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The Huron Expositor, 1978-06-22, Page 3PIONEERS AT SPS Wednesday capped a series of classes on our forefathers when Pioneer Day vas held at SPS. Students baked bread, made candles and sawed wood the old ways. Others toured the Van Egmond house. This group, some in costume, enjoyed lunch on the lawn outside the school. (Photo by Oke) 5, Aneit •by Karl Sehuess-I,r Karl talks to Billy Graham Two Sundays ago the crowds flocked into Maple Leaf Gardens to hear the -opener .of Billy Graham's week long crusade for Christ" in Toronto. • . They'came in cars and taxiss. On foot and on streetcars and subways. In chartered buses and. church owned buses. They came to hear ,this century's best know evangelist. By 11:00. that Sunday morning the seats started to fill up. By 2:00 the place was packed. Every single place was taken--18,000 people indside and 6,000 waiting outside. That was a full hour before the service began. The press packed into the Garden too. They held reserved space and it was not the' usual crow's nest boxes- way high above the stands. The press sat on ground level. Only a' huge blue carpet separated them from the platform ,raised on what's normally center ice. They could listen to Billy' Graham in preferential, treatment-111p front and close to him. . . At a press conference held just after that first rally, he thanked the press for its cooperation and coverage, He said he hadn't seen the -likes of so many of them anywhere. They came from everywhere from radio, TV and press. It's not, of course, that everyone of the fifth estate treats him all that well. Some have tried to do ,hirn in, Discount him. Question his motives. One Saturday magazine on • its cover had his picture overlaid with money bags in the shape of a cross. Other reporters have tried to trivialize his mission. Or call. him innocent and harmless, but plain ineffectual. Then there was that same Globe and Mail Weekend Magazine article that listed all of his illnesses and diseases since childhood. Graham got a laugh out of that one. He told that first Sunday afternoon audience, N'Oien he finished reading Thai article, lie wondered how a than in his condition would ever be able to mount the steps and stand up to preach. But Billy Graham dispelled any such doubt. He looked tan and healthy—far younger than his 59 years. That afternoon he may have paced himself--only eight to eleven jestures per minute, as the Weekend article, pointed out, instead of the 21 gestures per minute of his younger years. Billy Graham never looked better as he preached his old time gospel and brought forward hundreds on-the blue 'carpet to make, decisions for Christ. Th' press has to give a certain amount of admiration to Billy Graham--no matter how grudgingly. For Graham is a Christian gentleman. Southern one at that. He treats the press as gentlemen and he remains ever one himseff. - He never wearies of answering the long-standing objections the reporters bring up. He answer s them with a smile andwith a first time freshness and welcome. . . He knows all the 'objections by heart: His simplistic message. His man centered -,••••• ministry. His not speaking out on asocial and political issues. His pietistic and in- dividualistic approach. His well oiled, well heeled machinery, His actual number of conversions considering The drOp-out rate; his questionable follow-up program; the, cam- paign cost of $643,000 in Toronto, aren't there better ways to spend that much money? His higher-than-average salary. His endorsement of the establishment. As surely as he knows the objections, more Surely still, he. knows all the answers. 'And Billy Graham conies out looking better than ever. • ' • He never attacks his critics. He just defends their r ight to state their views. He won't answer vicious and outrageous charges. He demurs and says the attacker's rancor speaks for itself. I never saw a press. man bring down Graham. Reporters can spend days massing '• their ammunition, and pressing it on him,, but Billy has a way of deflecting it. He manages to disarm and charm. He turns their attack around. So-while all those reporters battle for their story. Graham is able to get his own story across. He's good reason to be grateful to the press --for it did help make him greatful. The story is well know how William Randolph Hearst told his Los Angeles paper to puff the . young evangelist' come to town those thirty years ago.. And when I had my chance to ask a question or two • of him, 1- didn't. feel comfortable iii the devil's . advocate -suit— There's something about Billy Graham that makes you pause. His dignity. His genuineness. His honesty. His credibility. Sure, I could carp here and there. Trifle with this and 'that. But the man comes across as a spokesman for God. You feel you must tread tighter on what seems holier ground.' So what to do? But shake his hand. Wish him good health in face of ithe Weekend Magazine report on his so-so medical report. For Billy Graham had given us a good story. He answered all the questions. 'He stood up well. I did take a second look though, at his smile, I wanted to check out his teeth. For that magazine article said "The saved have few doubts and. more teeth. Think of Jimmy Carter. Anita Bryant. Billy Graham". Yes, I can report. Billy Graham has a whole mouthful. Bright. White. Many. His own. Saved. 1. c, ocornet,rung to say THEE HURON EXPOSITOR, JUNE 22, 1978 bye Susan White • !hope I'm wron SO THIS IS A FASHION SHOW — Little Pam Carter did her best as she _modelled clothes from Jack and Jill and accessories froM Hetherington Shoes and SeaforthJeW011ers at"the'Craft ShOw Fashibn Show on Saturday. Both fashion showings attracted large crowds, (Expositor Photo) ROCK FARMERS AND GOOGLIES — Allan Van Der Ende, R.R.2, Goderich, displayed googlies , and roOk farmers, both made of small stones by he and his father, who's also a painter, at the Seaforth Craft -gtiow held on the weekend. (Expositor Photo) for pioneer days mothers wore didn't stop the girls Square dancing was enjoyed by from enjoying skipping at recess, both the• g iris and the boys. 4 McNichol and !Robert Broadhagen disco'vered there's powei• tools as they strained their Muscles with an old at Seaforth Public School's Pioneer days held last (Photo by Oke) _HEAVE' HO! — Murray something to be said for fashioned crosscut saw Wednesday. forin a reading group and discuss the books and other contemporary literatures . this summer. We might all learn something. Get in serious. We you're interested. I'm We have to do something I think, to get rid of the atmosphere of suspicion. -and' self-righteous- ness that pervaded the meeting. The panelists I felt were open, conciliatory and friendly. They' were confronted' too often. by unkindness and mean „spirited comments. . ()net woman trying to explain how Canadian books made us feel like one nation, like a family, told a childhood story that makes her family feel one; himself as an elected official said he didn't know what her silly story had to do with the English -*books. • It's just that boorish least of all, what 1 think about it attitude that thoughtful teachings all.. . _ of literature can help to prevent. I'm sorry but I have to tell you The game speaker by accident anyway. Stop reading here if gave an excellent argument for you've had it with the whole teaching Of Mice and' Men in mess,school, where it 'can be studied How would you as asj parent feel with care. He's read it on his own if your daughter was called a slut he' said, and it 'seemed to in a public meeting, in the press advocate killing retarded people., and on radio and TV? Or how As anyone who's read about if people charged publicly Steinbeck's book knows, that was - 'that your son was corrupting the - 'One of-the-evening's truly -obscene' morals of those he came in contact with? You'd be sick at heart. We all "uid Okay, stop a moment with me and think about how respected Canadian authors feel when they hear their books described in similar terms. A really good book, as several panelists , tried' to explain at the meeting, comes from the soul. It is a-creation.. just like a beautiful quilt or a fine chocolate cake. It's a writer's responsibility, Alice Munro said, and I believe her,' "to come as close as you can to' room 'and circulatory system. • Other work included in . the program involves changes ,in the ball, diamonds area and lighting, rk area lighting, cleaning out the river and necessary bank protection, improved road and parking area and provigion of an ,equipment storage building. • . • _ . the shifting reality of human experience...not to flatter or to offend." The unthinking hostility' and rudeness that was directed at panel' members and authors in general must have hurt them. I know it bothered me because I've read and been moved by the books in question. They're important 'to' me for all the valuable things they say about life and how it is to be lived. , Too Far • • But I'm not going to try and defend the bookg. The panelists and several audience members tried to do that Tuesday night and didn't get too far. No, instead, I challenge you to read The Diviners, Of Mice and Men ,and Catcher , in, the Rye,' and see for yourself that they teach honesty, openness and humanity and seek to avoid hypocrisy and sham . Better yet, read the books with a high school English class and. see how carefully and thought- fully,they are presented. Or, let's There are plenty of light„and funny things coursing throudIr:my head today...things I could write a column Or two on. For a change. It would be easy. But I can't. I'm bugged by something that I find it impossible to be light and funny about: the meting in Clinton last Tuesday to talk about the three books that some people want removed from Huron's high school English reading lists. If you were there, you •know what I'm talking about, If you read Jeff Seddon',s excellent report of the meeting in last week's Expositor, you have a pretty good idea what happened. Maybe like a whole lot of people, I suspect. you're sick of the whole darn discussion and don't know and couldn't care less about the books, the meeting, and Grades 2. _to 8 _have visited either the Doon Pioneer Village or Van Egmond House, Egmondville. For one day the students discovered what the old one-room schoolhouse was like ai Grades 2 . to 5 were divided up in a cross-section of grades. They were given names - S.S. No. 1, S,S. No. 2...and these "schools" held spelling bee contests as one of their activities. Lunches were brought to school in pails or baskets and eaten picnic fashion on the lawn. The students ate the bread, buns and cookies they made as well as the butter they churned and the homemade " jams and preserves. Sonic tried the pioneer crafts rug braiding. candle 'baking with beeswax in antique candle molds while others tested their strength and skill on the crosscut saws and- (Continued froM Page 1) present day requirements. The electrical service much .of which was installed more than 40 years ago and is obsolate for some time has been hard pressed to• carry •the dethands made of it. :A contract for $32,498.00 covering the work in the firSt • phase has been awarded to Wayne" and Harold Sundt Con- struction Ltd, Decision to proceed with the program was taken by • the Seaforth Lions Club following study of a report on the park facilities which was prepared last year by London Engineers James F. MacLaren ,Ltd. Financing of the program will come from four sources officials d est.,. are funds on hand resulting from estate' gifts to the park, proceeds ftom annual fund raising activities and from public participation in a campaign expected to get under way later this year. In addition Wintario participation has been indicated in principal. Total cost ot..the .program expected to. continue into 1980 is estimated at $191,815.00 of which perhaps $50,000 will be required to be raised during the period, One of the first projects of the Seaforth Lions Club when it was formed in 1924,the Lions Park has grown from a small park including a pool formed by a dam in Silver Creek to a eight acre site which provides complete picnic and sports facilities including pool, bath house and tuck shop, wading pool. picnic„ pavilion and ball diamond. Each year thou- sands of area people use the park facilities and through the years countless area children have learned to swim as a result of the Lions Park smuttier programri. While a firm decision has hot been takeni it is expected the next phase of the renovation 'program will included repairs to the pool and deck, the pool equipment comments. Parents' Rights I respect parent's' rights to determine what their children will read. But no one forces all, the young people of Huron County to read these books. Alternate literature is available in high school classes. Perhaps, as some studentS said,• they are subject, to peer pressure if they don't read what the majority does.. it's not easy to object to things...it never is "but someone who feels strongly should be able "to take some flack." Alternate books was not a solution for many of the, objecting parents who spoke at the meeting. That meals they not only want -their kids not to study these three books in English classes, they want to take the choice away from , my kids. I object to- that. We're all concerned parents but we have different points of view, different absolutes. Why, can't we respect but not 'dictate to each other? Choice The emphasis on taking choice. out of the- schools worries me. if we let a group determine 'what all kids can read in Englishoclass, the next step may be to 'prevent adults from obtaining other books in the public libraries. Then we could have those whose religious precepts 'teach a literal interpre- tation 'of the bible. demand that evolution no longer be taught in sell* high, schools and univer- sities: - Where will it end? That's exactly what scares me: It's not Work under way . now is • scheduled for completion within 10 days, and is not' expected to- ,Inci lei c with the. usual swim program which as usual will gt_t finderway prior to the July 1 weekend according to Eugene Todd, The Pa•rk 'Manager. Classified Ads pay dividends. long time ago, tIgleo(glio ndescs)': days Were called these trying times. Indian war paint; Sioux veneer, step back their grand- Expositor asks: Should housewives be paid a salary? •' (Continued from Page 2 ) . Kippen said, ' Well I'v,e been one for a long time and I didn't get paid, When you get married, you'te supposed to share things and do your 'part. "I didn't get paid in cash and I've had everything I ever wanted," she said. • -Mrs, Robert 'Miller of R. R.-#1, Hensall agreed with Mrs. Kerchcr's viewpoint. ' "No, I think it's a duty, We're getting our room and our board. I think that a woman, in the home should do what she does out of 'love rather_than be paid for it," she Mrs. Reg. Channel' of R. R. '#2, Staffa thought. housewiveS•thould be paid for what they do. "I think' they do their great share .around and if they.Work out of the home that's-helping that way too. Most of them 'raise families and keep the household going," she said. • "1 think ft should be 50-50 in everything that you have," she said meaning that if a husband -and wife bought something the wife should have a salary to help pay for it. Mrs.: John O'Reilly of R. R. #2, • Dublin thought that husbands shoirld provide for their wives if they could. She thought farm wives should be allowed more on income tax forms, "I don't think income tax gives the wives a fair share: I just think the way it's set up they should be allowed more especially where there's a number of ehildien. Housewives do a lot extra," she said. Mrs. Neil Dolmage of R.R,#4, Walton, said. "it might be*a good idea. I guess it would give the women an incentive to stay home and 'rage" their own children and give the younger Women jobs." Manor honours Rev • Stephens Little Tommy was• telling his mother about his day in school. • "Today our teacher asked me if 1 had any brothers or sisters, and I said I was an only child." "And what did she say?" inquired the mother. SPS pupils exaggerating to say that authorti tarian regimes, be they Ku Klux Klan or Naxi, very early make it their business to control what people read and what they learn in schoO. I don't knoiv about you but it bothers me to hear Huron County bandied about in the national media as the home of backward thinking. You and I know it isn't. In fact Huron has had in the past a reputation for producing fine scholars and , a respect for 'learning. "Huron blood will tell," the expression was! Why isn't Huron County making the national news because its people are up in arms , about child abuse or about religious or racial intolerance? Surely not because the same parents who are worried about books aren't equally worried about these issues, potentially a million times more corrupting of their children and mine, The meeting that night, in Clinton left me very depressed about the future of freedom of thought, about communication between those of us Who think differently and about tolerance for our fellow human beings. I hope I'm wrong to -be so pessimistic. Will someone please tell me I'm wrong? Rev. E. Stephens of Brucefield united Church and.--Rev...,' Roberts 'of Egmondville U.C. conducted services at SeafOrth Manor- Nursing Home. Rev. Roberts preached his first sermon, to residents, and Rev. Stephens *companied at the piano for the hymns and also favoured with two piano solos. It was both a happy occasion and a sad one. Residents were happy to welcome Rev. Roberts for services' and sad to bid farewell to Rev, Stephens who has visited each month the past few years. In grateful appreciation Miss Doris. Wills and isobel Lamble presented Rev. Stephens with a small gift on behalf of all residents, Rev. Stephens fittingly replied and also said he would come and see everyone whenever possible. Correction A story on. Seaforth council's discussion of apartment buildings in the new subdivision it is Planning with Arris Land Development Ltd. said there is no land zoned general residential left in town. In fact there is some land thus zoned, which allows apartments to be built on it. Changes underway at Park Smiles She said. 'Thank goodness!'' " harnmering, -nails. The pupils at Soaforth Public _ lby Wilma OW School took a step back in history Long dresses like this week fo pioneer days as part of their Canadian history studies. -A