Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1966-11-10, Page 4Ring up another achievement Bloody results, from dropped guards Whatever is left preaches sermon In this day and age it is difficult to keep abreast of the advances in sci- ence and technology. In the industrial segment of our economy, it is often only those large concerns with vast re- sources who are able to take advan- tage of the changes. So it is that same of the smaller firms are shunted to the sidelines while the large concerns continue to expand as they eat up the smaller competition. In many cases, it is the aforemen- tioned circumstances that have result- ed in the demise of many independent telephone companies, as they have been forced to sell to the Bell Telephone Company because they were unable to pay the price of keeping up to this large concern and the many conven- iences it provides its own customers. This is not intended to suggest that the Bell Telephone Company has re- lentlessly swallowed up the independ- dent companies. It has just been a mat- ter of circumstances whereby many in- dependent companies have been unable to keep abreast of the changes in tech- nology, and for them to remain in ex- istence would have been unfair to their customers who would have been de- prived of the many advantages of the modern telephone systems. However, while this has been the fate of many independent and munici- pal owned systems, it has not befallen those in this area. They have continued to keep pace with the leadership of the Bell Tele- phone Company, although certainly with the assistance and co-operation of the latter, Just this past weekend, the Hay Municipal Telephone System marked an impressive milestone when the last subscribers converted to dial. The Sys- tems in Tuckersmith and Blanshard, which also include subscribers in sev- eral other neighboring townships, have also installed dial equipment to bring their customers modern equipment and advantages. No doubt there have been times when those administering these smaller systems have wondered whether or not it was worth the effort to keep their in- dependence. It would be so easy to sell out and end the many problems which they encounter. Obviously, they have not done so due to the pride they have in the ac- complishments they have recorded throughout the years, plus the satisfac- tion they feel through being independ- ent. On the occasion of another mile- stone for these smaller systems in this area, we salute those who through the years have provided the leadership that has kept them going in the face of many adversities and challenges. People of their fortitude, deter- mination and pride are few and far between. Grudge blemishes the record By Val Baltkalns criticized the actions of some youths, but generally we are very fortunate, with only minor incidents spoiling the record. Similar to the adult population, few area youth are perfect, but let's give them credit for being much near- er that category than their counter- parts in many communities. 7adeit 97od Fewetiet * The lone piece of disconcerting news comes from Zurich where mali- cious damage was reported at the home of one resident. Such an incident could perhaps be excused, but not on the basis which apparently surrounded it. That vandals did some damage to this particular property came as no sur- prise to some folk in that community. It was common knowledge before Hal- lowe'en that some people were "out to get him". The man's "crime" had been to ex- press opposition to installing artificial ice in the Zurich arena. His opinions did not meet with the approval of a number of residents, especially some youths who no doubt are looking for- ward to having the added recreational benefits. It is rather obvious that those re- sponsible for the destruction of private property should be denied this benefit until they learn that we live in a de- mocracy where a man is supposed to be able to express his opinions freely without fear of retaliation from those with whom he disagrees. This was not a Hallowe'en prank. It was a grudge prank for which those responsible should hang their head in shame. Oct. 22 in one of our larger dailies. Because it is rather lengthy allow me to quote just a few lines. "---a word of caution against the constant and destructive criticism of our public figures. Newspaper columnists are, I fear the worst offenders in this matter. They seem to look upon themselves as the self-appointed defenders of the peoples' rights. How can we accomplish----if sophisticated columnists, many of whom have never had to make a major decision in their lives, spend most of their time in the questionable pursuit of de- bunking those who are giving leadership in very difficult times?" No small wonder that the editor gets such few articles and letters to fill his empty page is it? Yours truly, Jack Lavender It's dangerous Hensall, Ont. Nov. 7, 1966 Dear Sir: I would like very much if you would print this letter. Maybe it will help save some one like our- selves a lot of grief, My husband and I have lived in Hensall for twelve years and I am sure we have had trouble with gasoline in our cellar drain ten times at least. We want to register a com- plaint about this stupid prac- tice of putting gas in the drain and having to call the Fire Mar- shall to have the drain flushed out with water. Most times we have to turn our oil furnace off in the bitter cold weather in case of fire. If the party that's doing this ever saw gas burn and what it can do they would think twice before emptying gas down the drain. I am sure if people here were concerned enough the source could be tracked down. I am also sure if this condition continues some tragedy will come of it; then someone will take notice. Our Reeve put a letter in the paper some time ago on this sub- ject but it hasn't helped any. It's a case of someone playing with other peoples' lives and it also is a very serious matter. Concerned* *Name available on request The theme of the Jewish Com- munity of Canada pavilion at Expo 67 will be "Judaism Universal, Judaism Eternal." It will present the image of the Jews as a world- wide religious and cultural com- munity geographically, and eternally in the sense of being a people who survived intact from ancient times to the present. Editor wins? Dear Sir; With having ended my pipe of tobacco and finished reading your editorial page (the former of which I do enjoy) I see where you are looking for a letter or an article to fill a hole made Vacant. Seems as though the old saying of opportunity knocking but once is only too true, So here goes nothing. You are basically concerned about a lack of letters and opin- ions. Now really Bill, do you mean to try and tell us that you don't know why such articles and opinions aren't too free? You surely can't be that blind but what you can't see the re- ason. Let's not be so naive! There have been many times when yours truly was sorely tempted to write a reply to some of your observations and criti- cisms, but what would be the use. The editor always has the last word anyway, and by that time the readers get the opinion that the person who wrote in the first place is some kind of a nut. You see Bill it works some- thing like this. Edition one, the editor makes an observation, a blunt statement, or outright criti- cism of this or that, be what it may. Edition two, a reader's ire is raised and a reply is made in defense. This is all published in due course and perhaps the writer has a darn good point made. So far, so good, but then comes the slap in the face. After the letter comes the usual editor's note; which, with a few care- fully selected and well-positioned words in order to try and re- build the editor's shattered original statements. All in all it can make the writer look like an absolute ass. And so the editor wins in words but loses in letters. Take a look at a fairly re- cent issue regarding Hensall vil- lage councils decision to not enter mutual fire aid. Council got a slap in the face in one of your editorials over said issue, but not one word was said in either your editorials or council news about the many pros and cons and the deciding factors concerning this matter, despite the fact that there was a T-A reporter at said meetings of council. Or, you can look at the Labour Day ruckus at the 'Bend, and the very good letter of defense that was written by Clerk Des- jardins, and the editor's reply to this letter. Another slap in the face! This is all summed up quite neatly by The Rev. Geo Goth in an article which appeared Hallowe'en has come and gone for another year, although it will be some time before many communities will for- get the events of a night that all too often result in wanton destruction. In some centres across Canada, re- ports have indicated events that are most difficult to comprehend. Youths broke windows, set fires, hurled rocks and insults at police and in general acted in a lawless manner. Other reports indicate that chil- dren out in harmless "trick or treat" visits were handed apples in which needles and razor blades had been im- bedded. Some were given colored moth balls that resembled candies. So the stories go, showing up an almost insane approach to a night that some have turned into an excuse for releasing diabolical tendencies. The purpose of reiterating some of the facts of Hallowe'en 1966 across Canada is not particularly to join our voice with those who decry such activi- ties or shake their heads in disbelief. Surely, this is something that all per- sons with some degree of intelligence must have done as these stories were unfolded. Our intent in mentioning them is to draw attention to the fact that we in his area were fortunate indeed to have escaped such plights. No doubt there were many reasons, such as: ef- ficient police warnings and patrols; parental direction; and perhaps what is more important, a sense of respon- sibility and a comprehension on the part of area young people as to what is right and what is wrong. In the past there have been inci- dents when people in this area have This week, I have a lot of things on my mind, but none of them is worthy of the brilliant, penetrating essay in which you wrap your garbage, Thereford, the column will be something of an Irish stew. Or a Hungarian ragout. Or better still, a French pot-pourri. That's pronounced popery. Speaking of which, congratulations to all my Dogan friends. They can now eat meat on Friday. And destroy the market for fish. And miss all those wonderful food values in fish and turn into meat-stuffed, red-faced birds like us Protes- tants. Speaking of which, one of our churches had a "folk" service last Sunday. The occasion was a conference in town of 300 Christian boys. We billeted two of them. For Kim's sake, I or- dered, from the billeting chair- man, two six-foot, handsome chaps with rich fathers. What we got were, well, two boys. A short, chubby, cocky one; and a long, skinny, shy one. Neither was handsome. Neither had a wealthy father. But the service Sunday was first-rate. You should have seen the look on the gray-headed eld- ers as they belted out, "Go Tell It On The Mountain," with the electric guitars whanging away. The other accompaniment, a sort of dull rumble, was the bones of John Calvin, Martin Luther and John Wesley, twir- ling in their graves. And the red-headed kid, dart- ing from organ prelude to choir loft to electric guitar, back to organ for the offering, back to choir, back to guitar, was our baby, busier than the proverbi- al one-armed paper-hanger. Speaking of church reminds me that I'm supposed to be guest preacher at our church this Sun- day. It's Layman's Sunday. Very inspiring. All the laymen get up and bellow hymns off-key. Those who can't even sing off- key read the scripture. And what- ever is left over preaches the sermon. Haven't quite chosen my text yet, but there are still several days to go, and I've narrowed it down to three or four. My first idea was, "Frailty, Thy name Is Woman." Then I de- cided that "Something Is Rot- ten in the State of Denmark" Might be safer, By the way, theSe are from the Bible, I hope.. Two of the area's most im- portant events come up in No- vember, and while it may not have been planned, it is indeed appropriate that they should be staged at approximately the same time. The events of which we speak are Remembrance Day and Nom- ination Day. Generally speaking, both can be tied together to give us one of the best examples of a demo- cracy, On November 11 we re- call the battles for freedom and those who gave their lives for this cause, while on nomination day we stage meetings that ex- emplify the freedoms that were won for us. How many will remember and pay tribute to the fallen of the battles of this century? Unless there is a change over former years, the numbers will not be large. While this may be shameful, it also indicates that a recur- rence of hostilities is apparently not a concern of too many people. Certainly, when we start to for- get the dread facts of the past wars, we are apt to drop our guard and leave ourselves open to letting it happen again. Will you be among those who will take time to remember? To pay your tribute to those who gave us our freedoms? To once again pledge yourself to standing for what is right? * * * * As stated, nomination meetings are a part of the democratic way of life which have been guarded for us by the sacrifices of many. Unfortunately, too few appear to feel that it was worth fighting for, and so again there will not only be small numbers at area nomination meetings, there will probably be a lack of candidates for the offices in the various municipalities. That could certainly be changed if more citizens with the ability would take their responsibilities seriously. We could expound at great lengths on the personal satis- faction one would receive from taking a term of office in his municipality, but for any who are serious, we suggest they contact a present member and find out directly from those in the know. Having covered council meet- ings for several years, we can say that sessions are more fun than some would guess. It should be remembered that we get the type of government we deserve. Perhaps it's time we deserved someone such as YOU. Think it over! * * * * Many unusual items cross our desk from time to time, but we're still pondering over a news article submitted this week by Harry Murless, Clandeboye. It was an article clipped from a U.K. newspaper citing the fact that Torn Cooke had regained his title as World Champion Potato Grower. That may appear mundane, but let us point out that Tom har- vested a total of 1,00'7 pounds of spuds from his plot. Nothing remarkable yet? NO, but wait mom Paid in Advance Circulation, March 31, 1966, 4,180 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5.00 Per Year; USA $7.00 There's always the old stand- ard, of course, "The Demon Rum." But I don't think I could stand the snickers. And my bro- ther brought me a jug of New- foundland 'screech' r ecently, from the Kingdom of Joey. perhaps I'll settle for the theme, "The New Morality." If only I can find out, before Sun- day morning, what it is, I'll be in business. As near as I can discover, it's doing whatever you want, and getting away with it. Speaking of which, I feel both wicked and guilty, because I don't answer letters. Here's part of one from a weekly editor be- laboring me for defending to- day's kids. He says, "Give me one of the depression kids, with a Grade Eight collection of myths, fables, a few facts, a smattering of the three R's, and the seat out of his pants. The last is most important. The kid would be des- perate for a job and would learn more spelling and grammar in three months from an old comp book than your gold-plate system teaches in the years from six to 16." Mrs. C. Braham, of Bruder- heim, Alta., writes telling me what to do about my refrigerator that stank when the power was turned off and the meat went rotten. Thank you, dear lady, but you're almost as lousy a correspondent as I. Your letter is dated August 10. I received it this week. And how do you like this chap from a publishing house asking when I'm going to write a book? All I can say is that if he wants to take over for a week, I'll produce a book. All he has to do is: write a column, a sermon and a letter to the town council from the library board; try to keep my wife from going around the bend; help my daughter with her "weak" subjects: Latin, French, Math, Science, Geogra- phy; read and criticize 89 es- says; set two exams; rake the leaves that have fallen from 14 trees; throw into the cellar a pile of f r e- wood that's been rotting in the rain for two weeks; answer all my letters; prepare lesson plans and teach all day; drive my daughter 200 miles for a music lesson on Saturday; and help with the dishes, I'm game if he is, A book would be child's play, out high powered rifles and shoot at innocent little creatures. There may be some degree of truth in those arguments, but it should be remembered that hunting seasons are held prim- arily for the benefit of the anim- als. It is an effective means of keeping the crop at manageable numbers so those that escape the hunters will survive to try their luck again another year. If there was no open season, the animals would soon grow to such numbers that feed would be in such short supply that practic- ally all of them would starve to death. That is worse than a quick death. In addition, they would soon become a nuisance. However, hunting also affords another type of sport. It gives men a chance to shoot at each other in other than war time. Statistics also point out that many hunters who do get shot do it to themselves. In addition, hunters fall out of boats and drown. They die from heart at- tacks, because they are not in good physical shape when they leave the confines of their nor- mal work to tramp over Ontario's hinterlands. Hunters also get lost and some die of exposure before they are found. In short, the number of deaths each year point out that the wild animals have about the same odds as the hunter in surviving, so it's fair for all. We can't really figure it out, but one of the safety tips pro- vided hunters by the Ontario Safety League is: STAY SOBER. until you learn that Tom grew that crop from only six (yes, a half dozen) potatoes, Actually, the article reports that Tom was astonished. He had only expected to get about 700 pounds from his six plants. He credits the wet summer in Sus- sex partly for his success. So, if you had any desire to become the world's champion potato grower, you now know what standards you have to meet; and you can only start with six po- tatoes! * * * * Forest fire prevention in Sweden is apparently not so much a program as a perfectly natural way of life. Last year Sweden's govern- ment spent absolutely nothing for fire prevention. However, as you may suspect, the country is not entirely free from forest fires. In fact, last year was a bad one for fires. They burned 25 acres. In the first six months of 1966, Canada burned some 244,000 acres. A Canadian visitor explained the Swedish situation as being a result of the responsible and educated attitude of the people. But how they got that way, he doesn't know. Oh well, if Canadians ever got that way Smokey the Bear would be out of a job! * * * * Deer hunting season is in full swing and periodically we read of those who denounce the sport as brutal. They point out it is hardly "sport" when men take Zee ute pver „ Attend the Remembrance Day Service in Your Community Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 exeferZimes-Abuocafe to• -rt" Ise Lt ~ - SERVING CANADA'S BEST FARMLAND Member: C.W.N.A., O.W.N,A., C.C.N.R. and ABC •••••• -- ONO 1111•=11: 15 YEARS AGO There are 18,420 eligible in Huron County to vote in the provincial elections Thursday. The present entrance to the Carling Home on Huron St. will remain the entrance to South Huron Hospital with wings built behind to house the patients. Pte. Bob Nicol is "happy to be home" after serving over nine months in Korea. Congratulations were received from Princess Elizabeth by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Spence, well known Blanshard Township couple, on their golden Wedding day which is also the date on which the Princess was married. - pm. irizitionise.• --- nen .7. Publishers: J. M. Southcott, R. M. Southcott Editor: Bill Batten Advertising Manager: Val Baltkalns Phone 235-1331 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont. osikeuka Authorized as Second Class Mail, Post Office Dept, Ottawa, and for Payment of Postage in Cash 50 YEARS AGO The following is the report of SS 2 Hay for the month of October: Sr. IV - Willie Murray, 61; Charlie Ford, 56; Jr. IV - Eddie Aldsworth, 59; Sr. III -Peter Case, 55; Jr. III-Maurice Ford, 65; Percy Campbell, 59; Isa Murray, 55; Sr. II - Gretta Aldsworth, 66; Hannah Murray, 65; Homer Rus- sell, 49; Benson Tuckey, 40; Frank Wildfong, 38; First -Oscar Tuckey, 73; Sr, Primar -Violet Murray, 73; Pearl Betchen, 71; Jr. Primal' -Susie Betchen, 57; John Betchen, 42. Milton Oestricher, Teacher. 25 YEARS AGO Mr. Herman Hodgson of Con. 2 Stephen Township has pur- chased the dwelling of the Misses Huston, Andrew St. He has dis- posed of his farm to Reg Hodgson. Mrs. John W. Taylor today (Thursday) observed her 87th birthday. mr. William Mawhinney, who recently disposed of his farm in StephenTownship, With Mrs. mawhinney, has moved to Exeter in Mr. Jacob's residence on Wil- liam St. 4:77:WAr '••••,/,••••V:I• a•;:N..;'/••415.4.4:.••?" • `,0,Z0:: •4•%7A 10 YEARS AGO Besides featuring the opening of its completely rem odelled store Al's Market in Hensall also celebrated its initiation into the Super Save group of super- markets this weekend. This Week the Times-Advocate introduces a new editorial fea- ture "Sugar and Spice" by Bill Smiley. Alexia Lostell, Usborne, and Phil Charrette of Stephen, both Of Whom are enrolled at UWO, received scholarships valued at $400 each from the Atkinson FoUndation.