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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1971-01-21, Page 4He's not telling what really happened aummaimaimmiama THE CLINTON NEW ERA Arnalganiated ' Established 1865 1924 Clinton Newsecord A 'member 'of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association, Ontario Weekly Newspaper Association and the Audit Bureau 'of Circulatioh (ABC) second tiass 'mail registration number — 0817 50E60:OPTION RATES: (in advance) Canada, $0.00 per yOr; $1.60 KEITH W. ROULSTON — Editor J. HOWARD AITKEN — General Man TI-IE HURON NEWS-RECORD Established 1881 Published every Thursday at the heat of -Huron County Clinton, Ontario Population 3,475 THE HOME OF PADAR IN CANADA Or 4 Clinton News,Recorcl, Thursday, January 21, 1971 Editorial comment You're right John but .,. I ran into this type not so long ago when I stood up for a friend and his bride who had decided on a speedy, court-house tying of the knot. We were routed through the red tape of several grim old gents in whom the milk of human kindness had long since curdled. The wedding party started out with a brave front of gaiety, but in the face of those glum pans we wilted noticeably. The gentleman in charge of the actual ceremony performed his duties as if he were issuing a dog license. I have in mind, too, a certain clerk who represents the government, his mournful features framed in the arch of his wicket, and sends every passer-by on his way with a little pellet of sadness in the heart. There's a man who meets the public, who needs no more energy than it takes to tear a perforated line and count change, yet persists in displaying the personality of a rheumatic frog. We might well take a leaf from the Norway book and worry a little less about efficiency and a whole lot more about spreading that golden stuff called goodwill, substantial support of new hospital construction when he attends county council this week. Mr. Odell is a member of the hospital board. This is the new symbol of The Ability fluid, formerly known as the 1V1areh of Dimes. This sym- bol has been adopted throughout Canada by organizations working on behalf of disabled adults,, A contribution to The Ability Fund will help the disabled along the road to independence. Work for the disabled that's the aim of The Ability Fund (March of Dimes). You make it possible with your donation. When the Marching Mother calls, be generous. Last week in Toronto, John Diefenbaker made a speech at the Royal York Hotel, in which he said Canadians need a new vision for all Canada. Few people in Canada would disagree with the former prime minister on this point. For years now our youth have been borrowing causes from their counterparts in the United States. They crusaded for civil rights for the Negro, although there were very few disadvantaged Negroes in Canada. They marched to ban the bomb, although Canada didn't have the bomb. They marched against the war in Vietnam, and because Canada wasn't involved in the war, they called prime ministers "war mongers" and "facist pigs" because Canada sold arms to the United States. So Mr. Diefenbaker's call for "something to fill their hearts, to take their eyes off the ground and raise them to the stars" would be of great help to us in our ' attempts to build a Canadian society free from the influence of other nations. Such a "vision" would make our youth look inward, to improving Canada rather than trying to change the rest of the world. It might help turn revolutionaries into dedicated workers for a better nation instead of destroying that nation. Much has been said in recent years about the things wrong with minor hockey. There is too much stress on winning, not enough on fun, many say. Adults are taking over the game and making it drudgery for the kids. Too many parents want their kids to become pros and too few just want them to have fun. The people inside hockey recognize these dangers, Most of them do their utmost to make sure that hockey is enjoyable for the kids who play the game. The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association recently distributed the following open letter to all coaches in the country to help them to analyse their own feelings in coaching. AN OPEN LETTER TO EVERY MINOR HOCKEY COACH IN CANADA Question; What are YOU trying to do? The Canadian Amateur Hockey Association Minor Hockey Committee suggests that every coach of a minor hockey team ask himself this questionl, "What AM I trying to do?" Am I trying to give kids a chance to play hockey? Am I working to keep kids off the street? Am I really interested in boys? Am I really trying to develop better citizens? flay Argyle, the chap who syndicates this column, has written for about the fourth time asking for a new picture of yours truly to head up the column, For various reasons, none of them worth the powder, I haven't got around to having my "portrait" taken. But I don't blame him, The old one does not do me justice. There's scarcely a hint of the bags under my eyes, There's little suggestion that I'm gray as an old billy-goat, The deep lines of suffering neatly twenty-five years of domestic warfare just are not there, However, I have a good reason .for not having a picture taken for a couple of . weeks, at least. I have a black eye, That is, it was black, Then blue. Then purple. It's now a sort of mauve, shading into yellow. I haven't had such a dandy since 1944, when some German guards gave me a going-over for being imprudent. That time it was both eyes. In fact, the first time 1 got a look in 4 mirrer after the beating, I could have been mistaken for a fairly scruffy rainbow. There's nothing quite so embarrassing as a black eye, It arouses the worst -1 in other people. Loud and clear, "What happened to you, Smiley? Wife beat you up again?" And so on. Those inane remarks, To people Who ask that, 1 But doesn't this "vision"' sound familiar? Wasn't there some politician who used a "Vision of the North" as a campaign slogan about fourteen years ago and won the biggest victory ever given to a Canadian prime minister? And wasn't that man named John Diefenbaker? The tragedy of the Diefenbaker years shows again with this statement by the former prime minister. Millions of Canadians followed his call for a new North but despite the fact he had more personal power than any politician in Canadian history, he did not put his "vision" across. In effect, he let his nation down for, if he had given us the "vision" he promised, we probably wouldn't be facing the biggest problems we must face today. With the population expanding northward, pollution wouldn't be such a serious problem. The expansion lin the north would create new jobs, relieving unemployment. We probably wouldn't have to worry about American domination of our economy. Mr. Diefenbaker has some marvelous proposals which he makes when others are in office but conveniently forgets when he is part of the government. Am I really teaching my boys the fundamentals of good sportsmanship? Am I giving every boy an equal chance to play hockey? Am I trying to see that the boys HAVE FUN playing hockey? OR Am i trying to win games to bolster my own ego? Do I say "I won eight games" or "My *kids won eight games"? AND THEN ASK, "WHICH IS MOST IMPORTANT" * * * The Minor Hockey Committee suggests that every minor hockey coach might well decide early what his objectives are. We further suggest that the GOOD COACH, the coach who is sincerely interested in the welfare of boys, will try to make sure that every boy has fun; that they are reminded constantly that they are PLAYING a GAME, and that play and game means having fun, Then add instruction in sportsmanship and good citizenship. When these lessons have been learned, the boys will be ready for further teaching of the fundamentals of hockey. Remember—Enjoying the Game • is more important than the soon forgotten championships. Teach the 1,3N-damentals. Now -- smile! There was a short item from Oslo in the paper the other day, buried well back with the truss and bile-bean ads, that I felt might have warranted a shade more prominence. It noted the establishment of the first "courtesy classes" for Norwegian civil servants and said that other Scandinavian countries are watching with interest the development of the ideas. Well, so am I. Civil servants are like American tourists. They are, on the whole, no better or worse than anybody else, but there's always one bad apple in the barrel and, since there is, the whole breed is maligned. Because of the positions they occupy they may, in fact, turn a person against an institution, a country or a way of life. I recall arriving in New York a couple of years ago, returning from Britain. The customs and immigration people were a particularly repulsive lot. As I recall it, they were all porcine, button-eyed, gnawing on dead, splayed cigar butts, treating everyone as if he had a hat-full of heroin or an advanced case of leprosy. An Englishman with whom I'd become acquainted on the voyage was so embittered by his • • 75 YEARS AGO The Huron News-Record The following announcement appeared: Clinton Horticultural Society, The undersigned is authorized by the minister of Agriculture to hold the first meeting of the Clinton Horticultural Society on Wednesday, 8th of January, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber for the election of officers and transaction of other business. W. Coats, Sec. Pro. tem. Goose, duck and chicken feathers taken in exchange for furniture at J. C. Stevenson's. The Hensall Observer says The News-Record it a good level-headed sheet and deserves well at the hands of the public. 55 YEARS AGO The Clinton New Era January 20, 1916 Huron County decided to form a War auxiliary at a well represented meeting of citizens of all classes and from almost all the municipalities of the county. The aim is to have every man, woman and child in the county either a member of this auxiliary or an enlisted Man. This auxiliary will have everything to do with the assistance to be given the .battalions to be formed in Huron_ A special service will be held on Sunday evening in St. Paul's Church for recruiting purposes, at which His Honour Judge Barron of Stratford will address' the congregation and the 161st Huron Battalion. All are cordially welcoln Notes froth a column entitled "Clinton's Military Life": Be 'a MAN and enlist. We would like to see you in uniforrri. Enlist now and tout Europe. 40 YEARS AGO The Clinton 'News-Record January 22,1951 The electric current was turned on between Clinton and GrantOn Corner, including. treatment that he turned to me and hissed, "I hate the States!" — a poor beginning for one who'd yet to set foot in them. I hope our own government will keep a close check on the results of the Oslo experiment which are intended to teach civil servants to be polite to the public and to employ, as the despatch put it, "the niceties of friendly language." Having had occasion to investigate the salaries of civil servants I marvel that any of them can work up a pale grin and it may be that this matter of income accounts for the dyspeptic stare on so many of those faces. But without the goodwill of the public, which might be had by letting a little sunlight into the dark corners of bureaucracy, the civil servant hasn't a hope of bettering his position. I'm not one of those who share the view that a man loses his will to be pleasant through lack of competition or that the government worker is automatically miserable, Postmen, for example, are usually a shining example of the folly of this outlook, You'd go a long way before you'd find a more cheerful, dedicated group, come snow, sleet or Boston Bull Dinsley Terrace and the County Mine, on Friday last. The Hospital dance held last evening Was a great success. The attendance was fine and a number of donations were received for the Elevator Fund. The sum of $1,000 has been raised for this fund, which will be augmented by a sum promised by Mr. J. H. Howson. The elevator looks like a sure thing now. A lacrosse match on skates Was to be a Special attraction at a skating party on Tuesday, January 27, 25 YEARS AGO The Clinton News-Record January 17, 1946 Lt. COI. IL rt. Rance, an active member for years, waS honoured at the regular Meeting of Clinton Legion Branch 140 in the Legion Hall Thursday evening last, with the honorary presidency. He thanked the branch in a few well-chosen words for the honour conferted on him. Still a young man but a veteran of Huron County Council -- this being his tenth year as a member of that body — Richard Ernest ("Peg") Shaddick, Reeve of the Village of Hensall, is the Warden of Huron County for 1946. Clinton's newest businessman is Harry Davies who has Opened A tire vulcanizing and battery plant at the corner of Huron and Orange Streets, under the auspices of the B. V. Goodrich Rubber Company. 15 YEARS AGO The Clinton News-Record January 19, 1956 Since 1956 'marks 100 years of fairs in the village of Hayfield, the Hayfield Agricultural Society is Pooling spetial celebrations to mark the Centennial Fait. Jerry Tebbutt, a graduate of Clinton District Collegiate Institute has been elected secretary of the Athletic terriers, Truth is, we're apt to be hyper-critical of a man whose salary comes pretty directly from our own pockets. We expect more from him than we expect from — say — the merchant who solicits our business. We should remember, too, that the poor fellow is generally carrying out some duty which is distasteful to us. This, in itself, may provide the more sensitive civil servant with a complex that will bring out the beast in him. The tax collector, unreasonably resented, may naturally shield himself behind an implacable poker face. Presuming that we were to follow in Norway's footsteps and institute some sweeten-up classes for civil servants we would confront, first, the problem of the old-timer, familiar to you all, who is physically incapable of ever smiling again, This poor old gentleman's face, resigned to contemplating the passing years until his retirement, has moulded firmly into a gaze of wearied resignation. Short of plastic surgery his ligaments will never again register joy, simulated or otherwise. Committee of the Ontario Agricultural College campus. Harry McEwan, member of Clinton Colts Hockey team and Bruce Biggart, manager of Exeter Mohawks will appear on Ward Cornet's sports program at 6:15 tonight, not Friday as was announced last week. A tribute will be paid to McEwart, the former Mohawk captain by the Exeter team and their supporters, with a night in his honour. a 10 YEARS AGO The Clinton News-Record January 19, 1961 t''roin First Column (Hy W.D.D.) Idea for the Week: Aim for the moon If you only make the North Star you've gone a long way up! The benefit dance on Friday flight for Mtn and Allan Hutchings was the most largely attended in the history of Hayfield Town Hall. Sponsored by friends and neighbours, the Affair was organized in 4 Week to aid the family whose Twine was destroyed by fire on December 24, 1960. Reeve Melvin Ctich was urged by Clinton Public Hospital Hoard to make a strong bid fot From my window by Shirley J. Keller I've had a very interesting letter from a reader in another part of Ontario, who has taken my mutterings and iuumblings about child-rearing to heart and has written me with what she feels is the solution to the problems many parents face today while raising their children. This lady, quite properly, feels that the entire answer lies in teaching the children to love God. As she put it, "The God of Heaven can put a change in your life so you want to do right." I cannot argue with her. She gee', on to say, "The young people of today are looking for something that will satisfy and you can try everything else but this (God) is what they are looking for. I don't know what I would ever do if I couldn't pray and feel that God hears me." This woman tells me that she has raised six children, all without much trouble. Her children, she reports, are all Christians who have dedicated their lives to "the God of Heaven". There is little doubt that the letter came from a remarkable woman who mothers a most remarkable • family. It would seem that her children have all decided for themselves that Christianity is for them and they are for Christianity. And that is just tremendous. There is only one flaw in this lady's argument .,. in fact, any argument about religious faith. Like the old saying you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink, you can take a child to church but you can't make him believe. Our children have been brought up in church. They weren't sent to church ... they were taken there. "It hasn't ended. It goes on Sunday after Sunday after Sunday. Yet we still have problems with our kids. Many of the problems which get me down are the little things which have very little to do with one's religious faith. A few are more serious troubles for which a deep religious conviction could make the decision easier. But a kid is a kid ,is a kid. He is not as wise as he should be, he is not as careful as he should be . and sometimes, even under the best of home conditionsMie is not as sure as he shoulebe that God is really God. So he struggles back and forth with himself. Society doesn't help. It only pushes him a little closer to the brink of disaster. The modern school system is no help. It teaches him to rely on his own wisdom and scientific knowledge, His friends don't help. They're just as mixed up as he is. The only abiding influence in his life is his parents who see him about four or five hours per day .., maybe a little longer on Saturday and Sunday. If his parents encourage him in his faith, he's that Much further ahead. But if the faith of his parents is a little wishy-washy, he's not gleaning much strength from them, now is he? And at the best of going, he's very apt to believe that his parents are hot quite the reliable sources of information and truth as he once believed them to be. If I had my way, I would 'wave a Magic wand and have everyone believing as I do. But that's impossible ... just as it is impossible to ensure that My children are going to accept hook, line and sinker all that tell them about my beliefs. My children and yours too, madam, are going through a period of decision-making. You have no doubts that your family is firntly founded in the same faith you taught them. You are indeed a fortunate woman .„ and God has certainly blessed you. My kids are questioning and while they are pondering things over in their minds, they are very Much in touch with the world and everything in it. There are problems — lot* and Tests of them — and I'm enough of a fool to believe that these problems are a necessary part of growing up ... both for kids and parents, Hockey: fun or frustration reply tersely, "Yes." They don't know where to go front there. But to those who seem genuinely concerned, I try to find some more exotic reason, something to make them think I'm a devil Of a fellow. This one happened -during the holidays. To the first few who came sniffing around, looking for scandal, I tried this gambit: "Do you realize that the cork from a champagne bottle can penetrate the plaster of a ceiling? Next time you open one, be sure the cork is pointing at someone else's eye." That shook them a bit, and they went avv;e. shaking their heads in admiration. Or something. To the next'few curious, I remarked offhandedly that I'd had a fight with a op on New Year's Eve, that he was still in hospital, sand that had to face charges as soon as he was released. They didn't really believe ine, after a scathing look at my 142 pounds of pure suet, but they weren't sure. "He was just a little cop", I added. "I kicked hint right in the gall bladder." When this palled on' me, swore I'd had a brawl with the paper boy when he Said I owed him for two,v,reeks I said one. 1-le's a big paper boy." \For the ladies; I use a different technique. I tell therh that this lady took a violent crush on me at a party, that I was holding her gently, patting her back and trying to quench her unrequited passion, when her vicious, jealous husband hit me right in the eye, right over her shoulder„ with my hands tied up. They raise an eyebrow, sometimes two, but I can heat them muttering together and sneaking glances at me from the other end of the room. To others, I relate that I was arm-wrestling with my daughter, and when she found I was winning, she punched me in the left eye with her left fist, Which she would. I have lots of others, Hit my eye on the rear-view mirror when I collided with a snow-mobile and everyone else suffered terrible lacerations. Struck my eye on the end of the handle of the snow-shovel when I had my first coronary. Bumped head-on into the cat when we were both crawling around under the bed, looking for her. But I will never., never resort to that Oldie about running into a door. I've run into plenty of doors, and other objects; in my life. Hut it's a pretty cheap way of accounting for a black eye, I swear my wife didn't do it. She was so ill through the holidays she couldn't have given a goldfish a blank eye. What's your version? Drop a line.