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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1954-06-23, Page 4Four The Wingham Advance-Times, Wednesday, -June 28, 195* i IMPROPERLY DRESSED There has been considerable hooting' about the Ameri­ can editor from the Southern States who wore his long underwear for a June trip to Ontario. Thinking the mat­ ter over, we can’t quite see why. After all, this gentleman, although somewhat misin­ formed on Ontario weather, was at least dressing for the occasion, or thought he was. And that is a lot more than you can say for many of u§ who live here. As long as Canadians continue to suffer temperatures of 80 degrees or more in jackets, long trousers, ties and all the other accoutrements of the average well-dressed Can­ adian male—who are we to make fun of a chap who had sense enough to put on long woollies because he thought he was going to a cold climate? INVITING DISASTER No less an .authority than Dr. Pleva, of the University of Western Ontario, is reported to have said that although ’Toronto, Hamilton and Windsor might conceivably be atomized in a future war, yet Huron County would be outside the perimeter of damage caused by .atomic weapons. While it’s somewhat gratifying to know that Wing­ ham would be spared the holocaust, we couldn’t help but be perturbed about the prospect. From a standpoint of both human life and industrial potential, the country would lose enormously if its three largest cities were to be bombed in this atomic age. It seems obvious that as long as atomic weapons are in existence and as long as world peace rests on such a precarious footing, the question of decentralization will have to be faced sooner or later. To pack more and uioie industries and people into Metropolitan Toronto and other large cities, as is being done at the present time, is inviting- disaster.* * * FREEDOM FROM SPEECH Last week a public .address system from out of town visited our part of the community, set up practically on our doorstep, and proceeded to regale us with recordings of hymns and exhortations to be '‘saved”. Admonishments from neighbours with children who were trying to sleep brought no reduction in volume whatever. This being a free country, we presume that the preach­ er felt that he was enjoying the privileges of our constitu­ tional free speech. And we can’t say that we want it other­ wise. But there is a vast difference between freedom to use the human voice and freedom to amplify that voice to tremendous volume. When a man merely talks, his audience can at least g'o some place else if they don’t choose to listen. But there is no escaping the blasting tones of a voice over a P.A. system. Though the speaker may have his rights, the persons whose ears are assaulted by the noise should have some rights as well. As far as we’re.concerned, the gentleman is free to say , anything he chooses to say. We just wish we weren’t' forced to listen to it.* * * STRANGERS HERE OURSELVES We’ve heard a lot of reasons for not writing letters to the editor, and .up until the other day we thought we’d heard them all. Then someone came up with a new one. The reason given by this particular person for not committing himself on paper was that he “hadn’t lived in town long enough.” 0 Admittedly Wingham people who have lived here all their lives presumably know more about the town and the people in it than the newcomer of last week. But even so it would be a bold person who would suggest that he knew it all, or that comparative newcomers are totally ignorant. As a matter of fact, the newcomer often has a fresh slant on things which could and should be extremely valuable for community betterment. As far as suggestions for improvement are concerned, the important thing would seem to be whether they are good suggestions—not how.long the person who suggested them has lived in town. We’d hate to think that a person has to live in Wingham for 25 years before he can feel free to make a constructive suggestion. And we doubt if any but a very few die-hards feel that way about it. TRYING TO RUN THE TOWN The members of the staff of this newspaper occasion­ ally hear themselves accused of “trying to run the town”. Their accusers are usually people who do give thought to the many matters which concern our community—but seldom do anything about it. There are a number of things people can do who are afraid that someone else is having a little too much to say. First of all they can attend meetings of the Town Council to make their Influence felt by’ discussing muni­ cipal affairs with the Mayor or one of the Councillors. They can also take a real turn at “trying to run the town” by writing an editorial or two (every week if they wish it) for this newspaper. These editorials will be published either as letters to the editor or guest editorials. Yes, sir, the fellow who thinks the other fellow is trying to run the town has a chance to help with the job right here and now—if he will take it. —St. Marys Tournal- Argus. SIXTY YEARS AGO We understand that Mr. Alex Orr, Of Gorrie, formerly of the Park House of this town, has purchased Messrs. Rogers & Co’s, livery in this town. He has leased his hotel in Gor­ rie, Mr. O. Johnton has opened a tin shop in the store just north of P. Deans’ flour and feed store. Messrs. John Neelands, D. M. Gor­ don, John A. MacLean and R. E. El­ liott are in Woodstock attending the' High Court of the Canadian Order of Foresters. Rev. Robt. Patterson and bride, of Neepawa, were guests of Mr. A. Tip- ling, Bluevale Road, a few days last week. 0-0-0 FORTY YEARS AGO At the parsonage on Saturday morning, June 20th, James Forest Wilson, son of Mr. Gavin Wilson, of Turnberry, and Miss Britannia Essia Posliff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Posliff, of Wingham, were un­ ited in marriage. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. J. W. Hibbert, pastor of the Methodist Church. The young couple are spending their honeymoon in Owen Sound, and will be home to their friends on and after July 1st. Mr. Geo. Moir is visiting, friends in Port Huron this week. Mr, J. A. McLean attended the coal dealers convention in Toronto last week. Mr. Ben R. Fralick, of Westfield, Mass., is visiting with his uncle, Mr. A. M. Fralick. Mrs. John Robinson and Miss Jil­ lian Robinson left today for a month’s visit in Midland. Miss May Davidson, of Wroxeter, was visiting at the home of Mr. H. B. Elliott. Rintoul & Sons. On Saturday morning of last week Floyd Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Thompson, had the misfortune to fracture his right, wrist when cranking the car when the starter refused to work. The choir of St. Andrew’s Presby­ terian Church held a very successful social evening at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pickell. Supper was served on the lawn after which games and music were enjoyed. Mr. George Fryfogle of New York, formerly of Wingham, son of Mrs. Wm. Fryfogle, Shuter St., had the honour of having his band play for the King and Queen while on their recent visit to New York City. His wife, Mrs. Fryfogle, was also an hon­ oured guest. Mr. Fryfogle and his band have also been playing at the New York World’s Fair, In the Town Hall on Friday after­ noon, the Ladies’ Auxiliary to Wing­ ham General Hospital held a bridge with fifteen tables present. Many others were present for tea. The win­ ners were Mrs. W. J. Greer and Mrs. H. Towne. Mrs. McGuire was first for euchre. Miss Elizabeth Weir, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Weir, received her Master of Arts pegree from Columbia University, New York City, at the commencement exercises held this June. Miss Weir has accepted a posi­ tion as teacher in the State School at Providence, Rhode Island. Joe Kerr has been awarded the con­ tract for gravelling on the Listowel Highway from Brussels sideroad to Listowel and from Listowel to Dork­ ing. At the Achievement Day for mem­ bers of Junior Institutes in Bruce County, Agnes Gillespie, Doris Mc- Clenaghan, Catherine Mowbray, of Whitechurch, are among the winners for Achievement certificates. Institute Ladies to Attend Meeting at Agricultural College CRUMBS By Omega flow of conversation for its thought | I or feeling, but rather he stands pois- PUNS The other night on television we saw and heard something that made us think of how styles of humour Change. We were watching a not too interesting play about a young doctoi' who comes to a Central American village but is not sought after, even by the sickest of people because of their superstitious fear. After living there for a time without being given an opportunity to practice his medi­ cine, gust, have he is preparing to leave in dis­ and says to someone, ‘‘I just no more patience.” was certainly an unintentional for the play and the character spoke the lines continued to' themselves very seriously. This ed, listening for certain words or sounds, so that he can pounce upon them with suitable puns. You say to him that the situation in Formosa is difficult and he replies that it is “for— most—a” the people there, Such a re­ sponse is the fastest way to throttle a friendly, intelligent conversation. There is, of course, a difference be­ tween a conversational pun pnd a lit­ erary pun, What we can’t stand hear­ ing our friends say becomes quite ac­ ceptable from a character in a book or play. Puns have often been a popular form of humour in literature and drama. The Elizabethans with their fondness for colour and richness in language were great lovers of puns, and Shakespeare’s plays are full of them. Quite often in Shakespeare they take the form of a little verbal contest between characters to see who can think up the most original or un­ usual play on words. Though the -pun has fallen on bad days in modern literature, one: has only to read & few of Christopher Fry's poetic dramas to realize that it is trying a brave and brilliant come­ back. And there are other indica­ tions that there is an increasing audi­ ence for the experimenters and play­ ers with words. Perhaps the days of the tough, tight-lipped school of writing are nearing an end; perhaps a new era of colour, variety and richness in writing has begun. If so, the late lowly pun will again be appreciated, Os Mttujltcutt Abhattre.-(Lutes Published at Wingham, Ontario Wenger Brothers, Publishers, W. Barry Wenger, Editor Member Audit Bureau of Circulation Authorized as Second Class Mall Post Office Dept Subscription Rate — One Year $2.50, Six Months $1.25 In advance U. S. A. $3.50 per year Foreign Rate $3.50 per year Advertising Rates on application Mr. Fred Homuth came here from Elora on Saturday last suffering from appendicitis, and .was taken to the hospital where he underwent an operation on Monday. Died—Fleuty—In Wingham, on Fri­ day, June 19th, Robert John Fleuty, youngest son of the late James Fleuty. 0-0-0 TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO James Wheeler Greer, one time publisher of the Mildmay Gazette, died last .week in Galt, agqd 80 years. Mr. and Mrs. D. McGill"‘and ’daugh­ ter, Margaret, of Toronto^ spent the week-end with Capt. W. J. Adams. Dr. Irlma Kennedy left last week for Vancouer, where she intends to practice, going by way of Seattle. The staff of the public school most gratefully acknowledge a gift from Mr, Geo. Spotton M. P., on Monday last comprising of a complete set of baseball equipment. On Wednesday last the members of Philaletha Bible Class and their friends numbering 90 motored to Bay- field and spent the day in real picnic fashion, when a good time was enjoy­ ed by all.. Miss Luella Hopper underwent an operation for appendicitis in Wing­ ham Hospital on Monday morning, and her condition is satisfactory. Miss Doris Buchanan last week re­ ceived an official acknowledgment from the private secretary of Her Maj­ esty Queen Mary, from Buckingham Palace, to her letter of congratulation upon the occasion of Her Majesty's Birthday. T. J. MacLean, secretary of Re-un­ ion committee, received word this week from the Risdon Ball team of Detroit, that they will be here next month to play a crack Toronto team. 0 - 0 - 0 FIFTEEN YEARS AGO Mr. Henry T. Thomson has started the erection of a bungalow type house on John Street, next to the Baptist Church. The contractors are W. H. The Women’s Institute held their June meeting on Thursday afternoon last week, with Mrs. N. McLaughlin presiding. Arrangements were made to charter a bus for July 14th in order that the members might have the privelege of attending one day of the meetings which are being held at the O.A.C. at Guelph during that week. As these meetings are planned for both the instruction and entertainment of W. I. members this will be an outing to look forward to. Anyone wishing to take this trip please contact the secretary, Mrs. Wilfred JHenry, as soon as pos- ible. It was decided to give a donation of $10.00 to the Red Shield fund of the Salvation Army. The motto for the meeting, “Let us live a day at a time”, was given by Mrs. R. Campbell. Using as examples of great men who adopted this plan of living she gave a short history of the lives of the great German writer, Goethe! Sir William Osler and Thomas Carlyle, men who proved that by living a day at a time and leaving tomorrow in the hands of God ac­ complished great things for mankind. Mrs. J. Bumstead gave a very fine paper on “Canadian Industries”, giv­ ing a condensed report of the basic industries of Canada down through the years. The Women’s Institute feels much indebted to the firm of Fry & Black­ hall, officials of this company very kindly consented to conduct a num­ ber of the members through its plant, which is famous for its upholstered furniture. Going from one depart­ ment to another one could follow the manufacture of a piece of furniture from the cutting-out stage to the pre­ paration for shipping. Four pupils of Mrs. Jack Ernest, who had all received first-class hon­ ours at the music festival at Goderich, added much to the enjoyment of the meeting. Elizabeth Burrell with a piano solo “La Avalanche”, and also Nancy Palmer, Helen Anne Arm­ strong and Lynda Clark with a piano trio, playing the selection “Buy a Broom”. Afternoon tea and the usual social gathering brought the meeting to a close. It pun, who take would indicate perhaps that many people—in this case the writers and producers of the show—are unaware of the punning possibilities of the Eng­ lish language, But some of the people watching the play with us burst out laughing when the “patience” line was spoken, and this perhaps would indicate that some people are becom­ ing more pun-conscious than usual in recent decades. For many years now, the been considered the lowest humor (especially by those incapable of making one), been greeted by a forced groan or an empty laugh. One of the reasons for this reaction is that puns are usually made by a witty man, rather than a humorous one. The distinction between the witty and the humorous man was best des­ cribed in an essay written by Charles S. Brooks entitled “The Difference Be­ tween Wit and Humour”. After ad­ mitting that it is often difficult to draw an exact line between the two, he says that the witty man is a clev­ er, sour-mouthed character who is ever on the look-out to say something sharp and devastating, whereas the humorous man is a friendly, smiling type, who says-things that make his friends feel comfortable in his pre­ sence. Thus, the witty man is often a person whom we instinctively dis­ like and distrust. And certainly the punster is one kind of witty man. | It was once said of one inveterate punster, who persisted in interrupting conversations to nlake his “plays on words”, “Well, at-least you know he’s listening to what you’re saying.” But this is not actually true. 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