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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1967-03-02, Page 4We're still mere subjects We're all for these centennial cele- brations, where people dress up to re- live events of the past, but someone went a bit too far in inviting Mother Nature to provide some of her "old- fashioned" winter weather to add to the authenticity of things. She probably came to the conclu- sion that humans may have been tak- ing too much credit for the progress of this great country during the past 100 years, and decided to point out— rather emphatically we must say—that she played a major role as well. While the wondrous works of Na- ture have provided this area with its rich resources, it is also true that the havoc She has created on occasions have been among some of our memo- rable events, and we doubt that the recent storm has been over-shadowed too great an extent in the pages of our history. However, it is also a noteworthy fact that we are now better equipped to meet the onslaught of winter storms, and no one would think of laying in provisions for a lengthy hibernation caused by an act of Nature. In this way we have shown prog- ress over the mastery of the elements, but the fact remains we are .still "sub- jects", and most of us now have cal- louses and aching muscles to prove it. Have right to profit Members of Grand Bend council were undoubtedly well meaning in their decision to ask garage operators in the resort to allow a commercial discount on gas and oil used in the community's four vehicles. Any steps taken to reduce expend- itures should be welcomed by all tax payers. However, we question whether this is really a fair way of reducing taxes, and Reeve Ory Wassmann's contention that the garage operators should be agreeable on the basis it would reduce their taxes as well is certainly true, but one that is open to argument. The point that members of council failed to seriously consider is the fact the garagemen's ability to pay taxes at all undoubtedly hinges on their ability to make a profit from their businesses. Obviously, to reduce that profit by allowing discounts, reduces their ity to pay taxes. To carry the argument one step farther, council are in effect asking the operators to make contribut'ons to the community that are not being made by other businessmen and residents who do no business with the council. Tradesmen hired to do work in the community probably don't offer any discounts on their hourly wage; we've yet to hear of members of coun- cil giving back a portion of their an- nual stipend as a form of a discount; and most suppliers don't discount their wares just because they are dealing with municipalities. In fact, there have been many examples where people think governments — at all levels — should pay a premium price on goods and services. This does not suggest that some firms do not allow discounts, but it is a fair assumption that they are only able to do so because their prices are marked up enough in the first place that they can afford to offer rebates and still make a fair profit. Others are able to offer discounts on volume busi- ness because their overhead expenses are not as great on such accounts. However, all businesses have to make a profit, and those which fail to do so are soon no more. It may well be that the quantity of business the garages do in Grand Bend would permit them to offer discounts to council, but it should be considered as a straight business deal without the suggestion that it is something that should be done as public spirited citi- zens interested in reducing tax bills. Businessmen pay their fair share of taxes and therefore should expect to receive a fair profit for goods and services provided to their communities. • • :4,4.,v•Wx:*.Aixigsz.::,t, • • Laughter knows no bounds S' Z,S peea ,Z4teect la is Dog problems everywhere Did town council members who voted to halt dogs from running at large—without really coming to grips with animal control—know that Huron County Council is investigating the same thing? It might explain why they did not bother to offer any answers to ques- tions about what can be done with dogs which have no home. Policemen are apparently not ex- pected to gather the dogs at large and impound or destroy them if unclaimed. Neither does the municipality have a dog catcher nor a dog pound. The police can identify a dog at large by its tag and summons the owner to pay the penalty. Presumably the dog will be allowed by the police to continue to roam after the identifica- tion has been completed. But where does the summons go if a dog carries no tag or has no owner? Will stray dogs be allowed to go their merry way because nobody knows who they are or will police carry out on-the-spot executions? A sensible approach to dog control would be immediate impounding of dogs at large and their destruction — not sale for experimental purposes — after a brief opportunity for an owner to claim his pet — dog or cat. This would serve the purpose of prevailing upon owners to keep their pets confined, to eliminate stray ani- mals and contribute to the battle against the spread of rabies. Town council has been told it is impossible to hire a dog catcher which is difficult to understand. Usually if a job pays enough it will attract some- body. Huron County may find it impos- sible to operate a county-wide control for, the same reason that its member municipalities have failed to implement a positive solution — lack of personnel and the expense. However, if the money collected in dog taxes in each municipality were contributed to a central coffer maybe an effective approach could be made to keeping pets within the law. — The Goderich Signal-Star tainwearnrariza4•,,Z.<41: Times Established 1873 Advocate Established 1881 Amalgamated 1924 exeler'Zintes-Abuocale 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: Howie Wright Phone 235-1331 4101.1111211112:0411r0111111 I A IM Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ont. Authorized at Setond Class Malt, Post Office bep't, Ottawa, and for Payment of PoStage in Cash Paid in Advance Circulation, September 30, 1966, 4,427 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Canada $5.00 Per Year; USA $7.00 14.•!•14•41i•- LOT NO, 5 In the County of Huron, there's to me a dear spot, Near the village of Kippen, number 5 is the lot. In the township of Stanley, a mile or more west, There's where I was born and in childhood loved best. To this unbroken forest, with trees every kind, Came a youth pioneer, strong in body and mind. He in time cleared some acres, built a house and a barn Then married a lass, from a neighboring farm. The fame of this grand Huron Tract sounded far, Neighbors soon settled near, names such as Kyle, Slater, Carr. The Bullocks and Whitemans, Hollingshead, Dick and McLean Deed of lot no. 5 was John Anderson's claim. This hard working couple, shared labour and joys, To this happy union, came six girls and four boys. The family now scattered and all of them wed, The youngest son Arthur, now owns the homestead. There were Margaret, Wm, Jessie, Frances, John Maitland& Grace, Albert, Arthur and Jennie, then five years of a space. Then the joy, a wee girl, Clara Elizabeth her name Completed the family of Anderson fame. How oft have we marvelled at the stories they'd tell In the woods traced their herds, by the cow with the bell. How the neighbors would gather at evening to sing, How they danced to the tune of a home-made violin. In those woods, winds the Hayfield, at the rear of the farm. There we romped and picked posies for Mother, unharmed. To the dear swimming hole, on its cross-logs we'd play, Fancied echo of laughter wafts to me today. Such haunts as the spring and the butter-nut tree, See chipmunk and squirrel, hear birds and wild bees. To a lightning split maple, that grew on the flats, We poked sticks in the crevice and scared out the bats, To Lot No. Five I return once a year, We're made welcome, yet memories oft cause a tear. Nothing seems quite the same when your parents not there And for all that is gone simply breathe out a prayer. Different house, more out buildings, page fence, better drains, Now a car hums along down the maple-tree lane. The line gate is gone, the milkstand's not there, Just a Post Box where carriers each day leaves the mail. There's a time comes to all when it's not just a farm, To the home land up yonder, that's where we belong. As our family assemble in His heavenly fold, With each name on His charter in letters of gold. We never quite know, where our lot may be cast. We shall reap what we sow, death claims all at last. Let us follow the gleam of His infinite love, Redeemed, dwell with Christ in His Mansion above. Just can't win 'em all While Brotherhood Week has passed for another year, the aims and objectives of the Can- adian Council of Christians and Jews in using the week to foster brotherhood throughout the year, should be met in part in this area due to the work of the AOTS Men's Club at James Street Un- ited Church in Exeter. For several years now, this group has invited members of all faiths in the area to attend a special banquet, and the grow- ing numbers in attendance in- dicates indeed that any evidence of religious discrimination in this area is being overcome. We've proven through the years we can play, work, sing, study and laugh together, and it is now encouraging to see that it is being proven that we can worship together. The fact that we can laugh together was vividly established due to the wit of the guest speak- er at the event, the Rev. Noble Hatton, Toronto, Regional Dir- ector for Ontario of the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews. A couple of his stories are worth re-telling. One concerned U.S. President Johnson, who, feeling a bit fed up with the constant criticism of his policies, dismissed his usual entourage and headed for a Washington park. His travels took him to the Lincoln Memorial, and while sit- ting there, he looked up at his famous predecessor and asked if he had any advice to help him in his troubled times. The reply came back from the monument: "did you ever con- sider going to the theatre?" Another incident told by th e former RCAF padre concerned a young soldier who presented two letters to be scrutinized by his padre, who served as censor for all mail. One letter had been addressed to the man's wife and the other 50 YEARS AGO Pte Elmore Harness, who has been recuperating from wounds at the hospital in Reading, is expected home almost any time. The prophets who fore- shadowed the present winter were hopeless failures but it looks as though the ground hog theory is going to hold good. The telegraphic report re- ceived this Wednesday (March 1) states that the franchise has been extended to all women in Ontario of the age of 21 years. Mr. Southcott of the Exeter Times occupied the pulpit in the Crediton Methodist church Sunday Morning in the absence of Rev. C. W. Baker, Who is ill. 25 YEARS AGO Mrs. William Mair of Thames Road won the grand prize of $1,000 in an Oxydol contest, Mr. & Mrs. William Baker will on Saturday, March 7 cele- brate their 54th wedding annie Versary. AC2 Allen Penhale of Montain View near Belleville spent Tues- day with his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Asa Penhale. Winning championships is get- ting to be a habit with the Ltican Irish. Per the third year in a row they have grabbed first place in hockey, was to go to a sweetheart he had met. However, he had placed them in the wrong envelopes. The padre noticed the grave error and called the lad back to allow him to correct the situ- ation, but the cleric was informed that the switch had been made intentionally. "After this I hope to be free of both of them," the soldier said in explanation. He followed that one up with a story of an unemployed Boston Irishman who, in searching for work to feed his family, finally took a job as a replacement in a zoo for a popular baboon that had died. Putting on the hide of the animal, he was placed in a cage and enjoyed his work for some time, making the children laugh and eating their gifts of peanuts and other goodies. However, one day a group of older boys started throwing rocks at him, and in his rage he start- ed to yell 'at them in English, whereon the lion in the next cage came in and really sent the Irishman into fright and yell- ing for help. With this the lion turned to him and said:"shut up you fool, you're not the only Irishman in Boston out of work". In conclusion, the story that drew the greatest response con- cerned a young man who was seeking a wife, but was having a difficult task because he had to find one exactly like his mother. Most of those he brought home had some fault mother didn't approve of, but finally he found one that was similar in every respect, and his mother con- sidered her to be the proper choice. However, there was one slight p r ob 1 e m. The lad's father couldn't stand to have her around the house. * * * * We've attended a number of "At-Home" dances at SHDHS 15 YEARS AGO Tom Pryde MLA for Huron has been appointed deputy-whip for the PC's at Toronto. The local basketball league came to a close Friday when Exeter girls played hostesses to the Mitchell teams with the local girls emerging victorious thus the local girls end up on top of the tri-school loop with a 3-1 record. Organization of the Red Cross campaign to raise $1,000 in this district has been completed and canvassers are starting their house to house collections. 10 YEARS AGO A lone yellow Harvard gave a. farewell salute to the Centralia control tower as the final course of Flying Training School cadets graduated from Centralia.. This marked the end of nine and a half years continuous post war flying instruction on Harvard aircraft that graduated 1,800 NATO pilots. The second three-act play pre- sented by Exeter and District Players' Guild 44 Father's Been to Mars" drew an attendance of over 750 at the two-night performance in SHDIIS auditorium, A contract was left for the Complete redecoration of the interior of Trivltt Memorial Ang- lican Church to A. W. R. Mc- Dougall, Toronto, Saturday, in the past, and while the dec- orations have always been sup- erb, this year's crew of design- ers overshadowed them all. The students chose an "Alice in Wonderland" theme and ob- viously spent many hours in creating an atmosphere that re- created the enchantment found by the heroine in the fairytale. Despite the severe storm, a large number of students and recent grads were in attendance, although the number of teachers on hand must have been dis- appointing to the students. We still haven't.figured out how the kids get any 'enjoyment out of their dancing style, but we did learn that 'it can create some problems for other dancers. As you know, the kids stand about three feet away from their partners and move their legs and arms in various patterns, but seldom stray more than an inch or two away from their place on the floor. Steering the better half through the maze of dancers didn't appear to be such a difficult trick, until she politely pointed out we had just gone between two partners. With that, we decided it was best to watch those "rock numbers— or whatever they were—from the sidelines. Depending upon your vantage point, the weekend storm did have a few humorous moments, although to be sure it wasn't safe to laugh at the victims in some of the incidents. While on the way to work Saturday morning, we stopped to talk to a few businessmen on the west side of Main St., who were up to their necks in snow and shovelling furiously. Much of their exuberance was caused by the fact they were slightly infuriated. Seems most of them had been out bright and early and had just about completed their task of clearing the sidewalks, when the department of highways plow came along and dumped it—along with some more—right back on their doorsteps. Naturally we sympathized with them, because it was rather ob- vious that any other emotional display such as smiling would have been met with a good crack on the head with a snow shovel. We also have a word of ex- planation for the driver of the snow plow, who appeared to think the men were waving at him when he made a return run back the other side. The men -had their hands in the air, but if he had looked closely, he would have noticed their fists were clenched. LETTERS a. EDITOR His view Exeter, Ontario. Feb. 23, 1967. Dear Sir: If Exeter did nothing to mark Canada's centennial except fluor- idate the water supply, subse- quent generations of local resi- dents would still have cause to consider this step the most pro- gressive, unselfish action of most other possible alternatives. The medical and dental pro- fession have shown themselves enthusiastically behind this measure with the exception of a few, who, however vocal they may be, will not in the end prevent BY DEBBIE ANDERSON RR 2, liensall After many months of eager anticipation, 1967 our centennial year, has finally started off with festive occasions occurring all over Canada. It seemed to me, as a teen- ager, that there was nothing I could possibly do. I had spec- ulated over several projects that had already been suggested at school but above everything else I had wanted mine to be unique and interesting. It then occurred to me that right next to me was a centennial farm, and on top of this, it is the farm of my an- cestors. The original Anderson farm is geographically situated on the south boundary of Stanley Town- ship, Lot 5. It then consisted of fifty acres. A tributary of the Hayfield River passed through its thick bushland. In those days it was a perfect situation for a farm. The loam soil was very fertile and thus a great many crops could be grown. Kippen, then a young and pros- perous village, was just two miles away. This village was very im- portant as it provided excellent grain elevators and flour mills. Gilbert Anderson purchased the uncleared lot from the Canada Company in 1846. It took a year to clear enough land to build a log cabin. John, Gilbert's son, a young boy of seventeen, then bought the farm from his father for the small sum of one dollar. John had been born in Kirkin- tilloch Dumbarton Shire, Scot- land, and had come with his parents, two brothers and seven sisters, at the age of four to Lanark County in 1833. They resided there for several years. In 1858 John Anderson married Francis Whiteman, a native of Glengarry County. Four boys and six girls were born to this mar- I don't know whether it's the weather, but certain species pro- liferate in this country with the rapidity of rabbits. One is the chairman of committees. There's one for every snowbank in the nation. Another is the guest speaker. There's one at the bot- tom of every barrel. And another is the canvasser. In some smaller communities, there are more canvassers than non-can- vassers. A canvasser is a weak-willed person who can be talked into asking other people for money for a 41Good Cause," or even, more popularly, a +(Worthy Cause." The number of Worthy Causes in this country is only _ . this measure being adopted in all towns and cities in modern coun- tries. Exeter has the opportunity to lead ItS fellow emnitunities in this respect, The question is whether it has enough citizens with year 2057 viewpoint or whether 186/ WOuldelasSifyInest Of its citizens more accurately. Yours very truly, W. G. Huntley. riage during their years on the farm, William, John, Arthur, Al- bert. Margaret, Jessie, Fannie, Grace, Jennie and Clara. Five of these ten children left Canada, hoping for a brighter future in the vast United States. In 1889 the present house was built, directly behind the old log house. When Arthur, the youngest son, was 33, he married Eliza- beth Clark of Hensall and they moved into the present house. John, Arthur's father had died in 1902 and his widow left the farm to live at Kippen with her daughter Clara, where she lived until her death in 1933. Arthur and Elizabeth, my grandparents, lived on the farm for nearly 50 years. They had five children, John, Emerson, Olive, Elva and Frances. In 1936 Elva died at the age of 26 and on January the third, 1967, Olive passed away. On January 25, 1957, Grand- father, at the age of 82, was killed in a car accident not more than five miles away from home. Grandma then moved off the farm and went to live with her two daughters. John, my father, then bought the farm in 1959. Many years before, 33 acres had been added to the original fifty acres and it now consists of 83 acres. On August 21, 1966, Grandma passed away at the age of 82 after suffering from a stroke. The house is now deserted but fond memories of my grand- parents still linger within its dark and gloomy walls. A hun- dred and twenty-one years of Anderson history has gone by and I hope one hundred and twenty-one more years will fol- low. My Great Aunt Grace wrote a poem many years ago about this farm and it sums up all my feelings. exceeded by the number of back- boneless birds of both sexes who allow themselves to be put on the list of canvassers. And I know whereof I speak. In my day I have canvassed for the blind, the retarded, the re- sort owners, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army and eleventeen other Worthy Causes, About the only thing I haven't done is sell cookies for the Girl Guides. And I've hated every minute of it. The trouble is that the average Canadian citizen heart- ily detests the handing over of cash for an intangible. At heart he's a generous soul. He knows the Red Cross does good work, for that o sioe mething should be done blind and that we need a school for retarded children. But he can't eat them, smoke them, drink them, or even.at- tach them to his car. Therefore, the fellow who will fling down a ten in the liquor store as though he grew the lettuce, will dourly, head shaking, peel Off a couple of thin one-spots Or the Sally Ann. The housewife, who buys her weeds by the oar., ton, will spend 20 minutes look Please turn to page 5 ONE OF A SERIE'S OF CENTENNIAL REPORTS Found project very handy