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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1966-10-06, Page 4Okay, write your editor `fie exelerZimes-Userafe SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND Member: C.W.N.A., 0.W.N.A., C.C.N.R. and ABC Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Editor: Bill Batten Advertising Manager; Val Baltkalns Phone 235-1331 ..)14 ttb,,,ttab ms, "You're lucky, tstelle. Strong as an ox, never sick Couldn't happen elsewhere Gi ving thanks In recent years, many people have publicly stated that the small rural fairs in this part of the country should be shelved in favour of one large county fair. They mave have many sound argu- ments in this regard, and at times it is difficult not to agree with them. It's becoming more difficult to get people to work in the preparation of fairs and most of it falls on the shoulders of the few stalwarts. However, one thing a county fair will never have, and that is the friend- ly and homey atmosphere that prevails at the many small fairs in this district. This was visibly brought to our at- tention during coverage of one of these fairs. We happened to be sitting in the secretary's "office" when a young lad came in to enter his horse in a couple of the special events. You could easily tell he was en- thused about competing, and so you can well imagine the disappointment that showed when it was explained that the entry fee was more than he had in his pocket. However, without much hesitation, the secretary struck a bargain with the lad. He could enter the competition and if he won, he would have to pay the entry fee. If he lost, he wouldn't have to pay. In a true sense, this was unfair. After all, the other entrants had to pay and many of them wouldn't win back even the price of the fee. However, it was an act of kindness that no one could complain about, espe- cially those who saw the youth's eyes light up again as he rushed away to prepare his steed for the show. We don't know whether he won. Probably he didn't. At any rate, he had a chance to ride his home in the show and at least try to win. It was an incident that couldn't happen at the CNE, the Western Fair, or even a large, county fair. But, it did happen, and it made those arguments about the county fair a little weaker. Won't impress your friends Next week has been designated as "Fire Prevention Week" throughout Canada. This is not something new. We've had special weeks for fire pre- vention for decades now. In fact, we may ask ourselves if it's really worth the effort to have such a special week. After all, the buildings we have been putting up for the past few years are supposed to be fire proof. Our fire departments have the latest in equipment and are much bet- ter prepared to tackle any variety of fires. In addition, we've had all this information about fir e prevention shoved at us for so long that surely we must all be aware of what we need to know to prevent fires. Well, if you happen to be one of the persons who subscribe to that type of reasoning and don't pay any atten- tion to the facts which will be made available to you in the coming few days, you could be setting yourself up for a "statistic". Despite all the improvements we have made in construction, fire equip- ment, training and the amount of edu- cation experts have been spreading about for several years, the fire loss rate in Canada continues to mount each year. Since the week in 1965 set aside for fire prevention in Canada, over 500 people have died horrible deaths in fires and property damage has rocket- Nine months after the study centre opened it closed because of a lack of funds. When the Greek heard about it he promptly offered $20. a month to help keep it open. As he put it, "Is nothing $20 a month. Everybody helps. Now is 65 children. They laugh. They learn. Is good for edu- cation". In the spring of 1965 he went to Pyrgy to see his two brothers, two sisters and two nieces—he sends $20 a month to each of the brothers and sisters plus $50 a month to keep a niece in school. While he was there he found out that 72 kids in the tiny town have to walk six miles to school by a difficult and dan- gerous route. He came home and found a 1956 bus body and a more recent motor. He had it over- hauled, cleaned it himself, and then had it painted blue and white, the Greek national colours. He gladly paid $1,750 for all this and another $1,000 for shipping and import taxes. Why does he do all this? He replies this way, "Now two times a day bus is taking children to school and back home again. Who knows? From school is maybe a nurse, a good carpenter, a writer, a doctor". But there's still a deeper reason. "So much I have for to give my thanks", he says. As Sidney Fields puts it, "He points to a big scar across his forehead. When he was a boy he fell six floors from the top of his house. He puts his hands together in a gesture of prayer and remembers that in World War 2 when he was a merchant seaman, his ship was torpedoed 1,800 miles off Perth, Australia. He jumped, made it to a life boat. After 10 hours another ship picked him up". Pop himself says simply, "God has given me back my life two times. So always I have a debt to Him. I try to say 'thank you' every way I can". There is a way for each of you to say 'thank you' this Thanks- giving season. Find the one that's right for you and do it. In this column before Thanks- giving weekend I would like to share two fine expressions of giving thanks. The first was part of a larger theme, "The Meaning of Death", by Malcolm Muggeridge in the September 17 MacLeans. This was a priceless piece of writing. It was written just prior to his death when he put down a state- ment of his beliefs. A basic part of that creed was thanksgiving. "The world that I shall soon be leaving seems more than ever beautiful; especially its remoter parts, grass and trees and sea and rivers and little streams and sloping hills, where the image of eternity is more clearly stamped than among streets and houses". "A sense of how extraordinar- ily happy I have been and of enormous gratitude to my creator overwhelms me often. i believe with a passionate, unshakeable conviction that in all circum- stances and at all times life is a blessed gift: that the spirit which animates all things is one of love, not hate or indifference, of light, not darkness, of creativ- ity, not destruction, or order, not chaos; that since all life, men, creatures, plants as well as all insensate matter, and all that is known about it, now and hence- forth, has been benevolently, not malevolently conceived, when the eyes see no more and the mind thinks no more and this hand now writing is inert, whatever lies beyond will similarly be benevolently not malevolently conceived". "If it is nothing, then for nothing I offer thanks: if another mode of existence, with this old worn out husk of a body left behind like a butterfly extricating itself from its chrysalis and this floundering muddled mind, now at best seeing through a glass darkly, given a larger range and a new precision then for that likewise I offer thanks". This is one effective way of giving thanks—that is to say it. Another effective way of thanks- giving is to express it in prac- tical, concrete ways. For this example I go to the October issue of Guideposts, with an article on, "The Riches of Pop Pantelaros", by Sidney Fields. Pop Pantelaros is a hot dog vendor on New York's East Side. He was born in Pyrgy, a tiny town on the Greek island of Chios near Turkey. About three years ago two Harlem churches and the Union Settlement House rented a store so school kids from the neigh- bourhood would have a place to study. As Pop Pantelaros put it, "Houses where kids live are too crowded for to study. Too much noise. No good for edu- cation". ed to a fantastic $144,781,571. In short, we still need fire preven- tion week; and of more importance, we need people who will take the time dur- ing next week to look around them to ensure they will not be one of the sta- tistics included in the 1967 fire preven- tion week figures. One of the fallacies commonly held by most people is that they can't pre- vent a fire, or at least that there is no situation in their home, office or fac- tory which could lead to a fire. To dispel that theory, officials have pointed out there are four main causes of fire: men, women, children and light- ning. While you can't prevent the last cause, you can take precautions to re- duce the risk. In the other three causes, people obviously have all the power for prevention. They can: clean up trash in their basements; check electrical wiring and fuses to make sure they're not over- loading circuits; stop smoking in bed and on chesterfields; keep matches out of the reach of children; not use gaso- line as a cleaning fluid; keep a con- stant watch on ,all brush and grass fires; etc., etc. The least people can do is have a fire escape plan for their family. After all, being a statistic isn't the best way to impress your friends, neigh- bors and relatives. By Vol Baltkalns 74e demoted eead Ten ways to be miserable This new law makes a great deal of sense and it is difficult to understand why it was not in effect long before this. After all, having a clear visibility from all angles is only common sense. "Jones, please step into my office during the seventh inn- ing stretch!" Fascinating concept the same raves from insurance companies, who point to the beautiful designs to explain the reasons for mounting insurance rates, They say that those sharp body contours, fancy grilles and sleek lines have pushed repair bills up some 300 percent in the last five years. In fact, they reveal that a simple collision at 10 m.p.h. can cause damage to the tune of $250 on some models, However, the auto manufactur- ers can't really be blamed. It's the driving public who demand the beautiful lines and contours, and they are the ones who have to pay the bills. The topic of cars and Thanks- giving naturally leads into an- other discussion that of tra- velling safely to visit friends and relatives in this last holiday be- fore Christmas. The department of transport has announced another new law that came into effect on October 1 and will apply to many who will be packing luggage, turkeys, etc., in their vehicles as they head out for visits. It is now mandatory that the driver have a clear vision of the roadway from all four sides, so don't load too much into the compartment in front of the rear window. The only way you can get away with it, is to have a rear-view mirror. Next Tuesday heralds the be- ginning of the 1966 International Plowing Match and reports indi- cate it will be a most enjoyable show for all in attendance. While the weatherman unfor- tunately holds the key to success, it is the only aspect of the giant show left up to chance. Many people in the county have been spending long hours inplan- ning this event and they deserve our heartiest commendation, be- cause the event will bring many benefits to us all. One of the aspects of the show is that it will help fill the cof- fers of many service clubs in this region. The Exeter Lions will be assisting with the parking and the Beta Sigma Phi will be operat- ing a booth at the grounds in Sea- forth, Many other groups will also have special projects to help them in their community better- ment programs. Few events provide such op- portunities, as all too often they give the concessions to outsiders who make a fast dollar and de- part. June examinations have been held up before teachers and pupils alike as the target supreme . . . the great be-all and end-all of every school year. Under the new system the paramount factor will be assessment of the students' minds, a judgment of how much or how little each one can absorb. We have long contended that the elementary school teachers are the most important ones in the entire education- al system, and that they should be paid accordingly, so that dedicated and high- ly trained teachers will be attracted to the profession. Under the new system the demands upon the instructors' teaching ability will be much higher than they are today. Certainly a child's early years in school are the ones in which his ability to learn is at its highest peak. We need to make much better use of those valu- able years. — Wingham Advance-Times The recent announcement that the first step will soon be taken to remove the grade system from our elementary schools is highly interesting. The idea of a school system in which every stu- dent is permitted to progress at his own pace, allowing the brilliant to race forward and the average to take the time they need, is a fascinating one. This will be education at its very best. It will mean the maximum use of every human mind for the greatest benefit to mankind. Before the reality of the vision can be achieved, however, there will have to be a lot of re-learning on the part of elementary school teachers. Most of them will need a complete reorienta- tion and a new concept of their pur- poses and methods. For too many years public school teachers have been trained to get their pupils over a certain objective. The • Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 As Thanksgiving rolls around for another year, this district can count many blessings, with the harvest almost completed and crops running to average yields in most fields. Despite our many blessings, the country is not in exceptional shape at this Thanksgiving, as the daily news media is crowded with stories on inflation, pay -increase demands, unrest be- tween various factions, etc., etc. However, it is really not much different than it has been through- out the years, as we are a very difficult group to please. The more we have, the more we want. Fellow columnist John Boyne has an excellent article that we recommend for reading at this season and we recently came across another item that per- haps fits well into this Thanks- giving edition. It is written by Dr. C. H. Baylor, a Texas doctor, and points out 10 simple rules for living a dismal life. He points out that whether you are happy or unhappy during your appoint- ed span upon this planet depends largely on whether you count your blessings or take them for granted. Read the rules for a dismal life and stop and ask yourself how many you are following. It's doubtful if anyone can give a negative reply to all 10. 1. Forget the many good things you have and overemphasize the few you lack. 2. Convince yourself that money is more important than it really is. 3. Think of yourself as indis- pensable. 4. Think that you always have too much to do. 5. Be convinced that you are exceptional and entitled to spe- cial privileges. 6. Forget that a sense of re- sponsibility is essential to a democratic society. 7. Think you can control your automatic nervous system by will power and reason. 8. Forget other people. 9. Cultivate a pessimistic out- look. 10. Always feel sorry for your- self. The 1967 cars are now on dis- play at all the local showrooms, and without exception they are getting the appropriate oohs and ahs from viewers. However, they're not drawing 15 YEARS AGO Two SHDHS students, Joan Hopper and Don Petrie have en- tered the University of Toronto to study medicine; Colleen Gill has entered St. Joseph's Hospital, London to train as a nurse and Ian McAllister is attending OAC. John Armstrong, ex-reeve of Hullet Township and who was warden of Huron County, was chosen as the Liberal candidate to contest the riding of Huron. Young People numbering close to 600 and representing nine counties will meet at James Street UC on Friday for the 27th annual three-day convention of the London Conference YPU. An appeal for old spectacles for underprivileged people in La- brador is being made by Elim- vile Sunday School. 50 YEARS AGO The soldiers of Exeter and - vicinity of the 161st Battalion who are returning on their last leave before going overseas are being banqueted and entertained on Friday evening by the citiz- ens. The courthouse square at God- erich was thronged with people Sunday afternoon to witness the handing over of the "Huron" Bat- talion Colors prior to their go- ing overseas. Capt. S. R. Hewitt and Mrs. Hewitt (the former Edna Dow), who have been with the CAMC at Saloniki, are now on their way home from England. The latter has been suffering from inflam- matory rheumatism. Mr., sam Beavers last week sold a gas tractor to J. J. Mern- er MP of Zurich. This is the seventh gas tractor Mr. Beav- ers has sold this season, Aleliglall32No,aAOAM t Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont. Authorized as Second Class Mani_ Post Office Dep't, Ottawa, and for Payment of Postage in Cash Paid in Advance Circulation, March 31, 1966, 4,180 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5.00 Per Year; USA $7.00 They roll their eyes to heaven, when the subject of long hair comes up. But they don't ejac- ulate, “Yummy!" At least that isn't what it sounds like. Creep up behind a principal and say, even quietly, "Hair- cuts." I guarantee he'll jump a foot and a half and turn on you with a decided tic below his left eyeball. A principal confronted by a few shaggies feels exactly like an inspecting brigadier in the army, who arrives at "C" Pla- toon and finds that six of the bodies stiffly at attention are wearing white sneakers instead of spit'n spolish black boots. And what about the principles? This is what the culprits pur- port to defend: individualism; freedom of expression; non-con- formity. You name it. It's all the rage these days. And the muddled kids are aided and abet- ted by parents, "liberal" think- ers and misguided editors. After that comes the emotional hogwash. Einstein, Sir John A. Macdonald, Jesus, would all have to get a hair-cut if they went to high school today. Can you imagine Christ in a crew cut? He was a conformist in the things that didn't matter, an individualist in things that did. Sir John and Einstein had other things on their minds, and didn't have time to worry about hair- cuts. But I'll bet they didn't spend several hours a day comb- ing and admiring their locks. Guess I sound like an old fumf. But I know how the kids suffer when the sacrilegious scissors start their desecration. I still have a psychic scar because the Germans made me shave a magnificent beard in prison camp. And I'll never forget the wave of anguish that swept me the day I stood before a mirror and saw half of my fine, h a n dl e b ar , fighter-pilot's moustache shaved. But there was no going back. You do look pretty silly in half a handle-bar. But let's hear your opinions on boys' long hair. Write your editor. e //S/4 What do you think of long hair on boys? I imagine your answer will depend on your age and sex. If you're a 13-year-old girl, you'll probably roll your eyes toward heaven and ejaculate, “Yummyl", or something of the sort. If you're a male junior ex- ecutive in the late twenties, you'll probably sneer, “Revolting!", while secretly wishing you were 10 years younger and could have a go at it yourself. If you're a young swinger, late-teens, early-twenties, your react ion is probably, "The Greatest!" This group, female, are fad-followers. Fifteen years ago, they wouldn't even look at anybody who didn't have a crew cut. Males whose forties are fad- ing along with their own hair will probably grumble, "What they need is a year in the army!" Females of the same vintage are quite likely to coo, "It's sorta cute, really!", as long as their own young male is clean- cut and beardless. If you're over 50, you prob- ably look with mild amusement, or mild disgust, on the current crops of sheep-dogs, male. You know it dOesn't amount to much. You remember the flat-chested flapper, the rumble seat, the coonskin coat and a lot of other items that appalled the oldies of the era. Personally, I don't agree with any of the above reactions except the last one, though I haven't yet reached that age group. Or that fine plain of tolerance. To go back over them. Long hair is seldom yummy. And it is seldom revolting, though it Can be. It is not the greatest. Greatest anything. A year in the army solves nothing. And all sorts of things are sorta ate: ftiOnkeya, baby alligators, infant pigs. But let's get down to the prin- cipals and the principles in this world-shaking debate. Many high-school principals react Just 1.1t.e the 13,year-ofd girls aboVe. 25 YEARS AGO Activity is increasing at Cen- tralia Airport. Men are coming to Exeter in increasing numbers looking for board, having secured employment at the airport. Mr. J. A. Stewart is convert- ing his fine residence on the corner of Andrew and John Streets into a duplex. Mr. Joseph Senior, retiring clerk of the Village of Exeter, was honored at a banquet at the central Hotel Thursday evening. tie was presented with an engrav- ed pen and pencil set. 10 YEARS AGO Owners of land expropriated by the Ausable Authority for the Morrison Dam in Usborne Town- ship are seeking $46,000 for 77 acres. Some ask $300 an acre plus additional payments. Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Coiling- wood celebrated their 50th wed- ding anniversary Wednesday. Hugh and Jim Wilson will open Exeter'S newest gas station this week at the intersection of High- Ways 4 and 83. Three hundred LionS from 36 different districts attended a rally in Exeter Legion Nall Mon- day night.