the. courage to" admit, that the government program for creating bilingualism in the civil service Was bass backwards, Some Unkind people might say that Ottawa eit.41 servants have always sp oketi with double tongue, even when they had oily Otte, itingtOge. and 'why have them In die Yoars one Since 1860, Serving the Community First It really is spring Pssst!! There's an election on this • year. That faCt might not excite y ou too much for municipal elections in Seaforth and area don't traditionally interest many people. But you do get excited, we all do, when your tax bill is higher than last year or • when your town council m makes a decision that you cprisider misguided, and don't even consider your pet project. We all grouch and complain about what our council does or doesn't do. Seaforth's council has been accused of lack of planning for the future and of lack of interest in preserving the past. All of us know hoW our town or township could be run better than those who have the job. now do. We're not saying that town or the township councils shouldn't be criticized tut we often forget that a critic has" a responsibility. It isn't enough to just knock what those who have the power howl- are doi ng. If you are interested enough in local politics to criticize what present councils are • doing, chances are you have, some 'ideas of your own. Now is the time, when elections are several months away to pink about taking some of that responsibility on and running for election when Seaforth, McKillop, Tuckersmith and all Ontario municipalities pick their councils •in December. • Being 'a councillor is a heavy, often thankless job. Most councillors in our" area spend a'minirnum of one night.a week at meetings, meetings that .often go on, far too late. They get calls, visits and complaints from those who elected them. They find their leisure and fannily time, is badly cut' into by the 'responsibilities of being councillors. 'Wit they don't quit; or gripe they continue to represent us, some of them for many years. Members of council serve for varying reasons. Many of them- no doubt wonder themselves at times why they keep on working so hard at representing us for so little in return. But local politics are challenging. A person who runs for council is trying to take. up some of the responsiblity that should be more evenly shared in a democratic community. Most important, if you have ideas, if you feel present councils could do a better job at representing people,. if you don't think their priorities are right, you really are obliged to try for a council term y ourself. It would be especially good to see some women running locally. There is only one woman; there has only been ' one woman on Seaforth's council, Mayor Betty Cardno. The neighbouring township councils have never had a woman member. One or two Seaforth councillors, have said they won't run again, because the work load is too heavy and they've had enough. Possibly some rural councillors feel the same way. 'We need elections to be really well served in towns and townships. We need a lively interest. in our local elections or there'll come a time when there won't be any' local elections. " Councillors will be appointed from Queens Park, as they were when regional governments were_first set up Maybe you think things are running well right now and you'd like to share some of the load that couridillors carry. Perhapsivou'd like to see some changes made. Either way, the place for you might be in an election race. Take some time over the, long hot summer and think about running in December. We should have a race in every municipality around,, here. ,A cou ncil; that's acclaimed , tlo office ' isn't. necessarily a sign that everybody is satisfied; it /could mean that everybody is dead from the neck up. speaking doubletalk in two? Instead of pouring"' millions into converting stodgy civil servants into connoisseurs of French language and culture, Mr. Spicer concedes, the money should be spent in the schools, teaching French to children. Great thinking, Keith. Anyone with any knowlege of learning a second language could have told you that . two years ago. Orndary, everyday common sense and experience shows us how true this is: Take an average family of immigrants to Canada, German, Italian, whatever you like. The parents have great difficulty in learning English, and retain a strong accent all their lives: Their children, even though their only language is their native one when they arrive here, and even though.it is spok en almost exclusively at home, are completely at ease in English within a year or two. To hear them chirp and prattle aivay in the idio tn, you'd never know that they weren't born and bred in . English-speaking Canada. For an adult, learning a new language is luirtibly hard work. And for a bureaucrat or Amen by Karl Schuessler Replacing black walnuts Maybe only God can make a tree - that's what the poet says. But when it comes to planting them, I deserve some credit. I'm one of his best helpers. Planting trees is like eating potato chips. I can't stop doing it. You'd think I'd be content with a bowlful of chips - or a couple of bundles of seedling trees. But no, I have to gobble up bags and bags. You see it's part of my spthig fever. My temperature keeps rising. I'M AVerish. Plant. Plant. Plant, Trees. Trees, ,Trees My whole two acres are coming up green in trees. And it' took the Perth Colukty Junior Farmers to set my fever off. They gaveme a hundred trees to plant. But' it was their five black walnut trees that really put the heat into me. - Now, I use the words "black walnut trees" with caution. "Trees" is hardly the word - for those two foot twigs with a. single hairy root at the end. But the label does say black walnut. It takes a lot of faith to see an 80 foot high tree with spreading branches and hanging walnuts with thick green husks. But hope is built on such little-promises. And so are my :dreams. 1 I've been looking all over, our countryside for black walnut trees. And I couldn't find any -,big ones, baby ones, rotten ones or stumps. No kind it all. And this is black walnut country. Why, many of the people who settled these parts followed the trail of the black walnut trees. In looking for good land, the German settlers used the walnut trees for their guide. They knew the black walnut grew in limestone soil - the kind 'they liked for farming. And once they found the walnut trees, they chose that land. And then they proceeded to civil servant, it must be doubly difficult, because their minds are constitutionally unable to admit anything new. French-Canadians who want to get Somewhere in Canada, whether it's in businesS or politics, learn English because they have to. Whatever the pundits Say, this is primarily an English.speaking country. Most French-Canadian cabinet ministers are at least adequate in English. Some politicians,-like Pierre Trudeau and Claude Wagner, speak English beautifully, far better than most of their Anglophone peers and oppon ents. But when an Anglo politician speaks French, however atrociously, we look upon him or her with amazement, as though it were a sign of genius. What hypocrisy, in a country that is, theoretically, bilingnal. (I still wince.every time : strays into what he fondly,beli evet' is French.} ,s you flay have gathered, I have strong feelings about bilingualism, Unlike a great many Canadians, I -am all for it. But the government's approach to creating that blessed state has been at best a farce, a fell the largest and biggest of the trees. Didn't that giant size prove this was good soil? . They cleared the land.' And they didn't leaVe the stumps, either. With typical German thoroughness,, thW"Pulled them out by the roots.: And they Turned the soil into the best farm land in the country. They almost wiped out every trace of the-black walnut trail. While they broke their backs taking the trees out, I'm breaking mine, putting them in again. Undoing all that labour of generations ago. These old German ancestors must shake their heads and wonder what this younger generation is'coming to: Returning the land to forest and cluttering up cleared land. But I can't help it. It's this black walnut fever I have. It has traces of rek oak, hard maple and black locust too. The doctor says the only way I can cure it is 'to work • it out of my system. And am I working! I've got 600 trees in already. My knees may crack. My arms ache. My back compains. Even my shovel tells me it needs a rest. But I have to keep 'going - until I get a tigiusand in: Then I know my fever will go away. And it won't come back until next spring. ' With this temperature of mine rising each spring, I'm going to, prove this was black walnut country. I'm going to make this black walnut territory again. And then I'll let some future generation - oh, what fools they'll be •-• cut them all down again. But that's okay. I've made my pact with • God. If He keeps on making them, I'll keep on taking them. charade, "at worst a swindle of the taxpayers. Of course the beginnings must be with the children! On the surface; the study of French in our schools has been encouraged by .goVernmeitt: In fact, the moneys for a practical, realistic_ approach to learning French have been held back from the schools and poured into that bottomless • pit at Ottawa. French has practically been abolished as a prerequisite for university entrance. As a result, and because learning it 'requires some real effort, students shy away from it and look for "bird" courses.. • Resttlt, French' _classes in our schools have shrunk depletably. This,- despite the fact that French is being taught better, and in a more lively, interesting, and realistic way than ever before. (I studied French for -yeiifk in high school, three ,in university, and can barely pfopoSition a girl, let alone order a meal in ,French,) . 0. K. Let'S start all over again with our bilingual program; and forget tbat painful failure in Ottavfra. Start teaching it to kids in grade 1. Keep it up. Make it a prerequisite for university. MAY 48;6 Huron Notes: While assisting at the raise" g of a barn near Londesboro, a boy named Blanchard Harrington had the top joint of his finger snapped off by a beam falling' on it. Londesboro: A ewe belonging to James Shobbrook of Hullett gave birth on April 6 to one lamb and on the 27th of the same month three weeks later - gave birth to two more, one of which was dead. Triekersmith: -At the close of the weekly prayer meeting held in ther ed school house, Tuckersmith; Messrs. Robb and Sinclair in the name of the neighbourhood presented Rev. H, Cameron of Kippen with a purse containing between $30.00 and $40.00 as an. expression of appreciation of the meeting held among them, Brussels: The organizational meeting of the Brussels Cricket Club was held at the Queen's' Hotel, F. C. Rodgers was chosen president; John Leckie, vice-president; ,and J. Wright, secretary-treasurer. Cattle Shipment: Mr.Robert Winters shipped from • Seaforth a carload of 0 Battle which averagectin weight_about 1220 pounds. Each showed a shrinkage of 120 pounds' in Toronto. These cattle were from the farms of John McMillan, John Th ompson, Wm. McMichael and Mrs; McIntosh.These cattle were purchased at an average price of 31/2 c per pound live weight. Clinton: Yesterday a small party of farmers from Hullett composed of Messrs. T. Palterman, H. Hunking, J. Howson, J. Taylor, J. Govier and Wm. Stevenson started on a visit to their- friends in England. Birth: Hannah - In McKillop on the third inst. the wife of Mr. Hiram Hannah of a son. Goderich Township: At a barn raising on the farm of Mr. J. Shaw, a man named James Dunken was struck on the head with a piece of scantling about a foot long which fell from the top of the building rendering him insensible for some time. MAY3, 1901 • • Varna: Mr. F. Martin of Guelph has bought out the hotel furnishings from Mr. Murray of the Varna Hotel and moved in. We feel'hatisfied Mr. Martin will cater to the wants of the travelling public and fully sustain the high reputation of the VArna Hotel. Staffa: Miss McCallum of Mitchell is the guest of Miss Nellie Drake. Mr. Wm. Fell has sold his driver to Mr. Hugh :Norris fora good figure. Brucefield: Mrs. Elder of Stratford is visiting at the home of her mother Mrs. A. Ross. her husband Mr. Elder is at present in Manitoba. Mr. John Kaiser and Mr. Robinson have opened up an implement shop in the building Mr. Kaiser lately purchased from Mr. Peter McGregor. Hensall: Mr. -A. Short while working for Mr. Welsh, received such injuries as caused his death. He was engaged at a circular saw and while attempting to remove a board he was ripping, it was caught in some manner and was thrown striking the unfortunate man on the side near Abe hip. Miss Lawson of Auburn, is visiting Miss Younghlufr Cromarty: The following were appointed _when the lioys organized the footbal club: Honorary President, R. W. Jowett; president, Hugh McLachlan, vice president; Robert Norris, secretary-treasurer; John McCulloch ,. Managing committee - Wm. Hamilton, Roland Crawford, Hugh Wright and John Couley. Mr. Wm. Armstrong and. Miss Lottie Upshall of Kippen were guests at the Hamilton homestead on Sunday. ,Winthrop:John Morrison, the jolly clerk of McKillop is on his rounds this spring again gathering up the hen• fruit. He says it is a good job and the ladies like to See his smiling face whne taking away the eggs and paying them the dimes for them. Tuckersmith: Mrs. Dick of Blyth is visiting, with W.C.Landsborough. Mrs. Hall of Clinton preached at Tuniers and Alma on Sunday. Mr. arid Mrs. R.E.Turner and son• visited friends here on Sunday: MAY 7,1926 Miss Marie Benninger, Miss Theresa Carpenter, Miss Elizabeth Hicknell and Miss Angela Shea, took in the show on Saturday night at Seaforth. Mr. George Dundas had the misfortune to have his house hunted last Sunday, Mr. and Mrs. M cLaughlin celebrated their 20th anniversary on Monday-, May 2nd. Mr. W.C.Bennett has his truck repainted and has started on the, road gathering cream and eggs. Mr. Emerson Smith, of our village, had the misfortune during the past weelc, to loose a good cow. Ladies Nighta t the Lions - Last Thursday evening was ladies' night at the Lions Club ,dinner, held in the Commercial Hotel. Messrs. G.A.Sills & Son have erected a.new gas pump in front of their hardware store on Main Street. Mrs. J, H. Broadfoot had the misfortune to fall in her home on Monday and sprain her ankle. The proceeds of the Old Times Easter dance and the Old Times dance on Fair Night, amounting to $151, have been given theJurf Club to help pay a number of accounts owing from last year. Cadet Inspection a bitter northwest wind • with gusts of driving rain made the annual inspection of the Seaforth Collegiate Institute Cadet Corps most unpleasant for the members of the corps and greatly curtailed their manoeuvres. While engaged in taking down the old foundry, which is being removed to the canning factory, Mr. Fred Smith was accidentally struck by a brick on the head, which inflicted a wound, which required five stitches to close. Mr. Wilmore Scott held a very successful ploughing bee on Monday afternoon. MAY 4, 1951 At the regular monthly meeting the Seaforth Junior Farmers and Junior Institute members began laying plans for an all-sports day, to be held in Seaforth some time earlrin July. Dr. R. M. Aldis of the Huron County Health Unit, said in his monthly report. that measles are prevalent throughout Huron County. • Ernest Clarke; son of Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Clarke, Seaforth, has been advised that he has received, four awards as a result of this year's examinations. A $35,000 aluminuin trailer factory , to employ 12 men, will be built in Hensall by the Clilpper Coach manufacturing Co. Ltd., Ilderton, Norman St. Cyr, the manager said. Clifford Lowrey, formerly of Seaforth, landed a seven and a half' pound brown trout Saturday evening at Goderich. Louis Bolton was elected president of the McKillop School Fair at a large and enthusiastic meeting at S,S.No.6 last Thursday night. The first steps in town planning and zoning, are appointing a committee on land use and to create a list of the town's assets, 'advised Dr. E. G Pleva, of the University of Western Ontario at the annual dinner meeting of the Seaforth Chamber of Commerce Tuesday evening in St. Thomas Parish. Hall. , A pleasant evening was enjoyed by many Huronites and their friends at the annual euchre and bridge of the Huron County Old Boy's -Association of Toronto, which was held Friday April 20, at Robertson's Hall. 'In the recent contest conducted by the Toronto Daily Star, Mrs. K. I. McLean won $5, Mrs. Joseph R.Mason, 13 and Ed. Sugar and Spice by Bill Smiley French is hard work for an adult